Council - Wednesday 19 November 2025, 7:00pm - Tower Hamlets Council webcasts

Council
Wednesday, 19th November 2025 at 7:00pm 

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  1. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  2. Shupriya Iqbal
  3. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  4. Mr Matthew Mannion
  5. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  6. Mr Matthew Mannion
  7. Cllr Kabir Ahmed
  8. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  9. Mr Matthew Mannion
  10. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  11. Cllr Marc Francis
  12. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  13. Mr Matthew Mannion
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  1. Shupriya Iqbal
  2. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  3. Mr Matthew Mannion
  4. Cllr Ayas Miah
  5. Shupriya Iqbal
  6. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  7. Mr Matthew Mannion
  8. Shubo Hussain
  9. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  10. Mr Matthew Mannion
  11. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  12. Mr Matthew Mannion
  13. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  14. Cllr Leelu Ahmed
  15. Mr Matthew Mannion
  16. Cllr Jahed Choudhury
  17. Mr Matthew Mannion
  18. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  19. Mr Matthew Mannion
  20. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  21. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  22. Mr Matthew Mannion
  23. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  24. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  25. Mr Matthew Mannion
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  1. Mr Stephen Halsey
  2. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  3. Mr Matthew Mannion
  4. Mr Stephen Halsey
  5. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  6. Mr Matthew Mannion
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  1. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  2. Public Speaker
  3. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  4. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  5. Public Speaker
  6. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  7. Cllr Asma Islam
  8. Cllr Marc Francis
  9. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  10. Public Speaker
  11. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  12. Cllr Musthak Ahmed
  13. Public Speaker
  14. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  15. Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury
  16. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  17. Public Speaker
  18. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  19. Cllr Kamrul Hussain
  20. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  21. Public Speaker
  22. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  23. Public Speaker
  24. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  25. Public Speaker
  26. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  27. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  28. Cllr Sabina Akhtar
  29. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  30. Public Speaker
  31. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  32. Cllr Asma Islam
  33. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  34. Public Speaker
  35. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  36. Cllr Sabina Khan
  37. Public Speaker
  38. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  39. Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury
  40. Cllr Amina Ali
  41. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  42. Public Speaker
  43. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  44. Public Speaker
  45. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  46. Public Speaker
  47. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  48. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  49. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  50. Public Speaker
  51. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  52. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  53. Public Speaker
  54. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  55. Cllr Nathalie Bienfait
  56. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  57. Public Speaker
  58. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  59. Cllr Abdi Mohamed
  60. Cllr Asma Begum
  61. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  62. Public Speaker
  63. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  64. Public Speaker
  65. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  66. Public Speaker
  67. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  68. Cllr Harun Miah
  69. Public Speaker
  70. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  71. Cllr Shafi Ahmed
  72. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  73. Cllr Shafi Ahmed
  74. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  75. Cllr Shafi Ahmed
  76. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  77. Public Speaker
  78. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  79. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  80. Cllr Abdul Mannan
  81. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  82. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  83. Public Speaker
  84. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  85. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  86. Cllr Peter Golds
  87. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  88. Public Speaker
  89. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  90. Public Speaker
  91. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  92. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  93. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  94. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
  95. Cllr Ahmodul Kabir
  96. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
  97. Public Speaker
  98. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  99. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  100. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  101. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  102. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  103. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  104. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  105. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  106. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  107. Public Speaker
  108. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  109. Public Speaker
  110. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  111. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  112. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  113. Public Speaker
  114. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  115. Cllr Ayas Miah
  116. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  117. Public Speaker
  118. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  119. Cllr Sabina Khan
  120. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  121. Public Speaker
  122. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  123. Cllr Maisha Begum
  124. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  125. Public Speaker
  126. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  127. Shubo Hussain
  128. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  129. Public Speaker
  130. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  131. Public Speaker
  132. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  133. Cllr Musthak Ahmed
  134. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  135. Cllr Musthak Ahmed
  136. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
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  1. Mayor Lutfur Rahman
  2. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  3. Mayor Lutfur Rahman
  4. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  5. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  6. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  7. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  8. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  9. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  10. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
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  1. Cllr Kabir Ahmed
  2. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  3. Cllr Kabir Ahmed
  4. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  5. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  6. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  7. Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury
  8. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  9. Cllr Marc Francis
  10. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  11. Cllr Marc Francis
  12. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  13. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  14. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  15. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  16. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  17. Cllr Ohid Ahmed
  18. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  19. Cllr Ohid Ahmed
  20. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  21. Cllr Peter Golds
  22. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  23. Cllr Shafi Ahmed
  24. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  25. Cllr Shafi Ahmed
  26. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  27. Cllr Mufeedah Bustin
  28. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  29. Cllr Mufeedah Bustin
  30. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  31. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  32. Cllr Abdul Mannan
  33. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  34. Cllr Asma Islam
  35. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  36. Cllr Asma Islam
  37. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  38. Cllr Abdul Wahid
  39. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  40. Cllr Sirajul Islam
  41. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  42. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
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  1. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  2. Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury
  3. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  4. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  5. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  6. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  7. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  8. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  9. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  10. Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury
  11. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  12. Cllr Musthak Ahmed
  13. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  14. Cllr Sabina Khan
  15. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  16. Cllr Sabina Khan
  17. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  18. Cllr Bodrul Choudhury
  19. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  20. Cllr Sabina Khan
  21. Cllr Amin Rahman
  22. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  23. Cllr Kamrul Hussain
  24. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  25. Cllr Iqbal Hossain
  26. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  27. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
  28. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  29. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
  30. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  31. Cllr Saied Ahmed
  32. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  33. Cllr Saied Ahmed
  34. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  35. Mr Matthew Mannion
  36. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
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  1. Cllr Asma Islam
  2. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  3. Cllr Asma Islam
  4. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  5. Cllr Asma Islam
  6. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  7. Cllr Jahed Choudhury
  8. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  9. Cllr Abdul Wahid
  10. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  11. Cllr Marc Francis
  12. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  13. Cllr Nathalie Bienfait
  14. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  15. Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury
  16. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  17. Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury
  18. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  19. Cllr Abdi Mohamed
  20. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  21. Cllr Ahmodur Khan
  22. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  23. Cllr Bellal Uddin
  24. Cllr Abdul Mannan
  25. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  26. Cllr Kabir Ahmed
  27. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  28. Cllr Kabir Ahmed
  29. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  30. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  31. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  32. Cllr Maium Talukdar
  33. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
  34. Mr Matthew Mannion
  35. Cllr Suluk Ahmed
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  1. Webcast Finished

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:02:34
Good evening and welcome everyone.
My name is Councillor Silliu -Kahmed.
I am the speaker of the council and I will be chairing the meeting.
I would like to thank everyone for attending, including members of the public gallery.
I would like to announce that nominations are now open for the Tower Hamlets Civic Awards.
Every year we receive nominations telling us about the outstanding work being carried
out by volunteers, students, workers and residents of the Bara to improve the lives of people
living here.
You can find out the nominations from our website, so please do take the time to tell us about someone who you think deserves recognition for their activities or achievements.
Since the last council meeting in October, I have enjoyed taking part in a number of
quite different events, from citizenship ceremonies and community sports events to celebrations
of drama and culture and ceremonial occasions of the Lady Mayors show.
This month there were several remembrance services taking place in the borough.
I went to Trinity Square Gardens, Tower Hill.
I also attended a short ceremony in Town Hall on Tuesday, 11th of November,
where a two -minute silence was observed.
Last week I visited the Watchef Hall mission, which as you may know is just a short walk
along the road from Town Hall.
As I mentioned in an earlier meeting, this is the charity I have chosen to promote this
here and I cannot speak highly enough about the amazing work they are doing.
They have been serving the homeless since 1876 and not only providing a hot meal, serving
anything from 250 to 400, 450 breakfasts a day, but also have shower facilities and a
supply, cleaning and clothing.
There is a day centre with skilled training, carer advice, activity programmes and specialist
support for complex needs.
I am sure they would be very grateful for any donations, particularly as this starts
to get colder.
Thank you.
You may have noticed the big Councillor banner just outside the chamber this evening.
The Council is inviting people who are interested in becoming Councillors to attend an event
on Saturday 29th November where you can find out more about what the involvement and the
support available to you.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
For more information you can scan the QR code or visit the website.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Councillor Abu Talha Chaudhry and his wife Samina on
the recent birth of their baby.
Congratulations.
I wish them and their family all the very best.
May I know as a boy or girl, Councillor?
Now before we start, I must remind you that we have important rules to get through our
business.
If anyone shouts, shouts out or otherwise disrupts the meeting, I will be forced to
adjourn and you may not be able to take any further part in the meeting.
I also remind all the members and the public that if I stand, you must sit down and be
quiet.
I will now ask the Monitoring Officer to set out our rules and expectations in more details.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Shupriya Iqbal - 0:08:29
I would like to remind members and the public that you must show courtesy and respect to
all speakers.
You must not shout out or otherwise disrupt the meeting.
If you disrupt the meeting, you may be removed.
I would remind all members to keep all contributions brief and relevant to the subject matter under
discussion. To not stand or start to speak until you have been called. To speak through
the Speaker and do not address comments to other members or the public gallery. To not
disrupt each other or make comments whilst other members are speaking and to be respectful
to each other at all times. To not criticise officers during proceedings. And most importantly,
if the Speaker, the Chief Executive or I stand, all members must sit down and be quiet. Although
only used as a last resort, the Speaker may ask for the removal of any Speaker or visitor
should their behaviour become disruptive. Also, if any member has a point of order to
make, a reminder please that you must start your intervention by stating which point of
the constitution or the law have been broken.
The Speaker will select Members who speak on items from all sides of the Chamber and
in line with any submitted lists.
He will also look to those indicating during the meeting, but most agenda items have strict
time limits and so not all those who request may be able to speak.
Please note that supplemental information has been published including proposed amendments
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:10:22
I will now ask the head of democratic services to take us through procedures and the admin
items at the start of the meeting and note that I will also later be asking him to conduct
any formal votes that we need to undertake.
Thank you.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:10:48
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I will stay seated if that's OK.
There's bits of writing that might be involved in my sections.
OK, so before we go through the admin items,
my first point is just to cheque whether there are any procedurals
that anyone wishes to propose for tonight.
Can I see a raised hand if anyone has anything?
OK, yes, please, Deputy...
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 0:11:19
I would like to request to suspend the procedure rule 17 under rule 12 .1 to include the small
business petition to be heard along with other petitions as over 60 ,000 businesses will be
impacted including the entire hundreds.
So this is quite important.
Thank you.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:11:37
For clarity, you are saying take it as an additional petition.
So we will hear the first four and take that as a fifth petition.
Can I have a seconder for that proposal?
Councillor Kabbirameh, thank you.
So we will look at that one then.
Anyone in favour of that as a proposal?
Anyone against?
No, okay.
So I've got that.
Is there any other procedural rules anyone wants to?
So I've got Councillor Francis here, I've got Councillor Kibbe Ahmed there.
Cllr Kabir Ahmed - 0:12:27
So under procedural 12 .1C, the order of business be changed to move 9 .1 report from CABINA
on local plan submission to the Secretary of State
to be heard now after the mayor's speech.
The urgency is that as it's a statutory report
with significant implications to life in Tower Hamlets,
I believe that prioritising it is very appropriate
for our residents and the council.
Secondly, under the same procedure rule 12 .1C,
Agenda item 9 .2, the ONS annual report 2425.
This is a key part of the best value inspection and the continuous improvement plan.
It is essential that we have robust scrutiny.
Therefore, it is of the utmost urgency that we discuss and debate the ONS report in full.
As this is a packed agenda, I believe it is urgent and I would like to make the agenda
after we hear 9 .1.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:13:36
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:13:38
So the proposal is we bring up the two reports to hear after the mayor's report and before
the motions for debate.
It was yours on something similar, Councillor Francis.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:13:46
Can I just explain why as well?
Cllr Marc Francis - 0:13:52
So Mr. Speaker, so Labour councillors would also like to ensure that there is a full debate
on the draught local plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State if it is going to
be submitted.
And the reason that we believe it should be heard earlier in the meeting is that this
full council meeting has failed to complete the agenda, including on a number of statutory
reports over the course of most of the last three and a half years.
So we really strongly feel that there needs to be a full debate on this item in which all members that want to participate
Are allowed to do so
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:14:27
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:14:30
Okay, thank you look I suppose we can set a set you second thing is
Okay
Yeah, now as it's a proposal to change the order of business. I need to cheque with the speakers
He needs to agree the reasons for urgency
So Mr. Speaker, I think, yeah, you are.
Okay, thank you.
So can I see all those in favour of this proposal?
All those against?
Any abstentions?
Okay.
So that is carried as well.
So are there any further procedurals?
Okay.
So I think we're done on the procedurals and we will therefore move the agenda around as
we need to later on to cover those off.
Thank you very much.
Moving on to the agenda items, item 1 is apologies for absence.
I haven't received any apologies for absence.

Does anyone else have any apologies for absence?

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

OK, so apologies there for Amy Lee and for James King who is going to be online.
Anyone else?
No, I think everyone else is here.
Brilliant.
Okay.
Thank you.

2 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND OTHER INTERESTS

Agenda item 2 is declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.
So would any member who has a disclosable interest to declare on any item please indicate.
But before we do that, the Monitoring Office is just going to say a few words on this.
Thank you, Matthew.
Shupriya Iqbal - 0:16:00
In relation to motions on the agenda, in relation to housing and traffic management orders and
There is unlikely to be any pecuniary interest based on the items on the agenda unless of
course you as an individual member based on your personal circumstances think that there
is a DPI.
But members should note that there is a general dispensation on council housing matters so
there is no need to declare an interest in relation to council housing if you're a tenant.
In relation to the motion on traffic management orders and blue badges if a member thinks
they should personally be impacted by a request within the resolution then you
may wish us to note your name but again I don't think it's a pecuniary interest.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:16:45
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:16:47
So on that basis does anyone want to make any declarations? I can see Councillor I smear it back.
Cllr Ayas Miah - 0:16:53
Yeah petition 5 .5 support for small businesses so I in my family have small
businesses in Tower Hamlets, so I'd like to declare my interest and I would like to ask
a question to the monitoring officer, am I allowed to ask any question about it or am
I allowed to be straight in while the petition is hard?
Shupriya Iqbal - 0:17:14
Well, as it's a petition that affects all small businesses in Tower Hamlets and it's
not specific to your business, then you can ask a question.
unless
Well during that during the debate
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:17:28
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:17:29
Shubo Hussain - 0:17:31
I would like to declare that I've got few small businesses as well
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:17:35
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:17:37
Thank you count that's cancer Shubo sane accounts at Oud Ahmed
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:17:40
same declaration and
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:17:42
also
saying over there
Anyone else any other declarations on any other items?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:17:54
I have family business.
Cllr Leelu Ahmed - 0:18:00
My wife is business owner.
Thank you, Councillor Ahmed.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:18:06
Same.
Cllr Jahed Choudhury - 0:18:12
OK.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:18:14
We have two more.
So, Kaled and Councillor Choudry over there.
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 0:18:29
Sorry, Mr Spillar, we did provide a list of Aspire. Have you received it?
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:18:32
Yes, I thought they were going to put their hands up as well.
They should really put their hand up in the meeting as well, but I do have that list as backup.
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 0:18:39
And if that can be included. Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:18:46
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:18:51
So to be clear I have Haran Meer, Ahmadul Khan, Shafi Ahmed, Sulek Ahmed and Kamal Hussain
on that list.
Any declaration on any item?
Okay well let's move that along.
I don't think that the Montreux thinks there's any pecuniary interest involved here anyway.
We will move on to the next item.
If anyone uncovers anything as they get to that item, please say.
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 0:19:23
Sorry, can you also include Councillor Abnormalik.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:19:28
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:19:29
Moving on to agenda item 3, minutes of the previous meeting.

