Agenda, decisions and minutes

Protocol attached for noting by Council.

Noted by Council, without division.

The protocol on the operation of full Council during the Covid-19 restrictions was noted by Council, without division.

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Recived from Councillor Tele Lawal.

Apologies were received from Councillor Tele Lawal.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 10 June 2020 (attached).

Procedural motion that subject to it being noted that Council agrees that the Conservative and North Havering Residents’ Associations Groups votes are recorded accurately but many of the non-Conservative and North Havering Residents’ Associations Groups votes are in dispute NOT CARRIED by 31 votes to 10.

Subject to noting that votes of Members of the Independent Residents’ Group and Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Associations Group were not recorded correctly, minutes AGREED as a correct record.

The minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on 10 June 2020 were before the Council for approval.

Procedural motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

That Council agrees that the Conservative and North Havering Residents’ Associations Groups votes are recorded accurately but many of the non-Conservative and North Havering Residents’ Associations Groups votes are in dispute.

The Procedural Motion was NOT CARRIED by 31 votes to 19 with three abstentions (see division 1).

RESOLVED:

That subject to it being noted that votes of Members of the Independent Residents’ Group and Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Associations Group were not recorded correctly, the minutes 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).

Tributes were paid to former Councillors Wilf Mills, Fred Osborne and Patricia Rumble, all of whom had passed away recently.

The text of the announcements by the Leader of the Council are attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.

Councillor Sally Miller has given notice of intention to present a petition.

Received from Councillor Miller.

A petition was presented by Councillor Miller concerning proposed development in Cavendish Avenue.

Council also agreed to the submission of an additional petition – by the Mayor concerning a request to restrict use by lorries of the East Hall Lane junction with Wennington Road.

Report attached.

Report AGREED without division.

A key Executive Decision recommended the adoption of a new Statement of Gambling Policy for the period 1/09/20 to 31/08/23. The proposed new statement, results of the public consultation undertaken and Equality and Health Impact Assessment for the Policy were also shown in the agenda papers.

The Executive Decision was APPROVED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the updated Statement of Gambling Policy 2020-2023 as attached at Appendix 1 of the Key Executive Decision as shown in the agenda papers for the period commencing 1st September 2020 to 31st August 2023 be adopted.

Report attached.

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to 23; deemed motion by Administration AGREED as substantive motion, without division.

A report of the Chief Executive sought to address the allocation of seats on the Committees of the Council following Councillor Sargent ceasing to be a member of the Independent Residents’ Group and becoming an independent Member.

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 Council agrees the following changes to the seat allocation:

·        A reduction in total seat allocation from 136 to 135. (within this term the total number has been lower - 134 in Jan 2019).

·        A reduction in conservative seat allocation from 67 to 66.

·        One less conservative seat to allocate means no extra (very disproportionate) conservative seat on Crime and Disorder committee.

·        A reduction in the size of the Individuals committee from 7 to 6.

·        Reassign the IRG seat on Individuals to Crime and Disorder committee.

Following debate the amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to 23 with no abstentions (see division 2); the deemed motion by the Administration was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

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

Attached.

10 questions asked and answers given. Two questions withdrawn by submitting Group.  

Fifteen questions were asked although two questions were withdrawn by the submitting group. The text of all questions submitted with answers and, where asked, summaries of supplementary questions and answers is attached at append 2 to these minutes. 

Attached.

A.   COVID-19 RECOVERY PLAN

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group withdrawn by Independent Residents’ Group (withdrawal of amendment agreed without division); Motion by Conservative Group AGREED without division.

B.   CCTV CAMERAS – RAINHAM VILLAGE

Motion by Independent Residents’ Group withdrawn by Independent Residents’ Group (withdrawal of motion agreed without division).

C.   OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY REVIEW

Amendment by Conservative Group withdrawn by Conservative Group (withdrawal of amendment agreed without division); motion by Residents’ and Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Associations Groups NOT CARRIED by 28 votes to 22.

D.   PROPOSED ASYLUM SEEKER ACCOMMODATION

Motion by Conservative Group withdrawn by Conservative Group (withdrawal of motion AGREED by Council by 52 votes to 0).

E.   ACTIVE TRANSPORT FUNDING

Amendment by Conservative Group AGREED by 30 votes to 18 and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the Administration in managing the COVID-19 crisis. With the Country entering into the recovery phase of the pandemic, Council requests that the administration brings forward a revised corporate plan for the remaining Council term, truncated and submitted to each overview and scrutiny subcommittee, before being brought to a meeting of the Cabinet for approval.

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

(Amended wording shown in italics for clarity).

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the Administration in managing the COVID-19 crisisand calls on the Executive to manage the recovery phase of the pandemic in an equitable way as the economy re-opens from lockdown and Council requests that the administration brings forward a revised corporate plan for the remaining Council term, truncated and submitted to each overview and scrutiny subcommittee, before being brought to a meeting of the Cabinet for approval.

The amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was withdrawn by the Independent Residents’ Group, with the agreement of Council. The motion on behalf of the Conservative Group was AGREED without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the Administration in managing the COVID-19 crisis. With the Country entering into the recovery phase of the pandemic, Council requests that the administration brings forward a revised corporate plan for the remaining Council term, truncated and submitted to each overview and scrutiny subcommittee, before being brought to a meeting of the Cabinet for approval.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

The new Havering Local Plan seeks to strengthen the protection of our Conservation Areas and the Executive are promoting investments in the Rainham area, including a new swimming pool and leisure centre in Rainham Village.

In view of this our Council calls upon the Executive to install CCTV cameras at the Bridge Road junctions to safeguard the Rainham Village Conservation Area and London Bid area and protect these investments and to deter Wennington Road, Upminster Road South and Rainham Village constantly and increasingly being illegally used as a short cut for HGVs 40 ton muck lorries accessing Ferry Lane industrial area.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

The Council refers the issue of heavy good vehicles using prohibited roads within the South of Havering to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee for an investigation, outlining issues faced and possible solutions.

The motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was withdrawn by the Independent Residents’ Group, with the agreement of Council.

Motion on behalf of the Residents’ Group and the Upminster and Cranham Residents Associations’ Group 

In February 2018, a cross party group of members put forward to the Governance Committee a report on changing the Overview and Scrutiny structure, in order to provide a more efficient and productive system of scrutiny. In light of the budget savings identified in the recent Council Tax setting meeting and the financial impact COVID-19 will have on borough finances, this council calls for a cross party group of members to re-visit this report and where appropriate provide further recommendations to the Governance Committee to recommend to council for implementation. 

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Delete wording after ‘will have on borough finances’ and replace with:

The Council notes that the Governance Committee has already considered a report from a member-led review of the Overview & Scrutiny Structure and decided that it was unsuitable for adoption due to shortcomings but refers the matter back to the Governance Committee for further consideration.

For clarity, the amended motion would read as follows:

In February 2018, a cross party group of members put forward to the Governance Committee a report on changing the Overview and Scrutiny structure, in order to provide a more efficient and productive system of scrutiny. In light of the budget savings identified in the recent Council Tax setting meeting and the financial impact COVID-19 will have on borough finances, the Council notes that the Governance Committee has already considered a report from a member-led review of the Overview & Scrutiny Structure and decided that it was unsuitable for adoption due to shortcomings but refers the matter back to the Governance Committee for further consideration.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was withdrawn by the Conservative Group, with the agreement of Council. The motion on behalf of the Residents’ Group and Upminster and Cranham Residents Associations’ Group was NOT AGREED by 28 votes to 23 with two abstentions (see division 4).

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council welcomes the approach adopted by the Administration in seeking a review by the Home Office of the suitability of Palms Hotel to be used as accommodation for asylum seekers due to its location. It notes that this decision was taken without consultation with the Council, CCG or other agencies, and is concerned for the welfare, both physically and emotionally, of vulnerable people being placed at the Palms Hotel without adequate access to schooling, health facilities, transportation or wider social support and calls upon the government to enter negation with the Council immediately.

The motion on behalf of the Conservative Group was withdrawn by the Conservative Group. This was agreed by Council by 52 votes to 0 with 1 abstention (see division 3).

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council welcomes the Government’s recent announcement regarding funding for Active Transport facilities and welcomes the first tranche of funding, which the Department for Transport has indicatively allocated a sum of £100,000 to each individual borough and the balance of £1.7m to Transport for London.  To receive any money under this or future tranches, Boroughs’ and TfL will need to satisfy the Department that there are swift and meaningful plans in place to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians, including on strategic corridors.  This Council therefore, calls upon the Executive to apply for the funding available, if they haven’t already done so.  If the funding has already been applied for, have appropriate plans been prepared to enable improved cycle and walk ways within the Borough and if affirmative, this Council calls upon the Executive to publish them immediately to the public for consultation purposes.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Delete wording after ‘strategic corridors’ and replace with:

The Council notes that the Executive Decision which was taken to apply for funding to Transport for London as part of the Active Transport scheme was published on 19 June and requests that the results of this application are circulated to all Members once known.

For clarity, the amended motion would read as follows:

This Council welcomes the Government’s recent announcement regarding funding for Active Transport facilities and welcomes the first tranche of funding, which the Department for Transport has indicatively allocated a sum of £100,000 to each individual borough and the balance of £1.7m to Transport for London.  To receive any money under this or future tranches, Boroughs’ and TfL will need to satisfy the Department that there are swift and meaningful plans in place to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians, including on strategic corridors.  The Council notes that the Executive Decision which was taken to apply for funding to Transport for London as part of the Active Transport scheme was published on 19 June and requests that the results of this application are circulated to all Members once known.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was AGREED by 30 votes to 19 with 4 abstentions (see division 5).

RESOLVED:

This Council welcomes the Government’s recent announcement regarding funding for Active Transport facilities and welcomes the first tranche of funding, which the Department for Transport has indicatively allocated a sum of £100,000 to each individual borough and the balance of £1.7m to Transport for London.  To receive any money under this or future tranches, Boroughs’ and TfL will need to satisfy the Department that there are swift and meaningful plans in place to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians, including on strategic corridors.  The Council notes that the Executive Decision which was taken to apply for funding to Transport for London as part of the Active Transport scheme was published on 19 June and requests that the results of this application are circulated to all Members once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

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