Newham Council working with TELCO Citizens on the Housing Crisis

Picture from Tuesday with Newham TELCO Citizens. I first worked with TELCO in the 1990s when my trade union branch, UNISON Tower Hamlets was affiliated and I can remember going on demos and lobbies with them over the London Living wage.

Their twitter tweet was : -

Productive meeting @NewhamLondon  Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Housing Services

@grayee

. We learned about the Council’s proactive action on housing & homeless in the face of huge challenges. Civil society can play an important role

My response to this on twitter:-

A really positive and constructive meeting. I look forward to working with #TELCOCitizens in the the future to improve the life of our residents #housing

@CllrShaban

@rokhsanafiaz

Housing Associations branch supports UNISON End Violence at Work Charter

Tonight I chaired UNISON London Housing Associations Branch Executive meeting during which we discussed our support of the End Violence at Work Charter. 

I am pleased to report that a number of our branch employers are close to signing the Charter so hopefully, we will have some announcements soon.

We will also be chasing employers who haven't been very proactive on this important issue so far.

Watch this space!

(also check out the horrifying findings publicised by Inside Housing in June this year https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2019/06/assaults-survey-full-findings-reveal.html)

Newham Under the Stars - Sunday 11 August with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

"The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and a fireworks grand finale will again delight audiences on Sunday night. The RPO has been performing at Under the Stars for more than six years bringing an ensemble of up to 75 musicians. They cover a huge range of music from core symphonic music by composers such as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, through the world of musical theatre and up to modern day film soundtracks.

This year’s concert will feature traditional proms in the park favourites under the baton of ever popular conductor John Rigby who has worked on film, screen and stage music.

Making her first appearance is vocalist Alison Jiear who trained classically in voice and piano at Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Australia before moving to the UK in 1988. She has performed in the West End while working on numerous other projects.

Also debuting is British baritone Ross Ramgobin who attended London’s Royal Academy of Music where he gained an MA in Vocal Studies and then his Advanced Diploma from the Royal Academy Opera. He has performed at opera houses all over the world.

The evening will also feature performances by Newham's Young N Gifted Choir as well as the Bridging Sounds Orchestra, Newham Music's flagship ensemble".

Hat tip Newham London

Labour Unions - Campaigning for a Labour Government

I was pleased to see that the 12 trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party have renamed their co-ordinating organisation, formerly called TULO/Unions together, to become "Labour Unions" - which just makes things clearer.

Check out this link for information on campaigns to bring about a Labour Government such as Banning Zero Hour contracts.

To the last 100 years of Council Housing in Newham and the next 100

Last Thursday evening I came back from holiday and went to the 3rd Newham Council Tenants and Leaseholders forum in East Ham Town Hall for Plaistow and Green Street residents.

There was around 50 residents present. Councillor Shaban Mohammed was the lead and worked with junior and senior housing officers to find out what is good and bad about the housing service in Newham and how can we work together in the future to improve it.

It was a really good meeting with lots of robust conversations at times and there was also many positive and constructive comments.

For many years there has been no effective consultation with Newham Council tenants and residents. You cannot run an effective housing management service without involving residents. Full stop.

Cllr Mohammed was also able to introduce the local Council liaison officers. Again, for many years there has been no single Council housing officer responsible for a particular patch or estate. We have now set up teams who will cover all parts of Newham (and our out of borough estates).

Many thanks to residents and officers for giving up an evening to make our housing service better. The last forum takes place on Tuesday. There will be follow up meetings in September.

• Forest Gate North, Forest Gate South, Stratford and New Town and West Ham - Tuesday 6 August between 6.30 and 8.30pm at Old Town Hall Stratford.

You need to book in advance since places are limited

At Thursday's meeting at the end I mentioned that this week was the 100th anniversary of Council Housing in this country and at this meeting we are planning ahead for the next 100 years of Council Housing.  

Test Card F

Posts have been pretty irregular recently. Hope to get back to normal soon.

Newham Under the Stars - Saturday 10 August

50 years ago a man walked on the moon. Next week....

50 years ago ago a man walked on the Moon. Next week a buffoon will walk into 10 Downing Street. This is not progress.

Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National

Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National: The latest attack on pension rights is the thin end of the wedge.

The government is currently consulting on plans to allow universities and colleges in England to opt out of offering the local government pension scheme (LGPS) to new non-teaching staff. The proposal would:

• Create a two-tier workforce with new starters offered inferior pensions
• Disproportionately affect women and the lower paid
• Threaten the future sustainability of the whole scheme

This attack on pension rights is the thin end of the wedge – let’s take action.

Email your MP now

The government consultation closes on 31 July so let’s make our views heard.

Respond to the consultation

Download handy template responses for individuals and branches from the resources section via link

Calling all Newham Council tenants & Leaseholders

We want to hear about where you live and how we can improve these areas. Book at your local forum
http://socsi.in/TenantLeaseholderForums_4ndg2