This week in Newham:

Home and Settle Service Contract Set for Direct Award to Age UK East London

A crucial service supporting residents returning home from hospital is set to continue with its current provider, Age UK East London, following a decision made at an Officer Key Decision meeting on Monday 1 June 2026. The meeting considered the direct award of a new five-year contract for the Home and Settle Service.

• Why it matters: The Home and Settle Service plays a vital role in ensuring vulnerable residents can recover safely and comfortably in their own homes after a hospital stay. For individuals with low to moderate social care needs, this support can prevent readmissions, reduce strain on families, and maintain independence. The continuity of this service is paramount for their well-being.
• What is the Home and Settle Service? Provided by Age UK East London since 2014, this service offers up to four weeks of support to residents aged 18 and over who are returning home from hospital. This can include practical help like ensuring the home is warm, providing initial food supplies, light housekeeping, and minor home adaptations. The service has a proven track record, with an average of only 3% of residents being readmitted to hospital within 90 days.
• Direct Award Justification: The proposal was to directly award a new five-year contract to Age UK East London, valued at an estimated £600,000. This direct award is recommended under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations, citing satisfactory performance from the incumbent provider and no significant changes to the service scope or contract value. The report noted limited interest in previous procurements for similar services.
• Funding Shift: The service's funding is transitioning from the Better Care Fund to the Public Health Grant from April 2026, aligning it more closely with public health priorities. However, the report indicated that Age UK East London had advised in January 2025 that they could no longer deliver the service within the existing budget, leading to an uplift in the contract sum provided by the Northeast London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB).
• Impact on Council Priorities: The Home and Settle Service directly supports Priority 1 of the Council's Corporate Plan: 'A healthier Newham and Ageing Well', and indirectly supports Priority 2: 'Newham's inclusive economy to support you in these hard times'.
• Decision Details: The decision was made by Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults and Health, in consultation with Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment. The proposed contract value is £0.600m over five years, averaging £0.120m per year.

Read more about the Officer Key Decision meeting

This week in Newham:

New Leadership Elected and Cabinet Announced at Annual Council Meeting

The Council meeting on Wednesday 20 May 2026 saw the election of Councillor Nate Higgins as the new Chair of Council and Councillor Rohit Kumar Dasgupta as Vice Chair. Mayor Forhad Hussain also announced his new cabinet, signalling a fresh start for the borough.

• Why it matters: The election of council leadership and the formation of the cabinet are foundational to how the council operates and makes decisions. This sets the direction for the council's priorities and how it will serve residents over the coming year. For vulnerable groups, the cabinet's focus on areas like housing, health, and children's services directly impacts the support they receive.
• New Leadership: Councillor Nate Higgins was elected Chair of Council with 44 votes, while Councillor Rohit Kumar Dasgupta secured the Vice Chair position with 40 votes. Both councillors will play key roles in presiding over council meetings and ensuring the smooth running of democratic processes.
• Mayor's Vision and Cabinet: Mayor Forhad Hussain outlined his vision for Newham, emphasising cleaner and safer streets, action on fly-tipping, fairer parking, decent housing, and improved local services. His new cabinet includes:
  • Councillor John Gray as Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing.
  • Councillor Zulfika Ali as Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.
  • Councillor Susan Masters as Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment.
  • Councillor Lakmini Shah as Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities. Mayor Hussain indicated that the cabinet would expand in the coming months.
• Meeting Schedule Confirmed: After debate, Option 3 was approved for the calendar of meetings for the 2026-2027 municipal year. This means there will be eight council meetings per year, with no themed meetings. This decision ensures a consistent schedule for residents to follow council business.
• Committee Appointments: The council reviewed and approved the allocation of seats on various committees, ensuring political proportionality. This process is governed by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which mandates fair representation based on the number of councillors from each political group.
• Scrutiny Report Noted: The Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025-2026 was presented and noted. This report details the committee's work in scrutinising council decisions and performance, a vital function for accountability.

Read more about the Council meeting

£920,000 Refurbishment Planned for Abbey Lane Children's Centre

An Officer Key Decision on Wednesday 20 May 2026 approved the initiation of a procurement process for refurbishment works at Abbey Lane Children's Centre. The estimated cost of these works is £920,000, with an additional contingency of £188,000.

• Why it matters: Investing in children's centres is crucial for providing safe, accessible, and supportive environments for young people and families. This refurbishment will ensure the centre meets current standards and can be formally designated as a Family Hub, a key initiative by the Department for Education (DfE). For vulnerable children and families, these centres are vital lifelines for support and development.
• Scope of Works: The refurbishment includes upgrading the reception area, training room, toilets, and staff areas. External improvements will also be made, including a basketball area and pond refurbishment.
• Funding Sources: The project will be funded by £767,000 from the Council's Building Renewals and Improvement Programme, £250,000 in grant funding from the DfE for the Family Hubs Capital Transformation, and £14,000 from Section 106 Carbon Offset Funding.
• Procurement Process: A restricted competition will invite six contractors to tender. The evaluation criteria will be weighted at 70% for price and 30% for quality, aiming for a timely award to meet DfE deadlines.
• Equality Considerations: The decision was made with consideration for the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, ensuring the refurbished centre will be accessible and inclusive for all residents.

Read more about the Officer Key Decision meeting

Cabinet Meeting Cancelled

The Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday 19 May 2026 was cancelled.

