Share your views on budget cuts

East End Life, September 26

I have written before about the scale of the budget challenges facing the public sector. Tower Hamlets Council is facing similar pressures as other vital public services with an additional £45 million to find by 2014/15.

Because we have such difficult choices to make, I am keen to hear from residents about which services matter most to them. That’s why last week I held a budget roadshow at Whitechapel Idea Store and this Monday I will be at Cubitt Town Library.

The feedback I am getting is that most people think that the scale of the government cuts agenda is too fast and too deep for Tower Hamlets. If you have services that you value or if you have ideas about how we can do things better for less money write into my office or visit https://my.towerhamlets.gov.uk to fill in the online budget simulator.

The shadow of the EDL demonstration earlier this month has given an added importance to the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. I am thankful that, through joint action across the political and civic spectrum, the EDL march was banned. Local figures like Max Levitas remind us about the importance of working together to make sure fascists are not given the space to attempt to intimidate and divide us.

I will be attending a range of events next weekend to commemorate what is without doubt one of the seminal moments in the Tower Hamlets story.

The 75th anniversary of Cable Street serves to remind us that this borough has always been home to diverse communities.

We’re a microcosm of modern Britain –a nation in eight square miles. It’s one of the key reasons why no borough is readier to be a city than us.

On Wednesday, our Jewish community marks the Rosh Hashanah festival. I wish them a happy and healthy new year.

Some excellent news this week – Victoria Park has been ranked as the best park in London in a national poll. With a £12million restoration project now well underway it will be even better next year!

Mayor Lutfur Rahman