“Men’s mental health at work: how unions can help men to open up”
Great post on TUC website. I did not realise that today was “time to talk day”.
“It’s a bit of a cliché – the strong and silent man, the stiff upper lip. But sometimes clichés are clichés because they contain a truth. The truth here is that men o…Read more…
A Day in life: UNISON NEC, Pension meeting on Housing investment, & Chartered Institute of Housing Dinner
A full on Labour Movement Day. A long UNISON NEC meeting (and the rest); then met up with LGPS pension fund officers and fund advisers on possible investments in Housing (see why housing is an investment opportunity as well as social need) & infras…Read more…
What have the trade unions ever done for me?
Sunday Stroll to Wanstead
Off message but picture collage from a local winters walk yesterday from Forest Gate to Wanstead and back. It was cold but lots of sunshine and blue skies. We stopped off to feed the birds at Jubilee Pond with defrosted green peas (bread makes their st…Read more…
Let Your Voice be Heard: West Ham & Stratford Citizen Assembly Saturday 9 March 1.30-3.30pm
Citizens’ Assemblies
In the third and final round of the 2018/19 Citizens’ Assemblies residents will have an opportunity to comment and refine their Local Community Plan that has been developed through the assembly process and by the working group m…Read more…
Democratising pensions
Excellent article by my Scottish UNISON NEC Colleague, Stephen Smellie in yesterday’s Morning Star. While the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is slightly different in Scotland than England and Wales (stronger trade union rights for example), I w…Read more…
Newham becomes first London borough to fly progress rainbow flag to mark LGBT History Month
Hat tip Newham Council Facebook pictures and website
“Newham Council raised new Progress Rainbow flags at its Town Halls in East Ham and Stratford today (Fri 1 Feb) to celebrate February as LGBT History Month.
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As part of the month there is a serie…Read more…
UNISON NEC Elections 2019: Nominate Denise and John for Community Seats
“Dear Branch Secretary
We did send a request on 7 January 2019 and we apologise for sending another request if your branch has already decided nominations but we believe that some branches did not receive our previous request. We understand from UNI…Read more…
“East End promise: an interview with Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz”
(hat tip “Inside Housing”) Newham’s new mayor has a tough job on her hands to tackle some of the country’s worst housing deprivation. Peter Apps finds out how she plans to do it. Photography by Peter Searle
By several measures, …Read more…
Planning issues usually make my head hurt…..
Planning issues usually make my head hurt but thanks to @NewhamLondon officers for today helping Cllrs and local residents understand better the #LocalPlan #localcentre #towncentre #contiguous #ribboneffect.
The idea of calling the left hand loca…Read more…
Ightham Mote & One Tree Hill walk
Off message but great walk two Sundays ago in Kent even though we got hopelessly lost. We drove to and parked at the National trust owned moated Manor House at Ightham Mote. Which dates from the 13th century and is justifiably described as “the m…Read more…
Newham Holocaust Memorial Day : Torn from Home
A really moving ceremony. Well done to all involved. I was so proud of all the confident and articulate young people who came up to speak and the great music that they played. Hat tip pictures and copy below to Newham Council Website/Facebook page
&nbs…Read more…
Dinner with John McDonnell – Thursday 7th March 2019
An evening with John McDonnell MP
West Ham CLP fundraiser/social – Thursday 7th MarchDear Member
We’d like to invite you to a really special CLP event – a fundraising dinner with John McDonnell MP, at the invitation of our MP Lyn Brown. J…Read more…
My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose – Karen Matheson
Its Burns night. Enjoy!
O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June:
O my Luve’s like the melodie,
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still,…Read more…
Newham Council Extraordinary Meeting on Repairs & Maintenance Service (RMS)
This is my speech to the crowded meeting on Tuesday where I moved a report with recommendations on why we had a £9 million overspend on RMS, what we did about it and what we are doing to make sure this never happens again.
“Thank you all for attending…Read more…
Be Really Shocked about Homelessness in Newham
“A fairly shocking housing stat I’ve come across as background to a feature: There are 7,515 children in temporary accommodation within the 36km² which makes up Newham, east London.
This compares to 4,920 across the 40,000km² which makes up the e…Read more…
Severe Weather Emergency Provision or Protocol: What is SWEP?
“Homelessness is an emergency whatever the weather but in winter and freezing weather, people are in even greater danger. Hannah Faulkner, Head of Pan-London Rough Sleeper Services at St Mungo’s explains how we help bring people in from the cold during…Read more…
Newham Peoples Budget Forum – East Ham
Picture collage from this evenings consultation forum at Newham Town Hall. Which I thought went very well. I chaired the meeting due to last minute illness. The Mayor, Cabinet lead for Finance and officers did excellent presentations. Residents gave lo…Read more…
Right to Buy: Wrong for London
“Dear John
Tomorrow I’m publishing a new report which reveals the extent to which former council homes sold through the Right to Buy are now being rented out by private landlords. In advance of its publication I wanted to share some of the individual b…Read more…