As an early present for residents, two of the commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State to supervise the council’s administration arrived on December 17 – many will say not a moment too soon.
November’s measured and considered report by auditors PwC identified numerous areas where there is failure in the governance of the council.
Whether it be grants, the disposal of properties or publicity, serious problems were made known and the commissioners will work with officers, members and the Mayor to resolve these problems.
The commissioners will take over the allocation of grants, alongside impartial officers, receiving representation from council members and making decisions.
Council scrutiny, including the operation and function of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, will be reviewed and strengthened.
The council constitution is to be brought up to date; hopefully to ensure that never again will the Mayor use “human rights” excuses to refuse to answer questions from elected members or the public.
PwC, parliamentarians and the government have all highlighted the “culture of denial” and “systematic failures” in the mayoral administration.
The often unreal and unchallenged media statements from the council are indicative of this problem. Lutfur Rahman must accept that in a democracy, criticism should be welcomed. His constant resort to unfounded al- legations of “racism” when even simple questions are asked has to stop.
If the administration fail on the proposed work programme, future interventions could be far more intrusive.
Cllr Peter Golds OBE represents Island Gardens and is the Leader of the Gonservative Group on Tower Hamlets Council
Notes to editors
1. This opinion piece featured in the East London Advertiser (Thursday 1 January, 2015)