Hello Everyone, It’s a happy birthday to Newham this week as we mark the 60th year of its formation through this diamond anniversary. Way back in 1965, the two county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham were joined to create the new London Borough of Newham! Since then, our borough has experienced both triumphs and challenges. From the loss of the docks, which deeply impacted our industry, to our moment in the global spotlight as hosts of the 2012 London Olympics, Newham has endured, adapted, and flourished. Time and again, we have renewed and reinvented ourselves, shaping the bright future ahead. And this is all down to our people. Newham has always and will always be shaped by its people. We’re one of the youngest, most diverse boroughs in the country. We are a tapestry woven with threads from around the world. Our streets resonate with languages, traditions, and cultures that enrich our community. Our residents are bold, creative, and full of ideas, and it’s our job, as the council, to make sure they have the opportunities to thrive. As Mayor, I am incredibly proud of this borough and its people. I visited Maryland School to kick off our 60th celebrations. The children gave a wonderful presentation on Newham’s history. It was heart-warming to see our young people—our future—learning about the generations before them and the events that shaped the place they call home. At a time when divisions can sometimes feel more prominent than unity, these connections are more important than ever. Understanding our local history helps us appreciate the stories of those who came before us and the ways in which they built the borough we now cherish. This week, we also marked World Autism Acceptance Week. As we look to the future of Newham, we must remember it is a future for us all. As a council, we will never stop working to build a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive community for all. That commitment extends to our older residents. On Monday, I had the pleasure of visiting the newly opened Leacroft Lodge in Canning Town; a fantastic new 50-unit housing scheme that provides elderly residents with an amazing supported living experience, enabling them to live independently within a thriving community and with the comfort of knowing that support is on hand 24/7. Amongst a group of smiley residents, I got chatting to one of them over lunch, an interesting chap called Gary. Born and raised in Newham, 65-year old Gary spoke about the care and comfort he has found in his new home; and how it’s a place of support and a sanctuary. The Leacroft Lodge supported housing scheme is all part of our Living Well initiative where we collaborate with health and other partners to provide high-quality housing with health or supporting facilities for our ageing population. This morning, I also visited Noele Gordon House, a wonderful community of 75 one- and two-bedroom council homes for over-55s in the heart of East Ham. If you are a Newham council tenant aged 55 or over, this is a fantastic opportunity to downsize while maintaining first priority for a brand-new home at a rent no higher than your current one. These homes are modern, energy-efficient, and designed to support independent living, with additional staff assistance, a telecare system, and communal spaces for socialising. Speaking of housing, congratulations to our team and partner, Populo, for winning a Pineapple Award! Not the fruit, but a prestigious honour presented by The Developer and sponsored by the Design Council. Our team won in the Future Place category for their outstanding work as part of the Carpenters Estate Masterplan. Well done to everyone involved! There was even more to celebrate this week as we marked the end of Ramadan. I hope all who took part had a joyful time. Like many of you, I was incredibly impressed by our dedicated street cleaners, who worked tirelessly to keep our borough clean after the festivities. Their hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for their efforts every day. As much as there’s plenty to celebrate in Newham, there are also moments of sadness. Like the news concerning 11-year old Kaliyah Coa, who hasn’t been found following what appears to have been an accidental slip into the River Thames on Monday in North Woolwich. As, despite the widespread search by the police and emergency services, Kaliyah still hasn’t been found, I wanted to end my message to you with an asking of a favour. At some point this evening or over the weekend please consider a comforting thought or prayer for little Kaliyah.
Best Wishes
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE
Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
