Councillor Abdul Wahid
Email: abdul.wahid@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Council: Tower Hamlets
Council Profile: View on council website
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Abdul Wahid's council service across 2024, 2025, and 2026 demonstrates a consistent dedication to council governance, resident well-being, and service improvement, with a pronounced and deepening focus on scrutiny and financial oversight in recent years.
Key Themes and Priorities: Across his tenure, Wahid has consistently prioritized transparency, accountability, and the effective delivery of council services. He has shown a particular interest in financial matters, including budgets, fees, charges, and hardship funds, as well as the well-being of vulnerable residents, especially young people and those requiring social inclusion initiatives. His recent work heavily emphasizes robust scrutiny and performance management.
Evolution of Focus: While Wahid was involved in policy decisions and strategic oversight in earlier years (e.g., as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth in 2024), his focus has increasingly shifted towards the chairmanship of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. This evolution is evident in the growing detail and prominence of his activities in this role, culminating in his active leadership in 2026. His engagement with financial matters, such as the budget and MTFS, has also become more central to his recent activities.
Most Significant Contributions (Especially in Recent Years): In 2026, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Wahid's leadership was paramount. He actively managed committee proceedings, ensuring the formal conduct of meetings, outlining procedural guidelines, and acknowledging significant events. His facilitation of discussions on critical financial matters like the budget, MTFS, fees, charges, and the hardship fund, alongside his emphasis on resident involvement in the CIP, highlights his commitment to fiscal responsibility and community engagement. His management of the committee's business in the Mayor's absence further underscores his leadership capabilities.
In 2025, Wahid's contributions were multifaceted. As Chair of Overview & Scrutiny, he was instrumental in presenting committee findings on critical issues such as hardship initiatives, waste services, technology risk, and leisure services. His advocacy for flood risk management and improvements for women and care-experienced young people, alongside his engagement with Children's Mental Health Services, demonstrates a deep commitment to social welfare. His foreword to the Strategic Plan 2025-2028
for the Youth Justice Executive Board, celebrating achievements in youth participation and SEND quality, is a significant testament to his dedication to young people.
In 2024, Wahid played a key role in policy, notably as Executive Mayor suspending changes to the Homelessness Placement Policy based on new data, demonstrating responsiveness to resident feedback. His emphasis on responsible dog ownership and his ambition to improve council performance as Chair of Overview & Scrutiny were also notable.
Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: A consistent pattern throughout Wahid's service is his commitment to effective governance and resident welfare. He consistently engages with issues that impact the daily lives of residents, from safety and optimism (as noted in the 2024 survey findings) to financial hardship and the provision of essential services. His increasing prominence in the Overview & Scrutiny Committee across these years suggests a growing dedication to ensuring the council operates efficiently and transparently, with a particular focus on financial prudence and service delivery for all.
Overall, Abdul Wahid's recent activities, particularly his leadership in the Overview & Scrutiny Committee in 2026, highlight his role as a key figure in ensuring council accountability and driving improvements in financial management and resident services.
Yearly Activity Timeline
During 2026, Abdul Wahid, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, actively led committee meetings. His key activities included formally opening proceedings, outlining procedural guidelines, acknowledging significant events such as the passing of corporate director Simon Baxter, and managing agenda items. He facilitated presentations and discussions on crucial financial matters like the budget, MTFS, fees, charges, and the hardship fund. He also emphasized the importance of resident involvement in the CIP and managed the committee's business in the absence of the Mayor.
Monthly Activity in 2026
During January 2026, Abdul Wahid, in his role as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presided over two meetings. In the January 12th meeting, he formally opened the proceedings, outlined procedural guidelines, and acknowledged the passing of corporate director Simon Baxter. He also managed agenda items, including declarations of interest, confirmation of minutes, and facilitated presentations on the budget and MTFS, as well as discussions on fees, charges, and the hardship fund. On January 26th, he welcomed attendees, explained the Mayor's absence, and thanked officers and members for their contributions, emphasizing the importance of resident involvement in the CIP.
Meetings in January 2026
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 26th January, 2026 6.30 p.m. - 26 January 2026
Councillor Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presided over the meeting on 15 December 2025. He welcomed attendees and explained the Mayor's absence due to demanding priorities, reminding members that officers present were representatives. Following presentations, he thanked the officers and members for their contributions, emphasizing the continued importance of resident involvement and that resident voices were actively sought and considered in the ongoing work of the CIP.
Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 12th January, 2026 6.30 p.m. - 12 January 2026
Abdul Wahid, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, opened the Budget Meeting on January 12th, 2026. He began by outlining administrative procedures, including the filming of the meeting and proper microphone usage. He also acknowledged the passing of Simon Baxter, a corporate director, expressing condolences and leading a minute of silence in his memory. Abdul Wahid declared his own interest as working for a trade union. He then moved through the initial agenda items, including the declaration of disclosable pecuniary interests, the minutes of the previous meeting, and the action log. He introduced the main business of the evening: the scrutiny of the budget for 2026-2027 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-2029. He welcomed Councillor Said Ahmed, cabinet member for resource and the cost of living, and Abdul Razak Karim, corporate director for resource, as well as other corporate directors. He outlined the planned structure for questioning the directors, focusing on specific directorates.
Throughout 2025, Abdul Wahid was a consistently active figure in council proceedings, primarily in his roles as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and as Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion. He demonstrated a strong commitment to scrutinizing council performance and advocating for improved services. As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he presided over numerous meetings, managing procedural matters, approving minutes, and facilitating discussions on strategic performance reports. He was instrumental in presenting committee findings on a range of issues, including investments in hardship initiatives, waste services funding, technology and AI risk assessment, school uniform grants, and leisure services. He also championed recommendations for flood risk management and improvements for women and care-experienced young people. Wahid actively engaged with reports on Children, Adolescent Mental Health Services, emphasizing data collation and culturally sensitive services. He also served as Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee and interim Chair of the Audit Committee, where he focused on effective agenda management and financial oversight. A significant contribution was his foreword to the Strategic Plan 2025-2028
for the Youth Justice Executive Board, highlighting achievements in youth participation, court diversion, SEND quality, and children's social care, stating his pride in the partnership's accomplishments. His engagement across these roles underscores a dedication to transparency, service improvement, and the well-being of the borough's residents, particularly its young people and vulnerable groups.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During December 2025, Abdul Wahid served as a substitute member for both the Pensions Committee meeting on December 11th and the Human Resources Committee meeting on December 22nd. He was also present at the Cabinet meeting on December 31st in his role as Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, though he did not participate in his capacity as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and no specific actions or statements were recorded for him during this meeting.
Meetings in December 2025
Cabinet - Wednesday, 8th January, 2025 5.30 p.m. - 31 December 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid was present at the Cabinet meeting on 2025-12-31 00:00:00 UTC as the Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion. However, the minutes indicate that he was not in attendance in his capacity as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and there is no record of him speaking or taking any action during this specific Cabinet meeting.
Human Resources Committee - Monday, 22nd December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 22 December 2025
Abdul Wahid attended the Human Resources Committee meeting on 22 December 2025 as a substitute member. The provided documentation does not contain any specific statements or actions attributed to him during this meeting.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 15 December 2025
As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Abdul Wahid oversaw the approval and signing of the unrestricted minutes from the October 13, 2025 meeting. He also set a deadline of 12pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, for members to submit any pre-decision questions to the Mayor in Cabinet. Additionally, he signed the minutes from the meeting held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Pensions Committee - Thursday, 11th December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 11 December 2025
Abdul Wahid was listed as a substitute member for the Pensions Committee meeting on 11th December 2025. There is no record of him saying or doing anything during the meeting.
Audit Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 3 December 2025
Abdul Wahid was listed as a member of the Audit Committee for the meeting on December 3rd, 2025. However, there is no record of him speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.
During November 2025, Abdul Wahid's primary activity was in his role as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. On November 25th, he presided over a meeting where he moved a resolution to approve and sign the unrestricted minutes of the previous meeting held on September 15th, 2025, confirming them as a correct record of proceedings. He also formally signed these minutes as Chair at the meeting's conclusion. There is no record of Abdul Wahid speaking or taking action during the Council meeting on November 19th, 2025.
Meetings in November 2025
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 25th November, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 25 November 2025
Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presided over the meeting on Monday, 13 October 2025. He moved a resolution to approve and sign the unrestricted minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday, 15 September 2025, as a correct record of proceedings. He also signed the minutes as Chair at the conclusion of the meeting.
Council - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 19 November 2025
There is no record of Abdul Wahid speaking or taking any action during the Council meeting on 2025-11-19. While he was noted as present at a previous meeting on 2025-10-08, the provided documents for the 2025-11-19 meeting do not contain any of his contributions.
During October 2025, Abdul Wahid's primary activity was as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. On October 13th, he opened the meeting, delivered housekeeping announcements, and welcomed attendees. He facilitated the discussion on the strategic performance monitoring report, introducing speakers and managing the Q&A session. His prior actions as Chair included approving minutes from a September 15th meeting, where he moved resolutions to approve unrestricted minutes and to exclude the press and public for confidential matters. He was also designated as the Scrutiny Lead for an action related to obtaining additional benchmarking data from London Councils on budget monitoring.
Meetings in October 2025
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 13th October, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 13 October 2025
As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Abdul Wahid opened the meeting on 2025-10-13, providing housekeeping announcements and welcoming attendees. He facilitated the discussion on the strategic performance monitoring report, introducing presenters and managing the question and answer session. His past actions as Chair include approving minutes from a previous meeting on 2025-09-15, where he moved a resolution to approve the unrestricted minutes and another to exclude the press and public for confidential business. He was also assigned as the Scrutiny Lead for an action concerning additional benchmarking data from London Councils on budget monitoring.
Council - Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 8 October 2025
There is no mention of Abdul Wahid in the provided documents for the Council meeting on 2025-10-08.
During September 2025, Councillor Abdul Wahid was active in several council meetings. He attended the Human Resources Committee on September 1st as a substitute. On September 15th, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he approved minutes and, in his role as Chair of the Youth Justice Executive Board (YJEB), provided a foreword to the Strategic Plan 2025-2028
. In this foreword, he expressed pride in the partnership's achievements, including Active Young People participating at our Youth Justice Excutive board
, Outcome 22 – best outcomes diverted away from Court/stigma
, SEND Quality Mark with Child First Commendation
, and Children's Social Care Rated Outstanding
. He also affirmed the YJEB's dedication to monitoring the Youth Justice Partnership Delivery Plan and its priorities, and endorsed the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025 – 2028
for Tower Hamlets and the City of London. Finally, on September 25th, Councillor Wahid was elected Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the 2025/2026 municipal year.
Meetings in September 2025
General Purposes Committee - Thursday, 25th September, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 25 September 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid was elected as the Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the municipal year 2025/2026.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th September, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 15 September 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, moved and it was resolved that the unrestricted and restricted minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 11 June 2025 be approved and signed by him as a correct record of the proceedings. He is also identified as the Chair of the Youth Justice Executive Board (YJEB). In this role, he provided a foreword to the Strategic Plan 2025-2028
, expressing pride in the partnership's achievements, including Active Young People participating at our Youth Justice Excutive board
, Outcome 22 – best outcomes diverted away from Court/stigma
, SEND Quality Mark with Child First Commendation
, and Children's Social Care Rated Outstanding
. He also highlighted the YJEB's commitment to monitoring the Youth Justice Partnership Delivery Plan and its priority areas, and endorsed the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025 – 2028
on behalf of the YJEB for Tower Hamlets and the City of London.
Human Resources Committee - Monday, 1st September, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 1 September 2025
Councillor Wahid attended the Human Resources Committee meeting on September 1st, 2025, as a substitute for Councillor Kabir Ahmed, who had sent apologies for absence. No specific statements or actions by Councillor Wahid were recorded in the provided transcript.
In July 2025, Councillor Abdul Wahid was appointed as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He subsequently chaired the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on July 21st, where he opened the session, welcomed attendees, outlined procedural rules, and managed the initial formalities before facilitating the discussion on the strategic delivery performance report. On July 28th, Wahid acted as the interim Chair of the Audit Committee. During this meeting, he opened the session, set expectations for conduct, and proposed strategies to manage the agenda effectively, stating, > park it and move on
if political undertones arose. He guided the committee through various agenda items, including the audit plan, the Council's response, and the draft statement of accounts, posing specific questions about risk reduction, opening balances, and IFRS 16 readiness. He also congratulated Councillor Haroun Mair on his appointment as Vice Chair and seconded the motion for Councillor Harun Miah's appointment as Vice-Chair. Wahid concluded the Audit Committee meeting by recommending the committee note the publication of the 24-25 Draft Statement of Accounts and the significant accounting judgments made.
Meetings in July 2025
Audit Committee - Monday, 28th July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 28 July 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid acted as the interim Chair of the Audit Committee meeting on July 28, 2025. He opened the meeting, expressed a need for support due to a large agenda, and set expectations for meeting conduct, emphasizing calmness and responsiveness. He proposed to park it and move on
if political undertones arose to maintain the agenda's flow. Wahid instructed officers to refer to the papers and proposed a structured approach to questions and follow-ups. He noted the meeting was being webcast live and asked members to introduce themselves and declare any interests. He declared nothing to declare
himself. Wahid congratulated Councillor Haroun Mair on his appointment as Vice Chair and seconded the motion for Councillor Harun Miah to be appointed Vice-Chair. He then moved through the agenda, inviting presentations and asking questions on various items, including the audit plan, the Council's response to the audit plan, and the draft statement of accounts. Specifically, he inquired about reducing risk profiles, the accuracy of opening balances with qualified closing opinions, and the council's readiness for IFRS 16. He also asked about interim audits and the process for requesting audit evidence. Wahid concluded by recommending that the committee note the publication of the 24-25 Draft Statement of Accounts and the significant accounting judgments made.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 21st July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 21 July 2025
As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Abdul Wahid opened the meeting on 2025-07-21. He welcomed attendees, outlined the procedural rules, and reminded members to speak through him and maintain order. He managed the initial formalities, including apologies, declarations of interest, and the agreement of the previous minutes. Wahid then introduced the first agenda item, the strategic delivery performance report, inviting Councillor Saeed to present, and facilitated the subsequent discussion by calling on members and officers.
Council - Wednesday, 16th July, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 16 July 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid was appointed as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
During June 2025, Councillor Abdul Wahid was actively involved in council meetings, primarily in his role as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and as Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee. As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he presided over meetings on June 2nd and June 11th. In these meetings, he managed procedural matters, including introductions, apologies, declarations of interest, and the election of Vice Chairs. He oversaw the appointment of scrutiny lead members for various subcommittees, using his casting vote to break ties on multiple occasions. He also sought approval for subcommittee establishments and memberships, and addressed feedback on reports and meeting schedules. He informed the committee about an upcoming Members Work Programme Development Day and moved to exclude the press and public for specific business. On June 17th, Councillor Wahid was elected as the Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the municipal year 2025/2026. He also addressed timekeeping, reviewed and corrected minutes from previous meetings, and raised concerns about managing conflicts of interest. He acknowledged and thanked a councillor for a report on hate crime, emphasizing the importance of collaborative work on issues like Islamophobia and homophobia, and welcomed a review timeline for the report.
Meetings in June 2025
General Purposes Committee - Tuesday, 17th June, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 17 June 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid was elected as the Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the municipal year 2025/2026. He was nominated by Councillor Kabir Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Shafi Ahmed. He was officially congratulated on his appointment as Vice-Chair for the committee meeting.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 11 June 2025
As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Abdul Wahid opened the meeting and addressed timekeeping. He then reviewed the minutes from a previous meeting, requesting several corrections and clarifications. These included a spelling error in Councillor Amin's name, a question about Councillor Abu Choudhury's apology, and a correction to his own vote for the education subcommittee chair, stating he voted in favour. He also sought clarification on the nomination process for the community safety role and mentioned requesting guidance from legal or democratic services regarding Councillor Goulam Kibriya Choudhury's attendance at the next meeting, noting he had not received written information. Abdul Wahid raised concerns about managing conflicts of interest involving former cabinet members. Later, he thanked Councillor Abdi for his report on hate crime, stressing the importance of collaborative work on issues like Islamophobia and homophobia, and welcomed a six-month review timeline for the report. He concluded by introducing the Director of Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, Mr. Dao Babu.
