This week in Havering:

Late-Night Licence Approved Amid Resident Concerns

The Licensing Sub-Committee convened this week to consider licensing applications. The meeting was held on Friday 08 August 2025. No video of the meeting was provided.

Why it Matters:

Licensing decisions can significantly impact local communities, balancing the needs of businesses with the concerns of residents regarding noise, anti-social behaviour, and public safety. These decisions can be particularly contentious when they involve late-night operations in residential areas.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• The Governance Committee will meet on Tuesday 12 August 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 13 August 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Committee will meet on Thursday 14 August 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Havering:

Healthy Weight Strategy Stalls, Obesity Rates Remain High

The Havering Health and Wellbeing Board met this week, receiving an annual report on the Havering Healthy Weight Strategy, which aims to eradicate childhood obesity in the borough by 2044. The report revealed that obesity rates remain stubbornly static, particularly among children aged 10 to 11, who are above London and England averages. This raises concerns about the long-term effectiveness of current interventions and the need for more targeted action.

Key Findings:

• Static Obesity Rates: Despite efforts, childhood obesity rates have not significantly decreased, raising questions about the strategy's impact.
• Disparities: Obesity is more prevalent among certain groups, including those experiencing poverty and those living in Harold Hill and Rainham, areas with the highest levels of disadvantage.
• Achievements: The report highlighted achievements such as improvements in food options at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust (BHRUT) hospitals, the implementation of a high fat, sugar and salt advertising policy, and the establishment of a food alliance to tackle food insecurity.
• Future Priorities: Priorities for the coming year include developing an action plan for improving healthy weight in Harold Hill, working with the planning team to further restrict fast food takeaways, and increasing the capacity of weight management services.

Concerns and Suggestions:

• Lobbying Transport Providers: Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, suggested lobbying C2C and other transport providers to restrict unhealthy food advertising.
• Community-Wide Approach: Lynn Hollis suggested balancing support for individuals with creating a community that doesn't encourage overweight and obesity.
• Innovative Solutions: Andrew Blake-Herbert suggested thinking outside the box to get children interested in physical activity.

Why it Matters:

Obesity shortens lives, reduces quality of life, and increases demand on health and social care services. The static obesity rates highlight the need for a more effective and targeted approach, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The departure of Luke Squires, public health strategist, who led the strategy, also raises concerns about maintaining momentum.

Suicide Prevention Efforts Highlighted, Focus on Lived Experience

The Health and Wellbeing Board also received the 2024 Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which detailed the council's efforts to address this sensitive issue. The report revealed that there are, on average, 18 registered deaths by suicide a year in Havering, or one every three weeks.

Key Findings:

• Disproportionate Impact on Women: A larger proportion of those who died by suspected suicide in 2024 were female than expected.
• Public Places: Almost half of the deaths occurred in a public place.
• Deprivation: The average index of multiple deprivation was higher than the Havering average among those who died by suicide.
• Safeguarding Referrals: The council has implemented a process for safeguarding referrals, resulting in a suicide-themed safeguarding adult review.

Future Plans:

• Stakeholder Engagement: The council has a wider stakeholder group with over 175 members, a suicide prevention strategy steering group with 50 members, and a lived experience advisory group with 11 members.
• Stigma Reduction Campaign: A public campaign to reduce stigma around suicide is planned for September, co-designed with the lived experience advisory group.
• Conference: A conference will be held on 10 September, featuring presentations from the lived experience advisory group.

Why it Matters:

Suicide is a devastating issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. The council's efforts to prevent suicide, particularly its focus on engaging with those with lived experience, are crucial to addressing this complex problem. The report's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support vulnerable groups and reduce stigma around mental health.

NHS 10-Year Plan: Concerns Over Local Government Involvement and Potential Silos

The Health and Wellbeing Board received a briefing on the NHS 10 Year Plan, which aims to transform the health service through digital innovation, community-based care, and a focus on prevention. The briefing sparked concerns among board members about the potential impact on local government involvement and the risk of services becoming siloed.

Key Elements of the Plan:

• Shift to Community Care: More care closer to home, with neighbourhood health services and co-located centres open 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.
• Digital Transformation: A single patient record accessible through the NHS App by 2028, supporting AI-powered diagnostics, medicine management, and care planning.
• Focus on Prevention: Creating a smoke-free generation, tackling obesity, reducing alcohol harm, and eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.

