The Governance Committee of Havering Council was scheduled to consider an annual update on member conduct, gifts, and hospitality, alongside proposals for appointing independent persons and trustees for local charities. The meeting was also scheduled to review the council's constitution and discuss national standards reforms.

Annual Update on Member Conduct, Gifts and Hospitality

The committee was scheduled to receive an annual update covering the period from April 2025 to October 2026 regarding member conduct. This was to include a review of complaints received by the Monitoring Officer¹ under the Council's Member Code of Conduct. The report was scheduled to detail that 22 referrals were received, with most being resolved through initial assessment or informal means, and that complaint levels remained broadly consistent with previous years. The types of complaints were scheduled to include conduct on social media, interactions between members, communications with residents, and behaviour at meetings.

The committee was also scheduled to review declarations recorded in the Councillors' Gifts and Hospitality Register. The report was to highlight that members are required to register gifts or hospitality with an estimated value of £25 or more. A list of registered items was to be presented, including theatre tickets, dinners sponsored by various organisations at the Local Government Association Conference, a food basket, Christmas gifts, and hospitality for events such as the Grand Opening of The Junction and the JCB Awards. The report was scheduled to note that the register was reviewed regularly and no concerns had been identified regarding its operation.

Furthermore, the committee was scheduled to receive an update on member development and training undertaken during the reporting period, following the local elections in May 2026. Discussions arising from the member induction programme were scheduled to highlight opportunities to strengthen member development arrangements. The committee was also scheduled to be reminded to familiarise themselves with relevant parts of the Council's Constitution, including the Member Code of Conduct and the Procedure for Dealing with Complaints Against Members.

Finally, the committee was scheduled to be updated on national developments relating to the reform of the local government standards regime. This was to include potential reforms such as a mandatory national Code of Conduct, strengthened sanctions for misconduct, and revised complaints procedures. The Monitoring Officer was scheduled to continue monitoring developments in standards practice and advise the committee on changes in legislation, guidance, and best practice.

Pool of Independent Persons

The Governance Committee was scheduled to consider a report concerning the Council's pool of Independent Persons, who are used for Children's Services stage 3 complaint hearings. The report was scheduled to outline the statutory obligations for making appointments to these panels, which require the whole panel to consist of Independent Persons. Operational pressures, including panel depletion due to attrition and retirements, and strict statutory timescales for Stage 3 Review Panels, were cited as necessitating this recruitment drive. The committee was scheduled to be asked to authorise the Head of Committee and Election Services to undertake the formal recruitment, training, and establishment of a new cohort of Independent Stage 3 Complaints Panellists. The report was scheduled to note that remuneration for panellists would be approximately £100 per hearing attended, plus travel expenses, and that a robust in-house pool is considered more cost-effective than relying on third-party agencies.

Appointment of Trustees for Romford Combined Charity

The committee was scheduled to discuss the appointment of Trustees for the Romford Combined Charity. The appointment terms of two Nominative Trustees were due to expire in November 2026. The Romford Combined Charity is described as a local charity that provides financial support for individuals in need within the area of the former Borough of Romford, with grants typically not exceeding £250 for essential furnishings. The Charity is governed by a Scheme made by the Charity Commission in 1982, requiring the Council to appoint four Trustees for four-year terms. The retiring Trustees, Mrs Wendy Brice-Thompson and Ms Jane Keane, were both former Members of the Council and were willing to be re-appointed. The committee was scheduled to be asked to confirm its nominations for these positions.

Constitution Review and Other Matters

The committee was scheduled to consider various aspects of the Council's constitution. This included a review of pensions arrangements, which were to be updated to reflect a delegation to the London Collective Investment Vehicle (CIV) following the issuing of new Statutory Instruments by central government. The committee was also scheduled to consider changes to planning arrangements to align with national legislation, proposing the establishment of a single new Planning Committee for Havering. Additionally, a recommendation was scheduled to be made to full Council to amend the start time for Council meetings from 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm.