Newham Council declined to accept a motion to the Full Council meeting of 14 July 2025.
The motion was rejected by the Council Chief Executive, on the advice of the Monitoring Officer, on procedural grounds because it contained factually inaccurate information about the Newham Pension Fund.
There is no provision in Newham Council’s Constitution for Democratic Services Officers to reject motions submitted by any political group.
A revised motion has subsequently been submitted and is currently being reviewed. The next scheduled Full Council Meeting will be held on September 2025.
The Newham Local Government Pension Fund is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and supports retirees from council service. The scheme is run separately from Council spending and accounting.
As a matter of record the Newham Fund does not hold any direct investments in companies that supply arms to Israel or to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Some of the Newham Fund’s assets are invested in “tracker” funds, which are designed to follow the performance of major stock market indices—such as the FTSE 100. These funds are used because they offer a cost-effective and efficient way to invest across a broad range of companies, helping to reduce fees and risk.
The Newham Fund has chosen tracker funds that apply Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. These funds exclude:
· Tobacco companies,
· Companies that breach the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption,
· Manufacturers of controversial weapons, as defined by the United Nations
The Newham Fund manages assets of approximately £1.9 billion. Within its tracker fund investments, there is a currently (1 June 2025) limited indirect exposure of about £0.7m (or 0.03% of total assets) to three European-based companies that in turn derive part of their income from military-related activities.
A Pensions Board oversees the administration of the Newham Fund. In line with standard practice, it is supported by council officers, an Independent Chair, and by assurance statements and information provided by external service providers to the London Borough of Newham Pension Fund.
The accounts of the Newham Fund and its investment strategy are published as a matter of public record each year.
