Received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Joshua Chapman, Kathy Tumilty and Michael White.

To note any other apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Joshua Chapman, Osman Dervish, Sarah Edwards, Carol Smith, Katharine Tumilty and John Wood.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 23 July 2025 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 23 July 2025 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 thanked everyone for their support of the Macmillan Coffee and Cake Day event she organised for that day which had raised in excess of £600.

The Leader of the Council sent best wishes to Councillor Mandy Anderson, Katharine Tumilty and Michael White, who had each been unwell recently.

Notice of intention to present a petition has been received from Councillors Philippa Crowder and Keith Darvill.

To receive any other petition presented pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 23.

The following petitions were received:

From Councillor Philippa Crowder requesting CCTV re flytipping in Marshalls and Rise Park ward.

From Councillor Keith Darvill re the fading of white lined parking spaces in Harrow Cresecent.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments is midnight, Monday 1 September 2025.

A.       To consider the report of the Chief Executive on a resolution to extend the six month attendance rule (attached).

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

RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE SIX MONTH RULE

A report of the Chief Executive asked Council to consider an extension to the exemption from the requirements of section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for Councillor Katharine Tumilty who was undergoing medical treatment.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

That Councillor Katharine Tumilty be deemed to be exempted from the requirements of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 and, accordingly, shall continue to be a Member of the Council.

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.

Attached.

A procedural motion by the Havering Residents Association Group that the Group’’ amendment to motion A should be revised as shown below was CARRIED by 24 votes to 23 with 0 abstentions (see division 1).

RESOLVED:

That the Havering  Residents Association Group amendment to motion A should be revised to read as follows:

This Council calls on the Administration to ask the planning policy team to prepare the necessary evidence for consideration of the widening/replacement of the current Article 4 Directions so that removal of permitted development rights for change of use from C3 (dwellinghouses) to C4 (HMOs) are extended to include all detached homes throughout the Borough, and commit to begin the necessary consultation and legal preparation process for its introduction after due process and evidence submitted to the Secretary of State.

A.     PLANNING – ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council calls on the Administration to instruct the planning policy team to prepare the necessary evidence for consideration of the widening/replacement of the current Article 4 Directions so that permitted development rights for change of use from C3 (dwellinghouses) to C4 (HMOs) are removed for all detached homes throughout the Borough, and commit to begin the necessary consultation and legal preparation process for its introduction within the next six months.

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

This Council calls on the Administration to ask the planning policy team to prepare the necessary evidence for consideration of the widening/replacement of the current Article 4 Directions so that removal of permitted development rights for change of use from C3 (dwellinghouses) to C4 (HMOs) are extended to include all detached homes throughout the Borough, and commit to begin the necessary consultation and legal preparation process for its introduction after due process and evidence submitted to the Secretary of State.

Following debate, the motion on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group was CARRIED by 24 votes to 23 with 0 abstentions (see division 2) and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council calls on the Administration to ask the planning policy team to prepare the necessary evidence for consideration of the widening/replacement of the current Article 4 Directions so that removal of permitted development rights for change of use from C3 (dwellinghouses) to C4 (HMOs) are extended to include all detached homes throughout the Borough, and commit to begin the necessary consultation and legal preparation process for its introduction after due process and evidence submitted to the Secretary of State.

B.      MERCURY LAND HOLDINGS BUSINESS PLAN

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council recommends a revision of the Mercury Land Holdings business plan, to focus the company on delivering much needed social homes and driving down temporary accommodation costs. 

Amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association Group

This Council recognises Mercury Land Holdings business plan, which focuses the company on delivering much needed homes driving down housing demand and offering affordable housing.

Following debate, the amendment by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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