To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Received from Councillors Ray Best, Osman Dervish, Jacqui McArdle, Trevor McKeever, Susan Ospreay and Damian White.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ray Best, Osman Dervish, Jacqui McArdle, Trevor McKeever, Susan Ospreay and Damian White.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 30 August 2023 and 6 September 2023 (attached).

Noted that Councillor Tyler was present at the meeting on 30 August 2023. Minutes of meetings on 30 August and 6 September otherwise agreed as a correct record.

It was noted that Councillor Tyler was present at the meeting on 30 August 2023.

The minutes of meetings held on 30 August and 6 September were otherwise 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.

None.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

The Mayor thanked those who had assisted with her Civic Service and Parade at St Nicholas Church, Elm Park, with particular thanks expressed to Councillor Mugglestone and the Reverend Amanda Keighley.

The Mayor would also be holding a Civic Carols and Readings Service at St Nicholas Church, Elm Park on Sunday 10 December at 6.30 pm.

The Mayor also recorded her thanks to all those who had supported her fundraising efforts for First Step.

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

Notice of intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Jackie McArdle and Judith Holt (two petitions).

Received from Councillor Judith Holt re a request for the introduction of 30 minutes free parking in Park Lane, Hornchurch and requesting the retention of 30 minutes free parking in car parks in residential areas of Romford.

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Judith Holt re a request for the introduction of 30 minutes free parking in Park Lane, Hornchurch.

From Councillor Judith Holt requesting the retention of 30 minutes free parking in car parks in residential areas of Romford.

Note: The deadline for amendments to all reports published in the final agenda is midnight, Monday, 20 November

Report of the Audit Committee attached.

Report AGREED without division.

A report of the Audit Committee gave a mid-year update on treasury managed investments and borrowings and the associated monitoring and control of risk. The report was presented to Council for noting in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Treasury Management code.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the treasury management activities to August 2023 as detailed in the report be noted.

Report of the Audit Committee attached.

Report AGREED without division.

A report of Audit Committee covered the delivery of the Treasury Management Strategy statement in 2022/23. The report covered activity on treasury managed investments and borrowings and the associated monitoring and control.

The report was presented to Council for noting as required by under the relevant codes of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the Annual Treasury Management Report 2022/23 be noted.

Report of Chief Executive attached.

Three questions on report by Conservative Group responded to.

Deemed motion on behalf of Administration and amendment by Conservative Group AGREED by 41 votes to 0 with 7 abstentions.

A report of the Chief Executive detailed key decisions for which an exemption from the call-in (requisition) process had been agreed, between 2 March 2023 and 9 November 2023.

Questions on behalf of the Conservative Group

1. Has there been an increase in the use of call-in exemptions, in comparison to non-covid years? If so, what is the main driver behind that rise? 
2. A large number of the 'reasons for urgency' indicate the decision had to be taken urgently. What measures are being put in place to ensure that there is a longer notice period for decisions, in order to avoid exemption and to allow pre-decision scrutiny?
3. Are the Chief Executive and Leader content that the level of exemptions is healthy?

The Leader of the Council gave the following responses to the questions:

1.             The majority of call-in exemptions related to social care matters and were for urgent decisions relating to either ensuring the continuity of provision or ensuring that Government grants could be obtained.

There had been 12 exemptions granted in 2021-22 and a total of 16 exemptions between May 2022 and November 2023 so the overall rate of exemptions granted was in line with that of previous years.

2.             The wish to minimise the number of exemptions had already been flagged up by both the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and the Monitoring Officer. All requests for exemptions were thoroughly assessed by the Board Chairman. The Chief Executive was also in discussions with officers to seek to improve the planning of decisions.

3.       The Leader confirmed that he was not happy with the number of exemptions requested and wished to keep these to a minimum.

Deemed motion by the Administration

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

Amendment by the Conservative Group

That the following additional recommendation be added to the report:

Given the precarious financial situation of Havering Council, and following advice that a lack of scrutiny is a significant driver in local-authorities issuing S114 notices, this council will undertake to put in place robust planning procedures, in order to reduce the use of call-in exemptions. 

Following debate, the deemed motion on behalf of the Administration and the amendment by the Conservative Group were AGREED by 41 votes to 0 with 8 abstentions (see division 1) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

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

Given the precarious financial situation of Havering Council, and following advice that a lack of scrutiny is a significant driver in local-authorities issuing S114 notices, this council will undertake to put in place robust planning procedures, in order to reduce the use of call-in exemptions. 

Attached.

15 questions asked and responded to.

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

Attached.

A.    ROMFORD MARKET

Amendment on behalf of Havering Residents Association Group AGREED by 29 votes to 20 with 0 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion by 29 votes to 20 with 0 abstentions.

B.    HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Amendment on behalf of Havering Residents Association Group AGREED by 29 votes to 3 with 17 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion, without division.

A.    ROMFORD MARKET

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This chamber recognises the important role that Romford's historic market plays in the town's identity and it's economy. We commit to ensuring the survival of Romford Market, and will establish to a cross party working group on devising a plan to protect and enhance the market.

Amendment on behalf of the Administration

This Council recognises the important role that Romford and its historic market plays in Havering. We commit to ensuring that the future of Romford Market is fully considered as part of the public consultation on the Romford Masterplan early next year, and encourage cross party participation in that process.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf of the Administration AGREED by 29 votes to 20 with 0 abstentions (see division 1) and AGREED as the substantive motion by 29 votes to 20 with 0 abstentions (see division 3).

RESOLVED:

This Council recognises the important role that Romford and its historic market plays in Havering. We commit to ensuring that the future of Romford Market is fully considered as part of the public consultation on the Romford Masterplan early next year, and encourage cross party participation in that process.

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This council recognises Havering's precarious financial position, in which a vast

majority of spend concerns health and social care. In recognition of this position, and in order to ensure maximum scrutiny of spend, this Council commits to establishing a dedicated Health & Social Care OSSC that sits outside of People OSSC.

Amendment on behalf of the Administration

This councilrecognises Havering'sprecarious financialposition, inwhich avast majorityofspendconcernshealthandsocialcare.Inrecognitionofthisposition, andin orderto ensuremaximum scrutinyof spend,this Councilreaffirms that the Sub-Committee Chairs for People and Place are free to determine their own working models including establishing task and finish groups and sub-groups where appropriate.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf of the Administration was AGREED by 29 votes to 17 with 3 abstentions (see division 4) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

This council recognisesHavering's precariousfinancial position,in whicha vast majority ofspendconcernshealthandsocialcare.Inrecognitionofthisposition, andin orderto ensuremaximum scrutinyof spend,this Councilreaffirms that the Sub-Committee Chairs for People and Place are free to determine their own working models including establishing task and finish groups and sub-groups where appropriate.

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