Tower Hamlets becomes a “Responsible Drinking Borough”
Britbangla Desk:Tower Hamlets Council is introducing a public order to give police and council enforcement officers new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by people drinking alcohol in public places.
The order comes into effect on 1 March 2018. It means that people who are being anti-social and drinking alcohol in a public place could be issued with an on the spot fine up to £100. Fines of up to £500 could be issued if they are convicted for being anti-social and refusing to stop drinking when asked to by a police officer or enforcement officer.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said:
“Residents have told us that anti-social behaviour and crime linked to excessive alcohol consumption is an issue across the whole of Tower Hamlets.
“This order provides reassurance to law-abiding residents that something is being done to tackle these issues and gives police and council enforcement officers additional powers to target those who cause misery to others.”
Councillor Asma Begum, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, added:
“This order will only be used to tackle the poor behaviour that our residents face when people drink to excess.
“By making it borough wide, we can ensure that the whole of Tower Hamlets has equal protection from bad behaviour. I look forward to the improvement it will bring to our residents’ quality of life.”
An extensive 6 week public consultation took place in February – March 2016 to decide whether the order should be introduced.
84 per cent of residents, businesses, charities, partner organisations and licensees were in favour of introducing a Responsible Drinking Borough order.
Street drinkers in the borough will continue to be offered advice and support into treatment services to help them address their addictions, move out of the ‘street lifestyle’ and address their anti-social behaviour.
Signs have been placed in prominent locations across the borough to inform residents and visitors of the public order and its implications to them.
Alcohol related anti-social behaviour can be reported by calling the Police Non-Emergency Number, 101.
Mayor marks start of work on new council housing
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs has marked the start of on–site preparatory work ahead of construction of 33 council homes at Locksley site A on Rhodeswell Road in Mile End.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggssaid:
“With the London housing crisis hitting hard in the East End I am committed to building new genuinely affordable council homes.
“These new council homes will help meet the urgent needs of our residents, by providing 77 families with an affordable, high quality, council rent home.
Darren Gill, Managing Director – London and South East Housing forBouygues UK,said:
“Housing projects are a key focus for us and we’re delighted to be working again with Tower Hamlets on new, high-quality accessible council homes at the Locksley estate while also creating local employment and apprenticeship opportunities. It’s a key moment for us as a company and for local residents.”
Cllr Sirajul Islam Statutory Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Housing,said:
“These accessible homes are much needed and long awaited. This is a council delivering new genuinely affordable high quality family, council homes and it’s great to see the work commencing.”
Locksley A –This will provide 33 council homes. Work will commence on the site shortly and the development will complete in summer 2020, featuring a mix of one, two and three-bedroom accommodation.
As well as Locksley, two other developments will also commence work this year:
Jubilee Street in StepneyE1 is developing on the site and will deliver 24 council homes including one, two, three and four-bedroom dwellings, 10% of which will be wheelchair accessible.
Baroness Road in Bethnal Green E2 will provide 20 new council homes including one, two and three-bedroom dwellings, 10% of which will be wheelchair accessible.
Also attending the launch event were two apprentices from Tower Hamlets Council Niamul Haque, and Ismail Hussain who will be working on project management of these schemes and the councils new build programme giving them an opportunity to develop a range of skills.
As part of the contract with Bouygues UK, the contractor will be expected to use local labour and will work with the council’s employment programme Workpath as part of the process to achieve this.
The 77 new homes will enable residents in need who are currently on the council’s housing register to be accommodated in the three new developments.
Council scheme for owner occupier residents on benefits for new boilers, heating controls and insulation to heat their homes during winter
Mrs Marina Martin warmed to the occasion as she received the Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste Cllr Rachel Blake this week.
As winter weather continued, Mrs Martin of Warner Place, Nelson Gardens – was marking the receipt of her free new boiler – that she has had fitted under the council’s Boiler replacement Programme.
The Council is now accepting applications for the scheme which allows replacement of old inefficient gas boilers and broken radiators as well as upgrading heating controls. In addition to any boiler replacements, residents may also be eligible for help with draught proofing and insulation.
Mrs Martin of Warner Place said: “I’m delighted with my new boiler that was fitted under the council’s boiler replacement scheme.” It’s been a very cold winter and my last boiler needed replacing – it’s been a real help to get the new one so efficiently.”
Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: “In the week of fuel poverty awareness day it’s important we do what we can to support people to stay warm this winter. The Council’s boiler replacement scheme and support for insulation can really help so residents should find out if they qualify.”
Cllr Rachel Blake Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Waste said:
“We are determined to support our residents by tackling fuel poverty. This means investing £200,000 from our Carbon Fund into a new pilot programme to install efficient boilers across the borough. In return this allows residents to save up to a third on their gas bill.
I encourage residents to take advantage of this programme. We are using funding to reduce carbon emissions whilst improving lives by making homes in the Borough more energy efficient.
To be eligible for the scheme your property must be leasehold or freehold and you qualify as follows:
The home owner must live in the property and be in receipt of at least one of the below benefits. If the home owner is not in receipt of any of the qualifying benefits, a family member who also lives in the property can qualify if they are on one of the below benefits.
- Attendance Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Universal Credit
There must be an existing non-condensing gas boiler. Residents can check the make and model on the Home Heating Guide website under the efficiency ratings section to verify this.
The existing boiler will be replaced with an ‘A’ rated Vaillant condensing boiler with upgraded heating controls. In addition to this, the council will also insulate and draught proof the home where possible.
The council carries out a Land Registry check to verify the property ownership and residents need to provide proof of benefits. All work is subject to a technical survey.
To apply for the scheme or for more information, please contact abdul.monnan@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 0800 508 8364.
To apply for the scheme or for more information, please contact abdul.monnan@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 0800 508 8364.
