The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Newham Council was scheduled to consider progress on the council's Delivering Best Value for Our Residents plan and to review proposals for the disaggregation of legal services and elections from the OneSource shared service. The committee was also scheduled to discuss the council's forward plan of key decisions.

Delivering Best Value for Our Residents

The committee was scheduled to consider the Best Value Improvement Plan Cabinet Report, which outlines the council's progress in responding to a non-statutory Best Value Notice issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). This notice, first issued in May 2025, was extended in July 2026 until November 2026. The report detailed progress made across three key themes: Improving Services for Residents, Financial Sustainability, and Governance, Culture and Capability.

MHCLG had recognised progress in strengthening leadership, governance, and financial sustainability, but noted that many improvements were at an early stage and required further work to be embedded and sustained. The refreshed Delivering Best Value for Our Residents Plan for 2026/27 was presented, focusing on demonstrating sustained delivery and organisational outcomes. Key areas of progress highlighted included improvements in resident responsiveness, with marked increases in the timely handling of complaints and enquiries. In Adult Social Care, early results from surveys indicated improved performance, and reablement services showed strong national performance. Housing Services, identified as the council's most significant improvement challenge, was undergoing a strategic reset to strengthen delivery and accountability, with progress being made against a voluntary undertaking with the Regulator of Social Housing. Financial sustainability had also seen significant progress, with a balanced budget for 2026/27 agreed without the need for Exceptional Financial Support, and balanced budgets in place for the following two years. Governance arrangements were also being strengthened, with permanent leadership appointments made and a refreshed Member Development Programme launched.

The report also detailed ongoing challenges, particularly in Housing Services, Adult Social Care, and embedding cultural and governance changes. The refreshed plan aimed to demonstrate sustained delivery and organisational grip, with a focus on areas where MHCLG requested further assurance. The Chief Executive's Assessment, also provided, offered a detailed review of the council's progress since the Best Value Notice was issued, addressing specific areas of concern raised by MHCLG, including financial sustainability, governance, culture, leadership transitions, and service improvements in housing and adult social care.

Disaggregation of Legal Services and Elections from OneSource

The committee was scheduled to review proposals for the disaggregation of Legal Services and Elections from the OneSource shared service arrangement, which was established in 2014 between Newham and Havering Councils. The report indicated that while OneSource retained strengths, both councils now required more bespoke legal support. The proposal was to return Legal Services and Elections to Newham Council, creating a sovereign Newham Legal Services. Services such as Exchequer and Transactional Services, Corporate Business Systems Team, and Print Services were proposed to remain within OneSource.

The report outlined that the disaggregation was mutually agreed between Newham and Havering Councils, waiving any compensatory payments. It detailed the current staffing position within OneSource Legal Services and proposed a new structure for Newham's sovereign Legal Services, aiming for greater efficiency, responsiveness, and value for money. The disaggregation was anticipated to take effect from April 2027, with transitional arrangements and staff consultations to follow. The report also detailed the comprehensive range of legal services currently provided by the shared service, covering areas such as community law, housing and litigation, enforcement, contracts and procurement, property and regeneration, and governance law.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee was scheduled to review the council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. This plan outlines forthcoming decisions that are likely to have a significant impact on the borough and its residents. Members were requested to review this document regularly and raise any issues requiring clarification, which would help in identifying potential topics for inclusion in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's indicative work programme.