Laurance Garrard

Overview & Scrutiny Board - Wednesday, 25th March, 2026 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Board met to consider a call-in of a recent Cabinet decision regarding a Build to Rent scheme at the Local Housing Allowance. After discussion, the Board voted on whether to uphold the requisition. The vote was tied at five members for and five against. The Chair used their casting vote to not uphold the requisition, meaning the Cabinet's decision to proceed with the scheme can be implemented.

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.

Overview & Scrutiny Board - Tuesday, 17th March, 2026 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Board met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to discuss corporate HR metrics, including sickness absence and the use of agency workers, as well as the council's commercial strategy and the effectiveness of the board's own work. Key decisions included noting improvements in sickness absence rates and a reduction in agency worker spend, while also highlighting areas for further investigation and recommendations for enhancing the scrutiny process.

Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee - Tuesday, 10th March, 2026 7.00 pm

The Place Overview and Scrutiny Subcommittee met to discuss the progress of the new housing allocations scheme, the ongoing challenges with emergency temporary accommodation, and an overview of void properties. Key decisions included noting the significant demand surge following the implementation of the new housing allocations scheme and the introduction of a Working Household Contribution to address potential disadvantages for working families. The committee also reviewed the substantial pressures on temporary accommodation resources, largely driven by increased homelessness and the collapse of the private rented sector.

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.