Mayor's contract with residents of Newham

The promises that form the Mayor's contract with the people of the borough were unveiled for the first time at a meeting of the full Council on Monday (February 23).

Sir Robin said: "There are many challenges ahead for us as a community and as a council we want to make Newham a better place for all of us.

"We take people's views very seriously and I will make sure we work continuously to bring the changes people most want to see."

Top of his agenda are promises to help people withstand the economic downturn by freezing Council Tax and making the first parking permit free for any household eligible within a controlled parking zone.

Added the Mayor: "Safety remains people's number one. Crime and anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and we will never apologise for being tough on those who make the lives of the hard working majority a misery."

He promised to increase the number of Street Scene Enforcement Officers from 18 to 51. There will also be more council tasked police officers and police community support officers to cover parks, estates and schools.

Around 800 streetlights will be upgraded or replaced. White light lanterns will be used that are both energy efficient and brighter. They will improve lighting levels and make CCTV cameras more effective at night.

Added the Mayor: "I also want everyone to feel pride in where they live - clean, attractive and well maintained streets are crucial to that. Roads will be cleaned better, more often - and at the right times."

People can expect to see a better street cleansing service operate from 6am until 10pm seven days a week in high streets and along main roads. People will also be able to report an unsatisfactory or missed road sweeps. Fly-tipping will also be targeted through stronger and more frequent enforcement.

He also promised that parks, open spaces and trees and shrubs in council managed public spaces will be better maintained. Around 400 new trees will be planted.

Recycling will also be made easier with a promise that the amount of waste that is recycled will increase from 15% to 27% over the next two years. There will be more recycling facilities, information and a better supply of recycling materials.

The Mayor also promised investment of £24 million in improving roads, pavements, parks, public toilets, play areas and resolving traffic problems.

Said the Mayor: "Newham is a place of progress and work on Stratford City and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sites are under way. We recognise a good opportunity when we see it and want to make sure that local people get the best of what's coming."

Already 1,800 local people have gone into jobs through the council's Workplace scheme since it opened in June 2007 and he promised another 1,000 people in the next 12 months.

He also pledged that tenants in council properties will see the improvements they deserve and that 5,000 homes will be improved to the Decent Homes Standard by April 2010. And £2 million will be spent on making sure that vulnerable and disabled people are independent and comfortable in their homes.

Young people will also be supported to be healthy and happy too. There will be 20 children's centres across the borough that will benefit from investment of £11 million to make them more comfortable and better places to come together.

There was also a promise of massive investment in schools to make sure that buildings are fit for learning. Work will start on new buildings for Rokeby and Lister secondary schools to include new sporting, health and cultural facilities for the whole community. Over the next three years £30million will also be invested in primary schools.

Added Sir Robin: "With the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to Newham in 2012, there's never been a better time to get more active - and we are providing more free activities that people can take part in. "

He promised free swims to under-16s and each child will have access to at least two hours of free sport each week. There will also be new facilities in West Ham's Memorial Park and at Terence Macmillan Stadium in Plaistow to increase opportunities to get involved in sports such as athletics, football and rugby.

He also promised that older residents who have contributed so much to the life and community of Newham will have the best opportunities too.

Among his promises to them are a programme of walks to keep them fit and healthy and an extended Warm Centre programme providing activities and community centres for older people in cold weather. There will be free tea dances in each of the nine community forum areas and residents over 60 will also enjoy free swims in pools.

Download the Mayor's promise below:

Mayors contract 2009 - 2010 (pdf format)