Agenda, decisions and minutes

Attached.

Noted by Council, without division.

The protocol on the operation of Council meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions was noted by Council, without division.

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Received from Councillor Sally Miller.

Apologies were received from Councillor Sally Miller.

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 15 December 2020 (attached).

Noted that Councillor Tucker had requested to speak at the previous meeting. Minutes otherwise AGREED as a correct record.

It was noted that Councillor Tucker had requested to speak at the previous meeting. The minutes of the meeting of full Council held on 15 December 2020 were otherwise agreed as a correct record, without division.

Members are invited to disclose any interest in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. 

Members may still disclose any interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillors Keith Wells and Eileen Cameron, who had sadly passed away recently. Tributes to the Councillors were paid by several groups.

The Leader of the Council made reference to the current high rate of Covid-19 cases in Havering. The Chief Executive also referred to the current position with Covid-19 and also paid tribute to a member of staff who had also sadly passed away recently.

No Members have given notice of intention to present a petition pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 14.

There were no petitions presented.

There were no petitions presented.

To consider a report of Governance Committee on Staff Employment Procedure Rules (attached, subject to approval by Governance Committee).  

Report to be presented at March meeting of Council.

The Mayor advised Council that that Governance Committee, at its meeting, on 13 January 2021, had agreed the recommendations of the report subject to a number of amendments. These amendments were detailed however and the report would therefore be presented to the meeting of Council on 24 March for consideration.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Allocation of Seats on the Committees of the Council (attached).

Amendment on behalf the Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 35 votes to 12 with 5 abstentions; deemed motion on behalf of the Administration AGREED without division.

A report of the Chief Executive recommended a revised allocation of seats on Committees following a Member joining the North Havering Residents’ Group.

Deemed motion on behalf of the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group

The recommendation of the report be amended to read as follows:

That Council agrees to:

(a)          To increase the number of seats to be allocated from 139 to 142.

(b)          Increase the size of Crime & Disorder Sub-Committee from 7 to 10, adding a Conservative, Labour and Independent Residents’ Group member to the Sub-Committee.  Overall numbers of seats for political balance are as shown on the breakdown attached to the supplementary agenda.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 36 votes to 12 with 5 abstentions (see division 1); the deemed motion on behalf of the Administration AGREED without division.

RESOLVED:

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Importance of Covid-19 vaccination (attached).

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 50 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions; deemed motion on behalf of the Administration AGREED without division.

A report of the Chief Executive summarised the importance of Covod-19 vaccination as a means of controlling the Covod-19 pandemic in Havering.

Deemed motion on behalf of the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group

The recommendation of the report be amended to read as follows:

Council remits the report for redrafting as it is unduly alarmist, vastly disproportionate and unethical, as no details are provided about the experimental vaccines with possible side-effects it wants the council to promote.

Following debate, the amendment on behalf the Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 50 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions (see division 2); the deemed motion on behalf of the Administration AGREED without division.

RESOLVED:

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Attached.

Twelve questions submitted. Three questions answered at the meeting. Answers to be circulated to all Members by e-mail. Supplementary questions (for questions not dealt with at the meeting) to be responded to in writing, which will be copied to all Members.  

Twelve questions were submitted of which three were answered  at the meeting. Initial answers for all questions as well as supplementary questions and answers for questions 1-3, 6 and 12 are attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.

Attached.

A.   LOWER THAMES CROSSING

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 39 votes to 5 with 8 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion, without division.  

B.   ORCHARD VILLAGE

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 37 votes to 4 with 11 abstentions and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

C.   FIRST DO NO HARM

Motion by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 42 votes to 4 with 7 abstentions.

D.   SUPPORT TO VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 41 votes to 3 with 8 abstentions; motion on behalf of Conservative Group AGREED as substantive motion without division.

Motion on behalf of the Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Associations Group

Following on from several consultations regarding the Lower Thames Crossing and the responses from this Council (March 2016 and this year) Highways England submitted a Planning Application for a 14.5mile road, including a 2.4 mile tunnel, connecting the M2 near Rochester and the M25 by North Ockendon.

We have been advised that following feedback from the Planning Inspectorate that the Application has been withdrawn and a new one will be submitted.

Therefore we ask that this Council calls upon the Leader to reiterate its concerns to the Government and our Members of Parliament in respect of the following:

• Adverse impact on residential amenity for homes in Havering in terms of noise, disturbance and vibration

• Loss of homes in the North Ockendon area

• Impact on conservation areas and heritage assets in the locality

·           Adverse impact of ongoing works and siting of works compounds.

