Laurance Garrard - Councillor for Havering (Emerson Park)

Councillor Laurance Garrard

Havering Residents Association Emerson Park

Email: Councillorlaurance.garrard@havering.gov.uk

Council: Havering

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Council (Committee Member) Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee (Committee Member) Overview & Scrutiny Board (Chairman) Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education Strategic Planning Committee (Committee Member) People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee Cabinet

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Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

50 meetings · Page 1 of 10

Overview & Scrutiny Board Chairman

Budget Scrutiny, Overview & Scrutiny Board - Wednesday, 4th February, 2026 6.30 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Board of Havering Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, with a key focus on scrutinising the council's budget for the upcoming year and the medium-term financial strategy. Additionally, the board will review reports concerning ombudsman complaints, contracts procedure rules, and the progress of the improvement and transformation plan.

February 04, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee Committee Member

Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee - Tuesday, 27th January, 2026 7.00 pm

The Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee of Havering Council was scheduled to consider a range of important topics, including the business plan for Mercury Land Holdings, updates on the food waste service, and a review of the School Streets Programme. The committee's agenda also included discussions on the Active Travel Strategy and Homes in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs).

January 27, 2026, 7:00 pm
Council Committee Member

Council - Wednesday, 21st January, 2026 7.30 pm

The Council meeting on Wednesday 21 January 2026 was largely dominated by a debate over an urgent motion concerning Mercury Land Holdings, which ultimately led to the adjournment of most business. After extensive procedural discussions and votes, the council agreed to defer the remaining agenda items to a future date.

January 21, 2026, 7:30 pm
Overview & Scrutiny Board Chairman

Overview & Scrutiny Board - Thursday, 8th January, 2026 7.00 pm

The Havering Council Overview & Scrutiny Board met to discuss the future of three former library premises, and voted to send the decision back to the cabinet for reconsideration. The board raised concerns about the size of the Gidea Park site for a respite centre, clarity on the Harold Wood site after a three-year break clause, ensuring the respite centre is available for local children, and the delegation of decisions from the cabinet member to officers.

January 08, 2026
Overview & Scrutiny Board Chairman

Extraordinary Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Board - Wednesday, 8th January, 2025 7.00 pm

The Overview & Scrutiny Board met on 8 January 2025 and unanimously upheld a requisition to call in a Cabinet decision regarding the office-to-residential conversion of Chesham House to accommodate homeless families. The Board's decision means the Cabinet will need to reconsider its original decision.

December 31, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

17 decisions · Page 3 of 4

APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES

From: Annual Council, Council - Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 7.30 pm - May 21, 2025

...they appointed the chairmen and vice-chairmen of various committees, including Julie Wilkes as Chairman of the Audit Committee and John Crowder as Chairman of the Pensions Committee, while also withdrawing the nomination of Councillor Mandy Anderson for the position of Chairman of Pensions Committee.

Recommendations Approved

RESOLUTION TO EXTEND SIX MONTH ATTENDANCE RULE

From: Annual Council, Council - Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 7.30 pm - May 21, 2025

...to avoid Councillor Mandy Anderson being disqualified due to non-attendance at meetings because of medical treatment, they approved a resolution to extend the six-month attendance rule for her, allowing her to remain a councillor until at least January 15, 2026, unless she attends a qualifying meeting before then.

Recommendations Approved

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

From: Annual Council, Council - Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 7.30 pm - May 21, 2025

...to approve the recommendations regarding the disclosure of interests, noting that no specific interests were disclosed at the meeting.

Recommendations Approved

THE COUNCIL'S BUDGET 2025/26

From: Council Tax, Council - Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 7.30 pm - February 26, 2025

...the Council's 2025/26 budget, HRA Business Plan update, Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan Refresh 2025-2026, and HWR JVLLP Business Plan were addressed, including approving the HRA Budget, increasing rents for tenants, approving the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2025-2026, and noting the Strategic Director of Place will bring forward a report proposing the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers for the Chippenham Road development.

Recommendations Approved

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

From: Council Tax, Council - Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 7.30 pm - February 26, 2025

...to note the apologies for absence from Councillors Mandy Anderson, Ray Best, Joshua Chapman, Sue Ospreay, Viddy Persaud, Katharine Tumilty and Damian White.

Deleted

Summary

Meetings Attended: 50

Average per Month: 2.0

Decisions Recorded: 17