Hello Everyone,
I’ve had quite a few residents asking me what happened to last week’s e-bulletin and for a whole host of reasons we had to skip it but thankfully now back and sorry you missed us! Now with the clock’s having gone back an hour last weekend, and the night’s drawing ever more, it’s that time of year where you really do appreciate the autumnal colours in nature as you go about your day-to-day business. The seasonal weather reminds you of getting your flu jab – I had mine this week; and marks how the council gears up with our street cleansing team to sweep away the falling autumn leaves from pavements and our gullies. As I’ve been walking about the borough this week, I’ve been saying thank you to our road sweepers and refuse workers for the work they do across the year and in all seasons to keep Newham clean. Don’t forget our Let’s Love Newham campaign – as we all have a responsibility to come together to tackle fly-tipping, reduce waste and make our streets and parks cleaner. The weather has also been capturing the news headlines this week because of its devasting impact and with implications for many Newham residents. With Hurricane Melissa having wrought so much devastating damage to Jamaica and the Caribbean, I know that many living in our borough have been so worried because they have family and friends on the island and in the region. My thoughts and prayers to those affected; and thankfully the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is providing the latest travel advice and information with any British nationals in Jamaica being urged to register their presence as soon as possible. On Monday, I met some of our amazing young people at Stratford Youth Zone to discuss the Council’s finances and to help shape Newham’s future. This was the first of a series of engagement events, including public discussions, an online survey, and focus groups, that will be carried out over the next few weeks. Together, we must look at potential savings and income-raising ideas, as well as the proposed budget options put forward by Council officers. We are not alone in this; councils across London and around the country are beginning to consider their budgets for the next year. I don’t have to tell you just how tight things are now. Years of austerity have taken their toll on the Council's finances, and demand for our services has never been higher Despite the action we took last year, including £80 million of savings and efficiencies that have already been identified by the Council, we face a projected annual budget shortfall of £50 million next year, and £90 million in 2028/29 unless we take action to reduce costs or increase income. Of that £90 million shortfall, £53 million is due to the predicted growing demand for Temporary Accommodation, which is expected to cost the Council a total of £140 million by 2028/29. It will mean some very difficult choices for all of us. That’s why, before Councillors make their decisions and along with my cabinet colleagues, I really want to hear from you! It’s also why we are planning a series of sessions to explain clearly why the Council is facing such a big financial challenge, what we are doing about it and some of the tough choices we are going to have to make especially when we must meet our legal obligations as a local authority. I’d be keen to know what services you particularly value, get your views and idea, plus make sure you have an opportunity to ask questions before we publish our draft 2026/27 Budget plans in December – which we are working on presently. Find out more about the sessions planned here, and believe me setting the 2026/27 Budget is going to be the toughest one yet and it will mean trade-offs. For instance, this week I’ve decided that we won’t at this stage be able to commit the full People Powered Places budget available this year because we may be able to use the money to offset other budget pressures. I made this decision ahead of the People Powered Places Big Vote events taking place this Saturday (and every Saturday this November), so it means that you can still decide how some of the money will be spent in your neighbourhood. As always, your vote could really make a difference in improving your local area! As you may well have seen this week, Awaab’s Law is now in force – a testament and legacy to a beautiful 2-year-old child Awaab Ishak who died in December 2020 because of a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in the Rochdale flat he lived with his parents. It rightly led to a national outrage, and his parents campaigned to get the law changed in his memory. It now means that all social housing landlords, such as the Council, need to address emergency hazards and damp and mould in tenants’ homes within a fixed timescale. Advocating for the rights of our people day-in-day-out as your Mayor, I believe Awaab’s Law is one of the most significant legal changes in this country ever, and one that will protect thousands and thousands of households. That’s why I am glad that here at the Council, plans are in place and teams are action-ready to help and protect our residents. So, if you are experiencing serious problems, let us know straight away. Report issues using the reporting form on our website or call our contact centre on 0203 373 5500. I was well impressed with our young people again this morning when I popped into Stratford Youth Zone. I met with a bunch of them who’ve been taking part in a Council of Europe funded national training programme in Human Rights Education; and today they received certificates for completing the course. What follows for them is access to a powerful network and further opportunities including jobs! It's a great demonstration of the opportunity Newham we are creating, in the face of so much inequality and poverty that is still experienced by too many households in Newham. For instance, yesterday, the government published the latest analysis of Deprivation in England – and overall Newham ranks the 7th most deprived borough in England and the highest ranked borough for deprivation in London. It has significant impact on the life chances of young people and older residents. Which is why I am purposeful about tackling inequality and poverty – and my passion is building a fairer Newham. Talking of inequality, this weekend marks the start of Islamaphobia Awareness Month 2025, celebrating the positive contributions of Muslims to British society and raising awareness of Islamophobia which is rife and scarily pervasive it seems right now. That’s why we’ve put on a powerful programme of exhibitions, workshops, storytelling sessions - find out more here and book to join any of the events we are hosting. Before I sign off, don’t forget that nominations for the Newham Civic Awards 2025 are open! These awards recognise outstanding contributions across ten categories, from good neighbours and youth champions to creative innovators and community groups driving positive change. Nominations close on Sunday, 16 November, so if you know a superhero who is making a phenomenal difference in our borough, nominate them! Until next week, look after yourself and take care – and I hope you don’t get too spooked tonight as locals get into all things Halloween! 👻
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
