Table Of Content

10 12 16 Good to share Job is a highlight Students of dance // // issue 333 29 January – 12 February 2016 Every fortnight Financial advice is in store Make your money work (p19) MoneyWorks, funded by Newham Council, is the new place to secure great deals on loans and everyday purchases. Whatever your circumstances, we can offer support. 1 Loans – secure a fair, low-cost loan without the high fees 2 Deals – access to exclusive deals, offers and vouchers 3 Money Management – improve your fi nances with our money saving tips 020 8430 2041 www.newhammoneeyyworks.co.uk Unit 611--662, Newham MoneyWorks, Stratford Centre, London E15 1XF Look out for the next issue from 12 February View the mag online at www.newham.gov.uk/mag contents 29 January 2016 // issue 333 IIn this edition of the Newham Mag Regulars yyou can meet the social worker 04 NEWS – two pages of news from wwho has been given a helping across the borough hhand by Newham Council in 06 MAYOR’S VIEW – news from ggetting on the home ownership Sir Robin Wales llaadder (p10). 12 WORKING LIVES – job is a high point Read about the Forest Gate 22 OUR NEWHAM – competitions residents whose job is a high point thanks to our and community news employment service Workplace (p12). You can also 24 KIDS CORNER – pictures and discover more about some of the major regeneration puzzles for our younger readers projects coming our way and how you can get 26 WHAT’S ON – fi ve pages of involved (p14). activities and events, most of More than 4,500 Newham children have been to them free a dance performance this month thanks to our Every 10 Child a Theatre Goer scheme and Stratford Circus. See what some of them thought (p16). If you are looking for some advice on how to handle your cash, look no further than our MoneyWorks shop (p19). If you are in private rented housing make sure your landlord has a smoke alarm (p9). You can report a whole range of environmental problems by using the Love Newham App (p21). Councillor Andrew Baikie Mayoral adviser for housing Keep in touch with Newham Council via: www.newham.gov.uk 16 12 @NewhamLondon www.facebook.com/newhamcouncil Features 09 CAUSE FOR ALARM – help with fi re safety To contact the Newham Mag team email 10 SHARE THE BURDEN – support [email protected] in obtaining a home or call 020 3373 1517 14 CHANGES ON TRACK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrew Baker – major regeneration projects 16 IN STEP WITH DANCE – young ones at the theatre To advertise in the Mag call 19 MAKE MONEY WORK – fi nance Julie Madell on 07890 529 090 and debt advice 21 LOVING THE APP – reporting fl y-tips and waste If you do not receive the Newham Mag at home, or know someone who doesn’t, please call 020 3373 1517, write to 19 The Newham Mag, West Wing, 4th Floor, Newham Dockside, Dockside Road, London E16 2QU, or email [email protected] Publication of an advert in the Newham Mag does not constitute Love Newham? Download the free Love Newham endorsement of any goods or services offered. app and report a range of environmental issues. The Newham Mag is printed on 100 per cent recycled paper by Visit www.newham.gov.uk/lovenewham Garnett Dickinson Print Ltd and distributed by Letterbox Distribution. 03 IN BRIEF // Career seminar for young fashionistas Support for fl ood relief effort A seminar and workshops will take place on 5 March for young people to hear about careers in the fashion Mosques in Newham raised industry and learn directly from £10,000 and assisted fl ood professionals and experts. victims in York as part of a Your Future in Fashion has been massive clean-up operation. organised by Newham Council’s Money was raised through employment service Workplace, collections co-ordinated by the London Legacy Development the Indian Muslim Federation Corporation, the London College (IMF) at six mosques in of Fashion and Newham College. It the borough and others takes place from 9.15am-4.30pm at elsewhere. Newham Councillors support the aid effort by mosques Workplace at Westfi eld Stratford City. councillors contacted To register you must live in authorities in the north to fi nd Newham and be aged 15 to 19. out how best to provide assistance. York City Council accepted the offer. Places are limited. Contact anne. More than 100 Newham volunteers travelled over two weekends to support fi [email protected] for the operation to clean up parks and sheltered accommodation schemes. They an application form to be returned by also distributed 500 meals. 5pm on 8 February. Councillor Mas Patel, lead member for Stratford and West Ham Community Neighbourhood and IMF executive board member, said: “We all felt passionately about doing something to help.” Councillor Ken Clark, Cabinet member for Zero tolerance event building communities, public affairs, regeneration and planning, said: “I’m proud Newham Beckton Ward councilllor our Muslim community and our councillors gave time, energy and cash, to assist Ayesha Chowdhury hosts a free those impacted by the fl oods. event from 10am-2pm on 9 February at St Mark’s Community Centre, Tollgate Road, E6, promoting zero Royal honours for Scouts tolerance to female genital mutilation. To book tickets call 0203 384 9413 Newham councillors Patrick Murphy or email newhamfgmsupport@ and James Beckles helped present manorgardens.org Duke of Edinburgh awards to members of the 25th Newham East Scout group. Charge for credit card payments The awards were presented for A 1.3% administration charge is voluntary service, developing new now being added to all credit card skills, undertaking physical activity, payments with Newham Council. completing a team expedition and No fee will be charged for debit leadership. Thomas Liu, Weronika card, direct debit and standing Gula and Charles Neal received order payments. The group awards evening bronze awards. Edward Allen You can save time and hassle received a silver award and Luke if you pay by direct debit. You are Blake received a gold award. Scout leader Charles Sharpe was presented with a also able to spread the cost of your special award celebrating 60 years of continued commitment to Scouting in Newham. bills over 12 months and choose Antony Allen, group Scout leader of the East Ham-based outfi t, said: “With 12 a monthly payment. For further groups and