Newham Council's cabinet met to mark the borough's 60th anniversary and address key issues, including highway maintenance, housing, and technology. The cabinet approved the Highway Maintenance Plan, responded to an overview and scrutiny committee regarding the Poplar Living Business Plan, authorised borrowing for the capital programme, approved a lease agreement with the London Ambulance Service, and agreed to a revised approach for the oneSource ICT split.

Highway Maintenance Plan

Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainable Transport, Children Services and Education, presented the Highway Maintenance Plan report, seeking approval for the planned highway maintenance programme for 2025-26. The report detailed the final allocation of £3.6 million from the existing Keeping Newham Moving budget to resurface 21 roads. In addition, the council expects to receive £692,000 in grant funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) for critical infrastructure improvements, primarily on the borough’s classified road network.

The plan also includes an extension to the Keeping Newham Moving programme, with a £5.253 million investment for footway and carriageway reconstruction, particularly in areas affected by subsidence, such as Beckton. This extension also covers essential maintenance work on structures, ensuring their functionality for at least 25 years.

Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, raised concerns about tree roots damaging pavements and requested reassurance that when trees are removed, they are replaced. Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Resident Experience, thanked the cabinet for resurfacing West Ham Lane, and asked about the expected lifespan of the road reconstruction work in Beckton. Paul Gannon, Head of Engineering, stated that a typical road reconstruction should last for 30 years.

The cabinet approved the recommendations, including the proposed list of schemes for 2025-26, accepting the DfT funding, and granting delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport to make alterations to the programme as needed.

Poplar Living Business Plan

The cabinet considered the executive response to the overview and scrutiny committee's call-in regarding the Poplar Living Business Plan. The call-in was initiated after a cabinet meeting on 4 March 2025.

Councillor Anthony McAlmont, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, expressed disappointment that the executive rejected their recommendations, citing concerns about the long-term financial viability and governance arrangements of Poplar Living. He highlighted concerns about spending on housing, particularly Poplar Living, and the possibility of a Section 114 notice¹. He recommended a five-year strategic business plan, a moratorium on new developments, and annual reviews of the business plan by the audit committee.

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, defended the Poplar Living model, stating that the administration should be judged by its track record and outcomes. He argued that a moratorium on spending would be unintelligent, as the business plan does not commit the council to any financial plans at this stage. He also said that every scheme is scrutinised financially and legally to ensure it delivers value for money.

The cabinet agreed to note the recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee and confirmed the cabinet decision of 4 March 2025, approving the Poplar Group Business Plan for 2025/26.

Financing the 2025/26 Capital Programme

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali presented a report seeking authority for borrowing £454 million to finance the 2025/26 capital programme. Andrew Ward, Deputy Director of Finance, was also present to answer questions. The capital programme was agreed as part of the budget approved by the council on 27 February 2025.

The report stated that £357 million of the borrowing is to provide funding for 2025/26, of which £278 million is allocated to housing. £51 million relates to the replacement of existing external temporary borrowing, and £46 million relates to the replacement of internal borrowing.

Councillor Neil Wilson highlighted the commitment to improving buildings, particularly in the provision of new leisure spaces and community engagement strategies.

The cabinet agreed to authorise the Corporate Director of Resources to enter into new long-term borrowing of up to £454 million to fund the estimated borrowing requirement in 2025/26.

Letting of 4th Floor, Building 1000

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali presented a report regarding the proposed letting of the whole 4th floor East Wing of Building 1000, Newham Dockside, to the London Ambulance Service (LAS). The proposal aligns with the council's asset management strategy to maximise income from vacant buildings.

The LAS currently occupies most of the East Wing, and the proposal would grant them a longer lease for the 4th floor, enabling them to consolidate their training facilities. Sam Faulding, Assistant Director of Asset Strategy, confirmed that the leasehold arrangement reflects market rates and demonstrates the best value the council can get.

The cabinet agreed to grant a new lease to the London Ambulance Service for the 4th floor East Wing at Building 1000 Dockside Road and delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Resources to negotiate and finalise the terms and legal documentation.

OneSource ICT Split

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali presented an update on the oneSource ICT split, following a previous cabinet decision in March 2024 to separate from the shared service and develop its own IT infrastructure. Lauren White, Director of Information Assurance and IT Contracts, was also present.

The report outlined a revised proposal to bring the service back in-house, with specialist IT partners procured to provide discrete support as needed. This approach aims to retain current staff and their expertise, while avoiding reliance on a single external provider.

The cabinet agreed to note the ongoing management of the new IT hybrid model and the revised procurement approach, delegating the award and entering contracts to the Corporate Director of Resources. The cabinet also stipulated that the new council representatives on the joint committee should be updated on any oneSource related matters.