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. Should any additional petitions be received they will be listed to be noted but not discussed.

5.1 Petition requesting all options to be investigated to fully refurbish and update St George’s Pools

Amanda Day addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She advised that the spring lockdown and the Covid restrictions had changed the shape of the Council’s Leisure services including those provided by St George’s Pool. The Council regularly carried out reviews of the leisure services including this pool and this wider review will inform the future of the services. She also stated that she was aware of the need for further investment and that additional funding might be made available from the government. She and the Mayor would be happy to meet with the Petitioners. Any changes would be made public.

RESOLVED

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

5.2 Petition requesting an enquiry into the treatment of residents at Aspen Court Care Home

Amanda Henry addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing then responded to the matters raised in the petition. She expressed condolences to the Petitioner. She noted that the Council must honour and reflect on the experiences at the care home. She also acknowledged that the Council must consider the outcome of the review of care homes and the enquiry.

RESOLVED

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

5.3 Petition regarding Hold a referendum on 6^th May 2021 to replace the ‘Directly Elected Mayor and a cabinet’ system by a ‘Leader and cabinet’ system

Khwaja Qureshi addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members. The Council’s response to this issue is set out at Item 10.1

RESOLVED

1.     That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, for a written response within 28 days.

5.4 Petition for debate regarding Covid Test Centre in Watney Market

Ruhul Amin addressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners. The Council then debated the matters raised by the petition and Councillor Rachel Blake, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing provided a response.  She stated that she supported the retention of the test centre, as well as the wider measures to facilitate testing, given the importance of an effective test and trace system in reducing the rates of Covid-19.

She considered that there were inaccuracies in the motion which she hoped could be included in the minutes. [MM1] 

During the debate, Councillor Harun Miah moved and Councillor Rabina Khan seconded a motion (as set out below).

This Council notes:

1.   Tower Hamlets has one of the highest levels of deprivation in the United Kingdom. With Shadwell being one of the most deprived areas in the Borough. With a large BAME community.

2.   The Idea Store which was built to provide a place for people who suffer from data poverty to access the internet, provide a study area for individuals who live in overcrowded households has now been given over for SERCO Covid-19 test centre.

3.   The test centre is adjacent to sheltered housing for the elderly, in a busy market, densely populated residential area, surrounded by bus stops, and half a dozen schools including the Bishop Challoner Secondary School and Mulberry Secondary Girls School and Sixth Form.

4.   There was a visit to the area by Council Officers, Lead Member and Civil Servants from the Cabinet Office, before the announcement of the test centre. No local stakeholders, local councillors or members of the BAME community were invited to that meeting. Nor was there any local consultation.

5.   According to the Covid-19 Dashboard incidences in Shadwell are on the rise.

This Council Welcomes:

1.   The Mayor and his Lead Member embracing the Blacks Lives Matter movement, by wearing T-Shirts and posts on social media.

The Council Encourages:

1.   The Mayor and his lead member to engage with the BAME community and deprived working-class communities in decisions that have an impact on their lives. As the BAME and working-class communities have their own voices and views and are not passive and silent actors.

2.   Make the support for the Black Lives Matter movement deeds in actions and not just mere words and take account the views expressed in the petition to remove the Covid-19 test centre from Shadwell, engage positively with the petitioners.

The Council Resolves

To remove the Serco Covid-19 Test Centre from Watney market and remove it to a more suitable location.

This motion was put to a vote and was defeated.

RESOLVED

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