Agenda item
TO RECEIVE PETITIONS
The deadline for receipt of petitions to be presented to this meeting is noon on Wednesday 23rd November 2011.
However, at the time of agenda despatch, the maximum number of three petitions had already been received as set out in the attached report.
Decision:
5.1 Petition on behalf of the White Swan, Commercial Road, E1 regarding the Sex Establishments Policy
Mr Daryl Stafford and Mr Barry Kirk addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Culture, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
5.2 Petition from Ms Brenda Daily, Mr Tom Ridge and others regarding the “Save Mother Levy’s” campaign
Ms Brenda Daily and Mr Tom Ridge addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Jackie Odunoye, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.3 Petition from residents of Lanrick Road regarding transport and satellite
Mr Ashraful Alam addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the issues raised.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Action by: Jackie Odunoye, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
Minutes:
5.1 Petition on behalf of the White Swan, Commercial Road, E1 regarding the Sex Establishments Policy
Mr Daryl Stafford and Mr Barry Kirk addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Culture, then responded to the issues raised.
The Council was part way through the analysis and evaluation of the consultation on the draft Sex Establishments Policy. There had been a record number of responses and it was clear that residents felt strongly about the matter. A consultation meeting had been held with Rainbow Hamlets and many of the issues raised in the petition had been brought to the Council’s attention. These would be given due consideration and the Council would ensure that the policy was not discriminatory.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2 Petition from Ms Brenda Daily, Mr Tom Ridge and others regarding the “Save Mother Levy’s” campaign
Ms Brenda Daily and Mr Tom Ridge addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the issues raised.
She shared the concerns of those who wanted to save the most important elements of the former Jewish Maternity Hospital. The decision to sell the site was taken by the previous administration. Unfortunately, as the building was not listed or in a Conservation Area, the Council could not prevent its demolition. However Councillor Khan was fully supportive of the campaign to save the buildings and had written to Peabody in this regard. In the event that this was not possible, Councillor Khan was also working on a number of initiatives to preserve its legacy.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Change to Order of Business
Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman MOVED, and Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED, a procedural motion – “That under procedural Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied to allow motion 12.9 to be considered as next business.”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
12.9 Former Jewish Maternity Hospital
Councillor Judith Gardiner moved, and Councillor Helal Uddin seconded, the motion as printed in the agenda.
Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
· That the former Jewish Maternity Hospital, known affectionately as ‘Mother Levy’s’, was the only Jewish Maternity hospital in England and located in four separate buildings in Underwood Road.
· That the buildings form part of the few remaining examples of the built evidence of the Jewish East End and as such are of important historical significance.
· That Peabody Housing Trust are legally entitled to apply to demolish the site and have applied for a ‘prior notice of demolition’ on the site, with the view to applying for permission to build a five storey block of 33 flats rent, shared ownership and sale on the open market.
· That Peabody has a duty to optimise the amount of housing they provide but also to protect the Borough’s heritage.
This Council further notes:
· An online petition which has been signed by over 400 people including local councillors opposing the demolition.
· That several notable individuals such as the Director of Jewish Heritage UK, Chairs of the East London History Society and Jewish East End Celebration Society and local Councillors have written to the Chief Executive of Peabody asking him to at least spare the cottages and convert them to family homes.
This Council resolves:
· To call on the Mayor to urgently negotiate with Peabody Homes to prevent the demolition.
· To call on Peabody to reconsider their designs to spare the cottages or part of the façade to preserve the heritage of the buildings.
5.3 Petition from residents of Lanrick Road regarding transport and satellite
Mr Ashraful Alam addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, then responded to the issues raised.
With regard to the one-way system currently in use, Councillor Rabina Khan pointed out that this had been introduced originally to prevent HGV access and to block a rat run from the A12 to the A13. It would not be legally possible for the Council to gate the road but further proposals were under consideration.
In connection with poor television reception, Lanrick Road benefits from a communal satellite dish, although the Freeview channels were not part of the satellite system. Signals from the Crystal Palace transmitter were not strong in the Lanrick Road area, but this may improve when the BBC switches off the analogue service during 2012, following which the digital signal would be stronger.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Supporting documents: