Whatever Is Going On at Newham Council? Another Senior Officer Heads for the Exit

In the latest twist at Newham Council, yet another high-ranking officer is heading for the door—raising more questions about the state of the borough’s leadership and internal culture.

Rachel McKoy, the council’s Monitoring Officer, has reportedly submitted her notice and is expected to leave her post around a year after her appointment in September 2024. Her exit comes hot on the heels of a string of other senior departures from the council, fuelling growing concern about the instability gripping the upper echelons of Newham’s administration.

McKoy, a seasoned local government solicitor, took on the complex joint role covering both Newham and neighbouring Havering councils. In March this year, she was also appointed to the Law Society Council—a recognition of her professional standing in the legal field. But despite this, her time at Newham has been anything but smooth sailing.

Sources suggest McKoy has had to navigate several turbulent issues during her brief tenure. Most notably, she played a key role in overseeing the controversial settlement between Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and the Council that she leads, a decision that attracted scrutiny from both the public and opposition councillors, and cast a long shadow over the Town Hall’s transparency.

The departure of McKoy continues a worrying trend. Senior officers simply don’t seem to last very long at Newham Council. Barely a year passes without major reshuffling or resignations in the top ranks. From Chief Executives to legal heads, finance directors to HR leads, a revolving door culture seems to have taken root.

So what’s going on behind the scenes?

Is it the toxic atmosphere said to be emanating from the top? Insiders often point to the leadership style of Mayor Fiaz, whose administration has been accused of creating a climate of fear and control. Staff morale, according to several reports, remains worryingly low. Others speculate that Rachel McKoy may have simply decided the grass is greener elsewhere, particularly with her rising national profile and potential new opportunities outside of Newham’s increasingly fraught political environment.

Either way, her departure is a symptom of a wider malaise. The council is once again faced with a leadership vacuum at a time when the borough desperately needs stability, competence, and trust. With Newham facing critical challenges on housing, budget pressures, and governance, another senior officer walking away leaves residents wondering: who’s really steering the ship?

More importantly, how many more exits will it take before real change comes to Newham Council?