Tomorrow we will start delivering these “thank you” leaflets to West Ham Ward residents after the recent local election.
It is a definite honour to be elected to serve our residents – and in the next 4 years we need to earn this trust. Read more…
West Ham Ward declaration 2022
After a long day yesterday, Charlene, John Whitworth and myself were re-elected as Labour Councillors to Newham Council.
A huge honour and privilege. Many thanks to residents for voting for us so overwhelmingly and to ward activists for hel…Read more…
Nominated as Labour & Co-operative Candidate for West Ham Ward, Newham London
Yesterday was our Newham Labour 2022 campaign launch and I am now also officially nominated as a Labour and Co-operative Candidate for West Ham Ward.
While I wish that local ward members had made this decision (as they had overwhelmingly s…Read more…
West Ham Ward doorstep 15.1.22 (Yes, they all hate Boris)
This afternoon we were out “on the knocker” with our local MP Lyn Brown (and Cara – the Labour attack dog).
We had 98 contacts, who were not only overwhelmingly Labour but I can honestly report that I have never heard so much anti-tory comments …Read more…
New Year’s day morning 1890 – Remembering the 26 Children
This morning a small group of Councillors and local historians met in West Ham Cemetery at the memorial to the 26 young boys (see below) who suffocated to death following a fire at the nearby children’s Workhouse.
Author John Walker,…Read more…
LAPFF Conference 2021: Day One
Day One of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum Annual (LAPFF) conference started with a welcome by our Chair, Cllr Doug McMurdo.
First item was a blended panel on the Local Government Pension Scheme APPG (all Party Parliamentary Group) report…Read more…
Back to the Old Town Hall in Stratford
It was great to be in the historic Old Town Hall in Stratford for this evening’s Newham Full Council Meeting. There was even an demonstration outside by residents protesting about the closure of Newham City Farm.
It was a “blended” meeting with…Read more…
“We’re voting for change” in the way we do things in Newham Council
Picture from Saturday’s leafleting of East Ham High Street with my West Ham ward Councillor Colleague, John Whitworth (and Newham Council Scrutiny Committee Chair).
On Thursday May 6 Newham residents will also be able to vote in a referendum on the f…Read more…
Fire Brigade & West Ham Councillors remember Blitz heroes
This afternoon I met Newham Fire Brigade Commander, Terry Gooding, at the plaque outside 163 Plaistow Road, West Ham Ward, Newham, London, E15 3ET to remember the 6 firefighters who were killed near this spot by enemy bombing 80 years ago.
5 of the 6…Read more…
“Building for the future after years of neglect” Newham Voices
Last month Aidan White from the new community newspaper “Newham Voices” interviewed me in my previous role on housing issues. Subscribe to Newham Voices for £5 per month via its website and you will get a free hard copy of the newspaper delivered…Read more…
Cllr Frederick (Frank) Matthews – my Great Grandfather
There is a lot of really nasty and unpleasant stuff on the internet and social media but there is also many positive things.
This week I was contacted by a long lost relative Graham via this blog who had searched the internet for his great…Read more…
Newham Pension Committee: We have a 111 year old pensioner! No tobacco pledge (and why parents should join the LGPS – and anyone else lucky enough to be eligible)
This evening I took part in the Newham Council Pension Committee, which runs the staff pension fund (under government regulations and guidance). It was our first “public” committee meeting (via zoom) since lock down. It was broadcast live on Facebook (…Read more…
“Landlord licensing can help protect our communities”
“Before I became the cabinet lead for Housing Services in May 2018, I had worked in inner City housing for over 25 years and thought rather arrogantly I had seen it all. The squalor, deprivation and human misery I have seen while out with our licensing…Read more…
Remembering Sarah Chapman – Matchgirls strike leader
Picture of Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and myself placing flowers at the grave of Matchgirls strike leader, Sarah Chapman.
Today family members and supporters were asked to place ‘A Flower for Sarah” either on her grave itself or “virtually” on social…Read more…
10 Years as a Councillor – New(ham) Kids on the Block 2010
Today is the 10th anniversary of my election as a Councillor for West Ham ward in the London Borough of Newham. The picture above was taken before an induction event held a few days later for newly elected Councillors.
It has been a privilege and a ho…Read more…
ReviveFM 94.0 – Poverty in Newham (and what the Council is doing about it)
Yesterday, in between campaigning for the European elections, Newham Council Cabinet lead for Finance, Cllr Terry Paul and myself were interviewed live on Community Radio, ReviveFM 94, which is based in Forest Gate, Newham.
Our interviewer was our Cou…Read more…
“Helping you stay in your home”
“Becoming homeless is often the end of a downward spiral that can include health problems, job losses or relationship break-ups. Newham Council is helping residents tackle such issues before they find themselves without a home.
The council’s debt adv…Read more…
“Council warns residents against workmen conning people out of thousands of pounds”
“Newham Council is warning residents against fraudsters attempting to con people out of thousands of pounds.
The con artists pretend to be contractors working for the Council offering repairs at the victims home. They then tell the victim that specia…Read more…
Newham Council to invest £120m in improving existing council homes
“Newham Council’s housing stock will be improved as part of a £120m investment programme, to drive up standards for residents and ensure our council homes are safe and well maintained.
The commitment was set out as part of the Housing Revenue Account …Read more…
Newham Full Council Meeting 26 November 2018 : Update on Housing Services report
This is my update to Newham Full Council meeting last week in Stratford Town Hall on our Housing Services as the Cabinet lead. I had 3 minutes for the update and I didn’t quite get all of this out in the time allowed.
· Newham Council Housing Services…Read more…