3 MINUTES

We did make the change to the July minutes that were mentioned last meeting.
Does anyone have anything on the minutes from the 8th of October?
No?
Are we happy to agree those?
Okay.
Thank you very much.
Agenda item 4 is announcements from the Chief Exec.
I hand over to the Chief Executive, Stephen Horsey, for his announcements.
Thank you, Matthew.

4 TO RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stephen Halsey - 0:19:59
Firstly, I was proud to accompany the Speaker and Councillors in attending the Remembrance
Day Service at the Tower of London on the 9th of November that the Mr Speakers will
refer to.
Also on Remembrance Day on the 11th of November where staff and partners gathered together
in the foyer of the Town Hall to mark a two minute silence.
Remembrance Day is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all
those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in honouring this important day.
Also in October, we celebrated Black History Month, a time to honour the resilience, achievements
and contributions of individuals and organisations of the past and present in Tower Hamlets,
London and beyond.
It is also a moment to reflect on how we continue to challenge inequality and build pride in
our shared community.
Also in October, the Council, Police and partners came together to consider the challenge of
proposed UKIP -initiated march and demonstration in Whitechapel. Initially, UKIP had planned
to protest under the banner of reclaiming Whitechapel from the Islamists. Officers worked
diligently with representatives from the partner organisations, including the Metropolitan
Police, the GLA, TFL and the voluntary sector to ensure that given challenges that such
an initiative creates, the best interests of the local community, residents and businesses
were at the forefront. I was advised by the Metropolitan Police Gold Command prior to
the 25th October that in the Metropolitan Police's view there was a realistic prospect
of serious disorder should the UKIP march go ahead. As a result of those considerations,
the police took the decision to move the protest to Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster. The
police also took the decision to allow the counter protest organised initially by Stand
to racism to go ahead in our borough.
These type of initiatives are always challenging and I would like to thank the partners that
engaged with the council and the Metropolitan Police for their proactivity and commitment
to ensuring as little disruption as was practically possible for the businesses and residents
of our borough.
It was during the weeks leading up to the 25th of October that I wrote to the Home Secretary
raising concerns about the impact on community cohesion in the borough should the march go
ahead and the ongoing disruption to the local community of the Britannia Hotel being utilised
as a short -stay stopover for asylum seekers.
Mr Speaker, there have also been a number of significant best value delivery milestones
in developing the Council's continuous improvement plan over the last month.
Firstly, the Staff People Survey closes tomorrow and so far over 2 ,500 of our staff, 45 % of
direct employees, have completed the survey and the results will form the baseline for
our cultural change programme.
I am committed to publishing our evidence base for improvement as we commission research
and gain external insights as to how we operate and as a result we have published the Good
Governance Institute's review of our governance arrangements in the Transformation Assurance
Board papers this week.
We take the advice of ministerial envoys very seriously and are committed to ensuring that
improvement is properly supported and embedded.
We've onboarded Barry Quirk, the former CEO of Kensington and Chelsea, as the new Independent
Chair of the Audit Committee, and Stephen Hughes, the former Chief Executive of Birmingham
City Council as a strategic advisor supporting our improvement work.
In a related matter, our Tower Hamlets 2025 -35, the 10 -year partnership strategic vision for
Tower Hamlets, was agreed at the Partnership Executive Group this week and will be submitted
for consideration at Cabinet in December.
Also over 1 ,450 colleagues have attended the recent Chief Executive Roadshows, which were
themed around our continuous improvement journey. This is a great opportunity to share information
and updates on our plans and what lies ahead on our continuous improvement journey.
After the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge revisit, which I referred to recently at the last meeting,
and the CQC inspection, we await publication of the reports. Both are important markers
in our improvement journey.
At the heart of our continuous improvement is listening,
learning, and most importantly, co -producing
by shaping our improvement journey with colleagues,
partners, and residents to support us
in becoming stronger, more resilient organisation.
I look forward to receiving feedback from groups
supporting the new iteration of the continuous improvement
plan at the Transformation Assurance Board next week,
and thank members who have been involved in developing
the new member pledge and those who have given valuable feedback on the CIP in various briefing sessions.
Finally, last week was National School Meals Week where we held taster sessions at schools with parents.
I can tell members that an incredible two million free school meals have been provided in secondary schools since they were introduced.
This week members would have seen extensive coverage on the BBC and other media of our new drug squad,
which will tackle antisocial behaviour and support people to get help with drug addiction
and in turn reduce the causes of crime.
Three important campaigns were also launched at the end of October and early November.
First, our budget consultation, which is currently live for residents and businesses to give their views.
The second is our Break the Mould campaign to help reduce damp and mould in homes with information and support.
It coincided with AWAB's law coming into effect, which mandates social landlords to address
health hazards like a damp and mould.
And thirdly, our annual season of Bangla drama is taking place throughout November.
This year's theme is kindness and the programme includes drama, comedy, conversation, music
and songs.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Thank you, Steve.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:26:21
Now we can move to agenda item 5 to receive petitions.
Council has received five petitions.
Can the head of democratic services please take us through the procedures?
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:26:43
So tonight we have five petitions including the one that was added to the agenda.
Mr Stephen Halsey - 0:26:52
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:26:55
Mr Matthew Mannion - 0:26:56
So there are five petitions including the one that was added to the agenda through the
procedural.
None are for full debate as none have the 2 ,000 signatures so all five will be dealt
with in the same way which is a three minute presentation from the petitioner or petitioners.

5 TO RECEIVE PETITIONS

Then four minutes for members to ask short questions of the petitioners and receive responses.
And then two minutes for the response from the lead member.
That's in order.
Over to you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:27:24
Thank you.
We can now move to Agenda Item 5 .1.
On the petitions, the first petition is on the fifth cricket pitch in Victoria Park.
Can I ask Peter Nash to present the petition on the stop the unnecessary dangerous fifth
cricket pitch coming to Victoria Park.
You have three minutes to present your petitions.
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 0:28:04
Hi. I might have dialled down my kind of language from stop to let's sort of act in a sort of
safe, safety conscious way, but if I introduce the sort of context, so over summer a new
cricket pitch has been sighted in the easternmost flank of Victoria Park. So there's St Mark's
and there's the tennis courts and they basically form quite a tight triangle.
And I think from the layman it looks like quite a tight squeezing in of a cricket pitch.
I've been to a lot of cricket pitches and this is by far the smallest.
And what small really means is the paths where people, young families, are basically sort of in the firing line.
They're on the pitch for all intents and purposes.
So I guess I'm sort of imploring you today about the public responsibility for family access to parks and safety.
I mentioned this as a father of young daughters, I've got twin daughters, apparently a blessing.
And what I'm representing here is all the mothers who are at home who I think were very vocal when I was talking about this in the park.
So the new sightings have no sign of protection to the cricket pitch onto the paths.
I'm not sure if you know the other cricket pitches.
They've got like nettings, there's a pavilion, so you get a bit of a buffer,
so you're not like stressed when you're walking past them.
So that sort of brings on to my like kind of raising awareness of general parenting stress.
So I've, yeah, I've mentioned we've got twins under four.
If you're walking along the street, it's constantly psychologically stressful.
you're pulling your children in and out of, like, parked cars, getting out the way of people.
And I was sort of hoping when you get into the park you didn't have to navigate threats as well,
because, and this is, this issue compounds, because in August you've got All Points East,
especially the acts parking for All Points East, which, you know, the hoardings are there, fine,
they do restrict access for us to the main playground, but it's the kind of temporary fencing
which would then force us into the firing, it would force us onto the cricket pitch.
So in August schools are out, temporary fencing is there, people are playing cricket all day.
Going back to the gender aspect, it would be probably men playing cricket whilst women unfortunately are still looking after the kids.
and that's what I want a park for everyone to feel safe in.
So on the solutions front, I want to suggest probably a review of the siting
because I've had cricketers say this is not a good place for a cricket pitch.
And in combination with that, some either dense foliage or netting
to protect people from the path and to get rid of the temporary fencing.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:31:08
There are now four minutes for questions.
Does any member wish to put a question to the petitioner?
Remember not to make any statement or comments, just a straight question.
I've got some names here.
I'm just going to go in order.
Can I ask Abu Tahir al -Chaudhry to put your question, please?
Thank you.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 0:31:42
Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, petitioner, for bringing this to Council.
So as you'd probably be aware, cricket is a beloved British sport that our residents
deeply love, and I'm sure you understand the high demand for pitches in the borough.
However, according to our officers, there are a total of four cricket pitches in Victoria
Park, and not five, as the petition suggests.
Does that change your position in any way?
This would be the fifth, no.
Public Speaker - 0:32:07
So officers are claiming this is the fourth one, oh.
So does that change your position in any way?
Okay, well they'll probably know best and no, this is a kind of, it really restricts access to the St Marks gate, so it's more about where this one is and its safety concerns.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:32:28
Thank you, can I ask Mark Francis please?
Cllr Asma Islam - 0:32:34
Thank you very much Mr Speaker, thank you for returning to the full council to present
your petition.
Cllr Marc Francis - 0:32:40
So sad to say that when I'm batting nobody's in any danger on this cricket pitch or any
other one but I really do understand the concerns that have been raised in particular but I
also think that we have to say how important it is and valuable that there's a grass cricket
pitch being created in Victoria Park.
That is really valuable and the carpet one should be replaced as well.
But I think the point that's being made here if I'm right is that
This cricket pitch is so close to the walk to the pathway between the Ronkain pavilion and Cadogan Terrace
Cadogan Terrace that people young people in particular might well be hit by a cricket ball
So does the petitioner share my concern that this precise location of this cricket pitch has been caused
Because of the need to leave space for all points East to have its car park
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:33:30
space in the summer holidays? The car parking space and the cricket pitch
Public Speaker - 0:33:32
create like there is a land grab for the same small amount of space so I'm sort
of thinking it's kind of one or the other I'm referring here to the car park
only because it just looks so unnecessary yeah there's two paths which
are basically within a reasonable boundary for the cricket pitch which I
I think needs some sort of covering protection
or a solution.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:33:59
Can I ask Mr. Karmit, please?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, petitioner.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed - 0:34:06
Does the petitioner know that the England
and Wales Cricket Board has certified
Victoria Park cricket pitches as exceeding
the minimum distance between the pitch
and the nearest footpath?
also St Mark's Gate for instance is over 150 metres from the pitch. Is the
petitioner sure that they are referring to the pitch or residents playing
Public Speaker - 0:34:39
cricket off pitch and near the footpath? Thank you. I'm assuming that assessment
was done after the grass pitch was installed.
So I'm assuming it was also referring to the St. Marks Gate path.
It looks very close, kind of alarmingly close.
I'm not sure how many people have walked by.
And no, I'm not referring to informal games around.
I'm referring to the new cricket square.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:35:08
Thank you.
Can I ask Amin Ali, please?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a parent I do understand your anxiety about
Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury - 0:35:17
any kind of injury.
In your petition you talked about Battersea, which I'm also very much aware of. Can you explain to the full council tonight
what happened in Battersea and why you're worried that a similar incident may happen here as well?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:35:33
Public Speaker - 0:35:35
Yes, so I think it was in one of the newspapers, I was just doing some research for my petition,
and a woman was walking on the boundary path in Battersea and got injured.
But I kind of want to make a distinction between those severe injuries.
Fortunately, it's not life changing to an adult, but it might be life changing to a
child, but there's the actual everyday severe psychological stress of having to look after
a four year old.
I'm not sure if anyone's hopefully not lost a child here or had a severe illness with
a child.
I was very close to losing one of my daughters.
So I can very much relate to this stress.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:36:10
Thank you.
We have just one overall four minutes time to conclude this item.
Thus Councillor Campbell Hussain, cabinet member for Carlton Recreation, wish to address
the meeting in response to the petition.
You have two minutes.
Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you petitioner.
Cllr Kamrul Hussain - 0:36:36
First and foremost, there is no plan to build a fifth cricket pitch at Victoria Park.
Currently the park has three non -tough cricket pitches and one fine -tough cricket square,
which includes an additional non -tough pitch joined to the square.
This means there are four locations where cricket matches can be played at any one time.
and in practise, most of the time, fewer than four pitches are in use simultaneously.
The pitch near Mark's Gate fully complies with the minimum dimensions required for recreational cricket.
The Council has worked closely with the England and Wales Cricket Board,
ECB Middlesex Cricket and Labo Sports to ensure that this pitch meets all necessary standards.
It is also approved for league cricket in England.
Importantly, the minimum distance from the pitch to the footpath is more than 45 years,
which exceeds safety requirements.
Visitors entering the park from St. Mark's Gate are over 150 metres away from the cricket
pitch and would need to cross a busy junction within the park that sees high footfall from
cyclists, runners and pedestrians.
This junction presents a greater risk than the cricket pitch, which is further along
the path.
Additionally, the main footpath is lined with mature trees over 10 metres tall and more
than 65 metres away from the pitch, providing natural screening and protection for the park
user.
Cricket is a nationally approved sport and Victoria Park plays a vital role in supporting
it.
In summary, the existing facilities are safe, compliant and essential for fostering community
engagement and physical activity.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:38:27
Thank you.
Thank you.
That concludes the item.
The petition stands, referred to the Corporate Director for Communities, for a written response
within 28 days.
We now move to agenda item 5 .2, the petition on child poverty.
Can I ask
Jyotirra Bibi
and Mariam Murad
to present the petition
on the child poverty
in the entire homeless.
You have three minutes
to present the petition.
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 0:39:23
If you are ready?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:39:30
Public Speaker - 0:39:33
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to address you today.
I was deeply encouraged when the Council approved the motion to address child poverty in Tahel Hamless during the July 4 Council meeting.
As both a mother and a community organiser, I have witnessed the devastating effects of poverty for our children and families day to day.
The reality is stark. Across the UK, 30 % of children, up to 4 .5 million, live in relatively low -income households.
Alarmingly, around 800 ,000 of these children are in families that must rely on food banks.
This is unacceptable in one of the world's wealthiest nations.
For ethnic minority families, the rates of poverty are even higher, often doubling the
nation average.
Large families, especially those with three or more children, face even more burden.
Here in town Hamlets, where our community is both diverse and includes many bigger families,
The situation is even more critical. 56 % of children live in poverty and food insecurity.
Frankly, this is a crisis.
The consequences of child poverty are far -reaching.
Children growing up in poverty are less likely to achieve in school,
and this educational gap has lifelong effects that limit opportunity and perpetuate inequality.
Even more worryingly, food insecurity, not just lack of money, but real hunger,
profoundly harms children's physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Importantly, this isn't just an unemployment issue.
Many families in Tower Hamlets have both working parents but yet still struggle to feed their
children and put a roof over their heads.
When as much as 70 % of household income is eaten up by rent and the cost of living continues
to rise, many hard -working parents still find themselves falling further and further behind.
The Council has taken positive steps.
The Universal Free School Meal Policy has proved transformative, boosting attainment
and student wellbeing.
Council tax exemptions are providing meaningful savings for families and initiatives such
as free school uniforms help ease the financial burden further.
We commend these important actions.
But families still face severe hardship.
There is so much more to be done.
We are calling for child poverty to be placed in the heart of every council policy.
The establishment of Child Poverty Commission inclusive or diverse community voices to ensure these affect most are heard and empowered to shape solutions.
Stronger advocacy by the council on behalf of struggling families both regionally and nationally.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:42:43
And finally, we urge the Council to develop a comprehensive child poverty commission driven
by the Partnership of Residents centred on dignity, fairness and opportunity for every
child in our borough.
Let's work together to make our borough a place where every child is nourished, supported
and able to thrive.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 0:43:09
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:43:10
Thank you very much for your position.
Now you have four minutes for your questions from members.
I've got some names already forwarded.
So just reminding you not to make a statement or comments, please make your question very
short.
I'll go for Sabina after first.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 0:43:44
Thank you for coming in today with such an important position and I know how much you
believe in the borough.
Cllr Sabina Akhtar - 0:43:50
So in your opinion, how has the policy of free school meals has helped families that
you may know?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:43:57
Public Speaker - 0:43:58
We've got that.
The universal free school meals policy in Tower Hamlets is a leading example for the country because it's not mean tested.
It removes stigma and ensures every child who needs a meal receives one, improving health and concentration for all students.
Recent data shows Tower Hamlets leads London with the smallest GCC achievement gap between pupils on free school meals and their peers.
Clear evidence that universal provision helps close the educational division and supports every child to succeed.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:44:44
Thank you. Can I ask Councillor Asma Islam please?
Cllr Asma Islam - 0:44:50
Thank you to the petitioners and speaking so well, even your answers are very well prepared.
Can I just quickly ask, when it comes to tackling child poverty, you know, you rightfully mentioned
some of the good initiatives this Council is doing, but what else can be done long term,
because solutions aren't overnight, so is there anything else you've looked at when
it comes to research, things that other boroughs are doing, when it comes to the much longer
strategic plan for the borough?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:45:17
Public Speaker - 0:45:20
More help can be provided by running training, apprenticeships, speaking English, English
of speaking and other languages, ESOL classes, for instance CV support, soft skill training,
pre -employment and in -work support can be practical pathways out of poverty.
So education is key.
Families need help, not just to find jobs, but to build sustainable careers and financial resilience.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:45:55
Thank you. Can I ask Sabina Khan, please?
Councillor Sabina Khan.
Cllr Sabina Khan - 0:46:06
Hi. I just wanted to ask you, you said there's a lot of children whose parents are working.
they're living in poverty with children.
What kind of like tangible support you can see now
parents are accessing and benefiting from it
and that can be extended to other parents?
What kind of training or any kind of programme
do you think you can see now exist that helping parents?
Public Speaker - 0:46:37
Currently we've got, if you've heard of the half programme,
So the half provision is accessible for every families who are on free school meals, who
are eligible for it.
So that's a provision for helping somewhat families.
Now we need more provisions such as that, more children provisions, young people's,
because these family members, they still need to go to work during holiday.
So where do they leave children?
Childcare is very, very expensive.
Although they've taken it up to the 30 hours mark, we need more provision, not just to
children but with the SCN department altogether as well.
So we have more provisions for younger children and obviously lift the cap up where it is
universally accessible.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:47:27
I don't think I can take another question.
It's only 10 seconds left.
So I will quickly, Councillor Aminali, just a few seconds.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for being so generous.
Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury - 0:47:49
Thank you for your petition.
It is a really important petition.
Cllr Amina Ali - 0:47:55
The fact that you have come here tonight obviously means that this Council is not doing enough
for poverty.
Despite all the amazing things that you said that they're doing, they still are not doing enough.
What has let you down about what's being done in council that you think they should be doing better?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:48:10
Public Speaker - 0:48:13
Can you be very short on precise thinking?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:48:14
Public Speaker - 0:48:16
So the council has done an amazing job, but we need to do more.
Because at the moment we are the second borough to be in poverty.
So this is the reason why there must be more that we can do to bring that level up.
So we're not second, we're way down the line somewhere.
So there does need to be more work to be done.
Realistically we need to be working with real people, families who are working
and still struggling.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:48:46
Public Speaker - 0:48:48
So childcare being one of them, I mean the house care, 70 % of the income goes towards
rent.
So half of your wages are gone there.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:48:56
Working families, this is what they're faced with.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
To conclude this item.
To conclude this item, does Councillor Mayim Talukder, cabinet member for Education, Youth
and Lifelong Learning, wish to address the meeting in response to the petition?
You have two minutes.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 0:49:26
I would like to thank the petitioners for bringing this important motion, petition to
the Council.
As an administration, we are delivering many
groundbreaking investment to tackle child poverty.
The petitioners refer to the decision of the Council,
which was taken in July, and they want us to keep
to our promise.
So child poverty has not gone away, and we still
need structured approach agreed in July.
However, we have to recognise that there is too little time to run a commission and have
it prepared in a meaningful report before the Council elections.
Therefore, I undertake to ask officers to do their preparation work to set up a commission
now with a view having the first meeting of commission by end of January 2026.
After the election in 2026, we shall go full stream ahead and hope the petitioners will
join us to continue to keep us delivering on our promises.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:50:37
Thank you very much.
That concludes the item.
The petition stands referred to the corporate director for children's for a written response
within 28 days.
Thank you.
We move to petition agenda 5 .3.
Can I ask Ted Maxwell to present the petition on the safer
school journey for tower homeless children.
You have three minutes to present your petition.
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 0:51:19
Good evening, Speaker, Mayor and Councillors.
Thank you for letting me present my petition this evening about school streets.
Before I go on, I think it's interesting to note that this is the third petition this
evening and all of them are about children and young people.
So it's a really important topic that resonates across the whole borough.
My name is Ted Maxwell.
I've lived in Bessamore Green for about 15 years and I have four kids in local schools.
So school streets are a cheap and proven way of improving the health and wellbeing of children
for the long term.
They make it safer for children to get to school on foot or by bike or on a scooter
and they improve air quality.
So how can this council claim it champions young people when it has introduced no new
school streets since this administration started in 2022, even removing one at Chisholm Hill
Primary School?
I've recently heard from families at Chisholm Hill who miss the safer drop -offs, cleaner
air and children walking or cycling to school without worrying about traffic or fumes from
idling engines.
They say that now every journey feels more exposed again,
with lorries passing by the school gates.
So as it stands, tens of thousands of young people,
students in Tal Hamlet, like my 12 -year -old daughter,
are left to navigate the busy, polluted streets
around at least 66 schools across the borough every day.
Instead of bringing school streets to these remaining 66 schools, this administration has chosen to spend £2 .5 million, destroying safer streets around five schools in Bessinaw Green.
Just next week, the Council is going to the Court of Appeal to defend its 2023 decision to destroy the safer streets in Bessinaw Green.
I don't see how this is putting the needs of young people first.
Mayor Rahman, in your 2023 decision,
you said you wanted to find a non divisive solution
to the problem of road danger in town.
So along with everyone else who signed my petition,
I'm calling on you to reprioritize that 2 .5 million pounds
towards spreading school streets across the borough.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:54:00
Thank you very much.
There are now four minutes for question.
Just before I go to this, I've got just for clarification.
I just want to mention that 5 .2,
When I mentioned corporate director for children's is supposed to be corporate director for communities.
That was a misperception.
I go for the questions now.
Can I ask Abdul Manan, Councillor Abdul Manan, please, can you ask your question?
Thank you, Speaker.
Thank you, petitioner, for bringing this important issue to the Council.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 0:54:58
I'm interested in identifying area of priority.
Are there any school or area do you believe should be prioritised for school street implementation?
Thank you for that question.
Public Speaker - 0:55:10
I think that the issue is so important and a school street can be so cheap that I think
prioritisation is the wrong way to go about it.
School streets can be implemented for as little as £5 ,000 per school.
I think I've seen a report published by neighbouring Hackney Council that they spend between five
and a maximum of £50 ,000 per school street.
So I don't think we're talking about prioritisation.
I think every single student at every single school deserves to have a safe journey to
and from their school and there shouldn't be some schools that are left behind.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:55:48
Can I ask...
Natalie, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Thank you, petitioner.
Cllr Nathalie Bienfait - 0:56:09
So in your petition you mentioned the council's road safety action plan which is in draught
at the moment.
Do you have confidence in that action plan to address the issue of road safety?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:56:18
Thank you, Councillor.
Public Speaker - 0:56:21
I don't have confidence in that road safety action plan.
I think in the petition statement that went on the council's website, I explained that
There are a very small number of elements in the road safety action plan that are going to lead to some safety improvements around schools.
I think it's maybe four or five schools across the borough will get something like one controlled crossing or something similar.
So no, I think it's completely inadequate and even though in the foreword of the road safety plan the mayor admits that we have a problem with young people being the victims of road danger,
I don't think the plan is doing anything enough to solve that problem.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:57:04
Thank you.
Can I ask, Councillor, Ainsley Mabegum, please, your question.
Thank you so much, Maxwell, for bringing in such an important petition.
Cllr Abdi Mohamed - 0:57:16
I am proud that it was under a Labour administration that we actually did implement school streets in Tower Hamlets.
Cllr Asma Begum - 0:57:24
So did you know there were actually 50 school streets planned to be delivered and scrapped by this administration?
