Labour Response to First Envoys Report

Tower Hamlets Labour councillors have welcomed the first report by Ministerial Envoys assessing Tower Hamlets Council’s progress in response to the Government’s improvement directions.

The report, reflecting the initial four months of statutory intervention, praises senior council officers for actions taken, such as establishing the Transformation & Assurance Board and drafting a Continuous Improvement Plan. However, it clearly warns that it is “too early to observe any signs of improvement” in key areas, notably the overall culture and governance of the council.

Ministerial Envoys noted ongoing concerns around transparency, political behaviour, and decision-making processes. Despite the council taking important first steps, such as appointing external advisers and initiating political mentoring, the report explicitly highlights that poor behaviours in the council chamber persist, distracting from council business and limiting effective scrutiny and debate.

Labour Group Leader, Cllr Siraj Islam said

“Labour councillors remain committed to playing a positive role in improving Tower Hamlets Council so that it better serves all residents. Nevertheless, despite initial steps towards improvement, too many critical decisions continue to be made behind closed doors, undermining transparency and democratic accountability. Consequently, many residents still do not receive services of the quality they deserve. Mayor Lutfur Rahman and his administration must urgently address these cultural issues and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the standards demanded by Whitehall and expected by our residents.”

ENDS

Notes:

The First Envoy’s report can be found here: London Borough of Tower Hamlets: Ministerial Envoys’ first report

The Best Value Inspection of Tower Hamlets Council can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/london-borough-of-tower-hamlets-best-value-inspection-report

The full list of correspondence and documents in relation to Statutory Intervention at Tower Hamlets can be found here: Statutory intervention: London Borough of Tower Hamlets – GOV.UK