Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick accuses independent Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman of ‘power grab’
Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, today expressed concern about what is being viewed as a ‘power grab’ by Mayor Lutfur Rahman in Tower Hamlets.
The MP was due to meet Mayor Rahman at the Town Hall at 11am today (Monday) to raise issues that had been brought to his attention by residents and local organisations, namely:
� The centralised commissioning of Youth Services;
� The new structure and appointments system for the Board of Tower Hamlets Homes;
� The stripping of the Isle of Dogs Community Foundation of S106 distribution responsibilities;
� The setting up of a new Graduate Forum when the East London Business Alliance has been running a successful scheme;
� Demanding business rates from local charities and not-for-profit bodies, threatening their future.
Most Read
- 1 Bow flat fire caused by sunlight on glass bottle
- 2 Ranjith Kankanamalage death: Man charged with murder
- 3 Bow man accused of carrying out fatal hammer attack appears at Old Bailey
- 4 Gallery: Hidden photos reveal London's East End in the 1960s
- 5 Crossrail: Canary Wharf station ready as Elizabeth Line nears opening
- 6 Bow man charged with drugs supply and criminal property offences
- 7 Covid patients numbers declining in east London hospitals
- 8 Japanese udon noodles chain to mark Canary Wharf opening with free bowls
- 9 Riverside park extension above new sewage structures given green light
- 10 East End's 'last' Victorian funeral parlour being restored - and opens as burger bar
However, Mayor Rahman did not make the meeting due to a family health issue. Principal officers from the council handled the meeting instead.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “it is very disappointing the Mayor cancelled our third meeting in a row, but family comes first, obviously. I am very concerned that his recent decisions will lead to poorer services for the local community, especially youth services. I hope he will reconsider these matters.”
