The Mayor’s Official Chaplain – Reverend Ken Wylie of St Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch opened the meeting with prayers.

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors Ray Best, Joshua Chapman and Trevor McKeever.

Apologies were received from Councillors Ray Best, Joshua Chapman, Sarah Edwards, Jacqueline McArdle, Trevor McKeever, Viddy Persaud, Christine Vickery, Frankie Walker and Damian White.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 24 July 2024 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 July 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 gave his apologies for his absence from the previous meeting due to illness and thanked the Deputy Mayor for chairing the meeting.

The Chief Executive reminded Members that they should respect the Mayor and the meeting process. Any repeated examples of poor behaviour would be discussed with the relevant Group Leaders.

Notice of an intention to present petitions has been received from Councillors Darren Wise (two petitions) Matt Stanton, Mandy Anderson and David Taylor.

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Darren Wise re the possible closure of Harold Wood Library.

From Councillor Darren Wise re the possible closure of Gidea Park Library.

From Councillor Matt Stanton re secure parcel storage in the New Green development.

From Councillor Mandy Anderson re possible library closures.

From Councillor David Taylor re the possible closure of Gidea Park Library.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Nomination on behalf of the Labour Group

Councillor Matt Stanton

Councillor Matt Stanton was ELECTED as Vice-Chair of Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, without division.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments to all reports published in the final agenda is midnight, Monday 2 September 2024.

A.       To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Havering Youth Justice Service Strategy 2024-2027 (attached);

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

A report of Cabinet proposed the noting and endorsement of the Youth Justice Plan 2024 – 2027. The plan set out the strategic direction of Havering’s youth justice service through Havering’s vision and priorities.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Council approves and endorses the Youth Justice Plan 2024 - 2027

and associated actions.

To receive the annual reports of the following Member Champions (attached):

-       Member Champion for the Armed Forces

-       Member Champion for the Over 50s

-       Member Champion for the Voluntary Sector

Note: The annual report of the Member Champion for Young People will be presented at a later date.

The following annual reports were received by Council:

Member Champion for the Armed Forces

Member Champion for the Over 50s

Member Champion for the Voluntary Sector

It was noted that the report of the Member Champion for Young People would be presented at a future meeting.

Attached.

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

A procedural motion that Council Procedure Rule 11.9 be suspended to allow all remaining motions to be debated was NOT AGREED by 27 votes to 17 with 2 abstentions (see division 1).

A procedural motion that Council Procedure Rule 11.9 be suspended to allow debate to continue until 10.30 pm was AGREED by 34 votes to 12 with 0 abstentions (see division 2).

Attached.

A.     PROPOSED LIBRARY CLOSURES

Motion on behalf of the East Havering Residents’ Group

The members of this Council call upon the Administration to immediately call a halt to the closure of any libraries in the Borough and to convert the libraries under threat into multi-use venues for existing Council services. 

(Received, 6/8/24, 1500)

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

The Members of this Council call upon the Administration to immediately call a halt to the consideration of the proposed closure of any libraries in the Borough until all public and private financial means and opportunities are examined to keep them open and the outcomes of the public consultation are known. The Administration to also review whether any proposal to convert libraries into multi-use venues for existing Council services is a viable option.

(Received, 21/8/24, 0929)

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents’ Association Group

The Members of this Council recognise this Administration is considering all options before any closure of libraries in the Borough, including the conversion of libraries under threat into multi-use venues for existing Council services.

(Received, 23/8/24, 0817)

Following debate, the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT CARRIED by 8 votes to 6 with 32 abstentions (see division 3); the amendment by the Havering Residents’ Association Group was AGREED by 25 votes to 21 with 0 abstentions (see division 4) and was AGREED as the substantive motion without division. It was RESOLVED:

The Members of this Council recognise this Administration is considering all options before any closure of libraries in the Borough, including the conversion of libraries under threat into multi-use venues for existing Council services.

B.     ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN PARKS

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Chamber recognises Havering has reached unacceptable levels of antisocial behaviour in our parks. Council calls on the Administration to produce a detailed plan to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour, and to present a proposal at the meeting of Council.

(Received 15/8/24, 1945)

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents’ Association Group

The Council recognises some levels of antisocial behaviour in our parks. The Council calls on the Administration to report to the Council, details of ongoing work to combat and further reduce levels of anti-social behaviour.

(Received, 23/8/24, 0817)

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

This Chamber recognises Havering has antisocial behaviour in parks, despite most residents' respect for and enjoyment of our social green spaces. Council calls on the Administration to produce a detailed plan of action that is to be implemented to prevent and reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and present this at the appropriate overview and scrutiny meeting.

(Received, 23/8/24, 2002)

With the agreement of Council, this motion was withdrawn by the Conservative Group.

C.      BUILDING SAFETY

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Chamber recognises the publication of the Grenfell Inquiry report and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the safety of residents across the borough. The Chamber calls for the Havering Local Plan to be updated to include stricter  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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