cllrmarcfrancis.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Thanks to the Waste Services staff who joined me on an inspection of Bow earlier. Its encouraging to see some signs of improvement in this service in recent months + a positive attitude to solving problems. Still a long way to go though and LBTH really must do better than this low rate of recycling

submitted 6 hours ago • 0 comments

Thanks to Tower Hamlets Council's Highways Team for their positive response to concerns of local businesses about the road closure on White Post Lane. Its not completely sorted yet, but their order for the developer to open access at weekends and from late afternoon weekdays should ease the impact

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Spoke yesterday to an Tower Hamlets Council tenant who has been left with a leak thru their ceiling for the past 2 years. Its now so bad his children can't use their bedroom. Mayor Rahman's chaotic meddling in this service has led good staff to leave and the Regulator to issue this damning judgment

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

It’s great to now have this evidence. It also shows why ministerial/HMT demands for more evidence before approving spending can be misguided. As @instituteforgovernment.org.uk previously argued it takes at least 5yrs to gather evidence for big preventive programmes. Ministers need to show leadership

submitted 6 days ago • 3 comments

Lots of speculation about a possible increase in the income eligibility threshold for the Winter Fuel Payment. This is a step in the right direction but only the full reinstatement of WFP will ensure that ALL pensioners who need help with their bills get it + heal this self-inflicted political wound

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Just noticed the planning application for 212 'co-living' flats at 34-38 Wallis Road has come back to Tower Hamlets Council. The LLDC approved this scheme last year even though it had no 'on-site' affordable housing and the 'cash in lieu' payment was equivalent of just 18%. I've asked why its back

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Thirteen residents in our advice surgery this weekend, four of whom are struggling to get Tower Hamlets Housing Options Service to either apply the correct priority to their application or even register it in the first place. This is despite LBTH's promises to numerous complainants + LGO judgments

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

This response to my question about pedestrian/cyclist safety on Fairfield Rd is something to behold. Three years after he scrapped the wider project, gave the £ back to TfL, then raided LBTH's own road safety budget so LBTH couldn't even do this specific bit, Aspire's Mayor asks TfL for the funding

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

In a clear sign Mayor Rahman has learned nothing from LBTH failing its Best Value inspection, last night he removed @cllrasmaislam.bsky.social + @mufeedah.bsky.social as Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny and Audit Committees. I can't help thinking that's 'cos they've been asking too many good questions

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Good to catch up with the Victoria Park Team. Labour cllrs agreed a £12 million investment back in 2009 to restore Vicky Park to its former glory. But it needs ongoing investment in its horticulture, play areas + fabric. That's why all the extra money from festivals should to be earmarked for parks

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Just been speaking to another family who have been badly let down by Tower Hamlets Council's Housing Options Service. This keeps happening despite Mayor Rahman's claims that lessons have been learned from the Local Government Ombudsman's judgments on similar cases. Am now raising this with MHCLG

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Thanks to Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archive for putting on a wonderful exhibition to commemorate #VEDay80. So many lovely photos street parties. However, this letter from a war widow in Bow + list of employees of Poplar Borough Council who were killed are reminders of the sacrifices made

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Really classy Daily Mirror front page on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945

submitted 20 days ago • 17 comments

Good to speak to businesses affected by the sudden road closure on White Post Lane. This kind of action should only be taken if absolutely necessary and not just because it is convenient to developers. Even then locals must be properly consulted/notified. We have raised it now with the Highways Team

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Really looking forward to this exciting new festival celebrating everything Old Ford - Bow next weekend. There is so much incredible history to learn about our area, but it looks like there will be lots of other fun stuff going on too. Well done to Caroline and 'The Geezers' for organising it

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Thanks to Tower Hamlets Parking Services Team for meeting me and @cllrasmaislam.bsky.social to discuss the new Traffic Management Orders on estates in Bethnal Green + Bow. We are getting lots of complaints about the process of reallocating estate bays so hope a way can quickly be found to improve it

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

Really good to meet the Chisenhale Primary School-based 'Tower Hamlets Housing Action Group' earlier. These women are building on the friendships and solidarity from their ESOL class to stand together to demand a better service from their social landlords, especially Clarion + more new council homes

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

At our Full Council meeting tonight, I am asking what action has been taken to deal with the problems of cars speeding on Fairfield Road and the dangers for pedestrians + cyclists at its junction with Tredegar Road. Measures to deal with both these were due for 2022/23. They must now be implemented

submitted 56 days ago • 0 comments

After 6 months arguing, i have finally persuaded Clarion Housing Group that my constituent has a right to succeed their Dad's tenancy as was clear in the legal transfer agreement all along. This is one of several similar cases in the past few years. Thanks to the Clarion manager who stood up for him

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

Failure to tackle serious disrepair is getting many housing associations a bad press right now and rightly so. But for me, the mishandling of requests to succeed the tenancy of the family home is even worse. It leaves grieving sons/daughters fearing they will lose their home as well as their parent

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

Positive meeting last night with local residents and the Metropolitan Police's Bow East Safer Neighbourhood Team. Its good to know the extra PCs + PCSOs mean there has been lots more patrolling. Still plenty of problems out there though so residents have prioritised 3 local areas for extra patrols

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

Fourteen more constituents in our advice surgery today, including one distressed homeless family who have had a leak into their flat for more than a year. Will chase up the repairs but this poor service illustrates how Aspire's Mayor + cllrs are failing Tower Hamlets homeless families. #NotBestValue

submitted 67 days ago • 0 comments

Just met a constituent who has been without heating + hot water for past 5 weeks after Clarion's gas safety auditor condemned + disconnected his boiler. I am chasing it up, but this woeful service wouldn't be happening if the Regulator had taken action after we highlighted many similar cases in 2023

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

I am one of only 6-8% of people with a serious mental illness in employment - despite 80% wanting to work. I asked @lizkendallmp.bsky.social to work with colleagues in the Department of Health to provide joined-up support - so more of us can access the benefits of a good, secure job.

submitted 70 days ago • 2 comments

My Q in today’s DWP statement. Changes to the benefit system should not penalise those who cannot work due to disabilities or ill health - and must ensure that employers are encouraged to improve their reasonable adjustments to allow those who are able to work.

submitted 71 days ago • 5 comments

I'm not on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee this year, but if i was i would definitely be challenging the Mayor + senior officers why nearly a thousand days into his self-declared "waste emergency", Tower Hamlets Council's recycling rates are still so lamentably low. #NotCleanNotGreen #NotBestValue

submitted 70 days ago • 0 comments

Excellent Chairing of Audit Committee again by @mufeedah.bsky.social tonight. Thanks to her dilligence + determination PwC's report into allegations against a local charity - and by implication the previous Labour Mayor - will now be put into the public domain. Aspire cllrs voted against publication

submitted 76 days ago • 0 comments

Next week Labour cllrs are meeting the Ministerial Envoys to explain our thoughts on Tower Hamlets Council's response to the Govt intervention. Here's a reminder why inspectors found the authority under Mayor Rahman's leadership to be failing in its Best Value duties www.thlabour.org/2025/02/10/t...

submitted 81 days ago • 0 comments

Masterful analysis here from @patrickwintour.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

submitted 85 days ago • 1 comment

A tenant just showed me this bill from Clarion Housing which trebles her service charge to £28 a week. This is based on charges for door entry service + lifts that it was forced to remove previously after we challenged them, unevidenced electricity costs and new charges for fire/lightning protection

submitted 86 days ago • 0 comments

Good result as Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs' amendment to his Budget forced the Mayor to reinstate the funding he cut from Tower Hamlets Council's Food Hub supporting local food banks. Well done all those residents who challenged this cut and Agatha at @theslicetowham.bsky.social who broke the story

submitted 87 days ago • 0 comments

Not wanting to sound all existentialist here but at this stage not picking a side is picking a side, and that uncomfortable situation is one of the intended outcomes of Trump and Vance's behaviour today.

submitted 89 days ago • 1 comment

The Benefit Cap has only ever had one increase in line with inflation since being introduced. @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social explains how this freeze in nominal terms is contributing to child poverty, with the cap becoming tighter in real terms as the cost of living increases.

submitted 91 days ago • 1 comment

Tonight Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs will try to stop Mayor Lutfur Rahman's planned 5% Council Tax increase. Our Budget amendment agrees that a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care precept is prudent. But the Labour Govt has given Tower Hamlets Council enough extra funding to avoid the extra 3% rise

submitted 91 days ago • 0 comments

English councils’ spending on emergency housing surges - on.ft.com/3D9T9k9 via @financialtimes.com 'councils are at breaking point, both in terms of being able to manage homelessness but also the quality of accommodation they’re able to procure' - @francescaalbanese.bsky.social

submitted 92 days ago • 0 comments

Concerning research here from Savills suggesting that up to 40% of private rental properties in central London are now short term lets. thenegotiator.co.uk/news/rental-...

submitted 93 days ago • 2 comments

NEW: Macron has to interrupt Trump and correct a lie about Europe’s contribution. TRUMP: “Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They get their money back." MACRON: “No. We provided real money. To be clear.” Trump clearly not used to get fact-checked live.

submitted 93 days ago • 221 comments

Over the past few weeks, Mayor Rahman + his Aspire Party have tried to deny they are increasing Council Tax. Here in the papers for Wednesday's Full Council meeting is proof they are raising it by 4.99% for a 2nd year running. Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs oppose this uncessary tax hike. #NotBestValue

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

Really uplifting to see the team planting these young trees in an unloved part of Roman Road earlier. There are so many other parts of Tower Hamlets that could benefit from more trees, while also playing a small part in replenishing the global tree canopy. LBTH's current programme needs a big boost

submitted 96 days ago • 0 comments

Looking back, we can see that in response to a query 3 months ago about the cut to funding for the Food Hub, Tower Hamlets Council said "there is no reduction in funding". Turns out, that wasn't true. Kudos to @theslicetowham.bsky.social's Agatha Scaggiante and local food banks for pursuing this 👏

submitted 98 days ago • 0 comments

At this point Trump is basically Putin’s glove puppet

submitted 99 days ago • 3 comments

That Newsnight interview with Trump fan/former US ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands just now was one of the most astonishing bits of TV I’ve ever seen. Try to watch it, if only to marvel at how brilliantly Victoria Derbyshire handles her.

submitted 99 days ago • 7 comments

Just learnt officers have realised a mistake has been made as the budget for Tower Hamlets Council's Food Hub is less in '24/25 than it was in '23/24, so the petition against Mayor Rahman's decision to cut it will be accepted after all. Hopefully this will force him to reinstate funding. #BestValue

submitted 99 days ago • 0 comments

Is Council Tax creating ‘poll tax’ style problems for poorer households? Read the blog by @lalithatry.bsky.social and @tom-clark.bsky.social 👇 https://buff.ly/4gILOG2

submitted 100 days ago • 3 comments

If you get the first bill for electricity or gas that was used more than 12 months before you do not have to pay it. Demand your supplier cancels the bill. ignore threats, and remind them backbilling is banned under licence Condition 21BA. If refused go to www.energyombudsman.org

submitted 100 days ago • 6 comments