Cllr Marc Francis
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cllrmarcfrancis.bsky.social
Cllr Marc Francis
@cllrmarcfrancis.bsky.social
Labour Party councillor for Bow East ward in Tower Hamlets
Tonight Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs will oppose Mayor Lutfur Rahman's plans to allow an even more permissive approach to tall buildings across Tower Hamlets. As well as compromising the historic character of the East End, this plan will result in thousands more residents losing sunlight + daylight
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 AM
As well as demanding action to improve housing services, Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs also have a motion calling for democratic oversight of the Parking & Mobility Service. Many disabled residents are struggling to have their Blue Badges renewed + the intro of estate parking restrictions is chaotic
November 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
At Wednesday's Full Council Tower Hamlets Labour councillors will put foward a motion on the Regulator's downgrade of Tower Hamlets Council's Housing Directorate and its current performance. We urge Aspire cllrs to accept the direct accountability needed to improve services to tenants + leaseholders
November 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Interesting story here for Tower Hamlets folks. Given recent events, it would be no surprise if ministers want a update whether there is any real progress towards fixing the serious governance failings in the Town Hall under Mayor Rahman + his Aspire Party cllrs www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Steve Reed convenes Tower Hamlets envoys as concerns over council persist
Exclusive: Communities secretary calls meeting over two councillors seeking electoral candidacy in Bangladesh
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
This week marks a year since the independent 'Best Value' inspection report on Tower Hamlets Council under Mayor Lutfur Rahman was published. The extensive governance failings and "culture of patronage" it revealed led the Govt to send in a team to oversee LBTH. Here's a reminder of the conclusions
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Was privileged to join the Speaker Suluk Ahmed and the Lord Lieutenant in laying a Remembrance wreath on behalf of Tower Hamlets Labour councillors. We should never forget the sacrifices our grandparents' generation made to secure the freedom we enjoy today and which our Armed Forces still protect
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This morning we will stand in silence to remember those who have lost their lives in service of our nation. Here in Tower Hamlets that includes 1,022 soldiers killed serving with the Poplar & Stepney Rifles in First World War, including at Battles of Loos, Aubers, the Somme, Bourlon Wood + Messines
November 11, 2025 at 9:50 AM
This week marks a year since the independent 'Best Value' inspection report on Tower Hamlets Council under Mayor Lutfur Rahman was published. The extensive governance failings and "culture of patronage" it revealed led the Govt to send in a team to oversee LBTH. Here's a reminder of the conclusions
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Great to visit @bowarts.bsky.social yesterday and hear about its future plans. As well as providing affordable studio space for thousands of artists over the past 30 years, Marcel and the team have helped thousands of local youngsters to develop their own talent. LBTH should do more to support it
November 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Great decision by Tower Hamlets Labour's Cllr Siraj Islam. The Bonfire Night fireworks were the upside to local residents of disruption from commercial events in Victoria Park. To have events, but no fireworks was wrong. Tower Hamlets Council should do more like this to strengthen community cohesion
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Thanks @cllrasmaislam.bsky.social for raising tenants' concerns about Sanctuary Housing's five-month delay in repairing their lift at Housing Scrutiny last night. In the context of this performance data, simply telling tenants to complain isn't good enough. Tower Hamlets Council must do more to help
This info on social landlords' performance for yesterday's Housing Scrutiny Committee might not be the whole story around complaints, but it is still very revealing. To have 5% of your tenants complain in a three-month period is inexcusable. Also note, Clarion and THCH/Hyde are AWOL from this list
November 4, 2025 at 10:22 AM
This info on social landlords' performance for yesterday's Housing Scrutiny Committee might not be the whole story around complaints, but it is still very revealing. To have 5% of your tenants complain in a three-month period is inexcusable. Also note, Clarion and THCH/Hyde are AWOL from this list
November 4, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Its now a year since the independent Best Value inspection of Tower Hamlets Council revealed serious failings in its governance. This devastating indictment of the way Mayor Rahman runs it should have been a wake up call. Instead, we've had the pretence of action while Aspire's behaviour gets worse
November 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
If the Gvmt doesn't act now, they're on track to preside over the sharpest increase in child poverty by any Labour Gvmt in the last 60 years.

Read 'No half measures' now, to learn more about what it will take to set child poverty on a downward course at the Autumn Budget ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
October 31, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Really good to see these communal food waste bins now being installed on Tower Hamlets Council's estates. There is rightly a legal requirement to introduce separate food waste collections by 2027. LBTH Waste Services must reduce the no. of missed collections to ensure this project is successful
October 31, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
MHCLG guidance on Awaab's Law for social tenants has been released.

www.gov.uk/government/p...
Awaab’s Law: Guidance for tenants in social housing
www.gov.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
Today we’ve launched the Social Insights Panel, a group of civil society leaders led by @pollyneate.bsky.social FGF Policy Associate & former Shelter CEO, who will use their expertise to feed into the government’s public service reform plans.

www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/the-social-i...
The Social Insights Panel
The Social Insights Panel
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
Elon Musk continues to try to socialise civil war, political & inter-ethnic violence in Britain. He combines an argument that violence is inevitable with his call at the Tommy Robinson rally for pre-emptive violence, on grounds of an existential threat & the inevitability of violence
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
At next month's Full Council meeting, Mayor Lutfur Rahman will seek approval for his draft Local Plan. This includes a welcome effort to secure more affordable homes, but also a "more permissive approach" allowing tall buildings across much of Tower Hamlets instead of just in four designated zones.
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Have been speaking to yet another disabled resident whose application to renew their parking Blue Badge was rejected without an assessment or even explanation - in this case despite having had one for 25 yrs. That's the 3rd case this week. Am taking them up but this needs looking at systemically too
October 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
So much worth celebrating! Huge thanks to @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social for steering this through Parliament. And well done to @generationrent.bsky.social team and all those who’ve campaigned so hard for this over many years.
UPDATE: We did it!

The Renters’ Rights Bill has now PASSED through the House of Commons! We expect it to reach Royal Assent shortly.

This is a huge win after years of campaigning by renters. There's more to do, but this is worth celebrating!
October 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
Four men arrested over projecting a factual slide show onto Windsor Castle before Trump visit have case dropped by police bit.ly/4nCtpON of course they do. These were always intimidatory arrests where no offence had been committed.
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Cllr Marc Francis
The Renters' Rights Bill has been APPROVED by the House of Commons!

This is the final step before the Bill receives Royal Assent, which we expect shortly.

No more amendments, no more debate - renters' rights are coming.
October 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Nice to catch up with older residents at Vic Johnson House.
Gateway Housing has transformed these flats and communal spaces, but there are some issues. Am taking those up and if
Tower Hamlets Labour's Cllr Siraj Islam is elected Mayor he will ensure LBTH supports Gateway to expand its services
October 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Wonderful to meet 101 year-old Betty while out campaigning this weekend. She cast her first vote for Clement Attlee at the 1945 General Election and has been supporting the Labour Party ever since. We should never forget how much we owe Betty's generation for delivering us the 1945 Labour Government
October 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM