The Havering Council meeting on 3 September 2025 included discussion of a motion regarding houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), a debate on Mercury Land Holdings (MLH), and member questions on topics ranging from allotment sites to school street zones. The council agreed to prepare evidence for widening Article 4 directions¹ to include all detached homes, but rejected a motion to revise the MLH business plan to focus on social homes.

HMO Planning Protections

Councillor Anisha Patel moved a Conservative group motion to strengthen planning protection across Havering related to HMOs. The motion called for the planning policy team to prepare evidence to extend or replace the current Article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights for the conversion of C3² to C4³ HMOs in all detached homes across Havering, and to complete this work within six months.

Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, proposed an amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association group, stating that the council should ask the planning policy team to prepare the necessary evidence for consideration of widening or replacing the current Article 4 directions, so that removal of permitted development rights for change of use from C3 to C4 HMOs are extended to include all detached homes throughout the borough, and commit to begin the necessary consultation and legal preparation process for its introduction after due process and evidence submitted to the Secretary of State.

Councillor Williamson said that the timescales set out in the original motion were unrealistic and unachievable, and that the amendment was more realistic and would prepare a better evidence application to the Secretary of State.

The Havering Residents Association group amendment was carried, and agreed as the substantive motion.

Mercury Land Holdings Business Plan

Councillor David Taylor moved a Conservative group motion recommending a revision of the Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) business plan to focus the company on delivering social homes and driving down temporary accommodation costs. Councillor Taylor argued that the council was spending millions of pounds every year placing tenants into private landlord accommodation, and that MLH was set up for affordable housing, not social housing.

Councillor Williamson proposed an amendment on behalf of the Havering Residents Association group, stating that the council recognises Mercury Land Holdings business plan, which focuses the company on delivering much needed homes driving down housing demand and offering affordable housing. He said that MLH was established to deliver good quality and well managed private rented sector (PRS) homes in the borough in response to local demand and to address a lack of quality within the private sector.

The amendment was not carried, and the original motion was agreed.

Members' Questions

Members posed questions to the Leader of the Council and relevant cabinet members on a variety of issues.

Allotments

Councillor Jackie McArdle asked the Leader of the Council to provide assurance that the administration would take steps to make statutory the four allotment sites in Havering still designed as 'temporary'. The Leader of the Council confirmed that the council would seek to designate the remaining four sites as 'statutory' sites under the Allotments Act 1925.

Exemption Bays

Councillor Keith Darvill, Leader of the Labour Group, asked what arrangements were made to ensure that specially marked out exemption bays are maintained with clear markings. Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment and Deputy Mayor of Havering, responded that all road markings and parking signs are installed in accordance with published regulations, and that regular inspections are carried out by the council's highways inspectors. He added that he was prepared to attend the Arrow Crescent area to view the position directly.

Capital Receipts

Councillor Martin Goode asked Councillor Christopher Wilkins, Cabinet Member for Finance, to confirm the total amount to date that represents loans from capital to cover revenue expenditure. Councillor Wilkins responded that the capitalisation directive for 2024 totalled £18.1m and this had been fully funded from capital receipts.

Speed Enforcement

Councillor Philip Ruck asked the Leader of the Council to outline any plans to increase the monitoring of 20mph areas, or to introduce additional measures such as speed bumps, to help reduce speeds and improve the safety of residents. The Leader of the Council responded that the council has no powers to enforce 20mph zones, and that speed enforcement powers lie with the police. He added that a history of road deaths or serious injuries in an area had to be demonstrated to Transport for London (TfL) in order for funding to be secured.

Havering Volunteer Centre Rent

Councillor David Taylor asked Councillor Wilkins to confirm whether the rents for the Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC) would be increased. Councillor Wilkins responded that HVC have been offered various accommodation options, including the option to remain in their current premises, and that he would review previous correspondence between the Volunteer Centre and council officers to confirm the financial required had been supplied.

Fly-Tipping Enforcement

Councillor Jane Keane asked Councillor Mugglestone if he agreed that tougher enforcement combined with the weekly publication of the borough's fly-tipping statistics would help to inform residents and contribute to reducing such illegal activity. Councillor Mugglestone responded that he would discuss the introduction of a 'wall of shame' identifying people who had been convicted of fly-tipping with officers.

