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 4 of 14

Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee Member

Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee - Thursday 17th July 2025 8.30 a.m.

The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee met to interview candidates for the role of Interim Chief Executive and, subject to no objections from Cabinet Members, agreed to recommend to Full Council that Paul Martin be appointed to the post.

July 17, 2025
Council Member

Council - Monday 14th July 2025 7.00 p.m.

The Newham Council meeting on 14 July 2025 included discussions on a range of topics, from the council's culture and relationships to temporary accommodation and financial challenges. Councillors were scheduled to discuss a report from the Cross-Party Working Group, a response to a Best Value Notice, and a review of political proportionality. Members were also expected to address questions from the public and fellow councillors, and to consider two motions relating to free school meals and environmental safety.

July 14, 2025
Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee Member

Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee - Monday 23rd June 2025 10.00 a.m.

The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee convened to interview candidates for the position of Director of Housing Needs. The recommendation of the committee was scheduled to be subject to consultation with Cabinet members, in line with the council's constitution. The Public reports pack includes background information on the recruitment process and the role.

June 23, 2025
Council

Annual Meeting, Council - Thursday 22nd May 2025 7.00 p.m.

The annual council meeting for the London Borough of Newham convened on 22 May 2025, featuring the election of Councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta as the new Chair of Council and Councillor Imam Haque as the Vice-Chair. Councillors also discussed the calendar of meetings for the upcoming municipal year, political proportionality, and several annual reports from council committees.

May 22, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Committee

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

The Newham Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss a call-in regarding a key officer decision concerning Juniper Ventures. Following deliberations, the committee agreed to refer the decision back to the Cabinet for reconsideration, outlining several recommendations. These recommendations included a review of the council's governing documents, a commercial and financial review of Juniper Ventures, and a call for contractors providing preschool meals to pay the London Living Wage.

May 21, 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