Apologies have been received from Councillors Mandy Anderson and KatharineTumilty.

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Robert Benham, Ray Best, Joshua Chapman, James Glass, Jackie McArdle, Phil Ruck, Katherine Tumilty, Christine Vickery, Michael White and Jacqueline Williams.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 3 September 2025 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2025 were AGREED 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.

Note: Tributes will be paid to former Councillor Mike Davis who sadly passed away recently.

To receive any other announcements.

Tributes were paid to former Councillor Mike Davis who had sadly passed away recently. A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillor Davis.

The Mayor reported that the recent installation of a poppy display at the front of the Town Hall had raised some £250 for the poppy appeal.

Recent and forthcoming events in support of the Mayor’s Charity – the MCA Trust had included a cake day and raffle and a princess children’s party in the Town Hall.

The Mayor also congratulated staff on the winning of a number of London in Bloom awards for Havering parks which had resulted in the borough being the best performing London borough for the last three years.

The Leader of the Council also congratulated staff re the London in Bloom awards as well as the retention of the Green Flag awards for Havering’s parks.

Notice of intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Viddy Persaud, Natasha Summers, Darren Wise, Pat Brown and Christine Vickery (two petitions).

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

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Viddy Persaud requesting traffic calming measures in Mawney Road.

From Councillor Natasha Summers requesting traffic calming in Wennington Village.

From Councillor Darren Wise requesting the installation of CCTV in Station Road, Harold Wood.

From Councillor Brown against the proposed construction of a new service station on Green Belt land adjacent to the M25.

From Councillor Judith Holt on behalf of Councillor Christine Vickery requesting a 20 mph speed limit in Northumberland Avenue, Hornchurch.

From Councillor Judith Holt on behalf of Councillor Christine Vickery requesting a 20 mph speed limit in Cavendish Gardens, Hornchurch.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments is midnight, Monday 17 November 2025.

A.       To consider a report of the Chief Executive on a resolution to extend the six month attendance rule (attached);

B.        To consider the report of Cabinet on the East London Joint Waste Plan (attached);

          Note: The appendices to the report can be accessed via this link

C.       To consider any other report or motion presented pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 2(h).

A.    RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE SIX MONTH ATTENDANCE RULE

A report of the Chief Executive asked Council to consider an exemption to the requirements of section 85 (1) for Councillor Mandy Anderson who was undergoing medical treatment.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mandy Anderson be exempted from section 85 (1) the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972 and, accordingly, shall continue to be a Member of the Council.

B.    EAST LONDON JOINT WASTE PLAN SUBMISSION

A report of Cabinet sought Member approval to submit the East London Joint Waste Plan for public examination under Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning(Local Planning) (England) Reglutaions (2012).

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED that Council:

1.     Authorise officers to proceed under Regulation 22 to submit the East London Joint Waste Plan Submission Plan (appendix 1, the East London Joint Waste Plan, approved by Cabinet in April 2025, as amended by the modifications provided in appendix 17) and associated documents (as set out in paragraph 2.19) to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for independent public examination.

2.     Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Public Protection, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration to:

 Make any inconsequential or factual updates to the Submission Documents listed in paragraph 2.19 to facilitate submission of the Plan under Regulation 22.

 Make a formal request of the Planning Inspector at an appropriate point during the examination of the Waste Plan to recommend modifications to the Plan to make it sound and legally compliant in accordance with section 20 (7c) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act; and

 Exercise all examination procedural matters as prescribed by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations, including updates to submission documents and agreeing and consulting on further modifications, required to make the Plan sound.

C.    ZANE’S LAW

A report of Cabinet proposed that in seeking to keep local residents safe and to reduce the risks of harm, Havering Council supports the principles of “Zane’s Law”. This encouraged the Government to “make toxic landfills safe” by strengthening statutory requirements and providing the requisite funding for relevant authorities (including councils) to be able to address the issues.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Council expresses support for achieving the principles of Zane’s Law and agree to lobby the Government for its introduction

Attached.

Fifteen questions were asked and responded to. A summary, including of the supplementary questions and answers given, is attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.

Attached.

A.     TREE INSPECTIONS

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

In light of the tragic event in Southend at which a 7 year old girl sadly lost her life, and a near-miss in Harrow Lodge Park where a tree fell across a footpath, this Council commits to introducing a rigorous programme of regular tree inspections across the Borough.

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

In light of the tragic event in Southend at which a 7 year old girl sadly lost her life, and in Harrow Lodge Park where a tree fell across a footpath, this Council commits to continuing our programme of regular tree inspections across the Borough.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group was AGREED by 24 votes to 18 with 0 (see division 1) abstentions and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

In light of the tragic event in Southend at which a 7 year old girl sadly lost her life, and in Harrow Lodge Park where a tree fell across a footpath, this Council commits to continuing our programme of regular tree inspections across the Borough.

B.     ROMFORD POLICE STATION

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This council calls on the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Police to reverse their decision to reduce the opening hours for Romford Police Station's front counter, restoring it to a 24hr service.

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council calls on the Metropolitan Police to review its decision to reduce the opening hours for Romford Police Station's front counter.

Following debate, the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT CARRIED by 22 votes to 5 with 15 abstentions (see division 2) and the motion by the Conservative Group was AGREED by 35 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions (see division 3).

RESOLVED:

This council calls on the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Police to reverse their decision to reduce the opening hours for Romford Police Station's front counter, restoring it to a 24hr service.

C.     SCHOOL STREET ZONES TRIAL

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council calls upon this Administration to pause enforcement of the new School Street Zones trial due to poor implementation, lack of public consultation and misleading/conflicting information.

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

This Council calls upon this Administration to review enforcement of the new School Street Zones trial in order to consider the effectiveness of the implementation, public consultation and public information.  

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council calls upon this Administration to note concerns regarding the enforcement of the new School Street Zones trial including poor implementation, lack of public consultation and misleading/conflicting information, and to work with all members to address these concerns.

With the agreement of Council, this motion was withdrawn and resubmitted to the next meeting of Council.

D.     CASE TRACKER SYSTEM

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council calls on this Administration to halt the current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

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