Councillor Report to Ward
5 October 2017
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WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY
tel: 0203 373 2615 or email
John.Gray@newham.gov.uk
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This
is my first written report since the General Election campaign. On the day it
was announced I was on holiday walking in North Wales when I received a call on
my mobile from the West Ham CLP Chair and she said to my astonishment “Hello…is that Agent Gray?”
So I was the Parliamentary Agent for our
candidate, Lyn Brown (for the 3rd time in a row). It was a short but
exhausting campaign but I was really pleased that she was re-elected with a
massive increase in her majority and Labour did so well (never forgetting that
we did not win. But we will next time). Many, many thanks for all the hard work
and commitment by West Ham ward members in this election all over London (and
outside).
Council Issues
Fossil Free Newham
Launch 25 April
I
was invited to attend the launch by activists who want the Newham Council
Pension Committee (I am a member) to divest from investments in carbon
companies. I made a contribution in my personal capacity that I broadly support
the aims of the campaign but reminded the meeting that the pension fund did not
belong to the Council but to its staff and pensioners.
Newham Council AGM 18
May
This
is the formal meeting that takes place at the historic Old Stratford Town Hall.
Newham Authority
Governor & Free School Meals
I
am a School Governor for Rebecca Cheetham Nursery School and Ranelagh Primary
School. In my last report I expressed concerns and made representations about
the 60% proposed recharge to schools of the cost of providing meals to primary
school children. I am pleased that the Council will now be providing 100% of
the cost.
Newham Full Council
meeting 10 July 2017
There
was a dispute about the minutes from the AGM. I was late at that meeting and
missed the part under dispute. Despite a majority of members voting to accept
the minutes it would appear that there was some sort of mistake since business
that the AGM minutes stated had been passed at that meeting were voted on again
at the 10 July meeting.
I
got assurances that the Newham Housing Residents Scrutiny Commission will meet
again and that there will be consideration on how all residents who live in
Housing Association or privately owned blocks can scrutinise their own fire
safety.
There
was unacceptable personal attacks made by Executive Members at that meeting
against a senior Councillor and a Newham resident which I understand are being
investigated.
Newham Cabinet meeting
7 September 2017
The
Mayor made a statement at the beginning of the meeting that there had been
misreporting on social media about the £40 million “impairment” on our loans to
the West Ham FC/Olympic stadium but he cannot comment any further on the matter
since there is ongoing negotiations, which are commercially sensitive but once
they are over there will be full disclosure.
I
asked for reassurance that the new cladding that will be put on our Newham
tower blocks will be safe and that there will be no unintended consequences or risks.
I also asked (again) for copies of pre Grenfell fire risk assessments for tower
blocks in my ward. I received such assurances from the Executive Advisor on
Housing, Cllr Terry Paul and the Mayor confirmed that I will be sent these risk
assessments. I did not however receive these assessments until I chased.
Newham Full Council
Meeting 18 September 2017
At
this meeting I was very disappointed that my written questions submitted via
the Chief Executive on the “impairment” and “write off” of the £40 million
loans to the West Ham/Olympic stadium were not heard. However, I was able to
ask a similar question during the debate on the financial report and was told
by the Executive Advisor that the loan was not written off but “impaired” and
that it had no impact on the current Newham budget. Any costs regarding
Grenfell will also be fully met.
Newham Audit Committee/Investment
& Accounts Committee 27 September 2017
This
was a very difficult joint meeting of (firstly) the Newham Audit Committee to
consider whether or not to recommend to the Investment & Accounts Committee
(I&A) to approve the Newham Council accounts 2016/2017.
Once
they received this recommendation (or not) then I&A will consider whether
or not to agree to approve the accounts.
Some
of Audit committee members were concerned that they were being asked to
recommend approval of the accounts despite receiving legal advice form the
Council chief legal officer that they had no obligation to do so since the
auditors had not finally agreed the accounts.
Bearing in mind we were facing an unexplained £44 million “impairment”
(explained as not a “write off” at the moment but a “write down”) as well as an
unknown figure that had been given as some form of “working capital” to the
stadium. They asked for a delay to clarify things. It was confirmed by the
auditors that there would be no extra costs if there was such a delay.
