Councillor Cecilia Welsh has stood down from Newham Council in order to focus on looking after her family as her mother has increasing care needs. Councillor Luke Charters has also stood down to focus on winning for Labour at the next general election as the Member of Parliament for York Outer.

By-elections in Boleyn and Wall End wards will take place in the coming weeks.

Labour and Co-Operative Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: “Both Cecilia and Luke have been fantastic councillors over the past 12 months, advocating passionately for local residents in their roles as community champions at the Council and helping our building a fairer Newham plans.

Cecilia has been a great advocate for Boleyn residents; from leading the campaign to keep the famous Champions Statue in Boleyn ward where she lives, to supporting local residents feeling the brunt of the housing crisis and working in the NHS on the front line as a dedicated nurse.

As a school governor in Wall End, Luke knows the positive impact our crucial investments in children and young people have, such as our £6 million Holiday and Food programme for secondary school pupils. Both of them will be very much missed.

These by-elections will offer the chance for voters in Boleyn and Wall End to choose their new Labour councillors who will continue to be their community champions. Focusing on keeping our streets safe and clean, our Labour candidates will continue to work hard for residents and support the investments we are making across both wards like the £13 million we are spending on Queen’s Market and the millions we are investing to tackle fly-tipping.”

Newham Labour will be announcing its candidates following selections by the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee.