The Havering Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including support for Zane's Law, financial updates, and strategies for vulnerable residents. They agreed to lobby the government for the introduction of Zane's Law, endorsed the East London Joint Waste Plan for submission, and approved a compulsory purchase order for Chippenham Road. The Cabinet also approved a vulnerable person policy for council tenants, a corporate parenting strategy, a review of foster carer allowances, and a learning disability employment charter.

Zane's Law

The cabinet expressed support for Zane's Law and agreed to lobby the government for its introduction. Zane's Law is named after Zane Gbangbola, who died at seven years old. His father, Kai Gbangbola, addressed the cabinet, stating:

The simple hope is that what happened to my family and other families in the coalition known as the UK Landfill Campaign will not happen again to your families, but it's up to everyone to act.

Ruth, who is supporting Zane's parents Kai and Nicole, highlighted the importance of environmental justice, stating that children in areas like Raynham are not breathing the same air as children in more privileged environments. Councillor Keith, stated that Havering has a specific role in this because of the gravel extraction in the area, and that those areas are particularly liable for problems when they're filled incorrectly and not regulated properly.

Medium Term Financial Strategy Update

The cabinet reviewed the 2026-2029 Medium Term Financial Strategy Update, noting the difficult financial position of the council. Councillor Christopher Wilkins, Cabinet Member for Finance, explained that the council's financial position remains very difficult, with social care demographics and housing demand continuing to create pressure. The current budget was underpinned by an £88 million capitalisation direction¹, and there is still a significant structural gap of around £70 million to start the budget process in 2026-2027. The report shows a potential gap for 2026-2027 of £93 million, which includes an assumed 4.99% council tax increase.

The cabinet authorised officers to start the budget engagement process and to action efficiency and invest-to-save proposals with immediate effect in 2025/26 where possible, if the operational savings proposals are not public-facing and therefore not subject to consultation and an EQUIA².

Second Quarter Revenue and Capital Monitoring

The cabinet reviewed the Second Quarter of Financial Year 2025/26 Revenue and Capital Monitoring Report, which showed a projected £7.65 million underspend against the council's most likely budget scenario. Councillor Christopher Wilkins noted that despite this welcome news, the council still has a significant gap. People services are overspending by £7.2 million, primarily due to high levels of demand for working-age adults with disabilities and increased numbers of high-cost residential placements. These overspends are offset by underspends in place, primarily related to increased parking income. The report also presented the quarter 2 position on the capital programme, showing an expected spend of £241 million on the council's key projects.

Chippenham Road Compulsory Purchase Order

The cabinet agreed to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for Chippenham Road in Harold Hill to progress the second phase of its regeneration aims. Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, explained that the council has been acquiring interests within the Chippenham Road regeneration area to develop the site and provide 138 affordable homes. Despite the council's best efforts, the acquisition of three property interests still remains outstanding. The council will continue to seek to agree mutual terms with the owners, but in the circumstances, is seeking to make a CPO to secure these interests should these efforts prove unsuccessful.

Councillor Keith expressed his keenness for the project to proceed as soon as possible, noting the difficulties in acquiring the land parcels. He questioned why the council should hold on indefinitely when there is a need to provide new housing.

Vulnerable Person Policy for Council Tenants

The cabinet approved the Vulnerable Person Policy for Council Tenants, which aims to ensure the council meets its legal and regulatory obligations and provides robust support for vulnerable tenants. Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, explained that a vulnerable person is defined as a tenant who, due to characteristics such as age, disability, mental health, bereavement, or poverty, may be unable to manage their tenancy without additional support. The policy introduces measures to identify and record residents' vulnerabilities and adjust service delivery to ensure residents are not disadvantaged.

Councillor Martin raised concerns about the oversight and checks on supported housing and HMOs³ where vulnerable people are placed by the council.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The cabinet approved the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–2028, which outlines the council's duties as corporate parents to children in care. Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, stated that the strategy captures these duties in a vision for all children in care and for the care experience to be well-inspired, safe, heard, and treated fairly. The strategy's priorities are set out in the council's integrated starting well plan, and specific actions and objectives will be set out in annually produced action plans.

Review of Foster Carer Allowances

The cabinet agreed to increase the weekly foster carers’ fee allowance and weekly allowance per child to ensure a fair and competitive rate compared to neighbouring boroughs and the recommended national minimum allowance. Councillor Oscar Ford explained that foster carers are invaluable providers of home and family-based support to children in care and that the proposed increases in fees are the first since 2021.

East London Joint Waste Plan Submission

The cabinet endorsed the East London Joint Waste Plan for submission to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent public examination. Councillor Graham Williamson stated that the plan ensures East London has sufficient land and facilities for waste management and confirms that there is no need to identify additional waste capacity or waste sites. The plan will be in place until 2041.

Learning Disability Employment Charter

The cabinet agreed to support the addition of the employment charter into the council’s human resources recruitment and selection policy within the conditions of the Disability Confident scheme. Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, explained that the charter shows the council's intention to increase the number of autistic people working for Havering Council, aligning with the council's Disability Confident employer scheme, the national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults, and Havering's all-age autism strategy. The charter's key principles include nurturing a disability-confident inclusive culture, empowering employing managers, providing competitive meaningful employment, providing person-centred support, and continuous evaluation and improvement of the workforce.