Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The questions which have been received from members of the public for
this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.
A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Mr Steve Walker regarding the incidence of tuberculosis in the Borough and the introduction of a by-law to ban spitting in public.
The questioner was not in attendance. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.2 Question from Mr Stuart Madewell regarding the representation of residents and councillors on Housing Association Boards.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.3 Question from Ms Christine Whaite, Spitalfields Open Space; Chair, The Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields regarding lack of open space in the Borough and the potential loss of open space at Christ Church.
Ms Whaite put her question, which was answered by Councillor Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Environment. Ms Whaite then put a supplementary question which Councillor Ali answered.
6.4 Question from Mr S Mohammed regarding allegations of threats against a female councillor.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.5 Question from Mr Amirul Islam regarding steps to be taken to tackle fuel poverty.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.6.1 Question from Mr Iqbal Hussain regarding the coalition’s moves to reform the welfare state.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.7.1 Question from Ms Kathy McTasney regarding the promotion of “a workforce to reflect the community”.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Mr Steve Walker regarding the incidence of tuberculosis in the Borough and the introduction of a by-law to ban spitting in public.
The questioner was not in attendance. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.2 Question from Mr Stuart Madewell regarding the representation of residents and councillors on Housing Association Boards.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.3 Question from Ms Christine Whaite, Spitalfields Open Space; Chair, The Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields regarding lack of open space in the Borough and the potential loss of open space at Christ Church.
Does the Mayor agree that there is a lack of public open space in the borough, and please will he tell us what positive action he is taking to increase it for residents?
Specifically, is the Mayor aware that besides 350 letters to the planning department last year, the current petition requesting that the churchyard at Spitalfields be returned to public green open space has 600 signatures local, national and international, including those with expert knowledge? Is the Mayor willing to work alongside local people to find alternatives to meet educational needs and at the same time protect public open space and the historic environment; and what IMMEDIATE action is the Mayor taking to stop the terrible and unnecessary loss of this 2,500 sqm public open space, the setting of Hawksmoor's finest work, Christ Church Spitalfields, in the most densely populated area of his borough?
Response by Councillor Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Environment
Thank you for this question. The Mayor shares your concerns, but everyone must remember what is being built is a nursery and a community building, both of which are much needed in the borough.
A key task for the Council is to establish local standards for open space provision. We want to do this through planning policies which ensure that large scale developments maintain and enhance public open spaces.
As for the grant of planning permission for development at Spitalfields, these developments were supported by residents in the borough. 176 residents wrote letters in support as opposed to only 48 residents wrote letters to object. There will not be a loss of 2,500sqm. The new nursery and community building measures only 75sqm bigger than the existing building.
Christchurch gardens itself remains exactly the same size - 960sqm. Most immediately there is a separate agreement between Christ Church and the Council’s parks department to open up the community gardens, up to the line of the new school building, which would increase the public open space by an additional 970sqm. There is £50,000 of s106 funding from the Bishops Square development to undertake these works and there is the intention to open up the gardens and re-landscape them.
Summary of supplementary question from Ms Christine Whaite
The minimum garden should be 3,000 sq mtrs and the statistics are quite misleading. This will be the subject of a public meeting in Spitalfields. Everyone agrees that the school is a good thing but they do not have to build on this land south of the church. There are alternatives that give everyone what they need.
It has become clear that English Heritage and the Council’s Planning Department have addressed the wrong brief and were unaware of the lack of underlying legal permissions. This is not a commercial development, it is for the public good. What Tower Hamlets needs is a solution that respects everyone’s needs for public open space and respects our cultural and national environmental heritage. Christ Church is an architectural jewel, an iconic building and needs to be seen in its proper setting.
Will the Council invite the Diocese to come to the table to find a better solution for Spitalfields as a whole?
Summary of Councillor Shahed Ali’s response to the supplementary question
Yes I agree with your sentiments entirely. In terms of the planning process, you will be aware that this is the responsibility of a separate, quasi-judicial committee which assessed the merits of this application and made a decision based on that.
As an administration we welcome further discussions with anyone who has concerns that they feel have not been addressed and I invite you to raise these with me.
6.4 Question from Mr S Mohammed regarding allegations of threats against a female councillor.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.5 Question from Mr Amirul Islam regarding steps to be taken to tackle fuel poverty.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.6.1 Question from Mr Iqbal Hussain regarding the coalition’s moves to reform the welfare state.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
6.6.2 Question from Ms Kathy McTasney regarding the promotion of “a workforce to reflect the community”.
The questioner was not in attendance owing to the late start of the meeting. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the meeting that a written response would be provided to the questioner.
[NOTE: The questions that were not put at the meeting, together with written responses subsequently provided, are attached as Appendix A to these minutes.]
Supporting documents: