On behalf of the Chair, there will be an announcement about the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

On behalf of the Chair, there was an announcement about the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

On behalf of the Chair, there was an announcement about the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

If any receive;-

No apologies received.

No apologies received.

Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. Members may still disclose an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December 2025, and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The minutes of the meetings held on 10^th December 2025, were agreed as a correct record and the Chair signed them.

The minutes of the meetings held on 10^th December 2025, were agreed as a correct record and the Chair signed them.

Report attached.

Report Title: Approval of the Havering Community Safety Partnership, Partnership Plan 2026 to 2029

Presented by: Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Cabinet:

Agreed the revised Havering Community Safety Partnership Plan 2026-29 set out in Appendix 1

Report Title: Approval of the Havering Community Safety Partnership, Partnership Plan 2026 to 2029

Presented by: Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Summary:

Havering Community Safety Partnership Plan: People will be safe, in their homes and in the community.

The Council has a statutory to produce an annually refreshed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Report attached.

Report Title: Adoption of New CCTV Policy

Presented by: Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Cabinet:

Noted the contents of and agreed to the publication of the new CCTV Policy, appended to this report at Appendix 1.

Report Title: Adoption of New CCTV Policy

Presented by: Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Summary:

This report seeks the adoption of a new Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and Body Worn Video (BWV) Policy. This is to primarily improve compliance of the regulation and administration of the Council’s CCTV  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Report attached.

Report Title: Adoption of Revised Inclusive Growth Strategy.

Presented by: Councillor Graham Williamson, Lead Member for Development & Regeneration

Cabinet:

Agreed to adopt the draft revised Inclusive Growth Strategy

Report Title: Adoption of Revised Inclusive Growth Strategy.

Presented by: Councillor Graham Williamson, Lead Member for Development & Regeneration

The proposed revised Inclusive Growth Strategy describes the context of economic challenge and opportunity and the proposed strategy approach to supporting the economic growth of the Borough.

There are no direct financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Report attached.

Report Title: Adoption of Social Value Policy and Guidance

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Cabinet:

Approved the adoption of the Social Value Policy, as set out in Appendix A and the Social Value outcomes matrix as set out in Appendix B. This will be incorporated in the revision of the Contract Procedure Rules.

Report Title: Adoption of Social Value Policy and Guidance

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Summary:

The proposed Social Value Policy and Guidance describes how social value can be leveraged to benefit the Council and its residents above and in addition to the sums agreed as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Report attached.

Report Title: Adoption of new Education & Employment Skills Strategy

Presented by: Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

Cabinet:

Agreed to the adoption of this new Education & Employment Skills Strategy

Report Title: Adoption of new Education & Employment Skills Strategy

Presented by: Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

Summary:

The proposed Education & Employment Skills Strategy outlines the context of line-of-sight challenge for young people and residents to opportunities to upskill, enter the workforce, and the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

Report attached.

Report Title: Site Selection for a Family Hub

Presented by: Councillor Oscar Ford, Lead Member for Children and Young People

Cabinet:

Agreed a recommendation to select St Kilda’s Children’s Centre in Romford as the main Family Hub for phase one of the programme with satellite hubs at Ingrebourne Children’s Centre and MyPlace Youth and Community Centre, both in the Harold Hill area, in order to ensure sufficient reach and delivery across the breadth of the offer.

Following a review of local data, service and demand needs within the Borough, this recommendation is based on St. Kilda’s central location, accessibility, existing infrastructure, and high service usage. The site meets the criteria set by the DfE and offers opportunities to expand our existing services and partnerships.

Cabinet agreed to the proposal that, alongside St Kilda’s as the main Family Hub, Ingrebourne Children’s Centre and MyPlace Youth and Community Centre, both in the Harold Hill area, are utilised as satellite family hubs during this initial phase to ensure sufficient reach and delivery across the breadth of the offer.

Cabinet agreed to the recommendation that the sites for service delivery remain under frequent review to ensure that maximum potential reach is being achieved and that all appropriate community venues are being utilised.

Report Title: Site Selection for a Family Hub

Presented by: Councillor Oscar Ford, Lead Member for Children and Young People

Summary:

Havering has a statutory duty under the Children’s Act to provide support as appropriate within our local area. We successfully bid for funding under the Family Hubs and Best  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

Report attached.

Report Title: Arnold’s Field Works – Contracts Award (Phase 1)

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Cabinet Members Agreed

1.         In principle, to the proposals for the Phase 1 works for Arnold’s Field (as set out in this report) (without prejudice and with no acknowledgement of responsibility for works across the wider site) to be a maximum value of £300,000.

2.         To delegate, to the Strategic Director of Place in conjunction with the Strategic Director for Resources, authority to:

a.         procure and award a contract for Phase 1 remedial works at Arnold’s Field as set out in this report; and/or

b.         Consider alternative arrangements on required works from the owner

c.         negotiate and enter into any contracts and ancillary arrangements required to give effect to the recommendations in this report

3.         To waive the Contracts Procedure Rules, as required, to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

Report Title: Arnold’s Field Works – Contracts Award (Phase 1)

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Summary:

Due to the determination, on 16 October 2025, that the Arnold’s Field site is now formally identified as “contaminated land”, it became urgent and necessary to seek to stop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

Report and recommendations of Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee attached for response by Cabinet

Report title: Joint People/Place Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Launder's Lane (Arnold's Field)

Presented by: Councillor David Taylor, Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Response from: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees at a joint meeting have made a number of recommendations to Cabinet. Cabinet is required to respond to these.

RECOMMENDATION

That Cabinet considers and responds to the following recommendations made by the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees in relation to the report on Launders Lane (Arnold’s Field) in response to a motion on Arnold’s Field agreed by Full Council.

1.    That the Council review relevant past documents and communication and look at putting together an engagement strategy as to how it communicates in the future.

2.    That the Council look at proactive communication in general on the Launders Lane issue with particular emphasis on the site clean-up and the provision of clear health advice.

3.   That the Council explore advising residents and the landowner to cut back the bush shrubbery.

4. That the Council provide further information on the existence of asbestos on the site

5. That the Council lobby the government to request a tightening of the legislation around smoke with reference to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

6. The Sub-Committees also recommend that the Council seek legal opinion on its potential exposure to being sued in the future by local residents.

7. That the Council plan to monitor and to detect long term health impacts in order that an action plan around detecting long term health impacts be put in place.

8. That the Council consider a data sharing partnership specifically with the London Fire Brigade.

Response and confirmation that a fuller update will be provided in February

1. Communications & Engagement

The Council has maintained proactive communication with Rainham residents since May 2022 through:

Newsletters, public meetings, presentations, a dedicated webpage, email address, and WhatsApp channels.

The Leader emphasised the administration’s commitment to openness, transparency and honesty.

2. Scrutiny Recommendations

Scrutiny recommendations fall into two themes:

(a) Communications and (b) Improvements.

Key points raised by the Scrutiny Chair:

Recommendation for Cabinet to receive and respond to scrutiny input.

Appreciation expressed for the joint meeting attended by LFB, Environment Agency and residents.

Clarifications were gained regarding the Council’s legal position.

3. Lobbying & Legislative Change

Recognition that current legislation is inadequate.

Council progressing with lobbying for Zane’s Law, supported by continued engagement with the borough’s three MPs and also meetings planned with families and stakeholders involved in prior legal actions.

Aim: improve powers and funding available to councils in dealing with hazardous sites.

4. Long-Term Health Monitoring

Concern noted that health impacts may emerge many years later.

Recommendation: develop a monitoring and detection plan for long?term health impacts.

Council update:

Permanent air quality monitoring in place.

Ongoing work with Public Health, NHS partners and universities.

Further updates will return to Scrutiny (likely in  ...  view the full decision text for item 69.

Report title: Joint People/Place Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Launder's Lane (Arnold's Field)

Presented by: Councillor David Taylor, Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Response from: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Report Title: People Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Education & Employment Skill Strategy

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee have made a recommendation to Cabinet. Cabinet is required to respond to these.

That Cabinet considers and responds to the following recommendation made by the People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee in relation to the report on the Education & Employment Skills Strategy.

•           The strategy strengthens the route for residents who wish to move to higher skill levels (for example Level 2 to Level 3)

Cabinet supported the recommendation

Report Title: People Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Education & Employment Skill Strategy

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee have made a recommendation to Cabinet. Cabinet is required to respond to these.

That Cabinet considers and responds to the following recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Report Title: Comments of Overview and Scrutiny Board on Requisition of Cabinet Decision -  Future Proposals for Former Library Premises

Presented by: Councillor Julie Wilkes – Deputy Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Board.

Response from: Councillor Graham Williamson, Lead Member for Development & Regeneration

Following the call-in considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 8th January 2026 and after consideration of the comments made, Cabinet have clarified the recommendations made in the report for transparency:

Cabinet are asked the following:

Former Gidea Park Library site:

Approve in principle the re-purposing of the former Gidea Park Library site for the development of a 6-person accommodation facility for children with disabilities, subject to a separate business case being submitted to and agreed by Cabinet.

Endorse a request for capital budget in the sum of £120,000 to be included in the 2026/27 capital programme and approve the submission of any related planning application for the demolition of the former library building at Gidea Park.  Agreed by Cabinet

Former Harold Wood Library site:

Note the ongoing evaluation of the proposal received from the Harold Wood Foundation in respect of the temporary use of the former Harold Wood library premises including the granting of a 7-year lease with a 3-year break-clause.

Note that any decision to be made in relation to the further proposals for the former Harold Wood Library site will be presented to a future Cabinet for decision.  Agreed by Cabinet

Former South Hornchurch Library site:

Agree to the disposal of the former South Hornchurch library site, as identified in the red line plan shown in Appendix A. Agreed by Cabinet

Instruct officers to report back to a future Cabinet the outcome of the evaluation of the marketing of the site and premises of the former South Hornchurch library site with officer recommendations as to how achieve best value for the site can be achieved. Agreed by Cabinet

Endorse a request for capital expenditure in the sum of £110,000 and approve the submission of any related planning application for the demolition of the former library building at South Hornchurch. – the final decision to demolish will be subject to the decision by Cabinet detailed above. Agreed by Cabinet

Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Regeneration & Place Shaping, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, Section 151 officer and Deputy Director of Legal and Democratic Services to conduct all appropriate steps to progress the recommendations above. Agreed by Cabinet

Report Title: Comments of Overview and Scrutiny Board on Requisition of Cabinet Decision -  Future Proposals for Former Library Premises

Presented by: Councillor Julie Wilkes – Deputy Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Board.

Response from: Councillor Graham Williamson, Lead Member for Development & Regeneration

Following the call-in considered by Overview and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

Report attached.

Report Title: Council Tax base 2026/27

Presented by: Councillor Chris Wilkins (Cabinet Member for Finance)

Cabinet:

2.1      Agreed a taxbase of 91,122 band D equivalents for 2026/27,

2.2.      Cabinet noted the estimated collection rate set out in section 3.3 which is a prudent assumption and reflective of current collection levels.

Report Title: Council Tax base 2026/27

Presented by: Councillor Chris Wilkins (Cabinet Member for Finance)

Summary:

1.1.      This report is produced to enable the Council to fulfil its statutory role to set a council tax base for 2026/27. The Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1992, as amended by the LGFA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.