Transcript

Good evening. Can I please request, if you are able to, to please be upstanding for the Chair of Council. Thank you. Thank you. Please be seated. Thank you, everyone. I now formally open the annual Council meeting. Good evening. Good evening. I would like to welcome the Mayor, all members, and members of the public to this shipment, Ed John. I also welcome the members of the public and press who are physically attending or watching on YouTube. Can I also welcome Sammy Rimes from the University of East London, who will be performing for us for the next five minutes. Thank you for the welcome. Guys, I just need to do a quick energy check. When I say happy, you say 60 of happy? 60 of happy? 60 of happy? 60 of happy? Okay. So I'm just going to share some quick words to reflect the anniversary, and here goes. I've seen the back of so many doors. Opportunities don't seem to be around anymore. Both the employed and unemployed are feeling poor. Everyone is fighting an internal war. But we've got our very own NHS on board. Newham heroes serving as key workers across every ward. A labourer of love more than a labourer of reward. Worthy of every nomination and applause. So please, let's take a minute to applaud. Interfaith community, let's thank the Lord. For Newham is a place where the people are adored. Celebrated, heard and not ignored. We stand in solidarity with every cause. And sure, every borough's got its flaws. Housing inequality and poverty is at the core. Can't guarantee a roof, but we'll give the floor. Our policy is always open door. The young ones are the future and forevermore. For them, we do anything. They are at the heart of everything. That's why we brought them on board and got our very own youth advisory board. With representation and diverse voices across the board. Newham is a borough that listens. Investments have been made in places like the shipment. State-of-the-art equipment is being utilised by locals from all walks of life, religions and pigments. Newham is a shopper's thumping ground. From Westford, Stratford City to Optum Park and Cannontown. We've got markets and traders with bargains waiting to be found. But some are making do with hand-me-downs. So much colour from Green Street to Silvertown. It's claret and blue when the hammers paint the town. Forever blowing bubbles on the DLR and underground. It's London Stadium now. But some have been around from the days of the Berlin ground. It's 60 years since Newham as a borough's been around. And six decades is a stretch. No seven-seater with gets and wretch. But it's been quite a ride from 65 to 25. A celebration of so much life. We've seen the baton being passed and the torch set alight. We've watched people thrive and we've watched people fight. Day and night to keep the culture, heritage and communities alive. A borough like no other. Everyone looks out for one another. Despite being overworked and overstretched. The community spirit here has long been etched. People never stop giving. Even with the cost of living. Everyone chips in from the adults to the youth. Our boards and committees are just living proof of Newham's determination to make everyone feel like they belong under this roof. But change is constant. There's still so much to do. Happy 60th Newham. Thank you. Thank you very much, Sami Rams. Can I give a big thank you to Sami Rams of the University of London for entertaining us here tonight. Please give her a round of applause again. Thank you. Formal business of the meeting. We will now turn our attention to agenda for tonight. Thank you for attending this special event tonight. We elect a new chair and vice chair of the council and appoint councillors to serve various council committee for the 2025 and 2026 municipal year. The meeting has been filmed for broadcast on the YouTube. Please note the cameras are focused on everyone within the meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that to enable the council to conduct its business. If there are any interruptions at today's meeting, I will ask the individual or individuals to stop and give a warning. If this continues, I will give a second and final warning. Should the disruption continue, I will ask the security to remove the person or group from the room and will adjourn the meeting. Members of the council, please can I ask that you indicate when you wish to speak by raising your physical hand. I would like to advise members in order to comply with the allocated times for speakers, if you go beyond your allocated time, you will be automatically muted. Please can I ask members officers to introduce themselves when you are speaking. I would like to ask that everyone turns their mobile phones in silent mode, please. We are not expecting a fire drill this evening, so if the fire alarm sounds, please remain calm and follow the instruction of the treatment centre staff. This is my last meeting. As chair of the council, I would like to say a few words. I would like to take this opportunity to say it has been a great pleasure and absolute privilege to be here. As the chair of the council and first citizen of the bar, I would say that I have just completed the first years of my life. Since I was re-elected for the second time as the chair of the council in 2024, I continued my commitment to be your facilitator, your collective voice, representing and promoting Newham in a way the communities and across London. And with that, this end of my terms as the chair of the council, it has been a very interesting and very eventful year for the last, that seems to have a past in the blink of the eye. However, I will leave with many happy, unforgettable memories of my two years, some of the most extraordinary moments that I had, I have always enjoyed. I am pleased to serve with the unwavering dedication, determination, integrity, with the pride. I have carried out my civic duties. I have attended many local events. I have given many awards and prizes and been a judge for competitions, given interviews, welcomed many new British citizens and opened many businesses. As this council, at this council, we marked the 60 years of the anniversary of Newham. Newham is not an ordinary borough. It is rich in history, alive with the potential to bring people together through art, culture and shared experiences. It's strong diversity makes Newham, vibrant and most beautiful place to live and work, but a place I am extremely proud to call home. It's a reminder that the strength of our community lies in the connections we make, the kindness we show and the support we give one another. There always has never been about the chain. It's always been about the people. I felt a deep sense of connection, that people are for people. The chain may come off, but the memories, friendships and the lesson will remain with me always. And I carry that truth with me as I move forward. This role has been one of the service, one of the learning and one of the love for all, who makes this community what it is. In the end, it's not the title that defines us, but the way we treat one another, the love we give and the peace we help to create. I am humbled by all the moments, big and small, that have shaped this journey. And as we move into the next chapter, I carry forward the deep hope that as we borough, we'll continue to work together kindness, courage and compassion. The role has also been shaped by personal reflection during this journey. I experienced the profound loss of my both parents. The love, sacrifices and teachings have shaped the person I am today. This moment is in many ways a tribute to them, to everything they gave so selflessly. They will always remain in my heart. I would like to express my sincere thanks to our Executive Mayor, Oksana Fierce, for her leadership. I am also grateful to Abi Berger, the Chief Executive, for her strong support and co-colleague and former Bacton Councillor, James Asse, now nearly elected Member of Parliament for Bacton and West Ham. I can see I've got newly elected Parliament Member, Omar Kumar, for Stratford and Bombo. Thank you for joining us this evening. Thank you to my Deputy Chair, Councillor Imam Hock, for your contribution and calm presence during the last multiple years. To all my fellow councillors, thank you for trust and collaboration. You have kept me grounded and challenged. The support you have given me over the years is much appreciated. I would like to thank all the officers for their support and guidance. I hope I have not made life too difficult for you. I would like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to our hard-working team, Akhtar Ali, Head of the Democratic Services, the Monitoring Officer, Rachel McCoy, to Pauline, Marunessa, Christine, Charlie and Joy. You are the backbone of this meeting, I must say. A special thank you to my husband and consort, Councillor Mujibur Rahman, your support and strength have given me. The foundation that I have received the support from you. We have been blessed with the extra pair of hands and plenty of questions from our son, Arman Rahman. I may say that he is the youngest consort for Niham being. He brought joy and curiosity and fun and he will make me busy now. And finally, to the people of Niham, thank you. Thank you for honour serving you. Together we have continued to build a borough that is inclusive, resilient and full of hope. A place where every resident can feel valued and proud to call it home like me. I'm delighted to be able to pass on the chain of office to our new chair. I'm confident that our new chair will continue to be committed and passionate and I congratulate this. And I congratulate the incoming chair in advance. This isn't a goodbye, but it's hard to say goodbye to something that has changed your life. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I wish you all the best. Thank you so much. I now ask the Chief Executive Officer, Abibago, start the formal business of the meeting by seeking nominations for the election of the Chair of Council for the 2025 and 2026 municipal year. Thank you, Councillor Rahman. I want to firstly thank you, Councillor Rahman, for your dedication and your commitment over the last two years as a Chair of Council. You have served this council with humility, with joy, with smiles and even during difficult meetings you kept your composure. So I thank you for your commitment to us as a council and I wish you all the best in your role as a councillor. Thank you. So I now move to Agenda Item 1, Election of the Chair. I invite nominations for the Office of Chair of Council for 2025-2026 municipal year. I invite councillor Dr Rohit Descupta for the position of Chair of Council and First Citizen of the London Borough of Newham for the 2025-2026 municipal year and it is truly an honour for me to do so. I have known Councillor Descupta since he first moved to the borough over a decade ago and he decided to make Canningtown South his home. I am proud to call him a friend and a much cherished comrade who has been an amazing representative not only for his fellow neighbours in Canningtown South but for people across the borough as a relentless advocate for social justice, social integration and equality. He has passionately led the council's vision for these critical issues, significantly influencing the relationships between residents and enhancing community participation in our democratic processes. Furthermore, he has played a crucial role in strengthening our voluntary community and faith sector by working in partnership with them through the council. Together, we are on a transformative path to improve our borough, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone can thrive. As well as a hard-working and effective representative of the people of Canningtown South, councillor Dr Rohit Kumar Descupta is an accomplished academic and author. His latest tome, Desai Queers, LGBTQ plus South Asians and Cultural Belonging in Britain, is unfortunately unavailable in our libraries, but you can get it in all good bookshops. I am confident that in this new role, councillor Descupta will be firm but fair and ensure that all voices across the political spectrum are heard within this chamber. He will be a true ambassador, representing Noom as its first citizen, succeeding the outgoing chair, councillor Rahima Rahman, who I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her for her dedicated service over the past two years. Council, I move that councillor, councillor, I move that councillor Dr Rohit Descupta be elected chair of council for the 2025-2026 municipal year. Thank you. Thank you, councillor McLean. Is that seconded? Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, I'm Sabia Kumali, councillor for Stratford. I'd like to second this. It's a pleasure to stand here and say a few words about councillor Rahit Descupta as he steps into the role of chair of the council. I've known Rahit since before I became a councillor and over that time I've come to value not just his commitment to public service but the care and thoughtfulness he brings to everything he does. In times of difficulty, Rahit has been someone I could turn to, offering kindness, gentle reassurance and a real sense of solidarity that I won't forget. As a Muslim woman in politics, I don't take the importance of solidarity for granted and Rahit has shown that, and again, that he understands what it means to stand with others. His decision to speak out clearly and compassionately in support of people of Gaza speaks volumes. It shows a willingness to stand on principle, to speak for justice and to recognise our shared humanity. That really matters to me and I know it matters to our residents. As a queer person of Indian heritage who has consistently spoke out for justice, including many minority communities, Rahit brings a perspective that is both principle and deeply needed in public life, especially when it means navigating difficult and uncomfortable conversation. He's not someone who shouts the loudest, but he listens with care, engages with integrity and leads with heart. That matters. I believe Rahit will bring a calm, balanced and a fair approach to the role of chair. His approach, this responsibility with sincere experience and a strong sense of duty. Congratulations, Rahit. I wish you every success in the year ahead. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? I'm going to take the silences now. If we can move to the vote. Vote for Councillor Rohit, Dr. Rohit Dasgupta to be elected as chair of council. All those in favour? Oh, wow. All those abstain? All those who would like to say no? No. So, I move that Councillor Rohit Dasgupta to be elected chair of council for 2526. Can I please ask Councillor Dasgupta to come up to the lectern to read and sign the acceptance of office? Thank you. If we could sing, we would try. We can play some music if you want. I'm going to ask Councillor Dasgupta to just sit for one moment, please. No worries. Technical difficulty. Good. I, councillor, Dr. Rohit Dasgupta, having been elected to the office of chair of council, hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties according to the best of my judgement and ability. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, thank you everyone for electing me to this historical role of chair of council and first citizen of the borough. I would like to thank the mayor, I would like to thank the mayor, the MPs, assembly member, council officers, my fellow councillors, the wider executive, Sabia, Charlene, thank you all for your faith in me. I'm deeply aware of the significance and responsibility that this role carries. While it is often described as a non-political position and I will of course serve all members in this chamber fairly and equally and in line with the constitution, I also believe that it's important to speak from the heart and that sometimes it means saying things that are by nature political. Newham has been my home for over a decade. I moved to this country many years ago and like so many who have contributed to the richness of this borough, I was embraced by its diversity, warmth and incredible sense of community. East London has a radical and proud history, whether standing up to racism, defending workers' rights or championing equity and justice. What I see around me is not just a collection of individuals or an island of strangers, but a vibrant community that stands together in times of both celebration and crisis. It was my privilege to work with the wider executive, Councillor McLean, the mayor, in formulating the borough's