And did you also know one of the first things that they did under this administration was rip out Chisinhel Primary School Street?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:57:37
Public Speaker - 0:57:39
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:57:40
Public Speaker - 0:57:43
Thank You councillor yes, I am aware that and that this council has had good plans for doing
improvements across the borough of Tower Hamlets in previous years which benefit
everyone and I think school streets were part of that. There were other plans as
well and you know the reason I'm talking about school streets even in the context
of I'm well aware that the council doesn't have much money is that
compared to other interventions you know the government like the Department of
Transport even picks out school streets in particular as being really high
impact for really low money so I'm just I'm kind of repeating myself but it
It seems terrible that the council is looking at that.
There's really clear guidance.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:58:24
We're surrounded by adjacent boroughs
Public Speaker - 0:58:27
who are rolling out school streets week by week,
month by month, and our kids in Tower Hamlets
deserve better.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:58:33
Can I take a quick one from Councillor Jaramillo, please?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'll be very quick.
Cllr Harun Miah - 0:58:42
Are you aware that the effects of street schools'
improvements, how much are you aware of,
The improvement side, please.
Thank you.
You can highlight that.
Thank you.
Sorry, how much am I aware of the improvements
from school streets?
Public Speaker - 0:58:54
So I think that they can be very different in different places.
But the basic idea is that when they succeed,
more children should feel comfortable making
healthier choices about how they get to and from school,
whether they're five years old in reception
or 17 years old in sixth form.
They should feel comfortable taking themselves
to and from school with or without support of an adult,
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 0:59:18
but knowing that they can get to and from school safely
and not be too worried about road danger,
particularly around the school.
So it's about empowering our young people
to have better journeys to school.
Thank you for your contribution, thank you.
To conclude this item, does Councillor Shafi Ahmed
have been a member for environment and climate emergency,
wish to address the meeting in response to the petition.
Thank you Mr Speaker and good evening all.
Cllr Shafi Ahmed - 0:59:48
The Council understands the concerns for safety of children travelling to and from school
and remains committed in creating safer, healthier streets for all.
As mentioned earlier, 33 schools in the borough were included
and this is a combination of time restricted motor vehicles, restrictions commonly known as school streets,
as well as a range of physical road safety enhancements designed to create safer environments around schools.
The Council's draught safety plan sets out our priorities based on a range of factors,
including personal injury collision, data speed and approximately to vulnerable road users.
Safety around school continues to be one of the most significant drivers of our road safety programme.
However, improvements are assessed on a site -by -site basis to ensure that interventions are appropriate, effective and equitable.
Whilst time -restricted closures can offer benefits, they can also present challenges, particularly for residents with mobility impairments,
those reliant on vehicle access and others with complex travel needs.
In some cases, the limited funding available for road safety may be better directed forward infrastructure improvements that can provide continuous protection throughout the day.
These can include pedestrian crossings, speed reduction measures and footway enhancements, offering broader and more consistent safety benefits than time restrictions alone.
It is also important to recognise that road safety extends beyond traffic management.
The Council works closely with schools to deliver a wide range of initiatives,
including school travel plans, cycle training and road safety education.
These programmes help in long -term behavioural changes and empower children and families to make safer travel choices.
school streets are one part of this wider strategy,
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:01:54
but they are not the only solution to road safety and concerns around schools.
We acknowledge the concerns raised about the serious injuries near schools
Cllr Shafi Ahmed - 1:02:02
and agree that every incident is deeply troubling.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:02:07
However, our ability to expand school streets and other safety measures
is constrained by the funding available to the council despite this.
Cllr Shafi Ahmed - 1:02:15
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:02:16
we continue to seek opportunities to secure external funding.
Councillor, please.
Can I ask you to stop please, your time is up.
I thought the response, there's no timely one response.
I said two minutes.
There's no legal time response.
I'm sorry, Councillor, I did mention two minutes when you started.
I did mention, thank you.
Thank you very much.
That concludes the item.
The petition stands referred to the corporate director for communities for a written response
within 28 days.
That brings us to agenda item 5 .4, petition on Mornington Grove.
Can I ask Bentelyne Chatterford -Dyke, Ken Ward and Justin Farr -Jones to present the
petition on the Mornington Grove.
You have three minutes to present the petition.
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 1:03:53
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and Council Members for hearing our petition.
We are residents of Mornington Grove.
Mornington Grove, which many of you may not know, is a small street that runs south from
Bow Road, beside Bow Road tube station and beside Thames Magistrates Court.
It was built 1850 to 1895, a third of it was destroyed by the building of the district line,
but what remains is a delightful little cul -de -sac in which I've rented my home for nearly half a century.
And it's been a privilege to live in Tower Hamlets and to live in this street.
But over recent years the conditions there have begun to change,
and we find that our life and our peace of mind is being undermined by
Surrounding developments primarily in the bow business triangle and
Also by just a general
intrusion of people who look at this
secluded area and thinks this might be a good place to do drugs or to sell drugs and
and throw litter out and things of that sort.
But I will hand over to my neighbour Justin to tell you about concerns.
Just very briefly in the interest of time on Justin Farge, I'm also a resident.
Since COVID, the business bike triangle has turned into a hub for ghost kitchens.
90 % of ghost kitchens run from a high street location.
so this specific location only 10 % of how Tower Hamlets is applicable and
The opening hours are typically 11 till 11 7 days a week
creating e -bikes
mopeds
HGVs and
You can imagine lots of people crossing between Bow Road and Burrow DLR
So I implore the councillors to to look into it, please
to send the officers and investigate because I don't think that was the purpose that the council intended the Triangle to fulfil.
Bethleen Chatterfordai. Basically, I'd like to thank the Mayor's Office and the anti -social behaviour team that have been given some responses in relation to the petition that was put.
There's one item, this is going to be more of a question for the second part.
William Brinson House and Abdus Salam House, you seem to have not talked about the parking
implications that's going to have an impact on Wellington Grove.
That's it, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:06:36
Thank you.
There are now four minutes for the questions.
I have already some names put here.
Can I ask Councillor Abdulmanan to ask your question, please?
My name is Councillor Abdulmanan.
I'm your ward councillor.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 1:07:04
One of the grove is in my ward.
I have visited this area many times,
including the Boar Triangle shops,
what you mentioned a minute.
Very often, I'm sorry to hear,
I know it's a very, very busy place,
Cllr Abdul Mannan - 1:07:18
consistently coming in,
but would resident agree to meet me in the area
so we can visit their site and look into problems?
And would resident agree to work with me?
Excuse me, sorry.
We'll ask you a question.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:07:35
Interrupting by opposition.
Can I ask the members please to not interrupt when somebody is asking a question.
Thank you.
Is it finished?
Speaker, no.
Would the President agree to work with me to set up an action plan to address the issue?
Thank you.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 1:07:55
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:07:56
Public Speaker - 1:07:56
Councillor Mannen, in actual fact, we've met with Mr Hussein from the anti -social behaviour
team on 12 November.
There's actually a draught plan in place already.
So what I would like, however, to attend when we meet with the safety neighbourhood team
in a few weeks' time.
That would be helpful.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:08:22
Thank you.
Can I ask Peter Gold, please, Councillor Peter Gold.
Thank you very much, Speaker.
We heard very quickly about Mornington Grove.
Cllr Peter Golds - 1:08:30
We've only got a few seconds.
It's an unusual shape because of the railway line that effectively seals it off and makes
it an involuntary cul -de -sac.
Do you believe the shape of the street is causing the antisocial behaviour from the
food market and therefore should we actually, should the Council possibly look at planning
and licencing to get some work on the food market to relieve the problems you obviously
have?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:08:57
Public Speaker - 1:09:01
Well, Councillor Gold, yeah, again, we have had a response from the Mayor's office in
reference to your question. So one of the suggestions on the actual letter was to be
looking at the road markings is one,
and the amount of vehicles that are going down
to the trucks, and we need to address the issues
for the bull triangle, because at the moment,
we've got a motorway on Mornington Grove, basically.
And you know, talking about children,
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:09:30
Public Speaker - 1:09:31
I think adults, children alike, trying to cross the road,
you can get knocked over now.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:09:36
Can I ask Councillor Bella Ludin for your question, please?
groups.
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 1:09:44
I got the answer.
No more questions.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:09:48
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 1:09:59
Cllr Ahmodul Kabir - 1:10:07
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 1:10:14
Thank you.
Public Speaker - 1:10:15
Thank you.
Thank you.
It's pretty much a permanent issue now since the advent
of ghost kitchens arriving in the Bo triangle.
The peak season is actually from 5 p .m. on a Friday
and it can run all the way through the weekend.
Evenings during the week as well, there are surges.
So you can imagine whenever there's a surge online
in demand, e -motorbikes, e -mopeds arrive,
and the consequences of antisocial come with that.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:10:53
I've only got five seconds left.
Five seconds, quick.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 1:11:03
Can I perhaps first and foremost thank the petitioners.
But welcome back former Councillor Chhatrapuri
back to the council chamber.
This is different from other places of course.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:11:14
Thank you very much.
I was in fact in that area a week ago, two weeks ago, and I saw for a stand.
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 1:11:26
It's not rubbish and I've got photos on my phone, in fact, and some of your neighbours told me to answer your behaviour.
I'm very happy to come and see you.
But can you perhaps speak?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:11:34
I'm coming.
Perhaps could you maybe offer some solutions?
Sorry, there's supposed to be a question.
I thought I'd give you ten seconds.
Just giving a speech, Councillor.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
The time is over now.
I'm sorry.
That's it.
To conclude this item, does Avuta Hla Choudhury, cabinet member for Safer Communities, wish
to address the meeting in response to the petition?
You have two minutes.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 1:12:09
Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, petitioners, for bringing this forward and discussing the
impact that the Bo Triangle Business Centre has had on your community.
I'm happy to hear that some of our portfolio officers have been supporting you and I'll
be happy to join them in this upcoming meeting.
As a Council, we try to do everything we can to ensure that local business development
and residential communities are able to thrive along each other.
The growth of small businesses in the area should not be having such a detrimental effect
on your quality of life and so I'd like to share some steps that the Council has taken
to mitigate these impacts and improve living conditions for everyone around Monet and Grove.
Firstly, our traffic team is currently exploring adding additional no three road signage at
the junction of Monet and Grove and Elner Street.
This will hopefully be a good step towards decreasing problematic traffic on the road.
The council has already introduced a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads.
Unfortunately the council does not have the legal powers to enforce against speeding or reckless driving.
Nevertheless, incidents involving speeding or dangerous driving are criminal offences that can be reported to the police for investigation
and will definitely continue to work with the police to improve coverage of the area.
Tower Hamlets also participates in the London lorry control scheme which regulates the movement
of delivery vehicles at night and on weekends to minimise noise pollution.
Our council enforcement officers are responsible for taking action against delivery drivers
that violate these restrictions and we look into how we can better task officers to catch
violators around Mornington Grove.
Tower Hamlets enforcement officers currently provide patrols across the borough addressing
concerns and issues in the community and have been deployed in your neighbourhood together
intelligence on recurring ASB. These investigations will inform targeted patrols in key times
to deter and prevent ASB. Regarding issues of littering, this council is committed to
maintaining clean and safe streets, regular cleaning routes and scheduled waste collections
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:14:08
are carried out throughout the borough, including Morenton Grove. However, if you notice litter,
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 1:14:14
please continue to report it and we'll work with you to address some of the issues. Thank
you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:14:17
Thank you.
May I just remind councillors, please, if I have been sound, I'm a bit generous, but
you didn't take the advantage.
I don't want to speak if it was a short question, it would have been answered.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
That concludes the item.
The petition stands in effect to the corporate director for communities for written response
within 28 days.
Thank you.
We move to agenda item 5 .5, the petition for fair rent and support for the small businesses
in Tower Hamlets.
Can I ask Harun Miah to present the petition on the fair rent and support for the small
businesses in Tower Hamlets.
You have three minutes for the position. Thank you.
Public Speaker - 1:15:25
Good evening Mr. Speaker, Mayor and Councillors and officers. My name is Haroon
Mia. I am the chairman of Ocean Business Association representing small business
on Ben Jenson Road and Wydow Ocean area.
I am also a local shopkeeper.
Having my business running for the last 20 -odd years, also I was born and raised within the
area.
And this community is not where I work, it's my home as well.
I am here tonight to speak on behalf of small family -run businesses who keeps our high street
alive but who are now struggling under the system that is simply unfair.
The current IZTA zonal rental valuation framework may work for larger corporate units but it
It punishes smallest trader.
Bigger unit benefit from step -down calculation.
The rate per square metre decreases as the space increases.
But smaller shops, every single inch is charged at a higher rate.
Independent traders cannot survive under the model designed for major chain.
Historically, the rent increase were linked to inflation.
Now the valuation being based on mechanism where larger retailer can absorb.
If nothing's changed, the result will be empty shops, closed shutters, decline on high street
and loss on unique character of the Tower Hamlet that we see at the moment.
We are asking for one fair step.
Freeze on rent, rent increase on OBA business units until a full review of IZTA methodology
strategy is completed as discussed in previous meetings.
We appreciate that the review is underway and we ask for transparency, a clear timeline
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:18:10
and system that recognise difference between newer and older shops.
Public Speaker - 1:18:11
In addition to rent fairness, we urgently require action on parking.
Customers cannot park outside our shop because the bays are occupied with abandoned vehicles.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:18:28
There is no enforcement at the moment.
Thank you. Your time is up.
Thank you.
So there's a couple of them came afterwards, which is Batirul Haq, Shodar and Sunimiya.
I forgot to mention the name.
So the time is up anyway.
Thank you.
There are now four minutes again for the questions.
Does any member...
I have some names already here written.
So I would ask Mayim Talukda, please, can you come up with a question?
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 1:19:14
Thank you for bringing the petition. I just wanted to understand in terms of how many bays do you reckon will be sufficient for the pensions and businesses in your view. Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:19:29
Public Speaker - 1:19:31
We are not asking for mini bays, we are just asking for better maintained, managed roads.
At the moment these parking bays are not managed at all.
There are abandoned vehicles, people are parking for weeks, days, sometimes months.
In a few occasions I had to call the enforcement agency myself in order to get removed abandoned
vehicle which was broken and smashed.
So we are all we are asking for better management.
The parking should be allocated for the shop to stop kind of a thing where people could
We are going to come in sharp and within a controlled hour zone and rest of the time
for residential.
That's all we are asking.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:20:30
Can I ask the Councillor?
Thank you for bringing the important petition.
Cllr Ayas Miah - 1:20:36
You have mentioned the IZTA rent calculation framework is not suitable for the small premises.
So do you believe that traditional way like inflation with some extra percentage like
previously the council review that in the inflation and in addition about 10 to 15 percent.
So do you believe this is more suitable for the small businesses?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:21:05
Public Speaker - 1:21:06
I personally think that would be a better way to deal with smaller shops as the smaller
Most of the shops are within about 800 to 700 square feet.
The larger shop, if you apply this IZTA calculation, it works better for them.
For the smaller shop, it does not work at all.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:21:41
Can I ask Councillor Amin Rahman if you have a question?
Thank you.
Cllr Sabina Khan - 1:21:51
What suggestion do you have on how the Council can support enhancing making your business
better and for opportunities?
is?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:22:00
Public Speaker - 1:22:01
So what we propose, we are proposing something like an SME body who liaises with smaller
business or local businesses, market traders or other sector bodies before making the decisions
And if we could get involved within those, before the making the decision and before
it comes to a crisis point where we have to come and rebel against it.
Before that if we could have some kind of a communication with the council before you
to implement all these rent changes and things like that.
Thank you.
Can I ask you a last question?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:22:57
Ask Mysha, Councillor Mysha, very good.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
How can we also as councillors support you
Cllr Maisha Begum - 1:23:06
when you said in terms of the functionality
of how much of an input you want to have?
Is that through, would you suggest solution focus
like a roundtable, a forum, like going forward, would you like to have like regular meetings with the council?
What does that look like for yourselves?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:23:23
Public Speaker - 1:23:25
So,
so what we were suggesting, to form a body
where,
where small business could be involved, or small or local businesses can be involved,
in order to have dialogue and discussion before you guys make decisions.
And we have to come up with a solution to revive the high street,
because at the moment the high street is dying.
And we need to keep this high street alive in order to keep small businesses alive.
And these small businesses are employing local people.
Myself, I employ about 10 people.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:24:19
If people like me go away because of the rent increases and things like that...
Thank you, petitioner. I just want to take quickly one more question, because his name was on the top.
Okay, Shubho, if you can, Councillor Shubho, please, quickly.
Thank you to the petitioners and Sowalakum.
Shubo Hussain - 1:24:35
and thank you for having us coming in today, especially someone who is a great role model
and a mentor of many young people like myself.
I want to ask how would you want a borough -wide SME body to function if you had one in place?
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:24:53
Public Speaker - 1:24:55
Please be short and precise, thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:24:56
Public Speaker - 1:24:58
Well, it would be good to invite all these local businesses to come together within Tara
Hamlets and come up with a plan where we could go forward talking about the high street dying,
how to keep it alive.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:25:31
To conclude this item, does Councillor...
APPLAUSE
To conclude this item, does Councillor Mustafa Ahmed,
Committee Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth,
I would like to ask the
address the meeting in
response to the petition.
You have two minutes.
Thank you,
Mr Speaker, and thank you,
petitioners, for being here
today.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed - 1:25:58
We really appreciate your
time and commitment in
representing our small
business community.
Mr Speaker, we recognise
that small businesses are
the backbone of our economy
and the heartbeat of
Taohonglets.
They create
jobs, sustain families and give character to our high streets.
So when business owners say they are struggling, we must listen and act.
This petition raises concerns about rent calculations, parking and support for SMEs.
Let me address this clearly.
First on rent valuation, the Council uses industry standard zoning methodology applied
by RICS or RICS qualified consultants.
This is not arbitrary.
It is the national benchmark for fairness and transparency.
When units are marketed, the rent reflects market conditions, ensuring best value for
the borrower while remaining competitive.
Second, we recognise the pressure on small businesses.
That is why we are piloting a grant funded support scheme to help those hardest hit by
We are exploring parking improvements
including loading bays
and short stay free parking
to boost football in trading areas.
Third, we are committed to revitalising
local markets
and promoting
local initiatives.
Plans include community -led markets,
young trader programmes
and measures to increase
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:27:35
customer engagement.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed - 1:27:38
Finally, on representation
before creating a new
SME body,
we want to strengthen
existing networks and improve
communication through tools like the weekly business newsletter, ensuring every voice
is heard in consultations.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councillor.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:27:52
Thank you.
That concludes the item.
The petition stands referred to the Corporate Director for Resources for a written response
within 28 days.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Agenda item 6 is the Mayor's report.
I call upon Mayor Lutur Rahman to give his report to Council.
You have six minutes.