more than 550 members in Newham alone, Scouting is a great youth information please visit movement to join for everyday adventure.” To fi nd your nearest group email www.newham.gov.uk/payit [email protected] 04 Shop makes money work A one-stop shop offering residents access to good deals on fi nancial products and help with debts and money management, has been set up by Newham Council. MoneyWorks in Stratford Shopping Centre was opened by Mayor Sir Robin Wales and Councillor Frances Clarke, Cabinet member for fi nancial inclusion and health promotion. The service offers access to affordable fi nance and money advice to residents who may be struggling with debt or the everyday cost of living. It aims to end people’s reliance on fi nance products that typically come Sir Robin and Cllr Clarke with extortionate lending fees. with residents and staff Sir Robin said: “There are families surviving on low incomes who are struggling fi nancially. We’re offering people a fairer deal, which could help them change their lives.” MoneyWorks is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm (5pm from February) at Unit 61-62 in Stratford Centre. For information call 020 8430 2041 or visit www.newhammoneyworks.co.uk Pioneering work is saluted Pioneering work by Newham Council and partners in dealing with rogue private landlords and in offering support to street homeless, has been praised. The council’s private rented sector licensing team won gold in the Safer Communities category at the 2015 London Problem Oriented Partnership Awards. The team carried out more than 280 operations with Newham Police, the Home Offi ce and Revenue and Customs to tackle criminal landlords and cut anti-social behaviour in the rental sector. The council’s rough sleeping initiative Operation Alabama took the silver trophy. Working alongside homelessness charity Thames Reach and Newham Police, the operation has found places for 160 rough sleepers in hostels, and 59 have been given access to support services in the past two years. Councillor Unmesh Desai, Cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, The gold award team said: “I’m glad the hard work on behalf of residents has been recognised.” Food poisoning couple banned Owners of a Plaistow restaurant that catered for a were also sentenced to perform a total of 150 hours of community event where 32 people suffered food community service. poisoning have been banned indefi nitely from operating a Newham Council prosecuted the couple after food business. complaints of food poisoning at an event in Chigwell in Kamran Memon and his wife Farhana, who managed 2013. The council had already issued notices against the Karachi Karahi restaurant in Barking Road were them to clean up their premises. sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being Anyone planning to hire caterers or visit a restaurant convicted of supplying unsafe food. They had admitted can check food hygiene ratings on the Food Standards failing to comply with hygiene improvement notices. They Agency website at www.food.gov.uk 05 Tough decisions to be taken In a few weeks I will present to Newham’s councillors how I propose we spend our money on the things that you say matter most to you. What’s clear is that we face budget pressures like never before and in the next fi nancial year, Newham residents are set to generally pay more while the Government pays less to fund council services. It plans to phase out the grant it provides to councils by the end of the current Parliament. That means funding arrangements shift from national taxation to local taxation through things like Council Tax and Business Rates. “We will keep local taxation as low as possible; and we With Cllr Frances Clarke, residents and staff at MoneyWorks will do all we can to support you through this cost of social care because that should the borough is clean and safe and that current challenging be the job of the Government. vulnerable people like older residents economic climate.” We have already seen £106 million and children are protected. cut from our budgets over the past fi ve Be assured that whatever decisions This year the Chancellor expects years, with more to come. And those we make, we will take into account us to increase Council Tax by two per cuts are a great deal harsher than your aspirations and concerns; we will cent and to spend the extra funds it in many more affl uent places whose continue to save money through being raised on the costs of adult social care. residents don’t rely so heavily on council more effi cient in what we do; we will I believe this ‘Social Care Precept’ services. keep local taxation as low as possible; will do little in an area like Newham Last summer we undertook our and we will do all we can to support where unprecedented cuts coupled biggest ever consultation and asked you you through this current challenging with increasing levels of need create how we should manage those cuts and economic climate. And if you want signifi cant challenges. I also believe it where you wanted us to spend money. some good examples of that, read is unfair for local taxpayers to foot the What is emerging is that overall you are the articles about MoneyWorks and satisfi ed with the way we are running NewShare elsewhere in this edition of things and want us to continue ensuring the Newham Mag. Mayor’s view 06 Standing up to prejudice I am proud that Newham residents, different backgrounds, beliefs and residents. These do not discriminate supported by our councillors, have faiths. You do not build integration by against participants. That’s because been getting stuck in and helping singling one community out for special we believe that as well as learning the those affected by the recent fl ooding privileges. That has always been our language, at these classes residents in the north of the country. philosophy in Newham. Instead you will make new friends with people who Members of the Indian Muslim make services accessible to all and may or may not be the same religion, Federation collected £10,000 in insist that events hosted or funded by race or sex as themselves. donations for people whose lives were the council are open to everyone. Well done to our residents who devastated by the extreme weather helped others in their hour of