Recycling Sacks

Councillor Darren Wise asked Councillor Mugglestone what progress had been made in finding alternative venues in Harold Wood where recycling sacks can be collected from. Councillor Mugglestone responded that he would get information from officers about who had been contacted at the organisations mentioned and when.

Social Housing

Councillor Taylor asked Councillor Williamson how many homes would be provided to Havering Council directly, for social rent or similar, by Mercury Land Holding's Como Street development. Councillor Williamson responded that the MLH planning application for the Como Street development is currently under review, and that the number of affordable homes will be decided on in discussion with the Local Planning Authority and will be dependent on the viability assessment.

FCC Performance

Councillor Matthew Stanton asked Councillor Mugglestone if he was satisfied with the performance of FCC Environment with regard to weed spraying and clearing across the borough. Councillor Mugglestone responded that the council's monitoring team regularly inspects both weed growth and general street cleansing standards, and that FCC have introduced an additional three manual weed removal teams to combat particular hotspots.

Illegal HMOs

Councillor Tim Ryan asked Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, to outline the process for shutting down an illegal HMO. Councillor McGeary said that operating an unlicensed HMO is an offence for which local authorities can pursue either a civil penalty or a criminal prosecution, but that there is no legislative provision to shut down an unlicensed HMO. He added that the Cabinet would check with officers and advise how many officers worked on the enforcement team that shut down HMOs.

Anti-Idling

Councillor Keane asked Councillor Mugglestone what actions had been taken towards implementing an anti-idling campaign. Councillor Mugglestone responded that there is a well-established programme aimed at supporting schools in the borough to enable the school community to travel to and from school in ways that support an active lifestyle.

Section 106

Councillor Jason Frost asked Councillor Williamson where the £3 million pounds of unallocated Section 106⁴ money had been spent. Councillor Williamson responded that it was believed the question related to the debate at Full Council about CCTV and availability of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding rather than S106 funds. He clarified that there are no S106 monies received or due for CCTV provision, and that circa £4m for specific purposes is currently unallocated, mainly available for specified highway improvements in the vicinity of development sites or carbon offset fund for carbon reduction projects.

PCN Discounts

Councillor Keith Prince asked Councillor Mugglestone how the administration justifies the decision to remove the automatic re-offer of the 50% discount to appellants who lose a PCN challenge. Councillor Mugglestone responded that the decision to remove the 50% discount following unsuccessful challenge was made in July 2024, and that the aim of removing the discount was to reduce the number of speculative challenges and consuming valuable council resources.

Working Abroad

Councillor Viddy Persaud asked the Leader of the Council how many staff members have applied for, and been given leave to, work from abroad. The Leader of the Council responded that the total number of users who requested, and received approval, to work from abroad are as follows: 2023: 90, 2024: 86, 2025: 65.

Resident Notification

Councillor Robert Benham asked Councillor Mugglestone why local residents on neighbouring roads have not been written to inform them of the implementation of the School Street Zone in Ayr Way Rise Park. Councillor Mugglestone responded that in accordance with the council's established arrangements, the residents who reside directly inside a proposed zone would receive letters informing them of the proposals and asking for their views, and that he could investigate this if the Councillor could provide specific details.

Other Matters

• Six-Month Attendance Rule: The council agreed to extend the exemption from the requirements of section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for Councillor Katharine Tumilty, who was undergoing medical treatment.
• Petitions: The council received petitions from Councillor Philippa Crowder requesting CCTV re fly-tipping in Marshalls and Rise Park ward, and from Councillor Darvill regarding the fading of white lined parking spaces in Harrow Crescent.
• Annual Reports: The council received the annual reports of the Audit Committee, Pensions Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Board, Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, and Corporate Parenting Panel.
• Licensing Policy Review: The council agreed to bring forward its review of the Licensing Policy as soon as practicable, given the growing pressure for increasingly later night food and drink licences on neighbourhood shopping parades in residential areas and in the borough's district and metropolitan centres.
• Green Forum: The council agreed to recognise the value of the Green Forum and is committed to enabling its influence, including publishing dates of the forum in the eLiving and the actions and dates of the Forum on a dedicated Facebook Group, opening two-way communication.
• Tree Inspections: A motion on behalf of the Labour Group regarding tree inspections was withdrawn and resubmitted to the next meeting of Council.
• National Anthem: The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.