Housing Adviser

The london borough rolling out a new tool to help make sure everyone can vote in may local elections. For the first time, Newham Council is introducing the McGonagle Reader at several polling stations. Newham is rolling out a new tool across the borough for the first time, to help support blind and partially sighted residents. The tool will be useful to help them vote for the upcoming May 7 local elections for councillors on Newham Council and a new Mayor of Newham. Article continues below Blind and partially sighted residents have long-faced difficulties when it comes to the crucial task of voting in an election. From not being able to see or read a ballot paper and then marking the paper there are challenges that arise from it. Article continues below Often, they require assistance from a person to help mark their answer. However, the privacy aspect of voting has been lost due to needing another person to assist when casting a vote. Article continues below 138205439166 For the first time, Newham Council is introducing the McGonagle Reader at several polling stations. The reader will give the voter an audio prompt and physical aid to choose and mark their own ballot paper, and not need assistance throughout the process. Research from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) found that at the 2024 General Election, two-thirds (66 per cent) of blind people who voted at a polling station needed assistance from a companion or member of polling station staff. You May Like We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info The RNIB supports this initiative to provide voters a certainty that their vote has been cast correctly, and that their choice remains private and respected. Newham's Interim Chief Executive, Paul Martin, who is the returning officer for the local upcoming May elections said: "It is over 150 years since the notion of a secret ballot was enshrined in British democracy, but for many people with a visual impairment the need to require assistance to make their choice, and mark their ballot paper, has denied them this right to vote in secret. We hope by introducing the McGonagle Reader system at our polling stations, we can restore that right and dignity to voters." In order to test out the efficiency of the reader, the Council invited three visually impaired or blind Newham residents to try it out and give their thoughts. Tahira told the Council: "I think it's a brilliant thing, now I know I can go and vote on my own." Article continues below 138205441690 Sam said: "It's fantastic because it now means that I can vote confidently, independently and discreetly as a registered blind person" Finally, Christine added: "Initially I was hesitant, thinking gosh it's going to be so complicated...(but) it's easy-peasy. Fantastic. It gave me so much confidence and I'm so grateful for it." For residents who are intending to vote on May 7, and are blind or partially sighted, and would like to try to use the McGonagle Reader; Newham Council have said to register on their website. Article continues below To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your area, enter your postcode below or visit the Public Notice Portal HERE Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you in your local area Powered by Public Notice Portal

New affordable homes in Custom House as regeneration delivers for Newham residents. Newham Council and The Hill Group have opened 95 new affordable homes in Custom House, marking a major regeneration milestone that will deliver hundreds of energy-efficient homes for local residents. Newham Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group have marked a major milestone in local housing today with the opening of 95 new genuinely affordable homes in Custom House, Newham. The properties, part of the Custom House Regeneration Project, were formally opened by the Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE. The two sites, at William Patton Gardens and Freemasons Road form part of the first "kickstart" phase of the wider £3.7bn Canning Town and Custom House regeneration programme, which is transforming the area and delivering high-quality affordable homes for local people. Delivered in partnership with Hill, the completed developments will create a total of 150 affordable homes across the kickstart sites, which will also include Vandome Close. In total, 364 affordable homes will be delivered in Custom House as part of the programme. Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: "This marks a hugely important moment for Custom House. These new homes are not just bricks and mortar, they represent security, stability and opportunity for Newham residents. "Newham is delivering on its promise to provide genuinely affordable homes and make sure local people benefit directly from regeneration. "London is facing a severe housing crisis and Newham is no exception. By working closely with our partners and listening to our communities, we are building safe, high-quality homes that people can afford, while also creating jobs and improving public spaces." Housing delivery is a core priority for the Council under Building a Fairer Newham, with Homes for Its Residents being one of eight priorities. The construction has been led by Hill, with Bugler delivering additional sites at Vandome Close and Freemasons Road. The schemes form part of a wider, community backed plan agreed in December 2022, when residents voted in favour of proposals. Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, said: "We are proud to be working with Newham Council to deliver high-quality, affordable homes in Custom House. This milestone reflects what can be achieved through strong partnership working, a shared vision and a commitment to creating homes and places that residents can be proud of. Built to Passivhaus standards, these new homes are designed to be highly energy efficient, reducing environmental impact while providing warm, comfortable and affordable living for local people for generations to come." Hill and Bugler have both made strong social value commitments, supporting local employment, apprenticeships, training opportunities and ongoing community engagement throughout construction. The Custom House developments form part of the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Project, one of the largest regeneration schemes in the capital. The £3.7 billion programme will deliver 10,000 new homes, with 3,500 already completed or underway, alongside a new town centre, community facilities, improved public spaces and enhanced transport connectivity. Published: 19 Mar 2026

Newham Council formally accepts £904k funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help restore historic Forest Lane Park. Newham Council accepts £904k to restore Forest Lane Park, improving access and biodiversity and creating artwork honouring activist Lucel Tate as part of a major heritage project * The project will improve accessibility and biodiversity * Create new artwork to celebrate the life of activist Lucel Tate Forest Lane Park was originally open fields used for agriculture, transforming in the 1840s with the arrival of the railway and eventually becoming home to an Industrial School for orphaned and abandoned children. In the early 20th Century, the site served as a maternity hospital until its closure in 1985. Despite bomb damage during World War II, the park has evolved into the tranquil space featuring ponds, pathways and woodland areas. The Restoration Project will improve how the park can be used and its biodiversity. The centrepiece of the project will be the creation of a new artwork dedicated to Lucel Tate, who worked at the maternity hospital in the 1970s and was a prominent community activist. This artwork will stand as a testament to her contributions and ensure that her story is shared with future generations. Councillor John Whitworth, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Climate Emergency & said: "The Forest Lane Park Restoration Project has seen our community come together to shape the future of one of Newham's most treasured green spaces. This project not only honours the park's rich history but also looks forward, making the park easier to use while boosting local wildlife. I'm particularly proud that we'll be creating a new artwork to celebrate Lucel Tate, a remarkable community activist whose legacy deserves to be remembered and shared with future generations. We are grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this transformative project possible." Lucel Tate was the first chair of the Hibiscus Caribbean Elderly Association and founder of the Hibiscus Community Centre. Her work focused on moving away from a 'one size fits all' approach to social care and housing, based on her understanding of the specific needs of Afro-Caribbean elders in her own community. The project will showcase her story. Full restoration works are anticipated to begin in 2027. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK's heritage. The Forest Lane Park Restoration Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Published: 16 Mar 2026