Nathalie’s flood risk recommendations approved by Scrutiny committee
I am really pleased that my recommendations for improving the Council’s flood risk response have been approved by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The officers will now prepare an Action Plan and it will be up to the Mayor to decide which recommendations are implemented. Since May 2024, I have been honoured to serve as the Scrutiny Lead for Environment… Read More >
My support for a petition calling for pension fund divestment
I am please to support a campaign calling for Tower Hamlets Council to divest its pension fund from companies profiting from the Israeli State’s wars and those which profit from climate change. The campaign was led by the Tower Hamlets Coalition for Ethical Investment, which brings together Unison, the Tower Hamlets Trades Union Council, the Tower Hamlets Palestine Solidarity Campaign… Read More >
Council to introduce reasonable adjustments policy for disabled residents
I’m pleased that the Council will be implementing a policy – and training for staff – to enable disabled residents to access services in appropriate formats. I am however surprised and disappointed that we didn’t have such a policy before now, and that it took a case being decided by the Local Government Ombudsman to prompt us to do so…. Read More >
Council parking enforcement consultation: more parking and where is the enforcement?
I’m disappointed to have seen the questions asked in the Council’s Parking Enforcement Consultation. The questions were overwhelmingly aimed at car owners, rather than users of other modes; there were loaded questions about increasing the number of parking spaces; and there was nothing about the quality and effectiveness of current parking enforcement. I am worried that the Administration is planning… Read More >
Update: response received from Met regarding zombie knife surrender scheme
I have received a response from the Metropolitan Police in response to concerns I raised about a scheme to surrender so-called ‘zombie’ knives. In August, I learned of the Home Office scheme to allow the surrender of ‘zombie-style’ knives and ‘zombie-style machetes’. The scheme ran 26 August – 23 September in preparation for the new legislation prohibiting the manufacture, supply,… Read More >
Tower Hamlets residents’ survey a cause for hope
After the recent violence and disorder seen on streets across the country, I wanted to return to the results of the 2023 Tower Hamlets Annual Residents Survey. This year’s survey has some amazing good news about how people in our borough feel we are getting along together. About the survey Every year, Tower Hamlets Council does a residents’ survey. The… Read More >
Aspire administration to increase major events in Victoria Park
I have been shocked and frustrated at a decision taken by the Aspire administration in Tower Hamlets to increase the number of major event days allowed in Victoria Park – the jewel in our borough’s crown. Events in the park are known to local residents to be highly disruptive, both while the events are taking place and while event infrastructure… Read More >
Green’s motion on Gaza conflict disallowed
My motion calling for peace in Tower Hamlets and a ceasefire in Gaza was not been allowed to be presented at the Full Council this evening 15 November 2023. Having spoken to the legal and monitoring officer, this decision to disallow motions on the topic was taken because the issue is not something that Tower Hamlets Council has any direct… Read More >
Sian Berry AM pushes Sadiq Khan on Tower Hamlets LTNs
Green London Assembly Member, Sian Berry, has highlighted that London Mayor Sadiq Khan can and should step in to prevent Lutfur Rahman from removing vital Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets. At Mayor’s Question Time on Thursday 12 October 2023, Sian Berry AM highlighted that the London Mayor Sadiq Khan has powers under the Greater London Authority Act which allows… Read More >
Liveable Streets Cabinet decision
Mayor Lutfur Rahman has done the unthinkable. At Cabinet on 20 September 2023, he decided that Low Traffic schemes in Bethnal Green and Arnold Circus will be removed. This decision is the culmination of a year and a half of uncertainty, campaigning and consultation after consultation for the residents affected. However, for the campaigners in Bethnal Green, it is just… Read More >