My Municipal Week- Full Council, Rough Sleeping Count & Spring Litter pick

 

A fairly busy week. On Monday I attended the Full Council meeting at Stratford Town Hall. I asked a question on the role of social economic class in reducing inequality in Newham and also moved an amendment on an opposition motion regarding Private Rental Sector licensing. 

The amendment was to make it clear that Newham was one of the very first Councils to introduce such licensing, in face of huge opposition from some Landlords and the Tory led coalition Government of the time. While we are in favour of all landlords in Newham being subject to licensing, we have to fully comply with the law. The amendment was accepted in full by the movers of the original motion and then Council. 

On Thursday I took part with Councillor colleagues, officers and volunteers in the bi-monthly Rough Sleeper Count. We left Newham Dockside before midnight in teams of 2-3 and were given patches to cover and count the number of people found sleeping rough on the streets. In my team we found one person sleeping on the streets. I do not yet know how many were found overall and what the trend is compared to previous counts. 

This was the first Count that had taken place since the former "Street Population Manager" Ajitha Sajeev retired. On Friday evening I attended her leaving "do" at Stratford Town Hall (See picture bottom left).

Finally, today I joined the West Ham community Group "LoveE15" with my Councillor colleagues to carry out the Spring letter pick in our ward. It is amazing how much litter there is even in streets which at first glance look clean. I got into conversation with a resident and admired his front garden and he offered by a Yucca plant cutting which he was planning to throw away. Which I gladly accepted and have now put in water as he recommended. I must ask whether I have to declare this as a gift? 

Hat tip pics James Beckles and John Morris. 

West Ham Ward Street Surgery - 25.1.25

 

Yesterday, I took part in a Street Surgery and canvass with my Councillor colleagues, John & Charlene, and local Labour Party activists in West Ham ward. We knocked on doors and spoke to residents, in and around Arthingworth Road, E15 about whether they had any issues regarding Newham Council services. 

I picked up case work about fly tips and outstanding disrepair issues (see hole in toilet ceiling bottom left of collage). I had an exchange of views with one rather grumpy resident who objected to the Labour Government "raising taxes". I pointed out that they had actually not raised taxes for working people and if they were to increase taxes for more doctors, nurses and teachers what would be wrong with that? He was not convinced. 

Most residents were pleased to see us and even if they had no issues to raise were happy to take leaflets with our contact details and to hear that we held a local surgery every Saturday Morning 10-11am (apart from Bank Holiday weekends).

We paid our respects to the Police memorial in Arthingworth Street to PC Nina Mackay who was tragically killed in the line of duty at this spot in 1997. 

Getting out the Labour Postal vote in West Ham, Plaistow & Canning Town

 

Yesterday I spent the morning in West Ham ward with our local MP, Lyn Brown, my colleague Cllr Charlene Mclean (and our super young pioneer) and our top activist Varghese . 

We were calling at all Labour supporters who are postal voters to remind them to fill out their 3 votes for:-

1. Sadiq Khan as London Mayor, 
2. Unmesh Desai as local City & East London Assembly member and 
3. Labour - for the List candidates.  

It was a lovely warm, spring day day so many residents were out and the contact rate was not great but Labour support was pretty solid. 

In the afternoon, Lyn and I joined Plaistow West & Canning East ward Councillors John Morris & Simon Rush with local activist Veronica. We were later joined by my UNISON colleague and Hackney Wick Councillor, Joseph Ogundemuren.  

Again, many residents were out but very firm support for Sadiq and Labour from those who were in.

Register to vote online if you you are not registered by 11.59pm 16 April 2024 https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote . It usually takes only 5 minutes. 

Applications to have a postal vote have to be by this Wednesday 17/4/24 by 5pm https://www.newham.gov.uk/council/vote-post

Vote Sadiq, Vote Labour: Out & about with Lyn Brown MP in West Ham & Custom House

 

This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery and met with residents concerned with overcrowding and a 2nd stage appeal over travel provision. Afterwards,  I met up with my ward colleagues, activists and our MP, Lyn Brown, to knock on doors of nearby West Ham ward residents. 

We were trying to three things. Firstly, ask them whether or not they would be supporting Sadiq to be our London Mayor on May 2nd (and the other Labour candidates). Second, whether or not they would be voting Labour in the next General election and thirdly did they have case work issues they wanted to bring up with Lyn or local Councillors. 

The canvass went really well, as far as I could tell. Positive responses from residents and the few "undecided" still seemed positive and engaged. 

Unusually, I did not pick up any new case work but was stopped in the street by two constituents who had organised a petition to relocate a local bus stop due to ASB issues. We discussed the case and also that I had presented the petition to the Full Council meeting on Monday. 

Lyn and I left early to join activists in Custom House for another canvass. 

Newham Labour activists have been out today in various parts of the borough and will also be out tomorrow. A car load of Newham activists have also been out to support marginal seats outside London. 

As well as supporting Sadiq, we are also supporting our local City & East Assembly candidate, Unmesh Desai and the "list" candidates, including Newham's own, James Beckles who is 4th in line to be elected (it is a complicated system - check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_London_Assembly_election) 

West Ham ward New Year Canvass and Street Surgery

This morning we had our first canvass and street surgery of 2024 in our ward. We met at the ATL cafe then went to doorknock and speak to residents with my Councillor ward colleagues, Charlene and John. Also, we had Lewis (Green Street West Councillor, our sister ward), Ash and Varghese (West Ham ward members).

It was pretty successful, over 50 contacts and we came across some important case work. Mostly housing issues but also complaints by residents against a charity who have leased a local community centre but appear not to have opened it recently.

I had one difficult conversation with a resident who was against Sadiq and the Council over the introduction of emission charges. I tried to point out that we must stop gassing our children and our elderly but he was not convinced. Nor did he accept the argument put forward by a UNISON colleague of mine, who is a paramedic in central London, that 25% of his emergency "shouts" involving taking children to A&E is about breathing difficulties but it is only 5% in the countryside surrounding London. 

I was really pleased to see the new build in Arthingworth Street (which had been dis-used since at least 2010 when I first became a Councillor) and that the memorial to PC Nina Mackay, who had been killed there in the line of duty, had been restored. Top right is a picture of the 3 of us in the new garden area. 

West Ham Ward Christmas Campaign: Sadiq Khan for London Labour Mayor in 2024

 

This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery for local residents, then this afternoon I joined colleagues in the ward to deliver leaflets (Labour doorstep was down) for Sadiq Khan, to be re-elected as London Mayor in May 2024. 

We were joined by the Newham Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and we also delivered leaflets for West Ham ward residents, on how to contact us if they have a problem (and also our Local MP, Lyn Brown and GLA, Assembly member, Unmesh  Desai). We were joined by Cllr Shaban Mohammed, who missed the group photo. 

People appreciated having information on contacting their elected representatives and were as you can imagine for the time of year, quite relaxed and many were happy to chat with us. 

I had one women say that "we are sort of Labour but we don't like Starmer". I responded that I didn't agree with everything he has said or done (I have never agreed with everything any Labour Leader has done) but he is the only leader who can defeat the tories, and that trumps everything. She did not disagree.

We finished off at the beginning (or end) of Corporation Road and had photo outside a relatively new and unusual family business run by two twin brothers - its a mens barbers and a cycle repair shop. One brother is a barber and the other a mechanic. Why not? Will bring my bikes there for a service. Take your bike in and he will give you a price (and if you are male, you can have a hair cut by his brother at the same time). 

Across Newham we had 4 different campaign sessions today.  

West Ham Ward Councillor surgeries - Saturdays 10am-1pm in Vicarage Lane Community Centre

 

This is a draft poster of our advice surgeries. All residents welcome, no appointment necessary. The three of us take it in turns and my next one will be a week tomorrow Saturday 4 November. Email the Mayor for an invite to her surgery. 

"On the knocker" in West Ham (with a little bit of help from UNISON/Hackney)

This morning I had my councillor surgery in Vicarage Lane Community centre in West Ham ward, Newham. One constituent who came, lived close to the centre, with a list of repair issues. I was able to go with her, back to her home in order to identify repairs needed to a damaged canopy over her front door. (top left) 

Later I joined my West Ham ward Councillor colleagues, John Whitworth and Charlene Mclean, for a "street surgery" in the Portway, E15. This includes knocking on doors, introducing ourselves and asking residents if they have any issues concerning Newham Council services that they wish to discuss with us. Most residents say they haven't any issues but we leave a leaflet with our contact details and that of the Newham Mayor Roksana, Lyn our MP and Unmesh, our London Assembly member. We also try to carry out a quick survey on what are their keys issues in the ward and their voting intention in future elections. 

