Hello Everyone,

Another busy week in Newham, with development milestones hit, progress on combatting climate change, and our Youth Services gaining national recognition. Plus I was out with the Hammers at the West Ham United Foundation Annual Award and Gala 2025 over at the illustrious Mansion House to celebrate local heroes, with a local hero of our own: Mark Noble who grew up in Custom House.

I want to start with an update following the sudden news that the Richard House Children’s Hospice, based in Newham for 25-years, is set to close following a decision by Trustees. Officers at the Council are making sure that our NHS Northeast London partners have put in place the required support and provision for all the youngsters and families affected. You can read their statement here.   

I started my week with another Full Council meeting at the Old Town Hall, Stratford, where we noted the impressive progress we’ve made in our response to the climate emergency: our Just Transition Two Year Impact Report, showcasing our record of tackling the climate crisis. 

At the meeting I was also delighted to announce the Newham Civic Awards 2025 report, unanimously endorsed by all councillors. It is important to me that we honour and celebrate the selfless endeavours of heroic people in our borough who are motivated to serve our communities. I’m looking forward to meeting with the winners at the Award Ceremony in March 2026. For a full list of the 2025 Civic Award winners click here.

On Tuesday, further plans were approved for the ambitious Silvertown development which will deliver 7,000 news homes on the 60-acre site by the Royal Docks, which includes the famed Millennium Mills building. Delivered by Lendlease, in partnership with The Crown Estate, Homes England, and the Greater London Authority, the Silvertown scheme reflects the ambitions that I have for our borough as a place where we attract investment and widen opportunities for our people.

As it is, phase one of the Silvertown scheme is already in full swing, with 1,032 homes in the process of being completed. With more than half of those being genuinely affordable, I’m looking forward to welcoming residents who’ll be moving into the new ‘completes’ in early 2026!

This week the government announced a new National Youth Strategy, backed up with £500m, putting young people central to ambitious plans to rebuild youth services across the country. It has been much anticipated.

In Newham, we’ve made it our mission to make sure all our youngsters get the best possible start in life and opportunities to achieve their ambitions – and realise their potential. That’s why youth services matter and I look forward to supporting the government in delivery its national youth strategy, because our efforts in Newham are a shining example which has not gone unnoticed.

Last month, the National Youth Agency conducted a peer review of our Newham youth empowerment service – and said that it is a shining example to other schemes that they have seen nationally - and that is an incredible endorsement.

Finally, I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe how quickly the year’s gone and now we are hurtling towards Christmas! I am enjoying the festive spirit bursting across the borough, including the carol singing!

Catch up next week – and remember take good care of yourself and your loved ones. Send them my regards.

Best wishes,

Rokhsana

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE 

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

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