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Waste service strike

A number of Tower Hamlets Council frontline waste service workers and street cleansers will be going on strike from 18 September to 1 October due to a national pay dispute.  

Despite the council working to maintain services for residents, the strike will impact collections and cleansing across the borough. We apologise in advance for the disruption this will cause. 

Find out more about the strike.


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Speaker of Council

The former Civic Mayor of Tower Hamlets is now known as 'Speaker of Council'. The post was known as 'Chair of Council' from October 2010 to November 2011.

The Speaker is responsible for the ceremonial duties of the council. A new Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected every year from among the serving councillors in the borough.

It is the Speaker's function to chair council meetings and promote and support the borough through a variety of civic engagements.

The Speaker also represents the King as First Citizen of the Borough, hosting events and welcoming visitors such as other Royals and the captains of all ships visiting the local  docks.

Speaker of Council's objectives

As an ambassador for the borough, one of the Speaker's main duties is to raise the profile of the council and to forge links with the private, public and voluntary sector.

The Speaker is also committed to working with other councillors to ensure that the way the council operates is forward looking and modern while respecting Tower Hamlets wonderful civic history.

The Speaker is committed to serving the people of Tower Hamlets with integrity, striving for prosperity for all.

Current Speaker of Council

Invitations to the Speaker of Council

Invitations to the Speaker of Council

The Speaker welcomes invitations to attend events from all sections of the community.

Due to existing engagements and demands in his diary it may not be possible for the Speaker to attend every event for which an invitation is received. Please give much notice as possible of your event.

Or you could send an email to speaker@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Speaker of Council's chosen charity

The current Speaker will support The Tower Project during his year in post. 

They are an award-winning leading service provider for children and adults with a learning disability, sensory disability, autism, physical disability, or health-related issue. 

They work to enable and empower people with disabilities to:

  • develop opportunities
  • become independent
  • participate fully in education, employment
  • have a voice in the community 

The Speaker of Council is passionate about supporting young people with autism and will particularly focus on The Tower Project’s Autism Services.

How to contact us

Office of the Speaker

Tower Hamlets Town Hall
160 Whitechapel Road
London
E1 1BJ

Tel: 020 7364 4883