Peter Landman reports from the September meeting of Newham Council they plan to consult with residents over the deepening homelessness and financial crisis
Newham Council plans to consult with residents over the deepening homelessness and financial crisis which, as Newham Voices reported last month, could bring the Borough to the brink of bankruptcy without urgent government help.
The Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, told councillors at their September meeting that residents would be kept up to date with developments as the Council seeks to navigate through a crisis which has seen projected budgets for this year overspent because of a spike in the numbers of people in need of temporary accommodation.
Councillors were told that appeals have been made to the Government for help in the light of Newham’s desperate financial situation. The Mayor is maintaining contact with the Government and there is a joint approach, coordinated with the London Councils group covering all London Boroughs, has been made to the treasury calling for fast-track support for Newham.
Besides actions to get urgent national support, the Council is taking initiatives to “ stem the tide” of continuing spending that has increased the deficit in the Council budget.
Councillor Shaban Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Housing, announced a number of the actions:
- The restructuring of the homeless prevention service, which has been under severe pressure as reported by Newham Voices in September
- The appointment of tenant liaison officers to improve support for tenants;
- The purchase of properties which the Council will use for people who urgently need homes, mainly from cheaper out of London areas.
The Mayor also announced a plan for the transformation of council services through more rational use of computers and more efficiency in Council departments.
In addition, the Council will expect to see fewer cases of homelessness as a result of the Government’s Renters Rights Bill, which will ban no-fault evictions.
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