NEWHAM DECIDES: THE RESULTS MAY 6 2021 ELECTION GOVERNANCE REFERENDUM
In the referendum on the future governance of Newham, voters have elected to retain the Directly Elected Mayor model.
Newham residents had been offered a straight choice between the current model, where the Mayor is elected directly by the people and the Committee Model, where councillors elect the Mayor.
The votes were as follows:
Directly Elected Mayor model – 45,960 votes (56%)
Committee model – 36,424 votes (44%)
(Turnout: 37.68%)
The result means the way the borough is governed remains the same.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz welcomed the decision to keep the Directly Elected Mayor governance arrangements for Newham following the referendum on 6th May.
Newham s 2020/21 budget includes £169million worth of investment in new council homes and £70m to improve others.
Ms Austin claimed: Instead of providing social housing, the council relies on the good offices of big property developers.
In September, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz called for changes to national policy and proper funding to help local authorities build affordable homes.
In the last 25 years, Newham has lost 9,000 dwellings under the right to buy scheme. The mayor said at the time that the council is on track to build 1,000 homes.
Ms Austin said: The council shamefully allowed East Ham Market Hall to be demolished. The vast majority of homes being built will not be affordable. We say no to gentrification and big business land grabs.
Newham has the worst housing crisis in the country. Lois stands for repopulating the Carpenters Estate, building 100 per cent council homes on public land and introducing rent controls.
Newham Council is sitting on £560million – with total reserves over £1.7billion. But instead of investing in jobs, homes and services, the council chooses cuts and charges.
Lois is working with campaigners in Newham to fight these cuts, and propose an alternative, no-cuts, needs-based budget. This would use council resources, including reserves and borrowing powers, to invest in jobs, homes and services – alongside fighting for full funding from the government.
Scrap new parking charges. Save Queen’s Market, Hamara Ghar elderly accommodation and Stratford Circus Arts Centre.
The bid includes space to help youngsters develop business skills; a play area and more than 540sqm of retail floorspace.
The charity reports longstanding issues with Durning Hall s buildings and says the site is no longer financially sustainable.
Ms Austin said the plans showed community use will be cut to just 10 per cent of its previous size with no guarantee of public use.
Draft plans for the site of Durning Hall show the view from Earlham Grove looking east towards Woodgrange Road.
- Credit: Aston-Mansfield
Claire Helman, Aston-Mansfield s chief executive, said: We are pleased to have submitted the planning application for Durning Hall, which will secure our future in Newham and enable us to continue our charitable work in the borough.