I was pleased that my UNISON comrade, Joseph Ogundemuren, came to help. Joseph is a  Labour Councillor in Hackney and a fantastic trade unionist campaigner and case worker, currently supporting our members with their fight with our employer, Clarion Housing Group, over pay cuts and to stop their attempts to break pensions promises made to staff via "fire & rehire".  This was the third campaign session in Newham that he had attended today. The other two were in Canning Town and Custom House. 

The family walking their pink and white poodle were really pleased when I asked if I could take its photo. 

During the canvass I was able to get into the former Park Hotel which has now been converted into flats. See "now and then" pictures to right of collage. I think the bottom picture is from Victorian times but will try and find out more. There is a current problem with domestic rubbish and recycling collection which I will sort out with the Council. 

On the last door that I called at, by coincidence, the family had come to see me at a previous surgery regarding a dreadful rehousing issue, which I am trying to help them with. It reminded me that we must change UK housing policy and that change demands a change in Government. 

Afterwards, Joseph and I went for a "refreshment" in the marvellous Sawmill cafe, E15  (owned and staffed by Ukrainians) and we were later joined by John Whitworth and the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. 

The Housing Crisis: A possible positive way forward & a definite negative

On Thursday evening I took part in an informal discussion of a possible way to provide much needed homes for homeless families. The suggestion is largely untested at scale, extremely complex, potentially financially risky but may (repeat may) offer a "least worst" way forward.

Later that evening I met residents from my ward (with my ward colleague Cllr John Whitworth. Our 3rd ward colleague, Cllr Mclean, is a member of a Planning Committee, so therefore could not attend) to discuss a local planning proposal. 

This proposal would, if accepted, result in in new homes being built but only at "Market rents".  In September 2022  average rents in Newham for a one bed flat was £1300 per month. 

There is also a number of other important objections to this particular development. 

While there will be some payments by the developers to fund possible social housing or infrasture, it would appear that very little if any, of the 5800 on the Newham Council homelessness register or the 34,000 on its waiting list will be able to afford such "market rents". 

I hope we can find a way to fund more homes for homeless families but I will certainly be working with residents to change, or if necessary, stop any proposal to build any single development that is 100% market rents.

Your Labour Team for West Ham

 

After my Councillor surgery in the morning (local planning case work) I led on the Saturday afternoon "Street Surgery" of West Ham ward in Newham, London. Knocking on doors in what is apparently, the longest side road in the borough, Corporation Street, E15.  

We were talking to residents about local issues and their concerns they may have with the area and Newham Council, but also asking about what they think about national politics. 

I had some tough but constructive conversations about ASB/Street drinkers/fly tipping/parking controls but overall it was very positive for Labour. 

Residents like their local Councillors knocking on their doors, introducing themselves and listening. They very much like the idea that we have a weekly face to face surgery (drop in - no appointment necessary) inside the ward (Vicarage Lane Community Centre 10-11am every Saturday except Bank Holiday weekends) and they can contact us by phone or email. 

On national politics it was to me evident that some residents, who had been previously been against Labour and/or supported over parties, were going to support us in the next General Election to get rid of the Tories. 

However, we should be taking nothing for granted and always remember how ruthless and effective the Tory election machine is and the Labour Party past record for shooting itself in the foot. 

Picture of me, John W, Charlene and out top West Ham Labour activist, Varghese

My last West Ham Councillor surgery at Stratford Library?

On Saturday morning I had what I hoped to be my last Councillor surgery in the Newham Council Archives and Local Studies in Stratford Library. The staff at the library have been lovely but we (including my fellow ward Councillors John Whitworth and Charlene McLean) are hoping to return to our original base at the Vicarage Lane Community centre which is inside our ward. 

For various repair, covid, safety and staffing issues we have been displaced to Stratford Library. But very soon we hope to be able to offer a local Councillor surgery service every Saturday 10-11am in Vicarage Lane (apart from Bank holiday weekends)

The photo collage was from the Archives room and during quiet moments during the last few years I have spent some time looking at the fascinating books and historical resources on display. While I knew of our collection of paintings by Madge Gill I never knew that Newham Council had a prized collection of luxury locally produced porcelain 

"Topping out" at Leather Gardens, West Ham

 

I know Councillors love having their picture taken in hard hats and hi-vis (even if they don't always fit that well) but I really enjoyed this "topping out" the other week with the Mayor laying the final brick.

But the main reason for my pleasure was that this new block of 100% Council flats at social rents is in my ward. This land had been boarded up and unused since way before I became a local Councillor in 2010. While this development will not solve the massive housing crisis in Newham it is a much welcome start. 

"It is an honour to be elected to serve you" - West Ham ward thank you leaflets May 2022

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. 

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 helping our campaign. The nearest opponent got 558 votes. 

Hat tip video to my new Labour Councillor colleague Thelma Rose & Muzibur Rahman Jashim for videos. 

My first surgery is tomorrow at 10am in Stratford Library

Election results for West Ham Ward

West Ham: Labour win all three seats. John Gray: 1,758 Charlene McLean: 1,626 John Whitworth: 1,458

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 selected me during the past 3 elections) I am still proud and honoured to be a candidate for Labour and Co-operative Party in West Ham and I hope the local Parties are taken out of suspension as soon as is possible. 

I am standing again as a candidate with my existing West Ham ward Labour & Cooperative Councillors, Charlene McLean and John Whitworth. 

While West Ham ward is seen as being a "safe" Labour seat, we will not be taking anything for granted and will be knocking on doors, speaking to residents and delivering leaflets from now until 9.45pm on Thursday 5 May. 

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 firefighters had come to help save London from Beckenham in Kent. By coincidence, in Commander Gooding's previous posting, Beckenham had been one of the fire stations he was responsible for.

My fellow West Ham Ward Colleagues, Cllr Charlene McLean and Cllr John Whitworth also came (separately) to show their respects for the fallen.

It is difficult for us to imagine the sheer awfulness of that night. Firefighting is difficult and dangerous at the best of times but the heroism of these men to tackle fires and try to save lives in the midst of a mass air attack is incredible.

We must never forget and in future years (post covid) I hope we can involve the local community more in remembering and honouring the fallen.

Remembrance Sunday - Remembering the Fallen and the Claxton Family

 

This morning at 11am I was at East London Cemetery with my West Ham ward  colleague, Cllr John Whitworth, to lay a wreath to remember the fallen. 

Usually we would have attended the Remembrance Day Service at the West Ham All Saints Church with our local MP, Lyn Brown. Due to Covid this was cancelled although Lyn was joining an online service and reading a lesson. 

John and I decided to go and lay a wreath and show our respects at the nearest cemetery to West Ham Ward with a war memorial, East London Cemetery. Our ward colleague Cllr McLean was at another wreath laying event in Forest Gate. 

There was one other wreath already on this memorial dedicated to some ones Great Grandfather "Albert Childs" who was killed in action on 31 October 1918 (less than 2 weeks before the end of the War)

Compared to other remembrance services it was very quiet and despite there being only the 2 of us it was quite moving.

I noticed at another war memorial another small group had gathered around it for the 2 minute silence. 

Afterwards I reflected on a picture that had recently been sent to us by local historian, Alan Regin, of the Claxton family who lived at 46 Hampton Road, Forest Gate. See the picture below. Out of the five boys pictured four of them died due to the first world war and only the youngest Jonathan survived since he was too young to fight. 

My First Pint in a Pub for a quite a bit (Thank you and all the best Julianne)

Very sad to hear tonight at the first Newham Full Council meeting since the start of Covid19 that our fabulous Cabinet Colleague for Education, Cllr Julianne Marriott, is stepping down from her post.

However, every cloud in life has a silver lining - and many thanks to Julianne for my first pint in a (socially distancing) pub since lock down (with other colleagues).

I will post a more considered post on our Council meeting and Julianne's contribution to the transformation in our borough very soon.

Hat tip photo Charlene M

West Ham Ward Councillor Surgery Saturday 6 June 10am to 11am

My next Newham London, West Ham ward, virtual Councillor surgery is tomorrow (Saturday 6 June) from 10am to 11am. Please email John.Gray@Newham.Gov.uk and I will contact your by phone, or by Zoom, or by Skype or by GoToMeeting or by Teams. 

You can always contact me via email outside this time and I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

Picture above is of one of my West Ham Councillor predecessors, Ben Cunningham and the "Plaistow Land-grabbers"  https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2010/06/what-will-harvest-be-abbey-gardens-fair.html

Update from the Mayor of Newham: Coronavirus update 20.3.20

Update from the Mayor of Newham: Coronavirus update - an increase of confirmed cases at 42 (20 March 2020)

Today, there’s been confirmation of further increases of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Newham from 32 yesterday to 42.

Additionally, we heard further announcements from the Government earlier today about support for those in work, and Key headlines are as follows:

1. The wages of millions of workers will be paid via grants covering up to 80% of theirs salaries if their employers kept them on the payroll; with payments up to a maximum of £2,500 per month - just above the median income;

2. Measures to strengthen the benefits safety net for people out of work, and increasing the value of universal credit and tax credits by £1000 a year;

3. £1bn of extra support for renters, to increase housing benefit and universal credit so that local housing benefit will cover at least 30% market rents in a local area.

Also earlier today, I hosted the first in a series of conference calls with our voluntary sector partners and the faith communities in Newham, to update them on what we are doing and our plans for supporting the most vulnerable - and where we will need their help. My thanks to Cllrs Charlene McLean, Muzibar Rahman and Ann Easter for their help and support with this vital effort.

This unprecedented health crisis that we find ourselves in as a result of the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of abating. Tragically four people in Newham have already died of this horrific virus, and more are confirmed to be suffering from it. To be frank we expect the figures to rise.

It breaks my heart to have to send out messages of condolence to grieving families – but I assure you this Council and all the health partners in Newham are doing all we can to minimise the spread.

Schools have now closed and leisure centres will close this evening. We have identified the most vulnerable and needy in our community so we can support them. Today the government has ordered pubs, clubs, cafes, theatres, cinemas and bars to close.

I cannot state strongly enough how serious this outbreak, and the situation we face, is.

We cannot tackle this without your help. I need every one of you to do your bit. You must follow the expert health advice. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Isolate yourself and those close to you if you have symptoms like a new cough or high temperature. Stop all but essential travel. Do not attend social gatherings. Work from home where possible. Keep a distance between you and other people.

Please do not panic buy and strip supermarket shelves – leaving the poorest and most vulnerable at genuine risk.

On Sunday, it is Mother’s Day. Many of you face a dilemma – to visit your loved ones or not. Honestly, the best way to show your love is to do the right thing - stay away. Just for this year, a phone call or a video call may be the best gift – safety. If we don’t adapt our behaviour, we run the risk of losing more of our mothers, and fathers, and grandparents.

If we work together we can beat this thing and I’ve been encouraged to see so many residents and groups coming forward who have recognised how important it is to join together to support others who are most vulnerable and in need.

We have to make sure that support is directed to where it is most needed, whether that is delivering food parcels, providing information or sharing tasks like shopping or picking up medications.

Volunteering tasks can also be done remotely as well for those who are not able to meet people. It’s just as important to offer a friendly voice to someone from the end of a telephone.

There will be more information on our website for those of you wishing to offer your support and we will be providing regular updates about what the Council is doing.

We want to particularly support our most vulnerable residents in Newham - those who are over 70, those with underlying health conditions and needs. The information we want you to share with others is here: https://www.newham.gov.uk/…/Ser…/Coronavirus-(Covid-19).aspx

Please help us by communicating this advice across your social networks. You can help us to spread the word and support our communities. In the meantime our eight community neighbourhood teams are there to provide you with all the help you need to support your local neighbourhood. Contact them on community.neighbourhoods@newham.gov.uk

Like every other organisation, Newham Council and its staff are being affected by Coronavirus, with staff practising self-isolation or forced off work due to illness. This in turn is having an impact on Council services. You can keep up with the latest service updates by following this link: www.newham.gov.uk/servicestatus

Rokhsana Fiaz, Executive Mayor of Newham