West Ham Sunshine Street Surgery

This morning we took part in a Street Surgery knocking on doors of residents around Old Barrowfield and asking them if they had any problems or issues with the Council that they wished to discuss with their local Councillors. 

My colleague, John Whitworth and I picked up a case work on estate management, disrepair and housing waiting lists. On the whole, we were well received and although most residents did not have any complaints, they appreciated being asked and given information on our surgeries and how to contact us if they had. We had in total 37 contacts of which 2/3rd also said they supported Labour. 

Many thanks to our local Labour volunteer activists Varghese, Mushtaq and Janet for their support. We finished off with Coffee and gossip at a local café. 

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 Surgery then Door Knock

 

This morning I attended my Councillor surgery in the Vicarage Lane Community Centre (every Saturday apart from bank holiday weekends, one of us holds an advice surgery here 10-11am).

Afterwards, I met up with Councillor colleagues and local Labour activists to take part in a "Street Surgery" - knocking on doors in the ward asking residents if they have any concerns about local services and do they want to speak to their ward councillors about them. 

We had 2 teams out and the reception today was pretty good. I picked up case work around housing applications and complaints about ASB including neighbour nuisance. The majority of residents said they had no complaints about Council services (some people refuse to believe this but it is overwhelming true. It does not mean that we should be complacent in any way) and they are grateful that we have knocked on their doors to speak to them.  

One activist reported that he did get a ear bashing from a Reform supporter but it was cordial. 

I was also able to speak to supporters of the local Community group #LoveLondon15 who maintain mini community gardens on areas which had previously been fly tip hotspots and support the magnificent street art murals in the ward. 

Afterwards, most of us met up for coffee and delicious cakes in Sawmills café. I am still on Keto Low carb diet, so was sort of strong - and just enjoyed the coffee but the cinnamon buns there are simply  magnificent.

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 Xmas Door knock & Street Surgery

This morning after my indoor Councillor surgery, we went on a door knock in West Ward with Councillors and activists including our new MP for West Ham & Beckton, James Asser. 

The door knock went very well and residents were visibly pleased to see their Councillors and new MP and to have a chat (and in one case a selfie) about local issues and personal casework. 

There was a lot of concern about a new healthy schools streets scheme but it was wholly constructive. Residents understood the need of such schemes to protect children but were concerned by the small numbers of inconsiderate parents, who park in and/or block resident bays, while dropping off or collecting their children. We will be approaching Council officers to extend the pilot area to stop this. 

Afterwards, we went to the Sawmill café for Xmas coffee and cake (no mince pies available)

Surgery, knocking up Little Ilford then phone banking for Beckton By election (both 18 July)

 

This morning I had my Councillor surgery in West Ham ward then cycled over to Little Ilford to go out and door knock for the Labour Candidate, Aktharul Alam. There are two By-elections next week on Thursday July 18. I joined my fellow UNISON member Alan Griffiths. 2 other Labour teams out canvassing.

We went to Warrior Square, which I am told is named after the famous Victorian Battleship, HMS Warrior, which was built nearby and is now in Portsmouth historic dockyard (which I have visited several times).

This was an overwhelmingly positive canvass. I think that residents realise that they need a local Labour Councillor, who can work with our newly elected local Labour MPs, to press the case for Newham, with a newly elected Labour Government. Makes sense.

Later that day I messed up on the timings of a canvass for our Labour Candidate in Beckton By-election, Blossom Young, so did some phone banking for her from home using the Labour Party "Dialogue" software. It is pretty frustrating process since so many telephone numbers are wrong but the 10 or so residents I managed to speak to were all Labour, which was positive.

If any London Labour activists can help out this week and on the day with our 2 by elections then please do. There is a problem with the link to Labour events website which I hope will be sorted out very soon.

Double West Ham canvass for Sadiq Khan & Labour

 

This has been a busy Labour Movement few days with Workers Memorial Day on Friday, TUC Regional Council AGM yesterday (followed by my first ever visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum - which deserves a future post) and today, campaigning for Sadiq Khan as our Labour London Mayor and all London Assembly Labour candidates in West Ham ward. 

My ward Councillor colleague, John Whitworth and I (both of us UNISON members) did a double morning and afternoon canvass and street surgery in our ward, West Ham. 

The weather was wet in the beginning so we canvassed some of our low rise blocks, which meant lots of up and down communal stairs. Great exercise, who needs to join a gym if you are a Labour Party activist? In the later part of the afternoon the rain stopped and the sun came out which was lovely. The blossom may have largely gone but the greenery is very lush in the sunshine after rain. 

We had full English breakfasts for lunch at the Olympic cafe in West Ham Lane (we sneaked into Stratford ward). 

Highlights of the day was a long discussion with an elderly resident, who was originally from Latvia and by coincidence, I had watched last night a film called "The Rifleman", which was about the dreadful first world war (and aftermath) experiences of a Latvia soldier. The resident was an ethnic Russian, whose father had been a prisoner of war during world war 2. It was unclear due to language difficulties who his father was taken prisoner by.  

I took a wrong turn and got locked into a rear communal garden, where you needed a key to get out (which is a risk in these blocks) and had to be rescued by John W. 

