Councillor Lakmini Shah

The Cabinet decided to reconsider the Community Neighbourhoods Model decision of 15 September 2026 and provide an executive response to the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Cabinet agreed to democratically select lead members for each community neighbourhood, publish clear governance arrangements, establish resident participation and transparency measures, and develop performance measures and success criteria for the model.

The Cabinet of Newham Council noted the report on Community Neighbourhoods on 21 October 2026. The Cabinet endorsed the establishment of eight Community Neighbourhoods as the council's place-based framework for coordinating neighbourhood leadership, resident participation, and partnership working. The Cabinet approved the preparation of a Community Neighbourhood Profile and a Community Neighbourhood Plan for each of the eight Community Neighbourhoods.

The Cabinet decided on 21/10/2026 to approve executive responses to recommendations concerning the Community Neighbourhoods Model. The Cabinet accepted recommendations regarding the democratic selection of lead members, clear governance arrangements, and resident participation, but with modified timelines for implementation. The Cabinet will publish governance arrangements and resident participation plans by the end of January 2027, and performance measures by the end of January 2027.

The Cabinet of Newham Council resolved on 20/10/2026 to disaggregate Legal Services and Elections from Onesource. The Chief Executive, in consultation with other officers, was authorised to make necessary arrangements including HR processes, agreeing withdrawal dates, finalising agreement variations, receiving staff, and entering into collaboration agreements with London Borough of Havering.

Cabinet noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee deferred consideration of the Call-in of the Cabinet Decision: Community Neighbourhood. Therefore this item was deferred and will be considered at a later meeting of Cabinet on 20/10/2026.