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 Council meeting are set out in the attached report.
Note: A maximum period of 20 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.
Decision:
6.1 Question from Ms Kathy McTasney on the impact of the Bedroom Tax.
6.2 Question from Mr Ahmed Hussain on the Canary Riverside underpass.
6.3 Question from Mr Andrew Wood on former NHS Portacabins on the Isle of Dogs.
6.4 Question from Mr Chris Donnelly about the noise impact of events held on the Greenwich Peninsula.
6.9 Question from Mr Saied Ahmed on the filming of Council meetings.
6.10 Question from Mr Abu Ahsan on the Mayor’s relationship with trade unions (no supplementary question was put)
The above questions and (except where indicated) a supplementary question arising from each were put at the meeting and were responded to by the relevant Executive Members.
Questions 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.11 were not put at the meeting as the questioners were not present. Written responses would be provided to the questions.
(Action by: John Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services to arrange written responses)
Minutes:
6.1 Question from Ms Kathy McTasney
As the community begin to feel the full impact of the Tory government's Bedroom Tax. Can the Mayor update this meeting and the community what the Council is doing to support residents who are and will be adversely affected?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
Thank you for your important question.
I must make it clear that no tenant of Tower Hamlets Homes has been evicted due to the bedroom tax. All of them are on emergency housing plans so that we can meet the rental from the DHP payments and we are working to see if they can downsize or find ways to use legislation or policies so that they can stay where they are, for example where a tenant needs a carer to stay with them that would mean they are entitled to a two- rather than a one-bedroom property.
I also want to state that it is this government which has introduced the welfare reform, bedroom tax and housing benefit changes. What I find so offensive is that they have hijacked the word reform. It is a good word, it brought in the welfare state, enabled women to vote. They have used it to demonise the working poor.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Ms Kathy McTasney
Why do Island Gardens residents seem to have been forgotten? We asked the Mayor to look into ensuring advice was available in our area particularly for older people.
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I promise that I will work with you to ensure that people in Island Gardens can access this information. It is in our interests to ensure that people can sustain themselves, particularly the vulnerable.
6.2 Question from Mr Ahmed Hussain
What steps are being taken to prevent the Canary Riverside underpass being used as a race track?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor
Your concerns have been noted and I will take them up with the police.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Ahmed Hussain
Will the Mayor join with me in congratulating Councillor Zara Davis on behalf of the residents of Canary Riverside and the Isle of Dogs for getting water barriers installed and increased police presence to prevent tunnel runs recently. What will you do to ensure that this crime and antisocial behaviour prevention work continues?
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
I congratulate any councillor who does good work in the community. But when people support an administration that cuts funding for the Police service I cannot thank them.
The responsibility for enforcing against dangerous driving rests with the Metropolitan Police. We will continue to liaise with them in the aim of preventing dangerous nuisance.
6.3 Question from Mr Andrew Wood
What is being done with the former NHS Portacabins on 111-113 Mellish Street, Isle of Dogs? I have heard rumours that it is being allocated to a group as a community centre already but have not seen anything publicly announced. What public consultation has taken place and how have local residents in the immediate area being involved in the process. What consideration has been given to the site being used for a primary school or for other purposes?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing
There is no need to rely on rumour, all the information is clearly available on the Council’s website.
The site was originally used by the PCT whilst developing their Barkantine site. It was handed back in March 2013 and in line with the Council’s processes the following actions were taken:-
The Asset Management Working Group considered a report on the options available for the site from all directorates.
It was reviewed by the Education Directorate but it was confirmed that it was not a suitable site for primary expansion and that is why it was externally marketed for community use in the ELA, EEL and on the Council’s website. Furthermore, a cross-directorate officer group reviewed the submission and made recommendations on 15th May 2013. The Third Sector Team have agreed with the successful group an SLA to ensure that there are measureable targets with regard to the group’s outputs.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Andrew Wood
You said that it was not appropriate for educational use, but there is a sign outside that now says it will be a cultural and educational centre. So if it is a proposed educational centre on a publicly owned site, can you confirm that it will not be a private school and it has been approved by the Department of Education as an educational centre?
Summary of Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
You asked me what consideration has been given to use of the site as a primary school and for other purposes.
There is a difference between a primary school and a community and education facility. I am clearly telling you it is not right for purpose as a primary school.
6.4 Question from Mr Chris Donnelly
What discussions and meetings are held with the Royal Borough of Greenwich with regard to entertainment events on the Greenwich Peninsula which have serious noise implications to residents in Blackwall and on the eastern side of the Isle of Dogs?
Response by Councillor Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Environment
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The Council has no legal powers regarding licensing decisions in the London Borough of Greenwich, but Greenwich Council are very good at keeping us informed of any events they feel may have an impact on this side of the borough.
However, I am not aware of any problems and I would have expected that the local ward councillors would have informed me if there were any.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Chris Donnelly
Greenwich Council has a masterplan for the development of the Greenwich Peninsula West and wants to turn it into London’s premier entertainment zone by focusing development on the riverside. I am concerned that much of the noise pollution will find its way to Coldharbour and Cubitt Town. I know the local councillors and residents have made submissions to Greenwich Council. Have you been consulted by them on this and if so what did you say?
Summary of Councillor Shahed Ali’s Response to the Supplementary Question
If applications come up in Greenwich it is for them to decide. However if there are planning applications that we feel may have an effect on our borough then we will ensure that we either make written submissions or ask officers to represent our case.
6.9 Question from Mr Saied Ahmed
Can the Mayor tell whether he has ever stopped filming at Council meetings?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
Let me be absolutely clear here. The Mayor has never stopped anyone filming at Council or Cabinet meetings.
No Independent Councillor has ever stopped anyone filming at Council meetings.
I understand it was a Labour Group member who called the police when a pensioner tried to film the meeting.
Summary of Supplementary Question from Mr Saied Ahmed
Having heard that response, can I urge all councillors to stop spreading these lies and rumours as the general members of the public find that behaviour unacceptable?
Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s response to the Supplementary Question
You may have read in the local media a lot of nonsense about this. To be clear, the reason you read that was because the Labour Party misled the Newham Recorder, and the East London Advertiser did not print the whole of our press statement.
6.10 Question from Mr Abu Ahsan
Can the Mayor tell us what his relationship with the union is?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
This administration is proud of its association with the Unions and the Labour movement.
Tower Hamlets was the first London Borough to adopt the London Living Wage. We are working with Unite the union and Barclays Bank in a pioneering partnership at the St George's Community Centre. We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the FBU in opposing Boris' reckless cuts to fire services, and we are in contact with the Communication Workers Union about the Government’s awful decision to privatise Royal Mail.
No supplementary question was put.
The above questions and (except where indicated) one supplementary question arising from each were put at the meeting and were responded to by the relevant executive member.
Questions 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.11 were not put at the meeting as the questioners were not present. The Service Head, Democratic Services advised that written responses would be provided to the questions [Note: The written answers are included in Appendix A to these minutes].
Supporting documents: