12. 3   Motion regarding Bow School.

 

Mayor John Biggs moved and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

 

Councillor Oliur Rahman moved and Councillor Ohid Ahmed seconded a friendly amendment to the motion as set out below:

 

‘Add the following sentences at the end of second paragraph:

 

Council further notes the support the family has received from friends, community groups and other councillors, including Cllr Ohid Ahmed, who was at the hospital with the family when Nasar sadly passed away. Cllr Ohid Ahmed has met the family many times and continues to do everything he can to support them.

 

Add the following paragraph at the end of the current motion, after the sixth paragraph ending with ‘difficult time’:

 

Tower Hamlets Council has contacted of all its maintained schools in regards to the policies and procedures ‘pertaining to children with a pre-existing medical condition and/or falling ill at school’ in order to provide an unequivocal formal assurance to the constituents and concerned parents that all Tower Hamlet schools are aware of their duties.

 

The Mayor John Biggs and Councillor Rachael Saunders indicated that they accepted the amendment

 

Following further debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was agreed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council notes the tragic death of Nasar Ahmed who passed away at the Royal London Hospital.

 

Council notes that Mayor Biggs and Tower Hamlets Council have offered their full support to the police, Bow School and other agencies as the circumstances of his death are thoroughly investigated. Council notes that Mayor Biggs has met the family twice and has committed himself to doing everything he can to support the family. Council further notes the support the family has received from friends, community groups and other councillors, including Cllr Ohid Ahmed, who was at the hospital with the family when Nasar sadly passed away. Cllr Ohid Ahmed has met the family many times and continues to do everything he can to support them.

 

It is important is that the police, working on behalf of the Coroner’s Service, gather the facts quickly and that we learn all the lessons we can from this incident so we can prevent anything similar from ever happening again.

 

Council further notes that the police have consulted the Health and Safety Executive and agreed to take the lead on an independent investigation. A Metropolitan Police central investigation team will be conducting this investigation as they have the resources and capability to carry out a complex and lengthy enquiry.

 

This Council resolves to fully support the police, Bow School and other agencies as the circumstances of Nasar Ahmed’s’death are investigated.

 

Tower Hamlets Council resolves to offer all the support it can to Nasar’s family, friends and fellow pupils during this extremely difficult time.

 

Tower Hamlets Council has contacted of all its maintained schools in regards to the policies and procedures ‘pertaining to children with a pre-existing medical condition and/or falling ill at school’ in order to provide an unequivocal formal assurance to the constituents and concerned parents that all Tower Hamlet schools are aware of their duties. 

 

 

12.4 Motion on Tackling Air Pollution in Tower Hamlets

 

Councillor Denise Jonesmoved and CouncillorAyas Miahseconded the motion as printed in the agenda.

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council notes:

 

1.         Poor air quality is a significant problem in Tower Hamlets and we exceed EU limits for air pollution across the whole borough

 

2.         Figures from the British Lung Foundation show people in Tower Hamlets are twice as likely to die from lung cancer and other lung diseases than people in London’s most well off boroughs like Westminster or Kensington & Chelsea

 

3.         Emerging research shows the impact of air pollution on children is particularly devastating,  reducing their lung capacity permanently which can lead to a range of health problems

 

4.         Pollution in London is a public health priority, and over 9,400 Londoners – including almost 200 Tower Hamlets residents – die early every year due to air pollution.

 

This Council welcomes:

 

1.         Strong leadership from the Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on tackling London’s air pollution, including proposals to bring forward and expand implementation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and to introduce green buses on London’s worst polluted routes from next year

 

2.         Local Mayor John Biggs’ public commitment to make improving our air quality a priority for the whole council, working with partners within and beyond the borough, giving a much-needed new local focus to this vital issue

 

3.         Support from our local MPs Jim Fitzpatrick and Rushanara Ali in campaigning on this issue along with residents and raising the issue in Parliament

 

4.         Work already being done by the council with local schools such as Marner Primary and Cubitt Town Junior schools to raise awareness of air pollution and encourage children and families to minimise their exposure and adopt less polluting behaviours.

 

This Council believes:

 

1.         Tackling air pollution is a matter of social justice – it is unacceptable that people are twice as likely to die from lung diseases if they live in deprived areas like Tower Hamlets compared to more affluent areas of London

 

2.         Improving air quality is an urgent public health priority, given the damaging impacts of pollution particularly on children and vulnerable adults

 

3.         While we are not in full control of air pollution within the borough, there are actions the council can take in relation to planning and development, parking and traffic policies, public health awareness and campaigning, cleaning up our own and partners’ fleets, incentivising active travel and use of cleaner vehicles, and greening our public spaces and streets.

 

This Council resolves:

 

1.         For all councillors to pledge to champion air quality and lead by example by using cleaner travel options as far as possible

 

2.         For all councillors to support the National Park City campaign, which aims to make London a greener, healthier and fairer place to live

 

3.         To call on Mayor Biggs to:

 

a.         Ensure the forthcoming Air Quality Action Plan is ambitious in its commitments to improve our air quality locally

 

b.         Consider how to roll out the positive partnership working with local schools to more schools across the borough

 

c.         Explore investment through the budget process in proven measures and public health campaigns to raise awareness of air pollution in the local community

 

d.         Explore through the Draft Local Plan (currently out for consultation) all possible measures to improve Air Quality through the planning process.

 

 

Motions 12.1,12.2 and 12.5 were not debated due to lack of time.