It’s been a couple of weeks since schools returned from the long summer break. Seeing students get into the rhythm of being back with their friends and enjoying the wonders of play and learning has been a joy as they continue their education journeys.
Ensuring that our youngsters have a fulfilling time at school and are supported to be their best is so important to me and everyone at the Council. Our high aspirations for all our children and young people is reflected in the positive work we do with our community of schools across the borough, to ensure they are empowered to seize all the possibilities open to them as they progress in their life journeys. No child should be left behind and every child should be enabled to succeed.
That’s why I was delighted to read the provisional figures released this week by the Department for Education for Key Stage 2 or SATs results, (which are taken by all primary school pupils at the end of Year Six). It shows that Newham is currently ranked fourth out of 153 local authorities in England for the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard or higher in reading, writing and maths. We are also in the top ten boroughs for the percentage of pupils achieving the higher standard in these subjects. In the round, it means that Newham is provisionally in the top 13 local authorities in England for all these subject measures. You can read more on our website, including my statement we published this week to mark the ongoing successes of our children and schools in Newham.
The return to school often coincides with a change in weather, and this week seems to signal autumn’s arrival, and the flu bug! I have come down with a cold and have been feeling a little lousy today, but am happy to know that the Met Office is forecasting a brief respite this weekend. So enjoy the autumnal sunshine!
We’ll be ramping up our discussions with councillors and residents about how we plan to re-profile our current in-year 2024/25 Budget because of the financial pressures facing the Council because of the high costs of temporary accommodation, Adult Social Care and out-of-borough placements for vulnerable young people. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be publishing information about ways residents can join the discussions, including the Building a Fairer Newham priorities that will inform our budget proposals for future years.
We are a financially well-run Council, and would have balanced our books last year and the current financial year if the costs of providing temporary accommodation for a growing number of Newham households who have turned to the council for help hadn’t risen out of all proportion.
This is just one reason why I have welcomed the introduction of the Renter’s Rights Bill to Parliament this week. We’ve been campaigning for the end of ‘no-fault’ evictions over recent years at the highest levels of government, so I was delighted when Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycock MP said that the new bill will ‘decisively level the playing field between landlords and tenants’.
People who rent homes in the borough need security, and as a society, we must end the practice of unscrupulous landlords evicting tenants without good reason. At the same time, we need to support good landlords and ensure they aren’t undermined by poor practices in the private rental sector. We must make renting more secure for tenants while also making it more attractive for the reputable landlords we welcome in this borough.
Secure, affordable housing is vital in tackling the housing crisis, so I was pleased to attend the topping-out ceremony of another planned affordable housing development in Silvertown last week. Called ‘Plot 6’, the project will include a mix of residential apartments and commercial space, and is part of the wider vision to revitalise the Royal Docks. I am also delighted that our housing delivery company, Populo Living, is being recognised for the exceptionally designed and genuinely affordable homes we are delivering for our people to rent or be allocated. Our Plaistow Hub scheme has recently been nominated for the best Build to Rent development in the prestigious Build to Rent Awards 2024.
Finally, we are preparing for a major series of events and activities to celebrate Black History Month in October. Across the borough, there will be celebrations, events and activities, so be sure to check out the full Newham Black History Month programme. This is an important opportunity to recognise the impact that different ethnic communities have made, contributing to the diverse, vibrant, inclusive and wonderful borough we all call home. Make sure you head to one of the brilliant events planned.
Science comes to Newham with free events, talks and workshops
The British Science Festival, Europe’s longest-running science event, launched this week and concludes on Sunday. Hosted by the British Science Association and the University of East London (UEL), the festival aims to connect the public with scientists, engineers, technologists and social scientists. With loads of free talks, workshops and interactive events, it offers plenty of opportunities to get involved in a broad variety of scientific topics.
Reminder: Free green and garden waste collections close at the end of September
Green and garden waste collections are available from March to September each year. The collections also re-open around the Christmas holiday so that you can recycle your real Christmas tree.
Remember to book your free collection before the collection window closes on Monday 30 September 2024. If you have green and garden waste after this date, this kind of waste can be recycled into compost or taken to Jenkin’s Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre. No garden waste should be put in the rubbish bins.
Please note that we aim to collect within five working days of your request, but due to a high increase in demand, green garden waste collections may be delayed outside of regular collection dates, all efforts will be made to collect as soon as possible.
Matteo from Royal Victoria is our latest #LitterLotto winner
Dedicated to looking after the environment, Matteo said: "Litter Lotto is an amazing initiative. We are very hooked on it now and there is not a walk we go out on without collecting litter on the way. I'll be sharing the prize money with my partner and our little furry child Toto the Cavapoo."
Like Matteo, you can help keep Newham clean and bag yourself cash prizes.
To take part in #LitterLotto, search and download ‘Litter Lotto’ in the App Store or Google Play Store, upload a photo of litter as you bin it in a Newham council public litter bin, and you can win a variety of prizes. Not forgetting the special monthly Jackpot of £100 for Newham Residents only!
You can enter as many times as you like, as long as it is different litter each time.
