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 >
Long-running bin problem resolved!
It’s the little things that go a long way to make an area really nice to live in. However, often it is so difficult to get seemingly simple things fixed. The problem Some residents approached me about an issue with their bins. The refuse bin was always left out on the road and attracted a lot of fly-tipping. Initially, it… 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 >
In The Slice: interviewed as Green candidate for Poplar & Limehouse constituency
I am very proud to be standing to represent the Green Party in the upcoming General Election on 4 July 2024. I was interviewed by the Roman Road Magazine, also called The Slice, about my positions on a range of issues and my work as a councillor. Watch the interview on YouTube here: A write-up of the interview is forthcoming…. 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 >
In Roman Road LDN: Motion calling for Gaza ceasefire ruled outside of Council remit
I was quoted in the Roman Road London online magazine because my motion on the Gaza conflict was not accepted due to safety concerns. The full article can be read online here: https://romanroadlondon.com/tower-hamlets-aspire-labour-green-gaza-ceasefire-motion-rejected-council/ My quote: “My main priority is that I want everyone in Tower Hamlets to remain and feel safe in the borough and that is what my motion… 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 >