Labour Party Conference 2022: Day 3 Tuesday

 

I have just realised that I still have 2 more days to post on this year's Labour Conference. So Tuesday started off with another short run along the Mersey and back from my hotel. Weather was kind compared to Monday. The UNISON delegation started with a "huddle" on the day's business just before the start of conference. 

NHS Mental health Nurse and UNISON delegate, Gordon McKay gave a marvellous and passionate speech on the Health debate. 

As posted here I spoke on the Climate change/environment debate on behalf of UNISON but by coincidence, Newham Labour member Ken Penton moved the motion  while his colleague Luke Chartist (also a PPC) spoke. At the same time James Asser was on the NEC panel. 

There was many good conference debates and Keir's speech went down so, so well. We are starting to believe we can win at the next General Election and he will be our Prime Minister. The Tories, of course, were helping by doing every single thing possible to make our conference successful with their ridiculous unfunded tax cuts which sent the pound plummeting and raised interest rates.

After conference finished I went to the UNISON reception, were our deputy leader, Angela Rayner (UNISON's own of course) came to see us and gave a great speech followed by Keir who also spoke very well and stayed chatting to delegates and enjoying the event far longer than his aides had wanted.

Only one more (half) day to go. 

Newham Walkabouts - Repairs, ASB & Building New Homes

Last week I went on two walkabouts with my Cllr colleague, Shaban Mohammed. First was to Drakes Walk, East Ham where we met up with the local Newham Council Housing liaison officer and a resident concerned about people gaining entry into her housing block to commit ASB as well as her personal outstanding repair issues.  Repair orders have been sent out but I am meeting technical officers next week to see what we can do to make our door entry systems to our housing blocks more secure.

Walking back to East Ham town hall it was good to see the building going ahead on the site of the old Didsbury Centre (top left of collage). Newham Council is building 148 new homes at this site. We are now building new homes across Newham (at least 50% of which will be truly affordable homes set at the London Affordable rent).

Also, on the way back I noticed for the first time that inside the Newham 6th form collegiate centre there is a large plaque dated 1903 marking the founding of building with the names of my Councillor predecessors.

Later that day I went on another walkabout in my own ward in West Ham to decide on the future of a green space which has been used by street drinkers for many years, causing a serious nuisance to residents living nearby. We had present a local concerned resident, Police, Newham Council Community Neighbourhood and Safety officers as well as political leads, Cllr James Beckles and Cllr James Asser.

This green space is right next to West Ham park and 3 options were discussed i) turning it into a community garden but fenced off; 2) building new homes on the site (if possible) or 3) greater enforcement on those individuals causing a nuisance. There was also across the road disused and abandoned garages that need sorting out.

I have emailed regeneration officers details of the site to see if they are interested and we will be holding another walkabout or public meeting in 4 weeks time. 

Unless anyone has got any other good ideas for the site? 

Newham Council brings back in-house Privatised Park Keepers and Gardeners

A great picture from yesterday when the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and cabinet lead for Environment, Cllr James Asser met staff who work in Newham Council Parks and Green spaces which have been brought back into public control from private contractors.

Many of the staff received a pay increase since they were now on Council rates (London living wage as a minimum) and get decent sickness protection and pensions. Private firms will no longer be making money from Newham by exploiting these workers.

We not only expect this to improve our parks and green spaces but it is also an example of Newham Council supporting Community Wealth Building (more to follow on this).

Proud to be a Labour Councillor. 

James Asser re-elected to Labour Party NEC

Congratulations to my fellow Newham Councillor and Cabinet Colleague, James Asser, for being re-elected to the Labour Party National Executive Committee at our Conference last week.

James is a committed, experienced and hardworking Labour Movement activist and it is to his credit that he was re-elected unopposed by the Labour Party Socialist Societies to be their representative on the NEC. Great stuff.