The Council meeting scheduled for Monday 18 March 2024 was set to discuss seven motions submitted by councillors, covering a range of topics from employment opportunities and public services to child poverty and workplace bullying. Additionally, the meeting agenda included standard procedural items such as the approval of previous minutes, announcements from the Chair and Mayor, and updates from Cabinet Members.

Motions for Discussion

A significant portion of the meeting's scheduled business involved the debate and consideration of seven motions put forward by councillors. These motions covered a diverse array of issues pertinent to the residents of Newham.

Improving Employment Opportunities for Black, Asian, and Ethnic Individuals and Communities

Councillor Carleene Lee-Phakoe proposed a motion aimed at enhancing employment prospects for Black, Asian, and ethnic minority individuals and communities within Newham. The motion highlighted existing disparities in the labour market and sought to ensure the council's practices, as an employer and strategic partner, actively support diverse recruitment, retention, and career progression. The report pack noted that 72% of Newham's residents are from Black, Asian, and other ethnically diverse groups. It also referenced statistics indicating higher unemployment rates for individuals from Bangladeshi and Black/African/Caribbean/Black British backgrounds compared to White and Indian ethnic groups. The motion also drew attention to research suggesting that ethnically diverse individuals often face greater difficulties in securing employment and may receive lower pay for comparable roles, even with equal educational attainment. The report cited findings from the TUC and the Resolution Foundation regarding the ethnicity pay gap, with the latter estimating that Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic workers lose out on £3.2 billion annually in wages compared to white workers. The motion proposed that the council sign up to the Show the Salary Scheme, partner with suppliers who commit to similar transparency, and annually report on its own ethnicity pay gap.

Increasing the Quantity and Quality of Public Toilets

Councillor Simon Rush put forward a motion addressing the provision of public toilets in Newham. The motion referenced a survey by Age UK which indicated that 81% of Londoners believe public toilet provision in their borough is inadequate, and that a significant number of people consider toilet availability when planning journeys. The motion also noted that not all council buildings are currently open to the public for toilet use and that participation in the Community Public Toilets Scheme is low. The report stated that well-maintained, inclusive, and accessible toilets are considered fundamental to promoting accessibility and inclusion for various groups, including older people and individuals with disabilities, and are essential for meeting the council's commitments to an inclusive economy, community wealth building, and public health. The proposed resolutions included reviewing the Community Public Toilets Scheme, assessing the viability of opening council properties' toilet facilities to the public, and developing minimum design standards for new public toilets.

Newham Dental Crisis

Councillor Susan Masters proposed a motion concerning the Newham Dental Crisis. The report highlighted that tooth decay is a leading cause of hospital admissions for young children and that Newham had one of the highest rates of tooth decay among 5-year-olds in London in 2019. It also noted that poor oral health is linked to serious adult health conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Healthwatch had reported a marked deterioration in access to NHS local dental services since 2017. A search of Newham dentists revealed that only a small fraction were accepting new adult patients. The motion also pointed to a shortage of dental nurses, partly attributed to Brexit, and the fact that the North East London Integrated Care System had taken responsibility for commissioning local dentistry services. The proposed resolutions included using the council's influence within the Integrated Care System to increase dental activity, prioritising the creation of new NHS dental surgeries, and lobbying against dentists insisting patients sign up for insurance schemes.

Anti-Bullying Motion

Councillor Elizabeth Booker put forward a motion on anti-bullying in the workplace. The report noted that bullying is a common form of misconduct in the UK, with significant detrimental effects on individuals, organisations, and society, including increased stress, mental health impacts, and financial costs. It cited research indicating that misconduct, including bullying, costs the UK economy £1.2 billion annually in unproductive hours. The motion highlighted that a lack of trust in procedures and fear of victimisation are significant barriers to reporting bullying, with an estimated 53% of those experiencing it never reporting it. The report also mentioned that there is currently no statutory definition of bullying at work, making claims difficult to pursue. The council's belief was that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated and that a Speak Up culture is essential. The proposed resolutions included devising a Zero Tolerance Anti Bullying strategy, ensuring staff are aware of reporting routes, and enhancing induction and training programmes to include anti-bullying measures.

