| | | | | | Morning
Everyone! I know it’s
cold, but don’t forget today is a celebration of small businesses across the
UK, and I’ll be out this morning to champion all those small local business owners
in Newham that contribute so much to our local economy and create jobs. Please
do shop local on this #SmallBizSatUK to help them continue making an impact
across our borough’s high streets! Talking of
making an impact, I was over the moon on Thursday when the brilliant officer
team at the Council, formally submitted our London Borough of Culture 2025 bid after a fantastic launch event over at Queen’s
Market on Monday night where we showcased the amazing talent that we have in
Newham. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in the bid process so far (click to watch the video!)! There’s more to come, ahead of finding out
whether we have nabbed the title in February next year, and I am excited
about all the possibilities that being the London Borough of Culture 2025 will
bring. Why? Well, through
our London Borough of Culture 2025 programme we will be fair, fearless and
first in pioneering innovative cultural and creative approaches to widen
participation and support our home grown talent to thrive. Our London Borough
of Culture 2025 programme will reflect our purpose in Newham, which is all
about positive change, social value and lifting our people and our communities
- because we are passionate about their health, wellbeing and happiness and
enriching their lives.
Health
and wellbeing of people and the planet is a big focus for the world this week
as the global conference on climate change, COP28 kicked off in the United Arab Emirates on
Thursday. Running till the 12th December, there’ll be a big focus on
the first ever Global Stocktake to assess progress on the goals set in the
Paris Agreement signed by 156 countries back in 2015. The Global Stocktake is
an opportunity for countries to assess their climate efforts so far and to
identify the gaps in current climate action, with a special emphasis on: - Fast-tracking the energy transition and slashing
emissions before 2030;
- Transforming climate finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on finance; and
- Putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action.
Putting nature, people, lives and
livelihoods at the heart of climate action is fundamental to any response to
the climate emergency we face. That’s why I am proud of our new Newham Climate Action Just Transition Plan (you can
read the detailed plan here too), which will I will be presenting to a
formal meeting of Cabinet next Tuesday 5th December 2023. I’ll also
be presenting it at a Full Council meeting on Monday 11th December
to ask all councillors to be part of our Climate Emergency Just Transition
actions to protect our residents.
The threat of
climate change is greater in Newham than almost anywhere else in the UK. We are
a proudly diverse borough and recognise that climate change impacts are felt
disproportionately across our communities. Low income and disadvantaged groups
contribute the least to climate change, yet disproportionately pay the highest
costs for climate adaptation, and are most vulnerable to the impacts of
inaction. We have already
witnessed the devastating effects of extreme heat waves, flooding and soaring
living costs on our residents, and these are set to increase as climate change
worsens. It is not just our environment on the line, but our livelihoods and
our homes. That’s why we need to act now. We cannot fall
into the trap of looking at climate change as just an environmental issue; it
impacts every aspect of Newham as a place, its economy and the lives of our
residents. That’s why we are reframing our approach to climate action to call
for a Just
Transition in Newham, across London, and beyond. As you’ll know,
it’s been a freezing week so far as the
first frosts of winter have led to temperatures hitting zero degrees and below.
A severe weather response for people
experiencing rough sleeping is now in place. This means that severe weather shelters are open
London-wide. Here in Newham we operate a programme to
provide emergency accommodation alongside enhanced outreach work to identify and assist people who
are experiencing rough sleeping, so: - If you see someone sleeping rough and are concerned for their
immediate health, please call 999;
- To help someone who is sleeping rough get support contact
StreetLink on: 0300 500 0914 or visit www.streetlink.org.uk
Finally, this was a
significant week for members of
our Sikh community here in Newham as they marked the birth of Guru Nanak who
founded Sikhism. I’ll be joining the community this Sunday over at the
Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara in Upton Park, as they celebrate amongst the most revered Sikh gurus
in their religion. Guru Nanak taught about the importance of honouring God by
honouring others and the earth as well. I will also be heading to East Ham Town Hall tomorrow
afternoon to support the everyday calls to end
violence against women and girls. As part of our contribution to the global 16 Days of Activism against
gender-based violence, I will be at the Table of Love and Loss event, to show solidarity and honour all those who have
lost their lives to violence. It is free and open to all in Newham, so please
do come. Until next week, stay warm and well. Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz |
| | Let’s bin less and recycle more. From 4 December 2023, we are changing how our waste and recycling collection service operates across the borough and everyone can now recycle weekly.
As part of our ongoing wider efforts to make Newham a cleaner borough, we are launching weekly recycling collections to make it even easier for you to bin less and recycle more.
We’re committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, making changes that will benefit all residents, the borough and the planet.
Be Bin Day Ready > |
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| Help and support to keep you warm
Despite temperatures
plummeting, all of our libraries have extended opening hours to
become Warm Havens providing safe,
non-judgemental, warm spaces during the cold months. So
do pop into your local library for
a warm welcome and hot drink.
We have also created a booklet
on support available to help keep you warm. It includes energy saving tips,
help applying for grants and much more. Find out more about Warm Havens >
Find out more about the support available to keep you warm > |
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| | Plans to introduce 20mph speed limits across the borough We
are proposing to introduce a 20mph speed limit on most roads across the borough.
Lower speeds can help reduce road
danger, reduce traffic noise, and enable and encourage active travel such as
walking and cycling.
This programme supports the Mayor of
London’s Transport Strategy, including Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate all
deaths and serious injuries from road collisions on London’s streets by 2041.
The programme is planned to be
completed in phases. Works for Phase 1, consisting of streets in the northern
area of the borough, are proposed for spring 2024.
