Envoys Slam Tower Hamlets Conduct

Tower Hamlets Council is at a critical juncture, balancing its urgent drive to deliver thousands of new homes with persistent challenges in internal governance, as revealed by the latest government oversight report.

Government Envoys Demand Deeper Commitment to Reform:

The first report from the Ministerial Envoys, appointed in January 2025 to oversee improvements at Tower Hamlets Council, was published on July 9, 2025, and elaborated upon in public discourse, including yesterday's news. While the envoys acknowledge "early progress" and a "real buzz" within the Town Hall, a key concern highlighted is the lack of "wholesale political and staff buy-in" to the council's ongoing improvement journey.

The report specifically cites "problematic" behaviour from all sides of the council chamber during public meetings, describing it as going "beyond the usual political theatre" and hindering effective scrutiny. The envoys, including former Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock, are working in partnership with the council, offering advice and monitoring the implementation of a comprehensive "Continuous Improvement Programme" (CIP), a "Political Mentoring Programme," and a "Cultural Change to Rebuild Trust Between Officers and Members." These programmes were agreed upon by the council's Transformation Assurance Board, chaired by Mayor Lutfur Rahman, on April 14, 2025.

The government's letter to the Chief Executive, accompanying the envoys' report, expressed disappointment that council staff have not always prioritised meetings with the envoys, emphasizing that these ministerial appointees carry the government's confidence and support. The expectation is for the council to move from "intention to action" and to demonstrate that improvement work is embedded into "business as usual" practices. Positive developments noted include the improved chairing of the oversight and scrutiny committee by Labour Councillor Asma Islam, which the envoys encourage the council to maintain.

Ambitious Housing Programme Forges Ahead:

Despite the internal challenges, Tower Hamlets Council remains committed to tackling its severe housing crisis. Yesterday, the council approved a fast-tracked homebuilding programme, the Mayor's Accelerated Housing Programme (MAHP). This ambitious plan aims to deliver up to 3,332 new homes across 37 council-owned sites over the next five years, with a strong focus on affordable and larger family homes. This is in addition to the existing commitment to deliver 4,000 genuinely affordable homes by May 2026, a target the council appears on track to exceed.

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The urgency of this initiative is underscored by current figures: over 28,000 households are on the housing waiting list, more than 13,000 live in overcrowded conditions, and over 3,200 are in temporary accommodation as of July 2025. A specific scheme for 53 social rent homes on a former council office site in Bethnal Green East also received planning consent yesterday. Furthermore, the council is strategically positioning itself to leverage the government's £38 billion investment in affordable housing and other initiatives announced in the June 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review. Separate to MAHP, the Teviot Estate regeneration project also received planning permission on July 9, 2025, which could deliver up to 1,928 homes, including 508 new affordable homes.

Mudchute Park and Farm Lease Still Under Negotiation:

The future of the beloved Mudchute Park and Farm remains a point of contention. Following a petition signed by over 6,500 people, Mayor Lutfur Rahman has publicly pledged a "long lease" for the farm. The Mudchute Association Charity requires a minimum 30-year lease to secure vital funding and plan for the future, as their previous 20-year agreement expired in June 2024. However, the council's current policy favors shorter leases (up to 15 years), and the Mayor's Aspire Party voted to remove a specific 30-year commitment from a Labour motion at a council meeting on July 16, 2025.

Mayor Rahman has stated he will ask council officers to review and consider a lease longer than 15 years and explore other support mechanisms. While this offers some hope, the lack of a firm commitment to the requested 30-year term continues to create uncertainty for the charity, which has been in negotiations since 2019 and is even considering legal action if a fair agreement isn't reached.

The coming months will be crucial for Tower Hamlets, as it strives to demonstrate tangible progress on its improvement journey while simultaneously addressing the critical housing needs of its residents, all under the continuing watch of the government. Tower Hamlets is is the most populated borough of the British Bangladeshi community.