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.
Minutes:
The following questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put and were responded to by the relevant Member:-
8.1 Question from Councillor John Pierce
Why has the Mayor of Tower Hamlets not continued funding for the ASB dog patrols in Weavers Ward after the successful pilot which led to a reduction of unwelcome guests in blocks heavily affected by anti-social behaviour?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Councillor Pierce, I would like to know where did you get this information that we are stopping this funding? The funding has not been discontinued. I can assure you that there will be twelve ASB dog patrols over the next two weeks, two of which are to be in your ward.
Also you need to understand we had a successful pilot in your ward. When we do something right, I think that Councillor Peck should praise us rather than when we did a pilot project in my ward he just criticised that my street is cleaner than his street. We are doing something. In my ward – put the right word. When we do the right thing you should praise us because we put a pilot project in Weavers ward because there is a need for it in Weavers and this is going to continue, I assure you of that.
Supplementary question from Councillor John Pierce
Well it’s nice to hear that there will be two extra patrols but actually, as we discussed earlier tonight, the high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Brick Lane and Shoreditch Fringe mean that actually you will need a lot more patrols than the two that are going to happen to deal with this issue and I would like to see the funding that was initially given for the pilot to continue, particularly in Weavers ward and extra funding, which we would have delivered, to ensure that the programme is rolled out across the borough, because I have to say it has been massively successful. Put your money into this scheme because residents deserve this kind of action.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the supplementary question
Thank you very much. Yes, I totally agree with your last part but also I want people, particularly the councilors, to understand the policy. The policy basically is to drive away this kind of problem. 20% of the anti-social behavior derives in Brick Lane and the surrounding area, and unfortunately your ward is very near to Brick Lane. And people who sit on the Licensing Committee, I keep saying they need to follow the policy and they need to vote on the merits of the application rather than just party politics.
8.2 Question from Councillor Mufti Miah
Tower Hamlets has been named by the department for education among the top 10 boroughs in the country for the proportion of students who go to university. Will the Mayor join me in congratulating our young people for their remarkable achievement?
Response by Councillor Gulam Robbani, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Councillor Mufti Miah, can I thank you for asking this question. Yes, can I publicly congratulate and thank all the students, the young people, their parents, teachers, governors and the staff who worked hard to achieve this result. This is a remarkable and achievement for our borough. Especially this hasn’t happened by accident, this has happened because for many years this borough invested in education – including Mr Haque, who is still in the audience, he will remember that he created an organisation called BENTH, and many of my councillors here will know what BENTH stands for, maybe they could ask Mr Haque to explain. This demonstrates a history of campaigning for education and you Mr Speaker, I think that you were involved as well in the establishment of BENTH.
And I think this borough invested, including the current Mayor, Mayor Lutfur Rahman, invested via the Mayor’s Education Allowance, the university bursary and free school meals. So all this fruition came because of the efforts made by the previous predecessor and the current administration. Yes, I would be happy to congratulate all the parents and students.
Supplementary question from Councillor Mufti Miah
I am also a parent governor of two local schools. I would just like to say thank you very much, keep up the good work and keep funding, thank you.
Councillor Gulam Robbani’s response to the supplementary question
That’s fine, we will continue. As a new lead member for education, I am committed to this borough and I am committed to continue the work that has been done by my predecessor Oliur Rahman.
8.3 Question from Councillor Chris Chapman
Will the Mayor inform the council as to when he last met officials of One Housing?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development
The Mayor last met with One Housing on 18th March 2014.
Supplementary question from Councillor Chris Chapman
I am a little disappointed that the Mayor has not met with officials more recently, particularly as their failures continue to mount and these include:-
- The three fires that have occurred in the underfloor garages on the Samuda Estate, caused by One Housing’s failure to properly secure waste they had dumped there;
- The increase in damp suffered by residents on the St John’s Estate after the completion of the major works programme which I can only imagine was designed to make things better rather than worse;
- The leaseholders who are continually receiving threatening letters from One Housing, something which is causing many of them deep distress;
- I’ve also got a road on the St John’s Estate which has got no street lighting because One Housing are arguing with the Council and a third party as to who is responsible for it.
