The Cabinet of Newham Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 16 June 2The Cabinet of Newham Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 16 June 2026, with a meeting pack that includes a comprehensive financial outturn report for the 2025/26 period, an annual procurement plan for the upcoming year, and updates on the Highways Planned Maintenance Programme. The agenda also features a significant report on the acceptance and distribution of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for 2026-2029, alongside an update on the Housing Services Improvement Programme and the introduction of a new Housing Diverse Needs Strategy.

2025/26 Financial Outturn Report

The Cabinet is set to receive the 2025/26 Financial Outturn Report, detailing the council's financial performance for the past fiscal year. This report will provide a comprehensive overview of the revenue outturn across the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and Dedicated Schools Budget (DSB). It will also cover performance against the Medium Term Financial Strategy savings targets, the Capital Programme, and the council's reserves position. The report indicates a balanced outturn for the General Fund Revenue, with detailed appendices outlining variances by directorate. The Housing Revenue Account shows an underspend of £12.533m, while the Dedicated Schools Budget has an underspend of £6.252m. The Capital Programme outturn reveals a significant slippage of £153.787m for the General Fund and £40.107m for the HRA. The report also details the progress on Medium-Term Financial Strategy savings, with 82% delivered in 2025/26 and 18% slipped to 2026/27.

Annual Procurement Forward Plan

The Cabinet will consider the Annual Procurement Forward Plan for 2026/27, which outlines proposed procurements with an estimated total contract value of £1 million or more. This plan aims to improve efficiency and streamline procurement decision-making. The report seeks approval for these procurements and delegates authority to relevant Corporate Directors to commence procurement activity. The plan supports the Council's strategic priorities by enabling effective procurement for value for money, high-quality services, social value outcomes, and sustainability.

Highways Planned Maintenance Plan Report

A report on the Highways Planned Maintenance Programme for 2026/27 is scheduled for discussion. This programme is the borough's long-term strategy for maintaining the highway network, encompassing footways, carriageways, street lighting, and structures. The report highlights the importance of a well-maintained highway for safety, enabling various forms of travel, and supporting inclusive economic growth. It details proposed allocations for resurfacing, patching, reconstruction, and drainage schemes, totalling £10.04 million from the Keep Newham Moving programme, supplemented by Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) funding. The report also addresses the condition of highway structures and the ongoing street lighting and electrical maintenance programme, including efforts to reduce carbon emissions through adaptive lighting.

Acceptance and Distribution of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) 2026 - 2029

A significant item on the agenda is the acceptance and proposed delivery model for the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), a new three-year grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) running from April 2026 to March 2029. This fund replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, shifting focus from short-term crisis intervention to integrated crisis response and long-term financial resilience. Newham is allocated £24.6 million over three years. The proposed delivery model, led by Our Newham, will integrate crisis support, housing payments, and resilience activity through a cross-council and cross-partner approach, utilising a place-based model aligned with the Council's eight community neighbourhood areas. The report outlines a managed transition away from universal Free School Meal holiday vouchers, with continued provision until September 2026 while needs-based access routes are embedded.

Housing Services Improvement Programme - Quarterly Update

The Cabinet will receive a quarterly update on the Housing Services Improvement Programme. This report details progress following the Council's C4 regulatory judgement in October 2024 and its entry into a voluntary undertaking with the Regulator of Social Housing. The update indicates sustained improvement in key safety compliance areas, strengthened governance, and progress on the Target Operating Model and Data Improvement Programme. However, it also highlights ongoing pressures related to repairs capacity and data quality. The report also introduces the new Housing Diverse Needs Strategy, which aims to enhance how the housing service identifies, records, responds to, and reviews tenants' diverse needs to ensure equitable access and improved outcomes.

Little Ilford Pride in Place Programme

The Cabinet will consider the Little Ilford Pride in Place Programme, which will see the area benefit from up to £20 million of long-term grant funding over 10 years from the government's Pride in Place Programme. A key condition of this funding is the establishment of a Neighbourhood Board, comprising local community members, the local MP, and a ward councillor, to determine how the funds are spent. This Board will develop a 10-year Neighbourhood Plan, supported by Council officers, to guide investment in projects such as play areas, community events, housing modernisation, and public realm improvements. The Council is asked to act as the accountable body for this significant investment.

Housing Diverse Needs Strategy

A new Housing Diverse Needs Strategy for 2026-2031 will be presented for noting. This strategy aims to transform how the housing service recognises, records, responds to, and reviews tenants' diverse needs, ensuring fair, safe, and responsive services. Developed through extensive research, including tenant and staff engagement, the strategy focuses on four key themes: treating tenants with respect, identifying and reporting additional needs, record-keeping and data use, and tailoring services. The strategy aims to embed equity, respect, and collaboration into all housing interactions, going beyond legal compliance to improve safety and wellbeing for all tenants.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Council Chamber, Newham Town Hall, East Ham, E6 2RP, and will be broadcast live on the London Borough of Newham's YouTube channel.