·           Should the Crossing go ahead as planned, that Havering residents are eligible to a toll discount scheme (on the same basis as received by residents of Thurrock and Dartford for the Dartford Crossing).

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council welcomes the withdrawal of the Lower Thames Crossing planning application following the objections raised by the Administration as part of the public consultation; notes that the previous scheme failed to adequately address the projected increases in noise and air pollution that would result across Havering from increased traffic movements; notes the unwillingness from Highway England to include sufficient upgrades of the strategic highway network as part of the overall design; notes the unwillingness from Highways England to offer Havering residents a user discount,  and calls upon the Administration to take all necessary steps to engage with Highway England, to ensure that these issues are addressed.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 39 votes to 5 with 9 abstentions (see division 3) and AGREED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council welcomes the withdrawal of the Lower Thames Crossing planning application following the objections raised by the Administration as part of the public consultation; notes that the previous scheme failed to adequately address the projected increases in noise and air pollution that would result across Havering from increased traffic movements; notes the unwillingness from Highway England to include sufficient upgrades of the strategic highway network as part of the overall design; notes the unwillingness from Highways England to offer Havering residents a user discount,  and calls upon the Administration to take all necessary steps to engage with Highway England, to ensure that these issues are addressed.

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council call upon the Government to increase funding for the safe removal and replacement of the external building cladding at Orchard Village and other residential blocks irrespective of the height of the buildings in order that shared owners and leaseholders are relieved of the substantial costs involved. Clarion Housing Association is urged to bring forward a programme to make all necessary safety works at Orchard Village.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

     This Council welcomes the £1billion made available by the Government for this financial year to support the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding systems on residential buildings 18 metres and above in height, in both the private and social housing sectors. This Council also notes the Government’s publication of the draft Building Safety Bill which lays out the framework and enabling powers to implement a new approach to building safety regulation. Clarion Housing Association is therefore urged to bring forward a programme to carry out all necessary safety works at Orchard Village.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 37 votes to 5 with 11 abstentions (see division 4) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

     This Council welcomes the £1billion made available by the Government for this financial year to support the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding systems on residential buildings 18 metres and above in height, in both the private and social housing sectors. This Council also notes the Government’s publication of the draft Building Safety Bill which lays out the framework and enabling powers to implement a new approach to building safety regulation. Clarion Housing Association is therefore urged to bring forward a programme to carry out all necessary safety works at Orchard Village.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Council calls upon the Executive to contact other like-minded councils to explore whether there is support and determine the merits of launching a claim for Judicial Review into the Government’s decision to use the 1984 Public Health Act to impose a vastly disproportionate response to a  microscopic respiratory virus, undermining the mental/health and economy of Britain.

The motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 42 votes to 4 with 7 abstentions (see division 5).

Motion on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the authority in supporting the NHS to roll out the national coronavirus vaccination programme, which is vital to protect the vulnerable; ensure that the NHS can meet the health needs of all local residents and support the resumption of normal life; and calls upon the Administration to launch an enhanced communication campaign to provide information, support and encouragement to Havering residents to take up their vaccination when invited by the NHS. 

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the authority in supporting the NHS to roll out the national coronavirus vaccination programme, which is vital to protect the vulnerable; ensure that the NHS can meet the health and safety needs of all Havering residents and support the resumption of normal life.

And calls upon the Administration to launch an enhanced communication campaign to provide residents information about the contents of the vaccines and any possible side-effects, particularly for people on other medication, so they can make an informed choice when invited to take up their vaccination by the NHS. And furthermore fully informs those who may refuse the vaccines for medical reasons of the wonderful benefits of Vitamin D, healthy eating, exercise and socialising in the sunshine to strengthen the immune system which is vital for a healthy body and mind.

The amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 42 votes to 3 with 8 abstentions (see division 6) and the motion on behalf of the Conservative Group was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council welcomes the steps taken by the authority in supporting the NHS to roll out the national coronavirus vaccination programme, which is vital to protect the vulnerable; ensure that the NHS can meet the health needs of all local residents and support the resumption of normal life; and calls upon the Administration to launch an enhanced communication campaign to provide information, support and encouragement to Havering residents to take up their vaccination when invited by the NHS. 

The record of voting is attached as appendix 2 to these minutes.