6 MAYOR'S REPORT

Thank you Mr. Speaker, Salaam Alaikum Alaykum Warahmatullahi Warahmatullahi Warahmatullahi
Wiratums of Peace to each and every one of you.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman - 1:28:30
I want to begin my speech today by highlighting the suffering of the people of Sudan.
For over two years, ladies and gentlemen, they have endured a brutal civil war in which
tens of thousands have tragically lost their lives.
In the past two weeks, which you will recall, we have received devastating news of the fall
of al -Fashar, where over 2 ,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly, were reportedly
executed. At our last full council meeting we expressed our thoughts and
prayers for the victims of the Eton Park synagogue attack the community East
Sussex who suffered an attack on the mosque and the people of Gaza
enduring relentless conflict. We in timeless abhor such violence as we have
stated on many times. The people of this borough stand with the weak and the
innocent and we will continue to do so. Tragedies like these remind us of the
importance of striving for a better world through dialogue, public service and community
action. They underscore the need to constantly work together towards a better tomorrow. That
is why I believe our local plan presented at this full council meeting is such an important
achievement. It is not just about housing, it is about rebuilding communities and setting
a new standard for London. Our plan commits to delivering over 52 ,000 homes with an affordable
housing target of 40 to 50%. We are putting local residents at the heart of development
by prioritising family sized homes and increasing generally social and affordable housing. From
70 to 85 per cent. We are reversing the dominance of one bedroom houses and combating gentrification.
Over the next five years our housing programme, led by the mayor's accelerated housing programme,
will deliver thousands more affordable homes here in Tambliss. In the country's most densely
populated borough, space is limited. We cannot grow outward, so we will grow upward. Expanding
tall building zones to unlock height, density and faster delivery. This local plan will
look to unlock the potential of sites across the borough building on successes in the West
and the South. It is a plan that will tackle overcrowding head on and maximise every inch
of potential that development will provide. Our priority is to keep residents in their
affordable housing.
This means designing developments that work for
families with a mix of unit sizes and creative use of
height and density to reduce the social and economic
impact of overcrowding.
Communities must stay together, supported by
affordable council run services embedded
within developments.
These spaces will give young people opportunities to grow,
learn and chase their ambitions.
These spaces, sorry, our approach will also strengthen local identity and sustainability.
We will promote local businesses, protect historical and cultural character and create
green spaces to promote and protect our environment.
I would like to thank officers, the lead member and the corporate director for the hard work
that has gone into this plan and I urge all members on all sides to support its adoption today.
Finally, I want to share an update on our improvement journey, which the Chief Executive has also touched on.
Our approach to embedding improvement and some key pieces of work that you will see over the coming weeks.
The ongoing work with the Ministry of Envoys and their support has been invaluable.
we are making excellent progress against our continuous improvement plan,
which will go into the transformation board next week.
Key work for this phase of our improvement journey includes
an ongoing commitment to listening, learning and co -producing.
Over two and a half thousand employees have shared their views in our staff survey
and over 1450 attended the recent Chief Executive Roadshows.
These were themed around our improvement journey and were a great opportunity to share and
discuss matters. Elected members have worked with the Centre for Governance and Security
to develop a member pledge to act fairly and respectfully in our chamber.
Finally, the strategic mission was agreed by the Partnership Executive Group this week
and would come to cabinet in December.
This is the cornerstone of our partnership improvement work
and I'm pleased to see that it's generating positive momentum
with our partners on areas that are important to me
and the council such as tackling inequality
and support for young people.
There is much more to do that I would like to share with you
in the future, but this gives an insight
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:33:57
into how much progress we are making against the Minister of Direction.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman - 1:34:01
Thank you very much.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:34:04
Let's finish.
Right.
Thank you.
Councillor Lassenadio, Islam Leader of the Labour Group, would you like to respond to
Mayor's support?
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 1:34:28
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and good evening and as -salamu alaykum to everyone.
Peace and blessings.
So thank you again, Mr Speaker.
So first and foremost, can I congratulate Councillor Abu Chowdhury on the birth of his
baby girl.
So sleepless nights, mountain of rubbish and endless crying.
No, I'm not talking about a spy group meeting.
The Labour group wishes you and your wife all the best and many, many congratulations.
On Remembrance Sunday, I have the pleasure of attending the service in St. Dunstan Church.
Remember all those who have fallen in the war.
I would like to pay tribute to the excellent organisation that supports veterans in our borough,
such as the Scranan Skuff Club, which provides hot lunches and a space for veterans to socialise and receive support.
It is great to meet so many people at St. Dunstan Church.
Mr Speaker, I want to highlight two positive news for our borough.
Firstly, the Renters' Rights Act has finally become law.
I know that there have been numerous organisations in our borough who have long campaigned on this issue,
and I want to thank them for their years of hard work and advocacy.
So what does this mean for our residents?
It means end to no fault evictions, end to random rent increases,
end to bidding war for properties, and end to discrimination against those in benefits or with children.
This is fantastic news for the 50 ,000 households to privately rent in our borough.
The Labour government has delivered for renters and will also deliver for our schools as Moulton
Primary has been selected by the Great British Energy for the installation of solar panels.
This will reduce energy costs for the schools and provide them with green energy.
Indeed really good news.
Mr Speaker, I recently wrote to the mosques and other Islamic faith centres in our borough
in forming the new 10 million plan protection and security scheme from the government.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:36:20
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 1:36:21
Mushkids are encouraged to apply for funding for CCTV alarm system and security.
And finally, Mr Speaker, we will soon find out how we have fared in the local government settlement.
I am confident this council received the backing of the government,
building a 30 million pound increase to our funding we received last year.
This is the difference that the Labour government has already been making in our borough,
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:36:39
giving this council the support and the backing it needs.
Thank you.
Mayor Rahman, would you like to respond?
You have two minutes.
Thank you.
Save some time.
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 1:36:55
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:36:56
Okay.
Now we are moving forward to agenda number 9.
Item 9 is report from the Executive and the Council's Committee.