Rearranged from 20 May 2025, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 2nd June, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 2 June 2025
Councillor Abdul Waheed chaired the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on June 2, 2025. He opened the meeting by introducing himself as the chair for the municipal year and expressing his commitment to making a positive impact. He reminded attendees that the meeting was being filmed and thanked the outgoing chair for her work. Throughout the meeting, he managed various procedural matters, including apologies, declarations of interest, and the election of the Vice Chair, for which he confirmed Councillor Abdul-Mannan was elected. He also oversaw the appointment of scrutiny lead members for several subcommittees, using his casting vote on multiple occasions to break ties. These included votes for Health and Adults (in favour of Councillor Gulam Kibria), Housing and Regeneration (in favour of Councillor Ahmed Khan), Finance and Resources (in favour of Councillor Sabina Khan), and Environment and Climate Emergency (in favour of Councillor Natalie). He also managed nominations for the Inner North East London Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Waheed sought approval for the establishment and membership of three subcommittees (health, housing, and children) and asked members to agree to note the OSC procedure rules and the calendar of meeting dates. He acknowledged feedback on meeting dates and potential conflicts of interest, as well as comments on the Net Zero Scrutiny Challenge Session and the Maternity Care report, suggesting a follow-up review for the latter. He also informed the committee about a forthcoming Members Work Programme Development Day on June 14, 2025, and moved a resolution to exclude the press and public for Section Two business. He concluded the meeting.
During May 2025, Councillor Abdul Wahid was appointed as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Council meeting on May 14th. His presence was also noted at a previous meeting on April 2nd, 2025, though no specific contributions were recorded for him from that session.
Meetings in May 2025
Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 14th May, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 14 May 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid was appointed as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during the Council meeting on May 14th, 2025. He was also listed as a Member present at a previous Council meeting on April 2nd, 2025, though no specific actions or statements were recorded for him in the provided documents from that meeting.
Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 13th May, 2025 5.00 p.m. - 13 May 2025
As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Abdul Wahid facilitated the Health and Wellbeing Board workshop focused on developing a new health and wellbeing strategy. He welcomed attendees, noting the unusual seating arrangement:
So welcome everyone to this health and wellbeing board workshop. The seating arrangement is a little bit weird. I wasn't quite expecting them to be quite so in line with each other.
He outlined the purpose of the session, explaining that the current strategy developed in 2021 was expiring in 2025. The goal was to reflect and develop a new strategy to improve resident health and wellbeing and address inequalities. He emphasized a six-month process to develop and finalize the strategy, seeking initial direction from the board.
He introduced and outlined the four discussion points for the workshop: understanding resident health and wellbeing, defining the need for a health and wellbeing strategy, reflecting on the current strategic context, and focusing on the principles of the strategy. He introduced Sahana to present work on resident engagement and questioned whether focusing on changing a lot of people would cause the board to miss out on priorities.
He acknowledged the two different approaches to strategy development: thematic and neighborhood working. He thanked speakers after their presentations. He introduced the second discussion point, emphasizing the need to justify the time and money invested in a new strategy, beyond the statutory requirement. He introduced a video from the Health Foundation. He also mentioned the numerous existing strategies within the council and partner organizations, stressing that the new strategy should not duplicate them. He then introduced the third discussion point on the strategic context, mentioning the council's strategic plan and the partnership plan. He introduced the final question, focusing on the principles of the strategy and referencing prior consultation work on resident priorities for the health and care system.
He summarized key points from one of the tables, highlighting the need for the strategy to focus on added value through collaboration, simplicity, and potential focus areas like housing and integrated neighborhood teams, all geared towards critical outcomes, community engagement, and strong collaborative relationships.
During April 2025, Councillor Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, actively participated in the Cabinet meeting on April 30th. He raised pertinent questions concerning the Children, Adolescent Mental Health Services report, focusing on data collation for service user improvements and the provision of culturally sensitive services. He also inquired about positive outcomes and youth engagement related to market events. Furthermore, regarding the Agency Worker Contract, he reiterated his concern about culturally sensitive data collation and requested to review the draft tender document and specifications to facilitate collaboration.
Meetings in April 2025
Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - 30 April 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, raised questions regarding the Children, Adolescent Mental Health Services report (6.1) and the Markets Designation report (6.3). In relation to the Children, Adolescent Mental Health Services report, he inquired about the process for collating data to ensure improvements for service users and the provision of culturally sensitive services. He also asked about the positive outcomes and engagement with young people concerning events organized to involve them in markets. For the Agency Worker Contract (6.7), he reiterated his question about data collation for culturally sensitive services and requested to review the draft tender document and specifications before they are issued, to collaborate with the lead members.
Council - Wednesday, 2nd April, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 2 April 2025
There is no record of Abdul Wahid saying or doing anything specific during the Council meeting on April 2nd, 2025. While he is listed as a member present at previous meetings, no actions or statements are attributed to him in the provided documents for this particular meeting.
Councillor Abdul Wahid, the Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, was listed as present in the minutes for the Cabinet meeting on March 26, 2025. However, according to the reports pack, apologies for absence were received on his behalf, and he did not participate in the meeting. The minutes do not record him speaking or taking any specific actions.
