FOI: 6186967 - Lutfar Rahman's Palace

Question 1. Is Tower Hamlets First still an active in Tower Hamlets? The Tower Hamlets First group is no longer an active political party in Tower Hamlets

2 How many employees that were part of Tower Hamlets First are still employed by LBTH? The former political advisor to the Tower Hamlets First group continues to be employed by LBTH, as the Political Advisor to the Tower Hamlets Independent Group. 3. Is Tower Hamlets Independent party an active registered Political party ? The Tower Hamlets Independent Group is a recognised group within the Council 4. How many of its members have affiliation with Tower Hamlets First? All Members of the Tower Hamlets Independent Group, were formerly affiliated with Tower Hamlets First. 5. What are the plan for the old Royal Hospital Road? The building was purchased to provide the site for a new civic centre for Tower Hamlets. 6. How much is it costing to LBTH to renovate it, into the New Town Hall? A capital estimate has not yet been adopted for the works that will be required to convert the former hospital site into the council’s new civic centre. An initial capital estimate of £3.35m was adopted in November 2015, for the professional fees required to design the new civic centre, as well as improvements to John Onslow House 7 Can you confirm that this is an official social media page funded by Tower Hamlets ? https://www.facebook.com/Tower-Hamlets-Independent-Group- 621194168022393/?fref=ts

This Facebook account is not one of the council’s corporate social media accounts and it is not funded by Tower Hamlets Council. The council has several corporate social media accounts, which are listed on our website. 8. This statement 'Tower Hamlets Independent Group of councillors and supporters, outside the old Royal London Hospital to celebrate the decision to transfer the Town Hall to this more central and iconic place. This was Mayor Lutfur Rahman's project which has been taken over by the current Mayor.' Can this be confirmed? After his election in June, the new , requested a review of council plans to move to Whitechapel, to ensure that the scheme provided the best option and value for money. The review looked at various refurbishment and new build options including the development of existing sites in Commercial Road and . Other important considerations included ensuring the best revenue savings for the council, income from the sale of surplus council owned buildings and delivery of new affordable housing. Following the outcome of the review, Mayor John Biggs approved the decision to relocate to Whitechapel at the council’s Cabinet meeting on 3rd November 2015. 9. Can you provide details the funding granted to run this page? There is no funding to run this social media account (see answer to question 7 above). 10. Can you confirm in the New Town Hall (as appearing in the 'New Town Hall Video' on Tower Hamlets Independent social media page), will be named Lutfur Rahman's Palace? This video was posted 10 months ago. No 11. Can the Legal Planning document be supplied? No. The scheme has not yet been submitted for planning and listed building consent. 12. Does this page breech Tower Hamlets Policy? It is not a breach of the council’s social media policy for political groups of the council to have social media accounts/pages such as this one. 13. Are there plans for Lutfur Rahman to return to Tower Hamlets?

Lutfur Rahman has been disqualified from office and the disqualification lasts for 5 years 14. Is this something Tower Hamlets Council will consider?

Once his disqualification has expired, Lutfur Rahman may stand as a candidate at future elections. 15. A trip was made to Calais November 2015 to 'the jungle', headed by Cllr Ohid Ahmed with members of Tower Hamlets Independent Party accompanying him, was this trip funded by LBTH? This trip was not funded by LBTH 16. Unite Against Islamophobia and Racism meeting. Wednesday 16.12.15 contains a non-English speaker, can translation be provided in English?

Not held 17. Can you confirm statements published on this social media page are also published in the public domain of Tower Hamlets Council website? This Facebook page is not supported by Tower Hamlets Council, and no statements have been reproduced on the borough’s website. 18. Local Ward Councillors, Aminur Khan, Abdul Asad and Shahed Ali, said

“We are delighted Mayor John Biggs has finally seen sense with our hard work, desire and vision to create our own ‘freehold’ Town Hall at the heart of the community here in Whitechapel. The former Royal London Hospital building will be a fitting tribute to the historical architectural beauty of this building which will remain in civic use for generations to come. No other site could possibly compete with this building and its location, and it remains the cheapest option. However most importantly, a car park is also required desperately in this area to ensure the market and local small businesses can continue and thrive. Visitors to the hospital also require a car park. We have always said that the Sainsbury’s site redevelopment can offer us the potential to create a car park that can then be used by all these groups. We now hope Mayor John Biggs will not ignore this golden opportunity which can secure the future of a car park provision for this area.”

Former Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor , said

“We need to ensure that Mayor Biggs involves the community, voluntary and third sector organisations, traders, businesses in the development of the new Town Hall. It is a shame that Mayor Biggs and the Labour Group refused to accept the Independent Group’s friendly amendment last night (18 November, 2015) at the full council meeting. I hope that after being forced to agree a project within the award winning Whitechapel Vision that I and colleagues have worked hard to deliver, Mayor Biggs will not ignore local community and key stakeholders. Let's not forget that the Whitechapel Vision will help build much needed homes, will generate jobs and sustain enterprise."

Is it confirmed that Mayor John Biggs was forced into agreeing to this project under the pressures of Tower Hamlets Independent Party as Rabina Khan states?

Mayor Biggs decision to approve the relocation was informed by the value for money review he commissioned after his election. There is no indication that the Mayor was influenced by the views of Cllr Khan. 19. Does this constitute Misfeasance in public office for the benefits of previous Mayor Lutfur Rahman?

The decision taken by Mayor Biggs accorded with the established legal principles upon local authority decision-making derived from Associated Provincial Picture Houses v Wednesday Corporation [1947] EWCA Civ1, known as ‘Wednesday reasonableness’. Mayor Biggs took account of all relevant factors and did not take account of any irrelevant factors. His decision was not so unreasonable that no reasonable authority would ever consider taking it.

Regardless of historic decisions the decision of Mayor Biggs stands alone, meets all legal requirements and is valid.