Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
8.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me why the Council is selling large, family sized homes at auction to the highest bidder when there is a desperate shortage of this type of social housing across the Borough?”
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In the course of his duties on behalf of Tower Hamlets Council has the Mayor ever consulted the Islamic Forum for Europe on Council policy? Does he believe they are an appropriate organisation to consult on Council matters?
8.3 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor share my concerns over potential police counter closures and changes to Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Tower Hamlets?”
8.4 Question from Councillor Harun Miah to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Whilst acknowledging that it is ignorance rather than knowledge which leads young people into unfortunate, inappropriate and abusive sexual relationships, is the Cabinet Member for Education aware of the widespread concern amongst many parents about the current practices in teaching Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in the borough, particularly in relation to some aspects of SRE being taught to those under the age of 11 and being taught with a particular DVD which has provoked concern, and could he outline what measures the Council is taking to reassure parents that Sex and Relationship Education in this borough is taught appropriately, using the appropriate materials and at the appropriate ages?”
8.5 Question from Councillor David Edgar to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me how many jobs so far have been taken up by Tower Hamlets residents as a result of the deal made between him and LOCOG?”
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In 2010 how many GCSE students in LBTH schools achieved 5 A* grades including English and Maths, and how many A2 students at LBTH colleges and sixth forms achieved at least 1 A* and 2 A grades? What is being done to ensure that the brightest students in our borough are being stretched?”
8.7 Question from Councillor Denise Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what negotiations the Council has had with LOCOG over the Olympic Route Network?”
8.8 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Is the Cabinet Member for Housing aware that many homes, including large family homes, built in recent years have been built in “car free zones”, that large and poorer families in particular need large family cars for cheap and secure transport and to transport foodstuffs in bulk and that “car free” homes therefore discriminate against larger and poorer families and will she therefore agree to lobby central government to repeal legislation and to seek changes to strategic planning which has imposed these “car free” homes on Tower Hamlets residents, to seek any loopholes that may exist to reduce the number of “car free” homes that currently exist or will be built in the future and to seek to enable residents in “car free” homes access to at least one resident’s parking permit if needed?”
8.9 Question from Councillor Rachael Saunders to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what the composition of the new Health and Wellbeing board will be?”
8.10Question from Councillor Craig Aston to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“What progress has been made in implementing the Motion in the names of Councillors Snowdon and Davis agreed at the Full Council meeting on October 27th which called for the full details of all premises, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment licenses to be published on the Tower Hamlets Website?”
8.11Question from Councillor Shiria Khatun to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor update me on the Council’s bid for city status and tell me what Council resources are being used to support the bid?”
8.12 Question from Councillor Stephanie Eaton to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Could I be advised how much the Borough pays to send waste to landfill, and how much of this cost could be saved by the use of the waste to energy facility proposed for Fish Island South? How can existing local residents and the residents of the forecast 2000 new homes at Fish Island be informed about the safety and environmental impact of the facility, especially in relation to emissions and the siting of such a plant in a flood risk area?”
8.13Question from Councillor Mohammed Abdul Mukit to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Can the Lead Member tell me what discussions the Council has had with Bethnal Green Technology College about its bid for Academy Status?”
8.14Question from Councillor Peter Golds to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Having used £120,000 of public money on a new office suite, which will enable the Mayor to, according to East End Life, ”host foreign dignitaries”;
sending council officers to purchase two iPhone 4 handsets at £600 each and;
leasing a silver Mercedes car from ING car leasing at £72 per day, plus chauffeur.
Will the Mayor inform the Council which are the next personal aspects of his office to be enhanced from public money and whether he will be visiting the Government Art Collection to secure suitably impressive art works for the Mayor of a London Borough to be made available when he is receiving “foreign dignitaries” in his one way mirrored office?”
8.15Question from Councillor Joshua Peck to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Will the Mayor commit to working with all political groups, the Police, Interfaith Forum and community organisations to respond to any planned action by the EDL this summer in Tower Hamlets and ensure the safety and security of residents?”
8.16Question from Councillor Emma Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“When will work commence to repair Wapping Wall, as agreed in this years' budget?”
8.17Question from Councillor Anna Lynch to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor confirm that residential care we may provide for our Learning Disabled residents has been recently inspected and that we have addressed any concerns; and whether the difficulties being experienced by provider Southern Cross will have an impact on any of our homes?”
8.18Question from Councillor Tim Archer to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor believe we are an energy efficient council?”
8.19Question from Councillor Anwar Khan to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor give me an update on the progress made by the Council to promote Fairtrade products amongst Council catering services, residents and community groups and on asking Council contractors to provide Fairtrade goods?”
8.20Question from Councillor Maium Miah to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Will the Mayor inform Members how he will be allocating the 1000 jobs that Lord Coe has provided to Tower Hamlets? What provision has he in place that these will be spread across the borough and will include Millwall and the Isle of Dogs.?”
8.21Question from Councillor Gloria Thienel to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“What steps has the Mayor taken to make sure we receive good value for money from our role in hosting a large section of the London Marathon?”
8.22Question from Councillor Shafiqul Haque to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
Question withdrawn.
NB: The above questions were not put as the time limit for the meeting had been reached. Written responses will be provided to each question.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes:
8.1 Question from Councillor Judith Gardiner to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me why the Council is selling large, family sized homes at auction to the highest bidder when there is a desperate shortage of this type of social housing across the Borough?”
