The Havering Council cabinet met to discuss a tobacco harm reduction strategy, the creation of village greens, a damp and mould policy, and other matters. The cabinet approved the Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy 2024-2029 and the Damp and Mould Policy (2025) for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) housing. They also agreed to apply for charitable status for Havering London Limited and approved the procurement of a framework for adult social care placements.

Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy

The cabinet approved the Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy 2024-2029, which aims to reduce tobacco use and address youth vaping. The strategy sets out four strategic priorities:

• Supporting smokers to quit and reducing variation in smoking rates
• Prevention to empower individuals to avoid smoking and vaping
• Creating smoke-free environments
• Strengthening local regulation and enforcement

The strategy is a response to the government's plan to create a smoke-free generation by 2030. It acknowledges that smoking is more prevalent in certain demographic groups, including males, those with substance misuse issues, and those with mental health conditions. The strategy also addresses the rising trend of youth vaping.

The strategy includes an action plan with targets and indicators to track progress, and it incorporates feedback from a public consultation. The Equality Health impact Assessment notes that the strategy aims to focus provision on groups disproportionately affected by smoking including those with severe mental conditions and protected characteristics such as disabled individuals, pregnant women, young people as well as the wider population.

Village Greens

The cabinet agreed to apply for voluntary village green registration for two pieces of open land: land at Platford Green and Tyle Green including land along Garland Way, and land at Tees Drive and Priory Road including Carter's Brook . The report notes that designating land as village green ensures that the land will be kept undeveloped in perpetuity for village green purposes.

The report noted the potential development opportunity for housing on these two sites and established the quantum of delivery by reference to existing proposals and PTAL¹ and thus inform potential values for the sites:

The report stated that the Council has an agreed alternative method to deliver the necessary receipts within the current MTFS² without the need to consider these sites.

Damp and Mould Policy

The cabinet approved the Damp & Mould Policy (2025) for HRA housing, which clarifies the council's commitment to supporting residents' health and wellbeing by addressing damp and mould in its properties. The policy is based on the proposed Awaab's Law³, the Housing Act 2004, and the Decent Homes Standard⁴.

The policy includes commitments to:

• Acknowledge that damp and mould are not the fault of any household
• Comply with the time limits proposed in Awaab's Law
• Prioritise resources to tackle damp issues
• Investigate a hazard within 14 calendar days of being made aware of the potential hazard and produce a written report
• Utilise a rapid-response mould removal and treatment team
• Ensure tenants are informed about the steps that will be taken to remove mould and address any underlying issues and the timeframes for the work

Havering London - Charitable Status Application

The cabinet agreed that an application be submitted to the Charity Commission for Havering London Limited to become a registered charity. Havering London Limited was established as a new cultural and place making organisation that would support the council to deliver the London Borough of Culture (had the application been successful), and to realise future opportunities.

The report noted that the significant advantages of applying for charitable status for HL is the funding opportunities that would become available.

Adult Social Care Framework

The cabinet approved the procurement of a framework for Adult Social Care Residential & Nursing Care Home, Homecare and Supported Living Placements. The framework will replace the current Complex Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and Active Homecare Framework.

The framework will aid in:

• Setting clear standards and guidelines for care providers
• Ensuring consistent and reliable high quality care delivery
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of care services
• Facilitating professional development for care staff
• Managing the market to maintain a balanced supply and demand
• Ease of making placements through a structured and efficient system
• Enhancing accountability among care providers through regular monitoring and evaluation.
• Facilitating continuous professional development for staff to keep them updated with best practices and new methodologies.

Other Business

The cabinet also discussed the Improvement & Transformation Plan Progress Update and CIPFA FM Review, the Q4 Corporate Performance Report, and the 2024-25 Revenue and Capital Outturn Report.