The Council Procedure Rules provide for a maximum of four petitions to be discussed at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council.

The attached report presents the received petitions to be discussed. Additional petitions received are listed to be noted but not discussed.

5.1 Petition regarding Save Our Youth Centre

Geneva Blissett addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He advised of a new initiative to deliver street based activities in the Bow West area to ensure the continued availability of youth services, following the decommissioning of the provider for the Youth Centre

He also advised that the Council is currently carrying out a review of  youth services, with the longer term aim of providing more detached youth work as well as youth hubs.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Children and Culture, for a written response within 28 days.

5.2 Petition regarding Trees for Mile End

Nicholas Caulkett addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

He reported that the Council recognised the importance of tree planting in helping address climate change. A tree survey had been carried out by the Council recently. This revealed that some of the areas identify in the petition would require additional work.

He also noted that the Liveable Streets programme contained measures to improve the look and feel of the Borough’s streets. He welcomed the petitioners involvement in the next phase of the programme.

RESOLVED:

 1.        That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

5.3 Petition regarding Anti - Social Behaviour issues in Jolly's Green Areas.

RedwanShuhel and Tony Harrison addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. The Mayor expressed a commitment to take action to address the issues raised in the Petition given the impact that the issues highlighted had on people lives. He undertook to arrange a meeting with the Petitioners to further look at the issues.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Health, Adults & Community for a written response within 28 days.

5.4 Petition regarding residential permits for all Electric Car Drivers

Love Oyeniran addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment then responded to the matters raised in the petition.

He advised that the Council recognised the need to improve air quality and remained committed to carrying out a wide range of measures to achieve this Recent initiatives included:

• Working with partners to implement the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan to prevent such activities as engine idling outside schools. 
• Redesigning street layouts through the Liveable Street programme.
• Measures to promote the use of low emission vehicles.

He also advised that there was simply a lack of space in the Borough to allow additional vehicles to park outside car free developments as requested by the petition.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.

5.5 Petition regarding Bartlett Park and planning consultations.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Place for a written response within 28 days.