Agenda, decisions and minutes

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 25 September 2019 (attached).

Subject to recording of Residents’ Group having left the previous meeting, AGREED as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 September 2019 were before the Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to it being recorded that the Residents’ Group left the meeting during the discussion of Council Question number 6 re Hornchurch Country Park (minute 38), the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Members are invited to disclose any interest in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. 

Members may still disclose any interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillor Georgina Galpin who had sadly passed away recently. Tributes were paid to Councillor Galpin from all sides of the Chamber.

Tributes were also paid to Freeman of the Borough Mr Harry Matthews who had sadly also passed away recently.

The Leader of the Council reported that a preferred site for a new leisure centre in the south of the borough had now been identified and a report had recently been presented to Cabinet to develop a full business case for the facility. It was anticipated that this would be one of three new leisure centres to be opened during the current Council.

The Leader also confirmed that the section 92 Police officers for Havering had now been in operation for a week and this had already resulted in four arrests, fifteen stop and searches and one stop for possession of drugs. These officers were therefore already adding value and providing additional support to Havering Police.

To receive any petition presented pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 14.

Councillor Ower has given notice of intention to present a petition.

Received from Councillors Ower and Ryan.

A petition was presented by Councillor Ower concerning the change of parking policy implemented in Hornchurch and Upminster in June 2019. Councillor Ower asked if an update could be provided on the progress of this petition which had originally been presented to the appropriate service in November 2019.

Council also agreed to the submission of an additional petition – from Councillor Ryan in relation to a request for parking restrictions in Lowlands Gardens, Romford.

Report of Cabinet attached (subject to approval by Cabinet).

Report AGREED without division.

It was confirmed that a report had been agreed by Cabinet at its meeting on 15 January 2020 on the Digital Platform Replacement Project. This gave details of a business case for the implementation of a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Digital Platform as a replacement for the current Customer Relationship Management system. The report sought approval of additional funding from capital for the programme which was scheduled to go live by July 2021.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Council approves additional funding from capital of the sum of £2.66m profiled across the19/20 and 20/21 financial years, to deliver all elements of the programme (in addition to the £1.8m of capital funding previously agreed).

Report of Chief Executive attached.

Report AGREED without division.

Under paragraph 18e of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, a report was required to be submitted to Council giving details of decisions made where an exemption to the call-in (requisition) procedure had been granted. The report gave details of six such decisions during the period 1 November 2018 – 31 December 2019.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Attached.

Twelve questions submitted, four questions withdrawn by the submitting Group and eight answers given.

Motion that Councillor Morgon not be heard further on this item CARRIED by 30 votes 23; motion that Councillor D white not be heard further on this item NOT CARRIED by 28 votes to 18.

Twelve questions were asked although four questions were withdrawn by the Independent Residents’ Group from discussion at the meeting. Eight questions were responded to at the meeting. The text of all questions submitted with answers and, where asked, supplementary questions and answers is attached at appendix 1 to these minutes.

During discussion of question one, a motion that Councillor Morgon not be heard further on this question was CARRIED by 30 votes to 23 (see division 1); a motion that the Leader of the Council not be heard further on this question was NOT CARRIED by 28 votes to 18 (see division 2).

Attached.

A.   FREE PARKING PERIOD

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 25 votes to 24 and AGREED as substantive motion by 26 votes to 24.

B.   FIREWORK DISPLAYS

Amendment by Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to 22; motion by North Havering Residents’ Group AGREED as substantive motion, without division.

C.   POLICE RESOURCE

Motion by North Havering Residents’ Group AGREED, without division.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’, Residents’ and Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Groups

As a consequence of a neighbouring borough’s (Redbridge) move to support their high streets, by increasing free parking to one hour, we call on this Council to, at the very least, re-introduce the 30 minute free parking.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council notes that the 1 hour free parking introduced within Redbridge Borough is based upon cashless parking operating across Redbridge; it also notes the age profile of Havering and access to digital equipment across the Borough and welcomes the Administration’s position to maintain cash payments for parking, and it further welcomes the Administration’s position on supporting the High Street.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 25 votes to 24 (see division 3) and AGREED as the substantive motion by 26 votes to 24 (see division 4).

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that the 1 hour free parking introduced within Redbridge Borough is based upon cashless parking operating across Redbridge; it also notes the age profile of Havering and access to digital equipment across the Borough and welcomes the Administration’s position to maintain cash payments for parking, and it further welcomes the Administration’s position on supporting the High Street.

Every year fireworks are used by people for different events however for animals, they can be a source of fear and can suffer psychological distress and can cause themselves injuries.

Therefore this Council resolves: 

- to encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

- to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

- to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display

Amendment on behalf of the Residents’ Group

This council supports the welfare and protection of all animals in Havering and therefore calls upon the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee to carry out a full review of the problems arising from fireworks and recommend to the Executive practical solutions to protect animals from harm and distress and, if necessary, lobby our local Members of Parliament to strength the current legislation/regulations.

The amendment on behalf of the Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to 22 (see division 5) and the motion on behalf of the North Havering Residents’ Group was AGREED without division.

RESOLVED:

Every year fireworks are used by people for different events however for animals, they can be a source of fear and can suffer psychological distress and can cause themselves injuries.

Therefore this Council resolves: 

- to encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

- to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

- to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display

Motion on behalf of the North Havering Residents’ Group

Recently there has been increased awareness of anti-social behaviour and muggings in Harold Wood and the adjoining area. Although, overall it appears crime statistics are low, there still remains a resourcing issue as having more Police on the streets is a visible deterrent to allay resident concerns to deter people from committing crime. Therefore this council calls on the Mayor of London to commit more Police Resources to Havering with a particular emphasis on these wards.

The motion on behalf of the North Havering Residents’ Group was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

Recently there has been increased awareness of anti-social behaviour and muggings in Harold Wood and the adjoining area. Although, overall it appears crime statistics are low, there still remains a resourcing issue as having more Police on the streets is a visible deterrent to allay resident concerns to deter people from committing crime. Therefore this council calls on the Mayor of London to commit more Police Resources to Havering with a particular emphasis on these wards.

The record of voting decisions is attached as appendix 2 to these minutes.