| AdminHistory | Tower Hamlets saw a period of extensive administrative decentralisation - or 'devolution' as it was described at the time by its advocates - while under Liberal control between 1986 and 1994. In place of large directorates running services for the whole borough, certain powers were devolved to seven neighbourhoods and largely concentrated in Neighbourhood Centres, some of them specially built for the purpose and paid for by the sale of buildings previously occupied by Council staff.
The new administrative structure was launched in July 1986 and attracted a great deal of local and even foreign interest, including fact-finding visits from politicians from as far afield as Bolivia. The system was intended to give historically distinct local areas within the borough more control over decision-making and increase accountability. These innovative arrangements produced some interesting political outcomes: in July 1986 the Liberals were in overall control of Tower Hamlets Council together with four of the Neighbourhoods (Bethnal Green, Globe Town, Bow and Poplar), but by May 1989 - with the Liberals still holding power in the Council - Labour was running four of the Neighbourhoods.
Seven Standing Neighbourhood Committees (SNCs) were created (in brackets are assigned collection archive reference codes):
- Wapping Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/WAN): initially under Labour control
- Bethnal Green Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/BGN): initially under Liberal control
- Bow Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/BON): initially under Liberal control
- Globe Town Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/GTN): initially under Liberal control
- Isle of Dogs Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/IDN): initially under Labour control
- Poplar Standing Neighbourhood Committee (L/PON): initially under Liberal control
- and Stepney Standing Neighbourhood Committee (initially under Labour control)
The names were later simplified from Standing Neighbourhood Committees to simply Neighbourhoods: Wapping Standing Neighbourhood Committee, for example, became Wapping Neighbourhood.
Each SNC was independent, with its own Neighbourhood Chief Executive (Ian Orton, acting CE in the case of Wapping) and offices. However, the SNCs continued to be closely linked to Tower Hamlets Council in some respects; for example the clerking for meetings was often done centrally by Corporate Services, and the Neighbourhoods were obliged to enact the Council's homes and estates improvement programme which began in March 1987.
Residents could make appointments with their councillors through the First Stop Shop located at Library Place in Cable Street. Wapping was divided into two wards: Shadwell and St Katherine's. Residents elected six councillors, who formed a Committee to decide the Neighbourhood's policies, priorities, inprovement programmes, budget and spending plans.
The Neighbourhood Centre at Limehouse Town Hall, 646 Commercial Road, E14, hosted the following Services:
- Administration
- Chief Executive's office
- Grants
- Legal services
- Personnel
- Policy
- Press office
- Right to buy
- Valuers
The Housing Centre, which dealt with lettings and allocations, rents, race relations and housing/community charge benefits, was based at 122 Backchurch Lane, E1. In addition, there were five local offices:
- Cityside Housing Office, Housing Centre, 122 Backchurch Lane, E1
- Glamis Housing Office, 412-416 Glamis Road, E1
- Limehouse Housing Office, 20 Three Colt Street, E14
- Riverside Housing Office, 19 Pruson Street, E1
- Watney Market Housing Office, 34/36 Watney Market, E1
Social services were based at St George's Town Hall in Cable Street (there was a Meals on Wheels Office at Fitzgerald Lodge, Sutton Street, E1). There was also a Depot at Sutton Street which dealt with matters pertaining to the community charge, the Direct Labour Organisation, health and community services. Issues connected with architects, electrical and mechanical matters and finance were dealt with at offices at 723 Commercial Road, E14.
In 1994 the return of labour government in Tower Hamlets signalled the end of the neighbourhood system. The Council along with associated local forum and area groups continued to administer the borough and give a voice to residents.
This descriptive account of the neighbourhood system is based on articles in 'Tower Hamlets News', July and October 1986, May 1989, June 1990 and March 1991. |