Agenda item
TO RECEIVE PETITIONS
Items 5.1 to 5.3 – Petitions for presentation
The Council Procedure Rules provide for up to three petitions to be presented at an Ordinary Meeting of the Council. The deadline for receipt of petitions for this Council meeting is noon on Thursday 16th July. However, as at the date of agenda despatch the maximum number of three petitions had already been received.
The petitions received for presentation at this meeting are set out in the attached report.
Item 5.4 – Petition for debate
In addition to the above, the Council’s Petition Scheme, adopted in July 2010 in accordance with the then provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, provides that where a petition includes at least 2,000 signatures, the petitioners may request that a debate is held about the petition at the next available Council meeting.
A petition containing 2,369 signatures has been received on the subject of the TUSH Housing Co-op, Bruce Road, E3.
The text of the petition and guidance on the format for the debate on this matter are set out in the attached report. A maximum total of 18 minutes is allocated for this agenda item.
Minutes:
5.1 Petition regarding major works at Lister House and Treves House, E1
Ms Khaleda Malequeaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.
Councillor Sirajul Islam, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Performance, then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He outlined the aims of the Decent Homes Programme and the anticipated costs and the timetable for the works to the blocks. A full options appraisal had been commissioned in the interest of best value and the survey should be completed by the end of August. Every effort had been made to keep residents informed of developments. The Council was also reviewing its policy on the leaseholder repayment period. A report on this matter would be submitted to Cabinet later this year.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2 Petition regarding the Council’s service to the local community
Mr Muhammad Haqueaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.
Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He reported on his commitment to examining, along with the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Council’s democratic process to ensure that it was open to scrutiny, decision makers were held to account and to ensure services were delivered effectively amongst other aims.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Directorate of Law Probity and Governance for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.3 Petition entitled ‘Stop the destruction of long standing communities on the Isle of Dogs’
Mr Arthur Coppinaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.
Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He expressed sympathy for the petitioners concerns. He also reported on his plans to attend a meeting with the Chief Executive of One Housing and that he was working with Councillors across the political spectrum to address the concerns.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Dave Chesterton moved, and Councillor Andrew Cregan seconded, a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 14.1.5, Rule 13.1 be suspended to enable an urgent motion regarding ‘One Housing Group’ to be considered”. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
5.4 Petition Debate - TUSH Housing Co-op, Bruce Road, E3.
An updated report for this item including officers comments was tabled at the meeting.
The Service Head, Democratic Services advised the Council that a petition containing 2,369 signatures regarding TUSH Housing Co-op, Bruce Road, E3 had been brought to the Council for debate under the provisions of the Petition Scheme. The text of the petition was set out in the report circulated with the agenda for the meeting.
Mr Andy Erlamaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners and the Council then debated the matters raised by the petition.
Procedural Motion
Councillor Sirajul Islam moved, and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed seconded, a procedural motion – “That under Procedure Rule 14.1.14, Rule 13.1 be suspended to allow an urgent motion regarding TUSH Housing Petition”
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Sirajul Islam moved, and Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed seconded, the urgent motion [text of motion as set out in the resolution below].
Following debate, the urgent motion as tabled was put to the vote and was agreed.
RESOLVED
This Council notes:
- That a petition was received containing 2,369 signatures on the subject of TUSH Housing Co-op in Bruce Road, E3.
This Council believes:
- That the petitioners have significant support and that therefore their case should be considered.
This Council resolves:
- To call on the Mayor to look closely at this situation and carefully consider the decision made by the previous Mayor.
Supporting documents:
- Report Petitions 150722, item 5. PDF 56 KB
- Item 5.4 - Petition Debate report, item 5. PDF 78 KB
- Item 5.4 - Petition Debate report Appx B, item 5. PDF 127 KB