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Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 7.00 p.m.

May 15, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Tower Hamlets council meeting was primarily focused on the election of a new speaker and deputy speaker for the council, along with the appointment of committee members for the upcoming year. The meeting also included reflections on the past year's work and the introduction of new initiatives.

The most significant topic was the election of the new speaker, Councillor Saifuddin Khaled, and the deputy speaker, Councillor Suluk Ahmed. The outgoing speaker, Councillor Jahed Choudhury, was praised for his service over the past year. He highlighted his work with two charities, St. Joseph's Hospice and Eden Care UK, and his efforts to promote the borough and attend community events. Councillor Choudhury's colleagues commended his dedication and the funds raised for the charities.

Councillor Saifuddin Khaled, the new speaker, emphasized his commitment to fairness and integrity. He announced his support for two charities, Sick Children's Trust and Osmani Trust, which work with young children and families. He also highlighted the importance of working together to support residents during difficult times, such as the cost of living crisis.

The council also discussed the proportionality and establishment of committees. Councillor Maium Talukdar proposed increasing the size of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from nine to eleven members to enhance its effectiveness. This proposal was met with some skepticism from Councillor Marc Francis, who argued that the real issue was the engagement of the executive with the committee, not its size.

Additionally, the council agreed on the appointments to various committees and the calendar of council and committee meetings for the upcoming year. Councillor Talukdar proposed changing the date of the July council meeting to avoid the summer holidays, which was accepted.

The council also noted the use of special urgency provisions over the past year, which included decisions on licensing for Victoria Park and contract renewals. Councillor Abdal Ullah raised concerns about the late circulation of reports and the lack of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting before the cabinet meeting.

Overall, the meeting focused on setting the stage for the upcoming year with new leadership and committee structures, while also reflecting on the past year's achievements and challenges. The Tower Hamlets Council meeting was primarily focused on electing a new speaker and deputy speaker for the council, reflecting on the outgoing speaker's term, and addressing various administrative matters for the upcoming year.

The most significant topic was the election of the new speaker. Councillor Jahed Choudhury, the outgoing speaker, reflected on his term, thanking Mayor Lutfur Rahman and his colleagues for their support. He highlighted his efforts in promoting the borough, attending community events, and supporting two charities: St. Joseph's Hospice and Eden Care UK. Councillor Choudhury's colleagues praised his dedication and contributions, particularly his fundraising efforts for the charities. Councillor Sufia Alam was elected as the new speaker, with Councillor Suluk Ahmed as the deputy speaker. Councillor Alam emphasized her commitment to serving the borough with fairness and integrity, and announced her support for two charities: Sick Children's Trust and Osmani Trust.

The council also discussed the proportionality and establishment of committees. Councillor Maium Talukdar proposed increasing the size of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from nine to eleven members to enhance its effectiveness. He also suggested creating a new scrutiny lead for the environment, with Councillor Nathalie Bienfait proposed for the role. This move was aimed at addressing the climate emergency more robustly. Councillor Mark Francis expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the committee and the need for meaningful power for scrutiny members.

Another key topic was the report on the mayor's cabinet and executive appointments for 2024-25. Councillor Talukdar thanked the outgoing lead members for their service and welcomed new members to the cabinet. Councillor Abdul Mannan and Councillor Abdul Wahid praised the outgoing members, particularly Councillor Kabir Hussain, for their hard work and dedication.

The council also approved the updated calendar of council and committee meetings for 2024-25, with an amendment to change the July council meeting date from the 30th to the 17th. Councillor Asma Islam highlighted the importance of sticking to the agreed dates to accommodate members' personal responsibilities.

