This week in Newham:

Cloud Migration Contract Awarded Amidst Financial Scrutiny

Newham Council has approved a £577,627 contract with Agilisys Limited to migrate its applications and services to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. The Officer Key Decision comes as the council faces a non-statutory Best Value Notice¹ from the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government (MCHLG) and ongoing concerns about its financial sustainability.

• Why it matters: The move is part of the council's technology modernisation plans and its separation from the OneSource shared IT service with the London Borough of Havering.
• Vulnerable services at stake: The council aims to improve the security, resilience, and performance of critical systems, including those supporting Housing and Social Care.
• Financial context: The £577,627 cost will be funded from the cloud migration portion of the overall £5.6 million capital budget approved by cabinet to fund the various disaggregation activities required to deliver the split of ICT services from OneSource.
• Council's rationale: The council believes that a direct award is justified because Agilisys was the only supplier available on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) G-Cloud 14 framework² that met the council's requirements.
• Alternatives rejected: The council rejected doing nothing, citing the need to improve security and resilience, and rejected using in-house resources due to a lack of skills and capacity.

The decision can be called in³, allowing councillors to scrutinise the decision before it is implemented.

Bridge Quarter Development Budget Increased, Exit Clauses Added

The council is set to approve an uplift to the Bridge Quarter Development budget of £3.3 million, increasing it from £88.2 million to £91.5 million. The Officer Key Decision also includes new conditions allowing the developer, Bridge Quarter Ltd, to exit the agreement under certain circumstances.

• Affordable Housing Impact: While the development aims to deliver up to 179 homes, the affordable housing tenure mix may be adjusted, potentially shifting 20 homes to an intermediate affordable housing product, modelled as Affordable Rent.
• Developer Exit Clauses: Bridge Quarter Ltd can exit the agreement if significant ground contamination is discovered or if they don't wish to proceed within 20 days of planning consent. In the event that inflation escalates beyond a cap and costs rise such that the deal becomes unviable for them to deliver, Hollybrook can withdraw from the construction of the development and Newham Council is obliged to purchase all land parcels with the benefit of planning permission for £9 million.
• Financial Risks: The report pack identifies several key risks, including cost increases, developer insolvency, and planning permission challenges.
• Council's Perspective: The council states that it retains control of the site and could increase affordable housing levels or amend the tenure to more Social Rent in the future should economic conditions allow.
• Strategic Alignment: The council believes that the proposed Rex development would contribute towards delivering the council's target, set out in the Corporate Plan 2022-26, Building a Fairer Newham⁴, to start to develop at least 1,500 new homes (including 1,000 at social rent levels) by 2026.

The development agreement concerns land behind The Rex Building in Stratford.

Audit Committee Reviews Financial Challenges and Governance Issues

The Audit and Governance Committee met to review the council's financial management, governance, and audit activities. The Audit Committee considered reports on the LGA Peer Review action plan², treasury management, going concern assessment, external audit reports, and the draft statement of accounts and annual governance statement.

• Best Value Notice: The committee discussed the non-statutory Best Value Notice issued to Newham Council on 8 May 2025 by the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government (MCHLG). The areas highlighted in the notice included financial sustainability, scrutiny processes, cultural change, and leadership effectiveness.
• Financial Performance: The draft statement of accounts revealed a net overspend of £41m against the budget set for 2024/25, and that the revenue budget for 2024/25 was only balanced via the use of capital receipts to finance expenditure.
• Governance Concerns: The draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) identified significant governance issues, including the Best Value Notice, the need for Exceptional Financial Support⁵, a C4 grading from the Regulator for Social Housing⁶, and a claim lodged at the Employment Tribunal by the Executive Mayor against the council.
• Treasury Management: As of 31 March 2025, the council's combined treasury portfolio was £1.324 billion, including £80.6 million in principal investments and £1.405 billion in debt.

The committee also reviewed progress on the action plan developed in response to the LGA Peer Challenge³ in December 2023.

Upcoming Meetings

• Pensions Committee on Wednesday 09 July 2025 will discuss the Newham Pension Fund, including administration, legislative updates, and employer-related matters. Link to meeting
• Officer Key Decision on Wednesday 09 July 2025 will discuss grant funding for Alice Billing House in Stratford. Link to meeting
• Officer Key Decision on Thursday 10 July 2025 will discuss amending Healthy School Streets Traffic Management Orders. Link to meeting
• Council on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointment Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Tuesday 15 July 2025 will consider a review of a premises licence. Link to meeting
• Strategic Development Committee on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Local Development Committee on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Audit Committee on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Friday 18 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Newham:

Cafe Bonnane's Late-Night Licence Bid Draws Resident Ire

The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee convened to consider a variation application for Cafe Bonnane, located at Unit 8 Excel Marina, Canning Town. The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss extending the cafe's hours for alcohol sales, adding off-site alcohol sales, and introducing late-night refreshment services.

• What's at stake: Residents fear increased crime, disorder, and noise nuisance if the licence is approved.
• The proposal: Cafe Bonnane seeks to sell alcohol until midnight, offer late-night refreshments, and allow off-site alcohol sales.
• Resident concerns: Nine residents submitted objections, citing potential risks to public safety and quality of life.
  • Mr Amer Syed warned of increased crime and difficulty controlling a large outdoor seating area.
  • Amanda Woods expressed concerns about intolerable noise from problem drinkers late at night.
• Applicant's response: Frank Fender of FJF Licensing Solutions, representing Cafe Bonnane, suggested residents might be confusing it with the adjacent Bonnane Restaurant.
• Residents clarify: Several residents refuted this, stating their objections specifically targeted Cafe Bonnane.
  • Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized his objection was to Cafe Bonnane, so there is no confusion at all.
  • Adam Johnson claimed he had previously complained about alcohol being served past the current closing time.

The committee's decision will determine whether Cafe Bonnane can expand its services, potentially impacting the local community's safety and amenity. No decision was recorded.

Pensions Board Tackles Employer Risk and Budget Hikes

The Newham Pensions Board addressed key issues including employer admissions to the pension fund and a significant budget increase for pension administration. The Newham Pensions Board also received updates on pension administration, legislative changes, and fund performance.

• Employer Admissions Policy: The board discussed updating the London Borough of Newham Pension Fund Admission policy to favour a deferred pass-through arrangement with academies¹.
  • James Cocks, Assistant Director of Transactional People Services, explained that many employers struggle to provide bonds or guarantors, hindering their admission to the fund.
  • The updated policy aims to ease the process for academies tendering for contracts.
  • Mr Cocks advised that a breach report had been submitted to the Pensions Regulator regarding outstanding admissions.
• Pension Administration Budget: The board reviewed a proposed 12% increase in the pension administration service budget for 2025-26, reaching £1.090 million.
  • James Cox explained that the increase is driven by inflationary pressures, national insurance increases, and a higher volume of complex queries.
  • LPPA is investing in technology to improve efficiencies and absorb legislative changes.
  • The council is challenging LPPA on the increases and seeking benchmarking data to substantiate their performance.
• Performance Update: James Grafton, Pension Administration Officer, reported that overall fund membership has increased, and performance against the SLA has stabilized.
  • Help desk performance fluctuated, with 70% of calls answered within four minutes.
  • The volume of complaints per thousand members has decreased, but remains slightly above the target.
• Legislative Update: Jacqueline Andress, Pension, Project & Contracts Manager, provided updates on various legislative changes and their impact on the pension fund.
  • The council is awaiting a report on compliance with the Pensions Regulator's new code of practice.
  • Changes are being made to address age discrimination found in public sector pension schemes (McCloud).
  • The pensions dashboard project is on schedule, allowing individuals to view all their pensions online.

The board's decisions will impact the financial stability of the pension fund and the services provided to its members.

Hallsville Road Development Advances Amid Housing Demand

The Local Development Committee considered a proposal for a new six-storey building at 57 Hallsville Road in Canning Town. The Local Development Committee was scheduled to discuss the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a new six-storey building.

• The proposal: The new building would include commercial space and 18 new dwellings, ranging from one to three-bedroom units.
• Housing Need: The development aims to provide much-needed residential units in the area.
• Recommendation: The Director of Planning and Development recommended approval of the application.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss a Section 73 application to modify Condition 17 on Romford Road, and the rebuilding of a fire-damaged roof at Forest Gate Police Station. No decision was recorded.

Summer Holiday Activities Secured for Thousands of Children

Laura Eden, Corporate Director for Children and Young People, approved contracts worth £956,951.20 for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) Summer 2025. The Officer Key Decision will provide 38,415 places for children and young people across 20 lead delivery organisations.

• Why it matters: The HAF programme provides free holiday club places with nutritious meals and activities for children eligible for free school meals, addressing food insecurity and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Who benefits: The programme targets primary and secondary aged children and young people in Newham who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
• Inclusive provision: Providers are required to accommodate children with low-level SEND needs, ensuring inclusivity.
• Funding: The Department for Education (DfE) has allocated £2,049,110 to Newham for HAF 2025, with £950,000 earmarked for the summer programme.

The decision supports the council's Young People and Food Security Strategy and aims to give children the best start in life, regardless of their background.

Director of Housing Needs Appointment Progresses

The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee interviewed candidates for the position of Director of Housing Needs. The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee was scheduled to make a recommendation, subject to consultation with Cabinet members.

• Why it matters: This role is crucial for addressing housing needs and homelessness in Newham.
• Extensive process: The council engaged an executive search firm and conducted multiple rounds of interviews, including input from a Youth Panel and Stakeholder Partner panel.
• Next steps: The committee's recommendation will be subject to consultation with every member of the Cabinet.

The appointment will fill a key leadership position responsible for managing housing needs and homelessness services in the borough.

Upcoming Meetings

• Officer Key Decision on Wednesday 02 July 2025 will discuss the proposed award of a contract for cloud adoption services to migrate the council's IT infrastructure to the cloud. Link to meeting
• Officer Key Decision on Wednesday 02 July 2025 will discuss a development agreement for the Bridge Road Quarter site in Stratford. Link to meeting
• Audit Committee on Monday 30 June 2025 will discuss financial management, governance, and audit findings. Link to meeting
• Pensions Committee on Wednesday 09 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Newham:

Sri Supermarket Licence Request Sparks Crime Concerns

Newham's Licensing Sub-Committee considered a request from Sri Supermarket, 522 Romford Road, to vary its premises licence, but no decision was recorded. The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee heard arguments about removing existing conditions and replacing them with new ones.

• What's at stake: The Licensing Enforcement Team opposed the changes, citing concerns about increased anti-social behaviour and street drinking in an area already struggling with these issues.
• The proposal: Sri Supermarket sought to remove most existing licence conditions, allowing alcohol sales from 6am to 11pm daily, with restrictions on the strength of beer and minimum bottle sizes for spirits.
• Enforcement worries: Licensing Enforcement Officer Shane Passfield argued that these changes could attract street drinkers, potentially reversing progress made through stricter licensing conditions.
• Breaches found: A recent compliance visit revealed breaches of current licence conditions, including the sale of high-strength beers, which were seized.
• Current rules: The existing licence, issued in 2020, includes conditions such as staff training, CCTV, restrictions on alcohol displays, and prohibitions on selling single cans or high-strength beers.

The committee was expected to weigh the applicant's proposals against the enforcement team's concerns to determine whether the changes would undermine efforts to combat crime and disorder in the area.

Top Environment Job Still Unfilled

Newham Council is still searching for a Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport. The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee interviewed candidates for the role, but ultimately decided not to make an appointment.

• Why it matters: This position is crucial for leading the council's environmental services and promoting sustainable transport policies, key priorities for Newham residents.
• Extensive search: The council engaged an executive search firm and conducted multiple rounds of interviews, indicating a thorough but ultimately unsuccessful recruitment process.
• High standards: The decision not to appoint suggests the council is holding out for a candidate who meets their specific requirements for this critical role.

