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

Apologies have been received from Councillors James Glass, Jacqueline Williams, Darren Wise and Jane Keane

To receive any other apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Joshua Chapman, James Glass, Robby Misir, Nisha Patel, Katharine Tumilty, Frankie Walker, Jacqueline Williams and Darren Wise.

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.

Members contributed to an appeal on behalf of the Jo Cox Civility Commission which sought to tackle and eliminate the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.

The Mayor reviewed recent events in which he had participated including the London Civic Mayors Service at Westminster Abbey, his own Civic Service at St Andrews Church, Hornchurch and a recent quiz night. He had also welcomed His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester on a recent visit to Havering.

The Leader of the Council expressed his support for the Jo Cox Civility Commission and also thanked his fellow Group Leaders for their support in arranging the Honorary Awards presentation that evening.

The following proposals for the receipt of Honorary Awards have been received. Also shown for information are the details of those Members nominating and seconding the proposed recipients.

Freedom of the Borough

Ken Hay (Nominated by Councillor Gillian Ford, seconded by Councillor Jacqueline Williams)

Lesley Blowers (Nominated by Councillor Trevor McKeever, seconded by Councillor Matt Stanton)

Mark Bryant (Nominated by Councillor Stephanie Nunn, seconded by Councillor Barry Mugglestone)

Father Hingley (Nominated by Councillor Judith Holt, seconded by Councillor Martin Goode)

Brock Whiston (Nominated by Councillor Jason Frost, seconded by Councillor Ray Morgon)

Freedom of the Borough – Long Service to the Council

Former Councillor John Mylod

Former Councillor Ron Ower

Councillor Reg Whitney

Councillor Michael White

Alderman / woman

Former Councillor Wendy Brice-Thompson

Former Councillor Jeffrey Tucker

(All nominated by Councillor Ray Morgon and seconded by Councillor Keith Prince)

The following proposals were before the Council:

Award of Freedom of the Borough:

Ken Hay (D-Day veteran) (Nominated by Councillor Gillian Ford, seconded by Councillor Jacqueline Williams)

Lesley Blowers (Manager, Mardyke Youth and Community Centre) (Nominated by Councillor Trevor McKeever, seconded by Councillor Matt Stanton)

Mark Bryant (Former Deputy Lieutenant) (Nominated by Councillor Stephanie Nunn, seconded by Councillor Barry Mugglestone)

Father Hingley (Former Mayor’s Chaplain) (Nominated by Councillor Judith Holt, seconded by Councillor Martin Goode)

Brock Whiston (Paralympic Swimming Gold Medallist) (Nominated by Councillor Jason Frost, seconded by Councillor Ray Morgon)

Award of Freedom of the Borough – Long Service to the Council:

Former Councillor John Mylod

Former Councillor Ron Ower

Councillor Reg Whitney

Councillor Michael White

(All nominated by Councillor Ray Morgon and seconded by Councillor John Tyler)

Award of Alderman / woman:

Former Councillor Wendy Brice-Thompson

Former Councillor Jeffrey Tucker

(All nominated by Councillor Ray Morgon and seconded by Councillor Keith Prince)

The proposal that Ken Hay be awarded Freedom of the Borough was AGREED unanimously by 45 votes to 0 (see division 1) and it was RESOLVED:

That Ken Hay receive the Freedom of the Borough.

Mr Hay was unable to attend the meeting and his award would be presented at a later date.

The proposal that Lesley Blowers receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED unanimously by 45 voted to 0 (see division 2) and it was RESOLVED:

That Lesley Blowers receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that Mark Bryant receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED unanimously by 45 votes to 0 (see division 3) and it was RESOLVED:

That Mark Bryant receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that Father Hingley receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED unanimously by 45 votes to 0 (see division 4) and it was RESOLVED:

That Father Hingley receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that Brock Whiston receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED unanimously by 45 votes to 0 (see division 5) and it was RESOLVED:

That Brock Whiston receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that former Councillor John Mylod receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED by 40 votes to 1 with 4 abstentions (see division 6) and it was RESOLVED:

That former Councillor John Mylod receive the Freedom of the Borough.

Former Councillor Mylod was unable to attend the meeting and his award would be presented at a later date.

The proposal that former Councillor Ron Ower receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED by 44 votes to 0 with 1 abstention (see division 7) and it was RESOLVED:

That former Councillor Ron Ower receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that Councillor Reg Whitney receive the Freedom of the Borough was AGREED by 44 votes to 0 with 1 abstention (see division 8) and it was RESOLVED:

That Councillor Reg Whitney receive the Freedom of the Borough.

The proposal that Councillor Michael  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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