The agreement by Cabinet follows an extensive engagement process with councillors, including three Budget 2023-24 Summits for residents and events for businesses, young people as well as voluntary and community sector partners. The Budget includes a below inflation council tax increase of 4.99% in order to protect frontline services and invest to build a fairer Newham. Council Tax bills in Newham will remain among the lowest in London.

It’s the first Budget that adopts green budgeting methods to help accelerate the Council’s Climate Action environmental and climate goals so that it achieves Net Zero by 2045.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “This budget builds on the successful management of the Council’s finances over the past four years to protect frontline services and support residents during these hard times.

“Throughout our budget setting process, we have placed residents, partners and stakeholders’ front and centre via real participatory engagement at three Budget Summits and a series of sector specific engagement events.

“In a really tough financial climate we have made efficiency savings across our services and listened when residents told us that they wanted our budget to support cleaner and safer streets, high quality homes our people can afford, more opportunities for children and young people, including those with special educational needs and support to help people age well.

“As we progress with our Climate Action plans, this Budget is the start of us annually evaluating the environmental impacts of budgetary and fiscal policies we approve as we deliver on our promise to respond to the Climate Emergency as well as our progress on our inclusive growth plans.

“Now the hard work continues to deliver each and every commitment to serve residents and build a fairer Newham.” 

The budget makes provision to support key priorities from the Council’s Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan:

1. A Healthier Newham and Ageing Well 

2. Newham’s inclusive economy to support you in these hard times 

3. Your Neighbourhood 

4. Safer Newham 

5. Homes for our Residents 

6. Supporting our young people 

7. People Powered Newham and widening participation 

8. A campaigning Council 

For more information, go to www.newham.gov.uk/budget