I wanted to start this week with a call to action request to you all: get involved in the conversations about the Council’s budget plans for this year and next!
Newham faces some really tough financial decisions because of cuts to funding since 2010 and the extraordinary pressures we face. We are currently forecasting a £175m shortfall over the next three years because of rising children’s and adult’s social care costs and £100m temporary accommodation costs. That’s why our budget for the 2025/26 financial year looks set to be one of the toughest yet - as it will be for local government as a whole.
I’ve previously written about the huge challenges the Council faces, like so many others across the country.This is mainly because of the homelessness crisis in this country. London boroughs are bearing the brunt because there’s a shortage of housing in the capital that we can use to support those needing temporary accommodation (TA) and the costs of TA are extortionate.
All councils are legally required to meet their legal duties to house families at risk of homelessness, which means having to pay hugely inflated prices for temporary accommodation. It’s kind of like the market operating like a racket. The extreme costs of TA are largely responsible for the budget overspends we’ve experienced over the past two years and it’s unrelenting – with no signs of TA costs reducing. It’s market failure at a gargantuan scale and we are asking national government to do something about it.
It’s the reason why, back in August 2024, we forecasted an overspend this year and next primarily because of TA. So, we’ll shortly be publishing our savings for this financial year as well as starting our conversations about setting the council’s budget and proposed savings for next year. That’s why we’ve launched our ‘We’ve Got This’ campaign with information about how you can get involved and have your say.
It features local people working hard to make Newham a fairer place to live, showcasing the many ways in which frontline Council staff and local residents are coming together to support the thriving borough that is our Newham - despite the obstacles we come up against. There’ll be posters and information on digital screens across the borough, with online events, in-person sessions and online surveys.
Understanding what matters most to you is central to our campaign. In short, we remain focused on all those outcomes that will benefit you, your family, your neighbours and everyone in our community, because at the heart of our approach remains our core purpose of building a fairer Newham. A Newham where we have a local economy that offers opportunities for everyone to access training, skills and jobs. Where children and young people reach their potential, and where we tackle the inequalities that still hold too many people back. We will have to make tough choices but I will always be driven by our mission of supporting residents to live healthy, happy and stable lives where they can thrive.
Throughout October there’ll be the chance for you to hear more and discuss with me, Cabinet colleagues and Council officers the budget challenges we face so that we can hear directly from you before Cabinet makes its final budget proposals in December.
The first of these events will be an online event on Monday 7October from 6pm. Keep an eye out for how to register to attend.
As your Mayor, securing the best for our people and our communities has always been my driving purpose. Ensuring the Council delivers the services that matter most to residents, and delivering them well means we will carry on changing how the Council operates. We’ll continue prioritising building homes our people can afford and improving how we manage our existing Council homes, which are already part of a £64m capital investment programme. We’ll continue our focus on making sure our streets are clean, communities are safe and neighbourhoods are thriving.
As the new government rebuilds our country, I’ll continue to fight for you and ensure the Council responds to the challenges we face and the needs of residents. That was the message I landed at the highest levels of government this week. During the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, I took every opportunity to raise the key issues facing our borough with government ministers, MPs and advisers.
Alongside the Council’s budget challenges, housing remained at the forefront of my mind this week, including building homes and bringing investment into the borough. I spoke to an audience of investors at the London Real Estate Forum, about the potential and opportunities for growth in our majestic Royal Docks.
I also spoke at the DigiGov Expo to launch our latest collaboration on the data economy, this time with UEL with our Centre for AI in the Public Sector. One of the initial focuses of this collaboration will be TA in Newham which presents a significant opportunity for AI-driven solutions. Drawing on existing data we are developing a predictive model to forecast housing demand and homelessness trends; and are looking at building an AI system to streamline the procurement and allocation of suitable temporary accommodation properties.
Talking of suitable temporary accommodation, I was with Sir Stephen Timms MP on Friday morning on another visit to the Magpie Project whose ‘No Child in a Home Without a Kitchen’ campaign I am supporting. Did you know that in Newham tonight, there’ll be over 200 children under 5-years old and 400 under 18-year olds who’ll not be able to have a home cooked meal because they don’t have access to a kitchen? It’s the shocking plight for our families in our borough seeking sanctuary, and placed in unsuitable hotels and hostels by the Home Office. I want to be part of changing that. That’s why the Magpie Project is a great example of community solidarity and campaigning for all of us to support and follow.
