Agenda item
TO RECEIVE WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this Council 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 Lesley Pavitt regarding Decent Homes work on the Bancroft estate.
8.2 Question from Councillor Peter Golds regarding the sale of the Henry Moore statue.
8.3 Question from Councillor Sirajul Islam regarding the number of homes falling below ‘decent’ standard.
8.4 Question from Councillor Gulam Robbani regarding the Banglatown Ward name.
8.5 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock about recent muggings on the Regent’s Canal footbridge.
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis regarding school places on the Isle of Dogs.
8.7 Question from Councillor Abdal Ullah about fire station closures.
8.8 Question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed regarding special responsibility allowances for opposition Members.
8.9 Question from Councillor Joshua Peck on the renaming of the Council building on Ewart Place in memory of John Onslow.
8.11 Question from Councillor M. A. Mukit MBE regarding funding for advice centres.
The above questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and responded to by the relevant Executive Member.
The remaining questions 8.10 and 8.12 to 8.24 were not put due to lack of time. Written responses will be provided.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services – to arrange written responses).
Minutes:
8.1 Question from Councillor Lesley Pavitt regarding Decent Homes work on the Bancroft estate.
Will the Mayor explain why he secretly cancelled the Decent Homes work due to take place this year on the Bancroft estate in my ward?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
Cllr Pavitt’s party are quick to assume “secrets” and conspiracies. Well, there is no “secret” here. The Decent Homes initiative is still in place for Bancroft Estate and all residents will receive decent kitchens and bathrooms.
This is part of an £168m investment that has already seen over 1000 properties brought up to the Decent Homes Standard with many more due by 2014.
Part of the reason for the delay is to allow local contractors to bid for work and ensure that residents are employed wherever possible. The precise dates for the work will be announced as soon as possible.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Lesley Pavitt
We all understand that programmes of work can change. However, residents became concerned when information about the building works was removed from the Council website, could communications not have been better?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
Following the last Council meeting you e-mailed me to ask me to accompany you on a walkabout, which I did on 15th October. I asked if you had any particular issues and if you had any concerns about this matter you could have raised them with me at that time but you did not. It is not the Council but Labour Group members who are giving out misinformation.
8.2 Question from Councillor Peter Golds regarding the sale of the Henry Moore statue.
In affirming the decision to sell our Henry Moore statue, Mayor Rahman spoke for just 97 seconds. This was before he had even heard the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s report from Cllr Jackson, which called on him to think again. Can the Mayor tell me why he treated the Overview and Scrutiny committee report on the sale of ‘Old Flo’ in such a dismissive manner?
Response by Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Culture
Cllr Golds’ timing is remarkably precise for someone who wasn’t at the meeting.
The Mayor did not treat the views of Overview and Scrutiny Committee in a dismissive manner. Several Cabinet Members were at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including myself, and we gave him a full report of the Committee’s deliberations prior to Cabinet meeting. Having heard this report he was in no doubt what his decision should be and made it swiftly and decisively.
It is touching to see Cllr Golds standing up for Cllr Jackson – and yet more evidence of the close collusion between the two parties. While in the rest of the country Labour are rightly attacking the Tory-led destruction of the state and civil society, here in Tower Hamlets they are too busy in their vendetta against the Mayor to remember they’re supposed to be on different sides.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Peter Golds
I spoke to colleagues who were present at the Cabinet meeting. I will ask again why did the Mayor dismiss the report so quickly in such an outrageous fashion?
Summary of Councillor Rania Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
You would be better advised to concentrate on your own motion rather than flirting with the Labour Party.
8.3 Question from Councillor Sirajul Islam regarding the number of homes falling below ‘decent’ standard.
At the last election the Mayor pledged to halve the number of homes that fall below a decent standard, yet figures from the Council have shown that last year there were over 1,700 more indecent homes than when he was first elected in 2010. Can the Mayor explain why the number of indecent homes has increased?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
I’m sure Cllr Islam means “non-decent” an “indecent home” is something entirely different – although as the Deputy Mayor mentioned in response to a public question, we’re doing all we can to crack down on brothels and sex-establishments as well.
