Contact the mayor To contact the mayor, call his office on 7364 4993 or email him at mayor@towerhamlets.gov.uk73 www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mayor News Tough but exciting HAPPY New Year and I hope you all had a peaceful start to 2015. In January, it is natural to look forward to the year ahead and consider what it holds for us. I have often talked about the challenges facing local government . You know, as I do, that we must deal with some of the toughest decisions ever and that we are being forced to find huge financial savings. However, as well as a challenge, this presents us with an opportunity to look again at what we do, and how we do it, and consider where we can make improvements. It’s also a fantastic chance for you, as local residents, to shape how you want your borough to look in the future. And at the end of the month our younger residents will be having their say to elect their next Young Mayor. I met with the candidates last week and it’s fantastic to see their belief that they can make their borough a better place. By being involved in local democracy at such a young age it sets a positive future precedent. Just before Christmas we received the fantastic news that we have received a £24.8million funding boost through the government’s New Homes Bonus. Over the last five years, Tower Hamlets has delivered the highest number of affordable homes in the country – with more than 4,500 built. In granting us this funding, the government is once again recognising the hard work that we do to build affordable housing for the people who need it. Last week we were celebrating extra funding for the Blackwall Reach scheme and the plans for the Wood Wharf site are also going ahead. This will include 3,610 residential units – 25 per cent affordable. So while we face challenges, 2015 will be an exciting time. Mayor Lutfur Rahman A great confidence boost “My placement at London Community Credit Union showed me the possibilities of a career in finance, and my time there gave me great confidence and a wide range of skills.” jannat khanom, student from morpeth school, bethnal green Guides celebrate with a star-studded date BY JESSICA ODUBAYO A NEW Guide group from Brick Lane rubbed shoulders with politicians and pop stars at a celebration at the Houses of Parliament. The 1st Brick Lane Guides celebrated the opening of hundreds of new youth groups – including their own – at the House of Commons event. The group is one of more than 600 new guiding, scout and cadet groups started across the UK in the last year. The Brick Lane Guides received a start-up grant from the Youth United charity with which they have bought uniforms and badges. The girls are working towards earning badges in healthy eating and performing arts. Group leader Hannah Thomas-Davis said: “It’s been really great seeing girls who have never been involved in guiding 1st Brick Lane Guides at the House of Commons, from left: Hannah Thomas-Davies, Shazmin Begum, Tazmin Begum, Inaya Shahjahan and Lucia Prince get excited about the badges and activities that we do.” She said it was a “once-in-alifetime opportunity” to visit the House of Commons and added that their favourite bit was speaking to the MPs At Anchor we know it’s the little things that matter If you’re thinking about how to care for your loved one this winter then why not try a stay at Silk Court in Bethnal Green. You’ll find a highly skilled team that’s passionate about helping people to live happily and independently, providing carefully planned support 24-hours everyday. But we also know it’s the little things that can make all the difference like arranging favourite activities, making that perfect cup of tea or always finding the time for a friendly chat. 45 years’ experience. Not-for-profit. To find out more, call us free on 0808 115 8438 or visit anchor.org.uk/trial21 Anchor Care Homes. Happy living. Silk Court 16 Ivimey Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6LR Anchor Trust registered charity no. 1052183. Trial stay 25% off* *Valid 05/01/15 – 06/03/15. For a 4 week consecutive stay only. Conditions apply. and singer Jermaine Jackman. Speaking at the event, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, said that over the last two years Youth United had recruited a new army of local volunteers, providing young people with exciting and challenging activities. The 1st Brick Lane Guides group still has space for anyone interested in joining. Go to www.girlguiding.org.uk Charity plea to Wharf bosses AN education charity in Tower Hamlets is inviting employers in Canary Wharf and the City to provide more work experience placements for local students. Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership (THEBP) has launched the 750 Club to increase the number of placements offered by big business to 750 a year, meeting 25 per cent of the demand from schools in the borough. More than 3,000 work placements are required by Tower Hamlets students every year and THEBP is contracted to schools to find them. Big businesses presently contribute fewer than eight per cent of placements. Speaking at the launch of the 750 Club at the Tower of London, THEBP director Helen Sanson told employers how work placements improve both career choices and expectations of students. “If young people, who have very few networks and little cultural capital, can access corporate work experience placements, they learn that they can thrive in a big business setting and that they can aim for a top job,” she said. Employers interested in joining the club can ema i l work.experience@thebp.co.uk or call 7655 0300. 6 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 12 – 18 JANUARY 2015
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