To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Received from Councillors Osman Dervish, Nic Dodin, Gillian Ford and Matt Sutton.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Osman Dervish, Nic Dodin, Gillian Ford and Matt Sutton.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 1 September 2021 (attached).

Lack of responses to supplementary questions to questions 11 and 15 noted and to be actioned by the Leader’s Office.

Noted that petition presented referred to Taunton Road not Torrington Road.

Minutes otherwise agreed as a correct record.

A lack of responses to supplementary questions to questions 11 and 15 was noted and would actioned by the Leader’s Office.

It was noted that the petition at the meeting presented referred to Taunton Road not Torrington Road.

The minutes of the last meeting were otherwise agreed as a correct record, without division.

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.

None.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

Council recorded its condolences to Councillor Denis O’Flynn on the recent death of his wife – Maureen a former Mayoress of Havering. Councillor O’Flynn thanked colleagues for their sympathy and understanding.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of David Amess MP, James Brokenshire MP and former Councillor Marjorie Ramsey, all of whom had passed away recently. Tributes were paid from all sides of the Chamber.

The Mayor invited Members and officers to join him at the annual Nine Lessons and Carols on 19 December. The Mayor had  recently been presented by the Lord Lieutenant with an oak sapling to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee next year and Councillors for suggestions on where the sapling could be planted.

The Chief Executive updated Members on the latest position with the Covid-19 outbreak in Havering.

NOTE: The deadline for giving notice of an intention to present a petition is midnight, Monday 8 November 2021.

Notice of intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Darren Wise and Judith Holt.

To receive any petition presented pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 23.

Received from Councillor Wise re repairs to Pages Wood Bridge, Harold Park and from Councillor Holt re a request for speed calming measures in Manor Road, Princes Road, Kings Road and Carlisle Road.

Petitions were received from Councillor Wise concerning a request for repairs to Pages Wood Bridge, Harold Park and from Councillor Holt re a request for speed calming measures in Manor Road, Princes Road, Kings Road and Carlisle Road.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments to all reports published with the Council agenda is Monday 15 November 2021.

Report attached (subject to consideration by Cabinet).

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT AGREED by 28 votes to 9 with 12 abstentions; deemed motion on behalf of Administration AGREED by 28 votes to 14 with 8 abstentions.

A report of Cabinet presented for endorsement by Council the Climate Change Action Plan. This signalled a commitment by the Council to tackle climate change, influence decisions and bring together existing environmental policies.

Deemed motion by the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Following debate, the amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT AGREED by 28 votes to 9 with 13 abstentions (see division 2); the deemed motion on behalf of the Administration was AGREED by 28 votes to 14 with 8 abstentions (see division 3). It was RESOLVED:

That Council endorse the content of the report and associated action plans.

Report attached, subject to consideration by Cabinet.

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT AGREED by 44 votes to 0 with 6 abstentions; amendment by Labour Group NOT AGREED by 27 votes to 7 with 16 abstentions; deemed motion on behalf of Administration AGREED by 36 votes to 3 with 10 abstentions.

A report of Cabinet presented to Council for endorsement the Local Government Association (LGA), Independent Race, Equality, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion, (READI), Commissioned Review May 2021: Approval of Action Plan. The report focussed on the Council’s action plan in response to the READI review and addresses the LGA’s 15 priority improvement recommendations.

Deemed motion on behalf of the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Following debate, the amendment by Independent Residents’ Group was NOT AGREED (see division 4) by 44 votes to 0 with 6 abstentions (see division 4); the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT AGREED by 27 votes to 7 with 16 abstentions (see division 5) and the deemed motion on behalf of Administration was AGREED by 37 votes to 3 with 10 abstentions (see division 6).

It was RESOLVED:

That Council endorses the Cabinet report and action plan.

Report attached, subject to consideration by Cabinet.

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT AGREED by 39 votes to 5 with 6 abstentions; deemed motion on behalf of Administration AGREED by 39 votes to 5 with 6 abstentions.

A report of Cabinet proposed the adption of the Havering Local Plan. This followed the receipt of the final report of the Inspector on 14 October 2021.

Deemed motion on behalf of the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

That all recommendations in the Cabinet report are replaced by:

Council agrees that the shocking news about Beam Park station means the Havering Local Plan cannot be adopted at this time.

The amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT AGREED by 39 votes to 5 with 6 abstentions (see division 7) and the deemed motion on behalf of Administration AGREED by 39 votes to 5 with 6 abstentions (see division 8).

It was RESOLVED:

That Council:

(i)             Agree to adopt the Local Plan 2016-2031 including:

a.    the main modifications to the Submission Local Plan that are set out in the appendix to the Inspector’s report (refer to annex 2)

b.    The minor modifications as set out in annex 3.

(ii)           Agree to revoke the Council’s current adopted Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document 2008 and the Romford Area Action Plan 2008 (excluding Site Specific Allocations) from the 29^th December 2021 (following the statutory six week legal challenge period from Local Plan adoption).

Report attached.

Report agreed without division.

A report of the Chief Executive proposed a change to the polling district and polling place for a section of Harold Wood ward. This followed a review of all Polling districts, Polling places and Polling stations in accordance with the requirements of section 18C of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by section 17 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013).

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Council endorse the changes to the polling place and polling district for Harold Wood Ward HP6-HU set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Attached.

Due to time constraints, questions not dealt with at the meeting. Answers to be circulated to Members and included in minutes.

Fifteen questions were submitted to the meeting. Due to time constraints, no questions were dealt with at the meeting. The answers to questions are attached as appendix 2 to these minutes.

Attached.

A.   ROAD AND PAVEMENT RESURFACING

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 27 votes to 11 with 10 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

B.   FIRST DO NO HARM

Motion by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 28 votes to 2 with 20 abstentions.

C.   HAVERING COUNCILLORS

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 39 votes to 10 with 1 abstention and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

D.   PAGES WOOD BRIDGE, HAROLD WOOD PARK

Procedural motion by Conservative Group to withdraw amendment to motion AGREED by 30 votes to 14 with 6 amendments; motion by North Havering Residents’ Association  Group AGREED by 41 votes to 0 with 9 abstentions.

E.   STRATEGIC AND PLANNING COMMITTEE SEAT ALLOCATION

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 39 votes to 4 with 7 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

F.    FLOOD MITIGATION FOR THE TAUNTON ROAD AREA OF HAROLD HILL

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 38 votes to 7 with 5 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

ROAD AND PAVEMENT RESURFACING

          Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Council calls on the Executive to hold an urgent review of the Horizon system as the formula for deciding road and pavement resurfacing appears to prioritise good roads and pavements over bad!

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council welcomes the additional investment that the administration has brought forward for the Borough’s roads and pavements, totalling over £38m in the last four years. Furthermore, Council endorses the policy if worst first for the selection of roads and pavements.

The Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 27 votes to 11 with 12 abstentions (see division 9) and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council welcomes the additional investment that the administration has brought forward for the Borough’s roads and pavements, totalling over £38m in the last four years. Furthermore, Council endorses the policy if worst first for the selection of roads and pavements.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Council agrees all residents and employees, including our hero nurses and care workers, must retain a choice whether to refuse vaccines to avoid public health staff shortages over winter. 

The motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT AGREED by 28 votes to 2 with 20 abstentions (see division 10).

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Council agrees it should be axiomatic for a Havering councillor to call-in any Havering application giving a reasonable explanation and then attending the planning meeting to speak on the item, or send a substitute, albeit as a curtesy ward members should be invited to call-in the item first.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Council notes that an independent review into the governance arrangements for planning is being undertaken by the Planning Advisory Service and awaits the outcome of such review before bringing forward changes to the planning system.

The amendment was behalf of the Conservative Group was AGREED by 39 votes to 10 with 11 abstentions (see division 11) and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

Council notes that an independent review into the governance arrangements for planning is being undertaken by the Planning Advisory Service and awaits the outcome of such review before bringing forward changes to the planning system.

Motion on behalf of the North Havering Residents’ Association Group

The Bridge in Harold Wood Park that provides the vital access to Pages Wood is beyond repair and the Forestry commission who are responsible for the bridge, have said that the cost to replace this is quite high and subsequently are reluctant to replace it, as an urgent project. Without this bridge Pages Wood accessibility becomes problematic and in some cases impossible for our disabled, blind, elderly, lone walkers / runners and families with young children. This green space, being accessible to all, is essential for the physical / mental wellbeing of our community.