Lastly, the council noted the use of special urgency provisions for 2023-24, which included decisions on licensing Victoria Park, renewing a financial system contract, and consolidating civic applications contracts. Councillor Maium Talukdar assured that these decisions were made with the chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's agreement. Councillor Abdal Ullah raised concerns about the late circulation of reports for the upcoming cabinet meeting, emphasizing the need for timely distribution to allow proper review and critique.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Faroque Ahmed
Councillor Faroque Ahmed  Labour Party •  Whitechapel
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding) •  Aspire •  Weavers
Profile image for Councillor Leelu Ahmed
Councillor Leelu Ahmed  Labour Party •  Mile End
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth) •  Aspire •  Bethnal Green West
Profile image for Councillor Ohid Ahmed
Councillor Ohid Ahmed  Independent •  Lansbury
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living) •  Aspire •  Canary Wharf
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency) •  Aspire •  Whitechapel
Profile image for Councillor Suluk Ahmed
Councillor Suluk Ahmed  Aspire •  Spitalfields & Banglatown
Profile image for Councillor Sabina Akhtar
Councillor Sabina Akhtar  Aspire •  Stepney Green
Profile image for Councillor Amina Ali
Councillor Amina Ali  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for Councillor Asma Begum
Councillor Asma Begum  Labour Party •  Bow West
Profile image for Councillor Maisha Begum
Councillor Maisha Begum  Labour Party •  St Dunstan's
Profile image for Councillor Nathalie Bienfait
Councillor Nathalie Bienfait  Scrutiny Lead for Environment and the Climate Emergency •  Green Party •  Bow West
Profile image for Councillor Mufeedah Bustin
Councillor Mufeedah Bustin  Chair of Audit •  Labour Party •  Island Gardens
Profile image for Councillor Bodrul Choudhury
Councillor Bodrul Choudhury  Scrutiny Lead for Housing and Regeneration •  Aspire •  Bromley South
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care) •  Aspire •  Poplar
Profile image for Councillor Jahed Choudhury
Councillor Jahed Choudhury  Chair of Strategic Development •  Independent •  Lansbury
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Safer Communities) •  Aspire •  Bethnal Green West
Profile image for Councillor Mohammad Chowdhury
Councillor Mohammad Chowdhury  Labour Party •  Mile End
Profile image for Councillor Marc Francis
Councillor Marc Francis  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for Councillor Peter Golds
Councillor Peter Golds  Chair of Licensing Committee •  Conservative •  Island Gardens
Profile image for Councillor Iqbal Hossain
Councillor Iqbal Hossain  Chair of Development Committee •  Aspire •  Lansbury
Profile image for Councillor Kabir Hussain
Councillor Kabir Hussain  Independent •  Spitalfields & Banglatown
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation) •  Aspire •  Whitechapel
Profile image for Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain
Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain  Labour Party •  Bromley South
Profile image for Councillor Asma Islam
Councillor Asma Islam  Chair of Overview and Scrutiny •  Labour Party •  Weavers
Profile image for Councillor Sirajul Islam
Councillor Sirajul Islam  Leader of the Opposition •  Labour Party •  Bethnal Green East
Profile image for Councillor Ahmodul Kabir
Councillor Ahmodul Kabir  Aspire •  Bethnal Green East
Profile image for Councillor Saif Uddin Khaled
Councillor Saif Uddin Khaled  Speaker of the Council •  Independent •  Bromley North
Profile image for Councillor Ahmodur Khan
Councillor Ahmodur Khan  Scrutiny Lead for Resources •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Profile image for Councillor Sabina Khan
Councillor Sabina Khan  Aspire •  Mile End
Profile image for Councillor James King
Councillor James King  Labour Party •  Limehouse
Profile image for Councillor Amy Lee
Councillor Amy Lee  Labour Party •  St Katharine's & Wapping
Profile image for Councillor Abdul Malik
Councillor Abdul Malik  Chair of Human Resources Committee •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Profile image for Councillor Abdul Mannan
Councillor Abdul Mannan  Scrutiny Lead for Children and Education •  Aspire •  Bromley North
Profile image for Councillor Ana Miah
Councillor Ana Miah  Chair of Pensions Committee •  Aspire •  Shadwell
Profile image for Councillor Ayas Miah
Councillor Ayas Miah  Independent •  St Dunstan's
Profile image for Councillor Harun Miah
Councillor Harun Miah  Aspire •  Shadwell
Profile image for Councillor Amin Rahman
Councillor Amin Rahman  Aspire •  Bethnal Green West
Profile image for Mayor Lutfur Rahman
Mayor Lutfur Rahman  (Executive Mayor) •  Aspire
Profile image for Councillor Rebaka Sultana
Councillor Rebaka Sultana  Chair of General Purposes •  Labour Party •  Bethnal Green East
Profile image for
 (Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning (Statutory Deputy Mayor)) •  Aspire •  Canary Wharf
Profile image for Councillor Bellal Uddin
Councillor Bellal Uddin  Scrutiny Lead for Adults and Health Services •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Profile image for Councillor Abdal Ullah
Councillor Abdal Ullah  Labour Party •  St Katharine's & Wapping
Profile image for
 (Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion) •  Aspire •  Stepney Green