Meetings in March 2025
Cabinet - Wednesday, 26th March, 2025 3.00 p.m. - 26 March 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid, the Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, was listed as present in the minutes. However, the reports pack indicates that apologies for absence were received on his behalf at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 19 February 2025. Furthermore, the reports pack states that Councillor Abdul Wahid did not participate in the meeting of 26 March 2025. The minutes do not record him speaking or taking any specific actions during the meeting.
During February 2025, Abdul Wahid attended two council meetings: the Cabinet meeting on February 19th and the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on February 27th. In both instances, he was listed in his official capacities as Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, and as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board. However, there is no record of him saying or doing anything specific in either meeting.
Meetings in February 2025
Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Thursday, 27th February, 2025 5.00 p.m. - 27 February 2025
Abdul Wahid was listed as a member of the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board and as the Cabinet Member for Equalities and Social Inclusion. However, there is no record of him saying or doing anything specific during the meeting on 2025-02-27.
Budget Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 26 February 2025
Based on the provided transcript, Abdul Wahid, Councillor and Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, did not make any statements or take any actions during this meeting.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 19th February, 2025 5.30 p.m. - 19 February 2025
Abdul Wahid was listed as a Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, but there is no record of him saying or doing anything specific in this meeting.
During January 2025, Abdul Wahid, in his role as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, was active in two council meetings. On January 22nd, he congratulated the council on an amazing achievement
and an outstanding mark by Ofsted,
attributing the success to the mayor's investment and the borough's young people. On January 29th, he presented the committee's findings from their January meetings. These findings included satisfaction with investments in hardship initiatives, a request for long-term waste services funding, advice on risk assessment for technology and AI, wholehearted support for school uniform grants with a request for policy clarity, and recommendations for leisure services insourcing, including accessible promotion of Be Well,
NHS engagement for physiotherapy, improved accommodation for women, and apprenticeship roles for care-experienced young people. He also reported on recommendations to strengthen flood risk management, acknowledging identified gaps.
Meetings in January 2025
Cabinet - Wednesday, 29th January, 2025 5.30 p.m. - 29 January 2025
Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presented the committee's findings from two January meetings. He highlighted the committee's review of the 2025-26 budget, medium-term financial strategy, and fees and charges, noting satisfaction with investments in hardship initiatives but emphasizing the need for effective implementation and financial sustainability. The committee's request for long-term waste services funding was met, though further evidence of need and spending plans were requested. Regarding technology and AI, the committee advised a thorough risk assessment before commitment. They wholeheartedly support[ed] the introduction of school uniform grants
but sought clarity on policy development, application, and the rationale for limiting it to specific year groups. The committee also considered the progress of leisure services insourcing, recommending accessible promotion of Be Well,
engagement with the NHS for physiotherapy, improved accommodation for women's needs, and exploration of apprenticeship roles for care-experienced young people. Finally, Abdul Wahid reported on recommendations to strengthen flood risk management following the 2024 flooding event, acknowledging identified gaps despite confidence in meeting obligations.
Council - Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 22 January 2025
Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, congratulated the council on an amazing achievement.
As a teacher in the borough, he emphasized the dedication and hard work required to achieve an outstanding mark by Ofsted.
He attributed this success to the mayor's faith and investing a huge amount of money in these services
and to the young people of this borough who are the future of our borough.
He extended congratulations to lead member Steve and all involved.
Throughout 2024, Abdul Wahid demonstrated significant engagement across various council roles, primarily as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, and later as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. His activities spanned policy decisions, committee leadership, and strategic oversight. In May, he voted on the Budget Motion and expressed gratitude for the Speaker's service, later emphasizing the critical role of Overview & Scrutiny and his ambition to improve council performance. July saw him clarifying the administration's stance on responsible dog ownership, emphasizing a focus on responsible owners rather than an anti-dog
approach, and acknowledging staff efforts during the general election count. A key policy decision occurred in September when, as Executive Mayor, he suspended changes to the Homelessness Placement Policy based on new data and governmental shifts, reaffirming his commitment to resident feedback. He also advocated for modernizing market stalls for job creation. In October, as Chair of Overview & Scrutiny, he questioned engagement methodology and highlighted positive resident survey findings regarding optimism, cohesion, and safety, stating,
November was marked by his presentation of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee's work, focusing on fostering a
The recent result of the survey is very important. It shows the people in the Tower Hamlets, they are incredibly optimistic about cohesion. And some of the things that the mayor has highlighted, especially the 90% of the residents who feel safe within the borough. And I think there's a lot of, in terms of this tackles a lot of misconception, negative impact or negative news that goes out there in the media. This tackles this.
unified, constructive, and non-political approach to scrutiny
and addressing issues from a Best Value Inspection Report. December saw him presenting the committee's findings to the Cabinet, covering the Best Value Inspection, flood risks, EHC assessments, and procurement processes, notably expressing frustration over the Home Care Contract Award process and emphasizing the council's commitment to vulnerable residents. He also highlighted the need for improved incident response and contingency planning for flood risks.
