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Cabinet - Tuesday 21st July 2026 3.00 p.m.
July 21, 2026 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Cabinet of Newham Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026 to discuss the council's financial position and to approve the terms of reference for a significant review of parking and kerbside space. Key decisions included the adoption of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for ongoing budget planning and the approval of the scope for the Parking and Kerbside Space Review, which will examine current parking policies and operations across the borough.
Parking and Kerbside Space Review - Terms of Reference and Scope
Cabinet approved the Terms of Reference and Scope for a comprehensive borough-wide review of parking and kerbside space. This review aims to ensure that parking policies and operational arrangements remain fair, transparent, and responsive to the evolving needs of residents and businesses, considering factors such as affordability, accessibility, road safety, and local economic activity. The review will be undertaken over a twelve-month period, with interim reports to be presented to Cabinet. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment, to manage updates to out-of-scope items and consider deferred recommendations. Cabinet also approved their responses to recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the review.
2026/27 Month 2 Budget Monitoring Report
The Cabinet received an update on the council's financial position as of Month 2 of the 2026/27 financial year. The report indicated a forecast General Fund Revenue net overspend of £5.923 million. This overspend is attributed to demand-led pressures within Adult and Children's services, as well as cost and income pressures within Inclusive Economy and Housing. However, these pressures were partially offset by a forecast underspend in Temporary Accommodation, partly due to early delivery of savings. The report also detailed progress on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) savings delivery, with 19% of savings delivered and 55% forecast to be on track. The Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account were forecast to be balanced. Cabinet noted the capital forecast position and agreed to revised budget adjustments for externally grant-funded and HRA schemes. A cash advance to Calverton School, which is due to close on 31 August 2026, was also approved, with responsibility for arrangements delegated to the Section 151 Officer and other relevant officers.
Medium Term Financial Strategy Update July 2026
Cabinet adopted the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as the basis for ongoing budget planning. The updated strategy projects a balanced budget for the next three years, with a reduced budget gap identified for 2029/30 compared to previous forecasts. The strategy now extends to cover the financial year 2031/32. The report recommended that work begin on identifying savings totalling £10 million to balance the budget in 2029/30, with £6 million of these savings to be implemented early. The MTFS will be reviewed twice a year to monitor the budget gap. The strategy continues to maintain a 10% unallocated General Fund Balance reserve and build the Business Risk reserve.
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Resolutions Notice from the meeting held 6th July 2026
Cabinet noted the Resolutions Notice from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 6 July 2026. The notice detailed recommendations made by the committee, many of which related to the Parking and Kerbside Space Review. Cabinet's responses to these recommendations were approved as part of the decision on the Parking Review.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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2026/27 Month 2 Budget Monitoring Report
Information OnlyThe Cabinet decided to note the General Fund Revenue net forecast overspend of £5.923m for Month 2, progress on MTFS Savings delivery, the balanced outturn on the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account, and the Capital forecast position. The Cabinet also agreed to delegate responsibility for cash advance arrangements to the Section 151 Officer, Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources. This decision was made on 21/07/2026.
Conrad Hall, Corporate Director of Resources, decided to direct award a contract to Daisy Corporate Services Trading Limited for the Ring Central contact centre platform at a total cost of £857,789.47 for two years with an option to extend for 12 months. This decision was made on 21/03/2025.
The Cabinet decided to approve the Newham Growth Plan 2025-2030. This decision was made on 22/07/2025.
The Cabinet decided to endorse 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham 2024-2027 as the council's new health and wellbeing strategy. This decision was made on 22/04/2024.
Aled Richards, Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, decided to commence a procurement exercise for a cycle training provider using the London Borough Waltham Forest Framework at an estimated cost of £600,000 over four years. This decision was made on 25/03/2024.
Laura Eden, Corporate Director of Children and Young People, decided to direct award the school support services contract to Newham Partnership Working Limited (NPW) for an initial period of 12 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months, for a total amount of £544,000, and to insource the governor functions. This decision was made on 06/09/2024.
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2026/27 Month 2 Budget Monitoring Report
Information OnlyThe Cabinet of Newham Council resolved to note the General Fund Revenue net forecast overspend of £5.923m for Month 2 on 21/07/2026. They also agreed to delegate responsibility for making arrangements for a cash advance to Calverton School to the Section 151 Officer, Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources. The Cabinet also agreed revised budget adjustments for external grant funded and HRA schemes.
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Medium Term Financial Strategy Update July 2026
Information OnlyThe Cabinet of Newham Council resolved on 21 July 2026 to adopt the Medium-Term Financial Strategy as the basis for ongoing budget planning.
The Cabinet of Newham Council resolved on 7 May 2024 to delegate authority to the Director of Property to agree the terms of a sale of a 999-year lease of 29 Bidder Street, with final terms to be agreed by the Director of Property in consultation with the Corporate Director of Resources and the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.
Maria G. Christofi, Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer), resolved on 29 April 2026 to approve the allocation of £1.111 million to 134 People Powered Places projects for 2025-27, approve the withdrawal of the Plaistow Eco Hub project, and approve continued support for the Walton Road Community Garden project for a three-month feasibility period.