Concerns Raised:

• Limited Local Government Role: Andrew Blake-Herbert noted that the NHS 10 Year Plan mentions local government on page 86, and that the capacity to do place-based work is being reduced. He also raised concerns about the lack of local political representation on Integrated Care Board (ICB) boards.
• Potential for Silos: Councillor Gillian Ford expressed disappointment that there was going to be so much change instigated on people, and that it was going to impact a lot of things that were going so well. Lynn Hollis shared these concerns, fearing services could go into silos again.

Why it Matters:

The NHS 10 Year Plan has the potential to transform healthcare in Havering, but its success depends on effective collaboration between the NHS, local government, and other partners. The concerns raised by board members highlight the need for clear communication, meaningful engagement, and a commitment to ensuring that local voices are heard in the implementation of the plan.

Other Matters

• The board reviewed the draft of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which is required every three years under the NHS pharmaceutical services and local pharmaceutical services regulations 2013. The board delegated authority to the PNA steering group to approve the final report. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Friday 08 August 2025. Link to meeting
• The Governance Committee will meet on Tuesday 12 August 2025. Link to meeting
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 13 August 2025. Link to meeting
• The Planning Committee will meet on Thursday 14 August 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Havering:

Premises Licence Granted Despite Crime and Noise Concerns

The Licensing Sub-Committee has granted a new premises licence to Get Turkish Ltd for their takeaway restaurant at 8 Station Road, Romford, but with reduced hours. The decision follows objections from the police, environmental health, and the council's public protection officer, who raised concerns about potential crime, disorder, public nuisance, and risks to public safety.

Responsible Authorities Object

PC Chris Stockman, Metropolitan Police licensing officer, argued that operating until 02:00 would likely increase noise and anti-social behaviour, particularly given the residential nature of the area and the proximity to Gidea Park station. He cited past incidents of violence outside takeaway venues involving intoxicated individuals.

Mike Richardson, the council's environmental health officer, raised concerns about noise from the extract fan (located just two metres from a residential property), cooking odours, deliveries, and parking. He estimated a 9dB increase in noise levels, potentially leading to complaints under British Standard BS 4142.

Paul Jones, the council's public protection officer, pointed out that the requested hours were outside Havering's licensing policy guidelines and conflicted with the premises' existing planning permission, which has a terminal hour of 23:00.

Applicant's Defence

Ruhul Amin, director of Get Turkish, argued that there was a clear demand for late-night refreshment due to changing business dynamics since Covid and requests from local residents and commuters. He claimed the location was not a hotspot for alcohol-related disturbance and that he had taken steps to mitigate noise and odour nuisances.

Amin referenced Lakers Chicken in Romford, which he said had been granted a licence to operate until 3 a.m. on weekends despite being within a cumulative impact zone. He argued that similar discretion should be applied in the quieter context of Gidea Park. He offered to reduce the hours to 01:30 daily, aligning with the train station's closing time.

Committee's Compromise

While granting the licence, the committee reduced the hours, acknowledging the concerns raised by responsible authorities. The exact hours granted were not specified in the available summary, but will be communicated to Mr Amin in writing.

Why it Matters

This decision highlights the balancing act between supporting local businesses and protecting residents from potential negative impacts. While Get Turkish can now operate, the reduced hours reflect the council's concern for public safety and amenity. The outcome underscores the importance of engaging with responsible authorities and addressing potential issues proactively when applying for a premises licence.

Corporate Parenting Panel Focuses on Children in Care

The Council meeting included a discussion of the Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report, highlighting the panel's work in supporting children in care and care leavers. The report detailed the panel's activities, including feedback from the Cocoon Management Forum and 'Say It Louder' on summer activities, performance data, and updates from the health subgroup and fostering services.

Key Issues:

• Increased Number of Children in Care: The number of children in care increased by 19% during 2023/24, reaching 280 at 31st March 2024, before stabilising.
• Placement Stability: 50% of placements were in-house, and 8% of children were in semi-independent accommodation. There was a small increase in children placed more than 20 miles outside their home area, now at 17.9%.
• Young People's Voice: The panel heard from Young People's CIC group about their activities and aspirations, including involving more young people in the Youth Group and restarting the Say It Louder Forum.
• Ofsted Monitoring Visit: The Director Children Services (DCS) provided an update on the Ofsted monitoring visit, highlighting positive feedback on investment, management, and social workers. Areas for improvement included supervision, care planning, and recording.

Why it Matters

The Corporate Parenting Panel plays a crucial role in ensuring that children in care receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive. The increase in the number of children in care highlights the growing demand for these services, while the panel's focus on placement stability and young people's voice underscores the importance of providing a nurturing and empowering environment for vulnerable children.

Other Matters

• The Council meeting also included annual reports from the Audit Committee, the Pensions Committee, the Overview and Scrutiny Board, the Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, the People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, and the Corporate Parenting Panel. Link to meeting
• The Council meeting also included discussion of petitions, and the election of Member Champions for the Over 50s and for the Voluntary Sector Compact. Link to meeting
• The Council meeting also included consideration of a report of the Chief Executive on Exceptions to the Call-in (Requisition) Procedure. Link to meeting
• The Strategic Planning Committee met this week. No video of the meeting was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• The Health & Wellbeing Board will meet on Wednesday 30 July 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Havering:

Special Needs Education Plan Stalls Amid Playing Field Dispute

A proposal to build a special school for 300 students with complex autism on a playing field near Balgores Lane, Romford, is facing significant hurdles. The Strategic Planning Committee received a presentation on the plan, but Sport England has lodged a formal objection due to the loss of the recreational space. This highlights the difficult trade-offs the council faces when trying to provide essential services while preserving green spaces. The council report stated that the key objective would be to create a high-quality public school building catering for pupils and students with special needs and disability, within the London Borough of Havering. Transport for London (TfL) has also expressed concern about the level of proposed parking.

Why it Matters:

The lack of specialist education facilities can severely limit opportunities for children with autism. However, the loss of playing fields can negatively impact the health and well-being of the wider community. This decision will have a significant impact on both groups.

CQC Inspection Looms as Council Assesses Social Care Shortfalls

The People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee met to discuss the council's preparations for an upcoming inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The meeting focused on a self-assessment highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in the council's adult social care services. The CQC will assess how well the council is performing against its duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, which sets out the legal framework for adult social care in England.

Key Findings:

• Strengths: The council identified its workforce, consideration of diverse needs, clear approach to practice, the Better Living program, a well-embedded Quality Assurance Framework, the Local Area Coordination Service, and the Reablement service as key strengths.
• Areas for Development: The council acknowledged the need to reduce waiting lists, co-produce its information and advice plan, increase assessments for unpaid carers, improve Mental Capacity Act (MCA) applications, offer advocacy support, and engage with the community to understand unmet needs.

Why it Matters:

The CQC inspection will have a significant impact on the council's reputation and its ability to deliver effective social care services. Addressing the identified areas for development is crucial to ensuring that vulnerable adults in Havering receive the support they need. Failure to meet CQC standards could lead to interventions and further strain on already stretched resources.

Pension Fund Performance and Administration Under Review

The Local Pension Board convened to discuss the performance of the Havering Pension Fund and the administration of pension services. The meeting included a review of the Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS) and the performance of the Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA).

Key Points:

• Pensions Administration Strategy: The board reviewed the performance of scheme employers and the administering authority against the Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS). While most employers are performing well, some areas require close monitoring and potential escalation.
• LPPA Performance: The Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA) reported overall performance against the SLA at 99.0%, exceeding the required 95% target in all areas.
• Regulatory Updates: The board received updates on the Fund Valuation, McCloud Remedy, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government's 'Access and Fairness' consultation.

Why it Matters:

Effective management of the pension fund and efficient administration of pension services are essential to ensuring the financial security of current and future pensioners in Havering. Close monitoring of performance and compliance with regulations is crucial to protecting the interests of fund members.

Other Matters

• The Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025 to receive annual reports from committees and member champions, consider exceptions to the call-in procedure, address petitions, and elect Member Champions for the Over 50s and for the Voluntary Sector Compact. Link to meeting
• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Thursday 24 July 2025 to consider a new premises licence application for Geturkish Ltd. Link to meeting
• The Strategic Planning Committee will meet on Thursday 24 July 2025. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• The Health & Wellbeing Board will meet on Wednesday 30 July 2025. Link to meeting