Residents currently receiving benefits such as Income support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits will be gradually moved to Universal Credit as part of the managed migration process. If you receive a Migration Notice letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), you must apply for Universal Credit within 3 months to avoid losing payments. To seek assistance with your transition to Universal Credit, please contact the DWP directly.
Are you over 60 and looking for friendly competition and fun? Join Team Newham for the annual Club Games at Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre, as well as the Copper Box Arena on Friday 27 September and again on Wednesday 2 October. You’ll be able to play against other London teams for the coveted Club Games trophy. Whether it’s walking football, timed swim challenges or darts, there’s something for everyone! You can keep up to date with the community programme and the activities at our leisure centres by following @Newham_Better on X and visiting the Better Newham web page here.
Newham, your wardrobe has the power to change lives! This September, we’re inviting you to join Traid’s Closet Clear-out Challenge. Traid is aiming to reach 250,000 garment donations this month and need your help.
Every second, the equivalent of a rubbish truck of textiles is buried or burned and 30% of the UK’s unwanted clothes end up in landfill. That’s around one billion garments. This can’t continue.
Want to join in the challenge?
All you need to do is Pick - Click - Collect.
Pick your clothes, click to donate, and let Traid collect.
Three simple steps to fund good causes and help keep good clothes in use for longer.
Newham Year 6 pupils ranked fourth nationally for reading, writing and maths
According to provisional statistics released this week by the Department of Education, Newham is currently ranked fourth in England for the percentage of pupils in Year 6 achieving the expected standard or better in reading, writing, and maths. These statistics cover attainment in assessments taken by pupils at the end of year 6 when most are age 11. The borough is also ninth for the percentage achieving the higher standard in these subjects.
Impressively, Newham is in the top 13 local authorities in England for all the provisional measures published. It is also important to note these pupils experienced disruption to their learning during the pandemic, particularly at the end of year 2 and in year 3.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Black History Month 2024 programme, themed ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. Highlights include:
Opening Event (4 October): Authors Aamna Mohdin and Kimberly McIntosh will engage in a captivating conversation about Mohdin's new book, 'Scattered: The Making and Unmaking of a Refugee'.
Black Pound Markets (12 and 19 October): Celebrate Black businesses and entrepreneurs at Woodgrange Market and Rathbone Market.
Tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah (25 October and 1 November): Experience 'The Power of Words', a tribute to the renowned poet through spoken word, music, dance, and art.
Grand Finale (26 October): An electrifying night of grime music, showcasing new young talent, produced by Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation.
Ahead of National Fitness Day on Wednesday 18 September, we are encouraging you to get your body moving in your community to improve your physical and mental health.
To celebrate, our leisure centre provider Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is offering those of you that aren’t yet members free access to gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes and hundreds of other activities. You can find more information here.
If you’d rather get fit while being out and about, you can take part in a free Our Parks class. Even the ‘Body Coach’ himself, Joe Wicks, recently teamed up with the instructors in Stratford to encourage local people to get fit while having fun. Did you also know you can earn rewards for getting fit? Simply download the BetterPoints app.
Discover how the Good Thinking website can support your mental health
Good Thinking is a free online service supporting the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in London, in a way that works for them. They provide a range of safe, proactive and early intervention tools to users, including faith-based resources. We are passionate about showcasing free services available to Newham residents which is why, in partnership with Good Thinking, we have created a video to explain how to use the website. You may be able to spot several sites and faces you’re familiar with as all of the content was filmed in and with people from the borough.
You can watch the videos here. Please do share with anyone you feel may benefit. For more information, visit the Good Thinking website here.
Interested in fostering? Find out more online and in person
Information sessions have been set up for those interested in fostering for Newham.
We are currently recruiting foster carers for all age groups. The benefits of fostering for Newham include 24-hour support, a setting up grant of £750, a weekly allowance and exemption from paying council tax.
We are hosting:
1) Monthly online meetings
17 September – 11am-12pm
10 October – 1pm-2pm
5 November – 1pm-2pm
6 December – 11am-12pm
2) Monthly Drop-in sessions at Forest Gate Library, 6-8 Woodgrange Road, in Room 2 between 3pm-5pm
Present your bins correctly the night before your collection day
If you live in a house, or a house split into flats, you must present your bins ready for collection. If your bins aren’t presented correctly, they won’t be collected. They’ll be picked up the following week if presented right.
We start collections from 6am and advise that you present your bins the night before your collection day:
✓ Place your bins at the edge of your property, for example, next to your gate or end of your drive.
✓ Where possible, you should place the handles of the bins facing towards the road.
✗ Avoid placing your bins on the pavement and obstructing pedestrians.
✗ Do not leave excess waste next to your bins.
✗ Do not present a bin without the lid being fully shut.
Important: The requirement to present bins ready for collection does not apply to residents who live in a block of flats or on a housing estate, who share large communal bins.
Our Newham: Empowering residents and businesses with confidential advice and support
Our Newham is the council’s service exclusively for Newham residents supporting you across five programmes: Money, Work, Business & Enterprise, Learning & Skills and Youth.
From helping residents maximise their income and kickstarting career journeys to supporting local businesses and start-ups, find out how Our Newham can help give you the boost you need at: www.newham.gov.uk/ournewham or come and visit us at 112-118 The Grove, E15 1NS
