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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
13 residents in our advice surgery today, one of whom had been taken to court by her social landlord for costs after supposedly failing to allow a gas safety check. Her lawyer proved the contractor actually failed to show up 4 times + the judge threw it out. This is why tenants need #Access2Justice
October 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
13 residents in our advice surgery today, one of whom had been taken to court by her social landlord for costs after supposedly failing to allow a gas safety check. Her lawyer proved the contractor actually failed to show up 4 times + the judge threw it out. This is why tenants need #Access2Justice
Nice to catch up with old friends + neighbours on the Monteith estate. They've suffered a poor service from Clarion Housing in recent years, which prompted a petition to the Regulator/Minister. Its encouraging to see Clarion now starting to replace their old windows but there's still lots more to do
October 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Nice to catch up with old friends + neighbours on the Monteith estate. They've suffered a poor service from Clarion Housing in recent years, which prompted a petition to the Regulator/Minister. Its encouraging to see Clarion now starting to replace their old windows but there's still lots more to do
The application at Thursday's Development Committee is Tower Hamlets Council's own redevelopment of St George's Leisure Centre on The Highway. It includes a new pool, gym, play area + 30 social homes. A key issue is if the public benefits outweigh any harm to setting of the Grade I listed church
October 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The application at Thursday's Development Committee is Tower Hamlets Council's own redevelopment of St George's Leisure Centre on The Highway. It includes a new pool, gym, play area + 30 social homes. A key issue is if the public benefits outweigh any harm to setting of the Grade I listed church
The need for decent affordable homes is second only to community cohesion as the most important issue in Tower Hamlets. At tomorrow's Cabinet, Mayor Lutfur Rahman will receive a performance report showing that under his leadership, just 28 new social homes were completed in April to June this year
October 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The need for decent affordable homes is second only to community cohesion as the most important issue in Tower Hamlets. At tomorrow's Cabinet, Mayor Lutfur Rahman will receive a performance report showing that under his leadership, just 28 new social homes were completed in April to June this year
Happy Birthday to the Digby estate in Bethnal Green, which has provided decent/affordable homes to local families for 90 years. Later renamed Godley VC House to commemorate local caretaker, Sidney Godley's bravery at the Battle of Mons in 1914 Work will start soon on 53 new council homes nearby
October 11, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Happy Birthday to the Digby estate in Bethnal Green, which has provided decent/affordable homes to local families for 90 years. Later renamed Godley VC House to commemorate local caretaker, Sidney Godley's bravery at the Battle of Mons in 1914 Work will start soon on 53 new council homes nearby
Last year, the Regulator forced the "rescue" (takeover) of Swan Housing by Sanctuary. Shockingly, the service has got even worse. For e.g. tenants in one of it's Bow blocks have been waiting for 4 months their lift to be repaired. Meanwhile, the Regulator turns a blind eye to the mess it has created
October 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Last year, the Regulator forced the "rescue" (takeover) of Swan Housing by Sanctuary. Shockingly, the service has got even worse. For e.g. tenants in one of it's Bow blocks have been waiting for 4 months their lift to be repaired. Meanwhile, the Regulator turns a blind eye to the mess it has created
Huge respect to Mondana for presenting this petition at Full Council yesterday calling for action against speeding drivers on Roman Road. The Aspire Party Lead Member's response was hopeless. If we win next May Tower Hamlets Labour will implement traffic calming + ensure regular police speed gun ops
October 9, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Huge respect to Mondana for presenting this petition at Full Council yesterday calling for action against speeding drivers on Roman Road. The Aspire Party Lead Member's response was hopeless. If we win next May Tower Hamlets Labour will implement traffic calming + ensure regular police speed gun ops
At tonight's Full Council, Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs will propose a motion committing Tower Hamlets Council to challenge the far right extremists peddling lies to try to provoke disorder outside a hotel accommodating asylum seekers. We hope all cllrs will join us in standing up against this racism
October 8, 2025 at 11:40 AM
At tonight's Full Council, Tower Hamlets Labour cllrs will propose a motion committing Tower Hamlets Council to challenge the far right extremists peddling lies to try to provoke disorder outside a hotel accommodating asylum seekers. We hope all cllrs will join us in standing up against this racism
Lots on the agenda for tomorrow night's Full Council, including a 1,000-strong petition calling for action to slow speeding cars on Roman Road. My own 'Members Question' is on the implementation of the Traffic Management Order for estate parking, which has left junior staff facing residents' fury
October 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Lots on the agenda for tomorrow night's Full Council, including a 1,000-strong petition calling for action to slow speeding cars on Roman Road. My own 'Members Question' is on the implementation of the Traffic Management Order for estate parking, which has left junior staff facing residents' fury
Lovely to catch up with Pamela Cain this weekend. Pam's husband Ron worked for the GLC / Tower Hamlets Council as park keeper + later manager in Victoria Park for 35 years. He was a key figure in the £12 million investment in Vicky Park back in 2009/10. Today's dedicated team follow in his footsteps
October 6, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Lovely to catch up with Pamela Cain this weekend. Pam's husband Ron worked for the GLC / Tower Hamlets Council as park keeper + later manager in Victoria Park for 35 years. He was a key figure in the £12 million investment in Vicky Park back in 2009/10. Today's dedicated team follow in his footsteps