Newham Council Cabinet gets welcome back gift from PEACH of Peaches

Yesterday's cabinet meeting at East Ham Town started off with a lively and good natured "action" by residents, children and activists from PEACH (The People's Empowerment Alliance for Custom House) with lots of singing, dancing and laughter.

A lovely change from the dire politics nationally.

They presented the Newham Executive Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and her cabinet with boxes of fresh peaches. Each peach had a name attached of an actual member of PEACH.

Activists said it was a welcome back gift to the Mayor after the summer break but also residents thanked her for the Council renegotiating rent levels for those in temporary decants. Some residents have experienced significant cuts in rent with one resident saying her rent had been reduced by £2400 per year.

PEACH being PEACH did not miss the opportunity of reminding the Cabinet that they still have further demands pending for better and more secure housing and they will be back.

The fruit was delicious and has been given out to Newham staff and family members.

There were a number of important items discussed and agreed at the meeting including Community Wealth Building and Climate Emergency/Improving air quality measures. 

Mears Cats at Dockside

This evening there was an action outside Newham Dockside by the People's Empowerment Alliance for Custom House (PEACH) led by Mears Cats.

Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, was at a Youth Board meeting in Stratford and asked me to go and speak to the protesters. The action was about the slowness of the Council to progress the agreed transfer of short-life homes into housing cooperatives. Now I know the full facts, I think we do owe PEACH an apology for not being quick enough (and most importantly, not keeping them up-to-date with what is going on)

The next meeting with PEACH and the Mayor will be on 30 May and I am sure that we will be much closer to sorting things out by then.

Picture college of today and past actions with PEACH, the Mayor and Mears Cats.

Mears Cat Action August 2018

Mears Cats Action Aug 2018_ from Hero Austin on Vimeo.

Video from yesterday's action by Newham residents at Housing Contractor, Mears PLC headquarters in Enfield.

Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and I joined the action to show solidarity with our residents and also to hand deliver a letter to the Mears Chief Executive Officer, David Miles, calling for a urgent meeting with him and the Mayor. 

Rokhsana Fiaz Pledges for Newham

Short and sharp speech by Rokhsana Fiaz outlining her key policies and welcome different approach to local politics at the fifth birthday celebration of Custom House's PEACH

"Rokhsana Fiaz, the new labour candidate for Newham Mayor states her pledges at the five years PEACH birthday celebration".