Apologies have been received from Councillor Katharine Tumilty.

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Osman Dervish, Katharine Tumilty, Frankie Walker, Damian White and Michael White.

Best wishes were sent from all sides of the Chamber to Councillor Michael White following his recent medical treatment.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 28 February 2024 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 28 February 2024 were AGREED as a correct record.

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 had written to the King on behalf of the Council sending him best wishes for a full recovery. She would also be writing to the Princess of Wales sending her best wishes for a full recovery also.

Congratulations were recorded to Hornchurch Cricket Club who had recently become European Cricket Champions.

The Mayor stated that the recent evening at Queen’s Theatre in aid of the Mayor’s charities had been very successful. The Mayor’s civic dinner was scheduled for 19 April. Birthday wishes were passed to Councillor Christine Vickery.

The Leader of the Council recorded his thanks to staff and residents who had taken part in the recent BBC Panorama programme. The Leader felt that the programme was of a good quality and had been well balanced and showed what the Council was up against. He was happy to be involved in a follow-up programme if required.

The bid for Havering to be named London Borough of Culture had unfortunately been unsuccessful but the Leader thanked staff who worked on the bid and colleagues from other local organisations who had been on the presenting panel.

The Leader recorded his best wishes to Councillor Michael White who was currently undergoing medical treatment.

The Chief Executive clarified the Council’s Pay Policy at item 8 of the agenda did not agree the pay award of the Chief Executive nor of any staff member. The Council was required under the Localism Act to publish its Pay Policy statement by 31 March. The Pay Policy set out the grades at the top and bottom of the organisation and gave a comparison between the two.

Notice of intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Sue Ospreay, Jane Keane and Graham Williamson.

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

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Sue Ospreay re a request for a zebra crossing on part of Upminster Road North, Rainham.

From Councillor Jane Keane re a request for more waste bins on the Thurlow Gardens side of Wheatsheaf Road.

From Councillor Graham Williamson requesting measures to be taken to reduce the speed of traffic using Jersey Road.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments and questions on all reports published with the final agenda is midnight, Monday 25 March.

To consider the report of the Governance Committee on the revised Scheme of Delegations (attached, subject to approval of Governance Committee);

A report of Governance Committee presented to Council for approval a revised Scheme of Delegation. The changes were both to improve the form and function of the delegations and to align the delegations against the new Target Operating Model structure.

The report as AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

The revised Scheme be adopted in substitution of the existing Scheme, subject to consideration by the Constitutional Working Party of any changes or other suggestions made by Governance Committee on the Scheme.

Report of Chief Executive attached.

A report of the Chief Executive set out the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2024/25. This was required to be prepared by 31 March each year and set out:

The remuneration of the Council’s Chief Officers

The remuneration of its lowest-paid employees

The relationship between the remuneration of its Chief Officers and its other employees

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 be approved.

Report of Chief Executive attached.

A report of the Chief Executive proposed the dates of Council meetings for the next municipal year and, on a provisional basis, the balance of 2025.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

1. That dates of Council meetings for the Municipal Year 2024/25 and, on a provisional basis, the balance of 2025 be agreed as shown in the report.

2. Changes to the date of meetings of Council be determined by the Mayor, following consultation with Group Leaders.

Report of the Section 151 Officer attached.

A report of the Section 151 Officer explained that several small sections of the correct fees and charges were inadvertently omitted from the papers that were presented at the previous Council meeting or were presented incorrectly. These sections were therefore being presented to Council in the interests of transparency.

The reports was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the fees and charges for:

Street Naming Numbering Completed Document Copies

Building Control Fees.

Wedding Celebration Packages

as shown in the report be agreed.

Attached.

15 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.

To elect Vice-Chairs of the Audit Committee, the Pensions Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Board following the resignations of the previous holders of these positions.

Attached.

It was AGREED without division that the following Members be elected to vacant Committee positions:

Attached.

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This chamber calls on the council to release to the public the full letters, from the Government Ministers and from the Leader, regarding the Capitalisation Directive. The chamber calls on the Government to provide the funding as a grant instead of a loan.

A procedural motion that the motion be dealt with on a vote only basis was AGREED by 48 votes to 1 with 1 abstention (see division 1) and it was RESOLVED:

That this chamber calls on the council to release to the public the full letters, from the Government Ministers and from the Leader, regarding the Capitalisation Directive. The chamber calls on the Government to provide the funding as a grant instead of a loan.

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