Committee model
Cllr John Whitworth, West Ham ward, writes:
If the committee model is chosen in the Newham governance referendum there will be major changes in decision making, as a mayor will no longer have local “presidential” powers above those of councillors.
The council will take responsibility for local government and empower its committees to make decisions for each of the different services, with every councillor having a seat on a committee which will work closely with local residents.
The committees will fit with the existing directorates responsible for housing, health, etc, so the council will still have the same structure and deliver the same services - but what is done will be decided collectively and not by a single person.
Newham is raising council tax by five per cent.
- Credit: PA
Council tax is rising by five per cent from next month.
The town hall s budget spending plan, which includes the hike, was given the thumbs-up by members of Newham Council at a meeting on Monday, March 1.
Three per cent of the rise is ringfenced for adult social care. A Band C property council tax bill will see an £3.89 increase per month.
Cllr Terry Paul, who is in charge of the council s coffers, hailed it as a budget for residents which will provide help for the vulnerable and show Newham cares.
Published:
1:30 PM December 23, 2020
The chairman of East Ham Labour (CLP) has urged Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz not to make cuts to Newham s free school meals scheme.
- Credit: PA
The town hall has been urged not to make cuts to its free school meals scheme by a local Labour Party chairman.
Tahir Mirza, who chairs East Ham Labour Party (CLP), said that surely a Labour administration would rather die in a ditch than support a policy that harms children , in an open letter.
A spokesperson for Newham Council said it is considering whether to alter its Eat for Free scheme with the aim of saving £1.9million.