The Havering Council Overview & Scrutiny Board met to discuss the future of three former library premises, and voted to send the decision back to the cabinet for reconsideration. The board raised concerns about the size of the Gidea Park site for a respite centre, clarity on the Harold Wood site after a three-year break clause, ensuring the respite centre is available for local children, and the delegation of decisions from the cabinet member to officers.

Requisition of Cabinet Decision

The Overview & Scrutiny Board convened to discuss a requisition of a recent cabinet decision regarding the future of the former library premises at Harold Wood, Gidea Park and South Hornchurch. The requisition, signed by a group of councillors, called into question the decisions made on December 10 concerning these libraries. The board voted to uphold the requisition, meaning the cabinet will have to reconsider its decision.

The grounds for the requisition, as detailed in the Public Reports Pack, included:

• Vagueness of proposals for Harold Wood, with a lack of detail regarding meanwhile provision¹.
• Lack of detail on alternative options explored for Gidea Park.
• Concerns about the suitability of a respite centre next to a building site in Gidea Park.
• Vagueness of proposals for South Hornchurch, with no detail on how future receipts will be spent.
• Lack of clarity on whether demolition costs for Gidea Park and South Hornchurch will be capital or revenue expenditure.

Harold Wood Library

The board discussed the future of the Harold Wood Library site, focusing on a proposal from the Harold Wood Foundation for a meanwhile use of the building. The cabinet report recommended noting the ongoing evaluation of this proposal.

A key point of discussion was the timescale for the meanwhile use, with the Harold Wood Foundation seeking to commence their lease from Easter 2026. The council has offered a seven-year lease with a break clause after three years, reflecting the cabinet's longer-term aspiration to develop the site for housing.

Councillors raised concerns about the long-term plan for the site, with Councillor David Taylor asking for confirmation that there is no plan to re-provide the library within the residential development. Mark Butler, Assistant Director of Regeneration & Place Shaping, confirmed that beyond the Harold Wood Foundation's proposals, there is no plan to re-provide the library on the site.

There were questions around the delegation of decision-making power to officers, specifically regarding the authority to progress and conclude asset disposals. Councillor Taylor sought clarification that all decisions regarding the Harold Wood site have been delegated to the Assistant Director. Mark Butler clarified that the delegation is to complete all aspects of what is being proposed, but that a freehold disposal may come back to cabinet depending on the value.

The meeting also addressed the asset of community value registration of the Harold Wood Library. Mark Butler confirmed that the war memorial at the front of the site would be excluded from any development proposal.

Gidea Park Library

The board scrutinised the proposal to repurpose the former Gidea Park Library site for a six-person accommodation facility for children with disabilities, with Councillor Judith Holt raising concerns about the suitability of the site and the lack of a detailed plan.

Tara Gere, director of starting well, explained that the nature of the unit would be defined in the statement of purpose for the Ofsted application, with a focus on children with both learning and physical disabilities. She added that the short breaks provision would depend on assessments undertaken with children with disabilities.

Councillor Holt expressed concern that the site may not be suitable for children with severe physical disabilities, who would need specially adapted rooms, and those with autism, who may need absolute quiet. She requested a sketch of what the unit may look like before any decision is made.

Tara Gere clarified that the proposal will come to cabinet later in January with the feasibility and business case.

Councillor Taylor questioned the appropriateness of the site given its proximity to the new Balgors Field SEND school, which will have around 200 vehicular movements in the morning and afternoon. Mark Butler responded that the vehicular access will not be immediately adjacent to the residential unit, and planning officers will consider any potential concerns.

South Hornchurch Library

The future of the South Hornchurch Library site was discussed, with the cabinet report recommending agreeing to the disposal of the site at a value representing the best consideration reasonably obtainable to the council.

Councillors questioned why the whole South Hornchurch site, including the community hall and Fledglings Day Nursery, was not being proposed for development. Mark Butler explained that selling the wider site would require reprovisioning both the nursery and community centre, which would require substantial upfront investment and prolong the timescale for generating a capital receipt.

Councillor David Taylor asked if a business case had been produced demonstrating that the immediate capital receipt is of more benefit to the council than the cost avoidance had they developed on the site. Mark Butler stated that they are going through the process of testing the market and will see what offers come back before making a decision.

Delegation of Authority

A significant point of contention was the delegation of authority to the Assistant Director of Regeneration & Place Shaping to progress and conclude the asset disposals. Councillors expressed concern that this delegation gave too much power to officers, with Councillor Keith Prince suggesting that the delegation should include the relevant cabinet member.

Councillor Taylor questioned under what circumstances officers would be forced to go back to cabinet for further approval. Mark Butler stated that they would always act within the ambit of section 123 of the Local Government Act, which requires generating best consideration for any disposal. Neil Stubbings added that if officers believe there is any change to what is expected, they would come back to cabinet.

Despite these assurances, Councillor Taylor remained unsatisfied, arguing that the two-million-pound threshold for requiring cabinet approval was too high.

Apology

During the meeting, Councillor Keith Prince apologised to Councillor Jane Keane for making an inappropriate comment.