Lester Hudson - Councillor for Newham ( Wall End)

Councillor Lester Hudson

 Labour & Co-Operative  Wall End  Chair of Overview and Scrutiny

Email: lester.hudson@newham.gov.uk

Council: Newham

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Council (Member) Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair) Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Commission (Chair) Budget Scrutiny Commission 2024 Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee Relationship Between Black Boys and the Borough Scrutiny Commission (Member) Pensions Committee Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee (Member)

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

69 meetings · Page 3 of 14

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 16th September 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the council's transformation progress, organisational performance against the Building a Fairer Newham strategy, and grants funding, and to review the annual scrutiny work programme. The committee approved the 2025/26 Annual Scrutiny Work Programme and agreed to review items for the October meeting.

September 16, 2025
Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Commission Chair

Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Commission - Tuesday 9th September 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Commission met on 9 September 2025, to discuss the repairs and maintenance service, and to receive an update on the C4 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The commission also reviewed and agreed its work programme for the next meeting.

September 09, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 22nd July 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Newham Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the annual scrutiny work programme, the July finance review, and the non-statutory best value notice. The committee agreed to establish a working party to review the in-year performance of Newham council's budget. They also agreed to Paul Leslie continuing as a co-operative member for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Anthony McAlmont being named as chair of the Relationship Between Black Boys and the Borough Scrutiny Commission.

July 22, 2025
Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee Member

Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee - Tuesday 22nd July 2025 1.30 p.m.

The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee convened to interview candidates for the position of Director of Housing Services. The recommendation of the sub-committee was scheduled to be subject to consultation with Cabinet members. Councillors were also expected to declare any interests they may have in the matters being considered.

July 22, 2025
Council Member

Extraordinary Meeting, Council - Thursday 17th July 2025 7.00 p.m.

Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Council meeting on 17 July 2025. The agenda included an election of a chair, declarations of interest from councillors, and an exempt report regarding staffing matters. Members were also expected to discuss excluding the press and public from part of the meeting.

July 17, 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: 69

Average per Month: 3.5

Decisions Recorded: 9