The Tower Hamlets council meeting on 8 October 2025 addressed community safety concerns, debated motions on international issues, and reviewed local policies. The council approved a motion to urge the Metropolitan Police to reconsider the decision to close the Bethnal Green Police Station's front counter, while a motion recognising the state of Palestine failed. Additionally, the council approved a revised Gambling Policy and noted the Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee.

International Matters

The council addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, recognising the state of Palestine but rejecting a motion to condemn genocide.

Petition on Condemning Genocide

Faisal Ahmed Abdullah Falik and Amuddin presented a petition signed by over 2,000 local residents calling on the council to condemn the genocide in Gaza, demand an end to arms sales to Israel, establish a Gaza-Tower Hamlets friendship forum, and support a lasting memorial for the children killed in Gaza. They stated:

We stand here today because two years on the genocide is still ongoing and silence is no longer an option.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed asked why the petition mentioned genocide, when the British government had found no evidence of it. The petitioners cited declarations from the United Nations, the ICJ¹, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Save the Children, and the Israeli human rights organisation, Beth Salem. Councillor Marc Francis asked why the petition did not mention the 7 October attack by Hamas² on Israeli citizens. The petitioners responded that such questions diverted attention from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Palestine, stating that the conflict began in 1948. Councillor Mayim Talukdar asked how the Friendship Forum would look, who would lead it, and what it would achieve. The petitioners said it would be a community-led initiative bringing together residents of Tower Hamlets, NGOs, and the voluntary sector to establish relationships with counterparts in Gaza to educate, promote understanding, share cultures, and strengthen unity to help rebuild Gaza.

Motions on Gaza

Councillor Rabina Khan proposed to suspend procedure rules to allow the genocide petition to be brought forward, and to keep the total number of petitions discussed to four. She also proposed that motion 12.3 on Gaza be considered with the Gaza petition in debate, as it had exceeded over 2,000 signatures. This was approved, despite Councillor Marc Francis's objection that residents had come expecting to present a different petition.

Councillor Lutfur Rahman, the Executive Mayor, stated that the United Nations had formally declared the situation in Gaza as a genocide. He criticised the Labour government for refusing to define it as such and continuing to do business with the Israeli government. He called for boycotts, sanctions, and an arms embargo.

Councillor Sayida Miah asked Labour councillors to resign from a party complicit in human rights violations in Palestine. Councillor Rehana Sultana stated that her commitment to a free Palestine began long before she was elected as a councillor in 2022 and that what was happening was genocide, not self-defence.

Councillor Peter Golds stated that while the council was meeting, people were trying to get the hostages out and stop the bombing. He also stated that Jews have 4,000 years of history in that part of the world.

Councillor Gulam Robbani stated that what happened on 7 October was wrong, but the attempt to conflate it with the genocide was equally wrong. He criticised the double standards of the British and Western approach to Ukraine versus Israel.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Saied Ahmed, which included every demand within the petition. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury criticised the Labour Party's motion on Palestinian recognition as a cynical attempt to rewrite the record, referring to Keir Starmer's statement that Israel had the right to cut off food, water, and electricity.

Councillor Sirajul Islam moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Shubo Hussain, welcoming the UK's decision to recognise the state of Palestine, but calling for unity and tolerance and warning against hate and division.

The Aspire motion was carried, while the Labour motion fell.

Community Safety

The council addressed community safety through discussions on reckless driving, police presence, and hate crimes.

Petition on Community Safety Risks

Mondana Bostani and Carl Foden presented a petition regarding reckless driving on Roman Road, particularly between Grove Road and the market. They highlighted the failure to respect the 20 mph speed limit and the lack of traffic calming measures. They suggested repeater signs, vehicle-activated signs, and community speed watch.

Councillor Marc Francis noted that the current mayor and his team removed all traffic calming measures after being elected in 2022. He also noted that a speed gun team was sent to Roman Road the day after the petition was published, but at 5pm when traffic was heavy.

Councillor Sabina Akhtar asked if the petitioners had reached out to the police. The petitioners said they had been looking at more community solutions.

Councillor Nathalie Bienfait asked about the petitioners' reaction to a recent death on Roman Road caused by a speeding vehicle. The petitioners responded that it felt like it was only a matter of time before it happened.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury responded that the average speed on that section of Roman Road was approximately 15 mph, with the 85th percentile speed being 20 mph. He stated that enforcement of speed limits falls under the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police, and that the concerns would be raised with them.

The petition was referred to the Corporate Director for Communities for a written response within 28 days.

Motion on Bethnal Green Police Station

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Saied Ahmed, challenging the proposed closure of the Bethnal Green Police Station front counter. He criticised the Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for closing 18 front counters across London, including the only one in Tower Hamlets. He noted that the front counter serves as the only face-to-face opportunity to report crime, and that the decision had been made without a proper equality impact assessment.

Councillor Saeed Ahmed stated that the closure was another sign of how austerity directly threatens the safety and security of communities. He noted that the administration had set aside £8.5 million a year to respond to cuts.

Councillor Azmal Hussain moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Rehana Sultana, calling for the closure to be suspended until a full impact assessment was done, including the effects on safety, accessibility, and equality. The amendment also called for a public meeting, joint work with the Metropolitan Police to find alternatives, and an urgent conference to bring everyone together.

Councillor Moustak Ahmed supported the administration motion, stating that the government continues to put profits before people, cutting vital services while crime rises. He stated that the front office lights provide reassurance to the community, particularly the vulnerable.

Councillor Ayas Miah stated that five police stations had been closed in recent years, and that the front desk is a vital service for the community. He stated that many people, especially the elderly, are not comfortable reporting incidents online.

Councillor Abdal Ullah stated that having a front desk is important, but that the council could look at working with the Labour Assembly member to work with MOPAC³ to look at a voluntary-led service. Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury stated that the proposed closure was not just a financial decision, but a blow to public trust and community safety. He stated that the opposition councillors were indirectly supporting the closure.

Councillor Maisha Begum stated that it was sad that the conversation had become a point-scoring exercise. She stated that there are other constituencies working together, creating petitions, and working across the floor.

Councillor Ahmed Al-Kabir stated that over the past two decades, the borough has lost five police stations, and that the Metropolitan Police are now planning to close the Bethnal Green Police Station desk, the sixth closure in recent years.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury stated that everyone agreed that the front counter needs to remain open in Bethnal Green. He stated that the decision had been made without a proper equality impact assessment, and that he could not believe that the borough would not have any front counter.

The Labour amendment fell, and the main motion was carried.

Opposition Motion on Standing Up to the Far Right

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Abdi Mohamed, on standing up to the far right and tackling uneven development on the Isle of Dogs. She stated that the motion was about overcoming division and creating community cohesion. She stated that everyone agrees that people are right to be angry about a lack of affordable housing, the length of time it takes to get a doctor's appointment, and that all women and children should be safe.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed stated that the far right have tried to divide the borough, but have failed before and will fail again. He stated that the anger seen isn't just about flags or protests, but about a decade of austerity, the housing crisis, and insecurity.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Rabina Khan, stating that it is the duty of elected officials to stand up to movements of hate wherever and whenever they appear in the borough. He stated that the failure to properly invest in affordable housing and curb the cost of living crisis has created the conditions that allow far right movements to thrive.

Councillor Rabina Khan stated that people who live in the borough have a unique and personal understanding of how diversity is the borough's greatest strength. She stated that the British flag is not an inherently divisive symbol.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed stated that the rhetoric going around the media from the government is shaking the foundations of the immigrant community and the migrant community. He stated that the standards that are being set in terms of what political discourse is and what is identified as racist, the goalposts have shifted.

Councillor James King stated that the motion is about what the council can do, and that it is important to look at things in the wider picture. He stated that all races and religions and classes in Tower Hamlets generally do live harmoniously side by side, and will not be divided by outside agents looking to stir up trouble.

Councillor Peter Golds stated that the issue of the Britannia Hotel concerned a group of ladies who were not far-right fascists. He stated that the moment the extremists turned up, they went home.

Councillor Saumia Begum stated that she has seen the fear and the terror that the far right demonstrations have created in the local community. She stated that the people of Tower Hamlets need the motion, and that the council needs to show unity.

Councillor Asma Islam stated that Britain is a promise that no matter where you come from, you can belong. She stated that the far right does not speak for Tower Hamlets, and that the motion is a line in the sand.

Councillor Bodrul Choudhury stated that the residents of Tower Hamlets are very welcoming and open-minded. He stated that it is shocking that the government would choose to overtake a hotel, fire staff, and place people in a community without any consultation to residents and without any consultation with the council or the mayor's office.

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin stated that she deliberately made the motion apolitical, because we are at a time where we need to put politics aside. She stated that the flags that are being seen around the island aren't about bringing communities together, but are put up in the face of anti-immigration.

The Aspire amendment was carried, and the main motion as amended was carried.

Local Policies

The council reviewed and approved the annual report of the Standards Advisory Committee and the Statement of Gambling Policy.

Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee

John Pulford MBE, co-chair of the Standards Advisory Committee, presented the committee's annual report. He expressed concern about the length of time it takes for some members to respond to requests for information following a complaint, and urged members to respond immediately. He also noted an increase in complaints over the previous year, and hoped that the political culture project would help to address this.

The council formally proposed the report, and it was agreed.

Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-2028

The council agreed to the recommendations to agree the revised Gambling Policy and agree that the current no casino resolution remains. The policy covers how the council will use its regulatory powers, the main licensing objective of protecting the vulnerable, and the council's approach to regulation.

Other Business

The council also approved exit payments and appointed an independent chair of the audit committee.