Fight Child Poverty in Newham

Councillors Nate Higgins and Danny Keeling jointly proposed a motion to fight child poverty in Newham. The motion stated that 50% of children in Newham live in poverty, with 32% facing food insecurity. It highlighted that a significant proportion of children in poverty are in working families and that not all are eligible for free school meals. The motion referenced Newham's Eat for Free program for primary school children and noted that funding freed up by the Mayor of London's initiative had been used to fill budget shortfalls rather than for new child support measures. The report also discussed the impact of the government's two-child cap on universal credit and the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, citing research suggesting these policies have contributed to increased poverty. The proposed resolutions included establishing an ambition to provide universal free school meals for all children in Newham, publishing audit outcomes for secondary school readiness, and urging the Mayor of Newham to write to the Mayor of London, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition regarding extending free school meals, ending the two-child cap, and restoring the Universal Credit uplift. It also called for a campaign to fight child poverty in Newham.

Reform the Olympic Park Fixed Estate Charge

Councillors Danny Keeling and Nate Higgins also proposed a motion to reform the Fixed Estate Charge (FEC) levied on residents and businesses around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The motion stated that the FEC is index-linked, not tied to residential discounts, and that residents in certain areas do not pay it, leading to perceptions of unfairness. It noted that a review by the Deputy Mayor of London acknowledged the FEC as a financial burden. The motion argued that the FEC is unsustainable, functions similarly to a ground rent, and is undemocratic as payers have no influence over its spending. The proposed resolutions included opposing the FEC in its current form, campaigning for its reform, and asking the Crime, Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to explore alternatives, such as a London-wide precept. The Mayor of Newham was also to be asked to write to the Mayor of London and the Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to end the indexing of the FEC, reverse it to 2014/2015 levels, and explore funding through a London-wide precept.

Recruitment Balance on Each Ethnicity and Each Protected Characteristic

Councillor Shantu Ferdous, seconded by Councillor Simon Rush, proposed a motion on ensuring recruitment balance across ethnicities and protected characteristics in the workplace. The motion acknowledged that discrimination often begins with poor recruitment processes and stated the council's commitment to ensuring no discrimination or racism exists and that the workforce reflects the community. It referenced ONS statistics on high Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) unemployment and noted that Pakistani and Bangladeshi people had the lowest employment rates. The motion proposed that the council ensure recruitment policies encourage diverse backgrounds, conduct annual recruitment surveys to report on diversity, and use HR communications effectively to ensure diverse applicant pools.

Other Agenda Items

The agenda also included standard procedural items:

• Apologies for absence: To receive any apologies for absence from Members.
• Declarations of Interest: Members were invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests.
• Minutes of the Last Meeting: To approve the minutes of the Budget Council meeting held on 29 February 2024.
• Newham Partners Update: A speaker was to be advised, if applicable.
• Announcements: Announcements were expected from the Chair, Councillor Rohima Rahman, the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, and the Chief Executive, Abi Gbago.
• Updates by Cabinet Members: Members of the Cabinet were scheduled to provide updates.
• Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and Future Commissions: An update was to be provided by Councillor Anthony McAlmont, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
• Deputations: A deputation from Poor Play Newham, a group campaigning for improvements to playspaces, was scheduled.
• Petitions: Any petitions from Members were to be received.
• Members' Questions: Questions submitted by Members to the Mayor, Cabinet Members, or Scrutiny Chairs were to be addressed.
• Questions by the Public: Questions submitted by members of the public to the Mayor or any Member of the Cabinet were to be received.
• Speeches from Members: Councillor Mehmood Mirza was scheduled to give a speech on Reduced Services and Increasing Tax, deferred from a previous meeting.
• Appointments: Any appointments to the Cabinet, Committees, and Outside Bodies were to be received.
• Conclusion of Business: The meeting was to conclude its business.