Apologies have been received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Paul Middleton and Katharine Tumilty.

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Osman Dervish, James Glass, Paul Middleton and Katharine Tumilty.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 4 March 2026 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 March 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

To receive announcements (if any).

The Mayor reviewed a number of successful events during her Mayoralty. These included Havering winning the best float prize at the New Year’s Day Parade and the recent Prince and Princess Ball at the Town Hall.

The Leader of the Council thanked Group Leaders and Members. Special thanks were recorded to Councillor Michael White, the late Councillors Steven Kelly and Barbara Matthews and former Councillors Jeff Brace and Andy Mann.

Notice of intention to present a petition have been received from Councillors Jane Keane (two petitions) Matt Stanton, Frankie Walker and Judith Holt.

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

The following petitions were presented:

From Councillor Jane Keane re a request for parking arrangements on Park Lane to be made the same as those in central Hornchurch.

From Councillor Jane Keane re the introduction of measures to reduce speeding in St Albans ward.

From Councillor Matthew Stanton requesting the introduction of CCTV in Rainham and Wennington ward.

From Councillor Frankie Walker concerning a request to install public toilets in Hilldene Avenue.

From Councillor Judith Holt requesting the installation of double yellow lines in George Street at the junction with Thurlow Gardens.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments is midnight, Monday 16 March 2026.

A.           To consider a report of the Governance Committee on Contract Procedure Rules (attached, subject to approval by Governance Committee);

B.           To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer on Changes to the Constitution (attached, subject to approval by Governance Committee);

C.           To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 (attached);

D.           To consider a report of the Chief Executive on Dates of Council Meetings 2026/27 (attached);

E.           To consider a report of the Chief Executive on Overview and Scrutiny Rules – Exceptions to Call-in (Requisition) Procedure (attached);

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

A.   PROPOSED NEW CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES 2025

A report of Governance Committee proposed the adoption of a new set of Contract Procedure Rules.

The report as AGREED by 32 votes to 5 with 11 abstentions (see division 1) and it was RESOLVED:

That the revised set of Contracts Procedure Rules 2025 be adopted in place of the Contract Procedure Rules 2016.

B.   CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

A report of the Monitoring Officer proposed a number of changes and updates to the Constitution including including to the Access to Information Procedure Rules and the Committee Procedure Rules relating to make-up of the Pensions Committee.

The report was AGREED by 32 votes to 5 with 11 abstentions (see division 2) and it was RESOLVED:

That the revised parts of the Constitution, as shown in the Council agenda be approved and:

The existing relevant parts of the Constitution shall be replaced in their entirety. 

C.   PAY POLICY STATEMENT 2026/27

A report of the Chief Executive presented the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 as required under the Localism Act 2011. This specified the remuneration of the Council’s chief officers and its lowest paid employees as well as the relationship between the remuneration of its chief officers and its other employees.

The report was AGREED by 34 votes to 4 with 10 abstentions (see division 3) and it was RESOLVED:

That the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 be approved.

D.   DATES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS 2026/27

A report of the Chief Executive proposed dates of Council meetings for the coming municipal year. The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

1.         That the Council fixes the date of its meetings for the Municipal Year 2026/27.

2.         That the Council agrees that changes to the date of meetings of Council be determined by the Mayor, following consultation with Group Leaders.

E.   OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RULES – EXCEPTIONS TO CALL-IN (REQUISITION) PROCEDURE

A report of the Chief Executive gave, in accordance with the Constitution, details of urgent key decisions where an exemption from the scrutiny call-in procedure had been agreed.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Attached.

Fifteen questions were asked and responded to. A procedural motion that the time allowed for questions at the meeting be extended to allow the final question to be answered was AGREED without division.

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

Attached.

9A. LIBRARIES

Motion on behalf of Councillors Keith Prince and Michael White

This Council calls upon the Administration to halt all plans to pass on, sell or demolish the three libraries which were closed in 2025 (namely Harold Wood, Gidea Park and South Hornchurch libraries). Harold Wood library shall be the exception, where Officers should continue their discussions with the local community group who have already put forward proposals to make use of the site.

(Received 5 January, 13:34)

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council calls upon the Administration to halt all plans to pass on, sell or demolish the three libraries which were closed in 2025 (namely Harold Wood, Gidea Park and South Hornchurch libraries) until alternative business plans have been presented to and considered by Cabinet. Harold Wood library shall be the exception, where Officers should continue their discussions with the local community group who have already put forward proposals to make use of the site.

(Received 12 January, 21:55)

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council calls upon the Administration to halt all plans to pass on, sell or demolish the three libraries which were closed in 2025 (namely Harold Wood, Gidea Park and South Hornchurch libraries) until alternative business plans have been presented to and considered by Cabinet. Harold Wood library shall be the exception, where Officers should continue their discussions with the local community group who have already put forward proposals to make use of the site. In the interim, every effort should be made to identify meanwhile uses in order to maintain community access to the spaces and generate income to the Council.

(Received 9 March, 20:42)

Following debate, the amendment by the Conservative Group was NOT AGREED on the casting vote of the Mayor by 25 votes to 24 with 0 abstentions (see division 4) and the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT AGREED on the casting vote of the Mayor by 25 votes to 24 with 0 abstentions (see division 5). The motion on behalf of Councillors Keith Prince and Michael White was NOT AGREED by 24 votes to 5 with 3 abstentions (see division 6).

Note: a number of Members left the meeting at this point.

9B. TAX RISES

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council recognises the vital role that pubs and small businesses play in the economic and social life of the London Borough of Havering. This Council condemns recent government tax changes which have increased costs for these businesses locally, putting Havering jobs and livelihoods at risk, and calls on the government to urgently reverse the rises.

(Received 5 January, 20:16)

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council recognises the essential contribution that pubs and small businesses make to the economic vitality and social fabric of the London Borough of Havering. While acknowledging that taxation is necessary to fund vital public services, this Council notes that changes to national tax policy must be kept under review, and calls  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

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