The Council meeting on 17 January 2024 saw councillors debate and vote on a motion regarding Home to School Transport, ultimately agreeing to a revised amendment that emphasised the need for proper consultation and scrutiny before any changes to service delivery. The meeting also addressed various members' questions on a range of topics, including park gate locking, Romford Market management, road repairs, and the council's approach to environmental impact assessments.

Home to School Transport

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the debate surrounding proposed changes to Home to School Transport. The Conservative Group initially moved a motion calling on the Cabinet not to proceed with the proposed cuts and changes, citing detrimental impacts on children and parents. An amendment from the Havering Residents Association Group, which was later altered, proposed that the Cabinet should not proceed with changes to service delivery without proper consultation and scrutiny, while acknowledging the council's financial challenges. The Labour Group's amendment, which called for a review subject to scrutiny, was withdrawn. Following debate, the altered amendment from the Havering Residents Association Group was agreed as the substantive motion. This resolution calls on the Cabinet to avoid implementing changes to service delivery, including Home to School Transport, without thorough consultation and scrutiny, while also recognising the need to minimise negative impacts on residents.

Members' Questions

Councillors raised a number of questions to Cabinet Members on various issues affecting the borough.

Park Gate Locking: Councillor Dilip Patel questioned the inconsistency in the locking of park gates. Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Barry Mugglestone, explained that the council had ceased locking gates in 2022 for cost savings but that it was now being trialled again under a mixed-contract pilot with National Enforcement Solutions. He acknowledged that the contractor had underestimated the resource needed and faced recruitment and retention issues, leading to inconsistencies. Discussions were ongoing regarding contractual performance.

Romford Market Management: Councillor David Taylor enquired about viable alternatives for the management of Romford Market, including engaging private management companies. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Graham Williamson, stated that the Cabinet had considered various options, including private sector involvement, but no decision had been made pending further consideration of the details. A provisional risk/benefit analysis had been drafted.

Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs): Councillor Martin Goode asked about the protocol for issuing PCNs when Pay & Display machines were not working. Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Barry Mugglestone, explained that Civil Enforcement Officers test machines before enforcement. If a machine is defective, the area is only enforced for vehicles parked outside bay markings, and vehicles parked without payment are logged. Enforcement for non-payment would occur if the officer could return after three hours. New machines will include signage directing motorists to use a phone payment method, and vehicles parked without a valid session will be at risk of a PCN.

Road Repairs Funding: Councillor Osman Dervish asked how the recently announced government funding of over £10 million for road repairs would be allocated. Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Barry Mugglestone, clarified that the funding for this year and next year would be used for highway maintenance, additional road and pothole repairs, and footway repairs, as well as contributing to new asset management software. Decisions for future years were yet to be made.

Call-in Waivers: Councillor Keith Prince questioned the progress on the administration's commitment to reducing call-in waivers. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Morgon, stated that the Monitoring Officer found no deficiency in the current process but that waivers should only be used as a last resort. The Chief Executive had emphasised this to his management team, and it was suggested that exemptions approved by the Overview and Scrutiny Board Chair should be a standing item at the Board.

Cycling Infrastructure Projects: Councillor David Taylor asked about other cycling infrastructure projects in progress across the borough, in addition to work at the Eastern Road / South Street junction. Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Barry Mugglestone, outlined the ongoing programmes for cycle and scooter parking in schools, secure cycle lockers on residential estates, and reviews of cycle parking in town centres. Feasibility work was also underway for a cycle link along Marshway.

Environmental Impact Assessments: Councillor Keith Prince questioned how the waiving of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the Upminster battery storage facility and the Como St car park site aligned with the administration's environmental ambitions. Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Councillor Keith Darvill, explained that EIAs are only required for projects likely to have significant environmental effects, and these specific projects did not meet the legislative thresholds. He added that the acceptability of proposals would still be assessed as part of any planning application.

Housing for Vulnerable Residents: Councillor Tim Ryan asked for an update on how many vulnerable Havering residents had been housed outside the borough in the last two years. Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Paul McGeary, reported that 12 households were placed out of borough in 2022 and 9 in 2023, with details of their vulnerabilities provided. He assured that support was provided upon letting, with regular visits and support plan reviews.

Royal Jubilee Court: Councillor David Taylor requested an update on the reopening of Royal Jubilee Court and a projected opening date. Cabinet Member for Housing Need, Councillor Keith Darvill, stated that the facility, offering 74 units, began occupation on 6 November and aimed to be fully occupied by the end of the financial year. 33 families had already been moved from hotel accommodation, with 17 more anticipated.

Waterloo Estate Development: Councillor Viddy Persaud inquired about conversations with Wates regarding the commencement of work on the Waterloo Estate. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Graham Williamson, explained that the Joint Venture Board had paused the project due to regulatory uncertainty regarding second staircases in high-risk buildings. He noted that the Secretary of State had made statements on transitional arrangements, and the Joint Venture Board was carefully considering how to proceed, with a report to Cabinet anticipated within three months.

Refugee Housing: Councillor Dilip Patel asked for an update on the programme to purchase homes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees. Cabinet Member for Housing Need, Councillor Keith Darvill, confirmed that grants had been secured for the acquisition of 62 properties, with 24 completed and 32 in progress. Six families had already moved into their nominated properties.

Lawns Way Vehicle Speed: Councillor Jason Frost asked if speed monitoring equipment would be introduced in Lawns Way following the removal of a width restriction. Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Barry Mugglestone, stated that the width restrictions were temporary and had been removed due to damage caused by HGVs and the implementation of cameras to enforce weight limits. He noted that traffic calming measures, including speed humps, were already in place on Lawns Way and Faircross Avenue, and there were no current proposals for further surveys.

Digital Connections for Telecare Devices: Councillor Jason Frost enquired about the Council's cooperation with telecoms firms regarding the transition of vulnerable residents to digital connections for telecare devices. Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, Councillor Gillian Ford, confirmed that the Council was procuring digital Telecare equipment to replace analogue systems before the switch-off of analogue lines, with the project overseen by the Havering Telecare service.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The Council agreed to a report from the Governance Committee concerning appointments to various outside organisations. Councillor Jacqueline Williams was appointed to the Poyntz Charity Trust. Councillor Paul Middleton was appointed to the Havering Theatre Trust Board. It was noted that Councillor Keith Darvill had replaced Councillor Paul McGeary as the Council's representative on Capital Letters. The current situation regarding the Lucas Play Charitable Trust and additional information on the election of Governors to the North East London NHS Foundation Trust were also noted.