Peter Landman reports from the Newham Council meeting on 22 July

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The Council meeting began on a sombre note as members observed a minute silence for the deaths of three children in the fire at Napier Road and to recognise the passing of two ex-Councillors, Paul Sathianesan and Graham Lane. Some years ago, Graham was Secretary of the Socialist Education Association; and was a prime mover in switching from sixth forms at secondary schools to the model of sixth form colleges.

This issue of child poverty was on the agenda when Councillor Nate Higgins, Green Party raised a question on action against the two-child benefit cap and a motion calling for free secondary school meals. He was told that the new government had set up an interdepartmental task force, and a child poverty unit in the Cabinet Office which would look at the cap on child benefit.

On the issue of free secondary school meals, although he said money could be transferred for this following the take over in funding for primary school meals by the Mayor of London, the Council rejected his motion.

Three other motions from councillors were adopted.

The first from Councillor Sophia Naqvi, the recently elected independent, calling on the Council to get an apology from Keir Starmer for remarks made on Bangladeshi immigrants during the election, was accepted following an amendment submitted by the Mayor. This offered continuing support for the Bangladeshi Community and included an invitation to Keir Starmer and cabinet members to visit the community. She also referred to the development of the Newham Creative Culture Strategy.

Councillor Susan Masters saw her motion, which had been on the table for some months, on the New Dental Crisis finally agreed. This called for objections to be made to dentists’ demands for new patients to sign into insurance schemes, and also called for new dental surgeries to be included in new joint NHS/Council Centre developments.

The meeting also voted in favour of Cabinet Member Mohammad Shabhan’s motion for an urgent meeting with the government on Newham’s Homelessness Crisis.

In written responses to members of the public, the Council noted the dangers in cycling along the Barking Road between East Ham and Canning Town. Members were told that the Council together with Transport for London has started on design work to find a solution, after Transport for London included this in their priorities.

Finally, following a question from a member of the public on the absence of a food waste programme for Newham, the Council’s written response explained that under the Environment Act of 2021 local authorities must have food waste disposal services available by March 2026.

The Council awaits funding, but aims for a trial scheme in 2025. Meanwhile, there was a reminder that low price compost bins are available from the Council.

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