Tower Hamlets: Motions our six councillors will put to the full council meeting on 22nd April

CONTROL OVER SEX ENCOUNTER VENUES
Moved by Councillor Abjol Miah, Seconded by Councillor Harun Miah

1) This council notes

1. the rapid growth of lap dancing clubs in the wake of changes to licensing legislation in 2003 which allow lap dancing clubs to set up on the basis of a premises licence, which is the same licence as applies to cafes and restaurants
   
   
2. that the government has attempted to address this problem by including in Clause 25 of the Policing and Crime bill currently going through parliament which creates a new licensing category of "sex encounter venues"
   
   
3. that Clause 25 of the Policing and Crime Bill makes the licensing provisions for "sex encounter venues" optional on councils and also includes a frequency-based exemption.
   
   
4. that Tower Hamlets residents do not want Tower Hamlets to be a dumping ground for "sex encounter venues" for City slickers, especially as the Corporation of the City of London prevents such clubs from opening in the City of London.

1. that we are facing a very severe recession which may even become a depression
   
   
2. that the recession is badly affecting trade in Tower Hamlets historic markets
   
   
3. that Tower Hamlets historic markets provide employment and income for many people in Tower Hamlets and a vital and cheap source of products to Tower Hamlets residents
   
   
4. that recent rises in charges for market stalls are adversely impacting on traders facing falling sales in the wake of the recession
   
   
5. that vital consumers both resident in Tower Hamlets and coming into Tower Hamlets from other boroughs are being discouraged from using our historic markets through a lack of parking, high parking charges and a draconian regime of parking control including penalty notices and tow-aways.

1. that council officers draw up an emergency plan to assist traders in difficulty with their stall charges including investigating the possibility of rent reductions and holidays.
   
   
2. that council officers draw up plans to make parking free for longer in the vicinity of markets and explore the possibility of making more parking spaces available, at least on a temporary basis, at the times that markets are trading.

1. the terrible fire which destroyed the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, Harley Grove, Bow on 16th March 2009
   
   
2. the anguish, upset and anger this has caused in the Sikh community
   
   
3. the efforts of council officers to ensure that facilities are found for the members of the Gurdwara to continue their worship
   
   
4. that the police are giving the investigation of the causes of the fire and the identification of any perpetrator a very high priority
   
   
5. that the concerns for and sympathy with the Bow Gurdwara members and the Sikh Community extends across people of all faiths and none in Tower Hamlets
   

1. anyone who knows anything about the fire to contact the police and to co-operate fully in their investigation
   
   
2. the police and other authorities including the council to continue to give this issue a very high priority and to provie all teh help and support they can to the members of the Bow Gurdwara
   

1. the proliferation of Tescos Metro and Express stores across Tower Hamlets
   
   
2. the concerns of many small, local businesses that their businesses will be adversely affected by the opening of more Tescos stores
   
   
3. the concerns of residents about the dominant position Tescos is assuming across Tower Hamlets and the loss of choice that this may entail

1. residents of council housing in Tower Hamlets have been conned into transferring to Housing Associations with promises of better services, investment, etc.
   
   
2. the widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of Housing Associations by the residents of these Housing associations
   
   
3. the severe financial difficulties a number of Housing Associations are now in as a result of the economic crisis
   
   
4. the concerns residents have about developments which may lead to significant blight to their environment and to other services in the area such as schooling

1. there needs to be a crash council house building programme, not only to address the problems of the 23,000 people on the council's waiting list, the massive overcrowding in Tower Hamlets and the poor condition of some housing, but also to boost the construction industry which is in meltdown and to boost the economy more generally
   
   
2. a programme of 100% council home building would both address the crisis and address the problems of blight produced by over-development
   

1. to bring the council housing stock that has been transferred to housing associations back into council ownership
   
   
2. resumes the process of direct investment in council housing, particularly here in Tower Hamlets, where a fraction of the taxpayers money thrown at the banks will resolve much of the housing crisis in Tower Hamlets and beyond