We had 161 contacts and I had some very good political discussions on local and national issues. While I did not win everyone over to Labour, the response overall was very good. The depth of support and loyalty to the Labour Party by so many residents is simply humbling. 

West Ham ward canvass with Janet & John's

 

Yesterday, I had my Councillor surgery (ASB/\neighbour dispute/Overcrowding) and today I joined my Cllr colleague John Whitworth and new party member, Janet, for a street surgery/canvass in our ward. 

Janet has been a Labour supporter for many years but she recently joined the Party, because she wants to to do something to get rid of this appalling Conservative Government. Janet had never been canvassing before and she didn't feel confident knocking on doors, so she was here today to see what it was like and she would deliver leaflets. 

The canvass went really well with 68 contacts, the majority of which were solid Labour. There was one or two grumpy & negative respondents but Janet was surprised how little confrontation there was on the doorstep and that there was so many very positive responses. 

The only worrying thing was that some residents said they were Labour supporters but thought we were going to win, so nothing to worry about! I had to explain about the requirement for photo ID and the Tory scrapping of proportional voting in Mayoral elections could mean trouble and every single vote will count. 

West Ham welcomes Sadiq Khan as London Labour Mayoral Candidate

 

Today we met up with Cllr James Beckles in West Ham Ward (Newham, London) who is standing as a "Labour List" candidate in next months London Assembly Elections. He was with the East London & City candidate, Unmesh Desai and we had a special guest turn up - our London Labour Mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan. 

As well as East Ham MP, Stephen Timms, Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, councillors and many local Party activists from across the borough (including the one and only John Saunders). Footballers in the Park also stopped to join us and listen. 

After short speeches from James, Unmesh and Sadiq, we split up into canvass teams. Two teams went to canvass West Ham while the others left for Forest Gate South. 

I led one team of 4 canvassers and was pleased that we had 46 contacts, the overwhelming majority being solid Labour. I was also really pleased when a local resident came up to us and explained she was a new Labour Party member and wanted to volunteer to deliver leaflets. She explained that she had been a Labour supporter for many years but had only just joined the Party in order to help get rid of this "rotten Tory Government". 

After coffee in the Sawmill, I stopped off to deliver leaflets to volunteers and took some photos of trip hazards that had been brought to my attention as case work. A good day. 

Newham Voices - April 2024: Abbey Gardens

 

Just finished reading the latest from our community newspaper "Newham Voices". To mark Community Garden Week they feature West Ham (not Stratford!!!) Abbey Gardens. Apart from this geographical error - a good read. 

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) 

Newham Full Council Meeting 18.3.24

 

I am a bit behind on social media posts due to full on Union and Council business but this is a picture from Monday at Newham Full Council meeting when I was asking our Guest speaker (https://twitter.com/TheIFS) about how much money UK Local Government needed to fully fund services. 

Later I welcomed the delegation of Newham Mums who spoke about the need to upgrade our play areas and presented a petition on behalf of residents in Portway, E15 who want a bus stop relocated due to ASB. 

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 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.

Turning Nazi V2 Rocket sites into Wild Flowers Memorial

 

Many thanks to Cllr Asser, Cabinet member for Environment, for getting the impact site of a West Ham ward Nazi V2 Rocket attack on 1 Feb 1945, turned into a beautiful wild flowers memorial. 29 Residents were killed that night and many more injured. 

Every time I go past this site (Now called Marriot Road after a local Firefighter also killed in that war by enemy action) I now think of similar attacks by our modern day Nazi, Vladimir Putin,on the people of Ukraine. 

West Ham Park Street Survey

 

In West Ham, the ward I represent as a Newham Councillor (E15 postcode), a consultation and survey is taking place on "seeking local views on issues relating road safety, air quality, walking, cycling, and traffic in the area". This survey (and proposals) appears to have most impact on residents in Forest Gate South ward (I think E7 Postcode) but many of my constituents will also have a view.

The survey was is now live for 3 weeks and will close on Saturday 1st April 2023. I have already taken part online and it was quite straight forward and took about 5 mins. I want as many residents as possible to take part. 

A map of the consultation area (see top) and link to survey is available here: https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/projects/westhampark

Postcard/paper version of the survey should have been delivered to all addresses in the West Ham Park consultation area over the weekend (see bottom).

Ward Councillors have been invited to a MS teams briefing by Council officers on Wednesday 22nd March 2023. "This will allow us to address any comments you may have received from the public regarding the consultation". My next Council surgery is Saturday 18 March 10-11am at the Vicarage Lane Community centre or email/ring via the Newham Council website (search find your councillor)

 

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 

West Ham ward surgery at Stratford Library

 

Pictures from my Newham London surgery this morning in Stratford library archivist room. I met fellow @newham_labour Cllrs Sabia Kamali & Ken Penton who also hold their surgeries for Stratford and Maryland.

I only had one telephone enquiry which was about ongoing damp and the apparent failure of our call centre to answer the phone. I totally accept that we do need to do better on this. 

Hopefully, West Ham ward surgeries will resume soon in our ward at Vicarage Lane Community Centre E15. Watch this space.