9 REPORTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEES

There are two reports from the Executive or committees for the Council's consideration.
At this meeting, and these were published in the Agenda pack.
Agenda item 9 .1, the cabinet report on local plan submission to the Secretary of State.
Can Councillor Kabir Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration, inclusive development and
house building to introduce the report?
Thank you.
Cllr Kabir Ahmed - 1:37:51
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
In the future, the Local Plan is this borough's most important statutory planning document.
The plan will help address priorities set out in the Mayor's Strategic Plan, such as
overcrowding and related inequalities experienced by our communities.
The draught Towne Hamlets Plan outlines a strategic, borough -wide vision for growth across the
It also indicates policies on delivery, housing, environment, design, employment, town centres,
community infrastructure, biodiversity, connectivity and waste against which the planning applications
will be assessed. It is an ambitious plan that seeks to encourage housing delivery through
a number of mechanisms. This includes the number of site allocations for shaping the
requirement for development on large -scale strategic sites which will assist with negotiations
to secure delivery and infrastructure.
Proposing a more supportive approach to tall buildings across the borough. This is a very
crucially seeking to increase the affordable housing requirement across the borough from 35 %
of new homes to be affordable to 40 % with a great emphasis on the delivery of socially rented homes.
The preparation of this draught local plan has been ongoing for over years and has undergone
extensive consultation starting in 2022 and has been strongly shaped by the
community and that is the key Mr. Speaker. It is evidence -based using data
which we receive from local residents, from developers as well as statutory
partners. For example we've had numerous responses through the recent
consultation voicing concerns about the proposed nighttime economy designation on Red Church
Street.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:40:23
In response to this, Mr Speaker, we've changed the planning designation and we're submitting
Cllr Kabir Ahmed - 1:40:25
to the Secretary of State for examination to remove this designation.
If adopted, and I hope it is adopted today, the local plan is expected to support the
delivery of over 50 ,000 homes by 2038.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:40:44
Thank you.
I call on Councillor Mayim Talibda to second the report.
You have three minutes.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I am pleased to second the recommendation in the covering report.
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 1:41:01
I have lived in this borough for most of my life and I have seen a tremendous amount of
change.
Most of the change has been unplanned.
Much of it has not been good for our residents.
This plan is therefore welcome because it lays out a feature for our borough which puts
our residents first.
Mr Speaker, above all, this plan seeks to address the biggest challenges we face, giving
all our residents access to decent home, we have a little space for this, so we have adopted
the only option open to us to build higher.
That does not mean we intend to cover the borough with tower blocks.
The plan makes it clear that higher building will be selected in areas.
And with every tall building go plans for public space and public amenities.
We want to make homes available.
we don't want to put our residents in boxes. This plan gives us the chance to
solve our housing crisis. I argue members to support it and send it on to the next
stage. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:42:12
the floor.
with Councillor Goulam Kebreya.
Show the degree please.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I am very pleased that the local plan,
Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury - 1:42:49
the borough's most important statutory special
planning document is being presented to the council
tonight before being sent to the Secretary of State.
This proposed plan will help the borough
address priorities set out in the mayor's strategic plan,
such as overcrowding and related inequalities
experienced by our communities.
It is important that this carefully crafted local plan,
which represents our borough's aspiration,
is not stumbled at one.
Mr. Speaker, the draught town limits plan outlines
a strategic borough -wide vision for growth across the borough.
It is also include policies on delivery housing.
Our mayor mentioned in his speech our target is 40 % to 50 % affordable housing, reduce intermediate
housing and increase family size housing.
Environment, design, employment, town centres, community infrastructure, biodiversity, connectivity
and waste.
Planning applications will be assessed against the local plan so it is important that our
residents support this plan. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to note that the draught plan will
go through an examination process including formal hearing, most likely in summer 2026.
The final local plan is anticipated to come before Council in December 2026. I want to
take this opportunity to thank our officers for their hard work which will ensure that
our inspiration as a borough are delivered. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:44:29
Thank you Councillor. Can I move to Councillor Mark Francis please.
Cllr Marc Francis - 1:44:37
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This draught local plan reminds me of the good, the bad and the ugly.
The good is the ambition to secure 40 % affordable homes and 85 % social within that. The bad
is the policy decision to allow an even more permissive approach to tall buildings across
our hundreds. And the ugly is what the East End will look like after the Mayor's plan
is done.
Mr Speaker, I want to focus my remarks on explaining why Labour is opposed to the Mayor's
plan. But first of all let me thank the Director of Planning and her team and especially Marissa
Hernandez who led on this plan but has now left and Natalia Palette who has taken over
that responsibility. To be clear, our criticism of it is not a criticism of their work. Mr
of the historic character of the East End. Our built environment has been
under threat for generations from avaricious developers, ambitious
architects and planners and naive politicians. It's only because ordinary
people have fought so hard to protect the East End's history that it still
stands today and if you think that's hyperbole think about what would have
been lost if local residents hadn't fought to save it. Historic Spitalfields,
Fournier Street, Wilkes Street, Elder Street, the warehouses of Wapping and
North Dock, the industrial heritage of Millwall, Blackwall, Fish Island and Leeside and Driffield,
Medway and Litchfield conservation areas in Bow.
They were only saved because ordinary residents stood up against developers, planners and
politicians.
Mr Speaker, it isn't just that the visual integrity of Tower Hamlet's character has
been compromised by overdevelopment.
It's that the people who live here suffer as a result.
They suffer from the loss of daylight and sunlight into their gardens and balconies
and even into their windows. They suffer from the loss of child play space and quality public
realm, and they suffer from the overwhelming pressure on public services like schools and
NHS services. The people of Tower Hamlets have fought many battles against overdevelopment
of our borough. Some they have won against the LODC, some they have won like the refusal
of the local development framework in 2007 because it was too permissive to developers.
And when despite the intense pressures of the Conservative government, the former Labour
Mayor and his cabinet members secured the current plan, they won as well.
This plan means that residents will lose.
No Grade 1 listing will be safe in its setting.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:47:04
Cllr Marc Francis - 1:47:06
Even the historic churches of the East End will have their settings compromised.
And no living room window outside of a designated conservation area will be safe from yet another
tower block plonked two metres in front of it.
Mr Speaker, the good, the bad and the ugly is an allegory about greed in the American
wild west and it's true to say that developers will be licking their lips in anticipation
of the extra profits to be made in the wild east if this draught local plan goes through.
We're already seeing them using it to try to drive up the height of buildings even before
it is agreed.
Labour councillors will be voting against it tonight and we urge others on this side
of the Chamber to join us in doing so. Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:47:46
Councillor Abu -Tahir Chaudhry, please.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 1:47:56
Thank you, Speaker. Whilst the most eye -catching parts of this draught plan are the planned delivery
of more than 50 ,000 homes, just as much, if not more of this plan is dedicated to ensuring
that safety, comfort and all -around liveability remain at the centre of every new development
project that occurs in town Hamlets.
When laying out the guidelines for which developments will and won't be supported by this Council,
the number one requirement of the Local Plan is that new space designs are attractive and
welcoming to local residents and nearby communities.
Developments will be asked to include clear public and private spaces that support play,
relaxation and socialisation.
Project designs must also support existing patterns of movement and congregation for
local communities. And while increased housing density is a priority, this local plan requires
house builders to consider diverse approaches to density that include green spaces, social
corridors and a variety of heights and building layouts tailored to the needs of local people.
This plan also sets out affordable house building requirements that ensure that quality and
sustainability will not be sacrificed for speed or cost. Developers building housing
in this borough will be required to explore and implement innovative and sustainable design
approaches that are long lasting, comfortable to live in and safe for all inhabitants.
Tower Hamlet is committed to a future in which working class residents are not forced to
live in sub -standard housing that breaks down after a decade. This local plan is a commitment
to building homes that compromise speed, quantity, quality and affordability rather than forgoing
of one or the other. We've continued to centre resident experience and
liveability in our town centre plans. We've made the use of inclusive design
essential requirement of town centre development and improvement projects.
This means that conscious and informed design choices will be made to ensure
that all residents, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual
identity, are able to exist on our high streets and community centres while
feeling safe and welcome. At the same time, we have also ensured that different planning
and business development provisions apply to different types of town centres and the
needs and demands of the communities that already live there. I'm proud to be supporting
this draught plan and I'm confident that when it finally is in effect, it will be a major
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:50:29
step towards reducing severe overcrowding in the borough and ensuring that the people
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 1:50:32
of tyre hamlets remain at the centre of every new project that this borough takes on.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:50:38
Cllr Ohid Ahmed - 1:50:47
Councillor Ohi D 'Ahmoud, please. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to share my
worries about the new local plan. This plan in section 5 to 528 talks about building more
tall blocks and very dense housing.
This could change the entire look of our borough
and push our people out of this borough.
Historic England has already warned
that our local heritage and identity could be at risk.
Lead member talked about increasing the affordable home
from 35 % to 40%.
We know from our own experience,
these numbers means nothing.
Actually in delivery, we are always
far behind than our target.
This plan says it will deliver more affordable homes.
Obviously, affordable means nothing to our residents.
Most of the residents in this parat cannot afford
the homes we built.
Section 5 .1 sets our target of 52 ,095 new homes.
But I couldn't find any target for social housing.
Mayor already mentioned that his aim is to build
social homes, but in the paper actually it is missing.
And we are very good at talking.
Some people are very convincing when they talk to people,
but in delivery actually we are far behind.
Without social homes, how do we protect
our existing communities?
We are already struggling with basic services,
as my previous speakers have mentioned,
about parking is short, schools are full,
GP appointments are hard to get.
If we add thousands of more homes without fixing those problems, life will only get harder.
Congestion, pollution and poor services will push our people out of this barrel.
And that is ethnic cleansing and that is gentrification, Mr. Speaker.
And this is what exactly my council is doing and I'm quite upset.
Section 5 .28 also shows there are no clear targets for gypsy and traveller communities.
This risk leaving them without proper sites and could force them out.
This is not fair and inclusive.
Mr Speaker, I am also worried about councils moving away from mixed development.
In the past when I was a member for a generation, we made sure new areas had a mixed people,
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:53:15
Cllr Ohid Ahmed - 1:53:18
different people from different backgrounds, from different cultures, living side by side.
That gave us vibrant places like Docklands where we have large ethnic communities and other living together peacefully.
Diversity makes communities stronger, Mr Speaker.
But now it feels like the Council is letting developers build high density property,
including exclusive blocks that separate people instead of bringing them together.
This is this risk and doing years of progress.
Why we are allowing segregation?
Why are you not promoting inclusive planning that helps everyone?
We should be building...
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:53:57
The time is...
Okay, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Can I take Peter Golds, Councillor Peter Golds?
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Thank you for calling me.
Cllr Peter Golds - 1:54:11
We have three minutes to try and encapsulate something of 3 ,000 pages.
There are several issues here that do concern me.
One is that nobody is really actually talking of what affordable housing is and what social housing is.
And with any of the financing of this government, the past government,
and the one that came before that presided over Gordon Brown and Tony Blair,
we have this fatal word of viability.
And I hate to say this, one can put in anything
saying you aspire, we aspire to 40 % affordable housing.
We're not going to get it if there is no viability.
Secondly, the point that truly, truly concerns me
is the height of it, because if there is one thing
that people who want social and affordable housing
that our families don't want, it's stuck on the 50th floor of a tower block. That's the
thing they hate most of all. We need to somehow come forward and develop homes that people
want that are near the ground where people want to be. In the great days of the London
County Council, which was controlled first by municipal reform and by Labour Party, they
They were built above six storeys.
And if you look at the old LCC estate,
why were they built in that L shape?
Why are the kitchens always looking out like that?
So that a mother could go in the kitchen
and glance out of the window
where the children were playing in their playgrounds.
And I go to you, go around and look at the older parts
of some of the estates in Spitalfields or Kingsbridge
and you can see, or Matilda House.
Go to Matilda House in Wapping,
You can see exactly what I am talking about.
They were estates designed for families and for people.
Now obviously this plan, which we may or may not approve
today, will go forward for a public inspection,
but it will be the time of the public inspection
where we must go forward, looking at the heights,
questioning the viability, because I have to say,
we've got a budget next week, and don't,
but anybody who believes that the current government
that's gonna let down viability
is living in some other planet.
We're not gonna have anything like that.
We have to produce a plan
that will speak to the people of this borough.
And I'm sorry to say,
it ain't gonna be more 50 -storey glittering blocks
that are going to be sold off plan to people in Hong Kong.
And we knew that happened.
We knew that happened under the last administration.
So I went to see John Biggs and said,
you've got estate agencies with Chinese staff
speaking in Chinese with direct lines to China on these great big blocks.
That's nothing helpful for Tower Hamlets.
It looks terribly nice when you're on the DLR zone.
It doesn't look glittering.
It's not very good for people that come to our surgeries with the problems.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 1:57:16
Please, councillors, we've got to stand together, whatever political party we're in,
and think about this and go forward, not only for our people, but the Board of London.
Can I ask Shafi Ahmed please for your comments.
Thank you Mr Speaker, I hope to keep by the tide.
Cllr Shafi Ahmed - 1:57:30
I'd like to vocalise my support on the submission of the draught new local plan.
This plan is bold, forward looking framework that will shape the future of Tower Hamlets.
For decades to come, from an environmental perspective, it represents a critical step
towards delivering a cleaner, greener and a more resilient borough.
Firstly, the local plan addresses the climate emergency head on.
Tower Hamlets currently produces the fourth largest carbon emissions in London
and for many of our communities face the risk of flooding, overheating and poor air quality.
Through policies under the Clean and Green Future theme, we are committing to a net zero carbon building,
embedding energy efficiency standards and promoting sustainable drainage systems such as rain gardens.
These measures will not only reduce emissions but also protect residents from the urban heat island effect
and improve our air quality, making our borough a healthier and safer for all.
Secondly, the plan prioritises biodiversity and accesses to nature, our green and blue spaces,
parks, rivers, canals, nature reserves are vital for well -being and our ecological resilience.
The local plan strengthens protects for these spaces, ensures new developments, delivers
high quality inclusive play areas and promotes urban greening and food growing opportunities.
These policies will enhance biodiversity beyond the national minimum, creating a borough where
nature thrives alongside development.
Thirdly, we are tackling waste and resources recovery through modern, sustainable infrastructure.
The refuse, recycling and waste policies ensure the new developments include clean and accessible waste storage,
while safeguarding capacity for waste management within the borough.
We are also exploring opportunities of waste transfer by water, reducing reliance on road transport, supporting the circular economy.
This step will help us meet our targets, reducing environmental impact.
This plan is ambitious, yet practical.
It is tested for viability to ensure that environmental standards do not compromise
affordable housing delivery.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:00:01
It reflects extensive community engagement, response to feedback on energy use and targets
Cllr Shafi Ahmed - 2:00:04
biodiversity and waste site improvement.
I urge members to support this recommendation and help us deliver a local plan that meets
the needs of today while safeguarding the environment for generations to come.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:00:17
Councillor Kofi Daubastian, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Mufeedah Bustin - 2:00:25
We're all getting on so well.
It feels like we're going to start arguing again.
I don't buy it. I've had a look through this. I spent this evening looking through each site allocation on the island.
And all I'm seeing is sites that have already been allocated for housing, West Ferry Printworks, the ASDA site, Skylines, Marsh Wall.
The same amount of housing that's already been agreed in planning permission.
no new sites coming through.
But all I'm seeing across the Isle of Dogs is the opening up
of the remainder of the island for tall buildings.
In every site allocation I go to, I'm not seeing any infrastructure,
I'm not seeing any surgeries, I'm not seeing any dentists,
I'm not seeing any state -of -the -art youth centres.
We heard earlier about childcare.
We're not seeing any new nurseries.
Do you know what we're seeing?
Community centres.
We need a new community centre here.
We need a new community centre here.
A new community centre here.
Community centres do not build communities.
Building homes does not build communities.
There is nothing in this local plan for the people of the Isle of Dogs.
Now we heard at the last meeting about the rise of division, of far -right tensions on the island.
This is not a plan that is going to bring communities together.
This is a plan that is just going to create more division, more feelings of inequity.
Councillor Gold's is right. You walk through the dock, you walk through Millwall Dock,
you see Arena Tower. Arena Tower's about what, 15 years old now? 10, 15 years old?
Half, you walk there at night time, about two thirds of the lights in that block are out.
People are not living there. It is earned, they are owned by foreign investors
who are leaving their flats empty because it is worth their money to buy a
flat and leave it empty for a number of years and sell it at a profit later. That
is not solving the housing crisis, that is not helping our residents who are on
the waiting list. There is nothing in this local plan that is going to provide
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:03:10
that for the communities on the Isle of Dogs.
Cllr Mufeedah Bustin - 2:03:13
I think this really needs to be looked at seriously.
If you're serious about helping our residents and building community, this local plan needs
to be revised.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:03:26
Councillor Abdul -Munnan, please.
Thank you, Speaker.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 2:03:38
I welcome this draught new local plan being presented to Council tonight.
It will be central to addressing four key objectives in the May's strategic plan.
Trackling the cost of living crisis, number one.
Cllr Abdul Mannan - 2:03:54
Number two, providing affordable home for the future.
Number three, boosting culture, business, job and leisure.
Working towards a clean and greener future.
Mr. Speaker, the report before us is nearly 4 ,000 pages.
This reflects the work that has gone into the draught local plan, drafting, consultation,
redrafting.
Mr. Speaker, I thank all those involved in this work and fully support this submission
of the draught local plan to the secretaries of state.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councillor.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:04:32
Councillor Azmah Islam please.
Cllr Asma Islam - 2:04:42
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I think for me in the last three and a half years this is
probably the first point that the Espaillier administration have put something
forward that I in my soul in my heart really really find problematic. We
We usually have differences about how we serve, but ultimately our principles and our values
are the same.
From what I hear on the other side, I hear that they care.
I hear them identifying problems and issues.
I'm the kind of person that truly believes that for me, Ta 'am Lez is cradle to the grave.
I've seen the growth in this borough.
People before me have seen the growth in the borough.
You have to be blind not to have seen it.
And you have to be blind and heartless to not have seen some of the negative impacts
that have come from those growth.
Not all growth have been good.
We need housing, but we also need to protect our communities, especially now.
This is going to be a plan that outlives most likely the majority of us in this chamber
right now.
It really is.
How can we be in a place to have the experience, the knowledge of what growth can do and sit there and propose this?
I truly believe that there are so many good things in this local plan when it comes to the affordable housing.
I'm really glad and grateful and will praise the fact that you've been ambitious in that.
I will also praise you on some of the other bits that really like the consultation.
I've had issues in my own ward that Councillor Kabir Ahmed knows about registry.
Thank you very much for the work that officers have done and the administration for taking
that into account and changing that.
I will praise that because that is right to do.
But I still can't believe we are here talking about a plan that is ultimately going to change
the landscape of this borough in the wrong way.
And I just want to say, if you vote this in, every single one of you, and I'm guessing
from your speeches that have been pre -prepared.
Today's the first time I haven't prepared anything
because I want to speak from the heart
and I want to speak the truth.
Every single one of you,
your names should be written down in history
because you're about to pivot into a direction
that is not good for this borough.
We need housing.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:07:11
We need to build more homes, but not like this.
Cllr Asma Islam - 2:07:14
I will urge you all, please reconsider this
because this is going to have an impact on this borough
and the people of this borough.
You're not creating communities anymore.
You're dividing communities.
You're creating further concrete jungle.
And you've not taken into account the people that live here and how they live here.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:07:36
Can I call Councillor Abdul Wahid, please?
Cllr Abdul Wahid - 2:07:47
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I welcome this local plan and I hope it goes into the next stage of consultation.
This plan is for all of Ta Hamlets, all our communities.
And all of our communities have been involved in this long process of consultation which
has brought us to today.
We cherish this report because it is a product of discussion between members and our residents,
with our officers providing their professional expertise. We also cherish this report because
it offers us so much hope, hope that we can develop this barra in the interests of our
residents. Sadly, the addendum on the covering report reminds us that the Labour Government
is taking this first step to treat our good work.
Where this administration is trying to secure 40 % of affordable homes from this new development,
the Labour government wants to cut it in half.
I believe that the Mayor and the lead member for housing are in the process of writing
to the government to protest this proposal and I hope all members will join in doing
this.
And I want to finish off by saying, Mr Speaker, I find it hard from the opposition in lecturing
us in terms of working for the community of this borough.
We stand here and are doing our utmost to tackle this issue of housing within our borough,
And I think this plan will go a long way in helping this,
helping tackle this overcrowding and housing issue
in our borough.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:09:49
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Councillor Sirajul Islam, please.
Cllr Sirajul Islam - 2:09:57
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the opportunity.
So I wasn't planning to speak on this report,
but I thought I should add my contribution too.
So, Mr Speaker, I am worried about the future of the borough, and I concur with my colleagues
that this plan which is in front of us will impact on our history and heritage of our
great borough.
And of course, I thank the officers for the great work that they've done in putting together
these massive reports.
I'm really, really grateful to them.
Mr Speaker, two words I heard about hope and environment, and of course, we have a duty
to protect the environment and hope.
Of course, we need to give people hope.
But once upon a time in the 70s, the idea was to build up tower blocks.
Many health assessments were done and found that living on tall buildings impacts on children's health,
impacts on depression and impacts on mental health.
Imagine a child living on the 15th floor coming down the lift to go and play outside, if that lift worked that is.
Just imagine, think how that impacts on them.
And I don't know whether any health impact assessment has done because I haven't read
the whole report.
I would kind of ask that independent health assessments is done to kind of back what this
report is telling us to do.
I have been talking and meeting lots of people recently and one thing I've heard repeatedly
from residents is that when they go to aspire counsellor surgeries, overcrowded family living,
you know, one family, six people in one bedroom, aspire counsellors telling residents to bid
four properties above 10th floor.
That's the only hope of chance of getting rehousing.
And a resident don't accept that.
They find that insulting and disrespectful.
And this is not the hope we're giving to people.
Is it the hope of a social housing tenant,
someone awaiting this for a 15 -storey flat?
No.
With box room and box kitchen, no play area.
The child has to come down every morning
to go to school on the lift or to go outside to play.
And as I said before, if that lift worked,
We know what the impact is on tall buildings.
So unfortunately this is a plan which I agree with my colleagues that this needs to be put back to the drawing board.
This is respectful to our residents and this is not in keeping with the best of London in one borough.
So I ask, we'll reject this report and I ask the administration to go back and rethink about what people have said tonight.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:12:24
Thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Ahudul Kabir, please.
Ahudul Kabir.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 2:12:34
Thank you for giving me a chance for speaking about the local plan.
I got some question from the other side.
Let me answer those two question.
The first question was there, you know, Mr Mayor, he built recently opened a building
which is the building has community centre inside there, the playground inside there.
You probably don't see this what he opened recently, very recent.
The second question was they care about the residents of Tower Hamlets.
Let me give you some strategy Mr Speaker.
When they were in power their average was 623 every year affordable home
and Mr Luthfuhr Rahman average was 1328 almost double.
That means Mr. Luthfuhr Rahman care about the local people in Barra.
It's always he does.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to speak about this supporting recycling and waste plan on this local plan.
And this is the kind of positive green thinking and that Tower Hamlets need.
The plan makes sure every now new development and proper recycling facilities and encourage reuse hub.
good bin storage and cleaner estate I make, and recycling easy for the residents.
This is how we build the cleaner and greener borough.

