The Newham Council meeting on 8 December 2025 addressed a range of issues, including community safety, pension fund investments, the council's constitution, and climate change initiatives. Councillors approved recommendations for the 2025 Civic Awards, reviewed the Just Transition Programme, and engaged in debates regarding responsible immigration policies and support for unpaid carers. Additionally, members discussed concerns about crime rates, housing standards, and the implementation of fair parking systems.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Just Transition Plan

Councillor Dr John Whitworth, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Climate Emergency and Environment, presented the two-year impact report of the council's Just Transition Plan, which was adopted in December 2023. The plan aims to reduce carbon emissions, build long-term resilience, and reduce inequity.

Key initiatives highlighted in the report include:

• The Warm Homes Programme, which has upgraded 359 social homes through retrofit, insulation and solar panels.
• Community-owned energy projects.
• Pocket forests.
• Healthy school streets.
• Sustainable transport schemes.
• Separate food waste collection.

The council has received recognition for its efforts, including the Local Government Chronicles Award for Progress Towards Net Zero and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England's Award for London's Most Improved Borough for Creating Healthy Streets.

Councillor Keeling, Deputy Leader of the Green Group and Green Group Business Manager, acknowledged the plan's ambitions but expressed concerns that delivery isn't matching the scale or urgency of the climate emergency. He noted that only 2% of the 17,000 homes that need it have been retrofitted. Councillor Keeling also criticised the lack of mention of London City Airport in the report, calling it the single most climate-damaging site in our borough .

The council noted the report.

Civic Awards 2025

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE presented the recommendations of the Civic Awards Panel for the 2025 Civic Awards, which recognise contributions to the borough by local people and organisations. The panel was challenged by the exemplary nominations received, and the recommendations were supported by young people from the Youth Empowerment Service.

The award recipients are:

• Good Neighbour Award: Nicole Camille Morris
• Outstanding Contribution Award: IMD Legion
• Youth Excellence Award: Manav Mehta
• Community Wealth Builder Award: Jitesh Shah
• Create and Thrive Award: Art For Fun
• Green Champion Award: Jenny Mwangura
• Well Newham Award: Carpenters and Docklands Community Centre
• Stronger and United Together Award: The Shpresa Programme

Councillor Keeling mirrored the mayor's sentiments, noting the breadth of different organisations and individuals coming forward and the amount of things that they're doing in the local communities as well to help benefit their communities and themselves and the wider borough.

The council endorsed the panel's recommendations.

Members' Questions

Several councillors raised questions to the Mayor and Cabinet Members, covering a range of local issues.

• Councillor Femi Falola asked about establishing a police station hub on East Ham High Street, citing high crime rates. Councillor Amar Virdee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Housing Needs, Homelessness and Permanent, responded that the decision on officer deployment rests with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), but a dedicated East Ham High Street Policing Team has been introduced. He also mentioned the Safer East Ham Partnership and the £1.5 million secured from the government's Pride in Place Impact Fund.
• Councillor Mehmood Mirza questioned the progress of the review of the Newham Pension Fund's investments in conflict zones, following a motion approved two months prior. No answer was given as the relevant Cabinet lead was not present.
• Councillor Zuber Gulamussen requested a list of all discretionary spending across each directorate before the draft budget is finalised. No answer was given as the relevant Cabinet lead was not present.
• Councillor Sophia Naqvi asked how the council demonstrates the impact of consultation feedback on final policy decisions. Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement & Resident Experience, outlined the council's engagement methods and provided examples of how consultation feedback has influenced policy decisions in the past 12 months, including the Hate Crime Strategy, the Library Survey, and the Parking Charge Notice Services Feedback Survey.
• Councillor James Beckles, Local Development Committee Chair, asked how the council is using its convening powers to bring housing associations in Custom House and the borough together to improve their resolution of ASB and standards of housing. Mayor Fiaz responded, highlighting the importance of the community safety partnership and holding housing associations to account through the antisocial behaviour strategy. She also encouraged residents to report issues to the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Councillor Areeq Chowdhury asked for an update on steps taken to address concerns raised in a petition from residents of Avery Close in Canning Town regarding parking and CCTV. Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Sustainable Transport, stated that design work for a review of controlled parking zone operating hours is expected to start in early 2026, and any changes will be subject to a full consultation. Councillor Amar Virdee added that a review of available data found insufficient grounds to justify additional CCTV, but the local policing team would pay additional attention to the area.
• Councillor Larisa Zilickaja asked how successful the council is in supporting older vulnerable people to remain in their own homes. No answer was given as Councillor Zilickaja was not present.
• Councillor Jane Lofthouse asked what the council is doing to ensure that people age well and that those who are older stay active in the community. Councillor Rita Chadha, Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care and Transforming Newham for the Future, outlined the council's Ageing Well strategy, the Ageing Well Resident Advisory Group, and various initiatives such as the Dementia Support Service and the Falls Prevention Service.
• Councillor Nate Higgins, Green Group Leader, asked whether the upcoming budget would include size- and weight-based parking charges and a Workplace Parking Levy. Councillor Sarah Ruiz responded that weight-based charges are currently unworkable due to a lack of DVLA information, and a Workplace Parking Levy is not feasible under current legislation. Councillor Higgins challenged the claim about the council's power to implement a statutory scheme and asked for the monitoring officer to look into the accuracy of that claim.

Motions

The council considered three motions:

A Borough of Sanctuary – Advocating for Responsible Immigration Policies

Councillor Rita Chadha proposed a motion to reaffirm Newham's commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary and advocate for responsible immigration policies. The motion called for a balanced approach to immigration, supporting those fleeing persecution while addressing concerns around public services. It also proposed writing to MPs and neighbouring local authorities to promote this approach. Councillor Sabia Kamali seconded the motion, emphasising the contributions of migrants and the need for compassion towards refugees and asylum seekers. Councillors Chaudhuri, Paul, Mumtaz, and Annam spoke in favour of the motion.

The council carried the motion.

Supporting Newham's Hidden Carers

Councillor Mehmood Mirza proposed a motion to support Newham's unpaid carers, calling for an annual carer impact report, a review of financial support available to carers, the appointment of a carer champion in every ward, closer working with NHS partners, exploration of carer-received funds, and proper recognition of carers during carers week. Councillor Zubair Goulamussan seconded the motion. Councillor Rita Chadha spoke against the motion, arguing that the council is already doing much of what the motion proposes. Councillor Brayshaw echoed this point, stating that the motion proposed actions that have already been taken.

The council did not carry the motion.

The third motion, Defending Our Borough Of Sanctuary , proposed by Councillor Areeq Chowdhury, was withdrawn.

Other Business

• The council approved a report on the Constitution Review, formally adopting sections set out in appendices relating to a Shareholder Advisory Board, appointments to outside bodies, member and officer conduct, use of resources, and use of social media.
• The council approved a report on Political Proportionality, noting the change in the council's political composition and resolving that seats on relevant committees be allocated accordingly.
• The council noted the Treasury Management Strategy Statement Mid-Year Report, including the projected outturn for Treasury Management 2025/26.
• The council approved a dispensation for Councillors Garfield and Vaughan in respect of attendance at meetings, until 7 May 2026.
• The council approved the appointment of Daniel Carr as Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, and Alexandra Ngini and Joanne Pitt as independent members of the committee.
• The council noted that there have been no decisions taken under the Special Urgency Procedure.
• Councillor John Morris made a statement reflecting on his time as a councillor of Plasto West and Canning Town East.
• Councillor Sabia Kamali made a statement on walking in fear, Muslim women and the urgent need for safety, describing her own experiences and calling for greater action to address Islamophobia.