Apologies have been received from Councillors Ray Best and Joshua Chapman.

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Robert Benham, James Glass, Matthew Stanton, Katharine Tumilty and Frankie Walker.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 4 September 2024 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 4 September 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.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillor Pamela Craig who had passed away recently. Tributes were paid by Members from all sides of the Chamber. Condolences were also passed to the Committee Services Manager who was absent from the meeting due to the recent death of his mother.

The Mayor made an appeal on behalf of the Jo Cox Civility Commission – a charity established in 2016 in memory of a murdered MP that sought to tackle and eliminate the abuse and intimidation of elected officials. Donations to the charity from Members would be accepted at the next meeting of Council.

Notice of an intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Philippa Crowder, Robby Misir, Laurance Garrard, Matt Stanton, David Taylor, Dilip Patel, Judith Holt and Sarah Edwards.

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

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Philippa re the need for road repairs and resurfacing in Millbrook Gardens.

From Councillor Robby Misir against development on the Risebridge Green Belt.

From Councillor Laurance Garrard re a request to make Great Nelmes Chase one way at the junction with Wingletye Lane.

From Councillor Keith Prince against the increase in the population of Romford proposed in the Romford Masterplan.

From Councillor Viddy Persaud re a revised Controlled Parking Zone in Cotleigh, Honition and Stockland Roads.

From Councillor Judith Holt re the provision of residents’ parking spaces in Carlisle Road, Romford.

From Councillor Sarah Edwards re the introduction of waiting restrictions and parking for residents, carers and families by Randall Court, Rainham.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments to all reports published with the final agenda is midnight, Monday 18 November 2024.

A.             To consider a report of the Governance Committee on the Polling Station and District Review (attached, subject to approval by Governance Committee);

B.             To consider a report of the Director of Starting Well on Havreing’s  Integrated Starting Well Plan (2024-27): Happy, Healthy Lives (attached);

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

Report of Governance Committee – Polling Station and Polling Review

A report of the Governance Committee gave details of a review of Polling Districts and Polling Places that had been recently undertaken in line with the Council’s legal requirements.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That the following decisions of Governance Committee are approved:

That the changes to the Polling Place for Polling District EL4 (Elm Park Ward) as shown in the report of Governance Committee are endorsed.

That the redrawing of the boundary for Polling District UP2 (Upminster ward) are endorsed.

That all other Polling Districts and Polling Places remain unchanged.

Report of Director of Starting Well – Havering’s Integrated Starting Well Plan (2024-2027): Happy, Healthy Lives

A report of the Director of Starting Well presented for approval the Council’s Integrated Starting Well Plan which articulated the Council’s vision and priorities for children and young people. Questions on the report submitted by the Conservative Group together with responses given at the meeting by the Lead Member for Children and Young People are shown below:

1. The report outlines responses from the Youth Census, in which young people report on their own health. What steps are being taken to ensure that the self-reporting by our youth is in line with the reality?

Response:

The questions used in the Youth Census were produced with young people and academically verified. The confidential nature of the surveys means there is likely to be less response bias. The survey responses are used to identify areas for further exploration.

2. The report indicates that 40% of those aged 10-11 are obese or overweight. Does the Cabinet Member support the Government suggestion (September 2024) that they may give councils power to limit the opening of fast food restaurants near schools?

Response:

The Cabinet Member supported the existing planning provision re fast food restaurants opening near schools and Government assistance to strengthen their not being permitted within 400m of schools. Action was however needed by a range of stakeholders. The Cabinet Member wanted the Government to act on areas such as advertising, salt and sugar content of foods.

3. 38% of respondents stated that they needed volunteering opportunities to help them reach their goals. Could the Cabinet Member please outline what support the Council is providing, to the local voluntary sector, to ensure that these much needed opportunities remain available, despite cuts to services?

Response:

A grant of £56k was still paid to the Havering Volunteer Centre. This would be reviewed before any savings decision was made. Work experience was being provided with local colleges as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and opportunities with Starting Well.

4. The report highlights that St Edward's Ward is the 7^th highest in London for violent crime committed by youth, and that around half of all Havering's crime is committed by youth. Can the Cabinet Member confirm whether Havering has produced measurable targets for the reduction of youth crime and, if it has,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To receive the Annual Report of the Member Champion for Young People (attached).

As the Member Champion Report for Young People was unable to be present at the meeting, it was agreed to defer their annual report and the question on it received from the Conservative Group, to the next meeting of Council.

Attached.

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

Attached.

Note: Any amendments to motions will be published in a supplementary agenda once approved by the Monitoring Officer.

A.     WITHDRAWAL OF THE WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council condemns the Government’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Allowance for those not in receipt of Pension Credit and/or other supplementary benefits.

(Received 7/10/24, 1806)

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents’ Association Group

This Council is disappointed with the Government’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Allowance for those not in receipt of Pension Credit and/or other supplementary benefits and calls upon the Government to provide all councils with the appropriate level of funding to support those most in need.

(Received 11/11/24, 1853)

Following debate, the amendment by the Havering Residents’ Association Group was CARRIED by 25 votes to 18 with 5 abstentions (see division 1) and AGREED as the substantive motion by 43 votes to 0 with 5 abstentions (see division 2). It was RESOLVED:

This Council is disappointed with the Government’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Allowance for those not in receipt of Pension Credit and/or other supplementary benefits and calls upon the Government to provide all councils with the appropriate level of funding to support those most in need.

B. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN PARKS

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

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 resume the overnight locking of parks, and to present this proposal at the meeting of Council.

(Received 7/10/24, 1806)

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents’ Association Group

This Council recognises some level of antisocial behaviour in our parks. The Council calls on the Administration to produce details of ongoing work to combat and further reduce levels of antisocial behaviour in our parks and to present this report at the meeting of Council.

(Received 11/11/24, 1853)

Amendment on behalf of the Labour Group

The Council 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 11/11/24, 2253)

During debate, a procedural motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 9 in order to conclude the business of the meeting, was AGREED without division.

Following debate, the amendment by the Havering Residents’ Association Group was AGREED by 24 votes to 19 with 5 abstentions (see division 3) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division. It was RESOLVED:

This Council recognises some level of antisocial behaviour in our parks. The Council calls on the Administration to produce details of ongoing work to combat and further reduce levels of antisocial behaviour in our parks and to present this report at the meeting of Council.

C. REFUGE ACCOMMODATION

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council condemns violence against women and children and recognises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

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