This is only a very brief summary of two estates in my ward. I fear that the picture across the borough is indeed far worse. Isn’t it about time that this administration hold One Housing to account for these failures?
Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the supplementary question
Well, well, Councillor Chapman, you’ve been very busy. I must remind you that the full council voted on three separate occasions to support the residents of One Housing in their campaign to make One Housing uphold the promises in the offer document. Support was received from all parties represented on the council and no councilor has ever voted against a resolution of support, although I think some actually abstained for technical reasons.
I must refer to a letter though, dated 2nd August 2012 which Councillor Peter Golds sent to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. I actually welcome Councillor Golds’ letter, along with the letter that was enclosed from the TRA Chairs, which was also sent to the Secretary of State, which was attempting to stop One Housing from disolving Island Homes.
Unfortunately there was no response from Mr Pickles. It is sad though that Mr Pickles will intervene in Tower Hamlets on the strength of some allegations made on TV but will not intervene when residents and councillors of this borough appeal to him to use his power to do so.
8.4 Question from Councillor Helal Uddin
I assume the administration is aware of the recent congregation of youths around the Devons Road area. Can the Lead Member brief us on what action is being taken by the council to prevent further incidents?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Thank you Councillor Helal for your question. I don’t want to go through the long list I went through before. I said 20 things we have done in your area. As Syeda Choudhury mentioned earlier, there were two murders before – in 2001 and 2008. It’s a historical problem in this area and we are trying to tackle the problem permanently.
You are the local councillor, of course you have a role to play and we need to work together to make sure it doesn’t happen again and we are completely adamant that we will resolve this problem once and for all.
Supplementary question from Councillor Helal Uddin
I was expecting to have some concrete answer in terms of action, in terms of mechanisms preventing the incidents, such as engaging youth, taking some initiatives to working with the local community, working with the local councillors, working with the RP itself. So maybe the lead member, I am happy to wait for a detailed response in the coming weeks and months and if he wants to meet up with me I am happy to meet up with him.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the supplementary question
I am quite happy to meet any councillor if they want to meet me as lead member, I don’t have any problem with that, and as I mentioned before I can only reiterate two points:- We have issued 10 court orders; and as I mentioned before our Rapid Action Team is still active in this area.
We have set up community groups and our THEOs are active and police officers are active in this area. We have the Dispersal Zone in place also. So we are doing everything we can to make sure that our community is safe and I am happy to meet you if you have any further suggestions.
8.5 Question from Councillor Mahbub Alam
Can the Lead Member provide an update on progress with protecting our GP surgeries that are under threat from the Tory government's cuts?
Response by Councillor Abdul Asad, Cabinet Member for Adult Services
Thank you Councillor Mahbub for your question. You and me have been working with the GP practices for the last six months at least.
There have been many questions about this today. I just want to reassure that we are doing everything we can: We have marched together; we applied personal and public pressure on the Secretary of State for Health.
We are now using his temporary reprieve for one of our surgeries to make the case for more of our surgeries at risk now and, whilst the issue is ultimately out of our control, I have hopes that the Secretary of State will make the same considerations for our other surgeries as he has done for the Jubilee Street Practice.
We are also putting additional pressure on NHS England to open more GP Surgeries in the borough and I hope that will help to ease the pressure of this situation and reassure residents.
Supplementary question from Councillor Mahbub Alam
Yes, I do agree that we have been working together to comfort the worried residents – and they are very worried. Like you have done in the past we had small meetings with the residents and with the Director of Health, just to give them the assurance that we are working to find a solution to help them in the tough time they are going through. Will you be willing to do the same small meetings with the residents to give them some comfort in this difficult time, especially the elderly people who are seriously worried?
Councillor Abdul Asad’s response to the supplementary question
Yes I know you led a delegation to this council to meet me and the Mayor about the concerns of GP surgeries and so on. We can go further, we can continue to campaign against the cuts and austerity, particularly on the health service and we will continue to do that. And I know that the people of this borough, they are all in favour to keep the NHS under state control, and we are with them. We are doing it for the public need, not for the private greed.
