West Ham Ward Panel AGM & Meeting 4.6.26

Yesterday evening myself and my Labour & Co‑op Councillor colleague Adjoa Kwarteng with Green Councillor Ibrahim Alom attended the meeting of the West Ham Ward Panel, alongside local residents and four officers from our Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

The session opened with the panel’s AGM, where residents re‑elected the Chair and confirmed all existing panel members for another year. Only residents can stand or vote, which keeps the panel firmly rooted in the community it represents.

The main discussion focused on crime and anti‑social behaviour across the ward. Residents raised a number of concerns, and councillors and the SNT were able to agree several areas of joint action — including issues on Council estate land and properties managed by local housing associations. We also received helpful guidance on what can be done to address a safety hazard at the Portway entrance to West Ham Park.

A recurring theme from residents and Councillors was the impact of a local betting shop which appears to attract ASB to the surrounding area. This will be followed up as part of the wider partnership work.

Councillors also asked for closer links with the West Ham Volunteer Police Cadets, and for details of plans for the annual PC Nina Mackay memorial event later this year, as well as the Remembrance Sunday service at All Saints Church. It would be excellent to see the cadets and local schools involved in these important community moments.

Overall, it was a constructive meeting with strong resident leadership and a clear shared commitment to improving safety and wellbeing across West Ham.

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. 

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. 

Honour & Remember PC Nina McKay in Arthingworth Street, E15 tomorrow at 11am (24 October)

Tomorrow morning (Thursday 24 October at 11am) there is a memorial event to remember PC Nina McKay in Arthingworth Street, West Ham, E15 4PW, who lost her life while serving & protecting our community in 1997

Protect the Protectors

This is an article written by our West Ham MP, Lyn Brown.  Seen here at the memorial to PC Nina Mackay. Over the Christmas and New Year holiday not only will public service workers be looking after us 24/7 but many of them will face abuse and violence while doing so. 

"Being the Shadow Minister for Police and Fire services was the highlight of my Parliamentary career so far. I met truly dedicated and amazing people, many of whom are real heroes.

Their bravery and commitment to the public good is plain to see, following the dreadful spate of terror attacks this year and the horrific Grenfell Tower fire: workers risking their lives to save the lives of others.

That’s why I supported MP Chris Bryant’s bill to “Protect the Protectors,” ensuring that those who menace or attack our firefighters, nurses and police officers receive appropriate sentences to deter their appalling crimes.

When I sat in Moorfields hospital a couple of weeks ago, alarms sounded three times to warn of attacks on staff and summon help. Figures from Barts NHS Trust show their nurses, doctors and support staff were assaulted 120 times in 2015. The police face the same hazards. Nearly three thousand Met officers were assaulted last year, though the true number may be much higher.

Attacks on emergency workers keep increasing.

Our emergency workers shouldn’t have to expect such abuse in the course of their duties. Nor is work-related violence the only threat to their wellbeing. Time and again, I hear first hand of the stress caused by demands to do more with less. Recently, a West Ham officer’s wife told me he faces a repetitive scenario of working late, without lunch breaks; being short staffed, leaving him exhausted, and working against the odds to safeguard us, his colleagues and himself.

Their families, too, face the strain of making ends meet, while prices continually rise and pay flat-lines.

Our police have more crimes to solve, with fewer officers. Our NHS has to treat more patients, without the right funding.

Theresa May should stop pretending everything is fine and start funding our public services properly.

Only when they’re given the support, time and resources they need, will emergency services’ staff receive the dignity and respect we owe them.

So, “Protecting the Protectors” is only the first step to improving the lives of those who risk everything for us, every day".

West Ham Ward Councillor Report 7 December 2017

Councillor Report to Ward 7 December 2017

WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY tel: 0203 373 2615 or email John.Gray@newham.gov.uk

This is my bi-monthly written report. In October both I and my fellow ward member, John Whitworth, attended and passed a Labour Party candidate selection interview for the 2018 local elections. There will be local ward selections sometime in the New Year.

Our fellow ward Councillor, Freda Bourne, has decided not to re-stand but retire. Many thanks to Freda for her many years of service to the residents of West Ham.

Council IssuesResignation from Newham Fire Safety Scrutiny in Tower Blocks Commission
31 October I was forced to resign from being a member of this Commission because the evidence meetings are being held in secret. I did try to get this decision changed informally but was not successful. This secrecy is in my view completely unacceptable after the Grenfell Fire. We need complete openness and transparency to make sure such things never happen again.

Meeting with Director of Finance
22 November I met the Director and other senior managers with other Councillors to discuss our concerns about the Newham Council London Stadium loan impairment and pending huge investments into private sector renting (Red door ventures) and Commercial properties.

Newham Council Meeting
4 December. Following the announcement that £52 million in loans and working capital invested by Newham Council in the London Stadium has been lost, I raised emergency questions to the Mayor about the need for an independent judicial led enquiry into what went so wrong and that we should pause before committing proposed new massive investments in other property until we found out what had gone wrong. The Mayor disagreed.

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, Right to buy, domestic violence and neighbour disputes.

Ward issues
20th Anniversary of death of Police Constable Nina Mackay.
On 24 October both I and Cllr Whitworth attended this well organised and dignified remembrance service of PC Mackay who was killed on duty in Arthingworth Street E15.

AGM One Housing Group Tenants & Residents Association.
On 30 October I was pleased to attend its inaugural AGM and really hope that we are starting to see a rebirth of the TRA movement.

West Ham campaigning & petition on lack of social homes in Ford Showrooms development
28 October we went door knocking in the ward with Lyn Brown MP with petitions calling on the developers to commit to more social homes.

9 November we went and delivered letters to new party members in the ward inviting them to a special meeting.

Durul Jannah Community Centre, E15 – First Anniversary
5 November I was a guest with Cllr Whitworth & Lyn Brown MP at the 1st anniversary celebration. Lyn gave prizes to the children who used the centre and reminded all of them that they like her could one day become MPs when they grow up.

Estate Inspection Ladywell Street
8 November I did another inspection with a Family Mosaic senior manager and local residents. While there has been some improvements in this estate the performance by some contractors is very poor and they need to be monitored much better and made to improve.

Rebecca Cheetham Nursery School
23 November I attended its School Governor meeting. Things appear to going well at the school and I have been pleased to have met parents recently who are very complimentary about it.

Xmas Hampers for Elders
The free hampers for elders is running late this year but if you can help collect and delivery these hampers to local residents please contact Cllr Whitworth or I.

Misc.
Pension Conference
10 October I was on a panel speaking to a Local Government Pension investment conference about ESG issues (Environment, Social and Governance).

Community Land trusts
12 October I helped organise a Newham Co-operative Party meeting on Community Land trusts which I think is something that we consider supporting in Newham. 

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum

17 October I attended the business meeting and in the feedback session about the pooling of Local Authority pension funds I stressed the need to have beneficiary representation on these new funds.  

Political/Community (outside ward)
18 October I went door knocking with local Councillors and members in Forest Gate North. We visited an estate to talk with local residents where a young child had been murdered recently in what was believed to be a gang related crime.

23 October there was a successful fund raising dinner for the 2018 elections sponsored in part by London UNISON Labour Link.

4 November “Solidarity Saturday” I was campaigning in the Thurrock Tory marginal with Lyn Brown MP.

London Labour Conference25 & 26 November I was a UNISON delegate to this conference and moved a successful motion on the private rental sector in London.

Black History event
4 November. After canvassing in Thurrock I attended a very well organised and informative event on Black History in Canning town Library. I very much hope next year that the Council participates in similar events.

Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara Temple
4 November. Next I went to the temple to help mark the 548th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Workers Memorial Day 2018
Date for future is Saturday 28 April 2018 when West Ham Labour Party and local trade unions will be remembering all those killed at work or who have died of work related ill health at the Three Mills Green Memorial.

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
JohndotGray2012aticlouddotcom

PC Nina Mackay - 20th Anniversary Memorial Service

On Tuesday 24 October I attended with other Councillors, a memorial service held in my ward with family members, friends and Police colleagues of PC Nina Mackay who was stabbed to death near this spot 20 years ago.

It was a very dignified and well attended service.

A fitting tribute to a brave public servant killed in the line of duty.

See here Newham Recorder report

The West Ham 3 Johns at work - Punk John, Chic John and ? John

Busy Saturday. First, was Councillor Surgery at Brasset Point Tenants & Residents Room (had a tricky planning "Stop Notice" issue); then memorial tribute to PC Nina MacKay followed by ward "walkabout" in Dirleton Road E15 with concerned residents (and they have every right to be concerned about issues we came across).

In the afternoon I went to help out at West Ham Labour Party HQ in High Street, Stratford. Following a roof repair and leaking water tank problem we have an enormous amount of wood, chipboard, trunking, broken furniture and other debris to clear up and prepare for removal tomorrow.

My comrades John Whitworth and John Saunders (left and right) were recently described by "The Guardian" fashion page as "Punk Corbynistas" and "Chic Corbynistas". I wonder what they would have made of me and my Philosophy Football "The cuts won't work" tee shirt? It was hard work but fun smashing up planks of wood so they will fit into the van.

In the right of picture you can see the 100 boxes of "Sadiq Khan for Mayor of London leaflets" for West Ham CLP. We picked up the leaflets for West Ham and Custom House wards. If you can help deliver these leaflets in your local ward then contact your branch secretary.

Hat tip photo Rokhsana.

PC Nina Mackay 24 October 2015

This morning I was present at a memorial tribute to murdered PC Nina Mackay. The 25 year old was stabbed while trying to arrest a wanted man at a flat in Arthingworth Street, West Ham ward on October 24, 1997.

Local Police Officers and members from the Territorial Support Group were present. A wreath was also laid by the Newham Mayor, Sir Robin Wales and  Council Chief officer, Nick  Bracken (a former Police officer).

I am not sure whether it is the Council or the Police who organise this event but I will suggest that next year we should invite local West Ham residents and organisations to it.  I think it is important and I am sure my constituents will agree, that we show our respect to those who have died protecting us. I will bring it up with the Council and at our next ward and Stratford forum meeting.

PC Nina Mackay

Last Saturday I was campaigning in Arthingworth Street, West Ham, E15 with my fellow ward Councillor, Freda Bourne.

I took this picture of the memorial to 25 year old Police Constable Nina Mackay. She had been murdered in 1997 at this address while trying to arrest a mentally ill man.  I can still remember the shock that I felt at the time on learning about her death.

This is a quiet and normally peaceful back street area and it is very sobering to come across such memorials to a public servant who died in the course of her duties while trying to protect the public.

Tomorrow is also Workers Memorial Day.