The Council meeting on 13 July 2026 saw the appointment of Maria Christofi as the new Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. Key discussions also included a motion to stand united against hatred and extremism, and a debate on ethical investment and divestment from companies involved in human rights violations.

Appointment of Chief Executive

The council appointed Maria Christofi as its new Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. This decision was made following a recommendation from the Chief Officer Appointment Committee, chaired by Mayor Forhad Hussain. Christofi brings over 25 years of local government experience and has previously served as interim Assistant Chief Executive and interim Corporate Director of Resources for Newham Council. The council also formally thanked Paul Martin for his service as Interim Chief Executive. The appointment was agreed with one abstention from Councillor Keeling.

Newham's Diversity and Unity Against Extremism

A motion proposed by Councillor Simon Rush and seconded by Councillor Shantu Ferdous, titled Newham's Diversity, was unanimously passed. The motion affirmed the council's commitment to celebrating diversity and standing united against hatred, extremism, and division. It acknowledged Newham's status as a Borough of Sanctuary and pledged to work collaboratively across political groups to promote community cohesion and ensure public safety. Councillor Mehmood Mirza, Leader of the Newham Independence Group, supported the motion but expressed reservations, calling for genuine cross-party collaboration and consistent action beyond words. Councillor Khan spoke passionately about his personal experiences of diversity within Newham, highlighting the borough's rich tapestry of cultures and languages as a source of strength. Councillor Rahima Rahman also spoke, emphasizing Newham's long-standing commitment to inclusion and community cohesion.

Ethical Investment and Divestment

A motion proposed by Councillor Mehmood Mirza and seconded by Councillor Ibrahim Alom, calling for ethical investment and divestment from companies involved in human rights violations, was passed unanimously. The motion noted concerns raised by UN reports and the International Court of Justice regarding violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the involvement of companies in the arms trade. It resolved to conduct a transparent audit of the Newham Pension Fund investments, declare an intent to divest from companies complicit in human rights abuses, and request a report on legal, financial, and logistical considerations for an ethical divestment roadmap. Councillor John Gray proposed an amendment focusing on fiduciary duty and protecting pensioners' interests, which was not accepted by the proposer of the original motion.

Electoral Reform

The Green Group's motion, proposed by Councillor Joe Hudson-Small and seconded by Councillor Dr Chae Ho Hwang, reiterating support for fair votes and electoral reform, was carried unanimously. The motion highlighted the perceived unfairness of the First Past the Post system and supported the creation of a national commission to investigate electoral reform. It called on Newham's MPs to support an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill and for the government to support this initiative. Councillor Idris Ibrahim, speaking for the Green Street West ward, supported the motion but expressed caution about potential implications for opposition parties.

Universal Free School Meals for Secondary Pupils

A motion proposed by Councillor Sophia Naqvi and seconded by Councillor Muhammad Majeed, calling for universal free school meals for all secondary school pupils in Newham, was passed. The motion noted the pressures of the cost of living crisis on families and the proven benefits of nutritious food for children's health and educational attainment. It highlighted Newham's high child poverty rates and the success of similar initiatives in Tower Hamlets. The council resolved to undertake a full assessment of the financial and operational requirements, explore funding sources, engage with stakeholders, and bring a detailed report back to the council. An amendment proposed by Councillor Ren Tilbury, which sought to prioritise funding for free school meals above all other new schemes or revenue decreases, was defeated. A further amendment from the Labour Group was also defeated.

Access to Toilet Facilities

A motion proposed by Councillor Ren Tilbury and seconded by Councillor Matthew Carlile, aiming to increase access to toilet facilities in Newham, was deferred to the next meeting. The motion addressed the importance of accessible, clean, and safe toilet provision for all residents, including transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals, and expressed opposition to proposed revisions to the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice by the EHRC. It resolved to work towards creating gender-neutral facilities, review provision across the borough, and engage with businesses to make their facilities available. Councillor John Gray raised a point of order requesting the deferral of the motion, which was ultimately agreed by the council.

Other Business

The meeting also included announcements from the Chair and the Mayor, updates from Cabinet members, and a report on the Overview and Scrutiny work programme. The council noted appointments to outside bodies and reviewed the allocation of seats on committees. The Annual Report of the Standards Committee was also presented and noted. Members' questions covered a range of issues including road safety, parking policies, housing conditions, fly-tipping, and the future of leisure facilities. The council also agreed to extend the meeting by 30 minutes.