The Mayor presented Reverend Amanda Keighley of St Nicholas Church, Elm Park with a badge to mark her year as the Mayor’s Official Chaplain.

Apologies have been received from Councillor David Taylor.

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Taylor, Michael White and Chris Wilkins.

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 thanked the Leader and all Members for the opportunity to serve as Mayor. She had valued attending events as part of her civic role and had enjoyed meeting the volunteering community as well as welcoming groups of school children to the Council Chamber.

A presentation of a lapel pin has recently been made to the Mayor’s Cadet. The civic dinner had raised £5,500 for the Mayor’s Charity. In total during the year, in excess of £20,000 had been raised for the charity – First Step.

The Mayor gave good wishes to the incoming Mayor. The Mayor then presented an award to her consort – Councillor Barry Mugglestone in recognition of his support with event attendance and fundraising during the year. This was in addition to his role as a Cabinet Member.

(a)  To elect the Mayor of the Borough for the municipal year 2024/25

(b)  To receive notice of the appointment of Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the municipal year 2024/25

Motion on behalf of the Havering Residents Assocation Group

That Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan be elected to the office of Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25.

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

That Councillor Pat Brown be elected to the office of Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan ELECTED as Mayor for the 2024/25 municipal year by 26 votes to 11 for Councillor Pat Brown with 14 abstentions.

Appointment of Councillor Sue Ospreay as Deputy Mayor noted.

Motion on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

That Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan be elected to the office of Mayor for the municipal year 2024 - 2025.

Motion on behalf of the Labour Association Group

That Councillor Pat Brown be elected to the office of Mayor for the municipal year 2024 - 2025.

Following proposing speeches by the respective Group Leaders, Councillor O’Sullivan was ELECTED as Mayor for the 2024/25 municipal year by 26 votes to 11 for Councillor Brown with 14 abstentions (see division 1).

Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, having made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Mayor as required by the Local Government Act 1972, then took the Chair and thanked the Council for the honour bestowed upon them.

The Leader of the Council expressed the thanks of the Council to the outgoing Mayor – Councillor Stephanie Nunn for her service during 2023/24. Councillor Nunn suitably replied.

The Mayor indicated that the Mayoral Consort for the year would be Mrs Susan O’Sullivan.

In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, the Mayor signified in writing his appointment of Councillor Sue Ospreay as Deputy Mayor for the coming year and to carry out the duties of the Mayor in case of the Mayor’s illness or absence.

Councillor Ospreay made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office accordingly. The Mayor indicated the Deputy Mayor’s consort for the year would be Chelsea Sharp.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 27 March 2024 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 27 March 2024 were AGREED as a correct record without division.

The Mayor gave his thanks to his fellow members of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and to Councillor Philip Ruck who had served as Deputy Chair of the Board. The Mayor also thanked officers for their support in the Board running effectively.

The Mayor announced that his Official Chaplain would be Reverend Ken Wylie of St Andrews Church, Hornchurch.

To consider motions regarding the appointment of Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen (attached).

Councillor Laurance Garrard ELECTED as Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Board by 26 votes to 11 for Councillor Matt Stanton with 14 abstentions.

Members were appointed by Council to positions as follows:

Sub-Committee of the Governance Committee:

Motion on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

Sub-Committee of the Governance Committee:

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

Sub-Committee of the Governance Committee:

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

Sub-Committee of the Governance Committee:

The following appointments were AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED that the following appointments be made:

Sub-Committee of the Governance Committee:

Councillor Laurance Garrard was ELECTED as Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Board by 26 votes to 11 for Councillor Matt Stanton with 14 abstentions (see division 2).

To consider motions regarding appointment of the Member Champions (attached).

Members were appointed by Council to positions as follows:

Motion on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

That the following be appointed Champions as indicated:

For the Armed Forces – Barry Mugglestone

For Equality and Diversity –        

For the Historic Environment –

For the Over 50’s –

For the Voluntary Sector Compact –       Jackie McArdle

For Young People –

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

That the following be appointed Champions as indicated:

For the Armed Forces –

For Equality and Diversity – Jane Keane

For the Historic Environment –

For the Over 50’s – Mandy Anderson

For the Voluntary Sector Compact –      

For Young People – Frankie Walker

The following positions were appointed by Council, without division:

To receive a statement by the Leader of the Council.

The Leader thanked all those involved with the recovery programme for the Rainham fires and the work to procure village green status in Rainham.

Work continued to address the Council’s budget gap for which a capitalisation directive had recently been issued. The Council remained focussed on improving customer service and a new communications strategy was about to be launched. The Council’s complaints process had also been overhauled. A new Council website would commence shortly and the Leader welcomed the extension of the Superloop bus route to Havering.

There had been an increase in the number of police officers in Havering and the Council continued to fund the Section 92 officers. There had also been improvements to the CCTV network. Work continued on the planned East Havering Data Centre and the recent BBC Panorama programme on Havering had been well received.

The record of voting decisions is attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.