Councillor Peter Golds
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
5 Clove Crescent
Mulberry Place
London
E14 2BG
Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP
Minister for Housing and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU
January 24th 2012
Dear Minister
Re: Cllr Shelina Aktar, convicted fraudster and RSL tenant.
I am updating you regarding Shelina Akhtar (aka Aktar) who was elected councillor for the Spitalfields and Banglatown ward in May 2010 giving her address as 37 Toynbee Street, E1.
Following her election she demanded that her name be changed on council records to Shelina Aktar, quickly left the Labour Party to join the Independent group supporting the Executive Mayor.
In July 2010 Shelina Akhtar of 112 Blackwall Way, E14 was convicted on three counts of benefit fraud. In April 2011 she was charged on three counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances, which would have affected her entitlement to benefit and pleaded guilty to these charges in January 2012.
It has now been revealed that she was illegally subletting the property that she had been allocated by Swan Housing for £1,000pcm as well as her benefit frauds. I have written to Swan Housing asking what action they intend to take to regain this property currently tenanted but not occupied by this fraudster.
There are also serious questions to be answered that in a borough with 23,000 on the waiting list, how a healthy 32 year old was allocated this property when she already had plenty of living space at 37 Toynbee Street. Indeed, space could scarcely have been at a premium in 37 Toynbee Street, since she and her mother have been joined by four additional adults, all of whom are included on the electoral register.
This is a serious example of gross mismanagement and one that has been known for close on two years. Swan Housing have been designated preferred partner for the huge Blackwall Reach redevelopment in this borough.
I hope that your Officials will be seeking answers to these serious questions from Swan Housing.
For your information I attach a letter I have today sent to Swan Housing.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Peter Golds
Leader of the Opposition
London Borough of Tower Hamlets