Lakmini Shah - Councillor for Newham ( East Ham South)

Councillor Lakmini Shah

 Labour & Co-Operative  East Ham South  Scrutiny Commission Chair

Email: Lakmini.Shah@newham.gov.uk

Council: Newham

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Council (Member) Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Member) Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee (Member) Budget Scrutiny Commission 2024 Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission (Chair) Relationship Between Black Boys and the Borough Scrutiny Commission (Member)

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

55 meetings · Page 5 of 11

Council

Council - Monday 28th April 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Newham Council meeting on 28 April 2025 focused on the theme of Our Young People, Our Future. Councillors discussed and approved a report outlining the council's commitment to young people, debated motions related to youth services and safety, and heard updates from partner organisations and cabinet members. The council also approved the submission of a new local plan.

April 28, 2025
Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission

Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission - Wednesday 23rd April 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Education, Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the Special Educational Needs (SEND) strategic improvement plan, the virtual school annual report, and the performance dashboard. Councillors reviewed progress on SEND services, scrutinised the virtual school's work, and monitored data across children and young people's services. The commission also discussed adding schools for SEND and passenger transport to next year's work plan.

April 23, 2025
Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission POSTPONED

Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission - Thursday 17th April 2025 7.00 p.m.

This meeting has been postponed.

April 17, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Call-In, Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 25th March 2025 7.30 p.m.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the call-in of a cabinet decision regarding the Populo Living Business Plan for 2025/26, focusing on whether the plan adequately addresses the council's housing needs and financial risks. The committee decided to take no further action, effectively endorsing the original cabinet decision. Key discussion points included the delivery of social rent homes, the financial viability of Populo, and the exploration of alternative development management options.

March 25, 2025
Council

Council - Monday 24th March 2025 7.30 p.m.

The Newham Council meeting on 24 March 2025 included discussions on belonging and inclusion in Newham, and the adoption of a reviewed statement of licensing policy. The council also agreed to provide Councillor Mohammed Gani with a dispensation for non-attendance at meetings until 20 October 2025 due to ill health.

March 24, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

9 decisions · Page 1 of 2

Call-in of the Cabinet Decision: Manor Park Gym - Capital Fit Out

From: Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 7th October 2025 7.30 p.m. - October 07, 2025

...to refer the Cabinet Decision of September 16, 2025, regarding the Manor Park Gym capital fit-out back to Cabinet for reconsideration due to concerns about the robustness of financial appraisals and the exploration of alternative funding options.

Decision approved

Call In of Officer Key Decision: Juniper Ventures

From: Call in, Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 21st May 2025 5.30 p.m. - May 21, 2025

...to ensure public accountability and transparency, the committee referred the Officer Key Decision regarding Juniper Ventures back to Cabinet for reconsideration, citing concerns related to business plans, documentation, risk planning, school meals funding, the appropriateness of the Officer Key Decision process, commercial and financial review, partnership opportunities, and accountability and transparency.

Item Deferred

CALL IN OF OFFICER KEY DECISION - JUNIPER VENTURES

From: Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 8th May 2025 6.30 p.m. - May 08, 2025

...the committee adjourned the Call In meeting regarding the Officer Key Decision on Juniper Ventures due to insufficient and incomplete information, postponing it to a later date.

Item Deferred

Call In of Cabinet Decision: Populo Living 2025/26

From: Call-In, Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 25th March 2025 7.30 p.m. - March 25, 2025

...to reconsider the Cabinet's decision regarding the Populo Living 2025/2026 Business Plan, citing concerns related to the plan's strategic direction, financial assumptions, and oversight, and outlining specific actions needed, including a five-year strategic business plan, a moratorium on new developments, and a forensic audit.

Decision approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 55

Average per Month: 2.8

Decisions Recorded: 9