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Environment to work with the Forestry commission, our local MP’s and Friends of Harold Wood Parks to stress the importance of this bridge, which provides essential access to all our visitors of our green spaces and will request to the Forestry Commission for alternative and safe provisions to be made for all park users to use Pages Wood.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Council calls upon the administration to effect a meeting on the bridge in Harold Wood Park with relevant stakeholders with the forest commission, including the ward councillors, to discuss possible solutions for bringing back direct access from the park into Pages Wood.

A procedural motion on behalf of the Conservative Group to withdraw the Group’s amendment to this motion was AGREED by 30 votes to 14 with 6 abstentions (see division 1). The motion on behalf of the North Havering Residents’ Association Group was AGREED by 41 votes to 0 with 9 abstentions (see division 12).

RESOLVED:

The Bridge in Harold Wood Park that provides the vital access to Pages Wood is beyond repair and the Forestry commission who are responsible for the bridge, have said that the cost to replace this is quite high and subsequently are reluctant to replace it, as an urgent project. Without this bridge Pages Wood accessibility becomes problematic and in some cases impossible for our disabled, blind, elderly, lone walkers / runners and families with young children. This green space, being accessible to all, is essential for the physical / mental wellbeing of our community.

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Environment to work with the Forestry commission, our local MP’s and Friends of Harold Wood Parks to stress the importance of this bridge, which provides essential access to all our visitors of our green spaces and will request to the Forestry Commission for alternative and safe provisions to be made for all park users to use Pages Wood.

There are 54 Members. 2 Members are Independent and don’t count towards Seat Allocation on committees, leaving 52. Political balance rules require seat allocation to be proportionate to group size. To calculate each Members value towards seat allocation you divide the size of the committees by 52.

The Strategic and Planning committees are size 8. This means to ascertain group membership on both committees you divide 8 by 52 and means each members seat allocation value is 0.154 and this results in the following table:

Con group: 25 x 0.154 = 3.85

RA group:      7 x 0.154 = 1.09

UCRA group: 6 x 0.154 = 0.92

IRG group:      5 x 0.154 = 0.77

Lab group:      5 x 0.154 = 0.77

NHRA group: 4 x 0.154 =  0.62

Due to levelling up and down rules it means all groups are now entitled to at least one place each on both planning committees. The Con groups 3.85 would normally level up to 4, but there aren’t the positions available to do so.

These are very important quasi-judicial committees and all groups should have membership on them, if they qualify, AND ALL DO and so Council agrees the committee seat allocations should be changed accordingly.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Council notes the decision it made at Annual Council in April 2021 in respect of the allocation of seats on all committees which was done so in accordance with political balance rules.

The amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 39 votes to 4 with 7 abstentions (see division 13) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

Council notes the decision it made at Annual Council in April 2021 in respect of the allocation of seats on all committees which was done so in accordance with political balance rules.

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

The Council being a Lead Local Flood Authority calls on the Executive to prepare as a matter of urgency a flood mitigation plan in respect of the area in Harold Hill known as Taunton Road and the roadways adjoining and to provide the necessary resources to ensure prompt implementation of such a plan.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

The Council, being a Lead Local Flood Authority, has flood risk management responsibilities in respect of flood risk from surface water, ground water and ordinary watercourses. The Council calls on the Executive to revisit earlier work completed to assess the flood risk, review the complex mechanisms that lead to the flood risk, and to report options to mitigate, reduce or remove the risk in the area of Harold Hill known as Taunton Road and adjoining roads. This would include the investigation of any external funding that may be available to enable agreed works to proceed.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was AGREED by 38 votes to 7 with 5 abstentions (see division 14) and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

The Council, being a Lead Local Flood Authority, has flood risk management responsibilities in respect of flood risk from surface water, ground water and ordinary watercourses. The Council calls on the Executive to revisit earlier work completed to assess the flood risk, review the complex mechanisms that lead to the flood risk, and to report options to mitigate, reduce or remove the risk in the area of Harold Hill known as Taunton Road and adjoining roads. This would include the investigation of any external funding that may be available to enable agreed works to proceed.

The record of voting decisions is attached as appendix 3 to these minutes.