Tower Hamlets council: progress made but powers unreturned

Communities Secretary Gregg Clark has declared that despite some progress being made, Tower Hamlets council has some way to go until it sees the return of its powers.

In a letter to Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Clark welcomed the progress made by the local authority but warned more evidence was needed to prove that a long-term change for the better was in the works, before the government would relinquish its functions.

Clark said: “In Tower Hamlets independent inspectors found a worrying pattern of divisive community politics and serious mismanagement of taxpayers’ money. Intervention is never a decision taken lightly but it was essential that we took action to make sure public confidence in the council is restored.

“Under the careful watch of the commissioners the Mayor is making progress but there must be sufficient evidence of real organisational change before I will consider handing any powers back.”