Find out more about the 20mph Programme > |
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| Come along to the Table of Love and Loss event this weekend
Please
join us at the Table of Love and Loss on Sunday 3 December. The event has been organised by Ayse Hussein in a heartfelt
tribute to her cousin Jan Mustafa, who tragically lost her life in our
borough. Jan will be remembered, alongside several others who are no longer
with us following tragic and painful events.
You will be able to speak
directly to those who have sadly lost a loved one, while also having access
to a range of support services from specialist organisations. The speakers
also include Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz.
The event will be held from 1pm-4.30pm at
East Ham Town Hall.
Find out more about the Table of Love and Loss > |
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|
| | Celebrating the International Day of People with Disabilities
Please
join us to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities.
Following the awareness day this weekend, we are inviting you to an uplifting
event on Monday 4 December. It has been co-produced and led by our residents
with disabilities and will include talks with inspirational speakers; a theatre
group performance and free refreshments.
We want to ensure the rights and
wellbeing of everyone with a disability are promoted and prioritised.
The event
will be held from 10.45am-2pm at the Function Room, St Mark’s Community Centre
in East Ham, which is step-free and has accessible toilets. There will also be
British Sign Language interpreters available.
For more information, please
contact Sophie.Ibotson@newham.gov.uk.
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| Three top tips for Women's Safety in Newham
You
can help women in Newham stay safe.
1.Download
the Newham Stay Safe app and report any safety issues you know. The app
enables you to: - Report incidents of street harassment in the borough
- Get access to specialist support
- Report incidents for investigation by the Police or
Council –(anonymously)
- Get a direct route through to the 24/7 Stop Hate UK
Helpline
2. Help identify areas of improvement for women's safety by taking
the Women's
Safety Survey.
3.
Visit our pages to find out more about Women's Safety. |
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| | Canning Town Estate Regeneration Festive Fun Day
As part of our Canning Town Estate Regeneration programme, we
are hosting a festive fun day for all of the community to enjoy some holiday
cheer.
Come and join us for a festive fun day with Live DJ
entertainment, ball pit for those aged under eight, fun games for all and free
festive food and drinks. You will also get a chance to view the latest regeneration
plans, ask any questions and also share feedback. Saturday
9 December, 12pm - 4pm at Trinity Community Centre, Bothwell Close E16 Latest
Canning Town Estate Regeneration Update > |
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| Improve your local communal area with Neighbourhood Led Scheme Funding
Through
the Neighbourhood Led Scheme Funding, six new
play areas have been delivered across communal spaces in Newham this year
alone.
These
community-led projects have improved previously unused or underutilised spaces
and made the local areas a nicer environment for families to enjoy. The
funding can be used for improvement projects in your local area,
from creating new play or garden areas and refurbishing or refreshing resident
meeting rooms, amongst many more. To apply, complete the form or email getinvolved.housing@newham.gov.uk. View the latest Edward Street new
play area video > |
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Don't forget your Employment Rights when you work as a Christmas Temp
As
the festivities draw closer, lots of employers will be hiring extra staff to
cover the busy period. Whether you are taking on a new contract or working
extra hours, don’t forget that you have employment rights.
The Newham
Employment Rights Hub is delivering free online workshops, exclusively for
Newham residents, to explain what your employment
rights are and what to do when things go wrong.
To
book your place, email employmentrights@newham.gov.uk or call 0203 373
6494. |
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Christmas Holiday Clubs
Are
you looking for a Christmas Holiday Club for your child/young person, aged
between four and 16? Do you receive means-tested free school meals?
We have
20 clubs at various locations within the borough, providing lots of
activities to suit different ages, needs and interests. HAF
clubs are inclusive for all children and we have specialist
programmes for those young people who require specialist support. Each club will
assess their suitability to provide sufficient support, based on
needs, on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about HAF Winter Activities 2023 >
Alternatively, email HAF@newham.gov.uk to sign up. |
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Have your say on youth vaping
The Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on
creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping ends Wednesday 6
December at 11:59pm.
It is an opportunity for you to have your say on the new law
and crack down on youth vaping. You can respond here. We are aligning with the government’s target of becoming
SmokeFree by 2030 and making an active commitment to reduce smoking as we recently signed
the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control. Find
more information on the support available to quit smoking and nicotine vaping in Newham
> |
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Share your views on public space improvement designs
Following
spring and summer 2023 engagement sessions with local communities, we have now
co-designed the final design for the Welcome to Forest Gate and Little Ilford
Brighter Alleyways projects. They’re aimed at creating more welcoming and safe
public spaces.
We
would really like to hear any further feedback that you might have on both
projects by 11 December 2023.
You can drop the completed feedback forms
below to Jack Cornwell Community Centre, Jack Cornwell St, E12 5NN or email them to NewhamHighStreets@newham.gov.uk. Welcome to Forest Gate
Survey >
Little Ilford Brighter
Alleyways Survey > |
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Want to know more about the Digital Switchover?
Landlines in the UK will be going digital by 2025. Although the landline isn’t going away, we know that you might have questions or would like to know more about this industry-wide change.
If you're worried about the Digital Switchover and what this means for you, drop into BT's pop-up in East Ham Library to find out more.
You don’t have to pre-book, just turn up.
Saturday 9 December, 9am – 4pm Sunday 10 December, 12pm – 4pm
Location: East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, London E6 2RT
Find out more about the digital switchover > |
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Local Area Forums took place throughout November
Throughout November, the Resident Involvement team delivered four successful Housing Local
Area Forums across Newham, which was attended by around 200 residents.
The
Local Area Forum provided residents with the opportunity to receive updates
from senior managers within the housing service and discuss their individual
issues in-person. The positive feedback from residents highlighted the forums
to be very positive, effective and highly informative. |
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| | | | | | Copyright © 2023 London Borough of Newham, All rights reserved. |
| | Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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