By the end of 2014/15 there will only be 1359 non-decent homes i.e. 10% of the stock. Any apparent rise is due to the fact that homes that were once decent fall into disrepair over time and the works programme is not yet complete.
Cllr Islam should know this, I’m sure he does know this, but instead of congratulating the administration on their excellent work, he’s too desperate to have a dig at the Mayor to give the true picture. Just like people age, buildings also age, Cllr Islam and need attention.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Sirajul Islam
You must realise that many more families are living in unacceptable conditions due to the delays. What will the Mayor do about that?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
The Mayor and myself are working tirelessly despite the difficult conditions to lobby for more funding including, for example, meeting with the Mayor of London’s housing advisor earlier today.
8.4 Question from Councillor Gulam Robbani regarding the Banglatown Ward name.
Given that residents from Spitalfields and Banglatown are up in arms about the Tory proposal to obliterate Banglatown, the spiritual home of Bangladeshis in Britain, can the Mayor tell us what action he is taking and whether he will publicly condemn this shameful proposal, if he hasn’t done this already?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor
Thank you Councillor Robbani, you have done a good job campaigning on this issue. The removal of the word “Banglatown” is a blow to community cohesion and sends a clear message to the British-Bangladeshi community that their contribution to the life of the area is being airbrushed from history.
The change will be a blow to the restaurant industry in the area which has built its branding on the name and that rebranding is an expense that small and medium-sized business cannot afford in these times of Tory-led austerity.
The removal of social justice campaigner and Labour Party Leader George Lansbury from the ward map of Tower Hamlets is similarly a blow against the East End’s culture and history.
The Mayor has written on behalf of the residents of Tower Hamlets, to the LGBCE, urging them to reinstate 'Banglatown' and 'Lansbury' in their final review of historic ward names and boundaries
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Gulam Robbani
Will the Chamber support our motion later on the agenda to bring the name back?
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
I hope so. Councillor Golds and the Conservative Group should be ashamed for what they have done in trying to get the Boundary Commission to delete ‘Banglatown’ and ‘Lansbury’.
I am surprised though that the Labour Group do not seem to have noticed the loss of Lansbury at all – that is further evidence that under Councillor Peck they have more in common with the Tea Party than the Labour Party.
[Following the above question and response Councillor Peter Golds gave a point of personal explanation]
Procedural motion
Councillor Ohid Ahmed moved, and Councillor Alibor Choudhury seconded, a procedural motion:- “That in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied to enable Motion 12.3 ‘Motion against erasing the history of Tower Hamlets’ to be debated immediately”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
8.5 Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock about recent muggings on the Regent’s Canal footbridge.
Is the Mayor aware of the recent muggings that have taken place on the Regent’s Canal footbridge which connects Mile End Park and Meath Gardens, and if so, what steps is he taking to improve safety and protect residents in the area?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor
This is a police matter and they are aware of the recent offences committed along the canal footbridge.
The issue has been raised by Council officers with senior police officers. As a result the area has seen an increased focus of Police resources including targeted activity by the Robbery Squad.
The Council is in discussions with British Waterways who own and manage the canal to encourage them to urgently consider what measures can be taken to increase visibility and make it less attractive for criminals to operate on their land.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Amy Whitelock
This is not just a Police matter - I think that the Council has a greater responsibility here as it owns the bridge. Should action not be taken, particularly to improve the lighting. Residents have raised this matter but have not received an adequate response.
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
As Lead Member I have initiated walkabouts in each ward. We have already announced that we will improve CCTV in your ward. I am more than happy to arrange a ward walkabout to look at any further issues and hope that you will attend.