first social integration strategy. Our social integration strategy put this ethos at the heart of policy making. It asked us how can we support a more proactive and engaged community, improve the quality of life of our residents and through a review of our council services, increase social inclusion and community led activity. And it is thus no surprise that Newham's volunteer program was awarded the Investing in Volunteers Accreditation, the UK standard for excellence in volunteer management. We are one of only few local authorities to receive this recognition. I'm proud to be an immigrant, I'm proud to be a queer person of colour and I'm proud to be an elected councillor in this chamber. I share these aspects of my identity because they matter, especially at a time when migrants are under attack in parts of the political discourse, when attempts are being made to divide our communities. But I believe that across this chamber, regardless of political affiliation, that divisive vision is not one we share. This is also a very challenging time for many of our queer and trans colleagues and residents. I'm proud that Newham has never shied away from declaring loudly and clearly that no matter your faith, your sexuality, your gender identity or ethnicity, you are welcome here. That spirit of inclusion is one I will carry forward with pride in my role as your first citizen. And finally, I want to acknowledge the immense privilege of being an elected representative. We are all here because the people of Newham place their trust in us. It is our duty as public servants to honour that trust and to serve with diligence, respect and integrity. I hope this year will be one of unity, service and continued progress. Let me close with the words of Rabindranath Tagore, who said, rights are not given, but rather it is through our actions and conviction that we create a claim to them. Thank you. Hi, I guess you can all hear me. So we are now going to be moving to item two of the agenda, which is election of vice chair. I would now like to invite nominations for the office of vice chair of the council for the 2526 municipal year. Councilor Lakmini Shah. Lakmini Shah, councillor for East and South Ward. Mayor, fellow councillors, members of parliament and friends. It is both an honour and a pleasure to rise here today to propose and nominate my colleague councillor Imam Haq for the position of vice chair of council. Councillor Haq is not only a dedicated public servant, but also a respected educationalist whose commitment to learning and community development has touched the lives of many in our borough. His long standing in education reflects a deep rooted belief in inclusion and progress values that speak to the very heart of what we strive for here in Newham. Imam brings to this chamber a calm and thoughtful presence matched by a sharp intellect and a deep understanding of the issues of our community's face. He is someone who listens, who builds bridges and who always seeks common ground. His work in the community spans generations and cultures and his ability to engage with residents from all walks of life makes him an ideal representative for this role. As vice chair, I am confident that Imam will bring both dignity and dedication to the position, supporting the chair, upholding the values of this council and representing our borough with grace. I wholeheartedly commend councillor Imam Haq to you for this important role and I hope you will join me in supporting his nomination. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Do I have a seconder for that? Councillor Sarah Ruiz. Thank you, Chair. Councillor Sarah Ruiz, statutory deputy mayor and cabinet lead for children, education, environment and sustainable transport. Comrades, I have the pleasure of seconding Imam as the deputy chair of council. There is very little more to add to the eloquence of my colleague, Lakmini. However, in the time that I have known him and his delightful family, I have been impressed by his care and thoughtfulness. Not just to me or to colleagues, but his care and patience with residents in his ward is noteworthy. His kindness to me during really tough times has been really welcomed. I have no doubt that he and Rohit will make excellent ambassadors for our borough and I look forward to continued working together and I am delighted to second Imam Haq as deputy chair. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any further nominations? I will now ask the council to vote that Councillor Imam Haq is re-elected Vice Chair of the Council of the London Borough of Newham for the 2025-2026 municipal year. Can I ask Councillor Imam Haq to come up to the lectern to read and sign the acceptance of office? Good evening everyone. I, Councillor Imam Haq, having been elected to the office of Vice Chair of Council, hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties according to the best of my judgement and ability. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. First citizen, our respected members, respected mayor, our respected members of parliament, chief executive, fellow councillor, dedicated council officers, valued residents, esteemed colleagues, honoured guests and friends from the media, a very good evening to all of you and thank you to be here. I am deeply honoured to stand before you today, re-elected at Vice Chair for the second year. It makes me feel proud to be the Vice Chair of one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to our valued residents for their continued support. I am committed to serving you and working tirelessly to address your concerns and improve our community. We all are here because of you and will continue to work for you. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our outgoing chair, Councillor Rohima Rahman, for her tireless effort and dedication to our community and her support and guidance to me. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Councillor Rohit Das Gupta to be elected as the chair and the first citizen of the council. I would also like to thank the mayor for your continued support the last year as a Vice Chair position to me. I would like to thank my proposal, Councillor Lakmini Shah and his statutory deputy mayor, Councillor Sarah Ruiz. I am grateful for your trust and confidence in me. I am committed in working collaboratively with each of you. Thank you both for your continuous support and guidance. To the council members across parties, I am grateful for your faith in me and for electing me to this role for another year. I am committed to working collaboratively with each of you. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my fellow ward colleagues, Councillor Femi Falola and Councillor Shantha Firdaus, for their trust and continuous support in driving positive outcome for the residents. I would like to express my deepest respect to Councillor Salim Patel, who is not here. Councillor Salim Patel, he went to Stratford by mistake. Councillor Salim Patel for his support and guidance since I became the councillor. You were not here last ACM. And to my family and especially my wife, Afreen, your love and encouragement mean the world to me. Thank you for your unwavering support. I would like to say this here that it is not an easy job to be a public representative. It is very demanding, very challenging. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the families of the elected members. As we all are driven by passion to serve our community and our families are the pillar holding us to achieve that passion. As vice chair, I am committed to serving our community with integrity, passion and dedication. I look forward to working with the chair, mayor, chief executive, council members, council officers and a community to drive positive change. Thank you again for this honour. I am excited and feel more responsible for the journey ahead. I would like to end by saluting our frontline council workers for their hard work and commitment. Thank you very much. Thank you Councillor Haqq. I am now moving to item three, apologies for absence. I have received apologies for absence for this evening's meeting from councillors Mariam Dawood, Mohamed Goni, Joy Laguda, Susan Masters. Are there any other apologies for absence? Councillor Keeling. Councillor Noor Biggum. Councillor Noor Biggum. Councillor Noor Biggum. Councillor Danny Keeling, Green Group Business Manager. Councillor Arik Chowdhury. Thank you. Councillor Arik Chowdhury. Councillor Thelma Odoi. Councillor Joshua Garfield. Councillor Joshua Garfield. Any other apologies? Councillor Melanie Onovo. Councillor Melanie Onovo. Councillor Melanie Onovo. Councillor Melanie Onovo. Councillor Melanie Onovo. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Moving on. We are now moving on to item four which is declarations of interest. Can I ask if there are any declarations of interest? No? Thank you very much. I am now moving to item five which is minutes of the last meeting held on 28th of April 2025 which is outlined on pages nine to 28 on the agenda. Democratic Services have received an amendment for item 13 overview and scrutiny work programme and future commissions from Councillor Nate Higgins relating to the wording and question. This has been circulated to all members so it should be on your chairs. So with this amendment I move as a correct record the minutes of the last thematic meeting of the council. Yes. Sorry. Go. Councillor McClelland. Yes. Chair. In my response I noticed in the last part of that it says if it comes to the last part of the page I am sure that it will be played in a work programme. Thank you very much. Okay. Okay. Have you got that? Yes. So with that change are we happy to move as a correct record the minutes of the last thematic meeting? No. Do I have a second? Everyone's agreed. Okay. Any abstentions? No? Okay. Brilliant. I am now moving to item six which is announcements by the chair. I invite everyone to look at the programmes on the council website in relation to Windrush Day which has a wide variety of online and in person events happening throughout June and July as a part of Windrush Day and Newham Heritage Month. I would also like to offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of former councillor councillor Andrew Beke who passed away earlier this month and I understand councillor Hudson, you would like to say a few words. Good evening everyone. I'm Councillor Lester Hudson, Ward and Ward. I knew Andy for over 40 years. I first met him at the Labour Party meeting in the 1980s. But I won't talk about that. I'll talk about his contribution to public life. Andy was first elected to Newham Council in July of 92 in this Wilfrid ward. I was the election agent and I had the pleasure of trying to manage Andy during the election campaign. And my great memory about election day was Andy was so nervous and getting so agitated that I gave him a lot of sheets and I said, go to Littleford Estate, knock on all the doors. And then knock on all the doors again. So I didn't see Andy for three hours until we came back and then we found out that he won the election. The question is why did Andy enter public life? Andy entered public life like all of us. We wanted to make life for the residents of Newham better. But in the late 1980s, early 1990s, Newham Council was failing. It was failing quite badly. And the then leader, Stephen Timms, required support. And the three individuals who stood for election were Andy Bakey, Ian Corbett and Robin Wells. And the reason why they stood was in the south of the borough, where we are now, Newham was really unpopular. And there was a real danger that the BNP could have elected councillors. And a number of us were worried about that. When Andy was elected after the first year, Andy won chair of housing. And in those days, if there was an election, you only won by one vote. And Andy won the election by one vote. In fact, after he won the election, and I came up with the phrase, there were four great barons in the committee system. And one baroness. One baroness. The baroness was Lynn Brown. The barons were Colin McCauley, Graham Lane and Andrew Bakey. And Andrew Bakey was chair of housing. As chair of housing in the committee system, he really chaired the meetings well. Previously, it was a bloodbath. I mean, officers would come along to meetings and some junior officers would be physically sick because officers were, members were quite robust, incredibly robust. But Andy was such a good chair that he managed to handle some of the more difficult members and made sure that housing proceeded in a good way. Bear with me. Now, what was Andy's contributions? Certainly, housing performance improved. He introduced local space. I want to talk about private sector leasing. Now, private sector leasing was not Andy's idea. It was not a politician's idea. It was an officer's idea. And Andy was such a good chair that officers felt so confident they could come to Andy with a good idea. The officer and Andy would pitch it to the mayor and they would run with it. And I would say that public sector leasing was one of the great innovations of Newham Council. Now, Andy could be a tenacious and difficult individual, which sometimes can be good and sometimes can be bad. So, a great example of Andy being a tenacious individual, local space went rogue. And when I say went rogue, they were not acting in the interest of Newham Council. I'm sure you're going to give me time to speak. And Andy, together with the other nominated member, managed the board in such a way that it moved in the correct direction. And Andy could be difficult at meetings. Andy could be really difficult at meetings. But he did it because he did it for local residents. I will tell you about one meeting which I will never, ever, ever forget. It was a meeting where Andy lost his temper. Now, I know in recent times... Councillor Hudson, one minute. One minute, when members have lost their temper. But Andy was actually contrite. He apologised. And the great thing about Andy, he would ring you up the next day and say, Lester, I'm really sorry. I was bang out of order. Bang, bang out of order. He was a marvellous, lovely geezer. Given I've got one minute left, I will go on to Andy's great loves. Andy's tenaciousness. Andy loved going to Jamaica. Each year, he would go to Jamaica. But also, Andy had this thing. He was tenacious. He was like a dog with a bone. So, one of the last things that Andy did, he rang Celine Patel from Jamaica, complaining about the mural at Munna Park Library. Now, you can have views about it. Now, Andy's view was that the mural may be good, but the key thing was sorting out the basics. Basics, you do not improve the performance of the council. Now, I must admit, there are certain things I will miss about Andy. One thing will be West Ham vs Arsenal at the London Stadium, where usually West Ham lost. Andy was a gunner. And the thing that I will miss... 30 seconds, Councillor Hudson. The thing that I will miss is sitting in the Golden Grove, with Andy with that twinkle in his eye after West Ham being thrashed, and me trying to change the subject to anything other than football, and Andy talking about that match. The other thing that Andy did, and I think the officers do know him, he did have a reputation for sending FOIs. And my understanding is that there are some FOIs which are outstanding that Andy has sent through about contentious items of expenditure. So I look forward to the officers answering those FOIs. Andy was a great friend. He was a great comrade. And I will miss him. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Hudson. At this point, I ask those who can to stand for a minute's silence in memory of Andrew Bakey. Thank you, everyone. I'm now going to move to item 7, which is the Mayor's speech. I invite Mayor Roxana Fias to address the Council. Mayor, you have up to 10 minutes. Thank you very much, Chair. Hello, everyone. You are all esteemed guests in my eyes, and a special welcome to all of you to this year's Annual Council meeting, because it's taking place in the heart of Custom House. I wanted to also welcome, especially, our two of the three MPs that we have here in Newham, Huma Kamaran and James Assar. Welcome to Shipman. Shipman is one of my most favourite places in this borough. The Shipman Youth Zone, as some of you all know, was a cornerstone of my activity when I used to be a counsellor in Custom House Ward. During my four years serving this hardworking and diverse community, I learnt so much, including the value of strong ties and deep bonds amongst people from all backgrounds. The people of Custom House inspired me as they do now, along with all the people of this wonderful borough that has always been my home. Those four years representing Custom House Ward showed me the true spirit of community through the best of times and the worst. A neighbourhood of people that came together to support each other despite the daily challenges they faced in their lives. When I stepped into Shipman Youth Zone some 11 years ago now, I discovered a place of optimism, energy and support for our young people who didn't necessarily have the positive life chances that other kids from wealthier places had. And that's why, with purpose and heart, I've been pursuing our agenda of building a fair room ever since I became the mayor of the place that I love. I want a borough where opportunity thrives and where opportunity is for all. That's why holding this meeting at Shipman tonight isn't a coincidence, it's an intentional choice. I want more of our council meetings to take us into the heart of our communities and for us to be amongst our residents across all of our neighbourhoods. Because it's where in these spaces our residents' daily lives we truly see what they experience and how we are inspired to deliver for them. Annual council meetings are often the chance to reflect on the year just gone. But I want to look ahead tonight as we accelerate changes at the council to make real the opportunity new we are building for everyone. Even in these hard, complex and challenging times. Firstly, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank Councillor Rahima Rahman for her service as chair of council over the past two years. It's been a genuine partnership of friends and it's been a deep pleasure working with you. As it has been working with my colleague Councillor Anthony McCormans in his past role as chair of Overview and Scrutiny. Your commitment to good governance and transparency has been appreciated because all of us in positions of influence and power are indeed accountable. I look forward to working with whoever the new chair of Overview and Scrutiny is in the year ahead. And of course, congratulations to Councillor Rohit Dasgupta as the new chair of council and Noom's first citizen in its 60th birthday year. I know, as has been said, he will be a passionate advocate in his new role, working with deputy chair of council, Councillor Imam Huck, to promote fairness, equality and justice in our borough. Friends, this past year has tested all of us, but it has also shown our strength. Our council has been operating in a period of intense financial challenge and complexity at a time of national change. A new Labour government coming in last July and supporting councils like Noom as they face the housing crisis and spiralling demand for temporary accommodation, as well as rising social care costs, which has forced councils across the country to make hard decisions and difficult choices about what to spend our money on to achieve the impact and outcomes we want to see for our people. Hear me, we are making tangible difference to thousands of our residents across the year and each and every single day. Just look around us. This carbon neutral, modular built youth zone is a first, but also a testament to the ambition we have for our young people and the investment we're making in their future and in them. Across the borough, we've protected access to youth services, created more apprenticeships and helped more young people into training and jobs. That's part of the reason why today East Ham and Stratford are now ranked first and second nationally for social mobility and why all three of our parliamentary constituencies sit in the national top 20. And I look forward to working with our three MPs as we commit to continuing that improvement in social mobility. Our education results are also a source of real pride. Most recently we have been rated good or outstanding, 96% of our schools that is. And also the Council's learning and skills service most recently was rated good by Ofsted. A great achievement and one that reflects our determination to equip every resident with the skills and the support to thrive. And even amidst national housing pressures, Newham is building. We're currently the fourth in the country for new home starts, helping meet the urgent need for genuinely affordable high quality housing. But we also know that delivery is not enough if we're not delivering well. Last year's C4 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing made it clear that our housing services were not meeting the standards our residents might expect. We accepted that judgment and we've responded recently with our Housing Services Improvement Plan, a clear, accountable roadmap for how we'll deliver safer, better housing services for 16,000 tenants and leaseholders. This is about rebuilding trust and we won't stop until we get it right. Alongside these changes, we are driving forward inclusive growth. Not just for growth sake, but for community benefit. Earlier this week, we welcomed the announcement of a landmark partnership between Lendlease and the Crown Estate, who, with the Council in partnership, build 6,300 new homes in Silvertown and more than 1.6 million square feet of commercial space at Stratford Cross. That's a £4 billion investment and it's a powerful vote of confidence in Newham. But for us, inclusive growth is a must because it is central to our vision for a fairer Newham. Despite the delivery that we've achieved over the past seven years and this past year, we must also recognise that there's further to go with our mission to reform the Council. Earlier this month, the Council received a best value notice from the government. We recognise the seriousness of that notice and we are determined to do what is needed to meet and exceed the expectations set out. This is about doing right by our residents. That's why we've bolstered the role of the Transformation and Improvement Board which is voluntary and I now attend personally with Councillor Sarah Ruiz to ensure direct accountability and at pace. Over the next year, we will continue to work closely with the government to ensure accountability and transparency in everything that we do. And of course, improvement. So what does the year ahead hold? It's going to be about supporting the most vulnerable. It's about keeping our public spaces safe, clean and cared for. Helping young people into education, training and jobs. Continuing our delivery of safe, affordable housing and making sure every pound we spend delivers value for residents. Every part of the organisation will be focused on this mission, commitment, delivery and impact. And that is why I'll be making the following executive arrangements for the 2025-26 municipal year. And these changes reflect our drive to lead with clarity, purpose and accountability. In the coming days, I will be publishing exactly the portfolio responsibilities of each of the members. But in summary, Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Councillor Suvka Ali, Councillor Ama Verdi. The three of them will all be sharing the designation of Deputy Mayor and the statutory responsibility will be rotated across all three. Councillor Neil Wilson will continue his role in adult social care and Councillor Blossom Young in hers as it relates to our drive towards improvement in housing services. Councillor Charlie McLean and Councillor Rita Chadder as a new cabinet member for transformation. Supported by deputies Councillor Mumtaz Khan, Councillor John Morris and Councillor Miraj Patel. I will be also making further announcements in July. So, to every resident, I want you to know, I love this borough. I love its people. I love its energy. I love its unstoppable spirit. And I will never stop fighting for it. Together, we are building a fair in Newham, creating opportunity everywhere. Opportunity in Newham is happening and is here now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Roxana Fias. I'm now moving to item eight announcements by the Chief Executive. I invite Abby Gabargo, Chief Executive, to make any announcements. Thank you, Chair. I'll be quite brief for my announcement and it's more to just give honour where honour is due. I've already thanked the previous Chair and I just wanted to thank a councillor who has dedicated over for all that you've supported and ensuring that governance stays high up on the agenda. I also want to thank you for your commission on black boys to ensure that we, as a council, are listening and hearing the voices of young black boys across the borough. You'll be missed, but we thank you as the officers of this council. Thank you, Abby. I'm now moving to item nine, which is the calendar of meetings for 2025-2026. I move that the calendar of meetings 2025-26 report, which is outlined on pages 29 to 46 on your agenda. Do I have a seconder, please? Council Imam Haq, thank you for seconding this. We now move to debate. Does any member wish to speak? Councillor Keeling. Councillor Danny Keeling, Stratford Olympic Park. Good evening, everybody. I want to take a moment to talk about the proposed calendar of meetings for this municipal year. Once again, the administration is cutting back on the number of meetings without providing any clear justification. And I think it's important we have a conversation about that. We all know how crucial our time is here. And every meeting is an opportunity to tackle the issues that matter most to our communities. It's our chance to discuss policies, address local challenges and make sure we're doing everything we can to improve the lives of those we represent. But when we allow the number of meetings to be reduced without reason, we're not using our time wisely. And that's a missed opportunity. The demands on local government are growing. Whether it's dealing with housing, climate action or even public safety. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, and we can't afford to hold back when we have the capacity to do more. By cutting back on meetings, we're essentially saying, we're okay with doing less, even when the need is greater than ever. This isn't about meeting for the sake of meeting. It's about respecting the time we've been given and making sure we're using it to the fullest. Many of us have expressed the need for more time to properly discuss the issues we face. So why would we cut back on the very thing that allows us to do that? I'm asking the leadership and all of us to reconsider this decision and ensure that we're holding the meetings necessary to do the work we're here to do. Let's not shortchange ourselves or our communities. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would participate in this debate? Councillor Kamali. While we welcome debate and scrutiny, calling for additional full council meeting, comes at a significant cost to the taxpayers. Whilst working at the actual cost, it's almost impossible to calculate. We did estimate it could be at least £60,000 when fractionating officers' time, resource and logistics. This is not a small amount. It's money that could instead be used to directly support residents, helping those hit hardest. We must ask ourselves, are we using public money in the most effective way? Our views is that residents don't need more meetings, they need more actions. And that's what this Labour administration is focused on delivering every single day. We remain open to working in constructively across the chamber, but our priority is outcome, not just headlines. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Kamali. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? If not, thank you, we will now move to the vote. All those in favour, could you please raise your hand? Thank you. All those against? OK. Any abstentions? OK. Thank you, that is carried. Item 10, which is Political Proportionality and Allocation of Seats on Committees, Appointments and Other Related Matters. This report details the nominations for the Council's various committees and boards. The report is outlined on Supplementary Agenda, pages 3 to 30. I move that the Political Proportionality and Allocation of Seats on Committees, Appointments and Other Related Matters report. Do I have a seconder, please? Councillor Huck, thank you very much. We now move to the debate. Does any member wish to speak? Councillor Higgins. Councillor Nate Higgins, Stratford Olympic Park Award and Leader of the Green Group. Thank you, Chair. On behalf of the Green Group, I am truly delighted to see you elected as Chair of Council. You have worked hard to ensure oppression is always challenged, that rights are always championed, particularly of the LGBT community, and that the suffering and deaths of thousands and thousands of people in Gaza is called out. It is a genocide and it should be called out for one. These values are Newham's values and I want to wish you luck in your role. I also want to thank your predecessor, Councillor Rahima Rahman, who always worked hard to improve the ways we do things here. We didn't always agree, but we have come a long way under your Chairship. This won't have been easy, I know. Thank you, Councillor Rahman. Regrettably, with this report, Labour is yet again, for a fourth year running, handing every single Chair of every committee chaired by a Councillor to the Labour Party, to themselves. It's not a surprise, but it remains disappointing. But it is shocking there is not a single seat for the Green Group on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, despite us being the joint largest opposition, and despite nearly one in five Newham residents voting Green at the last election. We have been making progress on the Council's Constitution Working Group on this issue, and not one member of the Working Group objected to inviting both opposition groups onto the committee at a recent meeting. So the failure to act on this is disappointing. With the Council's recent Best Value Notice calling into question governance in this borough, it is vital that we give the strongest possible scrutiny to what is being done in residents' names, with how residents' money is being spent. It is not too late to correct this mistake, and I will keep making the case to the Mayor and to the new Labour Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, and Chief Whip. I believe we can be better than this. And it comes at a time when, honestly, Labour's own house is in disarray. I want to offer my condolences to the hard-working Labour councillors removed from their leadership roles by the London Regional Labour Party, including their whip and Chair of Overview and Scrutiny. Whatever our political difference is, no one deserves to be publicly undermined and removed by their own regional party who residents in Newham did not vote for. And for what crime? We're told it's for the crime of being too friendly to green councillors, for being too willing to work together in the best interests of the residents who put us here. I want to pay tribute to both Councillor Islam and Councillor McCormann for working hard to recognise that residents have voted for a diversity of voices to be heard. I've worked closely with both and it hasn't always been easy, but their integrity and commitment to recognise hard work shows the best of us. This raises a serious question. If even Labour doesn't trust its own councillors to make decisions, why should residents? In the Green Group, we do things differently. We don't whip. We support our councillors to speak honestly, vote with integrity and to put their residents first always. And if you're a councillor in this chamber who's tired of Labour's culture, of control, of fear, of factionalism, our door is open. Next year's elections will bring the chance for real change. Councillor Higgins, I must ask you to end. Time's up. Chair, there was quite a lot of noise that took some time. I'll give you five seconds. Thank you. Next year's elections will bring the chance for real change and we will work hard every day to earn the trust and support of even more residents across Newham. We urge councillors to reject this report. Thank you Councillor Higgins. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? Councillor Brayshaw. Newham Labour Majority Group, Chief Whip. I would like to thank our opposition councillors for their cordiality during the meeting and welcome the idea that we can work collegiately moving forwards over the next municipal year. I can only explain that if opposition councillors wish to take over committees, they need to do far better at the ballot box. Newham Labour Group has been voted by the vast majority of residents to support a Labour government delivering real change for individuals. We are a Labour councillor who is proud and all I can say is some of the comments that the good councillor mentioned would only deserve a place in the fiction area of the library. I'm told there's one just down the road. And other than that, I commend the committee report to my fellow councillors and hope they vote to approve. Thank you. Thank you Councillor Brayshaw. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? OK, thank you. Thank you. We will now move to the vote. All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those against. Any abstentions? Thank you. That is carried. The figures are there. The figures are there. Yeah. The figures are there. Yes. We've got them. I'm now moving to item 11, which is the annual scrutiny report, outlined on pages 47 to 82 of your agenda. I call upon councillor Anthony McCollement as the outgoing chair of overview and scrutiny to present the committee's annual report. Councillor McCollement, you have up to five minutes. Mr. Chair, congratulations on your election to the chair of this great council. My fellow councillors, and to you the people of Newham, permit my saying that each year the work of scrutiny tells a story. It is not always a story of headlines. Rather, it is a story of quiet diligence, thoughtful challenge, and the deep responsibility that local democracy demands. This story is contained in our annual scrutiny report. This year, the story of scrutiny has been one of purpose and persistence. Across five thematic commissions and the core work of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members have asked hard questions, examined difficult evidence, and worked to ensure robust decision-making. We have scrutinized housing and homelessness and questioned the scale of our temporary accommodation crisis. We scrutinized the council's response to residential antisocial behavior and strengthened oversight of waste services. Supported improvement in air quality planning and sustainable transport, and held partner to account through the community safety partnership. We have examined education outcomes, school exclusion, sense support, and asked how we ensure that every child in Newham, no matter their background, has the opportunity to strive. We have looked into community mental health services and what it truly means to provide care in a timely, local, and culturally competent manner. And when it comes to Newham finances and the budget that affect every service, every family, every future, we just didn't absorb. We offer solutions. We issued challenges. We recommend, we made recommendations that were clear, costed, and achievable. Not every recommendation was accepted, but this is part of the process. Scrutiny exists to make the council better, and in doing so, it solves the people of Newham better. I have led the scrutiny function for over a decade. From tomorrow, after this council meeting, I will be stepping away from this role as chair overview and scrutiny committee. I want to thank members who have embraced their role in the scrutiny function. During my time as lead member for scrutiny, I strove to chart a non-confrontational and collaborative approach. In over a decade, I have seen scrutiny change, develop, and grow under my leadership, especially in the last two years. I want to thank scrutiny officers' passing presence for their part in the journey under my leadership. My thanks also goes to officers across the organization who have offered their advice and support, and supported scrutiny and its development. Scrutiny has grown into a greater understanding of its role. Scrutiny role is now better understood by the organization. Its voice is stronger, and I am proud to say it has real impact. Our cross-party collaboration has built trust. However, our work is not done. Councillor McClelland, one minute. There is work to be done, and that includes scrutinizing every policy decision, and every pond, and every resident voice matters. The work is not always glamorous, but it is important. Mr. Chair, serving a public office is temporary and a privilege. And I thank the Mayor and the Chief Executive for their kind words. The time has come for me to return to the back benches from whence I came. Thank you and goodbye. I commend the annual report to this council. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor McClelland. And thank you, councillors. That is noted. I am now moving to item 12, which is the annual report of the Standards Advisory Committee. I call upon Councillor Anne Easter, Standards Committee member, to present the annual update on the work of the committee. Councillor Easter, you have up to five minutes. Thank you, Chair. I am loving the hat, by the way. And good evening, Mayor and members and honoured guests. As a member of the Standards Advisory Committee, I am pleased to introduce the annual report of the committee for 2425, which you will find on pages 85 to 88 of your yellow book. The Standards Advisory Committee, soon to be renamed, by the way, the Standards Committee, performs a number of functions to support members in maintaining their high standards of conduct in public life, consistent, of course, with the Nolan principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The report before members provides an overview of the work undertaken by the committee, some of it quite challenging in the 24 to 25 municipal year. And looks ahead to the issues that the committee will be dealing with in the new municipal year. These are set out in Appendix A of the report. And in the report, you will find, among other things, the role of the committee, membership and meetings that have been held, topics that were discussed at our meetings and the future of the work of the committee going forward. I would like to thank my fellow members of the committee for their work throughout the past year, and would like to thank the Council for taking the time to consider the report. Chair, I commend the report to full Council. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Easter, and that report is also noted. I am now moving to item 13, which is the annual report of the Audit Committee, outlined on pages 8. 89 to 98 on your agenda. I call upon Councillor Terence Paul, outgoing Vice Chair of the Audit Committee, to present the annual update on the work. Councillor Paul, you have up to five minutes. Thank you, Chair. I won't be taking my five minutes. Chair, first of all, thank you for your words and well done on your elation to the top table. Thank you, Chair, and good evening to everyone. As the outgoing Vice Chair of the Audit Committee, I am pleased to move the annual report for the Municipal Year 2024 to 2025. I would like to thank all the Audit Committee members, and especially its elected members, its Independent Chair Fiona Marsh, and officers, especially Pauline Egan, who's around here somewhere. As you may or may not know, the Audit Committee is a thankless task. The reports are about a foot long, and often we have to come up with some uncomfortable decisions and findings. But, obviously, it's been a really great term, and it's done some good work. The Audit Committee's terms of reference help ensure that the Council's arrangement for maintaining internal control, managing risk, including the risk of final and external audit reports, which are great reading if you need to go to sleep at night, and does make opinions on the adequacies and effectiveness of the Councils are reported to and considered by the Audit Committee in detail. The action is taken by the Council of Management to address and implement audit recommendations of the Audit Committee, but you log on your YouTubes, rather than EastEnders, and follow the Committee proceedings. Because I say to you, you will find out more about this Council, and it's important that members are informed about their Council. However, the Council will note that the Committee's name will be changing its name from the Audit Committee to the Audit and Governance Committee, going forward, to fully reflect its real work. And I'd like to read the audit papers. It's incumbent on us now. Thank you very much, Chair, and thank you. Thank you, Councillor Paul, and that report is also noted. I'm now going to be moving to item 14, which is appointments by the Mayor to outside bodies. This report is outlined on Supplementary Agenda 2, pages 3 to 38. I now call upon Mayor Fias to confirm the appointments she would like to make. Mayor Fias, you have up to five minutes. Chair, I'm now moving to – sorry, Chair, if I may. In the document, it sets out the appointments, and I just want for that report to be noted, and it was published as a supplementary, if that's okay. Do I have a seconder for that? Councillor Ruiz? We now move to debate. Does anyone wish to speak? If not, Murphy has, you have a right to reply. I don't think you will take that. Thank you. We will now move to the vote. All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those against, please raise your hands. Any abstentions? That is carried. I'm now moving to item 15, which is the Constitution Review, amendments to the Council's Constitution, which is outlined on pages 99 to 146 of the agenda. I call upon the Mayor again to move this report. You have up to five minutes to present this. Thank you very much, Chair. Colleagues, as you know, back in September 2022, I announced that we would undertake a substantive and fundamental review of the Council's Constitution. It's taken a bit of time, but I wanted to use this five minutes. Firstly, to thank all of my member colleagues that have been participating in the intellectual somersault, but interesting, I'd say, examination of all things Constitution, and also to commend the hard work of all of the officers involved, and the document is a very, very, very heavy tome of words that are important, and are words that don't just sit on a page on a shelf. They are fundamental to how we ensure the transparent good governance of this Council. And it is to be commended that despite it being a living, breathing document, all members are very engaged in the detail and the application of the Constitution always to ensure that we get things right. We know that we live in an era and age where the trust deficit in politics has decreased, and in this era of challenge and change, it's important that we, as elected representatives, through our diligence focus, hard work and advocacy for our people, can demonstrate that we adhere to good governance, and that is enabled through the importance of constitutions of this Council and elsewhere. So I commend this report, and thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. Do I have a seconder? Thanks, Chair Councillor Nate Higgins-Stratford Olympic Park Ward, and a member of the working group. Throughout the work of the working group over the past few years, many of the changes that we've been bringing forward have been about giving members of the public more of a voice in this room, and that's been really important. And in that spirit, I just wanted to call out one particular change that we're making today, which is in relation to petitions. Under the changes that we're making now, members of the public will have the opportunity to create a debate in this chamber on their matter of a petition, instead of it just coming forward and it being presented and as moving on very quickly, which has never felt like it gives people, gives fair respect for the work that people have done in collecting signatures and on championing the issues that they care about, will now be able to have a debate about whatever it is that they're asking to happen. And it's not a low threshold, one and a half thousand people, it takes a lot to make that happen, but when that does happen, and I'm sure it will, members of the public will have that right for us to respond to that petition, to discuss it as it should happen in a democracy, and I'm really glad to see that happen. It has happened in many other councils before, and I'm really glad to see it happen here. That's going to outlive any of our times as councillors, I hope. A really positive change, so please do vote for this change. Thank you. Thank you very much, Councillor Higgins. We will now move to vote. There's one more, sorry. Sorry. Councillor Sophia Nakfi. Councillor Sophia Nakfi from Plaster North. First of all, I want to say thank you, Rahima, for being an amazing chair. My first experience has been chair with Rahima, so it's been amazing. I also want to extend my heart for thanks to everyone who took part in the Constitution Working Group. It has been a long, tiring process, sometime over two hours, and especially in the evenings. It's been very tiring, and the hot debates have been amazing, and great being part of this big, being part of the Constitution. I just want to say, one, that this has been amazing where, as what Nate just said, it's been an opportunity to think, just put the public first, and making sure this book, this Constitution book, is just not a book that's put in the shelf. It's for everyone to use, so thank you again for everyone for giving us the opportunity, and for working together. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Nakfi. Does anyone else want to speak? Oh, yeah. Councillor Ruiz? Councillor Ruiz, this is closer if you want to. So, when the Mayor asked me to be on the Constitutional Working Group, as you can imagine, I was thrilled. I'm like, oh, right, okay. And I have to say, I echo what Sophie and Nate have said. It's actually been really enjoyable. There's been some very funny moments, which I won't repeat. But actually, it's been really worthwhile, and we have worked together collegiately. We haven't always agreed, but we have in the end. They've always seen it our way in the end. And I think it hasn't finished yet. Don't think that it's over. We'll be going for another year. Don't worry. No, says Abby, we won't. We will. But actually, it is a sign that we can work collegiately on one document for the benefit of the local residents. And I sort of look forward to the next year. But I'm really pleased that I have now two deputy colleagues who will have to take their turn on the Constitutional Working Group. So, thank you. Thank you, Councillor Ruiz. Is there anyone else who would like to speak on this? No. Okay. In that case, we will move to a vote. All those in favor, please raise your hands. That looks unanimous to me. No one against any abstentions. Thank you. That is carried. Okay. We are going to now move to item 16, which is appointment of standard committee independent members, which is outlined on the supplementary agenda pages 31 to 40. I move that the appointment of standard committees independent members report. Do I have a seconder, please? Councillor Imam Haq. We now move to debate. Does anyone want to debate this? It's all in your papers, honestly. Okay. If not, all those in favor, please raise your hands. The sooner we finish, you can have refreshments, people. Cupcakes. Oh, cupcakes. Yeah, I know. All those against. That was unanimous. So, thank you very much. That is carried as well. So, we are going to now move to item 17, which is the end of year summary reports, which is outlined on supplementary agenda two pages. I don't have the page numbers. Do you have the pages? There we go. Pages 39 to 94. Do I have a seconder, please? Councillor Imam Haq again. Sorry, it's easier for me. I'm sure there are others who want to also put their hands up. We now move to debate. Does anyone want to debate this? No? Wonderful. So, we will now move to the vote. All those in favor, please raise your hands. And that looks unanimous to me. Any abstentions? Anyone against? No one. Thank you very much. Okay. Right. Oh, wow. We've come to the close of the meeting, people. So, that only... Okay. Hold on. Hold on. I haven't done my end of speech. Okay. So, thank you everyone for attending and watching. And I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. Can I ask members and their guests to remain seated so the public can leave the building first? Can I also remind all of you that there is a post-meeting reception taking place in Shipman Hall until 10pm. I declare that this meeting is closed. But I would like to remind everyone to please be respectful when you're leaving this building. There is a lot of residences here. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.