8.6 Question from Councillor Andrew Wood
Will the Mayor update the council as to what steps will be taken to implement the Openness of Local Bodies Regulations 2014 when they come into law, and will he follow local best practice on press access in copying Hackney, Newham, Lewisham & Greenwich Boroughs in providing a permanent table for the press?
Response by Councillor Oliur Rahman, Deputy Mayor
Thank you Councillor Wood for your question. The Openness of Local Bodies Regulations 2014 will make provision to allow members of the public to report and commentate on public meetings of local government bodies in England.
The Mayor fully supports openness and transparency. The Monitoring Officer is updating the relevant sections of the Constitution to reflect the changes in the law.
In relation to facilities for the press at the Council meeting, the Head of Communications is looking at how this can be achieved in the space available and as you can see, this has already been provided and my good friend Ted is very happy today.
Supplementary question from Councillor Andrew Wood
I welcome the reintroduction of a permanent table and permanent seating for journalists, I think it’s really good. I’m grateful that the Mayor is recognising the important work done by local journalists to keep the wider community informed about what is happening in this Council Chamber.
The Openness of Local Bodies Regulation Act also talks about filming of Council meetings by the public. I would like to ask the Mayor on his views about public filming of meetings and what he thinks is appropriate?
Councillor Oliur Rahman’s response to the supplementary question
Thank you Mr Speaker. Councillor Wood, as you would know we have filming in place which is conducted by the Council, and this is the only filming that is currently allowed in this Council Chamber.
8.7 Question from Councillor Denise Jones
Does the Mayor intend to press ahead with the sale of Old Flo despite LB Bromley’s contest of ownership and if so when does he expect this to go ahead?
Response by Councillor Shafiqul Haque, Cabinet Member for Culture
Thank you Councillor Jones for your interest on the matter. Let me confirm to you that this administration always works and takes decisions for the best interests of the residents of the borough. You are right that LB Bromley are contesting the ownership of Old Flo. The matter has been referred to the Court for a legal determination. Our legal advice is that our case for ownership is clear, and we will make a decision following the court’s determination.
Supplementary question from Councillor Denise Jones
Could you just confirm, I think you just said that’s now going to court. Can you just confirm the timetable for that, and if Bromley is found to be the owner, and I believe that they are not suggesting that that they are going to claim the sculpture but that they are minding it for the whole of London and are keen for it to be put outside the museum in Docklands so that all of London can actually visit it, would you still want to go ahead to sell it?
Councillor Shafiqul Haque’s response to the supplementary question
Thanks Councillor Jones for your interest. I know your interest in in arts and culture. What I can tell you, subject to the determination of the court on the ownership of Old Flo, we will make a decision for the best interests of the residents of the borough. I cannot give you a definite timetable, this is up to the court to make a timetable and make a decision on this one. I hope that answers your question Councillor Jones.
8.8 Question from Councillor Maium Miah
Will the Speaker of the Council outline his principal engagements for the coming month?
Response by Councillor Abdul Chunu Mukit, Speaker of the Council
Thank you Councillor Miah. I would like to once again start by thanking my colleagues for this tremendous honour.
In less than two months I have already carried out 25 civic engagements, which includes taking part in celebrations with members of our community and recognising their achievements, welcoming a French ship and her commanding officer to our docks, representing Tower Hamlets at City Hall, the London Youth Games and a service in St. Paul’s Cathedral alongside my civic colleagues from other London Boroughs.
I have had the honour of welcoming Prince Edward to Tower Hamlets on a recent royal visit and taken part in the traditional ‘rent’ ceremony at Billingsgate Market with the Lord Mayor of London, as well as supporting Tower Hamlets staff at the annual 5K your way event.
I am planning a busy year promoting Tower Hamlets everywhere I go and raising as much money as possible for the Tower Hamlets Foodbank.
