To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2019/20 or until a successor is appointed, whichever is the sooner.

(Note: Section 4 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 1972 provide that the election of the chairman (which post the Council has resolved to title ‘Speaker’ in Tower Hamlets) shall be the first item of business transacted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and that in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any vote s/he may have).

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Ayas Miah addressed the meeting about his year of office.  He thanked Mayor John Biggs and Councillors for giving him this opportunity.

He had the honour of attending and supporting a range of events and activities providing opportunities to promote the Borough and bring the community together. Some of the highlights included:

•           Cultural events including the local Mela and an Arts and Music Education concert at Queen Mary College.

•           A commemorative event marking the Victory Day of Bangladesh.

•           A visit to Bangladesh to meet many dignitaries including the Prime Minister.

•           Visits by high profile guests including: the new Bangladesh High Commissioner, the King of the Ashanti, and several members of the Royal Family.

•           A British – Irish Assembly meeting held in Canary Wharf for discussions on a number of important issues.

•           Becoming a Dementia Friend.

•           The LBTH Civic Awards to pay tribute to the hard work of residents.

He was pleased to say that he held a very successful Charity Ball in December in Canary Wharf and a charity curry night. He thanked all of the people and organisations who supported these events especially the sponsors for each.

The Speaker was pleased to announce that he had raised in the region of £50,000 for his Charities:

•           St. Hilda’s East Community Centre

•           Sporting Foundation

•           Dorset Community Association

•           Limehouse Project

He stated that he had been very proud to Chair the Full Council meetings and it was an honour to represent this Borough. He also thanked Officers especially Patricia Attawia (Personal Assistant to The Speaker) and Danny Bodle (Speaker’s Attendant) for all their help and support.

Following the Speaker’s address, Mayor John Biggs addressed the meeting. He thanked Councillor Miah for his service, as Speaker of the Council, over the year. He reported that Councillor Miah had performed his duties with great dignity, loyalty and perseverance and had provided leadership to the community.  He had worked hard to serve everyone in the borough and support community cohesion.

Councillors Mohammed Ahbab Hossain, Abdal Ullah and Denise Jones echoed the above points. They thanked Councillor Miah for acting as such a positive ambassador for the Borough and for all that he had achieved over the year, particularly his work with young people and schools and successful fund raising activities. They stated that his fundraising work would make a huge difference to his charities.

The Speaker then called for nominations to serve as Speaker of the Council for the coming year.

It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, seconded by Councillor Asma Islam, and unanimously:

RESOLVED

1.         That Councillor Victoria Obaze be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2020.

Mayor John Biggs and Councillor Asma Islam then came forward to witness the Speaker of the Council signing the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.00pm and reconvened at 7.10pm.

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Victoria Obaze in the Chair

The incoming Speaker, Councillor Victoria Obaze thanked the Council for electing her as Speaker. She congratulated Councillor Ayas Miah for a successful year in office and his hard work over the last year on behalf of the Council and the borough. She stated that being elected as the first Black female Speaker of the Borough was a great honour. She thanked the Mayor and Councillors for giving her the opportunity and also thanked the residents of Whitechapel ward. She advised that she would strive to maintain community cohesion and serve the people of the Borough, drawing on the experiences she had gained through her extensive community work.

She had chosen the following charities to support:

•           Alzheimer’s Dementia.

•           Providence Row that provide support for the homeless

•           Bangladeshi Parents and Careers Association that helped people with disabilities

She would be accompanied by her consorts: Charles Obaze, David Obaze and Faruk Ahmed.

The Mayor and Councillors then congratulated Councillor Obaze on her appointment

The Mayor stated that he was delighted to support Councillor’s Obaze’s nomination as Speaker. He praised her many qualities and her tireless support for good causes over many years. She would make an excellent Speaker of the Council. Councillors Asma Islam and Councillor Andrew Wood also spoke in favour of Councillor Obaze’s election.