Hello Everyone, It’s been a week, beginning with solemn reflection as we marked the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks. I was over at St Paul’s Cathedral to remember the 52 lives lost on that devastating day. With the families of those who are still grieving the loss of their precious loved ones, or supporting those who were injured that awful day, I was there to honour those affected with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh along with the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London, MPs, fellow council leaders, as well as civic and faith representatives. Significantly, we also honoured the heroism of the first responders, including members of the emergency services. Like so many Londoners, I remember exactly where I was when the news broke. The pain and shock of that moment remain vivid, even two decades on. But what endures even more powerfully is the spirit of unity and resilience that followed. Our commitment in this borough to stand united against hate and violence in all its forms comes from our shared humanity and our refusal to be divided. The commitment to remembering and honouring lives lost to hate continued for me today as we commemorate the Srebrenica genocide, when more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were murdered in July 1995. Simply because they were Muslim. The pain of that atrocity still echoes in the lives of survivors and families to this very day, and well into the future. It is a duty to remember, to speak out against denial and hate, and to ensure that the lessons of Srebrenica are never forgotten. In both moments this week, I was reminded of the deep responsibility we all carry - as leaders, neighbours, and fellow citizens - to build a world rooted in justice, compassion and peace. The rest of the week shone a spotlight on how we are delivering opportunity, inclusion, and innovation here in Newham. On Tuesday, we proudly hosted ‘Newham Data in Action’ as part of London Data Week at the London Design and Engineering UTC. It was a demonstration of how data and digital skills are unlocking real, tangible opportunities for our residents - and it outlined just how far we’ve come on our Newham Data Economy journey since 2021. The event brought together a fantastic cross-section of people and partners, including Deputy Mayor of London for Business, Howard Dawber, and representatives from organisations like Cognizant - a global IT services and consulting firm - and Girls in Data, a social enterprise working to close the gender gap in tech and data careers, and our own new Data Ambassadors. These Ambassadors have been at the forefront of the change we’re making - learning to code, developing apps, exploring AI ethics, and visiting global tech leaders like Microsoft and Bloomberg. Over the past year, we’ve trained nearly 2,000 residents in AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity. From school-leavers to small businesses to parents, we are giving our residents the tools to harness the digital future. All of it adds up to a powerful example of what inclusive, community-led innovation looks like. What stood out most to me on Tuesday was the energy - not just from the young people themselves, but from the collective belief in what’s possible when councils, educators, employers and residents work together. Our message was clear: we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we’re just getting started. The development of a new, bold, inclusive data curriculum for 2025 and 2026 is already underway, ensuring that this momentum continues to grow. Opportunity Newham, our borough-wide mission, runs through all of this - making sure that regeneration and growth translate into better life chances, more fairness, and a future that local people are helping to shape. This week we also learnt that Newham was named the Most Improved Borough in London in the 2025 Healthy Streets Scorecard, published by CPRE. This recognition is a testament to our Healthy School Streets programme, which has delivered dramatic results - traffic volumes cut by up to 80 percent and a measurable drop in pollution around school gates. Perhaps even more encouraging is the behavioural change we’re seeing: a 22 percent rise in active travel, with more children walking, cycling and scooting to school. This is coupled with our efforts to ensure safe cycling routes throughout the borough. I was thrilled to see the North Woolwich Road cycle lanes praised this week – with some saying the best new cycleway in all of London! It’s been a fantastic transformation and one I am super proud of. These changes are making our borough cleaner, safer, and healthier, while building habits that will benefit generations to come. It’s all part of our Just Transition Plan, which was recently honoured with an LGC Net Zero Award - and another example of how Newham is leading with purpose. Later in the week, I had the privilege of launching the Royal Docks Investment Prospectus at Compressor House - a stunning heritage space that has been reimagined as a Community Wealth Building Hub. Standing in that beautifully restored building, surrounded by community members, partners and investors, I was struck by how much the Royal Docks symbolise what’s possible when regeneration is rooted in local values. With over 275 hectares of development land, the Royal Docks is one of the UK’s most significant regeneration zones. But for us, this isn’t just about cranes and construction- it’s about careers, homes, local enterprise, and climate-conscious growth that puts people at the centre. Through our partnership with Populo, we’ll deliver 8,000 new homes, invest £60 million in high streets, and create long-term opportunities in places like Silvertown and Beckton. This is place-led development in action, and we’re inviting partners who share our values to build with us. From remembrance to regeneration, from data, decarbonisation and deep reflection on the horror of anti-Muslim hate, this has been a week that reflects both the depth of our history, the scale of our ambition and the responsibilities we carry to build a better world of hope, peace and inspiration. With that in mind, take a moment this weekend to show your commitment to honouring what makes Newham so unique. Take care until next week.
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz |
