This is the list of questions to be posed to Mayor Lutfur Rahman by Peter Golds’. His group’s proposed motions for the council to consider are underneath.
Cllr Tim Archer
Will the Mayor please outline how his “Community Champions” were selected, and what steps were taken to ensure they were representative of the entire Tower Hamlets community?
Cllr David Snowdon
A number of new parking spaces have recently been marked out on Westferry Road opposite the Clifton Restaurant and Supermarket. Cllr Davis and I have had a large number of complaints that cars parking in these spaces have led to reduced visibility for cars turning off and onto Westferry Road.
Will the Mayor explain as to whose instigation were these parking spaces marked out?
Cllr Peter Golds
The 4th November Edition of East End Life contained on pages 16 and 17 what can only be described as a Council-paid advert for the administration.
Will the Mayor give an undertaking to pay to Tower Hamlets the commercial rate for this double page spread, not least as the Local Audit and Accountability Bill, which received an unopposed second reading in the House of Commons, will soon receive Royal Assent and the Secretary of State will be legally empowered to direct the closure of East End Life?
Cllr Dr Emma Jones
Will the Mayor tell me how much was spent on this year’s Borough Fireworks display, and why once more no outside sponsorship was sought?
Cllr Zara Davis
What steps is the Mayor taking to ensure that Isle of Dogs residents do not suffer increased aircraft noise pollution as a result of the works proposed in the two major London City Airport planning applications recently submitted?
Cllr Gloria Thienel
Will the Mayor confirm for how long Social Care visits are timed within the borough?
Cllr Craig Aston
Will the Mayor indicate what actions he has taken to ensure the safety of residents and pedestrians in the vicinity of 96 Narrow Street, following the erection of hoardings across the full width of the pavement, thereby forcing pedestrians to use the road?
Motion – Spitting and urination in public
Proposed by Cllr Gloria Thienel
Seconded by Cllr Peter Golds
This meeting of Tower Hamlets Council expresses concern at the increase of spitting and public urination which is turning many of the borough’s streets and open spaces into serious health hazards.
The council condemns those whose anti social habits damage the health and environment of our public spaces.
This council resolves that those responsible for enforcement should undertake that existing laws and by laws are observed through penalty charges and where necessary, the prosecution of offenders.
Motion – Registered social landlords
Proposed by Cllr Peter Golds
Seconded by Cllr David Snowdon
This meeting of Tower Hamlets Council supports the principles of the Freedom of Information Act, allowing the press and public to find out how Government and councils behave, and spend taxpayers’ money.
This council notes that whereas Registered Social Landlords, according to the High Court, “work side by side with, and can in a very real sense be said to take the place of, local authorities”,they are not currently subject to FOI requests.
This council believes Freedom of Information Act should be extended to cover Registered Social Landlords.
Therefore, in the absence of current legislation, The council resolves to work with local RSL’s to encourage them to adopt the Freedom of Information Act principles on a voluntary basis.
Motion – Commercial events in borough’s public parks
Proposed by Cllr Tim Archer
Seconded by Cllr David Snowdon
This meeting of Tower Hamlets Council recognises the vital importance of public available green spaces and parks within the borough.
This council reiterates that this is a vital community asset within Tower Hamlets, where many residents do not have their own gardens.
This council reaffirms that our parks are much loved and appreciated by residents and therefore reject the unfortunate comments made by Councillors Shahid Ali and Rania Khan directed at those residents of the borough who are concerned about the preservation and enhancement of the borough’s parks.
The council congratulates residents of the Isle of Dogs who have come together to form The Friends of Island Gardens, a genuinely community based organisation dedicated to preserve this oasis, situated on the World Heritage buffer zone opposite Greenwich Palace and encourages other residents to get together to support their local parks.
The council reaffirms that primarily, parks are for people, and therefore opposes the increased use of our parks for commercial events, such as those that affect Victoria Park during the summer holidays ; and opposes the loss of park land to new developments.
Trial by Jeory 