Peter Landman reports from on the latest from May’s Newham Council meetings

Newham Council's Dockside offices — Photo: wikipedia used under Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0

The Council is planning to sell off some of its land and property sites, but it is hamstrung about how it can use the money it gets in return. In May Cabinet and Council members agreed for some Council-owned sites to be sold off, but they were told government restrictions mean they can only use the money they receive to reduce overall borrowing and payment of interest rates. However, councillors hope that because the government Department of Levelling Up is consulting on loosening these rules, there may be a policy change on the way to allow a broader use of cash from these sales.

Meanwhile, Cabinet received a confidential report of a list of possible sites for disposal, and agreed to go ahead with sales negotiations. In a separate report the Cabinet agreed the sale of the Council site at 29 Bidder Street, Canning Town. For more information contact GilesClarke@newham.gov.uk

New home for single homeless people

The Cabinet has agreed to rebuild 10 Victoria Street in Stratford. This will be demolished and rebuilt for supported accommodation for the most vulnerable single homeless people. The aim is to support them to cope with independent living. The new building will provide more open space and efficient heating. For more information contact mayor@newham.gov.uk

Queens Market Area Development

The Council has produced The Queens Market Good Growth Programme after public consultation. One of the proposals is for a creative wellbeing space. The Council has received funding from the government Department of Levelling Up and Cabinet gave the go ahead for a construction contract. The contract will include resiting of the Green Street Library into four new retail units. There will be a saving as the Council will own the library site, which is at present rented. For more information contact mayor@newham. gov.uk

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