| | | | Hello Everyone, It’s been another hugely busy and productive week seeing the fantastic progress we’re making on projects that are making a real difference here in Newham for our residents as part of our mission of Building a Fairer Newham. It’s also been lovely meeting and talking to so many of you in person at different events across the borough. Firstly, looking ahead to tomorrow (Saturday), I wanted to share details of an event that’s been organised by residents in Forest Gate, celebrating ‘From Hate to Harmony’. This follows the appalling act of hate a few months ago where the Pride Flags, which had been created by the community with the support of the Council, were vandalised. Following the hydro blasting of the vandalised flags earlier this week, which was carried out by the Council in discussion with and the support of the community, new Pride symbols have been installed on lamp posts around Forest Gate. These were an idea from within the community that I’m delighted the Council has been able to support. Saturday’s event allows us, as a community, to stand together and is a powerful testament to our resilience, solidarity, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality for everyone, regardless of identity. We are Newham, where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Please do join us from 2.30pm at Forest Gate Market Place and let’s unite in celebration of love, pride and what makes Newham so special - and let’s show that hate has no place in Newham. As you know the process for recognising our borough’s incredible unsung heroes is underway, and the hard work of assessing all the fantastic and deserving nominations for the Newham Civic Awards has now begun. Last weekend I joined some of our younger residents who gave up their Saturday to help us evaluate the many nominations we’ve received this year. I am so grateful for everyone, of all ages, helping to shortlist nominations ahead of what promises to be a fantastic ceremony next February. On Monday, I joined the Deputy Mayor of London, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, and colleagues from the London Legacy Development Corporation as we marked the opening of the first major milestone of the Westfield Avenue Public Realm Improvement scheme. This is a big step in our Building a Fairer Newham plan to create London’s first Green Zone in Stratford with more safe routes for cyclists, improved and upgraded footpaths and 25 new trees. It was also a really great way to mark the start of our Climate Action week – where we’ve been promoting activities all week to help residents play their part in fighting climate emergency. There’s so much on offer in ways that will also save you money – all part of delivering our Just Transition plan that we launched a year ago. This week also marked the launch of another really important piece of work, the borough’s Youth Safety Strategy. On Tuesday I joined partners from Newham’s Safeguarding Children Partnership, including schools, police and the NHS - to discuss how we’ll work together to keep young people safe. The strategy represents a breadth of work built on research, policy, collaboration, and review. The strategy is the result of collaboration between the Council and our valued voluntary, faith, and community sector partners to define what’s most important alongside a clear plan of action over the next three years to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people in the borough. It sends a strong message: we will protect and care for every child as if they were our own. With this strategy, we emphasise our dedication to ensure all children and young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive in an inclusive and equitable environment. Monday marked the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and started our campaign of 16 days of action. Young people in Newham have been fully part of the activities highlighting the issues which make women and girls feel unsafe, and you can watch a really powerful film featuring actors from a local theatre group here – please do share the video with those you know, and on social media with #RespectHerJourney. Sunday starts the countdown to Christmas proper with many opening the first door of their advent calendars. If you are shopping for gifts for Christmas or any other celebration (particularly with all the Black Friday sales), please bear in mind the warnings of our Trading Standards team who this week joined London Fire Brigade to launch the #ChargeSafe campaign. In the past year, across London, around three fires a week have been caused by a lithium battery from an e-scooter or e-bike – with one in our borough quite recently. If you are planning on buying one of these, please take the greatest care and only buy from a reputable supplier. And if you haven’t started shopping for gifts yet, why not hold on until next weekend, when you can really give a boost to Newham’s local businesses and the local economy when we’ll be marking Small Business Saturday on 7 December! Until then, have a great weekend and stay upbeat.
Best wishes,
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz |
| | Event to unveil new symbol of pride as community unites against hate The previously vandalised pride flags outside Forest Gate Station have been replaced with a new symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and hope. Join an event at 2.30pm on Saturday at Forest Gate Market Place for the formal unveiling of the new lamp post Pride flags, celebrating resilience and solidarity. The event will highlight the borough’s commitment to inclusivity and equality, driven by a partnership between community groups, Newham Council, and residents. Everyone is welcome to be part of this significant moment for the community! Where: Forest Gate Market Place When: Saturday 30 November 2024, 2.30pm – 4pm |
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| Raising awareness for World AIDS Day World AIDS Day is observed on the 1 December each year. The global movement is aimed at raising awareness about AIDS and HIV; celebrating progress in prevention, treatment and care, while also highlighting the need for further support. The theme for this year is ‘take the rights path’, highlighting the importance of putting human rights at the centre – and the impact communities can have when at the forefront. The Fast-Track Cities initiative aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 by eliminating HIV infections, preventing deaths and tackling HIV-related stigma. We fully support the movement and want to ensure every Newham resident living with HIV gets the help they need, including access to testing.
Find out more about our partners, advice and support around AIDS and HIV > |
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| | Looking after yourself, and others, this winter
As colder weather sets in, avoiding cold, flu and other sickness can become more challenging. However, there is lots you can do to stay healthy and improve your wellbeing, while also supporting your loved ones. That includes getting vaccinated, staying warm and being prepared. You can find more information on the Well Newham winter wellness page here. You will also be able to find our winter wellness booklet, produced in partnership with the NHS. It contains lots of helpful information about the local support services available, from Warm Havens to Food Banks to mental health support.
Download a copy of the Winter Wellness guide > |
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| New dual cycle track on Westfield Avenue Launched
This week saw the opening of a dual cycle track on Westfield Avenue, marking a key step in making Stratford London’s first Green Zone! Part of the Westfield Avenue Public Realm Improvement scheme, due to be fully completed in 2026, it now features 400m of dual cycle track, 40m of upgraded footway along with 25 new trees. The £12m grant-funded project is an initiative between Newham Council, the London Legacy Corporation, Greater London Authority and Transport for London (TfL). Read about the cycle track on Westfield Avenue > |
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| | Youth safety strategy launched by Newham partnership to protect and safeguard borough’s children and young people
Newham Council has launched a three-year Youth Safety Strategy under the Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership to protect young people. Developed with input from over 500 children, parents, carers, and professionals, it focuses on safety, wellbeing, care, and support. The strategy is built on six core principles: partnership working, tackling inequality, early intervention, support and protection, disruption, and creating safer spaces. The strategy will be reviewed and updated annually and is set to be published later this year. Find out more information by emailing Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership > |
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| Have your say on Newham Council’s Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme
We want to know what you think about a proposed change to Newham Council’s Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme for working-age households, which we are considering as part of our 2025/6 budget setting process. Newham has the lowest council tax of any outer London borough, and our current CTR scheme helps working aged residents who are in most financial need, by reducing their council tax by up to 90%. We are having to make changes because of the last 14 years of austerity, where Central Government has steadily reduced the amount of money it gives to us to run all of our services. Without making small changes to the CTR we would instead have to look for savings of up to £4m from other areas of our budget. We are considering several options to alter the scheme to make it fair for all council tax payers and want to hear your views – whether you receive any sort of discount or not. Have your say on Newham Council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme > |
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| | Get your bike checked for free on Saturday 30 November
Dr Bike’s experienced mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments they can make to your bike they’ll do there and then for free. Anything they can't fix on site they’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost at your local bike shop. This session is open to all. Date: Saturday 30 November Time: 11am-3pm Location: West Ham Park Entrance, E7 9LE Find out more about the Dr Bike event > |
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| Celebrating a Successful Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week in Newham
Newham Council proudly joined the national Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week 2024, with a host of fantastic events designed to promote safety and community wellbeing. The week saw incredible engagement from residents, local organisations, and partners working together to tackle ASB and support those affected. The ASB Team, Community Safety Team, and Councillor Jennifer Bailey met with residents and raised awareness. Pop-ups across the borough gave residents a chance to learn about ASB prevention, report concerns, and share feedback. The overwhelming participation showcased Newham’s collective commitment to creating a safer, stronger community.
Find out more information about ASB on our website > |
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| | Share this film to mark 16 Days of Activism To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the film Harassment Stops Here #RespectHerJourney encourages men and boys to reflect on how their actions impact women and girls. It follows a young man who, after casually catcalling with a friend, realises the harm of such behaviour when his sister experiences similar harassment. By showing this personal journey, the film highlights how seemingly harmless actions can contribute to a culture of fear and discomfort, aiming to foster awareness and promote respect.
Watch the 16 Days of Activism film > Share the film on social media using #RespectHerJourney |
| | Our Newham: Empowering residents and businesses with confidential advice and support
Our Newham is the council’s service exclusively for Newham residents supporting you across five programmes: Money, Work, Business & Enterprise, Learning & Skills and Youth.
From helping residents maximise their income and kickstarting career journeys to supporting local businesses and start-ups, find out how Our Newham can help give you the boost you need at: www.newham.gov.uk/ournewham or come and visit us at 112-118 The Grove, E15 1NS
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| | Our mailing address is: London Borough of Newham, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QU. |
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