New(ham) "Kids" on the Block

Yesterday evening I attended a Newham Council induction "Open

Day" for Councillors.

I think this year there are 21 "new" Councillors out of the 60 in total (5 of whom have actually been councillors in the past).

There was a lot of the necessary form filling, meeting with Democratic services and other key staff as well as workshops on communications, community leaders & engagement and ICT.  This was followed by a tour of the very impressive Newham Dockside building and its facilities. 

There are a series of other induction workshops during the next few weeks and months.  This is the start of a big learning curve for all of us.

(Standing from Left : Councillor Terry Paul, Mukesh Patel, Jose Alexander, Gavin Pearson, Charlene McLean, Forhad Hussain, Charity Fiberefima, Salim Patel, Leanora Cameron.  Sitting: Nirmal Kaur Chadha, Sheila Thomas, me, Firoza Nekiwala)

Left are Becton and Forest Gate North ward Council members, Ellie Robinson and David Christie, who did turn up for the induction but could not make the first 2010 "newbie" photo session.  (while on right Farah Nazeer, member for Little Ilford was unable to attend)