9 a) Report from Cabinet: Local Plan Submission to the Secretary of State

I also welcome the plan, ask developer to think about sustainability from the beginner when they happen.
Our street becomes cleaner and neighbourhood healthier and our children get a better future.
Those policies show that the Tower Handlet takes climate responsibility seriously and
I fully support this plan and take forward to seeing everyone support this plan.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Amin Ali.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:14:31
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Mohammad Chowdhury - 2:14:39
I wasn't going to speak on this topic tonight but I feel that as the Council's Electress's
I can't sit silently by why this debate is happening because I don't want to go down
in history as somebody who kept silent when I feel that something's being done here that
shouldn't really be happening, should be looked into.
I don't want to quickly go over ground that already my colleagues on this side of the
Chamber have talked about, but I want to talk about mental health.
Mental health and housing is a real big issue and a lot of the residents in Tower Hamlets
live in housing that already causes them mental health problems.
When we continue to build high up, people are going to be suffering even more.
I know many residents who have issues with living above a certain level.
We know during COVID that many of our children live in these high rise flats, we're having
real issues and real problems.
We also know in terms of the way these flats are built, they're very tiny, the spaces aren't
very big, you can't swing a cat in any of these spaces.
Housing is part of dignity, it's part of somebody's self -respect.
and I think we need to have respect for the residents of this type of housing that they
should be living in, the type of housing that we should be putting forward, and not high -rise
housing.
People of the Isle of Dogs, we know for a long time the kind of issues they've been
facing, and it's across the borough.
I think as somebody who's lived in this borough all her life, has seen different kind of housing,
different kinds of things happening, our community's breaking down.
It's important that we have a local plan that speaks for the people, thinks about what the
people need and really looks at the history, looks at the mental health, looks at the community
cohesion.
Everything's been discussed so far this evening and I really know from looking at the faces
of a lot of the councils on that side of the chamber, you do feel the same way as we do
and you know that many of the things that we are saying on this side of the chamber
is true because many of us I know have lived in really bad housing and we should not inflict
continued bad housing on any of our residents.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:16:39
Can I call councillor Sabina Akter please?
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 2:16:52
Where we build shapes how we live and it shapes our health.
That is the truth this local plan must confront.
Mr Speaker, tonight we will not just be debating a local plan, we are debating the kind of
tie -hamps we want.
Do we want a borough that puts residents first or a borough that contributes to let developers
and outdated policies dictate our future?
For too long, families in this borough have suffered from poor quality housing, overcrowded
flats, unsafe streets and limited access to GPs and local services.
Health inequalities have widened, air pollution remains high and too many neighbourhoods have
been left behind.
These are not accidents, have not happened by accidents, these are consequences of political
choices and the Aspire administration is here to change that.
Members from opposition and you know, you've expressed concerns about tall buildings and
idle environments, yes we all want that, we all want shorter buildings, six storey buildings,
However, we have restricted space in the borough and overcrowding of over 29 ,000 people in
the waiting list.
So I haven't seen any kind of gesture or plans of how we're going to address that, but we
have a problem in the borough and this administration has a realistic plan.
This plan sets a new standard, no more tiny cramped flats, no more poor ventilation, no
more house built without regard for families and long -term residents.
So under this MAYOR, under ASPIRE, homes will be designed to support physical and mental
wellbeing, not the profit margin for developers.
Our growing population has outspaced the availability of GPs, mental health support and community
health facilities.
This local plan changes that.
Developers will now contribute fairly to the health infrastructure our residents need.
And a strong message, if you want to build here, you will invest in the wellbeing of
the people who live here.
There is no short cut, no loophole and no delay.
There will be new health centres and GPs in many of the Council's priority residential
and mixed use development projects.
Clear examples of this include the Streetwater Development Site, the Marshwell West Development
Site and the Cross Harbour Development Site.
These sites will be home to hundreds of new residents in the coming years and this plan
ensures they will have the resources they need to live long and healthy lives right
at the doorsteps.
Likewise, this local plan recognised that if our communities are to stay healthy, they
need easy access to quality food and spaces to exercise.
This plan requires all new developments to include amenity spaces that support physical
activity through the provision of outdoor gyms, gardens, jogging paths and the like.
The plan also puts specific regulations in space, limiting the spread of hot food takeaways
and increase the supply of good quality grocery being produced in Tahemez neighbourhoods.
This plan delivers enforceable
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:19:45
policies, stronger active travel
routes, better lighting, but just
to say this administration
throwing a clear line is a
break from the past and a promise
to the residents that wellbeing
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 2:19:55
will be put at first.
I just want to say, Mr Speaker,
talking about division in the
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:20:00
borough, it's always the opposition
saying that reading from what we
planned is not harmful.
You shouldn't be
saying that.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 2:20:07
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:20:08
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury - 2:20:11
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:20:14
Mr. Speaker, I fully support the submission of our draught local plan to the Secretary of State.
Cllr Musthak Ahmed - 2:20:29
This plan is critical for shaping the future of our homelands, addressing overcrowding,
overcrowding, delivering affordable homes,
and ensuring sustainable growth.
It provides a clear framework for housing infrastructure
and environmental priorities,
while safeguarding community needs.
Approving this step means we can move forward confidently
to secure investment and deliver the vision
our residents deserve.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:21:03
Thank you, Councillor. Can I call Sabina Khan, please?
Thank you.
Cllr Sabina Khan - 2:22:16
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:22:22
Cllr Sabina Khan - 2:22:25
I attended many of the consultations and I believe this plan meets the aspiration of
a spy party and also aspiration of our residents.
Because for residents what's important is safety.
As a woman I can tell you what's important for me as a mum
is my two daughters safety.
And this plan when it was in consultation,
it did take into consideration how would it produce
a safe barra, how would it deliver a sustainable barra
for all class, not for just people who can afford it, but also people who live in social housing
to have ecological, safe, climate -friendly houses. We also did take consideration of our heritage
sites. We will be building high -rise tall buildings, but we are also taking consideration
how we're going to protect our green spaces.
Mr Speaker, this draught plan has been positively prepared,
is effective and can be justified,
and is consistent with national planning policy.
I have no hesitation in submitting and supporting this local plan.
And what's so important is this, since I have 23 minutes,
is that we build high, we build high, that's true, but we need to build also for our community,
which takes care of climate change and this plan does that and it looks after our safety
as well.
So I ask everyone to support it for women and for everyone to live in a sustainable
home.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:24:15
Thank you.
Cllr Bodrul Choudhury - 2:24:25
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Thank you.
It is for the local plan.
I will be supporting this plan for a lot of reasons already my colleague has expressed.
Overcrowding is a major issue in this borough.
23 ,000 people are waiting on the list to be rehoused.
And the conditions, Mr Speaker, I'm sure when you do go around door locking or your surgery,
90 % of the cases we deal with is housing related.
So I will be supporting this.
I will make it short.
And we need to do this because everybody deserves a safe environment to live, a roof over their
heads with families.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I'll end it here.
Thank you very much for giving me the chance to speak.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:25:11
Councillor Amin Rahman.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Sabina Khan - 2:25:18
I'm pleased that the local plan, the borough's most important statutory planning document
is being presented to this council tonight.
Before being sent to the Secretary of State, the proposed plan will help the boroughs address
the priorities set out in the Mayor's strategic plan, such as overcrowding and related inquiries
experienced by the community.
It is important that this is carefully crafted local plan which represents our borough.
Aspiration is such a struggle at birth.
Mr Speaker, the draught Thai Hamlet plan outlines a strategic borough -wide vision for growth
across the borough.
Cllr Amin Rahman - 2:26:02
It also includes policies on delivering housing, environment design, employment, town centres,
community centres and creativity and waste.
Planning application will be assessed against a local plan, so it is important that our
residents support this plan.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to note that the draught plan will go through an examination
process including formal hearing, most likely in this summer 2026.
The final local plan is anticipated to come before the Council in December 2026.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council officers for working which would
ensure our aspiration as a borough we delivered.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:26:59
Councillor Camru, you're saying something.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Kamrul Hussain - 2:27:06
This local plan is a vision for a healthier, stronger and more inclusive tower hamlets.
While its most visible feature is the commitment to deliver thousands of affordable homes,
The heart of this plan lies in creating communities where people can thrive.
Every development will prioritise safety, comfort and livability.
Designs will include green spaces, social corridors and family sized homes, ensuring
that density does not come at the expense of quality.
Inclusive design will shape our town centres so that every resident, regardless of background,
feels welcome and safe.
For the health and wellness of our residents, we are setting aside spaces for new GP surgeries
and health centres in major developments, while promoting active lifestyles through outdoor gyms, gardens and jogging paths.
These plans are ambitious, sustainable and rooted in the voice of our residents.
It is a commitment to build not just homes, but communities, vibrant, healthy and united.
Together we are shaping a borough where every family can live well and look forward to a
brighter future.
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:28:33
Thank you. I have got Councillor James King joining online. I will give him three minutes
to speak. Thank you. Can you hear us?
Yes, you caught me by surprise. Can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you. I will crack on then. Just briefly, I wanted
to come in and support the comments of my colleagues about the local plan and explaining
why it won't be supporting it. I mean, the first thing I think is particularly around
the provision of affordable housing. The ambition of the local plan is very commendable to increase
the numbers of affordable housing in the borough. It's one of the biggest challenges indeed
the borough has faced, we can all agree on that. What I question is the practicality of
allying this 40 % affordability rate with the increase in height. Now I represent Limehouse,
have done for nearly eight years now, and we are on the fringe of the Canary Wharf estate.
developers have encroached off the Canary Wharf estate and are trying to build higher and higher
and this has been impacting local residents with their height and their life and the infrastructure.
It's been a frustration of mine as a local councillor that the council, under successive
administrations, have not been able to demonstrate through the spending of sill in Limehouse the value
of high -rise development.
That brings me on to the practicality of allying high -rise development with affordability rates.
Now I think in the last quarter, 28 affordable units were delivered in Tower Humblyts. That's
not just delivered by the council, that's delivered by private developers as well. I
to compare the previous administration's affordable housing delivery with the current one.
I think you'll find that the 650 odd, or around 650 affordable homes were directly delivered by
the council between 28 and 2022. The current administration's got nothing near that. Any
affordable stuff has been delivered by the private sector. It makes me even more concerned that this
strategic plan, this plan, this local plan, is essentially a charter for developers. They will
able to build as high, as tall, as dense as they want. And high -rise buildings worry me because of
the fire safety and the community aspects that have already been that are detrimental. What I
worry about is that developers will come back and say, right, well, we want this massive building,
but we need something that, but unfortunately, the affordable housing rates are not viable.
and will then use that as a position to push down and push down.
Indeed, as I said, it's 40 % is a...
30 seconds.
Yes, I could say, yeah, 40 % is a noble target, and indeed we should be looking at that.
But let's be honest, 40 % of nothing is still nothing.
Private developers are shirking every single responsibility they have through viability means to do it.
So we can't then if they are to build
high rise developments,
we need to make sure that it is not
the affordable housing is being prioritised within that.
And I worry the local plan gives them an out
in a way that they can show close responsibilities
while then bringing the negative aspects of high rise
and dense living in our mostly medium and low rise borough.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Can I ask
Iqbal Hussain, please, next.
Councillor Iqbal Hussain.
Cllr Iqbal Hossain - 2:32:44
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I would like to start with, if 40 % are not enough, why the liberal companies have a distinct
20 %?
I want to begin by acknowledging this significant work that has been done by the government
that has been gone into shaping the local plan,
Mr Speaker,
particularly regarding the home
for community theme.
As someone who regularly meets
and speaks with the residents
experiencing overcrowding,
insecurity
and rising rent,
I know
how essential
this plan is.
The plan set out clear commitment
to delivering
genuinely affordable homes,
protecting existing residents
and communities.
and ensuring that new development
prioritises family size accommodation.
They badly need buy this product.
These are the principles that this
administration
cares for.
These are the principles
that it cares for.
There is still more to do, Mr Speaker,
of course.
We must continue to ensure
that developers
uphold these commitments
We have a strong foundation
and we are agreeing today
and it moves us
in the right direction.
It gives us
the stronger tools,
clear
vision
and expectation
and solid
framework.
This local plan
acknowledges
the homes
should be shaped
around the
people
living there.
I am optimistic
that this plan
has taken
meaningful steps
to ensure
towards the kind of borough where to be a borough and is inclusive, secure and community -led.
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:34:43
Can I ask Councillor Khan please.
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 2:34:54
Mr Speaker, I want to say something about the other side of the house.
Their problem is high -raising building, but high -raising building will bring a lot of
social home for our residents.
Today I went to visit a resident in my ward, seven people living, seven adults living in
two bedroom flats and they've been waiting for 17 years and still they are not able to
get a rehouse from that property due to shortage of the properties.
Also I visited another home, young person living with six children and husband and wife,
because six people living in one studio flat for 10 years.
Mr. Speaker, is only because previous authority council
failed to build more houses for our residents
and they failed to look after our residents.
Mr. Speaker, if oppositions they want to say today
or talk about today is that government help make
that they will cut social home from 40 % to 20%.
They should talk about that one,
criticise that one.
That means that the local people will be pushed out of the borough,
even pushed out of the country,
and those people who will afford to buy home,
they will buy home and they will leave into our home
or they will leave their property empty into our home, Mr Speaker.
So Mr Speaker, I think hair -raise is not a problem.
And what is problem is leadership that can provide 50 ,000 homes in 15 years that we should
be proud of.
Mr Speaker, I'm also requesting our opposition, please support the residents of our hamlet.
We cannot have empty spaces while 29 ,000 people are waiting a waiting list.
So I'm requesting please, please, those Councillors opposite, I know they are happy,
the residents will get 50 ,000 homes in 15 years, they are happy.
I don't know why they are not supporting or they are criticising high -risk buildings
in Tower Hamlets.
Mr Speaker, we all visit high -risk building country, other country and people from this
country to moving to the other country where the high -res building is there and they find
is living there is wonderful.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:37:37
What's wrong with you Mr Speaker?
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 2:37:39
We want to thank you very much in 15 years.
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:37:45
Councillor Gulam, Kibreya Chaudhuri and I've got last, Saeed, after you.
Thank you.
Cllr Saied Ahmed - 2:38:08
Once again, scaremongering from the opposition, every application will be decided on its merit
and decided by a cross -party committee.
Yeah, wild, wild allegations.
Every application will be assessed on the utmost high standards.
Mr Speaker, millionaires can live in pent houses, so why can't the ordinary working
class stay in a good quality home, so be if it's in a tall building.
Developers don't have to knock down the social housing, the percentage on the social housing,
as some of the councillors have have iterated.
We have a Labour Government and a Labour London Mayor who want to half our target to 20 % social
housing as opposed to our 40 % socialising in our draught plan.
Now Mr. Speaker, some of the councillors here have listed long lists of potential sufferers
that may come from this draught plan from the tall buildings.
I'm not sure if they are connected with the residents at the doorsteps because our residents
are suffering now and the suffer is now and we need to act now.
This plan helps alleviate our residents from the ongoing managed decline under the previous
administration where there were no good but plenty of bad and a lot of ugly.
Some of the councillors spoke about ethnic cleansing.
Not sure if we're reading the same draught plan here,
because 40 % of affordable homes is providing housing for the 29 ,000 people on the waiting list.
Some even spoke about how we should build homes and not tall buildings.
Most densely populated borough, I don't know how we're going to build out as the mayor has nicely stipulated before, we need to build up.
Because we need to help our residents alleviate from the suffers they are facing.
Again, this plan is for 2038, so I'm not sure why some councillors are saying with so much passion that we might all be dead by then.
I'm hoping that we live and we stay in this chamber, leading with force and making sure
that our residents can have a peaceful, fantastic life living in this borough.
This motion, this draught plan works to ensure that Tower Hamlet's economy works for everyone.
This means championing developments that deliver real benefits for local people, ensuring that
our residents are the first in line for any new opportunities.
I would like to thank the lead member, the officers, the mayor and everyone involved in this process who worked over many years
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:40:58
Cllr Saied Ahmed - 2:41:01
to make sure that the draught local plan is a security stable sustainable plan going forward for Al Barra.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:41:08
Thank you councillors and members. It was a long debate. I now hand it over to Matthew
Matthew, for round of vote, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Matthew Mannion - 2:41:27
So on this particular report we have two recommendations.
To agree to the submission of the local plan documents to the Secretary of State for examination
in public and to agree to delegate authority to make minor amendments, corrections to the
corporate director for housing and regeneration, following consultation with the mayor and
cabinet lead member and prior to submission.
Can I see all those in favour, please?
All those against?
And all those abstaining?
OK, and then in that case the recommendations of the report are carried back to you, Mr
Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:42:08
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
That was a long debate.
I move to agenda item 9 .2.