8.2 Question from Councillor David Snowdon to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In the course of his duties on behalf of Tower Hamlets Council has the Mayor ever consulted the Islamic Forum for Europe on Council policy? Does he believe they are an appropriate organisation to consult on Council matters?
8.3 Question from Councillor Kosru Uddin to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor share my concerns over potential police counter closures and changes to Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Tower Hamlets?”
8.4 Question from Councillor Harun Miah to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Whilst acknowledging that it is ignorance rather than knowledge which leads young people into unfortunate, inappropriate and abusive sexual relationships, is the Cabinet Member for Education aware of the widespread concern amongst many parents about the current practices in teaching Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in the borough, particularly in relation to some aspects of SRE being taught to those under the age of 11 and being taught with a particular DVD which has provoked concern, and could he outline what measures the Council is taking to reassure parents that Sex and Relationship Education in this borough is taught appropriately, using the appropriate materials and at the appropriate ages?”
8.5 Question from Councillor David Edgar to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me how many jobs so far have been taken up by Tower Hamlets residents as a result of the deal made between him and LOCOG?”
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“In 2010 how many GCSE students in LBTH schools achieved 5 A* grades including English and Maths, and how many A2 students at LBTH colleges and sixth forms achieved at least 1 A* and 2 A grades? What is being done to ensure that the brightest students in our borough are being stretched?”
8.7 Question from Councillor Denise Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what negotiations the Council has had with LOCOG over the Olympic Route Network?”
8.8 Question from Councillor Fozol Miah to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Is the Cabinet Member for Housing aware that many homes, including large family homes, built in recent years have been built in “car free zones”, that large and poorer families in particular need large family cars for cheap and secure transport and to transport foodstuffs in bulk and that “car free” homes therefore discriminate against larger and poorer families and will she therefore agree to lobby central government to repeal legislation and to seek changes to strategic planning which has imposed these “car free” homes on Tower Hamlets residents, to seek any loopholes that may exist to reduce the number of “car free” homes that currently exist or will be built in the future and to seek to enable residents in “car free” homes access to at least one resident’s parking permit if needed?”
8.9 Question from Councillor Rachael Saunders to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor tell me what the composition of the new Health and Wellbeing board will be?”
8.10Question from Councillor Craig Aston to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“What progress has been made in implementing the Motion in the names of Councillors Snowdon and Davis agreed at the Full Council meeting on October 27th which called for the full details of all premises, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment licenses to be published on the Tower Hamlets Website?”
8.11Question from Councillor Shiria Khatun to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor update me on the Council’s bid for city status and tell me what Council resources are being used to support the bid?”
8.12 Question from Councillor Stephanie Eaton to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Rabina Khan:
“Could I be advised how much the Borough pays to send waste to landfill, and how much of this cost could be saved by the use of the waste to energy facility proposed for Fish Island South? How can existing local residents and the residents of the forecast 2000 new homes at Fish Island be informed about the safety and environmental impact of the facility, especially in relation to emissions and the siting of such a plant in a flood risk area?”
8.13Question from Councillor Mohammed Abdul Mukit to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Oliur Rahman:
“Can the Lead Member tell me what discussions the Council has had with Bethnal Green Technology College about its bid for Academy Status?”
8.14Question from Councillor Peter Golds to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Having used £120,000 of public money on a new office suite, which will enable the Mayor to, according to East End Life, ”host foreign dignitaries”;
sending council officers to purchase two iPhone 4 handsets at £600 each and;
leasing a silver Mercedes car from ING car leasing at £72 per day, plus chauffeur.
Will the Mayor inform the Council which are the next personal aspects of his office to be enhanced from public money and whether he will be visiting the Government Art Collection to secure suitably impressive art works for the Mayor of a London Borough to be made available when he is receiving “foreign dignitaries” in his one way mirrored office?”
8.15Question from Councillor Joshua Peck to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Will the Mayor commit to working with all political groups, the Police, Interfaith Forum and community organisations to respond to any planned action by the EDL this summer in Tower Hamlets and ensure the safety and security of residents?”
8.16Question from Councillor Emma Jones to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“When will work commence to repair Wapping Wall, as agreed in this years' budget?”
8.17Question from Councillor Anna Lynch to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor confirm that residential care we may provide for our Learning Disabled residents has been recently inspected and that we have addressed any concerns; and whether the difficulties being experienced by provider Southern Cross will have an impact on any of our homes?”
8.18Question from Councillor Tim Archer to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Does the Mayor believe we are an energy efficient council?”
8.19Question from Councillor Anwar Khan to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Can the Mayor give me an update on the progress made by the Council to promote Fairtrade products amongst Council catering services, residents and community groups and on asking Council contractors to provide Fairtrade goods?”
8.20Question from Councillor Maium Miah to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“Will the Mayor inform Members how he will be allocating the 1000 jobs that Lord Coe has provided to Tower Hamlets? What provision has he in place that these will be spread across the borough and will include Millwall and the Isle of Dogs?”
8.21Question from Councillor Gloria Thienel to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“What steps has the Mayor taken to make sure we receive good value for money from our role in hosting a large section of the London Marathon?”
8.22Question from Councillor Shafiqul Haque to Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
Question withdrawn.
The above questions were not put as the time limit for the meeting had been reached. Written responses would be provided to each question.
Supporting documents: