This week in Newham:

Alice Billing House Set for £2.9 Million Heritage Boost

Newham Council is poised to accept a £2.9 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund[^1] (NLHF) to refurbish the North Block of Alice Billing House, a Grade II listed building[^3] in Stratford. The Officer Key Decision delegates the final decision to Paul Kitson, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy, Housing and Culture.

• Why it matters: The project aims to transform the at-risk building into affordable creative workspaces, a community café and gallery, and a public pavilion, benefiting local artists and the community.
• Vulnerable groups: The refurbished North Block will provide affordable studio space for approximately 42 creatives, supporting the local arts scene and providing opportunities for skills development and employment.
• Creative Land Trust's Role: The Creative Land Trust[^2] (CLT) will manage the NLHF grant and oversee the project, having secured match funding from various sources.
• Council Priorities: The project aligns with the council's priorities of fostering an inclusive economy, supporting young people, and empowering communities.
• Environmental Sustainability: The project promotes environmental sustainability through the adaptive reuse of a heritage building and the installation of an air source heat pump system.

The council will support CLT in securing the remaining unsecured funding, ensuring the project's successful completion. The project must be completed by 31 March 2029.

School Streets Exemption Removed Amid Safety Concerns

Newham Council has decided to amend the Traffic Management Order (TMO) relating to Healthy School Streets (HSS), removing the exemption for 'building operations'. The Officer Key Decision aims to prevent abuse of the HSS restrictions and improve safety around schools. This decision is subject to call-in.

• Why it matters: The amendment gives the council greater control over vehicle access during school hours, potentially reducing traffic and improving air quality for children and families.
• Healthier and Safer Newham: The amendment aligns with the objective of delivering residential traffic reduction schemes and improving air quality, supporting the council's pledge to deliver safe and healthy neighbourhoods.
• Current Exemption: The existing TMO includes an exemption for the purpose of any building operation or demolition; or in connection with the laying, erection, alteration or repair of any sewer or of any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity, or of any communications network.
• Council's Concerns: The Head of Transport Policies and Programmes raised concerns that the existing exemption could be exploited, allowing all types of building works, regardless of size or time of day, to occur within the restricted zones.
• Equalities Impact: An equalities impact assessment found that the scheme presents an opportunity to deliver positive impacts, safer streets and improved driver behaviours.

The council believes that removing the blanket exemption will allow them to assess building works on a case-by-case basis, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students.

Pensions Committee Meeting Postponed

The Pensions Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 09 July 2025 has been postponed. The Pensions Committee was set to discuss updates on pension administration, investment strategy, and the pension fund's business plan. The committee was also expected to discuss and approve the pension administration budget, admission policy and a number of proposed changes.

Upcoming Meetings

• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Wednesday 23 July 2025 will consider a review of a premises licence for Udaya Restaurant. Link to meeting
• Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee on Thursday 24 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Cabinet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Council on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to meeting
• Officer Key Decision on Thursday 17 July 2025 will discuss the Romford Road Public Realm Improvement Scheme. 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 for Chai Kadai. 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
• Officer Key Decision on Friday 18 July 2025 will discuss high needs adult mental health supported living. Link to meeting
• Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee on Friday 18 July 2025. Link to meeting

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