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cted mayor of Tower Hamlets, with a look back over what has been ugh ive abinet member for culture, Cllr Rania Khan, aid: “Tower Hamlets is unique in its diversiy of market stalls and shops that are loved y visitors and residents alike.” £355,000 has been invested in our high reet markets and local economies. The £36 million scheme to restore Poplar aths – the grade II listed building and rmer swimming pool opposite Chrisp reet market – is underway. This will include 00 new council homes and a new leisure entre, café, gym and other leisure facilities. Chrisp Street, Watney and Roman Road markets have benefited from a range of rojects set to increase their healthy food ptions and improve business skills. ctured left, Mayor Lutfur Rahman at he opening of Idea Store Watney Market n May Children, schools and families Community safety Cabinet member for children, schools and families, Cllr Oliur Rahman, said: “The borough’s children and young people are thriving academically, and a new higher education bursary worth more than £1 million has just been introduced to help students with the burden of university costs.” The Mayor’s Education Award, supporting post-16 learners, is running for the third year. The £380m Building Schools for the Future programme is nearing completion. The percentage of primary school children achieving level 4 and over in both English and maths increased from 76 to 82 per cent. The percentage of pupils achieving five or more A*-C GCSEs (including English and maths) went up to 61.8 per cent. All children in year 1 and reception of Tower Hamlets schools now receive free school meals. All youth services have been kept open and further investments in them have been made: £10m is being invested in youth service provision. Dame Colet House in Stepney is being redeveloped with a state-of-the-art youth centre, a café, IT suite, soundproof music studio, fitness centre and outdoor games area. Pictured left, Jack enjoys a free school lunch at Bygrove Primary School where the scheme was launched in September Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Ohid Ahmed, said: “The council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and improving the council’s response to noise nuisance. We will continue to ensure that the principles of One Tower Hamlets are enshrined in all we do.” Ten more Tower Hamlets enforcement officers (THEOs) have been recruited, bringing the total number to 26. Up to 17 community safety walks are planned across the borough, involving residents and professionals. The council is challenging the London mayor’s decision to close ten fire stations in London, including Bow. Pictured right, Mayor Rahman welcomes new THEOs on to the team Jobs and skills Housing ironment, Cllr Shahed Ali, said: “Tower Hamlets has never T.H.E. Community Power has joined the Big London Energy ven more on their energy bills.” 0 has been allocated for enhanced cleaning activities in the xtra ten street sweepers, two graffiti removal teams and two ams. app has been introduced to share what residents love about ntly tell the council about environmental issues. dicated to repairing potholes and making the streets and ), John Gleeson, Azom Ali and Antonio Palladino at the n programme in Redchurch Street Cabinet member for jobs and skills, Cllr Shafiqul Haque, said: “The borough’s employment rate is the highest it has been in a decade and we are proud to be the first council in the country to pledge an action against blacklisting workers.” This year, the council helped 240 residents find jobs and supported 212 residents into apprenticeships. The council’s commitment to the London Living Wage will be extended to all its contracts. The council has secured hundreds of future apprenticeships for residents. Pictured above, residents at a jobs fair at York Hall, Bethnal Green Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Rabina Khan, said: “More affordable housing has been built in Tower Hamlets than in any other local authority in the country.” 3,246 affordable homes have been built in Tower Hamlets since October 2010. Ocean Estate has won a national award for Best Council Estate. More than 4,000 council homes will be at the Decent Homes standard by 2014, with 90 per cent of homes reaching the standard by 2015. Pictured above, the award-winning Ocean Estate where 1,200 homes have been refurbished 4 – 10 NOVEMBER 2013 N E W S FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 17


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