9 b) Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: OSC Annual Report 2024-25

Is the overview and scrutiny annual report.
Can Councillor Asma Islam, who was chair of the overview and scrutiny committee during
the year, please introduce the report. Thank you.
Cllr Asma Islam - 2:42:40
Thank you, Mr Speaker. So I formally introduced the report to the Chamber today. This is,
just to be clear, this is a report for 2024 to 2025 during the period of the last six
months that I got to chair overview as Chief of the Committee. The first half was chaired
by Councillor Jay Chaudry and I think it would be good if we can give him a chance to speak
as well. I think the report talks about the hard work that committee members have taken
on during that period, and I must thank all the officers that work in the background in
order to make sure that the committee runs smoothly and they are able to chase through
some of our responses and our work that we do on the committee. I want to thank all the
committee members that have made real leaps in improvement, at least during that period
that the report talks about because we are in a bit of a time lag. I also want to thank
some of the councillors, lead members of Overview and Scrutiny on their work on some of the
spotlights that have been done. So I know Councillor Natalie's worked on the Green
Agenda, we've had the free school meals, we've had an absolutely amazing experience
going back to schools to really test what the food was like and I know a lot of councillors
have had to adapt their work time and their life commitments in order to be able to attend
and that really shows a lot of commitment of ONS committee members. I'd also like to
thank the independent committee members who have also been part of this and have really
been able to contribute and take the agenda forward. I do want to say that we've made
I think we have done a great job in the last three and a half years.
We are absolutely not where we need to be.
We as a Council, as a committee, we do acknowledge that.
It has been great to be able to team up and partner up with CFGS who have been able to
provide us with the support and the training that was needed.
I should actually thank also that ONS committee does not work without the contribution and
and participation of the mayor and the executive, and considering where we are now, it has improved
a lot and hopefully we'll be in a place where we'll be able to say that the government intervention
can clearly say that we've made the improvement that's needed in order to get us on the right
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:45:13
track. Lastly, before I let others speak, I just want to say one thing. When the government
intervention was directed for this council, I started to look around other parts of the
country of what other councils are doing and why they're in sort of the situation that
they're in. And I've noticed one trend that went across all councils, that the ONS
scrutiny committee did not work or didn't function in the way it needs to. So I hope
everyone in this chamber tonight actually understands that in order for us to have the
Cllr Asma Islam - 2:45:45
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:45:45
route out of this issue that we're in now and to make those improvements, we actually
Cllr Asma Islam - 2:45:50
really need to make sure we participate in accepting the overview scrutiny is going to
be the route and the road towards that improvement journey.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:45:57
I call on Councillor Jai Chaudry to second the report.
You have three minutes.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I'm a former Secretary of the Border and I'd just like to thank the officers for
Cllr Jahed Choudhury - 2:46:19
all the extraordinary chairs for their support and hard work they've done
with me and the members who were present as well. They helped me and I've enjoyed
my stay at the council, you know, working as a chair apart from the
evidence of social care fiasco. Actually I think it's helped like my
for the Council last month on stage.
We work really hard, especially the officers
who have given their time and may all the sovereignty cabinet.
So it was nice and thank you very much again.
And thank you all the officers and members as well.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:46:53
Thank you.
Thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Abdul -Wahid, you have three minutes if you wish to speak.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Abdul Wahid - 2:47:07
Firstly, I want to thank Councillor Asparislam for her term as chair of overview and scrutiny.
Mr Speaker, across a wide range of issues, the committee has helped us test our thinking,
highlight where services were working well, and identify areas where we needed strengthening
in our approach.
Their work has been steady, evidence driven and rooted in the experience of our residents.
Whether examining free school meal, maternity care, hate crime reporting or our broader
financial resilience, the Committee has consistently surfaced practical issues we must address.
whether around communication, operational capacity, data use, or quality and consistency
of frontline services.
They have also amplified the voice that can sometimes too easily be overlooked, bringing
forward concerns of parents, women, community organisations and small businesses.
Mr Speaker, as the current chair, we have been building on the strong foundations laid
by the committee and I look forward in continuing this collaborative work as we improve the
services and the outcomes for the people of this borough.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:48:48
Can I ask Mark Francis please?
Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
Cllr Marc Francis - 2:48:56
I just wanted to say a couple of words. First of all, well done to those people that chaired the scrutiny committee in the last municipal year.
I think that was a tough year, lots of change that took place during that time, but lots of really good work was done.
I want to particularly pay tribute to Councillor Jaihej Chaudhary for securing the change on placing home his families outside of Town Hamlet.
Very, very clever piece of politics that made that happen. Well done to him.
Well done to him. I also wanted to pay tribute to Councillor Glamkibria Chaudry
who's been the chair of health scrutiny for the last few months as well and I
think it's really demonstrated a really strong leadership style and a chairing
style within the scrutiny subcommittee which I would really encourage other
members in this council in the next few months but in the council to come off
next year's after next year's election to look at as well. He's genuinely
encouraging us as members to ask probing questions and allowing those probing
questions to be asked and then followed up with the officers and I think that's
really important and I think he's building on good work that went during
the previous year by Councillor Bilal Uddin as well who encouraged us to ask
the officers for operational performance data which is something that's really
important I believe for all of the scrutiny committees to get not just the
main ONS so really appreciate the effort that he made on behalf of us as
committee members during that year to to obtain that information and enable us to
do our job a little bit more effectively.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:50:35
Councillor Peter Gold, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Nathalie Bienfait - 2:50:45
I'd also like to pay tribute to the work of the excellent officers that were all supported
by InScrutiny.
and also I wanted to highlight some of the some of the goods that can come from
scrutiny. So last year in 2025 we had a flooding
incident on Fish Island and I spoke to officers trying to work out what
happened, what went wrong. We have some excellent flood risk
engineers who work in highways and we we went down a really interesting yes
series of investigations to work out what went wrong and then we really
worked together with officers and together with Councillor Shafi Ahmed
who's the lead member to look at what could be strengthened in our response
and now and I after that process I do feel assured that we have a real top
class flood response, at least we're managing the risk of flooding in Tower
Hamlets which is you know significant when right next to the river and we're
highly built up so there's a lot of surface for water to build up on. But I
think this touches on the strength of scrutiny which is when we work
together with officers, we build relationships with officers, we build
relationships with councillors across the political divide as well as with
cabinet, we can, as scrutiny, we can be the kind of, you know, we've got a different eye,
we've got a different kind of interests or information, and we can come in and go, we
haven't looked at this, we need to potentially look at this a little bit differently.
And so I really hope that in the next year we can continue to work in the spirit of open
collaboration that we've worked in in the last municipal year.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:52:37
Thank you, thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Gullam, could you please?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the RBU and Scoot -a -Mee Committee
for their comprehensive and constructive work
over the years.
Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury - 2:52:54
This report reflects a balanced approach
with clear evidence of robust challenge
and thoughtful recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this report.
It stands as a positive example of Scoot -a -Mee
supporting transparency, strengthening accountability
and helping us to deliver better service for our residents.
Mr. Speaker, the Health and Adult Scootinies Sub -Committee
emphasised three things, the culturally sensitive approach
to stronger data use and improved patient engagement
to ensure equitable access and quality outcomes.
Mr. Speaker, I want to comment on the good work of Health
and adult scrutiny subcommittee in examining maternity care in Tower Hamlets. Their recent
review brought together health partners, voluntary organisation and most importantly local women
to give us a clear picture of the challenges Black, Asian and multi -ethnic mothers continue
to face. Mr. Speaker, the evidence shows that too many women still experience barriers to
accessing care, inconsistency in communication or encounters where they do not feel heard,
issues around language support, culturally sensitivity,
and awareness of risks such as diabetes came through strongly.
The committee suggests practical recommendations from improving
communication and health literacy to strengthening early
access to maternity service, more consistent follow -up,
and clear focus on prevention and early engagement.
Mr. Speaker, furthermore, they recommend building better links
with trusted community centres and faith groups.
This recommendation go a long way to ensure that women receive consistent compassionate culturally responsive care.
I also expect us to do more and trust in my colleagues in overview and scrutiny committee building on this work and my sincere
Thanks to members officers and partners for their ongoing dedication and thanks much for your nice compliment
And thank you for your nice presentation chair
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:54:57
Thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Abdi Mohammed, please.
Cllr Gulam Kibria Choudhury - 2:55:01
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:55:03
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Abdi Mohamed - 2:55:05
Can I warmly welcome this report?
I joined O &S shortly after my election,
and I was warmly welcomed by all the members of O &S
during that municipal year.
So I want to say briefly that it really does go to show
when we take the politics out of, and we work hard together,
We really can achieve things.
And I want to pay special thanks to the chair who led us.
He was tough, but led us fairly, I think.
And actually, it goes to show, as was said,
and was proven when the envoys delivered their first report,
actually commended the work that ONS did under the leadership
of Khansul -e -Islam.
So actually, the ability to take the politics out of it
is really important.
We diligently worked together across all political parties
to be able to deliver a great deal.
And as a scrutiny, I want to say a particular thank
you to the members of the community safety team who helped me but also to
the ONS scrutiny team who helped us deliver a great deal. I emphasise the
point that actually we managed to achieve a lot in the last municipal year
but it should also be something that we continue to focus on and see as the
standard, the important standard that we need to meet. If we're going to improve as
a council we can't go backwards when it comes to scrutiny and we risk doing that.
If we don't work collectively, take the politics out of it but see what is
important, the best thing for our residents.
And at times I think we can all acknowledge
it's not always been the case,
but what we need to do now is a collective endeavour
to go forward and do that.
And I think we use the municipal year of 24, 25
as the example, as the standard that we want to see.
So I think collectively, let's take that in the spirit.
But I just want to say I really recommend,
welcome this report, thank you.
Thank you, Councillor.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:56:47
Thank you.
Can I take Councillor Ahmad Yuhan first and then Kobi Ahmed, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Ahmodur Khan - 2:56:59
Mr Speaker, as I was a finance and resource scrutiny lead, I'd like to draw Council attention
to our contribution to Council in the area of budget scrutiny.
The overview committee reviewed the council proposal 25 -26 budget.
The committee welcomed the ambitions of the budget and it focused on supporting concern
about the risk and long -term sustainability.
Mr. Speaker, the committee kept its eye on the residents' concern, governance and best
value compliance, financial oversight and budget scrutiny, as well as strategic accountability.
We had focused engagement with the senior leadership, including the mayor, chief executive,
and borough commander.
We reinforced the importance of accountability and leadership.
Mr Speaker, a mere spotlight at the beginning of the year outlined the key priorities which
the overview committee focus on in the year ahead, including universal free school meal,
cost of living support, youth investment and the ambitions housing delivery target, robust
challenge and constructive engagement contributions to a successful year of deliveries.
I invite the council to command the work of the overview and scrutiny committee, especially
our contribution to the financial wellbeing of the council.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:58:46
Since Councillor Abdulman is so keen to speak, I will give you first, then I will come to
Councillor Cote.
And the last one is Kobi Ramu.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chair.
Cllr Bellal Uddin - 2:59:00
On page 14 and to 16, Councillor Islam
reported that the work on the Children and Education
Subcommittee, which I chaired, will she
Cllr Abdul Mannan - 2:59:12
congratulate the subcommittee for going out into the community
and engaging over 50 parents, 28 school visits,
free school middle testing, and also recommendation
to the cabinet for taking, so please could you chair everybody safe who's taking it,
officers, councillors and school parents, school teachers, everybody on that piece of
work.
Thank you.
I'd like to congratulate on this.
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:59:41
Thank you.
Last one, councillor, Kobi Ahmed, please.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Cllr Kabir Ahmed - 2:59:48
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 2:59:49
Cllr Kabir Ahmed - 2:59:50
As a cabinet member I'm usually sitting on the other side and getting grilled by scrutiny.
So can I say there has been a drastic change, it's less adversarial and more critical friend approach,
friend in loose terms though. I do get called in quite a lot and I do have to explain myself
and I think that's how it should be.
We should have robust scrutiny and it's a learning curve.
And I think an interesting thing that came about from the last housing scrutiny meeting
was when the chair presented a united front from housing scrutiny to challenge the noise
we're getting from central government and the London mayor regarding planning and the
reduction of social housing to 20 % and so on and so forth.
And I think we also accepted as a cabinet and the mayor accepted that we will do a joint
letter with all the members from housing scrutiny as well as the cabinet to send out and the
whole of scrutiny as well.
And we're happy to join both scrutinies together in order to send that to the Secretary of
State and the mayor of London.
I think it's also important to acknowledge and understand that for any administration
to function properly we do have to have that critical nature added and I see that evolution.
So I'm going to sort of cut it a little short now because I think everybody's tired and
wants to go home by saying that we want to get to where good is and we want to get to
where excellent is but it's also important to celebrate the journey we go through to
get there and I think we're at that juncture where we can celebrate that there are successes
and we can see light at the end. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 3:01:49
You had your name on the top but I got the impression that you wanted to speak, Arthur,
but if you could be quickly please.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, thank you for your kindness. I just want to join everyone and
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 3:02:04
from the executive, thank you, O &S, all the members, the former chairs and also the current
chair and obviously our Councillor, Andrew Hondland, he's worked really hard.
So well done.
From the executive point of view, we'll be there.
We want you to scrutinise us.
We want to work with you.
So thank you very much for everything that you do.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 3:02:26
Cllr Maium Talukdar - 3:02:29
And Mr Speaker, also can I withdraw our motion 12 .7 and 12 .1?
Thank you.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 3:02:33
Thank you.
Does the full council agree to the recommendation in the report?
Can I pass this to Matthew?
Mr Matthew Mannion - 3:02:58
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Okay, so we haven't had time tonight for the two main motions for debate on affordable
housing and on housing repairs.
The constitution says that we would normally vote on them anyway and the amendments that
were tabled.
I know that we've just had from the deputy mayor that the Aspire group want to withdraw
your motion, so we won't vote on that.
We'll take that as withdrawal.
Can I just cheque?
You would like to withdraw ours.
You would like to withdraw, so Leib would like to withdraw theirs.
It's coming back.
So there's no more votes tonight, I'm sad to say.
So back to the speaker to close the meeting.
Cllr Suluk Ahmed - 3:03:31
Please quiet please.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
The time limit for the meeting has now been reached.
Any motion not taken will fall.
I thank you for your contribution.
I now close the meeting.

Please note the members must wait for the mace to be removed before they leave the meeting.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Mr Matthew Mannion
Head of Democratic Services
Tower Hamlets
View profile Mr Matthew Mannion