Organisations like the Magpie Project, here in Newham, and the multitude of organisations that support so many of our residents, are some of the reasons I am driven by purpose about the work we do at the Council. They inspire me and they are why I know it’s my privilege to serve the borough that I grew up in. As your Mayor of Newham the inspiration of the people in our borough will always shape how I lead the Council. So as we face current and future challenges, I will continue to serve with purpose and passion to change our world here in our borough for the better.
Free green and garden waste collections close on Monday 30 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 can be recycled into compost or taken to Jenkin’s Lane Reuse and Recycle Centre. No garden waste should be put in the rubbish bins.
Please note 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.
Don’t miss your chance to make a difference. Join Traid’s Closet Clear-out Challenge
Traid’s Closet Clear-out Challenge is in full swing this September, with a goal to collect 250,000 garment donations – and your wardrobe could be the key.
Every second, a truckload of textiles is sent to landfill or burned, contributing to the staggering waste of 30% of the UK's unwanted clothes – about a billion garments.
This trend must change, and you can help.
It’s simple: Pick your unwanted clothes, Click to donate through Traid’s website, and let them Collect. These three easy steps will extend the life of your clothing and fund vital causes.
New Healthy School Streets Schemes launch at 11 Newham schools and nurseries
From Monday 23 September, Newham Council began implementing new Healthy School Streets schemes at 11 local schools and nurseries, including St Stephen’s Primary, Gainsborough Primary, and Oasis Academy Silvertown. These schemes restrict vehicle access during school start and finish times, making it safer for children to walk, cycle, or scoot.
By reducing traffic around school gates, the initiative aims to encourage active travel, improve road safety, and enhance air quality. The streets around schools like Langdon Academy and Azhar Academy Girls School will see less congestion, fostering a healthier environment for both students and local residents.
Local parents and residents will benefit from calmer, cleaner streets during peak school hours, supporting the council’s broader efforts to improve community well-being and safety.
Sarah from Canning Town is BetterPoints’ latest Move More Motivator
You can become a Move More Motivator, thanks to the BetterPoints app. Congratulations to Sarah from Canning Town who is the latest Newham resident to have secured the title. She found out about the BetterPoints app from this very newsletter!
She said: "I was not doing any physical activity or travelling as I was suffering greatly with panic attacks, anxiety and depression.” However, Sarah’s mindset and activity habits have changed for the better, thanks to BetterPoints. She said: “I have stopped comfort eating and I have lost weight with the motivation of the app. I feel more motivated to use my mobility aids such as my wheelchair to travel".
You too can be awarded the Move More Motivator title and win 25,000 BetterPoints.
Eye checks are an important part of managing diabetes
Are you diabetic? Did you know you should be having eye screenings as part of your usual checks? This is because diabetes can lead to eye problems. So, this National Eye Health Week, please remember to attend your screening appointments.
If you’d like to talk about any concerns you may have, join our Newham Diabetes Support Club from 6pm-8pm on Tuesday 1 October at Manor Park Library. Meanwhile, Diabetes UK also has lots of helpful information about eye screenings here.
For those who have no sight or are partially sighted, Enabled Living is here to support you to live the life you want. You can self-refer, or someone can refer you on your behalf via our access team.
After months of planning and preparation with our partners, Newham’s free Ageing Well Festival is just around the corner. Please join us to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on Saturday 5 October. Everything will be free, including all activities, entertainment and international food.
The celebration forms part of our wider Ageing Well strategy, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Newham residents aged 50+, while also reducing health inequalities.
The event will be held at Forest Gate Community School, Forest Lane, E7 8BB, from 10am-4pm. You can receive updates by joining the Ageing Well broadcast list - simply message 07814 076 044.
Get Involved with Newham Housing: Residents sign up for change
The Newham Housing Resident Involvement Team took to the streets, connecting with tenants and leaseholders across the borough to discuss ways they can help shape and improve our housing services. Over the course of three days, we knocked on more than 1,000 doors, engaging with 276 residents. We’re pleased to announce that 75 residents signed up to participate in our various initiatives aimed at making a real difference.
For those who weren’t home, we left information about how they can get involved. From working groups and performance review panels to tenants and residents associations, there are plenty of ways for you to have your voice heard.
The evolution of The UP Garden: a thriving community hub
The UP Garden in Forest Gate is an award-winning vibrant and inclusive space thanks to nearby residents who volunteer their time and skills. They received £4,000 in funding from People Powered Places to further their vision of a thriving hub for the local community through the introduction of a nature trail, the transformation of a vintage phone box into a book exchange, and the addition of an outdoor piano.
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
