Hello Everyone,

As ever, it’s been a jam-packed week for me visiting different parts of the borough to meet residents, businesses and community groups; and checking out/stepping into all the impressive stuff happening across all our neighbourhoods.

I see so many changes that I am really happy about. It reflects the cumulative impact of all the energy we’ve put into changing the Council so it does the best for all residents; building a fairer place for our people to live and turbocharging opportunity.

Monday kicked off with another *drum-roll* milestone in our Affordable Homes for Newham programme when I went to another ‘topping out’ over in Custom House. The scheme will deliver by March next year, 116 homes our people can afford, including 11 which will be fully wheelchair accessible across a mix of one to four-bedroom homes that we desperately need. Throughout the construction phase, we are also providing opportunity through jobs, apprenticeships and skills training for local residents – and I was really happy to have met some of them on site!

With Newham ranked fourth in the country for Council-led house building, we are showing how we are ready to help the government’s mission to build 1.5 million new homes, because of our solid track record of housing delivery since 2018 where we are providing stability to many households longing to have a place to call home. 

I met the amazing Queen Gifty Anti at another one of our major housing schemes in  Canning Town - set to be transformed through another major Council-led major regeneration project. Over the coming years, three estates will be transformed to deliver 1,750 new homes, of which at least 50 percent will be genuinely affordable – and the first 147 homes are already being built to deliver 100% affordable homes. The project will also bring a wealth of new facilities for the community, and already, we’ve set up the Grow Box Community Hub where I met the acclaimed Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster, leading a reading performance for young people.

Talking  of performances, I took part in a special South Asian Heritage Month online event with deaf poet, actor and filmmaker Sahera Khan who showcased her Sign Poems: Roots and Routes production: an inspiring testament through poetry, storytelling and conversation, of identity, heritage, and belonging through the lens of deaf culture and lived experience.

Newham is so much about identity and heritage, which we rightly celebrate. On Wednesday we marked Jamaican Independence Day with flag-raising ceremonies at both East Ham and Stratford Town Halls, as we recognise the enduring impact of the Jamaican and wider Caribbean community in shaping Newham’s cultural identity across generations of residents.

That’s why I was also pleased to meet African business leaders in Stratford this morning, to talk about their role in creating opportunity and jobs as I gear up to formally launch our Newham Growth Plan this September. The conversations focused on ensuring that Black-owned businesses in Newham have a seat at the table as we shape the borough’s economic future. It was encouraging to hear directly from entrepreneurs about their experiences, and to build momentum for long-term collaboration and investment.

With August now firmly here, don’t forget there’s hundreds of free events and activities that we are putting on across Newham designed to keep children and young people active, inspired and connected during the long school break. From storytelling, slime-making, and tie-dye workshops to fitness circuits, football coaching, and creative arts, there’s something for every age group — including those up to 25 with SEND. From interactive sessions for under 5s, to drumming workshops, barbering classes, and sports with West Ham United Foundation, these events offer a safe and welcoming space for young people to learn, socialise and have fun close to home. Check out the full programme here.

Before I sign off, just wanted to remind you that once again UK Black Pride will be taking place at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this Sunday! This year marks the 20th anniversary of UK Black Pride, with the theme ‘Becoming’.  It is such a vital and important celebration of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern LGBTQI+ communities; rooted in joy, resistance, and collective visibility. UK Black Pride happening at the park reflects our borough’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, belonging, and standing in solidarity the LGBTQI+. I want Newham to be a place where everyone, no matter their background or identity is welcome and can thrive.

Until next week, stay well and enjoy the promised sunshine!

Best wishes, 

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE 

Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz 

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