Rebecca Johnson, Corporate Director of Sustainable Transport and Environment, resolved on an unspecified date to approve the extension of the enforcement concession contract for a period of two years.
Jason Strelitz, Corporate Director of Adults & Health, resolved on 19 August 2025 to accept £100,000 of funding from the Royal Docks Team for community projects in Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town as part of the People Powered Places 2025-27 programme and to enter into a Grant Agreement with the GLA.
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Minutes
Decision approved -
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Resolutions Notice from the meeting held 6th July 2026
Decision approvedThe Cabinet of Newham Council decided to note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Resolution Notice on 21 July 2026. The Committee resolved to appoint Councillor Matthew Carlile as Vice-Chair and to note the minutes of a previous meeting. The Committee also recommended that Cabinet include manifesto pledges within the scope of the Parking Review, provide clearer detail on parking charging structures, revise the Foreword to distinguish the Review from manifesto pledges, rename the Review, reconsider delegated authority wording, include greater detail on stakeholder engagement plans, ensure reports include a clear assessment of financial implications, clearly identify evidence sources in reports, include pavement parking and dropped kerbs within the scope of the Review, review the process for Disabled parking bays, provide clarity on prioritisation for parking issues in housing estates, and consider the clarity, consistency, and accessibility of parking signage and restrictions.
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Minutes
Decision approvedThe Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) of Newham Council approved the allocation of £1,110,770.50 to 134 People Powered Places projects on 29 April 2026. This decision also approved the withdrawal of the Plaistow Eco Hub project and continued support for the Walton Road Community Garden project for a three-month feasibility period.
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Medium Term Financial Strategy Update July 2026
Information OnlyThe Cabinet of Newham Council resolved to adopt the Medium-Term Financial Strategy as the basis for ongoing budget planning on 21 July 2026. This strategy updates financial projections for the next five years and sets parameters for budget development. The strategy includes plans to develop savings proposals to close projected budget gaps.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Newham Council resolved to recommend to Cabinet that manifesto pledges be included within the scope of the Parking Review on 6 July 2026. The committee also recommended that the Cabinet provide clearer detail on parking charging structures, revise the Foreword of the Parking Review, and rename the review to better reflect its scope and affected stakeholders. The committee further recommended that the Cabinet reconsider delegated authority wording, include greater detail on stakeholder engagement plans, ensure reports include clear financial implications assessments, and provide methodology and supporting evidence for updated car ownership data. Additionally, the committee recommended including pavement parking and dropped kerbs within the review's scope, reviewing the process for disabled parking bays, and providing clarity on prioritisation for parking issues on housing estates. Finally, the committee recommended considering the clarity, consistency, and accessibility of parking signage, restrictions, and zoning.
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2026/27 Month 2 Budget Monitoring Report
Information OnlyThe Officer Key Decision maker approved the activation of a two-year contract extension for GP public health services on 05/08/2026.
The Corporate Director of Children's and Young People's Services awarded a contract to South Park Heating Services Limited for decarbonisation works at Central Park Primary School on 15th July 2026. This contract is valued at £775,574 and includes a contingency of £30,000.
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Parking Review Terms of Reference and Scope
Decision approvedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Terms of Reference and Scope for the Parking and Kerbside Space Review on 21/07/2026. The review will assess current parking policies and operations to ensure they remain fit for purpose, fair, and responsive to future needs. Delegated authority was granted to the Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment, to consider and approve updates to out-of-scope items and deferred recommendations.
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Medium Term Financial Strategy Update July 2026
Information OnlyThe Cabinet decided to approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy update on 21 July 2026. The strategy sets a five-year financial framework for the council. It includes plans to develop savings proposals totalling £10 million to balance the budget in 2029/30.
The Corporate Director of Adults (DASS) and the Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care decided to activate a two-year contract extension for GP Public Health Services on 5 August 2026. This extension is for services including NHS Health Checks, sexual health, and substance misuse. The contract has a maximum annual value of £850,000.
The Corporate Director of Children's and Young People's Services decided to award a contract for decarbonisation works at Central Park Primary School on 15 July 2026. The contract was awarded to South Park Heating for £775,574.
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2026/27 Month 2 Budget Monitoring Report
Information OnlyThe Cabinet decided to note the General Fund Revenue net forecast overspend of £5.923m for Month 2, progress on MTFS Savings delivery, the forecast balanced outturn on the Dedicated Schools Grant and Housing Revenue Account, and the Capital forecast position. They also agreed to delegate responsibility for making arrangements for a cash advance to Calverton School to the Section 151 Officer, Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources.
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Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Resolutions Notice from the meeting held 6th July 2026
Decision approvedThe Cabinet of Newham Council resolved to note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Resolution Notice on 21 July 2026.
The Cabinet of Newham Council approved the disposal of council-owned assets not bringing sufficient income or strategic value on 7 May 2024. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources to finalise disposal terms, agree non-material amendments, and approve procurement processes for legal and professional services.
The Director of Property approved the grant of a new 10-year lease agreement for Unit 2 Gerry Raffles Square to Diesel Gym CIC on 8 June 2026. This decision aims to bring a long-term vacant property back into active occupation, generating income and supporting community use.
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