All the union news that's fit to blog...
This was the written question I put to the Newham Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance, Lester Hudson, at the Full Council meeting last week
To the Executive Advisor on Finance, Cllr Lester Hudson
“Last week 3 more employees of Barclays Bank w…Read more…
Yesterday evening the official Council AGM took place at the main hall of the Old Stratford Town Hall. It started with local primary school children choir and band. I believe that they played a Soviet Red Army marching song which always goes down…Read more…
Check out this report in this week’s Newham Recorder. Well done to Rokhsana for undergoing this operation to try and save a young child’s life. I must admit I winced at the thought of donating a pint and a half of my bone marrow. I have been a potentia…Read more…
Councillors were asked to submit questions and comments on the proposed Newham Council budget for consideration by the Mayor at the Cabinet meeting last Thursday. I was unable to attend this public meeting since it was at 5pm and I had a work commitmen…Read more…
I spoke after Cllr Whitworth raised concerns on this item 14 at Monday evening (7.12.15) at Full
Council.
“Thank you Chair. John Gray, West Ham ward, speaking as a Councillor, expressing concerns on behalf of my constituents about Newham Council’s exposure to LOBO loans, in this report referred…Read more…
This is the concerns expressed by Cllr John Whitworth during the discussion on item 14 at Monday evening (7.12.15) at Full Council.
“The issue of the servicing and repayment of the Council’s debt is obviously of major importance at a time when we are obliged to make savings in most…Read more…
Yesterday the first official refugees from Syria arrived in the UK at Glasgow airport. Some random thoughts.
Firstly, I am reminded of this fascinating research about the generic make up of many Brits. The Romans, Vikings and Normans had apparently l…Read more…
A Council By election has been called for Thursday 3 December 2015 in Boleyn Ward, Newham following the very sad and unexpected death of my colleague, Councillor Charity Fiberesima.
It is a “Women only” short list (the other 2 Councillors…Read more…
This morning I went to Norwich by train to represent a UNISON member at a hearing then came back into London to attend a HR meeting on employment policies and procedures. On route I came across Camden UNISON members who work for the Parking Contractor …Read more…
The Local Government Association has publised guidence obtained from Eversheds solicitors on “Powers of Councils to Pay Pensions to Elected Members”.
The summary of this advice (copied below) is in its latest newsletter which can be found here. &…Read more…
I posted last week here my concerns about a proposal to Newham Executive about setting up a so called “SPV” for the Councils pension fund.
This would cost at least £500,000 to set up and is in my view very risky and could result in a complete waste of public money.
I am very concerned that there…Read more…
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This is a report I submitted today as a Councillor to Newham Overview and Scrunity Committee.
“Recommendation
1. Firstly, I would like to thank members of Overview and Scrutiny for supporting my request that this decision is “called in” and reviewed.
2. The decision by the Executive Mayor to…Read more…
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So far I haven’t heard whether the Budget last week will have any impact on the £50 million saving that Newham Council believes it will have to achieve next year.
This is on top of £106 million cut in government funding during the last five years. The government not only want to reduce public…Read more…
On Saturday I spent the day with 7 other Newham Councillors as the guests of G Company 7th Rifles Regiment, while they were training on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.
G Company is our local British Army reservist unit in Newham, based at Cedar barracks i…Read more…
This picture is from this morning, just before the 8 of us went off to join our local British Army Reservists – G Company, 7 Rifles in Salisbury Plain.
We got back this evening after a great day with G Company. I will write up a full post tomorrow but…Read more…
At the last meeting earlier this month of the Regeneration and Employment Scrutiny Commission, Councillors considered a “Living Wage” for all Newham Council workers.
We had a presentation by Emmanuel Gotora and Paul Regan from Newham citizens on behal…Read more…