For a flavour of where the Tories are aiming their fire at next Wednesday’s full council meeting, here’s a list of their questions and motions (I haven’t been sent the other groups’ lists yet).
How Q7 from Tim Archer is answered will be interesting given the current chaos and controversy in Island Gardens.
And by the way, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles says we can now film and record the meetings. So expect instant YouTube hits. And I wonder if this will force Lutfur to actually answer these questions. Let’s see…
1 – Cllr Zara Davis
In the Mayor of London’s ‘2020 Vision’ for the city, he cited the City Fringe as an opportunity area. What collaboration between the Council and the Mayor’s office has already taken place, and is planned to take place, to develop a cohesive vision and generate jobs in this area?
2 – Cllr David Snowdon
How much was has been spent over the past year within the Mayor’s Office on Communications and Marketing related activities?
3 – Cllr Peter Golds
How many staff are employed in the Communications and Marketing Team at Tower Hamlets council?
4 - Cllr Gloria Thienel
Given the prolonged disruptions caused by roadworks on the Isle of Dogs, what is the Mayor doing to ensure that utility companies complete works within a reasonable period?
5 – Cllr Dr Emma Jones
What are the Council’s plans for alterations to Wapping Woods?
6 – Cllr Craig Aston
Evidence has been given to me indicating Tower Hamlets Homes leaseholders are being charged £135 each time bulk waste is collected from their estates. Can the Mayor give me an explanation why this is?”
7 – Cllr Tim Archer
Can the Mayor please reassure us that he would oppose any plans to build on Sir John McDougall Gardens, or develop the park in any way not in keeping with its status as a park.
Motions for Full Council – 26th June 2013
Motion 1
Proposed by Cllr Peter Golds
Seconded by Cllr David Snowdon
This council notes that the Government have supported Tower Hamlets with £77million of additional funds for the Decent Homes Programme, £350 million for the Schools Building Programme and is supporting the Blackwall Reach Regeneration Project with public money.
The council also notes the proliferation of banners, hoardings and unsolicited letters/leaflets with airbrushed pictures of the Mayor implying that he has personally provided this funding.
The council therefore reminds the Mayor that he should use public money for public service rather than self promotion.
Motion 2:
Proposed by Cllr David Snowdon
Seconded by Cllr Craig Aston
This Council notes that the 4th August 2014 will be the one hundredth anniversary of the commencement of the First World War.
Tower Hamlets, in common with the rest of the country, suffered grievously during this conflict which saw the deaths of thousands of local people in the front and in the 103 German Bombing raids that were launched on London and Britain.
The Council requests the Mayor to provide details of his commemorative programme for 1914 will be and how this will be undertaken in the Borough.
Motion 3:
Proposed by Cllr Tim Archer
Seconded by Cllr Gloria Thienel
This council notes the increasing commercialisation and encroachment on the Borough’s parks.
This Council notes the increasing concerns of residents from Bow, The Isle of Dogs, Bethnal Green and Wapping about the future of their parks as community open spaces in an increasingly densely populated borough.
The Council calls upon the Mayor to introduce and approve an updated strategy that will be adhered to, preserving our parks and open spaces for future generations.
The most interesting part of this post is that Pickles has allowed filming of council meetings. (An aside, but I thought this had never been prohibited but LBTH decided that they didn’t want to do so. Has Pickles mandated it?)
Hopefully those YouTube videos will draw in enough hits to show the world what a pigsty Tower Hamlets council meetings are, and wider-scale outrage will follow.
Tim.
I think I’ve found a new hobby.. now what camera shall I treat myself too
how many councillors have had or get their home internet paid for them by the taxpayer?