Monthly Activity in 2024
In December 2024, Abdul Wahid was active in two council meetings. As Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he presented the committee's findings to the Cabinet on December 18th. Key areas of discussion included the Best Value Inspection, endorsing the message of delivering at pace,
and the agreement to co-design and monitor an improvement plan. He also reported on the committee's work regarding flood risks, highlighting concerns about incident response responsibility and contingency planning, and stated that a report with recommendations would be presented to the Cabinet. Further points raised by the committee, and presented by Wahid, involved EHC assessments, free school meal uptake, investment sustainability in waste services, mitigation for SEND overspending, funding for best value activities, and potential housing overspends. A significant focus was placed on the Home Care Contract Award process, where Wahid expressed frustration regarding the lead member's absence and requested that the Cabinet address the committee's concerns about future procurements and care for vulnerable residents. The committee recommended using this process as an LGA case study and referring it to the Transformation Assurance Board. Wahid concluded by emphasizing the council's commitment to caring for the elderly and vulnerable. He was also listed as a member of the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board on December 10th, though no specific statements or actions were attributed to him in the provided documents for that meeting.
Meetings in December 2024
Cabinet - Wednesday, 18th December, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 18 December 2024
Abdul Wahid, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presented the committee's findings and discussions from their recent meeting. He began by thanking the Mayor for attending and then detailed the committee's review of the Best Value Inspection, noting the valuable insights from Clive Hiffey and endorsing the message of delivering at pace.
He also highlighted the agreement to co-design and monitor the improvement plan with the Chief Executive.
Wahid then discussed the committee's work on flood risks, including a site visit to Fish Island, and identified key concerns such as unclear responsibility for incident response and the need for better contingency planning. He stated that a report with recommendations on flood risk management would be brought to the Cabinet.
Further points raised included concerns about EHC assessments and free school meal uptake, with subcommittees to investigate further. He also mentioned the committee's questioning of investment sustainability in waste services, mitigation for SEND overspending, funding for best value activities, and potential overspends in housing.
A significant portion of his report focused on the Home Care Contract Award process. He noted mixed feelings regarding the lead member's absence and requested that the Cabinet and lead member address the committee's concerns. He expressed frustration with the situation and questioned assurances for future procurements and continued care for vulnerable residents. The committee recommended using the process as an LGA case study and referring it to the Transformation Assurance Board for oversight.
Wahid concluded by thanking Julie Lorraine for her facilitation and emphasizing the committee's and council's commitment to caring for the elderly and vulnerable, noting the council's potential to be a leader in providing free home care.
Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 10th December, 2024 5.00 p.m. - 10 December 2024
Abdul Wahid was listed as a member of the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board for the meeting on December 10th, 2024. No specific statements or actions attributed to him were found in the provided documents.
During November 2024, Abdul Wahid, in his role as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presented a review of the committee's recent work. He highlighted a commitment to fostering cultural change within the committee, aiming for a unified, constructive, and non-political approach to scrutiny.
Key areas of discussion included the Chief Executive's positive response to the Best Value Inspection Report, the establishment of a new housing cabinet subcommittee, pre-decision scrutiny questions, the review of the waste improvement program, and the draft scrutiny executive protocol. Wahid indicated that further efforts would be made to address issues identified in the best value inspection report.
Meetings in November 2024
Cabinet - Wednesday, 27th November, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 27 November 2024
Abdul Wahid, in his capacity as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, presented a review of the committee's recent work. He emphasized his commitment to fostering cultural change within the committee, aiming for a unified, constructive, and non-political approach to scrutiny. Key areas of focus included the Chief Executive's response to the Best Value Inspection Report, which he noted showed a positive shift in tone and an acknowledgment of the need for improvement. He also mentioned discussions regarding the new housing cabinet subcommittee, pre-decision scrutiny questions, the review of the waste improvement program, and the draft scrutiny executive protocol. Wahid indicated that further work would be undertaken to incorporate issues identified in the best value inspection report.
Council - Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 20 November 2024
There is no mention of Abdul Wahid's activity or statements in the provided documents for the Council meeting on 2024-11-20.
King George's Field Charity Board - Wednesday, 6th November, 2024 6.00 p.m. - 6 November 2024
There is no record of Abdul Wahid saying or doing anything in the provided documents for the King George's Field Charity Board meeting on November 6th, 2024.
During the October 16th Cabinet meeting, Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, questioned the methodology used to determine low resident engagement with leisure facilities, recycling services, and the IDO store, seeking clarification on whether this was data-driven. He also highlighted the significance of the recent residents' survey, noting its positive findings regarding resident optimism about cohesion and safety within the borough. He stated, > The recent result of the survey is very important. It shows the people in the Tower Hamlets, they are incredibly optimistic about cohesion. And some of the things that the mayor has highlighted, especially the 90% of the residents who feel safe within the borough. And I think there's a lot of, in terms of this tackles a lot of misconception, negative impact or negative news that goes out there in the media. This tackles this.
Meetings in October 2024
Cabinet - Wednesday, 16th October, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 16 October 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, inquired about the methodology behind identifying why few residents report using leisure facilities, recycling services, and the IDO store, asking if this was data-backed. He also commented on the recent residents' survey, stating,
The recent result of the survey is very important. It shows the people in the Tower Hamlets, they are incredibly optimistic about cohesion. And some of the things that the mayor has highlighted, especially the 90% of the residents who feel safe within the borough. And I think there's a lot of, in terms of this tackles a lot of misconception, negative impact or negative news that goes out there in the media. This tackles this.
During September 2024, Executive Mayor Abdul Wahid made a significant announcement at the Cabinet meeting on September 11th, suspending the implementation of proposed changes to the Homelessness Placement Policy. This decision was based on new data showing a sharp decline in families needing hotel accommodation and positive governmental shifts regarding the housing crisis. He reaffirmed his commitment to resident feedback and the existing 90-minute relocation limit. Councillor Shafi Ahmad commended Abdul Wahid for this bold decision
and another regarding the homelessness policy. Additionally, Abdul Wahid spoke about the Whitechapel Road improvement programme, emphasizing the importance of market stalls for job creation and income generation in the East End. He advocated for modernizing these stalls and infrastructure as a valuable investment to attract visitors and support local businesses.
Meetings in September 2024
Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Monday, 23rd September, 2024 5.00 p.m. - 23 September 2024
There is no record of Abdul Wahid saying or doing anything specific during the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 2024-09-23. He is listed as a member of the Board and was present at the meeting, but no actions or statements are attributed to him in the provided documents.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 11th September, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 11 September 2024
As Executive Mayor, Abdul Wahid announced the suspension of the implementation of proposed changes to the Homelessness Placement Policy. This decision was influenced by new data indicating a substantial decrease in families awaiting hotel accommodation (from 43 to 1) and a change in government with positive statements regarding the housing crisis. He reiterated his commitment to resident feedback and confirmed that the 90-minute relocation limit remains in effect. He also expressed gratitude to officers for their policy assessment and pledged to provide further updates. Councillor Shafi Ahmad acknowledged Abdul Wahid's bold decision
regarding the Free Swimming Programme and his decision that you made tonight in regards to the homelessness.
Regarding the Whitechapel Road improvement programme, Abdul Wahid highlighted the significance of market stalls for the East End community, citing their role in job creation and income generation. He advocated for modernizing the stalls and infrastructure to enhance the market's quality, asserting that the allocated funds would be a worthwhile and long-overdue investment to draw visitors and bolster local businesses.
During July 2024, Councillor Abdul Wahid, in his role as Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, attended a Cabinet meeting on July 10th. He noted that no members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee had questions regarding cabinet papers. He also expressed his appreciation for the council staff's work during the general election count, stating he was personally writing to thank them for their efforts as returning officer. In a procedural change, Councillor Musthak Ahmed replaced him as the Council's nominee to London Councils' Greater London Employment Forum.
On July 24th, serving as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Wahid addressed the perception of the administration regarding dogs. He clarified that the focus is on responsible dog ownership, not an anti-dog
stance, and shared personal experiences of dangerous dog attacks in his ward. He stressed the importance of communicating this message during the upcoming consultation, stating,
It's about responsible dog owners and for a few dog owners who aren't responsible for others to be basically in terms of tarnish their needs. So please, if you can make sure that message is also out in the consultation.
There is no record of Abdul Wahid speaking or taking action in the Council meeting on July 17th.
Meetings in July 2024
Cabinet - Wednesday, 24th July, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 24 July 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, emphasized that the administration is not anti-dog
but rather focused on responsible dog ownership. He highlighted personal experiences with dangerous dog attacks in his ward and stressed the importance of conveying this message during the upcoming consultation. Wahid stated,
It's about responsible dog owners and for a few dog owners who aren't responsible for others to be basically in terms of tarnish their needs. So please, if you can make sure that message is also out in the consultation.
Council - Wednesday, 17th July, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 17 July 2024
There is no record of Abdul Wahid speaking or taking any action in the provided documents for the Council meeting on 2024-07-17.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 10th July, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 10 July 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid, serving as Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities and Social Inclusion, was present at the meeting. He commented on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee's engagement with cabinet papers, stating that no members felt the need to ask questions despite having the opportunity for clarification.
He also expressed his gratitude for the conduct of council staff during the general election count, acknowledging the considerable pressure they operated under and noting that he was personally writing to thank them for their efforts in his capacity as returning officer.
In a procedural matter, Councillor Abdul Wahid was replaced by Councillor Musthak Ahmed as the Council's nominee to London Councils' Greater London Employment Forum.
During June 2024, Abdul Wahid's only recorded activity was sending his apologies for absence from the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on June 10th.
Meetings in June 2024
Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board - Monday, 10th June, 2024 5.00 p.m. - 10 June 2024
Abdul Wahid sent his apologies for absence from the Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 2024-06-10.
During May 2024, Councillor Abdul Wahid was active in several council meetings. On May 8th, he voted against amendments proposed by Councillors Marc Francis and Nathalie Bienfait, but voted in favor of the main Budget Motion. At the Annual Meeting on May 15th, as Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he expressed gratitude to the Speaker for their professional conduct and positive experiences accompanying them to events, acknowledging the challenging task for the incoming Speaker. He also praised the outgoing Speaker's year in office, presiding over difficult meetings, charitable work, and service to the Borough. On May 16th, Wahid expressed his delight at being elected Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, emphasizing its critical role in council governance and his ambition to partner with the cabinet to improve council performance, aiming to add value and support the mayor, cabinet, and officers in delivering services. He also attended the King George's Field Charity Board meeting on May 29th in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, and Cabinet Member for Equalities and Social Inclusion, though no specific statements or actions were recorded for him during this meeting.
Meetings in May 2024
King George's Field Charity Board - Wednesday, 29th May, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 29 May 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid was present at the King George's Field Charity Board meeting on 29th May 2024. He attended in his capacity as a Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, and was also listed as a member of the King George's Field Charity Board and Cabinet Member for Equalities and Social Inclusion. No specific statements or actions were recorded for him during this meeting.
Cabinet - Thursday, 16th May, 2024 4.00 p.m. - 16 May 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, expressed his delight at being elected chair. He highlighted the critical function of the Scrutiny Committee in council governance and post-democracy, and his gratitude for the opportunity to help shape policy and influence decision-making. Wahid stated his ambition to work in partnership with the cabinet to improve council performance, acknowledging that while Scrutiny may offer robust challenges, their aim is to add value and support the mayor, cabinet, and officers in delivering the best services for residents. He looks forward to meeting with the Mayor.
Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 15 May 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid, also the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, expressed gratitude to the Speaker. He thanked the Speaker for their professional and integrity-filled conduct, especially during difficult moments in the chamber. Councillor Wahid also shared his pleasure in accompanying the Speaker to various events, describing it as a very good experience. He conveyed his confidence that the Speaker would excel in any future role they undertake and acknowledged the challenging task for the incoming Speaker to match the outgoing Speaker's work. The minutes indicate that Councillor Wahid was among those who addressed the meeting following the Speaker's address, praising the Speaker's year in office, calm presiding over difficult meetings, charitable work, and service to the Borough.
Council - Wednesday, 8th May, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 8 May 2024
During the Council meeting on May 8th, 2024, Councillor Abdul Wahid cast votes on several motions. He voted Against
the amendments proposed by Councillor Marc Francis and Councillor Nathalie Bienfait. However, he voted For
the main Budget Motion, which was moved by Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Councillor Saied Ahmed.
During April 2024, Councillor Abdul Wahid attended the Cabinet meeting on April 24th in his role as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth. The provided minutes do not record any specific statements or actions taken by him during this meeting.
Meetings in April 2024
Cabinet - Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 24 April 2024
Councillor Abdul Wahid was present at the Cabinet meeting on April 24th, 2024, in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth. No specific statements or actions by him were recorded in the minutes.
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
65 meetings · Page 5 of 13
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th September, 2025 6.30 p.m.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC) of Tower Hamlets Council met on 15 September 2025, to discuss the Youth Justice Strategic Plan, the council's gambling policy, budget monitoring, and the committee's work programme. The committee agreed to endorse the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025-2028 and recommend the adoption of the revised Statement of Gambling Policy to the full council. They also reviewed the budget monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025-26 and discussed the overview and scrutiny work programme for 2025-26, agreeing to a compromise to allow for future amendments.
Human Resources Committee - Monday, 1st September, 2025 6.30 p.m.
The Human Resources Committee met to discuss a corporate director's update, senior recruitment, employee relations, and savings from early retirement and voluntary redundancy. The committee approved the extension of interim arrangements for the Director of Governance to 31 December 2025. A report on the people survey was also noted, with a decision to move into a closed session for further discussion.
Audit Committee - Monday, 28th July, 2025 6.30 p.m.
The Audit Committee convened to discuss key governance and financial matters, including the appointment of a vice-chair, the approval of the audit committee's terms of reference, and the review of the 2024-25 draft statement of accounts. Councillors also discussed the external auditor's plan, progress on statutory recommendations, the annual governance statement, and the updated whistleblowing policy.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 21st July, 2025 6.30 p.m.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee in Tower Hamlets met to discuss the Strategic Delivery Performance Report for Quarter 4, the Budget Monitoring Report for 2024/25, and the Strategic Vision 2035 Development and Engagement plan. Councillors raised concerns about recycling rates, the council's overspend on homelessness services, and the timetable for the new strategic vision.
Council - Wednesday, 16th July, 2025 7.00 p.m.
The Tower Hamlets Council meeting on 16 July 2025 addressed several key issues, including petitions related to community assets and funding, and the ongoing continuous improvement journey required by the government. While motions on housing and child poverty were submitted, they were not debated due to time constraints.
Decisions from Meetings
78 decisions · Page 1 of 16
Scrutiny Deep Dive Markets Challenge Action Plan
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - April 30, 2025
...to note the report and agree to the actions outlined in response to the Scrutiny Markets Challenge Session, aimed at supporting markets and traders in Tower Hamlets by addressing issues related to infrastructure, anti-social behaviour, waste management, trader retention, and communication.
Recommendations Approved
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - April 30, 2025
...the Corporate Director of Children’s Services was authorised to award a contract to East London Foundation Trust for the re-commissioning of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Children’s Social Care, ensuring continued mental health support for young people in the Supporting Families division.
Recommendations Approved
Agency worker contract – Contract Award for 2 years
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - April 30, 2025
...to award a two-year contract to Matrix for agency worker services, utilizing the London Collaboration M-Star 4 framework, with the aim of achieving cost savings and supporting the Council's recruitment and resourcing strategy.
Recommendations Approved
Introduction of a dog control public spaces protection order
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - April 30, 2025
...the Cabinet of Tower Hamlets decided to introduce a dog control public spaces protection order to address dog fouling, require dogs to be on leads in certain areas and when directed, exclude dogs from specific areas, limit the number of dogs one person can walk, and introduce a professional dog walkers license.
Recommendations Approved
Outcome of representations received in response to the statutory (public) notice to amalgamate Globe Primary and Rachel Keeling Nursery Schools
From: Cabinet - Wednesday, 30th April, 2025 5.30 p.m. - April 30, 2025
...to merge Globe Primary and Rachel Keeling Nursery Schools into a single, all-through primary school for children aged 3 to 11, effective September 1, 2025.
For Determination
Summary
Meetings Attended: 65
Average per Month: 2.8
Decisions Recorded: 78