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 Public Space Protection Order to ban nuisance vehicles

Mr Andrew Wood presented his petition regarding Public Space Protection Order to ban nuisance vehicles. He asked the Council to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to allow the Police and Council to deal with nuisance vehicles more effectively. He explained how noise disturbed residents with vehicles revving engines, performing tunnel runs and being a danger to residents. He said a PSPO could help control anti-social behaviour and should be applied across the borough of Tower Hamlets.

Members asked questions of the petitioner before Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities responded to matters raised in the petition. He said the Council and the Police were working closely together bringing different resources and enforcement powers to deal with issues. However, it was correct to state that the Council does have no specific power currently to deal with vehicles causing nuisance.

RESOLVED

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

5.2      Petition requesting Refund for missed waste collections

Mr Micheal Bundy and Ms Lyn Misselbrook presented their petition requesting a refund of Council Tax for the missed rubbish and recycling collections during the summer. Mr Bundy said the missed collections resulted in rubbish being piled up, causing a health hazard and therefore council taxpayers ought to be compensated from the public purse.

Members asked questions of the petitioner before Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency responded to matters raised in the petition.  He said the Council’s Waste Operations were insourced in March 2020 from Veolia. No compensation payments had been paid to the Council for the one-week loss in service during the national strike action. He said the main factor for the strike was a national dispute on pay that affected Tower Hamlets unionised employees.

RESOLVED

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

5.3      Petition regarding Tower Hamlets Housing Allocation system for single people

Mr Terry McGrenera presented his petition concerning housing allocation for single people. He said he had brought the petition following the fatal fire in Shadwell. He stated that the housing allocation system needed to be applied more fairly to those requiring social housing who were single and that the focus should not be just on families.

Members asked questions of the petitioner before Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding responded to matters raised in the petition. He said all residents who have lived in the borough for three years and who had recourse to public funds were able to register on the Council’s Housing Register. He said there were currently over 24,000 applicants on the register, of which 10,444 require 1 bedroom accommodation. Last year the council allocated 476 1-bedroom homes to those on the register. Councillor Kabir stated that whilst single people were able to register and some would receive housing, there was a mismatch of supply and demand and unfortunately the council was unable to help all those requiring housing, however the Council endeavours to provide advice on other housing solutions that might be available.

RESOLVED

1.    That the petition be referred to the Interim Corporate Director for Housing and Regeneration for a written response within 28 days.