Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The questions which have been received from members of the public to be put at this meeting are set out in the attached report. A maximum of 20 minutes is allowed for this agenda item.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Mr. Richard Desmond re: A Pride March for East London in 2011
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
6.2 Question from Mr. Ahmed Hussain re: creation of more jobs in the borough
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
6.3 Question from Mr. John Wright re: East End Homes
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member, Housing.
(Action by: Aman Dalvi, Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
6.4 Question from Ms. Anna Begum re: increase in the number of Tesco stores across the borough
The above question and an oral supplementary question were put and were responded to by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration.
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Mr. Richard Desmond re: A Pride March for East London in 2011
“The group Out East is working to establish solidarity and build community among people who identify as Lesbian, Queer, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender or who are questioning issues about sexuality or gender identity in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham. Thus in the face of homophobic prejudice and hate crimes, it is this group's intention to have a Pride March from Hackney into Tower Hamlets late this summer and we would like to end the march with an event in Victoria Park, it expected to be less than 2000 people for under three hours on a Saturday afternoon. We ask that the Mayor help facilitate this with the use of the park to and show his support for this campaign against all hate crimes and in solidarity with the diverse communities of our borough.”
Responseof the Mayor
I support any initiative that aims to promote tolerance and community cohesion. You can apply to the Council’s Arts and Events Service for permission. However, I should warn you that some Labour Councillors, especially in Bow West, have been very vocal about limiting the number of events in Victoria Park.
As Mayor, I would be happy to work with you to overcome their objections.
Point of personal explanation
Councillor Joshua Peck rose to give a personal explanation as the Mayor had referred to Labour Councillors in Bow West in his response. The Mayor had stated that they wished to limit the number of events in Victoria Park. Councillor Peck stated that this related to commercial events and the Councillors’ motion had made it clear that they were in support of community events.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr. Desmond:
I am the Chair of the Victoria Park Friends Group. This is not a big event with only 2,000 people expected whereas other events have up to 8,000 attendees. Will the Mayor support our use of the park?
Summary of the Mayor’s response:
I fully support your endeavours. Please make your application and officers will look at it on its own merits.
6.2 Question from Mr. Ahmed Hussain re: creation of more jobs in the borough
“Can the Mayor kindly let us know how is he progressing in creating more jobs in the borough?”
Response by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member, Regeneration
Creating new jobs and connecting out of work residents to new jobs is one of mayor’s five main priorities. As at December 2010, there has been an increase of over 5 per cent in the employment rate. This means that there are an additional 800 residents in work. This is great news and the early initiatives pursued by the council have played a part in the change.
We are refreshing the Employment Strategy brought in by Cllr Choudhury under a previous administration and supported by the mayor when he was leader. It is being reworked to respond to the new economic environment and the government’s changes to the welfare to work programmes. This administration is engaging robustly with the Prime contractors for the new Single Work Programme – to ensure that they are responding to the needs of Tower Hamlets’ residents and our commitment to put more people into work.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr. Hussain:
I do not think that Cabinet Members know that I regularly do enquiries as a resident. I have found there will be 500 job losses at this Council with a net of 250. In the previous Council, the Mayor was the Leader and he knows about the problems. Is it not misleading to say on the Mayor’s webpage that new jobs will be created?
Summary of Cabinet Member’s response:
It is easy to blame the Mayor but in fact it is your Government that is implementing these cuts.
6.3 Question from Mr. John Wright re: East End Homes
“As a resident of the Glamis Estate E1 which is managed by East End Homes, I and many other residents including residents of other East End Homes estates are deeply concerned that the views of these residents are not being represented. We feel this could be due to poor attendance by Councillors. Could we be informed of their attendance records since appointment to the board of EEH and I also seek help from the council on the lack of transparency and information from EEH main Board?”
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
I know you well and you do a tremendous amount of work for the Glamis Estate TRA. The TRA ensures that the concerns of residents, in particular vulnerable residents like older people are voiced and heard. The Mayor and I feel very strongly that tenants and leaseholders have a right to have a meaningful say on how estates are managed and maintained.
I understand that a consultation took place on estate by EEH and the estate decided that they would not sign up to the consitution. I want to work with you to ensure that EEH is engaging residents effectively and that members are holding the Board to account. I would be happy to meet with you and any other Councillors to work with the Mayor to iron out any issues that may exist.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr. Wright:
Is the Council happy with the current situation? The Chief Executive of East End Homes is an ex-LBTH worker. There is a lack of transparency and representation at East End Homes in stark contrast with Tower Hamlets Homes and Tower Hamlets Community Housing.
Summary of Cabinet Member’s response:
I would like to work with you and East End Homes to iron out these issues and to hold the RSL to account. We also need to ensure that rents are not increased unduly and that tenants are well looked after.
6.4 Question from Ms. Anna Begum re: increase in the number of Tesco stores across the borough
“Like many residents, I am concerned at the increase in the number of Tescos across the borough. I am worried that the Council may have been unduly influenced by big business. Can you confirm whether any councillors are either linked to Tesco directly or work for organisations responsible for lobbying and other public affairs/public relations work on behalf of Tesco?”
Response by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member, Regeneration
I share your concern at the sudden increase in supermarket chain shops across the borough. However, I am informed by officers that the Council has no power to control who operates shops other than the shops that the Council owns within its own housing estates that it still manages.
All Councillors are required to declare who they work for and this information is on the website. The Code of Conduct for Members within the Council’s Constitution requires that Members must declare interests when sitting at committee.
Summary of supplementary question:
Is it true that Councillor Joshua Peck is lobbying for the company and for Crossrail as clients of his company?
At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Joshua Peck replied to the supplementary question.
Councillor Peck stated that the allegation was entirely false and without foundation. The Scottish office of his company had undertaken some work for Tesco in Scotland only. Councillor Peck had no contact with any representative of Tesco in a professional capacity. Officers had confirmed that the Council had received no planning applications from Tesco since Councillor Peck was elected to the Council with the exception of Gladstone Place, and that application pre-dated Councillor Peck joining his current employment. Councillor Peck had declared a personal interest in the Gladstone Place application as the former Lead Member responsible for Assets. Councillor Peck stated that he found it reprehensible that a known supporter of the Mayor should attempt to slur a member of the Council in this way.
Supporting documents: