Councillor Suluk Ahmed

Licensing Committee - Thursday, 16th January, 2025 6.30 p.m.

The Licensing Committee received a report on the outcomes of late-night inspections and enforcement visits to licensed premises. The committee noted the report and no decisions were made.

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

The meeting started with a tribute to former Councillor Ray Gibson, who passed away at the end of 2024. The Council then received a presentation from pupils at St John's School, Bethnal Green, who sang to celebrate the Council's recent Ofsted rating for Children's Services. The Council formally noted the 'outstanding' rating, and discussed the improvements that have taken place in the service since it was rated as 'inadequate' in 2017.

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

The Strategic Development Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday 15 January 2025. The meeting began with a discussion of a previously deferred application, PA/24/00173, a large mixed-use redevelopment scheme at 2-6 Commercial Street, 98-105 Whitechapel High Street and the site of the Canon Barnett Primary School. The application, which was recommended for refusal by planning officers, was to demolish 101 Whitechapel High Street, 6 Commercial Street and the western annex of the Canon Barnett Primary School, partially demolish 102-105 Whitechapel High Street and 2-4 Commercial Street (retaining the façades of those buildings) and redevelop the site to provide an 18-storey office block with community space, relocation and expansion of the school playground, and a new school annex. After discussing the application, the Committee resolved to grant planning permission.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday, 21st January, 2025 6.30 p.m.

The Licensing Sub-Committee adjourned the application for a new premises licence for Popular Pizza, 536 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HY after the applicant was called to a medical emergency. The sub-committee granted an application by A Portuguese Love Affair Limited for a new premises licence for 324 Basement and 326 Ground Floor and Basement, Hackney Road, London, E2 7AX, also known as a Portuguese Love Affair, for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, the provision of live and recorded music, and the provision of late night refreshment, subject to conditions.

Budget Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 14th January, 2025 6.30 p.m.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed the proposed Budget Report 2025-26 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2025-28 and the proposed Fees and Charges for 2025-26. The committee agreed to make a series of recommendations and requests for further information.