In
a split vote the Chair of Audit (the Executive Advisor on Finance) used his casting
vote to recommend the accounts and did not allow the independent member to
vote. Which is of concern since she has acted as the Vice Chair and voted in
previous decisions?
I
decided to vote against approving the accounts as a member of I&A (not Audit)
because no one could explain what had happened to the £44 million of public
money that had been impaired (written down?) but mainly because I had asked the
Section 151 officer how much working capital had been invested, have we lost it
and when and who had authorised this public money to be used in this way – and
she said she did not know but was trying to find out. I said that it would
appear to be as much as another £8 million but she said that she did not know
but didn’t think it was that much.
I
thought that since we did not have to approve the accounts at this moment I
could not approve them under these circumstances and voted against. The
Accounts were approved by a majority vote.
Surgeries and case work
I
have attended 2 surgeries per month in Vicarage Lane Community Centre and
Brassett Point Residents Association room. There has been a number of cases
regarding ASB; drug dealing; parking; housing disrepair, service charge
disputes and neighbour disputes.
I
have made a number of home visits and estate inspections.
Ward issues
Rent rises for Key
workers One Housing Group
In
my last report I mentioned support for these tenants with Cllr Whitworth and I
am pleased that the (up to 40% rent rises) have been suspended. I did meet up
with One Housing Group management. However, this is primarily down to the hard
work and solidarity of the tenants. Well done to them. Further negotiations are
pending.
West Quadrant Neighbourhood Meeting
I
have attended 2 recent meetings and I am pleased that despite there being no
consultation beforehand on its structure and being far too geographically large
that the meetings have gone well so far. There is a useful exchange between
officers and Councillors on a range of services and local issues.
Grenfell Fire
Like
everyone else I was shocked and horrified at what happened. As a Housing worker
who has managed inner city high rise blocks for many years and a safety
practitioner member of IOSH, I was simply stunned then angry because I was
always told that such a thing “could
never happen”. I have been pressing the Council over fire safety in all
buildings in Newham, whether owned by the Council, Housing Associations or
privately owned blocks. I am now on a special Newham Council “Fire Safety in
Tower Blocks” scrutiny.
Newham Boxing Club 14
July 2017
Cllr
Whitworth and I had a fascinating tour of this centre (a former Council
communal bath house) in Church Street and a presentation on an ambitious
redevelopment plans by club volunteers to which we offered our provisional support
as ward Councillors.
Street Party &
Summer Fair 29 July 2017
With
Cllr Whitworth we attended a lively street Party at Richardson Road then the impressive
HAFS Academy Summer Fair in West Ham Park.
Ward walkabout with
Enforcement officers 9 September 2017
Cllr
Whitworth and I had what we both felt a really useful walk around much of our
ward with the Enforcement officer who is allocated to us. I was very impressed
with his local knowledge and proactive attitude to problems in our ward.
Labour Campaigning
During
the General Election campaign as agent I went mostly with our candidate Lyn
Brown, door knocking and/or supporting street stalls in West Ham ward, Forest
Gate North & South, Stratford & Newtown, Green Street West, Plaistow
South, Custom House as well as Ilford North, Durham & Harrow West CLP. As well as attending Electoral Registration
& local Labour Party planning meetings. Since the General Election I have
been campaigning in West Ham & Chingford & Woodford Green CLP (the new
marginal. IDS seat)
For information
Workers Memorial Day 28
April 2017
Helped
organise another event at Three Mills Memorial to mark this day with Party
activists and trade union branches to remember those killed at work or from
work related ill health. It is also a campaigning day to improve the safety of
the living.
Newham Anti Education
Cuts Campaign 12 July 2017
I
have now attended 2 meetings with Councillors, Party activists and Newham trade
unions to organise a local campaign to oppose the Tory Government cuts to
school budgets. As a School governor I am trying to find out alternatives to
Academisation.
Anniversary of V1
attack Dames Road E7 27 July 2017
Helped
organise this event to remember the murder of at least 34 East Londoners on a
bus from Nazi rocket attack in 1944.
Labour Party Conference
September 2017
What
a fantastic conference. I attended it as a Newham Councillor (self-funding)
If
any member wishes to contact me about this report to discuss any aspect please
do not hesitate to do so.
Regards
John Gray
West Ham Ward
Councillor