8.6 Question from Councillor Zara Davis regarding school places on the Isle of Dogs.
What action is being taken to address the severe shortage of school places on the Isle of Dogs?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Action has been taken to provide more school places by expanding Arnhem Wharf School and St Luke’s School. Proposals are being developed to expand Woolmore School. Further existing school sites are being investigated for potential to expand.
To date it has not been possible to identify any other Council-owned assets in the area which could be used for school purposes. The need for additional school places and sites to accommodate them has been part of the Council’s longer term planning.
The Council will continue to monitor the projected child yield from emerging development proposals across the borough, including on the Isle of Dogs, and additional education provision will be sought if necessary.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Zara Davis
Thank you but I am also concerned about secondary school provision. In Millwall Ward only 67% of secondary school students got their first preference. What is being done to address that issue?
Summary of Councillor Oliur Rahman’s response to the Supplementary Question
A significant number did get their first choice and it will not be possible to meet every request. Nevertheless we are doing our best to increase provision despite your government scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme.
8.7 Question from Councillor Abdal Ullah about fire station closures.
At this month’s London Councils Leaders Committee the Mayor had the opportunity to raise residents’ concerns about the closure of Bow and Whitechapel fire stations with the Chair of the London Fire Authority. Will the Mayor explain why he sat in absolute silence and didn’t speak out against these savage cuts which will put lives in danger?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor
Councillor Peck’s Tea Party are trying to catch the Mayor out but while they’ve been running around playing student politics, the Mayor has been working on behalf of the community.
He issued a statement against these cuts on 18thOctober, a full week before Councillor Ullah’s colleagues and he has met with the Fire Brigade Union and agreed a course of action.
The question of cuts was raised at this meeting by a Tory Council leader and he was told in no uncertain terms that it was not on the agenda.
Given these facts, I’m not sure what Cllr Ullah is complaining about.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Abdal Ullah
Should the Mayor not speak on these matters in the appropriate place – at the London Councils Leaders Committee – and not just on television? Would the Mayor like television cameras to accompany him to the next London Councils meeting to give him the confidence to speak?
8.8 Question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed regarding special responsibility allowances for opposition Members.
Can the lead member tell us what the special responsibility allowances are for opposition members and what this equates to as an hourly rate when compared to their timesheets?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
There is some interesting reading just for 2011/12 figures alone. For example Councilllor Shiria Khatun, Chair of the GP Committee was paid £1607 per hour. Councillor Abdul Mukit, Chair of Human Resources was paid £1795 per hour. And Councillor Anwar Khan, Chair of the Pensions Committee and spokesperson for finance, wait for this ladies and gentlemen, was paid a whopping £2989 per hour.
I can’t comment on Councillors Bill Turner and Ann Jackson because they have not filed any timesheets since 2010.
When our hard working council staff are paid nowhere near these amounts, what message does this send to the public for attending a handful meetings during the year.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Kabir Ahmed
Would it not be sensible to consider combing the roles into one Chair to make a saving of £31,000?
Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question
I would welcome the convening of a working group to consider your proposal as a helpful idea to reduce waste.
8.9 Question from Councillor Joshua Peck on the renaming of the Council building on Ewart Place in memory of John Onslow.
Can the Mayor please tell me why, despite Council's resolution of 13th April 2011, he has yet to rename the Council building on Ewart Place, in memory of GMB official John Onslow?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
It is right and proper that John Onslow’s memory should be honoured. We have agreed to do this and the Mayor has instructed the officers.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Councillor Joshua Peck
Why has it taken 19 months for anything to happen to action this?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
Why did you wait 19 months to ask?
Time limit for item
At this point the Speaker informed the meeting that the time allocated for Members’ Questions had expired.
The remaining questions 8.10 and 8.12 to 8.24 were therefore not put due to lack of time. Written responses would be provided to these questions after the meeting.
[Note: the written responses subsequently provided are appended to these minutes as Appendix A]
[Note: Question 8.11 was put during Item 5 ‘Petitions’ and can be found at that point in the minutes]
Supporting documents: