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Hamim’s winter scene is a winner Seven-year-old Ahnaf Hamim won the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Christmas card design competition – now his picture of a snowman has been sent all across the borough and beyond. see below Excellent services “We are a strongly performing local authority committed to providing excellent services for residents.” mayor lutfur rahman, below News Two commissioners come to Town Hall BY STAFF REPORTER IN a written statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday, December 17, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced the appointment of two commissioners to run certain functions at Tower Hamlets Council. Tower Hamlets had made representations about the proposed imposition of commissioners, but the secretary of state confirmed they would be given full responsibility for all grant-making decisions until March 2017. Former government fire and rescue adviser Sir Ken Knight will be the lead commissioner, joined by Max Caller, chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission and former chief of Hackney council, with a third yet to be announced. Sir Ken said: “We are determined to restore faith in how Tower Hamlets operates. “Local people deserve a council that not only makes decisions in an accountable and transparent way but also with the benefit of all residents in mind.” A council spokesperson said: “The council looks forward to working with the commissioners who have already met with senior officers. “In addition, we look forward to demonstrating that the council runs high-performing services, from developing new housing to excellent school results to award-winning parks. “The directions do not seem to take account of detailed representations made to the secretary of state and it is our understanding that the mayor will be reviewing the directions to decide upon the most appropriate course of action.” Responding to the announcement, Mayor Lutfur Rahman said that it was “not in the interests of local democracy for the secretary of state to intervene with such a wide remit and neither is the scale of this intervention supported by the evidence. “Tower Hamlets is a strongly performing local authority and we remain committed to providing excellent services for our residents. “The extent of the sanctions imposed are unreasonable and disproportionate. “While the council disputes many aspects of the PwC report, we have never rejected its Cllr Gullam Robbani, Hamim and Mayor Lutfur Rahman SEVEN-year-old Ahnaf Hamim is the winner of this year’s Tower Hamlets Mayor’s Christmas card design competition. Hamim’s colourful picture of a snowman is now being sent to hundreds of addresses across the borough and even further afield on the mayor’s official Christmas card. Hamim’s design was unveiled as the winner at a reception hosted by the mayor. Thirteen entries made the final. All the shortlisted children were presented with book tokens and certificates. Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “Congratulations to everyone and especially to Hamim. The standard this year was exceptionally high.” Hamim, a pupil at Harry Gosling Primary School, said: “I’m really happy and very excited.” Hamim’s dad Mohammed Salim Hussain said: “We’re very proud. He didn’t tell us he was doing the design, he wanted to surprise us. We are very proud.” News in brief David Blake Plea for witnesses after cyclist dies ROAD and transport police investigating the death of a cyclist are appealing for witnesses and information. On Saturday, December 6, police were called just after 7am to Leman Street, Aldgate, after reports of a collision between a cyclist and a silver Toyota Yaris. The cyclist, 57-year-old David Blake, of Barking, was taken by ambulance to hospital with a serious head injury. He died on December 7. The 46-year-old car driver was arrested at the scene. He has been bailed to return to a police station in February. Witnesses are asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 8597 4874. Man is charged with teen murder DETECTIVES investigating the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Joel Adesina in Bethnal Green on Friday, December 5, have charged a man with murder. George Phillips, 20, of Pitfield Street, Hackney, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 18. A 22-year-old man has been released on bail to return to a police station in late January pending further enquiries. findings out of hand. In fact we welcome the inspectors and look forward to working with them. We accept there are areas for improvement in some of what we do.” Tower Hamlets, under the direction of the commissioners, has three months to prepare a strategy and action plan setting out how it will comply with its value for money duties in specific areas of activity. The commissioners, due to be in place until March 31, 2017, will oversee the action plan, updating the secretary of state every six months on progress. 22 DECEMBER 2014 – 11 JANUARY 2015 N E W S F R O M T O W E R H A M L E T S C OUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 5


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