Gerry O'Sullivan

DIAMOND FOOD & WINE - REVIEW, Licensing Sub-Committee - Friday, 24th April, 2026 10.30 am

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on Friday 24 April 2026 to review the premises licence for Diamond Food and Wine. Following consideration of representations from the Licensing Authority and the Home Office, the committee decided to revoke the licence.

Planning Committee - Thursday, 23rd April, 2026 7.00 pm

The Planning Committee of Havering Council met on Thursday 23 April 2026. The committee considered an application for a change of use at 51 Windermere Avenue, Hornchurch, to establish an Ofsted-regulated residential children's home for up to two children aged between 8 and 17. The application had been deferred from a previous meeting to clarify matters regarding police reports of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, and to gain insight from the Havering Social Care Team on carer-to-child ratios. During the meeting, it was noted that while there had been some police attendances at the property, the number of recorded incidents linked to the address since October 2024 had been minimal. The Havering Strategic Commissioner had indicated that there was an overprovision of children's homes in the borough, meaning there was not a local need for this specific proposal. Officers recommended that the matter be deferred, and the committee voted to agree with this recommendation.

Council - Wednesday, 18 March 2026 - 7.30 pm

The Council meeting on 18 March 2026 addressed various council procedures, policies, and community issues. Key decisions included the adoption of revised Contract Procedure Rules, approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, and the setting of council meeting dates for the 2026/27 municipal year. The meeting also heard several petitions and debated motions concerning libraries, tax rises, SEND provisions, community assets, and local plan sites.

Council Tax Setting, Council - Wednesday, 4th March, 2026 7.30 pm

The Council of Havering met on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, to discuss and approve the budget for the 2026/27 financial year, which included setting the Council Tax. After considerable debate, the administration's budget proposal was approved, with an amendment from the Labour Group being rejected.

Council - Wednesday, 21st January, 2026 7.30 pm

The Council meeting on 21 January 2026 included a significant debate and procedural discussions regarding an urgent motion concerning Mercury Land Holdings. Following this, the Council agreed to a revised motion regarding Mercury Land Holdings, on the proviso that its business plans would be reviewed by the Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee the following week, and an emergency full Council meeting would be scheduled if required. Decisions were also made on park safety funding and the appointment of a Member Champion for the Voluntary Sector, alongside a question and answer session.