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…
National School Dinners Week: Manor Primary School, E15
Last week was National Schools Meals Week and up and down the Country, Councillors have been to their local schools to have a meal with pupils and staff.
Cllr John Whitworth and I went to Manor Primary School in our West Ham ward and met the Head Teac…Read more…
Councillor Report to West Ham Ward 8 November 2018
Councillor Report to Ward As 8 Nov 2018 WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY
tel: 0203 373 3456 or email John.Gray@Newham.gov.uk
Ward issues
· On 4 October after my surgery I attended a meeting of…Read more…
“Raid uncovers horror conditions” Housing in Britain 2018
I was also simply appalled to visit such a dirty, infested, unsafe and unlicensed house and to hear from tenants about the threats made against them. I felt that I was back in Victorian East London and not the 21st Century. Sickening.
Hat tip Ne…Read more…
Newham private rented sector licensing scheme breaks £5m barrier for recapturing lost Council Tax
Since the introduction of licensing in 2013 an extra £5,002,203 has been collected from rogue landlords renting out houses in multiple occupation.
Newham’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) licensing scheme began five years ago but was forced, by governme…Read more…
Councillor Report to West Ham Labour Party Branch October 2018
Councillor Report to Branch4 October 2018 WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY
tel: 0203 373 3456 or email John.Gray@Newham.gov.uk
Surgeries and case work
Please note the new time and place of my Councillor Surgeries
· Stratford Libra…Read more…
Mears Cat Action August 2018
Mears Cats Action Aug 2018_ from Hero Austin on Vimeo.
Video from yesterday’s action by Newham residents at Housing Contractor, Mears PLC headquarters in Enfield.
Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and I joined the action to show solidarity with our residen…Read more…
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz reflects on her first 100 days in office
“Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz reflects on her first 100 days in office and pledges to continue to drive the change that Newham needs and for the benefit of all”Read more…
“Newham at forefront of Housing Crisis”
Hat tip Newham Recorder for a pretty full on report on the housing crisis in our borough.
The new mayor of Newham has slammed the loss of nearly 10,000 council homes under Right to Buy since the 1980s – saying the policy has exacerbated the bitter hou…Read more…
Councillor Report to West Ham Ward 1.7.18
“Dear Members
Firstly, may I apologise for the lateness of this report. The past few months have been exceptionally busy (for all of us).
Many thanks to all everyone who supported Cllr Whitworth and myself to be reselected as your candidates in the…Read more…
Re-elected & Newham Council Local Elections Count 2018
I was delighted to be re-elected yesterday as a Labour (and also now Co-operative) Councillor in London Borough of Newham for a 3rd term with Cllr John Whitworth & Cllr Charlene McLean.
We have 3 Councillors per ward and this time I had the highes…Read more…
May Day West Hammers putting people at the heart of all we do
Picture collage from this evening. Going up and down our many low rise blocks and basement flats are great for fitness (and recording on my google fit apt) but we are now all getting pretty tired.
Some great sky and cat pictures to cheer everyone up m…Read more…