The council will need to restart the recruitment process to fill this important position.

Council Reviews Progress on Key Priorities

The Newham Council Cabinet reviewed progress on several key initiatives, including the Local Government Association (LGA) action plan and social housing improvements. The Cabinet meeting also discussed establishing a community opportunities framework.

• LGA Action Plan: The council has completed seven of eleven recommendations from the LGA peer challenge, with the remaining on track for completion by autumn.
• Social Housing: The council is working to address failings identified by the Regulator of Social Housing, with improvements in repairs, electrical safety, and resident engagement.
• Community Opportunities Framework: The cabinet discussed a £28.2 million framework to support older residents and those with disabilities in accessing community activities. Concerns were raised about community wealth building impacts and ensuring equitable access for diverse community groups. The cabinet agreed to establish a framework for community opportunities, with amendments to ensure greater oversight and accountability.
• Best Value Notice: The cabinet will receive quarterly best value progress reports and present regular reports to full council in response to the government's non-statutory best value notice.

Health Board Focuses on Equity and Community

The Newham Health and Wellbeing Board discussed a range of issues, including health equity, community safeguarding, and food strategy. The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting also received an update on integrated neighbourhood teams.

• Health Equity: The Newham Health Equity Programme (NHEP) aims to address inequalities in health outcomes by improving service equity and promoting accurate ethnicity data collection.
• Community Safeguarding: Healthwatch Newham presented a report on community safeguarding, highlighting the need to increase residents' knowledge and confidence in reporting concerns.
• Integrated Neighbourhood Teams: The board received an update on the development of integrated neighbourhood teams, focusing on addressing health inequalities and specific health issues like Type 2 Diabetes.

Standards Committee Debates Independence

Newham Council's Standards Committee discussed its composition, considering a proposal to have a committee comprised entirely of independent members. The Standards Advisory Committee meeting also reviewed remote attendance and proxy voting in local authorities.

• Committee Composition: The committee explored the possibility of a fully independent committee, but acknowledged the legal and practical challenges, including the need for unanimous council support.
• Remote Attendance: The committee noted the government's intention to legislate for remote council meetings and proxy voting, which could significantly change local authority operations.
• Training Attendance: The committee received a report on member training attendance and discussed ways to improve accessibility, such as online modules.

Other Matters

• The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 17 June 2025 was postponed. The meeting was scheduled to interview candidates for the position of Corporate Director of Adults and Health. Link to meeting
• The Newham Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) meeting scheduled for Thursday 19 June 2025 was cancelled. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will consider a variation application for a premises licence. Link to meeting
• Newham Pensions Board on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will discuss the Newham Pension Fund, including administration, legislative updates, and employer-related matters. Link to meeting
• Audit Committee on Monday 30 June 2025. Link to meeting
• Officer Key Decision on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will focus on the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) for the summer of 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Newham:

Council to Survey Thousands of Homes Amid Housing Concerns

Newham Council has approved a plan to spend £897,028 on stock condition surveys¹ of approximately 7,700 social housing properties. The decision, delegated to Paul Kitson, Corporate Director of Inclusive Housing & Culture, aims to provide up-to-date information on the condition of council-owned homes. The Officer Key Decision comes as the council faces scrutiny from the Regulator of Social Housing, which issued a C4 grading in October 2024, indicating systemic issues and serious failings in meeting consumer standards.

• Why it matters: The surveys will help the council identify properties that don't meet the Decent Homes Standard and potential HHSRS issues, ensuring homes are safe and healthy for residents.
• What will the surveys cover? The surveys will assess internal and external decency, potential health and safety hazards, asset lifespans, and energy efficiency, helping the council plan future investments and meet carbon zero commitments.
• Leaseholder costs: Leaseholders will be charged for surveys of communal areas and external building envelopes, with an estimated average charge of up to £150 per leaseholder.
• Previous issues: The council acknowledges that its current asset information is sometimes inaccurate or incomplete, highlighting the need for this comprehensive survey program.
• Alignment with Council Priorities: The project aligns with Priority 5 of the Council's Corporate Plan 2022-2026, which focuses on providing homes for residents and improving the quality of existing council homes.