This week in Newham:

Radiate Festival Licence Decision Postponed Amidst Safety and Transport Concerns

A crucial meeting to decide on a new premises licence for the Radiate Festival at Beckton District Park South was adjourned on Monday 11 May 2026. The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee was due to consider the application from Radiate Festival Ltd, which sought permission for the supply of alcohol and a range of entertainment activities from 09:00 to 23:00 daily.

• Why it matters: Decisions on event licences directly impact community safety, public nuisance, and the responsible use of public spaces. For residents living near Beckton District Park South, the outcome of this licence application could mean changes to noise levels, traffic, and overall neighbourhood amenity.
• Safety and Transport Hurdles: The meeting was adjourned shortly after it began due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances. However, the documentation prepared for the meeting reveals significant concerns raised by council departments.
  • Highways & Sustainable Transport flagged issues with vehicle access and pedestrian safety, particularly regarding proposed vehicle routes over footways and the potential impact on underground utilities. They also questioned the suitability of the Capital Ring route for proposed vehicle movements and highlighted the need for a formal traffic order, estimating costs of over £5,000 for the organiser.
  • The Council Licensing Team raised concerns about discrepancies in the proposed event capacity, with the application stating 4,999 people but the Event Management Plan referencing up to 9,999. They also questioned the use of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for alcohol sales and highlighted potential issues with managing large crowds at transport hubs like Beckton DLR. Further concerns were raised about on-site car parking arrangements and the potential for displaced parking.
• Adjournment and Next Steps: The Sub-Committee, which included Councillor Jane Barbara Lofthouse, Councillor Shaban Mohammed, and Councillor Harvinder Singh Virdee, reconvened later the same day at 11:00 AM. The full implications of these concerns and any subsequent decisions will be detailed in future updates.

Read more about the Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee meeting

Council to Decide on Refurbishment of Abbey Lane Children's Centre

An Officer Key Decision meeting on Wednesday 20 May 2026 will consider proposed refurbishment works at Abbey Lane Children's Centre. The estimated pre-tender cost for these works is £920,000.

• Why it matters: Investing in children's centres is vital for providing safe and supportive environments for young people and families. These refurbishments aim to ensure the centre meets modern standards for safeguarding, accessibility, and service delivery, particularly as it is set to be designated as a Family Hub under a Department for Education programme. For vulnerable families, these centres are crucial hubs for support and resources.
• Scope of Works: The proposed works include refurbishing the reception area and front entrance, upgrading the training room and toilet facilities, and redesigning the first-floor staff area. External areas will also be improved, including flooring, drainage, and the creation of a basketball area and pond refurbishment.
• Funding Secured: The project will be funded through a combination of sources: £250,000 from the Department for Education (DfE), £767,000 from the Council's Building Renewals and Improvement budget, and £14,000 from carbon offset funding.
• Procurement Process: The decision will involve inviting six contractors to tender for the works. The evaluation criteria will be based on 70% price and 30% quality, with the aim of a timely award to meet DfE programme deadlines.

Read more about the Officer Key Decision meeting

Annual Council Meeting to Elect Leadership and Set Meeting Schedule

Newham Council will hold its Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday 20 May 2026. This important meeting will see the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council, alongside discussions on the composition of the Cabinet and the calendar of meetings for the municipal year.

• Why it matters: The Annual Council Meeting sets the tone for the council's governance for the year ahead. The election of leadership positions and the approval of the meeting schedule ensure transparency and public accountability in how council business is conducted.
• Key Decisions: The agenda includes the election of the Chair and Vice Chair, the review of the Cabinet's composition, and the appointment of representatives to various outside bodies. The calendar of meetings for the municipal year will also be confirmed, providing residents with a clear overview of when council decisions will be made.
• Scrutiny and Accountability: The meeting will also feature the presentation of the annual report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, highlighting the committee's work in holding the council's decision-making to account.

Read more about the Council meeting

This week in Newham:

Radiate Festival Licence Application Adjourned Amidst Safety and Transport Concerns

A crucial meeting to decide on a new premises licence for the Radiate Festival at Beckton District Park South was unexpectedly adjourned on Tuesday 05 May 2026. The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee was due to consider the application from Radiate Festival Ltd, which sought permission for the supply of alcohol and a range of entertainment activities from 09:00 to 23:00 daily.

• Why it matters: Decisions on event licences directly impact community safety, public nuisance, and the responsible use of public spaces. For residents living near Beckton District Park South, the outcome of this licence application could mean changes to noise levels, traffic, and overall neighbourhood amenity.
• Safety and Transport Hurdles: The meeting was adjourned shortly after it began due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances. However, the documentation prepared for the meeting reveals significant concerns raised by council departments.
  • Highways & Sustainable Transport flagged issues with vehicle access and pedestrian safety, particularly regarding proposed vehicle routes over footways and the potential impact on underground utilities. They also questioned the suitability of the Capital Ring route for proposed vehicle movements and highlighted the need for a formal traffic order, estimating costs of over £5,000 for the organiser.
  • The Council Licensing Team raised concerns about discrepancies in the proposed event capacity, with the application stating 4,999 people but the Event Management Plan referencing up to 9,999. They also questioned the use of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for alcohol sales and highlighted potential issues with managing large crowds at transport hubs like Beckton DLR. Further concerns were raised about on-site car parking arrangements and the potential for displaced parking.
• Adjournment and Next Steps: The Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Jane Barbara Lofthouse, reconvened later the same day at 11:00 AM. The full implications of these concerns and any subsequent decisions will be detailed in future updates.

Read more about the Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee meeting