need. To conditions over Christmas. Not only “Well done to our residents anyone who holds prejudices against did they dig deep into their pockets, this or any community, please come who helped others in their but they also headed up to York to any of our free events, strike up a where they donned boots, hats and hour of need.” conversation with someone different gloves to help clear parks and houses to you and realise that we’re all human that had been overrun by water. Despite cuts in our funding from beings trying to make the best of our All too often the Muslim community the Government we have continued lives for ourselves, our families and our is a victim of demonisation in some to provide free English classes for friends. sections of the media and by some politicians and supportive efforts like this are wilfully ignored. We shouldn’t allow this vilifi cation to persist. The theme of this week’s Holocaust Memorial Day was Don’t Stand By. We all have a part to play in stopping prejudices taking root. It is also why I criticised the Prime Minister’s announcement about funding for English classes, where Muslim women were singled out. This is not the way to build integration into British society. Being British is about Councillors and residents supporting the York relief effort respecting people of with Sir Robin Wales 07 The activeNewham team will help you to get more active in 2016 Work out in our gyms, improve your swimming in our pools, try a new exercise class and play your favourite sport. (cid:57)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:74)(cid:67)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:91)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:2)(cid:91)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:2)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:70)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:2)(cid:73)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:386)(cid:86)(cid:2) and stay in shape. (cid:54)(cid:81)(cid:2)(cid:386)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:2)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:79)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:2)0300 124 0123†, drop into your local leisure centre or visit www.activeNewham.org.uk Balaam Leisure Centre, East Ham Leisure Centre, Newham Leisure Centre, Manor Park Fitness Centre, 14 Balaam Street, Plaistow E13 8AQ 384 Barking Rd, East Ham E6 2RT 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow E13 8SD 464 High Street North, Manor Park E12 6QN *Terms and conditions apply. Prices vary from centre to centre. †This number is charged at the same rate as calls to normal landlines (those that start with 01 or 02). It is included in call allowances, bundled talk time or “free” minutes the same way as regular landline numbers. Atherton Leisure Centre The new Atherton Leisure Centre is opening in spring 2016 and will offer state-of-the-art facilities for the whole family. Whatever (cid:91)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:78)(cid:2)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:2)(cid:386)(cid:86)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:2)(cid:89)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:89)(cid:75)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:2)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:91)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:2)(cid:75)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:91)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:2) health and wellbeing. Register to become a Founder Member - £28 per month (cid:36)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:386)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:2)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:2)(cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:47)(cid:71)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:35)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:2)(cid:46)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:37)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2) and you can join at the special price of only £28 per month. This great (cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:88)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:78)(cid:2)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:2)(cid:40)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:87)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:91)(cid:2)(cid:20)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:24)(cid:14)(cid:2)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:2)(cid:79)(cid:67)(cid:77)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:91)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:2)(cid:70)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:111)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:79)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:2)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:2) by registering your interest today. Register by going to www.activeNewham.org.uk (cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:79)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:2) great new leisure centre at the heart of the local community Register to please call 0300 124 0123†. (cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:2)(cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:2) (cid:35)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:2)(cid:46)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:37)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:14) (cid:47)(cid:71)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:2)only (cid:19)(cid:26)(cid:27)(cid:2)(cid:52)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:2)(cid:52)(cid:81)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:14) (cid:46)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:14)(cid:2)(cid:39)(cid:19)(cid:23)(cid:2)(cid:22)(cid:44)(cid:40) £28 per month †This number is charged at the same rate as calls to normal landlines (those that start with 01 or 02). It is included (cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:2)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:14)(cid:2)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:70)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:77)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:112)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:113)(cid:2)(cid:79)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:2)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:85)(cid:67)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:89)(cid:67)(cid:91)(cid:2)(cid:67)(cid:85)(cid:2)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:2)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:2)(cid:80)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:16) Fire safety is a cause for alarm Almost 40 per cent of Newham’s housing stock is privately rented. Landlords of all privately rented properties in the borough must have a licence for that property. They must also fi t smoke alarms, and in some cases carbon monoxide alarms, or run the risk of a £5,000 fi ne if they don’t. According to Government statistics for their own safety by reminding their saved me and my family. It’s important people living in rented or shared landlords if there are no smoke or carbon that landlords fi t smoke and carbon accommodation are seven times more monoxide alarms in their home.” monoxide alarms and that they be tested likely to experience a fi re and four more Newham’s fi refi ghters are spreading regularly.” times likely to die in a fi re in the home if the message as part of their community Newham Council is responsible for there is no working smoke alarm. safety work with landlord associations, enforcing the regulations and can issue By law landlords have to install one estate agents and community leaders. notices requiring landlords to fi t the smoke alarm on each storey of a rental alarms. If landlords fail to comply with the property and a carbon monoxide alarm “It’s important that landlords notice, a penalty of up to £5,000 can be in any room that contains a solid fuel levied. fi t smoke and carbon burning appliance. monoxide alarms and that Free alarms are available from the London Fire Brigade, yet only a fraction they be tested regularly.” Applications for the free alarms can only be made via of landlords have taken up the offer. http://www.london-fi re.gov. Newham’s Borough Commander Rhys Newham councillor Seyi Akiwowo from uk/freesmokealarms.asp and Powell said: “All landlords and tenants Forest Gate North Ward said: “I was a successful applicants must be need to understand the risk of fi re. victim of a house fi re last summer and it is able to collect them from Stratford “Landlords are putting tenants at risk if one of the worst things that can happen Fire Station, Romford Road, E15. they do not protect their property. Tenants to a family. can also play a part in taking responsibility “It was a working smoke alarm that 09 Sharing the step on to property ladder Scaria Joseph came to Newham 11 years ago to take up a job as a social worker. He embraced life in the borough, married Rosamma, a teaching assistant at Royal Docks Community School, had two children and was promoted to social work practice manager. When it came to moving their family from their second-fl oor housing association fl at, Scaria and Rosamma thought they would have to leave Newham – until Newshare helped out. NewShare is a shared equity scheme. It is different from We can spend time doing things as a family, rather than shared ownership, where the buyer pays rent on part of travelling to work.” the property and purchases the other part. NewShare enables residents to buy a home using a deposit, a Who can apply for NewShare: mortgage, and an equity loan from Newham Council, so If your household income is up to £71,000, you can that they can fully own the title to the property. apply for a one or two bedroom home. If your household The percentage of the cost that the buyer funds is income is up to £85,000, you can apply for a three calculated on their household income, and the equity bedroom home. Anyone can apply, but priority is given loan can contribute as much as 50 per cent towards the to applicants who are: purchase price. > already on Newham’s housing waiting list Said Scaria: “Our children were born in Newham and for a council home we want them to grow up in a diverse area. The > renting from a social housing provider schools are very good here and it’s well connected to in Newham (such as the council or central London.” housing association) The problem was that, on modest incomes, he and his > currently working as a teacher or wife hadn’t been able to save up a large deposit towards social worker in Newham a home of their own. Newshare was the perfect solution. > living in Newham Scaria said: “We viewed four houses, and when we > working in Newham saw the fourth, we knew it was right for us. Our children, > a current or former member of the Caroline and Jeff, each have their own bedroom, and armed services there is a small garden,” added Scaria. “It’s in a calm, quiet area, close to good schools.” The couple found the buying process very smooth Example: and supportive. Said Scaria: “Our contact at the council Value of property at purchase £200,000 was very professional and approachable. If we needed to Your deposit £10,000 make any corrections to the legal documents, we often Your mortgage £90,000 talked to him direct rather than through the lawyers.” Total you pay £100,000 At any time in the next 25 years, Scaria and his wife Our equity loan £100,000* can choose to buy out the equity loan in full or in stages. *You will need to pay an annual fee for the equity loan, which How much they pay will be based on the market value of does not count towards repayments. For the fi rst year the fee their home at that moment in time, not the value when is calculated on 1.75 per cent of the value of the equity loan. It then increases every year in line with the Retail Price Index. they bought it. If they want to own another ten per cent, and their home is re-valued at £350,000, then they will For information about Newshare contact repay £35,000. our agent Site Sales Marketing Ltd. Email The day they moved into the house was one of the [email protected], call happiest of their lives. Said Scaria: “We haven’t had a 020 8502 5758 or visit www.newham.gov. single regret about buying through Newshare. We love uk/NewShare our house and it’s a huge relief to be close to our jobs. 10