Evening Everyone, I hope you are well, despite the winter weather!
It’s been really cold this week as London’s been experiencing a severe winter
spell as is the rest of the country. On Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met
Office issued yellow and amber cold weather warnings across different parts of
the country. In London, an emergency severe weather plan was also activated and
it means that all councils in the capital have mobilised together to make sure additional
emergency accommodation is available for anyone sleeping rough in their
boroughs. You’ll know that the impact of cold weather on vulnerable
residents can have serious health impacts, so please do check in on any
vulnerable or elderly friends, family members and neighbours you know as we
play our part in keeping people protected. Don’t forget, we also have our Warm Havens network across the borough
which provide warmth and a
friendly welcome. If you see anyone sleeping on the streets who is likely to
need help, please contact Streetlink. On to stuff we’ve
been working on, and there’s been quite a few exciting developments this week
on our Building a Fairer Newham agenda, as we continue to deliver for you and
all residents in Newham. Firstly, there’s been
the dramatic news this week that the developers behind the MSG Sphere scheme will
now be withdrawing their planning application. It will be a massive relief for
residents living in the Stratford, Maryland and Stratford Olympic Park areas
because of the impact the gigantic orb-like structure would have on the lives
of so many residents in Newham. Newham is not another Las Vegas and the MSG Sphere
structure – which would have been some 100 meters high and 120 meters wide -
would have led to significant light intrusion for residents living in the area
as well as negative health impacts. That’s why we’ve been campaigning for the
past 5-years that this development isn’t a sound proposition, and its impact severely outweighs any benefits the Sphere
would bring to Newham. Our residents have made clear their opposition
to the MSG Sphere and I’m proud that they have a Council that has been campaigning
to protect their welfare. Our campaign has never been about being
anti-business, as we welcome investment in Newham that supports our inclusive
growth ambitions. But investment can’t be at the cost of the health and
well-being of local residents. We’ll now be campaigning for the site to be
designated a housing and employment inclusion zone because we want our
residents to benefit from homes they can afford and jobs that will increase
household incomes. In other exciting news, this
week I received a letter from the Mayor of London who confirmed that he will be
funding for another academic year his free school meals programme for
primary school children.
It means that the money we’ll get from Mayor Sadiq Khan will cover the existing
money we invest in providing a healthy nutritious meal for every primary school
child in Newham. Our Eat for
Free programme is the
longest running universal meals scheme in the country, saving families around
£500 per child a year. This is even more
needed in the current financial climate when families are finding it
increasingly hard in the face of the cost of living crisis.
We’ll carry on campaigning that government should fund universal
free school meals for all school children, because our passion and commitment
to the children and young people in Newham is unwavering. Looking ahead, we’ll
be launching our programme of borough-wide events for LGBT+ History Month, kicking off on the 1st February 2024 with a flag
raising event at East Ham Town Hall. The programme of activities will range
from film screenings to talks, to workshops and performances, and will explore
the theme of medicine and health in the LGBT+ community, as well as providing
holistic workshops which offer connection and empowerment. The month will
culminate in a celebratory party, produced by Social Convention. You can find out more about the full programme here! Until next week, stay
warm and well!
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
