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.
Minutes:
The following questions and in each case (except where indicated) a supplementary question were put, and were responded to by the relevant Executive Member:-
6.3 Question from Ms Shuily Akthar:
Can the Lead Member update us about the effectiveness and the success of the Community Safety walk-abouts? How successful is the Council innovative initiative "Mobile Police Station”?
Response by Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
This is a very important initiative. Since becoming the Lead Member for Community Safety I have taken very seriously the need to listen to residents’ views. That is why I initiated this project. Since it began, about 500 serious issues have been dealt with across the borough. A range of agencies were involved in the initiative and have attended the walkabouts (including the Police, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers and Registered Social Landlords) and have come forward with ideas. Councillors have also attended the walkabouts and have seen the good work done.
The Mobile Police Station has been present in each ward before each of the walkabouts in the latest round and is a place where people could come to report crime issues more easily. Residents have used this facility to raise matters of concern directly with police and it has also been utilised for a number of other partnership activities where we have been listening to the feedback.
Summary of supplementary question from Ms Akthar
Have Councillors attended the walkabouts?
Summary of Councillor Ohid Ahmed’s response to the supplementary question
Yes, Councillors do attend the walkabouts.
6.5 Question from Mr Aulad Miah:
As a local resident, I, and others in the Spitalfields and Banglatown Ward were astonished to learn that Labour Party Group in Tower Hamlets Council wanted to cut funding for our much loved local cultural and community asset, the Kobi Nazrul Centre.
Could the Executive explain why would Labour want to unfairly attack, cut funding for Kobi Nazrul Centre with potential consequences for people who work there, their jobs and the service users - local residents and stakeholders - in such a disrespectful way? Would it be true to say that once you start going down such a slippery slope as proposed by Labour, the future of the Centre could be put at risk in future years?
Response by Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources
Yes I agree with your points and would also add that the Labour Group have also proposed to cut other important services. The centre was close to the hearts of the community and should be celebrated. It was an iconic feature of the area that reflected its culture and history. However the Labour Group had no regard for this.
In view of these benefits, the administration are investing funding to re-establish services at the centre.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr Miah
Earlier on in the meeting, there was a discussion about the Holland Estate, where Members were very critical about the lack of engagement with residents. I therefore find it surprising that the Labour Group were also proposing to cut the Annual Residents Survey as part of their budget proposal. This appeared very contradictory.
Could the Lead Member comment on this point?
Summary of Councillor Alibor Choudhury’s, response to the supplementary question
It is regrettable that the Labour Group wishes to pursue this approach and to cut other valuable services such as the Smoking Cessation Service. The Mayor is on your side and will continue to support the centre.
6.6 Question from Mr Jamir Chowdhury:
What is the Tower Hamlets First administration doing to support elderly and isolated groups in the community and does the Mayor find time to visit some of these groups in person?
Response by Councillor Abdul Asad, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services
This is a major issue for the administration and we have placed a lot of emphasis on such work. For example, the Council are providing stalls, tea parties, funding for outreach work and lunch clubs for older people and isolated groups. One of the commitments in our manifesto was to continue to provide lunch clubs and to introduce heath checks at these clubs. This has already been partly rolled out.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr Chowdhury
Would you agree that that the initiative needs cross party support?
Summary of Councillor Abdul Asad’s response to the supplementary question
Yes it does. The Mayor has prioritised these services and would welcome the involvement of the other political groups in such initiatives.
6.7 Question from Mr Shamim Miah:
Could the Executive help explain why Tower Hamlets Labour Group think that cutting funding for Smoking Cessation Service in Tower Hamlets is a good idea when it is one of the biggest – if not the biggest – concern and potential killer for the people of Tower Hamlets and has the Council under this administration done anything to help our residents to quit smoking?
Response by Councillor Abdul Asad, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services
The Smoking Cessation Service provides a very valuable service and, as stated at my speech at Budget Council, helps some of our most vulnerable and poorer residents to give up smoking. As well as the health benefits, the service would also save money in the long term. We have worked hard to keep this service. It is regrettable that the Labour Group wishes to stop this service.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr Miah
My biggest concern is the number of young people taking up the habit. Without this service, they would find it very hard to give up on their own.
Do you therefore agree that this whole issue shows that the Labour Group does not take seriously the issues and care more about politics?
Summary of Councillor Abdul Asad’s response to the supplementary question
Yes I agree. To reiterate, it’s a very important service especially for the more vulnerable residents in our Borough. The Mayor has given this issue priority.
6.8 Question from Mr Aser El Saqqa:
Is the Council aware of the important role played by Rich Mix in the life of the Borough and of the high regard of it from artists, audiences and other public funding stakeholders? And is the administration aware of the large number of people have signed a petition calling on the Council not to put Rich Mix at risk as a result of the Council-instigated litigation?
Response by Councillor Shafiqul Haque, Cabinet Member for Culture
The administration are fully aware of this petition. Nevertheless, we remain concerned that the centre is now operating as a commercial enterprise at the expense of local residents contrary to the original brief.
Summary of supplementary question from Mr El Saqqa
We organise many events at the Rich Mix that benefit the local community, including cultural events that have brought international artists into the area. We are happy to continue doing this and to build on this.
Can you assure us that careful consideration will be given to such issues and that fair arrangements will be put in place?
Summary of Councillor Shafiqul Haque’s response to the supplementary question.
As I have said, we have concerns that the centre is now operating as a commercial enterprise and therefore about the appropriateness of public subsidy for this.
Questions 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, were not put due to the absence of the questioners.
Questions 6.9 to 6.13 were not put due to lack of time. The Service Head, Democratic Services stated that written responses would be provided to these questions. (Note: The written responses are set out in Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes).
Procedural Motion
Councillor Danny Hassell moved and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be varied such that Motion 12.10 ‘Motion regarding Cambridge Heath Sixth Form Centre Special Educational Needs Unit’ be taken as the next item of business.” The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Noting that a public question (6.10) had been submitted but not reached regarding the subject matter of motion 12.10, the Speaker permitted Ms Emma Price to make a short statement about the services provided by the Special Educational Needs Unit at the sixth form centre and in support of a campaign to keep the unit open.
Supporting documents: