Taking on Banksters and Gangster Capitalists in Tower Hamlets

Earlier this month I raised questions and concerns with regards to a refocus of resources with regards to the Councils resources on fraud committed by unscrupulous Developers and Financiers. Below is a piece as to the concerns I raised and my reasoning. 

Taking on Dodgy Developers and Contractors: Gangster Capitalists

Earlier this month, I raised a question in the Tower Hamlets Audit Committee. I raised concerns that with Risk and Counter Fraud officers as to whether there was enough focus on fraud by Corporate entities. I asked for a re balancing and refocus of resources to prosecute  developers and contractors of not adhering to planning applications.

I raised this question, due to fact until recently 50% of all development in London were focused in two London Boroughs, Tower Hamlets and Newham, Given the frequency in the Courts of prosecutions by other local authorities in terms of planning enforcement, there should be renewed focus in this area by Tower Hamlets Council..

If you read the newspapers or view the broadcast media, there’s a lot of focus on fraud by people on low income, but never the same amount of attention given to fraud and corruption by Corporations against the public purse and interest.

Taking on Dodgy Finance: Banksters

At the same meeting I raised a question with regards to what measures do we have in place to prevent potential Right to Buy recipients falling prey to undue influence and taking out inappropriate finance to fund their purchase. This was triggered by an incident I came across Mile End Ward. It was brought to my attention that a tenant who qualified to Right to Buy, was put under pressure to take out inappropriate finance.

In addition to the questions in Audit Committee,  I had a meeting with senior council officer and a senior officer from Tower Hamlets Homes to express my concerns with regards to vulnerable Right to Buy applicants. I asked for assurance that measures are in place to protect vulnerable social housing tenants who are embarking on their first  housing purchase.

A Truth Commission in Newham: The Case of the Newham East India Company

In 1757 at the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company took over the Governance of the then province of Bengal. This was the first time in history, that a private entity in pursuit of profits, took over a a local authority. What resulted was decades of poor governance, rampant corruption and decline in living standards for local residents.

Fast forward to November 2018, and we have the announcement of a Truth Commission by the newly elected Mayor of Newham, investigating serious allegations of corruption under the previous Mayor. The most serious allegations  being entire departments, and Council processes, being captured by Businessmen with links to organised crime. Theses alleged activities took place in a London Borough with the lowest life expectancy and one of the highest poverty rates in London. Cursory look at the situation in Newham, was that there was a lack of awareness, resources or culture of tacking fraud by corporate entities.

Mile End Ward Case Study: The loss of TV signals by social housing tenants in Thomas Road due to the construction of a luxury development

Coming back to Tower Hamlets, we have a similar situation, but on a smaller scale. In Mile End Ward, social housing tenants on Thomas road have lost their TV and satellite signals, due to the construction of a luxury development, at the site of the former Ghandi Cash and Carry. Many enquiries have been made, however no action has been taken, Recently, after the discussion at the Audit Committee, I have written an enquiry to officers as to why no action has been taken and whether the Council is adequately resourced to take on developers who are in breach of planning.

Down with Company!

The above two case studies, Newham and Mile End, show the need for a political discussion, a refocus of resources and attention on fraud committed against local residents by corporate interests. A Company Raj was detrimental for the people of Bengal, and Newham, we should learn from past lessons and prevent one being set up in Tower Hamlets.

“For the powerful, crimes are those that others commit.” – Noam Chomsky