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 regarding Recognise Cockney as a community language

Saif Osmani presented a petition asking the Councilto ensure that the Cockney language, identity, and its unique cultural heritage related to the East End of London be recognised as a community language and be celebrated annually on 21st February on International Mother Language Day, and for Cockney to be included in any community language provisions by the Council. He then answered questions from Members.

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning responded briefly to the petition. He highlighted how proud the Council was of the rich history of the local community including the Cockney culture and identity.

RESOLVED

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

5.2       Petition regarding Road Safety Measures Urgently Needed on Bow Roundabout connecting the A12, Bow Road and Stratford High Street

Martha Sedgwick and Abdi Mohamed presented a petition asking the Council to engage with Transport for London to urgently implement road safety measures to Bow Roundabout to create a safer environment for pedestrians, including children, parents and carers who use the crossing for school pick up and drop off, and for residents living in the area needing to cross the roundabout for access to transport, shops, places of worship etc. They then answered questions from Members.

Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency responded briefly to the petition. He said that the Council shared the concerns and had asked Transport for London to look into the issue.

RESOLVED

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

5.3       Petition regarding Redevelopment of Chrisp Street Market and Surrounding area

Terry McGrenera presented a petition to ask why Poplar HARCA and Tower Hamlets Council have failed to keep shopkeepers and market traders informed of what has happened since plans were approved for the redevelopment/gentrification of Chrisp Street Market and surrounding area and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, responded briefly to the petition. He confirmed that the Council was working to ensure the developers kept the community properly informed.

RESOLVED

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

5.4       Petition regarding Fairtrade

Owen Beith and Marie Larvin presented a petition asking the Council to reaffirm and step up its support for Fairtrade in order to address the imbalance of power between the Global North and Global South. They then responded to questions from Members.

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living briefly responded to the petitioners. He welcomed the work of the fair trade movement and highlighted the social value requirements for those seeking council contracts.

RESOLVED

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

Procedural Motion

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait moved and Councillor Maium Talukdar seconded that under Procedure Rule 12.1 (c) the order of business be changed to take Agenda Item 12.1 ‘Motion reaffirming fairtrade in Tower Hamlets’ as the next item of business. The Speaker accepted their reasons for urgency and put the matter to the vote and it was agreed. [Minute of that item presented later in these minutes.]