The Annual Council meeting saw the election of Councillor Nate Higgins as the new Chair of Council and Councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta as Vice Chair. The meeting also addressed the composition of the council's committees and the calendar of meetings for the upcoming municipal year.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair of Council

The meeting began with the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of Council. Following nominations and recorded votes, Councillor Nate Higgins was elected as Chair of Council, and Councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta was elected as Vice Chair. Both accepted their new roles, with Councillor Higgins emphasising his commitment to ensuring all councillors are heard and that meetings run smoothly and fairly. Councillor Dasgupta, in his acceptance speech, highlighted his experience and commitment to supporting the Chair and maintaining good order.

Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year

Council considered the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year. Three options were presented: Option 1 proposed reducing the number of Council meetings from eight to six by abolishing themed meetings. Option 2 suggested maintaining the current schedule of eight meetings, including two themed meetings. Option 3 proposed eight meetings with no themed meetings. After debate, Council resolved to adopt Option 3, agreeing to have eight Council meetings with no themed meetings. Councillors Rahman, Mirza, and Naqvi spoke in favour of Option 3, arguing for transparency and accountability through regular, open discussions. Councillor Lafferty also indicated support for Option 3 from the Labour group.

Review of the Allocation of Seats on Committees, Appointments and Other Related Matters

This report detailed the proposed allocation of seats on various committees and sub-committees for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year, ensuring political proportionality in line with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The political composition of the Council was noted as Labour (26 councillors), Newham Independents (24 councillors), and Green (16 councillors). The report recommended re-establishing committees and appointing members in accordance with Appendix 2 of the report. Following a brief adjournment due to issues with circulated papers, Council resolved to approve the report, with the allocation of seats and appointments as detailed. Councillor Mirza raised concerns about the distribution of seats and chairs, suggesting a perceived lack of fairness in the proposed allocations. Councillor Dasgupta responded by detailing the proportional allocation based on the election results. Councillor Olli Rahman also commented on the negotiations that took place, emphasizing that the residents of Newham had not given any single party a mandate to run the council unilaterally. Councillor Keeling stated that the election had been won by the Mayor, not the opposition, and that proportionality had been dealt with.

Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Council received the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2025/2026, which summarised the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its commissions. Councillor Lester Hudson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the report, highlighting its focus on financial sustainability, governance, and the Council's response to the Non-Statutory Best Value Notice. He emphasised the role of scrutiny in asking the right questions to build a fairer, stronger, and more accountable borough. Councillor Anthony McAlmont, former Chair of the Relationship Between Black Boys and the Borough Scrutiny Commission, spoke about the persistent inequalities faced by Black boys in Newham across education, employment, housing, youth justice, and mental health, presenting key recommendations from the Commission's report. Councillor Higgins asked about the outcome of the inquiry into potential replacements for the fixed estate charge, to which Councillor Joshua Garfield responded that the meeting had been postponed due to pre-election period advice and recommended lobbying City Hall on the matter. Council resolved to note the Annual Scrutiny Report.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The report outlined the appointments made by the Mayor of Newham and other statutory appointments to outside bodies for the 2026/2027 municipal year. Many appointments were marked as TBC (To Be Confirmed). Council resolved to note the appointments made by the Mayor.

Composition of Political Groups

Council noted the composition of the political groups following the 2026 Local and Mayoral Elections: Labour (26 members), Newham Independents (24 members), and Green (16 members). This report was for noting, and Council resolved to note the composition of the Political Groups.

Report of the Independent Commission on Inclusion and Belonging

Council noted the report from the Independent Commission on Inclusion and Belonging, which had examined how Newham was delivering on its ambition to be a borough where every resident feels valued, included, and able to belong. The Commission, led by Sunder Katwala, provided constructive challenge on areas where further progress is needed. Council resolved to note the report and consider its findings and recommendations when developing future strategy and policy, and to invite partner organisations to consider them in their own planning.

Building a Fairer Newham 2022-26 Progress and Achievements

The Mayor presented the report on the progress and achievements of the Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Delivery Plan (2022-2026). The report detailed the delivery of priorities, the impact on residents, and remaining challenges. Following debate, Council resolved to note the achievements and impact made in delivering the plan and to note the findings of the 2025 residents' survey.

Statements from Members and Motions

Due to time constraints, the item on Statements from Members was not considered. Two motions were presented:

• Motion 1 – GREEN GROUP MOTION: A Fair Parking System for Newham: Proposed by Cllr Nate Higgins and seconded by Cllr Areeq Chowdhury, this motion supported the principle of size and weight-based parking surcharges and a Workplace Parking Levy. It called for feasibility assessments and inclusion in the next budget cycle, and for the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the Workplace Parking Levy. The motion was declared LOST, with 3 in favour and 3 abstentions.
• Motion 2 - Defending Newham's Values of Unity, Inclusion and Respect: Proposed by Cllr Mehmood Mirza and seconded by Cllr Sophia Naqvi, this motion reaffirmed Newham's commitment to diversity, tolerance, and inclusivity, and stated that divisive political rhetoric has no place in the borough. It called upon all political groups to stand together in defence of these values. The motion was declared LOST, with 3 in favour and 8 abstentions.

End of Year Summary Reports

Council noted the end-of-year summary reports on Deputations, Petitions, progress against Motions, and a report back on Outside Bodies. Council resolved to note the updates on actions taken in response to Deputations, Petitions, Motions, and the report back on Outside Bodies.

Attendance at Meetings - Authority to Exempt

Council received a report seeking approval to exempt Councillor Dina Hossain from attending meetings for a period of two months. Council resolved to approve a dispensation for Councillor Dina Hossain in respect of attendance at any meetings until 7 May 2026.

The meeting concluded with the Chair declaring it closed.