At present I have several events planned for August including the dedication & unveiling of a memorial to honour the 23 officers of the metropolitan police who died during the great war, and the annual ‘Love where you live’ event
I will also be spending a morning with my chosen charity, the Tower Hamlets Foodbank, to see the wonderful work that they do as well as attending several community events with partners like THCH, and local organisations.
I have received many other invitations which I hope to attend, however due to limited resources the civic role does not have a full time driver so the engagements I can accept are limited to those on Tuesday, Thursday, weekends and evenings. Despite this I will endeavour to support as many events as I can, and if necessary where acceptable to the organisers attend in my capacity as an elected member without the civic insignia.
(No supplementary question was put)
8.9 Question from Councillor Julia Dockerill
On 13 June a young gay couple were subject to a violent attack on Whitechapel Road, only moments away from Altab Ali Park, a public space which symbolises this borough’s unity and determination to stamp out any intolerance and violence shown towards our neighbours. I welcome the Mayor of Tower Hamlets’ wholehearted condemnation of this homophobic attack and statement that ‘we take a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia’. Can he please reiterate these sentiments in this Chamber; update us on the work of the Hate Incidents Panel following the referral of this case to them; and advise us on the work he is doing to promote tolerance towards people of every sexuality within our community?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Thank you very much for your question. In relation to your specific case, the victims were referred to the Council-funded Victim Support Team and they received confidential support and advice. Two suspects were arrested and they are in bail condition now. The Council discussed this incident at the Hate Incident Panels.
In relation to your second part, I think I just want to ensure that this Council works very closely with Hate Incident Panels. Also, this Council works very closely with Rainbow Hamlets and attend the Hate Incident Panels’ meeting. Also we work very closely with Positive East, who are the third party responsible for responding to crimes against LGBT people. So we are doing everything we can as a council.
Supplementary Question from Councillor Julia Dockerill
Thank you for those words. As the Mayor is here I think it would be really nice if he showed leadership and personally stated that view again so that everyone in the chamber can hear it.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
Again, thank you for your question and your comments. The Mayor’s word is my ward is the Executive’s word is the Mayor’s word so of course you can take it is his word. Thank you, I can’t say anything more.
8.10 Question from Councillor Rachel Blake
Following the motion passed by the Council in April last year, will the Mayor update us on what progress he has made to formally investigate the conditions attached to the sale agreement of the old bath houses by Tower Hamlets Council and to recognise the Women’s Library as a community asset for women’s and community use?
Response by Councillor Shafiqul Haque, Cabinet Member for Culture
Thanks Councillor Blake for the question. I can assure you that progress has been made, and the Old Bath Houses have been registered as an Asset of Community Value. Furthermore, any proposed disposal of it would therefore be delayed while an opportunity is available for transfer to a community based organisation.
Supplementary Question from Councillor Rachel Blake
Thanks, the reason they are a Community Asset is because the Friends of the Women’s Library, which I am part of, registered them as a Community Asset. What has the Mayor done about the conditions that the Council place on this asset being a Community Asset for women of the Council? That is the Mayor and the Mayor’s officers, not me and the Friends of the Women’s Library and it being a Community Asset? Thanks.
Councillor Shafiqul Haque’s response to the Supplementary Question
Thanks Councillor Blake, I think in that case you have an interest in this agenda item. Come on Councillor Saunders, you are the Leader of the Opposition now. Certainly as mentioned earlier Councillor Blake, I can confirm that at the time of disposal any women’s organisation or project’s bid for it will be considered subject to them meeting the criteria for the bid. Thank you.
8.11 Question from Councillor Abjol Miah
Will the Cabinet Member for Development outline the timetable and progress with the Whitechapel Vision?
Response by Councillor Rabina Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development
Thank you for your question Councillor Miah. The launch of the Masterplan in March 2014 has already led to a high level of developer interest in the Vision area.
The Council is in pre application discussions with a number of these developers and the first planning application is anticipated in September 2014.
Those proposed developments will secure both private sector investment into the area, which will provide around 3,000 new dwellings, include significant levels of affordable housing which is much needed in this borough, and help to deliver the key transformations in the vision.
To ensure these developments meet the vision’s aspirations and to better co-ordinate the delivery of a Strategic Partnership will be established between the Council, the GLA/TfL, Barts NHS Health Trust, Queen Mary University, key landowners and the local businesses and traders.
It is proposed that the first meeting of this Partnership will be chaired by the Mayor, to take place in Autumn of this year.
Supplementary Question from Councillor Abjol Miah
What guarantees are there that the existing local traders, who have been working very hard to build up their business, will not be priced out or designed out in any form or shape?
Councillor Rabina Khan’s response to the Supplementary Question
It is a very important question that you ask and at the heart of the vision is the traders and businesses and residents of Whitechapel. They will be included as part of that partnership and that process of delivery. An example of that is when the consultation first went out we had residents who were not very keen on some of the developments around Durward Street and we took that on board and changed the plans as well.
May I also remind everyone that when Canary Wharf was first being built it was under Michael Hestletine’s regeneration programme. During that time, that particular government failed to listen to residents and decisions were made behind closed doors. In this Vision we want to include everyone and we want to make sure that the residents who need to benefit, like the businesses, like the traders and the residents, do so.
8.12 Question from Councillor Peter Golds
Will the Mayor give details as to the disposal of the land, 111-113 Mellish Street, E14?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
With pleasure, Mr Speaker.
Councillor Golds, how can we take you seriously? You are a compulsive liar. Today you lied about the Mayor trying to jump into bed with the Conservative Party, and you have no evidence to substantiate that at all.
I think Councillor Golds, you should sort yourself out and answer questions that we put to you. Can you update the chamber on what happened to your Tory, your Conservative candidate for Mile End, as he was arrested for voter fraud? Can you update the chamber please?
(No supplementary question was put)
Procedural Motion
Following the above question, Councillor Peter Golds moved and Councillor Chris Chapman seconded a procedural motion that under Procedure Rule 14.1.16 Councillor Alibor Choudhury be not heard further due to his conduct at the meeting. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
8.13 Question from Councillor Amina Ali
The council will be aware that the drug Khat has recently been made illegal. What has the Mayor done to link up with health professionals and police to support people coming off Khat?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
Thank you Councillor Ali for your question. When the Home Office first announced their intention in 2013 to classify Khat as a class C substance, the Council’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team set up a seminar to gather local responses.
I helped develop in conjunction with Representative from the Local Police, Home Office, local communities, NHS and treatment agencies.
An action plan was prepared which was implemented this year ensuring that local treatment agencies, NHS and Police are able to assist people in understanding the health and legal impacts of this use of Khat.
So we as a council are doing everything we can to make sure that people, particularly from the Somali community, are completely aware of using Khat and the consequences. We had seminars, we had workshops and a lot of Somali people attended. I was there and I think this shows as a council we are doing our best to make sure that people are fully aware.
Supplementary question from Councillor Amina Ali
You said that you’ve done seminars and you’ve met with the Somali community. I want to make sure that the Somali community are being made aware so we can stop any criminalisation of young Somalis who might not be aware.
My main concern is the ‘stop and search’ procedures some of the police in London use and that they might be using those kinds of excuses to stop young Somalis on the pretence they might be carrying Khat. I think it is very serious that we do take this issue quite seriously and I’d like this council to take that seriously.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the Supplementary Question
These are helpful suggestions, we do take it very very seriously. I had a meeting with the Borough Commander and he is fully aware of this. These are very sensitive things and we must do everything to ensure that this doesn’t happen in our borough.
Questions 8.14 to 8.24 were not put at the meeting due to lack of time. The Service Head, Democratic Services confirmed that written responses would be provided. [Note: The written responses are included in Appendix A to these minutes.]
Procedural Motion
Following the above question, Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Alibor Choudhury seconded a procedural motion that under Procedure Rule 14.1.16 Councillor Peter Golds be not heard further due to his conduct at the meeting. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
Supporting documents: