Mufeedah Bustin | Councillor for Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

Labour Party Island Gardens

Email: Mufeedah.Bustin@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Audit Committee (Member, Chair) Strategic Development Committee (Substitute) Council (Member) Transformation and Assurance Board (Member) Development Committee (Member) Appointments Sub Committee (Member) Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Substitute)

Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary

Last updated: 8 days ago

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin's council service, spanning from 2024 to 2026, reveals a consistent dedication to robust governance, thorough scrutiny, and advocating for community interests, with a marked increase in focus on financial oversight and pragmatic decision-making in recent years.

Key Themes and Priorities: Throughout her service, Bustin has consistently prioritized effective governance and financial accountability. This is evident in her persistent questioning of financial statements, audit procedures, and the rationale behind council spending. She has also demonstrated a strong commitment to community impact, frequently raising concerns about how council decisions affect residents, particularly regarding development projects, public spaces, and the sustainability of community initiatives. A recurring theme is her demand for comprehensive information and evidence-based decision-making, often pushing back against proposals lacking sufficient detail or community consultation.

Evolution of Focus: While her earlier engagement in 2024 showed a broad interest in strategic development, audit, and development matters, with a focus on questioning planning applications and financial governance, her priorities appear to have sharpened and deepened in 2025. In 2025, she took on a more prominent role as Chair of the Audit Committee, actively driving improvements in its procedures and demanding greater accountability. Her concerns about financial matters became more specific, addressing overspending, pension valuations, and affordable housing figures. Her pragmatic approach to development, exemplified by her strong stance on the market rent for a community farm, indicates a growing emphasis on the tangible, often critical, consequences of council policies on community organizations.

Most Significant Contributions (Recent Years): In 2025, Bustin's leadership as Chair of the Audit Committee was a significant contribution, where she actively pushed for improved meeting procedures, detailed action plans, and clear ownership of recommendations. Her pointed questioning regarding the suitability of executive members on the Audit Committee also highlighted her commitment to independent oversight. In 2024, her vocal opposition to the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order for dogs, citing community concerns and a lack of evidence, and her memorable quote,

The best value inspection report criticises this council for pushing ahead with initiatives without a coherent strategy or without a detailed evidence base. The same report also criticises the council for not undertaking meaningful and comprehensive consultation. I would urge this administration to hear the concerns of the community. Who are the experts here? Let's be honest. They're the experts about dogs. I would urge the administration to take the proposal and in the words of my hero Snoop Dogg, drop it like its drop.

, demonstrates her willingness to challenge decisions and advocate strongly for resident voices.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: Bustin consistently demonstrates a pattern of diligent scrutiny, demanding detailed information and questioning the rationale behind council proposals. Her commitment to resident engagement is also a constant, as seen in her calling in decisions related to park licenses and her strong stance on the dog PSPO. She has a clear interest in financial probity and ensuring that council resources are managed effectively and transparently. Her approach is characterized by a pragmatic, evidence-based, and community-focused perspective.

Recent Activity (2026): In the most recent year, 2026, Mufeedah Bustin's recorded activity was limited to her attendance as a Deputy at the Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee on January 12th. While her presence indicates continued engagement with council proceedings, no specific statements or actions were noted during this particular engagement, suggesting a period of observation or less active participation in this instance.

Yearly Activity Timeline

In 2026, Mufeedah Bustin's recorded activity was limited to her attendance as a Deputy at the Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee on January 12th. No specific statements or actions were noted for her during this engagement.

Monthly Activity in 2026

During January 2026, Mufeedah Bustin attended the Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee on January 12th in her capacity as a Deputy for the committee. No specific statements or actions were recorded for her during this meeting.

Meetings in January 2026

Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 12th January, 2026 6.30 p.m. - 12 January 2026

Mufeedah Bustin attended the Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 2026-01-12 in her capacity as a Deputy for the committee. No specific statements or actions were recorded for her in the provided documents.

Throughout 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin demonstrated consistent engagement across various council committees, with activity recorded in 11 months. Her contributions frequently centered on ensuring robust governance, effective financial oversight, and thoughtful consideration of community impact. As Chair of the Audit Committee for a significant portion of the year, she actively drove improvements in meeting procedures, demanding detailed action plans, clear ownership of recommendations, and the integration of external review findings. She consistently sought clarification on financial matters, including overspending, pension valuations, and affordable housing figures, and emphasized the importance of management accountability. In Development Committee meetings, Bustin showed a pragmatic approach, often seeking detailed information and raising concerns about community impact, such as the relocation of a playground and the potential impact of market rent on a community farm, stating that it would be a death sentence for the charity. She also advocated for the thoroughness of Equality Impact Assessments and questioned the suitability of executive members on the Audit Committee, noting that while permitted, it was not ideal. Her participation in council meetings also included commending the achievements of children and expressing support for community initiatives. She was also present at the Annual Meeting of the Council and various sub-committee meetings, including those for appointments.

Monthly Activity in 2025

During December 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in the Audit Committee meeting on December 3rd. She introduced herself as the representative for Island Gardens and expressed concerns about the suitability of an Executive member serving on the Audit Committee, stating,

while the terms of reference permit an Executive member to be part of the Audit Committee, it is not ideal.

She also requested the maintenance of the action log, inquired about the absence of a detailed action plan for the second recommendation on Internal Controls, and sought the integration of LGA Peer Review Challenge findings into the Annual Governance Statement. Additionally, Councillor Bustin asked for a breakdown of anti-fraud cases handled under the Whistleblowing policy, including the types and nature of these cases. On December 15th, she was listed as a Deputy for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, though no specific statements or actions were recorded for her in that meeting.

Meetings in December 2025

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 15 December 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was listed as a Deputy for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. No specific statements or actions were recorded for her in the provided documents.

Audit Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 3 December 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, introduced herself at the Audit Committee meeting. She commented that while the terms of reference permit an Executive member to be part of the Audit Committee, it is not ideal. Councillor Bustin requested that the action log be maintained and inquired about the absence of a detailed action plan for the second recommendation concerning Internal Controls. She also remarked that the findings from the LGA Peer Review Challenge should be integrated into the Annual Governance Statement and asked for a breakdown of anti-fraud cases handled under the Whistleblowing policy, specifying the types and nature of these cases.

During the November 27th, 2025 Development Committee meeting, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens Ward, declared no conflicts of interest. She also raised a question regarding the importance of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) in the decision-making process, especially in light of the unknown future operator of the cinema.

Meetings in November 2025

Development Committee - Thursday, 27th November, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 27 November 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens Ward, declared she had no conflicts of interest at the start of the meeting. Later, she inquired about the significance of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) in the decision-making process, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the future operator of the cinema.

Council - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 19 November 2025

Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Council meeting on November 19, 2025. However, the provided documents do not contain any record of them making any statements or taking any specific actions during the meeting.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 12th November, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 12 November 2025

Mufeedah Bustin did not say or do anything in this meeting.

During October 2025, Mufeedah Bustin sent her apologies for the Development Committee meeting held on Thursday, 16th October, 2025. There is no record of her participation in discussions or actions during this meeting.

Meetings in October 2025

Development Committee - Thursday, 16th October, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 16 October 2025

Mufeedah Bustin sent her apologies for the Development Committee meeting on Thursday, 16th October, 2025. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during the meeting.

Council - Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 8 October 2025

Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Council meeting on October 8, 2025. However, the available documents do not contain any record of specific actions or statements made by them during the meeting.

During September 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin attended the Interviews for the Director of Corporate Properties and Estates, Appointment Sub-Committee meeting. She also participated in the Development Committee meeting, where she noted that she had not yet responded to resident emails concerning an application. Additionally, she confirmed attending an event with the applicant's CEO, but stated that no application-related discussions occurred.

Meetings in September 2025

Development Committee - Thursday, 11th September, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 11 September 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, stated that she had not responded to emails from residents regarding the application. She also declared that she attended an event where the applicant's CEO was present, but confirmed that no discussions about the application took place.

Interviews for the Director of Corporate Properties and Estates, Appointment Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 9th September, 2025 2.00 p.m. - 9 September 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Interviews for the Director of Corporate Properties and Estates, Appointment Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025. There is no record of her making any statements or taking any specific actions during the meeting.

In August 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin participated in the Appointment Sub-Committee meeting on August 18th, 2025, related to shortlisting for the Director Corporate Property and Estates position. She was present in person. However, the available record does not indicate any specific statements or actions attributed to her during the meeting.

Meetings in August 2025

Shortlisting for Director Corporate Property and Estates, Appointment Sub-Committee - Monday, 18th August, 2025 6.00 p.m. - 18 August 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was a member of the Appointment Sub-Committee and was present in person at the meeting held on August 18, 2025. However, the provided document does not contain any record of specific statements or actions attributed to her during the meeting.

During July 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was actively involved in several council meetings. She was welcomed to the Transformation and Assurance Board and served as a Deputy for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. In the Council meeting on July 16th, Bustin passionately defended the Mudshute Park and Farm petition, highlighting its widespread support and warning that imposing market rent would be a death sentence for the charity. She urged the administration to reconsider the policy. At the Development Committee meeting on July 24th, she engaged with a planning application for 5 Park Drive, seeking clarity on the layout and public access. While acknowledging concerns, she ultimately leaned towards granting permission, citing the importance of supporting businesses in the current economic climate. Bustin made significant contributions to the Audit Committee on July 28th, congratulating the Chair, reiterating her view on executive member exclusion from the committee, and questioning the absence of a risk paper and detailed action plan. She advocated for improved meeting conduct, suggesting parking political discussions and sticking to one question at a time. She also raised concerns about the previous audit's scope and testing, inquiring about measures to ensure the current audit's completion. Furthermore, Bustin requested a breakdown of increased Chief Executive expenditure, emphasized incorporating LGA Peer Review findings into the Annual Governance Statement, and asked about anti-fraud cases under the Whistleblowing policy. She also praised the finance teams for their work on the draft statement of accounts. Councillor Bustin was also present at the Appointments Sub Committee meeting on July 29th.

Meetings in July 2025

Strategic Development Committee - Thursday, 31st July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 31 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was a Substitute Member of the Strategic Development Committee. However, the available documentation does not indicate that she spoke or participated in the meeting.

Longlisting for Director Corporate Property and Estates, Appointment Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 29th July, 2025 5.40 p.m. - 29 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Appointments Sub Committee meeting on Tuesday, 29th July, 2025. There is no record of her making any statements or taking any actions during the meeting.

Audit Committee - Monday, 28th July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 28 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin made several key contributions to the Audit Committee meeting. She congratulated the Chair on their new role and reiterated her annual concern that best practice for the committee's membership would be to exclude members of the executive entirely, rather than the stated maximum of one. She also questioned the absence of a risk paper in the pack, despite risk being mentioned in the terms of reference and on the work plan, and sought clarification on why a detailed action plan for the second recommendation regarding Internal Controls had not been provided.

Councillor Bustin advocated for improved meeting conduct, suggesting that potentially political discussions be parked to keep the agenda moving and that sticking to one question at a time would maintain flow and ensure everyone had an opportunity to ask questions. She also requested the resurrection of the matters arising document to track agreed actions from previous meetings.

Regarding the audit plan, she raised concerns about the previous audit's scope and testing, citing insufficient time, delays in information provision, and potential resource constraints. She inquired about measures in place to ensure the planned testing for the current audit would be completed.

Furthermore, Councillor Bustin asked for a breakdown of the reasons behind a significant increase in the Chief Executive's gross expenditure on the INE statement. She also remarked that the findings of the LGA Peer Review Challenge needed to be incorporated into the Annual Governance Statement and requested details on the types of anti-fraud cases handled under the Whistleblowing policy.

Finally, she echoed Councillor Ahmed's praise for the finance teams' work on the draft statement of accounts, thanking them for their efforts and for their explanations on the HRA and fixed assets.

Development Committee - Thursday, 24th July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 24 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin actively participated in the Development Committee meeting on July 24, 2025, focusing on the planning application for 5 Park Drive. She sought clarification on the proposed layout of a raised seating area, inquiring about its relationship with tables and chairs and the extent of public space loss. Councillor Bustin also expressed concerns about the clarity of public access to the walkway, sharing her personal experience of feeling like she was walking through a restaurant. Despite some colleagues' inclination to refuse the application, Councillor Bustin stated her inclination to agree with the officers' recommendation to grant permission. She reasoned that encouraging restaurants to thrive is important given the current economic climate and high cost of living. She believed officers had demonstrated alternative routes and that the boardwalk was sufficiently wide for various users, including those with pushchairs and wheelchairs, and children, while acknowledging its proximity to the water's edge. She concluded that she saw no strong reasons to refuse the application.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 21st July, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 21 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was listed as a Deputy for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. No specific statements or actions were recorded for her in the provided documents.

Council - Wednesday, 16th July, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 16 July 2025

During the Council meeting on July 16, 2025, Mufeedah Bustin spoke passionately in support of the Mudshute Park and Farm petition. She emphasized the significant public support for the petition, noting that everyone on the island is talking about it and that over 6,000 people have signed. Bustin highlighted the severe financial consequences of charging market rent for the farm, stating that a rent of £1.8 million on a charity with a £2 million turnover would be a death sentence. She argued that the Mudshute Farm's unique work cannot be addressed by a generic policy and that exceptions have been made previously. Bustin urged the administration to stop. Take that 30 seconds to stop and think.

Transformation and Assurance Board - Monday, 14th July, 2025 3.00 p.m. - 14 July 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was welcomed to the Transformation and Assurance Board meeting and invited to introduce herself.

During June 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in two council meetings. In the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on June 11th, she focused on the accuracy of meeting minutes, correcting her own vote on the education subcommittee and questioning details regarding Councillor Abu Choudhury's apologies. She also sought clarification on nomination processes for community safety and inquired about handling conflicts of interest, particularly with former cabinet members. Additionally, she asked about Councillor Goulam Kibriya Choudhury's attendance concerning the domicile care topic. In the Development Committee on June 26th, Councillor Bustin inquired about consultation boundaries and the resolution of an objection regarding mobility scooter storage, stating that the report and presentation had addressed all her questions.

Meetings in June 2025

Development Committee - Thursday, 26th June, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 26 June 2025

Mufeedah Bustin inquired about the consultation boundary and the resolution of an objection concerning mobility scooter storage. She also stated that the report and presentation had addressed all her questions.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 11 June 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on June 11, 2025, primarily focusing on the accuracy of previous meeting minutes and raising concerns about conflicts of interest. She questioned the minutes regarding Councillor Abu Choudhury's apologies and corrected her own vote on the education subcommittee, clarifying she voted in favor. Councillor Bustin also sought clarification on the nomination process for community safety, specifically concerning Councillor Islam's withdrawal and Councillor Abdi's subsequent nomination. She requested guidance on how to handle conflicts of interest, particularly when former cabinet members are involved in discussions, and inquired about Councillor Goulam Kibriya Choudhury's attendance at the next meeting due to the domicile care topic.

During the Annual Meeting of the Council on May 14th, 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present and addressed the meeting. She congratulated Shupriya on her new role and thanked the Speaker for their service and impartiality in managing council proceedings and allowing for debate and resident concerns to be heard. Councillor Bustin also humorously expressed a desire to one day hold the Speaker's position.

Meetings in May 2025

Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 14th May, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 14 May 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Annual Meeting of the Council. She addressed the meeting following the Speaker's address, offering congratulations to Shupriya on her new role and thanking the Speaker for their service over the past 12 months. Councillor Bustin acknowledged the Speaker's efforts in maintaining order within the chamber and specifically praised their impartiality in allowing time for debate and for petitioners to voice their concerns, ensuring residents felt heard. She also made a lighthearted remark about her own seating position, expressing a hope to one day occupy the Speaker's seat.

During April 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin served as the Chair of the Audit Committee. In this capacity, she guided the committee's proceedings, including moving motions to extend meeting durations and to exclude the press and public for restricted agenda items. Councillor Bustin made several recommendations to enhance the committee's effectiveness, such as creating an action log for minutes, requesting reports on data cleanse exercises and pension valuations, and suggesting extraordinary meetings for in-depth discussions on internal audit work, performance, and risk management. She also proposed informal meetings to review workplans and expressed concerns regarding the Audit Committee's composition and the Best Value Inspection report. Councillor Bustin actively sought clarification on financial matters, questioning overspending in the HRA, the reduction of Pension Assets, and the methodology for affordable housing figures. She also commented on the Annual Governance Statement, highlighting an imbalance in the assessment of external reviews, and stressed the importance of management taking ownership of action plans for internal control recommendations. Additionally, she inquired about the implementation of new Global Internal Audit Standards and the potential for Treasury Management training for committee members.

Meetings in April 2025

Development Committee - Thursday, 24th April, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 24 April 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin sent apologies for absence from the Development Committee meeting on April 24, 2025. It is noted that she was present at a previous Development Committee meeting on February 6, 2025, but there is no record of any statements or actions made by her at that earlier meeting.

Audit Committee - Thursday, 24th April, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 24 April 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin served as the Chair of the Audit Committee during the meetings on December 4, 2024, February 24, 2025, and March 13, 2025. In her role as Chair, she actively guided the committee's proceedings, moving motions to extend meeting durations and to exclude the press and public for restricted agenda items. Councillor Bustin made numerous requests and recommendations aimed at improving the committee's effectiveness and oversight. She advocated for the creation of an action log for minutes, requested reports on data cleanse exercises and pension valuations, and recommended scheduling extraordinary meetings to deep dive into internal audit work, performance, and risk management. She also suggested informal meetings to discuss workplans and raised concerns about the composition of the Audit Committee and the Best Value Inspection report. Councillor Bustin frequently sought clarification on financial matters, questioning overspending in the HRA, the reduction of Pension Assets, and the derivation of affordable housing figures. She also commented on the Annual Governance Statement, noting an imbalance in its assessment of external reviews, and emphasized the need for management ownership of action plans for internal control recommendations. She also inquired about the implementation of new Global Internal Audit Standards and the possibility of organizing Treasury Management training for committee members.

Council - Wednesday, 2nd April, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 2 April 2025

Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Council meeting on April 2, 2025. She had previously attended the Council meeting on January 22, 2025. During the meeting, she participated in recorded votes related to budget amendments. She voted in favor of Councillor Francis's amendment, against Councillor Bienfait's amendment, and against the main budget motion.

During March 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in three council meetings. In the Appointments Sub Committee meetings on March 5th and March 25th, she raised concerns about the late publication of supplementary agendas, requesting more notice for future meetings. She also indicated her intention to abstain from voting at the March 5th meeting. As Chair of the Audit Committee on March 13th, she opened the extraordinary meeting, welcomed attendees, and initiated introductions. She commented positively on the action plan for Recommendation One, expected management ownership for Recommendation Two's actions, and noted that progress would be reported quarterly. The committee did not agree to the council's response to Recommendation Three pending a more detailed action plan. She also sought clarification on a statutory recommendation and whether a specific paragraph had been completed, before moving to exclude the press and public.

Meetings in March 2025

Interview for the post of Director of Housing Property and Asset Management, Appointments Sub Committee - Tuesday, 25th March, 2025 10.00 a.m. - 25 March 2025

During the Appointments Sub Committee meeting on March 5, 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin expressed concerns regarding the late distribution of the supplementary agenda, requesting that officers ensure future agendas are provided with more notice to members. She also stated her intention to abstain from the vote at that meeting.

Extraordinary, Audit Committee - Thursday, 13th March, 2025 6.45 p.m. - 13 March 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, as Chair of the Audit Committee, opened the meeting and welcomed attendees, explaining the procedure for introductions and declarations of interest. She stated: > Good evening, everyone. I'm Mufeedah Bustin. I'm a councillor in Island Gardens and chair of the audit committee. Welcome to tonight's extraordinary audit committee meeting. She initiated the introductions and declarations. Regarding the council's responses to recommendations, she commented that the action plan for Recommendation One was helpful. For Recommendation Two, she expected actions to be owned by management, not Internal Audit, and summarized that progress would be reported quarterly, with Directors invited to explain limited assurance recommendations, and that officers needed to consider a handover process. The committee did not agree to the council's response to Recommendation Three pending a more detailed action plan. She sought clarification on whether the statutory recommendation specifically referred to agency workers and asked if paragraph 3.7 of the report had been completed. Finally, she moved the motion to exclude the press and public for the remainder of the meeting.

Shortlisting for the Post of Director of Housing Property and Asset Management, Appointments Sub Committee - Wednesday, 5th March, 2025 5.00 p.m. - 5 March 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin raised concerns regarding the late publication of the supplementary agenda, requesting that officers ensure future agendas are provided with more notice. She also stated that she would be abstaining from the vote at this meeting.

During February 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin participated in two council meetings. In the Development Committee meeting on February 6th, she introduced herself, declared no interests, and raised questions about the management, operation, and lease terms of the community hub and public toilets. While she found the presentation good, she expressed reservations about the weight of certain public benefits, specifically questioning the significance of a cut-through at Porter's Row. Despite these reservations, she indicated a likelihood to support the officer's recommendation to grant permission, stating,

I could see no other reason to refuse.

On February 24th, Councillor Bustin served as the Chair of the Audit Committee during an Extraordinary Audit Committee meeting. No specific statements or actions were recorded for her in the report pack for this meeting.

Meetings in February 2025

Extraordinary - , Audit Committee - Monday, 24th February, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 24 February 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin served as the Chair of the Audit Committee during the Extraordinary Audit Committee meeting on February 24th, 2025. No specific statements or actions by Councillor Bustin were recorded in the provided report pack.

Development Committee - Thursday, 6th February, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 6 February 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin introduced herself and declared no interests. She raised questions regarding the management and operation of the community hub and public toilets, and inquired about the longest achievable lease term for the community hub. While she found the presentation good, she expressed reservations about the weight of some public benefits, specifically questioning the significance of a cut-through at Porter's Row. Despite these reservations, she stated she could see no other reason to refuse and was likely to support the officer's recommendation to grant permission.

During January 2025, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in two council meetings. In the Strategic Development Committee meeting on January 15th, she questioned the purpose and management of a proposed community building and expressed concerns about relocating a playground, citing personal observations of drug use. She agreed to defer a decision pending a report on planning permission conditions and ultimately voted in favor of granting it. In the Council meeting on January 22nd, Councillor Bustin commended the remarkable performance of children, stating,

I mean, sometimes it's hard enough to stand up and speak at these council meetings, but to stand up and sing is quite remarkable. So, well done to the children and well done to the council. This is an amazing achievement for our children and for the children of Tower Hamlets and it's something that we should all be celebrating.

She also acknowledged the hard work of those involved and expressed anticipation for an improvement plan.

Meetings in January 2025

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 28th January, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 28 January 2025

Mufeedah Bustin did not say or do anything recorded in the provided transcript for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on January 28th, 2025.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 15th January, 2025 6.30 p.m. - 22 January 2025

During the Strategic Development Committee meeting on January 15th, 2025, Mufeedah Bustin raised questions about the purpose and management of the proposed community building. She voiced significant concerns regarding the relocation of the playground, fearing it would not resolve issues of antisocial behavior and drug use, stating she had personally witnessed drug use in the car park during a site visit. Bustin agreed to defer the decision to allow officers to prepare a report on planning permission conditions. Ultimately, she voted in favor of granting planning permission.

Council - Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025 7.00 p.m. - 22 January 2025

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin commended the children for their remarkable performance, stating,

I mean, sometimes it's hard enough to stand up and speak at these council meetings, but to stand up and sing is quite remarkable. So, well done to the children and well done to the council. This is an amazing achievement for our children and for the children of Tower Hamlets and it's something that we should all be celebrating.

She acknowledged the significant hard work behind the achievement and expressed gratitude to Susanna, Habon and their team, as well as Steve and others. Councillor Bustin also indicated anticipation for the improvement plan and its progress.

Throughout 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin demonstrated consistent engagement across various council committees, with a particular focus on strategic development, audit, and development matters. A recurring theme in her contributions was a commitment to thorough scrutiny and a demand for comprehensive information before decisions are made. She frequently questioned planning applications, seeking detailed information on aspects like private garden space, noise mitigation, public access, and affordable housing. Councillor Bustin also showed a strong interest in the financial governance of the council, expressing concerns about the Annual Governance Statement being a PR exercise and questioning internal audit assessments and financial risk provisions. She advocated for community needs, supporting housing developments and community centers, and emphasizing the importance of modern play facilities in new schemes. Councillor Bustin was also a vocal proponent of resident engagement, calling in decisions related to park licenses due to concerns about commercial event extensions and lack of consultation. Her participation in the Extraordinary Meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee highlighted her commitment to proper procedure, as she expressed concern about being asked to sign off on a significant contract without full information. Towards the end of the year, she continued to address traffic management and audit timeline issues, and notably spoke out against a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order for dogs, urging the administration to withdraw it based on community concerns and a lack of evidence, quoting Snoop Dogg:

The best value inspection report criticises this council for pushing ahead with initiatives without a coherent strategy or without a detailed evidence base. The same report also criticises the council for not undertaking meaningful and comprehensive consultation. I would urge this administration to hear the concerns of the community. Who are the experts here? Let's be honest. They're the experts about dogs. I would urge the administration to take the proposal and in the words of my hero Snoop Dogg, drop it like its drop.

Monthly Activity in 2024

As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mufeedah Bustin presided over the December 4th meeting, focusing on objectivity and addressing the Best Value Inspection Report. She managed the agenda, facilitated introductions and declarations of interest, and addressed the minutes of the previous meeting, agreeing to Councillor Francis's suggestion for an action log: > Thank you, Councillor Francis. Yes, I agree. That would be really helpful if you could make that change. That would be useful.

Bustin introduced reports from Deloitte and EY, inviting presentations and questions. She inquired about the materiality of risks associated with members' data, asking: > So, this was something that was raised previously, and I would appreciate your comments around whether it's a material risk, what's the liability, what direction it goes in, you know, what's the issue for audit committee that we need to be aware of?

She summarized the situation regarding financial statements with disclaimers and requested a note about an upcoming report. Bustin also expressed appreciation for Deloitte's work, echoing Councillor Francis's sentiment: > Thank you, Councillor Francis. And absolutely, I just want to echo that as well. So, thank you very much, Jonathan and Angus, for all of your hard work and persistence over the last six years with Tower Hamlets. I think we've all valued your time and your commitment. And particularly, I understood that Angus had actually retired a few years ago. So, thank you for coming out of retirement to support with the closure of these audits. So, I wish you both well. Thank you. You're very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting, but I totally understand if you need to leave. Thank you.

She facilitated discussion on the EY Audit Status Report, directing questions to relevant parties, including Asan regarding land and property valuation, and inquired about support the committee could offer the finance team.

Meetings in December 2024

, Audit Committee - Wednesday, 4th December, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 4 December 2024

As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mufeedah Bustin presided over the meeting, ensuring it remained objective and focused. She opened the meeting, acknowledged past leadership, and addressed the Best Value Inspection Report. She guided the committee through the agenda, inviting members to introduce themselves, declare interests, and approve the minutes of the previous meeting. She addressed concerns about the accuracy of the minutes, acknowledging suggestions for improvements, such as Councillor Francis's action log proposal, stating:

Thank you, Councillor Francis. Yes, I agree. That would be really helpful if you could make that change. That would be useful.

Bustin introduced reports from Deloitte and EY, inviting presentations and facilitating questions from the committee. She specifically inquired about the materiality of risks associated with members' data, asking:

So, this was something that was raised previously, and I would appreciate your comments around whether it's a material risk, what's the liability, what direction it goes in, you know, what's the issue for audit committee that we need to be aware of?

She summarized the situation regarding financial statements with disclaimers and requested a note be made about an upcoming report. Bustin also expressed appreciation for Deloitte's work, echoing Councillor Francis's sentiment:

Thank you, Councillor Francis. And absolutely, I just want to echo that as well. So, thank you very much, Jonathan and Angus, for all of your hard work and persistence over the last six years with Tower Hamlets. I think we've all valued your time and your commitment. And particularly, I understood that Angus had actually retired a few years ago. So, thank you for coming out of retirement to support with the closure of these audits. So, I wish you both well. Thank you. You're very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting, but I totally understand if you need to leave. Thank you.

She facilitated discussion on the EY Audit Status Report, directing questions to relevant parties, including Asan regarding land and property valuation, and inquiring about support the committee could offer the finance team.

During November 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in several council meetings. She attended the Strategic Development Committee on November 13th as a substitute, identifying herself as the feeder busting counsellor for Island Gardens. She participated in discussions regarding the Blackwall Way Jetty, asking questions of objectors, the applicant, and officers, and declared a prior meeting with Jeff Simons concerning other sites. On November 20th, during the Council meeting, Bustin spoke in favor of the petitioners regarding the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dogs. She shared personal anecdotes about her mother-in-law's dog's positive impact on her well-being and questioned the effectiveness of leash laws, citing that most dog bites to children occur at home. She urged the administration to withdraw the proposal, quoting Snoop Dogg:

The best value inspection report criticises this council for pushing ahead with initiatives without a coherent strategy or without a detailed evidence base. The same report also criticises the council for not undertaking meaningful and comprehensive consultation. I would urge this administration to hear the concerns of the community. Who are the experts here? Let's be honest. They're the experts about dogs. I would urge the administration to take the proposal and in the words of my hero Snoop Dogg, drop it like its drop.

Finally, on November 28th, at the Development Committee meeting, she identified herself as the councillor for Island Gardens and made no declarations.

Meetings in November 2024

Development Committee - Thursday, 28th November, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 28 November 2024

During the Development Committee meeting on November 28, 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin identified herself as the councillor for Island Gardens and stated that she had no declarations to make.

Council - Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 20 November 2024

During the council meeting on November 20th, 2024, Mufeedah Bustin spoke during the debate on the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) regarding dogs. She shared personal experiences to support the petitioners' arguments, highlighting how her mother-in-law's dog has positively impacted her health, companionship, mental well-being, and social life. Bustin also raised concerns about the effectiveness of leash laws in preventing dog bites, noting that most bites to children occur at home from familiar dogs. She referenced the Best Value Inspection Report's criticisms of the council's lack of strategy and consultation, urging the administration to listen to community concerns and withdraw the proposal, quoting Snoop Dogg:

The best value inspection report criticises this council for pushing ahead with initiatives without a coherent strategy or without a detailed evidence base. The same report also criticises the council for not undertaking meaningful and comprehensive consultation. I would urge this administration to hear the concerns of the community. Who are the experts here? Let's be honest. They're the experts about dogs. I would urge the administration to take the proposal and in the words of my hero Snoop Dogg, drop it like its drop.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 13th November, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 13 November 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin attended the Strategic Development Committee meeting on 13th November 2024 as a substitute for Amir, specifically to hear item 6.1. She identified herself as a feeder busting counsellor for Island Gardens and declared no interests. In a previous meeting on 9th October 2024, she was present and introduced herself for item 4.2, PA/21/02707: Whitechapel Road Development Site, stating she had no disclosable pecuniary interests. During the discussion of item 5.1, PA/22/01749: Blackwall Way Jetty, she declared a prior meeting with Jeff Simons regarding other sites and actively participated by asking questions to objectors, the applicant, and officers.

During October 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, actively participated in two council meetings. In the Development Committee meeting on October 3rd, she introduced herself and declared no conflicts of interest. Her primary concerns revolved around traffic management, specifically questioning the timeline for a proposed new access into Wood Wharf, the Canary Wharf Group's potential contribution to Preston's Road improvements due to anticipated traffic increases, and the inclusion of traffic flows in the impact assessment. She also sought clarification on the status of a road slated for closure. In the Audit Committee meeting on October 10th, Councillor Bustin again declared no interests and raised a question regarding audit timelines, inquiring about delays in information provision and the officers' reasons for these delays.

Meetings in October 2024

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 15th October, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 15 October 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, actively participated in the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting. She expressed appreciation to Steve Halsey for his understanding of the issues but emphasized the need for more direction in future scrutiny efforts.

Councillor Bustin voiced strong concerns regarding the Chief Executive's improvement plan, particularly the decision concerning the statutory scrutiny officer (SSO). She felt the Chief Executive disregarded the committee's expressed preference to maintain the existing officer setup and instead provide additional resources. She stated:

The statutory officer, and I've spoken to Mr Ready just before this, this is nothing to do with Mr Ready personally, and I'm looking forward to working with him, but the previous SSO officer who had supported us, we've sat in this committee, when you've turned up at the development event for ONS and every time you've spoken to us, we have always said that we actually like the set up and the support that officers give us, we want to keep the officers as it is, and we would like additional resources. You reassured us time and time again, and then you went off and then you sent us this letter almost like saying you were happy and proud to ignore us, and I don't actually appreciate that.

She challenged the Chief Executive's recollection of previous conversations, asserting that the committee consistently requested additional resources while retaining the existing officers. She questioned the rationale behind replacing the previous, experienced BAME SSO, highlighting the loss of experience and connection. She further questioned how the actions taken aligned with the stated improvement goals and expressed feeling unheard, stating that there was a clear disagreement on what had been agreed upon.

Audit Committee - Thursday, 10th October, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 10 October 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, declared no interests. She also raised a question concerning the audit timeline, specifically inquiring about delays in information provision and the reasons behind them from the officers' viewpoint.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 9th October, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 9 October 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Strategic Development Committee meeting held on 28 August 2024. However, the provided documents do not contain any specific statements or actions attributed to her beyond her attendance.

Development Committee - Thursday, 3rd October, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 3 October 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin introduced herself as the Councillor for Island Gardens. She noted her prior engagement with the Canary Wharf group in her capacity as a ward councillor, given Island Gardens' location on the Isle of Dogs, but stated she did not recognize any members of the applicant's team. She declared no conflicts of interest. Later, Councillor Bustin raised concerns about traffic on Preston's Road and the proposed additional access into Wood Wharf. She questioned the timeline for this new access and whether the Canary Wharf Group would contribute to road improvements on Preston's Road, citing potential traffic increases. She also sought confirmation on whether traffic flows had been factored into the traffic impact assessment and asked for clarification on the status of a road slated for closure, inquiring if it was currently open.

Council - Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 2 October 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Council meeting. She withdrew her motion on abuse in political campaigning. The meeting chair confirmed this withdrawal.

During September 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin attended two council meetings. On September 5th, she declared no interests at the Development Committee meeting. Later, on September 30th, at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, she was a signatory to a call-in request regarding the Domiciliary Care Service Contract award. She expressed significant concerns about the process of being asked to sign the document, stating she was > not explained very properly why this happened and was > just told this is an emergency, I have to sign as an awareness chair. She further elaborated that she was not given the > full report and was unaware of the > 190 million pounds of contract involved. Councillor Bustin requested that in the future, scrutiny chairs be provided with the full report before being asked to sign documents.

Meetings in September 2024

Extraordinary Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 30th September, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 30 September 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was a signatory to the call-in request for the Domiciliary Care Service Contract award. At the meeting, she expressed concerns about the process by which she was asked to sign a document, stating she was not explained very properly why this happened and was just told this is an emergency, I have to sign as an awareness chair. She further explained that after other councillors pointed out issues and she spoke with Joel and Afazul, she decided to hold the meeting based on the paper presented. In her closing remarks, she reiterated her dissatisfaction with the signing process, noting she was not given the full report and was unaware that a 190 million pounds of contract was involved. She requested that in the future, If a scrutiny chair is asked to sign something, he or she needed to be explained the full report before he signed, he or she signed it.

Development Committee - Thursday, 5th September, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 5 September 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, made a declaration of no interests at the beginning of the Development Committee meeting on September 5th, 2024. She stated:

Council for islands and gardens, nothing to declare.

During the Strategic Development Committee meeting on August 28, 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin (Island Gardens Ward) declared interests related to Item 4.1 and Item 5.1. For Item 4.1, she stated she was not present for the substantial debate and would abstain from voting. Regarding Item 5.1, she disclosed her past involvement, including >campaigning against the 2018 scheme and objecting to appeal schemes. She also noted her participation in council-facilitated community engagement events, maintaining >an open mind and looking forward to the debate. Councillor Bustin was later substituted by Councillor Mathilda Bustin.

Meetings in August 2024

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 28th August, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 28 August 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens Ward, declared interests related to two items on the agenda. For Item 4.1, she stated she was not present for the substantial debate and would abstain from voting. Regarding Item 5.1, she disclosed her past involvement, including campaigning against the 2018 scheme and objecting to appeal schemes. However, she also noted her participation in council-facilitated community engagement events, maintaining an open mind and looking forward to the debate. Councillor Bustin was later substituted by Councillor Mathilda Bustin.

During July 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin attended the Audit Committee meeting on July 8th, where she declared no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. She also provided input on inspection reviews, stating that >both the positive and negative outcomes from the inspection reviews should be included.< Councillor Bustin was also listed as a Substitute Member for the Strategic Development Committee meeting on July 16th, but there is no record of her speaking or taking action during that meeting.

Meetings in July 2024

Council - Wednesday, 17th July, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 17 July 2024

There is no record of Mufeedah Bustin speaking or taking any action in the provided documents for the Council meeting on 2024-07-17.

Strategic Development Committee - Tuesday, 16th July, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 16 July 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was listed as a Substitute Member for the Strategic Development Committee and was present at the meeting on 14 May 2024. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during the meeting on 16th July 2024.

Audit Committee - Monday, 8th July, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 8 July 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens, declared no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs).

Regarding paragraph 5.5 on 'Other inspection work', Councillor Bustin stated that both the positive and negative outcomes from the inspection reviews should be included.

During June 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in two council meetings. In the Development Committee meeting on June 12th, she declared an interest in agenda item 7.1 (Red Cross Community Centre) due to her brother's involvement and stepped down from chairing it. She spoke in favor of the housing development and community centre, stating,

I echo my colleagues about the, you know, much needed housing stock at this current housing crisis. And same time, I think the community, for a long time, the community were asking for a community centre standalone community centre. I think that will make the community happy as well, as well as, you know, those new houses will bring some relief to the, you know, our overcrowded community.

She also raised concerns about the size of proposed properties, believing the percentage was too low given the number of overcrowded families. Additionally, she advocated for the compulsory inclusion of modern play area facilities like open gyms in new schemes, emphasizing,

And the final thing is about the play area, I'm always keen on that for the kids. And I believe very strongly on a modern world, they should have adequate facilities and obvious for the health and wellbeing as well. But nowadays there are open gyms and that should be included into these schemes, if I may say, compulsory.

On June 18th, Councillor Bustin was one of the councillors who Called-In the decision regarding the Victoria Park Licence to Occupy. She supported the call-in due to concerns about the extension of major commercial events, lack of notification to residents and the Friends Group, misrepresentation of community engagement, and the commitment of future Executive Mayors.

Meetings in June 2024

Call in: Victoria Park Licence to Occupy, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 6.00 p.m. - 18 June 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was one of the councillors who Called-In the decision of Mayor in Cabinet on 16 May 2024 regarding the Victoria Park Licence to Occupy. The reasons for this call-in, which Councillor Bustin supported, included concerns that the report allowed for the extension of major commercial events in Victoria Park for an additional year (until 2027), that residents and the Friends Group were not notified of this change, that the report misrepresented AEG's community engagement as fulfilling the council's consultation obligations, and that this decision commits a future Executive Mayor to a programme of events for half their term of office.

Development Committee - Wednesday, 12th June, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 12 June 2024

During the Development Committee meeting on June 12, 2024, Mufeedah Bustin declared an interest in agenda item 7.1, the Red Cross Community Centre, due to her brother's involvement with the managing committee. To ensure transparency, she stepped down from chairing this item and asked Councillor Ramana to preside. Later, discussing agenda item 5.1 concerning housing development and the Red Cross Community Centre, Councillor Bustin acknowledged the need for housing stock amidst the current crisis and the community's long-standing desire for a standalone community centre. She stated,

I echo my colleagues about the, you know, much needed housing stock at this current housing crisis. And same time, I think the community, for a long time, the community were asking for a community centre standalone community centre. I think that will make the community happy as well, as well as, you know, those new houses will bring some relief to the, you know, our overcrowded community.

She also expressed concerns about the size of the proposed properties, believing the percentage allocated was too low given the number of overcrowded families on waiting lists. She commented,

I do echo with Muffida Buston that my fellow Councillor about the big size properties. I personally think it's very low, the percentage of what you have drawn on this, and especially on this crisis, what we have many overcrowded families. It's still on a very long waiting list. And I, and I'm sure the other Councillors, my fellow Councillor, they do face these difficulties almost every day. What I can say is this, it will benefit many others, but those families who are really struggling, they will suffer and they will continue to suffer. So that should be looked into it very carefully in the future and bring something beyond what it's here. It's a massive project, there could have been better than this with big size properties.

Finally, she emphasized the importance of adequate play areas for children, advocating for the compulsory inclusion of modern facilities like open gyms in such schemes, stating,

And the final thing is about the play area, I'm always keen on that for the kids. And I believe very strongly on a modern world, they should have adequate facilities and obvious for the health and wellbeing as well. But nowadays there are open gyms and that should be included into these schemes, if I may say, compulsory.

During May 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in council meetings, notably raising concerns about the Stebondale Street football pitches on two occasions. She inquired about rumors of them being converted into floodlit pitches available for hire until 9 pm and sought clarification on the consultation timeline for these floodlights. In the Audit Committee meeting, Councillor Bustin declared no interests and expressed satisfaction with the committee's revised membership, requesting adjustments to future meeting dates. She voiced concerns about the Annual Governance Statement, describing it as potentially imbalanced and a PR exercise. She also sought details on internal audit assessments, the omission of criticism in a peer challenge report, and background information for a best value inspection. Further inquiries were made regarding the repercussions for corporate directors failing to achieve savings, financial risk provisions for leisure centres, total savings from the waste service transition, and the financial sustainability of the waste service. She concluded by asking for clarification on whether the AGS indicated good or poor governance.

Meetings in May 2024

Audit Committee - Thursday, 23rd May, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 23 May 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin sent apologies for absence from the Audit Committee meeting on 23rd May 2024. However, information from the transcript indicates she was present and actively participated in the meeting. She introduced herself as Councillor for Island Gardens Ward and declared no disclosable interests. Councillor Bustin expressed satisfaction with the revised membership of the Audit Committee, aligning with previous discussions, and requested adjustments to future meeting dates to avoid conflicts with the Development Committee. During the discussion of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS), she voiced concerns about its perceived imbalance and PR exercise nature. She sought further details on the reasonable/limited internal audit assessment, noted the omission of criticism in the LGA corporate peer challenge report, and requested background information for the best value inspection. Councillor Bustin also inquired about the repercussions for corporate directors failing to achieve savings after signing assurance statements, the financial risk provision for leisure centres, and the total savings from the waste service transition. She further raised concerns regarding the financial sustainability of the waste service and the financial risks associated with leisure centre management, asking for specific figures. Finally, she sought clarification on whether the AGS conclusion indicated good or poor governance.

Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 15 May 2024

During the Council meeting on May 15th, 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin inquired about potential plans to convert the Stebondale Street football pitches into floodlit pitches available for hire until 9 pm, seeking confirmation of these rumors. Following the initial response, she asked a supplementary question regarding the timeline for the consultation on these floodlights.

Strategic Development Committee - Tuesday, 14th May, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 14 May 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was present at the Strategic Development Committee meeting on May 14th, 2024. There is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions during the meeting.

Council - Wednesday, 8th May, 2024 7.00 p.m. - 8 May 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin participated in the Council meeting on May 8th, 2024. She voted FOR the Labour group amendment moved by Councillor Marc Francis, and AGAINST the amendment moved by Councillor Nathalie Bienfait, as well as the main Budget Motion. During the meeting, Councillor Bustin raised concerns about the Stebondale Street football pitches, inquiring about rumors of them being turned into floodlit pitches available for hire until 9 pm. She asked,

Residents have heard rumours that the administration is planning to turn the Stebondale Street football pitches, in to floodlit pitches available for hire until 9pm at night. Please could the administration confirm what their plans are for the Stebondale pitches.

Following the response, she sought clarification on the timing of the consultation regarding the floodlights, stating,

Residents are concerned about the floodlights. Can the lead member say when the consultation will take place?

During April 2024, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin was active in the Strategic Development Committee meeting on April 3rd, where she declared no interests and asked a comprehensive series of questions regarding a planning application. Her inquiries covered private garden space, site permeability, fence removal conditions, noise mitigation, public access to the Ornamental Canal, play space strategy (including 12 events ), affordable rent, parking, transport flow, waste management, and energy provider regulation. She also noted her prior involvement in a related planning inquiry. Councillor Bustin sent apologies for absence from the Audit Committee meeting on April 23rd. In a prior meeting, she had questioned the rationale behind a high risk score for risk CSD0016.

Meetings in April 2024

Audit Committee - Tuesday, 23rd April, 2024 6.30 p.m. - 23 April 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin sent apologies for absence from the Audit Committee meeting on 23rd April 2024. In a previous meeting (as indicated by the FINAL MINUTES 220124), Councillor Bustin had inquired about the rationale behind a high risk score of 25 for risk CSD0016, questioning why it had not been reduced to 16 and noting that the matter had been discussed previously.

Strategic Development Committee - Wednesday, 3rd April, 2024 5.30 p.m. - 3 April 2024

Councillor Mufeedah Bustin, representing Island Gardens Ward, declared no interests at the start of the meeting. She also noted her active involvement in the planning inquiry for a previous scheme that went to appeal, expressing a desire to understand how the current scheme has evolved. Councillor Bustin then posed a series of detailed questions regarding the application, covering aspects such as private garden space justification, site permeability and public access, the inclusion of fence removal in planning conditions, noise mitigation for residents near the E1 nightclub, the planned access to the Ornamental Canal, the play space strategy (including the absence of football pitches and clarification on 12 events ), affordable rent levels and management, parking provisions for families, the assessment of transport flow on TFL and crossing improvement funding, the waste management plan, and the regulation of energy providers for new homes.