The council considered and rejected the option of using its in-house repair and maintenance service, deeming it unable to provide the specialist resources required. They also rejected accessing a compliant framework due to time constraints and identified savings in the chosen approach. John Rowan & Partners, who have previously managed major projects for the council, will manage the surveys.

350 New Homes Closer to Reality with Pier Road Agreement

Newham Council has finalized a legal agreement to secure planning permission for a development of 350 new homes on Pier Road, North Woolwich. The Officer Key Decision involved completing a Section 106 Unilateral Undertaking (UU), committing the developer to certain obligations.

• Affordable Housing: The development includes 127 affordable homes (36.3%), with 85 for social rent and 42 for London Living Rent. The council intends to convert all affordable homes to social rent once full planning permission is granted.
• Financial Contributions: The developer will contribute approximately £2.6 million towards various community benefits, including:
  • £591,481 (plus inflation) to Our Newham Work, the council's job brokerage service.
  • £984,367 (plus inflation) towards education.
  • £247,184 (plus inflation) for carbon offsetting.
• Brownfield Remediation: Populo Living Limited secured £1.7 million in funding to clear the brownfield site for development.
• Equalities Impact: An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) from 2018 found that the increase in affordable homes would positively impact younger people on lower incomes, single parents, women, and some ethnic minorities.

The project faced a £0.4 million shortfall in the S106 allocation, which will be covered by reducing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contribution.

Council Appoints Panels to Recruit Top Officers

Newham Council's Chief Officer Appointment Committee has established sub-committees to oversee the recruitment of several key leadership positions. The Chief Officer Appointment Committee meeting determined the membership and requirements for panels responsible for hiring:

• Corporate Director, Environment & Sustainable Transport
• Corporate Director, Adults & Health
• Director of Housing Needs

• Director of Housing Services

• Why it matters: These positions are crucial for delivering essential services to Newham residents, from waste management and transport to social care and housing.

• Diverse Recruitment: The sub-committees must adhere to the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels, ensuring fair representation.

• Key Responsibilities: The job descriptions highlight the broad scope of these roles:

  • The Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport manages a budget exceeding £64 million and oversees services from street cleansing to climate action.
  • The Corporate Director of Adults and Health leads adult social care, safeguarding, and public health initiatives.
  • The Director of Housing Needs manages a budget of approximately £150 million and leads the council's response to homelessness.
  • The Director of Housing Services manages the council's housing portfolio, including 16,000 tenanted properties and 8,000 leasehold properties.

The committee emphasized the importance of member attendance at meetings, referencing Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, which requires councillors to attend meetings at least once every six months.

Upcoming Meetings

• SACRE on Thursday 19 June 2025 will discuss student religious education matters, SACRE priorities, and feedback from the NASACRE annual conference. Link to meeting
• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will consider a variation application for a premises licence. Link to meeting
• Education Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission on Tuesday 17 June 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Monday 16 June 2025 will interview candidates for the position of Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport. Link to meeting
• Newham Pensions Board on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Monday 23 June 2025 will interview candidates for the position of Director of Housing Needs. Link to meeting
• Local Development Committee on Monday 23 June 2025 will discuss planning applications, including proposals for new residential units and modifications to existing permissions. Link to meeting
• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Wednesday 18 June 2025 will consider a variation application for a premises licence. Link to meeting
• Cabinet on Tuesday 17 June 2025 will consider reports on social housing improvements, establishing a framework for community opportunities, and the progress of the council's action plan following a Local Government Association corporate peer challenge. Link to meeting
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Wednesday 18 June 2025 will discuss integrated neighbourhood teams, community safeguarding, health equity, and food strategy. Link to meeting
• Standards Advisory Committee on Wednesday 18 June 2025 will discuss the committee's composition, remote attendance and proxy voting in local authorities, and the committee's proposed work programme. Link to meeting