The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to discuss the council's Best Value Self-Assessment, the strategic approach to addressing obesity in Newham, and to review the draft Annual Scrutiny Report. Key decisions included noting the council's progress assessment and the Delivering Best Value for Residents Plan 2026/27 , and the committee's agreement to delegate authority to the Chair to finalise the Annual Scrutiny Report.

Best Value Self-Assessment

The committee considered the council's response to the non-statutory Best Value Notice issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in May 2025. The Interim Chief Executive, Paul Martin, presented his assessment, which acknowledged significant progress in financial stability, governance, and service delivery, while also highlighting areas requiring further improvement, particularly in housing services and adult social care. The council has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 without requiring Exceptional Financial Support, a significant turnaround from the previous year. The Delivering Best Value for Residents Plan 2026/27 was also presented, outlining the council's continued commitment to improvement across service delivery, financial sustainability, and governance, regardless of the outcome of the MHCLG's 12-month review of the Best Value Notice. The committee noted these reports and agreed to delegate authority to the Chair, Councillor Lester Hudson, to finalise the Annual Scrutiny Report.

Addressing Obesity in Newham

The committee received a comprehensive report detailing the strategic approach to addressing obesity across the borough. The report highlighted the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Newham, with nearly half of Year 6 children and 70% of adults having an unhealthy weight when adjusted for ethnicity. The council's 50 Steps to a Healthier Borough strategy, aligned with corporate priorities, outlines a whole-system approach involving various directorates and partners. Key initiatives include promoting healthy food environments through planning policies, supporting active travel, and delivering targeted weight management programmes. The report also detailed the financial context, noting that while many effective interventions rely on leadership and collaboration, some require funding from sources such as the Public Health Grant and Transport for London. Challenges identified include the increasing demand on services, the impact of national policy changes, and the need for sustained cross-directorate working. The committee was presented with several case studies illustrating successful interventions, such as the Eat Well Newham programme, Healthy Schools London initiatives, and the BetterPoints app for incentivising active travel.

Draft Annual Scrutiny Report

The committee reviewed the draft Annual Scrutiny Report for 2025/26, which summarises the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its subsidiary commissions throughout the municipal year. The report highlighted key achievements, including the exercise of call-in powers on major decisions, sustained oversight of the council's response to the Best Value Notice, and detailed scrutiny of financial matters, housing services, and children's services. The report also emphasised the importance of resident engagement and the impact of scrutiny in strengthening governance and improving decision-making. The committee agreed to note the draft report and delegated authority to the Chair, Councillor Lester Hudson, in consultation with officers, to finalise it.

The meeting also included updates from the Chairs of Scrutiny Commissions on their respective areas of work, covering topics such as crime, environment, transport, education, children and young people, health and adult social care, housing, regeneration, and the relationship between Black boys and the borough. The committee also reviewed its work programme and considered suggestions for the next municipal year.