Hello Everyone,
It’s been another one of those busy weeks for me whizzing around the borough and getting on with those all-important decisions as we build a fairer Newham and create opportunity for our people too. I’ve been super delighted this week, as I found out that we’ve reached another major milestone with our Newham Data Economy programme, with over 2000 Newham residents – including young people – having been given the opportunity to master a whole heap of digital and data skills through the work that we do. As AI and data become prominent areas of discussions about UK economic growth, we are positioning our borough as a prime destination for investment that will create jobs for our people now and in the future – and we are ensuring that our young people benefit too! For instance, over the summer we delivered 22 sessions across the borough’s libraries to support digital inclusion with 367 residents benefiting from the opportunities we are offering up. With iPads, parents and children learnt the basics of augmented reality and digital storytelling. As well as that, working with the London College of Fashion in Newham, we’ve involved residents during our South Asian Heritage Month programme to produce a virtual reality short film to be showcased this November through our Newham Festival of Stories. It’s part of national Digital Spaces Project designed to transform the way communities interact with digital creativity and supported by Arts Council England too! At Cabinet this week, our new Housing Resident Involvement Strategy was approved, which sets out how tenants and leaseholders will be at the heart of shaping improvements to Council housing services. It follows the Regulator of Social Housing’s C4 rating we got last October, and at that time I made clear that improvements are a must for me and our residents. So, the team have got to work with residents listening, learning and following through with five core principles that will anchor everything the Council’s housing services will do as a must: through transparency, listening and responding, giving local communities a strong voice, supporting collaboration, and being inclusive of all. It's been another week of positive national recognition for the Council! First up is our Youth Empowerment Services shortlisted for two prestigious awards. The first is a first: a Dezeen Award 2025 for an art installation called ‘Perfect Flower’ created by LGBTQ+ young people; and we’ve also been shortlisted for excellence in Children’s Achievement for our young people with SEND, in the national Children & Young People Now Awards 2025. These nominations are a testament to the creativity, energy, and dedication of young people across Newham, and to the Council’s unwavering commitment to inclusion and empowerment for all our youngsters. Then there’s been a Housing Design Award 2025 for our Custom House regeneration Kickstart scheme in recognition of the high-quality design standards and community focus of our regeneration programme, ensuring new homes are not only well-built but also rooted in the needs and aspirations of local people. On Wednesday, I spoke again at the London Real Estate Forum, which is amongst the UK’s most significant annual gatherings on the ‘built environment’, bringing industry leaders to share best practice and spotlight excellence; and where I formally launched Newham's new Growth Plan for 2025–2030, to tackle inequalities, build homes, boost opportunities and create jobs. Newham is growing London and I’m determined that it will be inclusive growth with our residents, not excluding of them. Another talking spot on Thursday! This time at the Creative Industries Property Forum over at HereEast in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The forum brought together developers, investors, and cultural leaders to discuss how inclusive growth and culture can shape the future of cities and places. What I heard throughout the day was a shared recognition that the future of our cities, our boroughs, our communities depends’ not just on economic growth, but on cultural vibrancy, social equity, and inclusive development that benefits everyone. Otherwise, we’ll see more of what we witnessed in central London last Saturday: grievances infused with racism being expressed by people because of their anxiety because of economic hardship. As Mayor of Newham, I’m proud to lead a borough that is unapologetically ambitious about putting culture and creativity at the heart of our borough’s vision - through our 15-year Building Newham’s Creative Future cultural strategy; and through the partnerships we are creating. Culture is not a luxury. It’s infrastructure. It’s the thread that weaves communities together. It’s the spark that drives innovation. And it’s the lens through which people see themselves in the places they live. In Newham, our cultural strategy is about unlocking opportunity, building community wealth, and ensuring that regeneration delivers for everyone. Delivering for everyone was at the forefront of my mind when I joined the 25th heritage anniversary celebrations with the Newham-based community Deafroots’ over at Stratford’s Old Town Hall this week. I was humbled and empowered by their strength and tenacity to be heard on their own terms as they continually strive for equality. Power to them. Talking of power, the new Royal Docks Corridor is a celebration of a powerful partnership with the GLA and I formally marked its opening today with the Commissioner for Walking and Cycling Dr Will Norman. It’s an amazing brand-new segregated cycleway on North Woolwich Road enhanced with new plants and trees alongside stretches of new pavement. Already receiving rapturous applause from residents, it’s another example of how we’re delivering significant improvements across our borough to benefit everyone. That’s why I’m looking forward to enjoying fun at some of the 10 play streets we've organised across the borough this Sunday, where for a few hours children and families can come together for fun in a traffic-free street in their neighbourhood. Before I sign off, don’t forget we’ve got loads going on across the borough this weekend, including Newham Heritage Month 2025. On Saturday, the iconic Alice Billings House, once a fire station and now a site of artistic activity, will open its doors to residents. The ‘access all areas’ to one of Stratford’s most historic buildings is part of this year’s Open House Weekend, the annual celebration of London's architecture and neighbourhoods. That's why the Royal Docks Originals Festival is also offering a free tour of our borough’s other iconic buildings including Millennium Mills, the Tate Institute and The Factory. Head over if you can – as the buildings are a fascinating insight into our heritage. Until next week, stay well.
Until next week, stay well and stay happy!
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
