The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Newham Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to review the Council's work programme, consider the Community Neighbourhoods Model, and examine the Quarter 1 budget monitoring report. The committee also reviewed the Annual Complaints Report and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Community Neighbourhoods Model

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Community Neighbourhoods Model, which aims to establish eight neighbourhood areas across the borough. This model is intended to serve as the Council's framework for neighbourhood working, bringing together local leadership, resident participation, and partnership working around local area priorities. The report indicated that this model would operate within existing constitutional, financial, and governance arrangements, without establishing new committees or altering executive decision-making powers. Collaboration with residents, public service partners, local businesses, and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector was highlighted as a key element in developing and delivering Community Neighbourhood Plans. The implementation was planned to be phased, utilising existing Council officers and networks.

2026/27 Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring Report

The committee was set to review the Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring Report for the 2026/27 financial year. This report was intended to provide forecasts for the Council's financial position as of the end of the first quarter, covering the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Capital Programme, Savings delivery, and the forecast Reserves position. The report indicated a projected overspend of £6.168m for the General Fund Revenue Budget at Quarter 1, with significant pressures noted in Adults & Health (£4.118m forecast overspend) and Children & Young People (£5.116m forecast overspend). These were partially offset by a forecast underspend in Inclusive Economy & Housing (£4.456m forecast underspend). The report also detailed the progress on Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) savings delivery, with 22% of savings delivered, 53% on track, and 25% not yet in delivery or forecast for slippage. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were forecast to be within budget.

Annual Complaints Report

The committee was scheduled to review the Annual Complaints Report for 2025/26. This report was intended to provide an overview of complaints made, identify lessons learned, and propose structural changes to complaints handling. The report highlighted that the Council received 6,992 complaints in 2025/26, a 6% reduction from the previous year, although performance in responding within target timescales declined to 69%. Specific appendices were included for detailed analysis of corporate complaints, Housing Services, Adults Social Care, and Children's Social Care complaints. The report aimed to identify areas for improvement, including timeliness, reducing failure demand, and strengthening organisational learning.

Work Programme

The committee was also set to consider the Draft Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2026-2027. This programme outlines the planned scrutiny committee agenda items for the municipal year, ensuring that the scrutiny function focuses on delivering work of value and relevance to the wider authority. The draft programme indicated planned scrutiny of the Parking Review, the Community Neighbourhoods Model, the 2026/27 Q1 Budget Monitoring Report, and the Annual Complaints Report.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

Finally, the committee was to review the Forward Plan of Key Decisions. This plan is crucial for identifying forthcoming decisions suitable for pre-decision scrutiny and for supporting early work programming for the municipal year. Members were requested to raise any issues requiring clarification with the lead officer identified against each entry.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as welcome and introductions, confirmation of membership, and declarations of interest. The extent to which the public and press would be excluded from the meeting was also to be considered. The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 1 October 2026.