To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2021/22 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 Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer called for nominations to serve as Speaker of the Council for the coming year.

It was moved by Mayor John Biggs, and seconded by Councillor Sabina Akhtar, and unanimously:

RESOLVED

1.       That Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain, be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2022.

Mayor John Biggs spoke in support of his nomination. He stated that Councillor Mohammed Ahbab Hossain had served the community proudly and had worked tirelessly in support of many good causes over  the years and for his ward. He felt therefore it was fitting that he should serve as the Speaker of the Council.

The Mayor also recognised that since the Speaker’s election in September 2020, this had been a difficult time for the community, with the focus of the Council and the Speaker on helping residents. He hoped however, that with the lifting of the restrictions, the Speaker could fully fulfil his civic duties and continue with his community work. He felt that the Speaker would continue to serve the community proudly and his office would be at the centre of the recovery.

Councillor Sabina Akhtar stated that it was an honour for her to second the nomination.  She recognised that, despite the difficult circumstances, the Speaker had served the community with dignity and honour. She also welcomed that he had been an advocate of important causes. She looked forward to the Speaker continuing with this work over the next year.

Councillors Peter Golds, Asma Islam, David Edgar and Rabina Khan also echoed the above sentiments. Whilst recognising his good work over the year, they also look forward to the Speaker’s participation in community life again.

In particular, Councillor Asma Islam thanked the Speaker for providing a platform for important community events and bringing the community together, such as the interfaith events.

Councillor David Edgar stated that he pleased to see the Speaker present in person at a Council meeting. He hoped that he could continue his personal attendance at Council meetings and at community events.

Councillor Rabina Khan also wished to highlight the Speaker’s work to reach out to opposition Councillors and to the community. She particularly welcomed his role in supporting the 50^th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence celebration events.

Councillor Peter Golds also thanked Councillor Victoria Obaze for all the work she had undertaken as the previous Speaker of the Council.

The Speaker of the Council then addressed the meeting on his re – election as Speaker. He firstly recognised that this had been a difficult time for all of the community. Many had lost loved ones and have had to adapt to the restrictions.

In light of this, he highlighted his decision to focus his activities completely on the community, primarily by attending and initiating virtual community events.

He thanked everyone for their support over this year, especially his consorts: his wife Rohima Begum, and good friends Mohammed Sunahar Ali and Abdul Latif. He looked forward to their continued support over the year as his consorts. He also thanked the Mayor and Councillors  as well as the Democratic Services Team, who had supported him with his work.

The Speaker also confirmed his decision to keep the same charities that he announced last year. These were: Capital Kids Cricket, Patchwork Foundation and Sottyen School of Performing Arts. He hoped to start holding fundraising events soon.

He also looked forward to arranging a Speaker’s reception event once the restrictions had lifted.

Turning to recent events, he spoke with deep regret about the international  conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Speaker felt that the conflict showed the importance of communities working together for everyone’s peace and prosperity. The Speaker called on everyone including governments to work together to stop the killing of innocent people.