Hello Everyone,
I hope you had a restful Easter Bank Holiday, though like many of you I’m sure, it was tempered by the saddest news on Easter Monday that His Holiness Pope Francis had passed. Regardless of faith or none, I know so many people in Newham felt heartbroken, as in this complex world of challenge, conflict and change, he was a unique figure who inspired millions. Catholics and others from different faith communities and none felt a real sense on that day that someone so remarkable and inspiring would be a profound loss to humanity. I issued a statement offering my condolences to the Catholic community in Newham and I expressed how I felt such sadness because he was of a rare kind – honourable, decent and one who inspired and motivated. He was the first South American to ascend to the Holy See, a man of both humanity and humility. And his message was a simple one as he urged us to “see the poor,” too often hidden in plain sight for many people. It was a message that resonated with both young and old – and me profoundly. You can read my full statement on the death of His Holiness here. Flags flew at half-mast above our Town Halls as a mark of respect ahead of the Pope’s funeral on Saturday, and at Full Council on Monday evening we’ll be paying our own respects with a commemoration by pupils from St Bonaventure's School. Monday’s Council promises to be a little different to usual. We pride ourselves on having one of the youngest populations in London, with 37% of residents aged 0-25 years. Our intention is for Newham to be the best place for children and young people: to have access to the best start in life; have access to inclusive play and activities in our early year settings, our Youth Zones and in our parks. To also be happy, healthy and safe; with as many opportunities available to them so that they are able to reach their full potential and thrive. Young people’s ambitions and futures are central to everything we do as a Council as we amplify our agenda throughout the borough including in all its education settings; through our partnerships with other public bodies and local businesses; and across our neighbourhoods because all of us have a responsibility for Newham to be the best place for them to grow up and be their best selves as they navigate growing up into adulthood. That’s why our theme of Council on Monday will be Our Young People, Our Future. Please encourage any youngsters in your life to attend! It kicks off at 7pm over at the Old Town Hall, Stratford – and they all be very welcomed! In this 60th anniversary year of the borough, as well as looking back and celebrating, we must also challenge ourselves about the lived experiences of young people today, and the future we want to create for them – and young people’s voices must be part of this. So I’m delighted that young people, including one of Newham’s representatives to the Youth Parliament, will be taking part in Council putting questions directly to Cabinet members. You can read their questions and see the agenda for Monday’s meeting here and you’ll be able to watch it live from 7pm on the Council’s YouTube channel and follow it on social media (@NewhamLondon on X) – but as I said above, come and see it in real life and please encourage any young people you know to attend also! It’s because I am so passionate that our young people see and be part of the democratic process about the issues that affect them. This week we saw a really good example of how politics can make a real world difference to young people’s lives, with the roll-out of the pilots of the government’s new free breakfast clubs. Pupils at four Newham schools: Hallsville Primary School; Scott Wilkie Primary School; Portway Primary School; and Bobby Moore Academy will be among the first in the country to benefit from this vital scheme. Free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare mean many families are set to save £8,000 per year. Coupled with our ‘Eat for Free’ programme, where every primary school aged pupil is eligible for a nutritious free school lunch, saving parents £500 per child each year, the breakfast clubs are a welcome addition as we help support families in Newham and create the best start for our children. Children who go hungry are more likely to miss lessons, or turn up late. Hungry children struggle to concentrate, and through no fault of their own, disrupt a class or need extra help. This has a knock on effect on their future prospects, their life chances are curtailed before they are even 11. Hunger – or simply knowing hunger – can lead to young people becoming more vulnerable to making the wrong choices as adolescents. The child who does not know hunger will turn up on time, pay attention during lessons, study harder, be able to improve their lot, and have a more promising future. Of course, it’s easy to question why taxpayers are feeding other people’s children, but I believe the choice is clear and the answer is simple: every child deserves the chance to thrive. As Pope Francis said “To see the poor is to restore humanity.” Finally, in case you’ve not spotted, when St George’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter - as it did this year - it’s moved to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. No, I didn’t know that either! So that means that we’ll be celebrating St George’s Day on Monday. In whichever way you decide to celebrate, happy St George’s Day in advance and have a have a wonderful weekend. Until next week, stay well and take care!
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
