The Cabinet of Havering Council met on Wednesday 15 October 2025, approving an interim Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy and a new contract for outdoor play area improvements. The meeting also discussed the rationale behind the strategy and the procurement process for the play areas contract.

Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy

The Cabinet approved an interim Adults Joint Commissioning Strategy for 2025-2026. This strategy outlines the council's approach to planning and commissioning adult services over the next 12 months, focusing on responding to local needs, with an emphasis on prevention and enabling individuals to live healthy, independent lives. The strategy was developed due to the impending restructure of NHS North East London, which will end the current integrated commissioning model.

Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults & Wellbeing, explained that the interim strategy is necessary while a longer-term plan is developed. She highlighted Havering's demographic challenges, including a high proportion of elderly residents and rising household deprivation, which necessitate a focus on efficient resource use. The strategy's overarching priorities include financial sustainability, community engagement, prevention, integrated neighbourhood teams, and market management. Key commissioning intentions cover supported housing, direct payments, complex needs care, preventative services, hospital discharge, support for carers, and dementia care.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about ensuring the strategy's intentions are effectively implemented within financial constraints. It was explained that an action plan will be developed to set out how commissioning intentions will be delivered, with a focus on working within financial constraints and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Questions were also raised about how the strategy addresses disparities in health, disability, and deprivation, with assurances that access to services for hard-to-reach groups and those with unmet needs is a key focus. The impact on other partners and potential additional costs were also discussed, with clarification that while joint funding will continue, it may come from separate pots rather than a single integrated fund.

Outdoor Play Areas Contract Tender

The Cabinet approved the procurement of a five-year call-off contract for improvements to parks and play areas across the borough, with a total value of up to £3 million. This contract will be awarded via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework through a mini-competition. A key decision was to waive the council's standard 70:30 (price: quality) evaluation scoring in favour of a 40:60 (price: quality) ratio.

Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment, stated that this contract aims to ensure the maintenance and improvement of play equipment in all parks. He explained that the shift in evaluation weighting prioritises quality, durability, and play value, which is expected to lead to longer-lasting equipment and ultimately save money, countering the idea of simply buying cheaper products. The contract is subject to the availability of funding from sources such as capital budgets, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), Section 106 contributions, or external grants.

Questions were raised about the effective utilisation of the allocated £3 million, given its dependence on securing external funding. It was clarified that the £3 million is an anticipated spend and not a commitment, with the framework allowing the council to call off the contract as funding materialises. Concerns were also voiced about potential increases in maintenance costs associated with enhanced play areas and how these operational expenses would be managed within existing budgets. Officers confirmed that this contract would not affect the general revenue fund or day-to-day maintenance budgets, as it is a mechanism for procuring improvements to existing assets.

The discussion also touched upon the need for a broader strategic vision for parks. It was noted that a draft park strategy is in development and is expected to be discussed in the coming year. Members also raised questions about the sufficiency of the £3 million to cover all parks and the criteria for using Section 106 money within specific wards. It was explained that Section 106 money must be used in accordance with legal requirements, and that the £3 million represents the maximum potential spend over five years, with actual expenditure dependent on funding. The robustness of new equipment, particularly steel products, was highlighted as a deterrent to vandalism, with assurances that maintenance of the equipment and grounds would remain the council's responsibility.