Parking permits renewal reminders not getting through?
A resident recently told me that they had not received a reminder email from the council to renew their parking permits. And they only found out when they were hit with several fines, totalling £400. This isn’t the first time I’ve looked into this issue, however I submitted a Member Enquiry with low expectations of any breakthrough. Here is the… Read More >
Why I accepted free tickets to Lido
I recently accepted free tickets to attend Outbreak Festival at Lido as a guest of AEG, the contractors for both Lido and All Points East. The reason? I wanted to see for myself just how loud the events are for punters. Despite having lived within earshot of the festivals for nearly 9 years (3 years of which in the resident… Read More >
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 >