I’m back! What with the general election and recent council by-elections, (with Beckton and Little Ilford wards concluding just yesterday), I haven’t been able to email in a while because of what’s known as the pre-election period.
Now that’s over, I’m really pleased to be sending you my first missive in several weeks! As you know, I ordinarily cover some key things I’ve been up to and give you a preview of what’s coming up across Newham in the week ahead.
It’s with deep sadness that I’m having to start with the tragic news that unfolded this past week following a house fire that broke out in East Ham last Saturday. It has led to the tragic death of three young children from the same family and was widely reported in the news. It’s impossible to imagine the heartbreak and devastation felt by the family and friends. My heart goes out to them, and also to neighbours living on the street where the fire broke out.
I met a number of them last Sunday when I went to join a small community vigil - and it was so difficult to comprehend the pain and trauma they are experiencing as a community. It’s why we remembered the three young children who died with a minute’s silence at a meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday morning as well. Presently, council officers are supporting the family, working with partners including the local schools who need to support our young children who have lost three of their classmates.
Following the general election, this week saw the new government set out its legislative programme for the year ahead in the King’s Speech. I was really pleased to see the prominence the government has given to tackling the country’s housing crisis, with 1.5 million promised in the coming first term. Read my statement about the King’s Speech here. Building genuinely affordable homes that Newham residents need is a key priority for the Council, reflecting my 2022 manifesto commitment to deliver 1,500 new homes which are on top of the over 1,000 genuinely affordable rent social homes already delivered so far in the past two years.
This morning I was really pleased to visit the new TwelveTrees housing scheme in West Ham which will deliver at least 3,800 new homes, a new sixth form school, new footbridges and a new entrance to West Ham station. It’s part of the wide array of collaborations we have as a council with house builders, the GLA and government housing agency, Homes England. Because we want to deliver more homes our people can afford.
That’s why this coming Monday, I’m looking forward to checking out one of our latest housing schemes over at the old Greenhill Centre in Manor Park. The new homes being built will be to the highest environmental Passivhaus standards, helping to reduce energy needs and reduce energy bills. So all good for the planet and good for the pocket as well!
Talking of good for the planet, workplaces in Newham can now apply for one of 24 available grants of up to £2,500 towards the cost of a cargo bike, helping to cut transport costs and improve air quality. Applications are open until 1 September 2024, and you can find out more here.
Our Draft Local Plan (Regulation 19), which is at the consultation stage till the 6th of September, sets out our long-term vision and strategy for inclusive growth, regeneration and development across the borough to 2038, including delivering over 50,000 new homes, with an affordable housing target on each development of 50% social rent. This is about providing for the homes we need, but also setting our place vision for how we want to see the borough, and our towns and neighbourhoods, grow and thrive for the benefit of those who live here.
Delivering genuinely affordable new homes now and for the future is an absolute must in the face of the housing crisis. The reality is that the scale of the housing crisis means we simply cannot build our way out of the homelessness and temporary accommodation crisis any time soon because it takes time! So far this year, we’ve had 5,500 homelessness applications, and have 6,500 households in temporary accommodation (TA). This is among the highest levels in the country.
On the day of the King’s Speech, I spoke to an audience of local government leaders and expertsabout how Newham was facing the brunt of the country’s temporary accommodation crisis. I called on the new government to prioritise a new strategy to end homelessness; lift the cap on temporary accommodation housing benefit subsidy; suspend the Right to Buy; and update local housing allowance rates. I’m committed to working with new ministers to unlock Newham’s potential in delivering the government’s crucial housing ambitions, and to working with them on finding new ways to tackle the homelessness and the temporary housing crisis we face.
This week I was also thrilled to use the new entrance to Stratford Stationfrom the Carpenter’s Estate which has been funded by the Council and partners – and which finally opened last week. It’s another sign that progress is happening on our 28-acre Carpenters Estate. I’ll be providing some exciting updates about that soon.
Talking of stations, we had another hate crime incident this morning when someone defaced our PRIDE flags located outside Forest Gate station for the third time. They have been vandalised because of hate. We are working with the police to help find the perpetrators, and as a sign of our defiance, we have raised the Progress Pride Flag at East Ham and Stratford town halls. If anyone has any information, please help us by contacting the Police via 101 or on the Met Police website, quoting reference 1117/19JUL24, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111. There is no space for hate in Newham.
This weekend sees the ABB FIA Formula E World Championships return to Newham, showcasing our historic Royal Docks on a world stage. We are also celebrating the start of South Asian Heritage Month, where ‘Free to be me’ is the theme this year. Check out the exciting programme of events across the borough over the next four weeks!
Finally, you can read our statementon the use of facial recognition technology, in the borough, by the police. While it is an operational decision taken by the police, we are deeply concerned about the disproportionate impact it may have on our Newham communities. That’s why the cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Amar Virdee, issued his statement voicing our opposition to the use of facial recognition software by Newham’s police. We all want safe neighbourhoods and safe streets, but not at any cost and if they risk undermining our liberty.
Until next week, enjoy the sunshine to come, but drink plenty of water and take care.
