The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Newham Council scheduled a meeting to discuss several key issues, including emergency preparedness, council tax collection rates, and the committee's work programme. Councillors were also expected to receive updates from the chairs of the various scrutiny commissions.

Emergency Preparedness and Corporate Resilience

The committee was scheduled to review Newham Council's approach to emergency preparedness and corporate resilience. A report was prepared for the meeting that aimed to provide assurance on the council's civil contingency arrangements, focusing on emergency planning, business continuity, and 'Prepare and Protect' strategies.

The report outlined Newham's compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, and highlighted key achievements in 2024/2025, such as the renewed Business Continuity Policy and enhanced collaboration through the Borough Resilience Forum. Planned improvements for 2025/2026 included improved councillor engagement and the strengthening of the Borough Resilience Forum (BRF).

The report also detailed the roles of various council departments in ensuring resilience, including Public Health, Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT), Housing, and Planning & Development. It noted the importance of community rest centre volunteers and outlined the council's involvement in overarching resilience structures at the national, regional, and sub-regional levels.

The report included Newham's self-assessment against the Resilience Standards for London (RSLs), and identified the top risks in the borough as:

• Influenza Type Disease (Pandemic)
• Attacks on Publicly Accessible Locations
• Cyber security (Infrastructure and data breach)
• Fires in purpose built residential high-rise flats
• Surface Water Flooding
• Low temperatures and heavy snow

The report also addressed lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, cyber security incidents, and the Manchester Arena bombing.

Council Tax Collection Rates

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing an update on council tax collection rates since February 2025. The report highlighted trends, challenges, and events influencing collection rates, as well as initiatives to increase collection.

The report noted an increase in council tax collection rates compared to previous years, attributed to timely collection and recovery action. Pre-emptive communication strategies, a more robust approach to summonses, and the work of the council's internal enforcement agents were also cited as contributing factors. The internal enforcement service has a dedicated welfare team, who proactively seek to identify vulnerable residents, and help to support them. A monthly outreach service has been established at East Ham Library, where members of the enforcement's welfare team meet and help residents to create affordable repayment plans.

Challenges discussed in the report included high call volumes, delays in revamping the council tax digital journey, and the wider economic climate. The report also provided a performance context for council tax collection, comparing Newham's rates to the average across all London boroughs and neighbouring councils.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee was expected to consider its work programme for 2025-2026. According to the OSC Cover Report Scrutiny Work Programme 2025-2026 18 November 2025, the annual scrutiny work programme for 2025-2026 was agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) at its meeting on 22 July 2025 and reviewed at its meeting on 23 October 2025. The report recommended that the Annual Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025-2026 be reviewed and items for the December meeting be agreed.

The Appendix 1 - OSC Work Programme 2025_2026 10 November 2025 detailed the planned programme of work for the Newham Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025-2026 municipal year.

Other Business

The agenda included several routine items, such as:

• Welcoming attendees and introducing the agenda.
• Confirming committee membership and noting apologies.
• Receiving declarations of interest from members and officers, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct.
• Considering whether to exclude the public and press from any items.
• Approving the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2025.
• Reviewing the Forward Plan.
• Receiving updates from the Chairs of LB Newham's Scrutiny Commissions.
• Agreeing the date and time of the next meeting.