Havering’s administration is delusional. They refuse to accept that government underfunding of Havering is policy. The government is in perma-turmoil and their policies are too.1 The administration ignores all the evidence and asks MPs to assist. It’s as if Havering’s MPs are an unknown.2
On consecutive nights, government underfunding was demonstrated.3,4 On the 7th February, officers used many slides showing the iniquities of Outer London’s funding formula. Havering is hardest hit because of our peculiar demographics.
Gillian Ford is a fan of lobbying despite knowing the funding formula hasn’t changed since 2013.5 Oscar Ford focused on demographic changes in Havering with costs associated with increasing the numbers of children.6 Lobbying won’t change anything. Paul McGeary said rents only increased by 7% instead of 13.6% because of government intervention. A government decision to reduce rent increases from 13.6% to 7% was for Housing Benefits7 reasons not to help tenants during the cost-of-living crisis.
The council should lobby to increase the council tax cap.8 An increase to 10% would mean Havering avoiding bankruptcy in 2026. Lobbying to avoid bankruptcy would embarrass the government. It’s high-risk but death by a 1,000 government generated cuts is worse. Government will blame Havering whatever decisions are made. Why not take the battle to the government and pillory them for capricious incompetence?
Notes
1 Three Prime Ministers and four Chancellors of the Exchequer
2 Julia Lopez is a minister and wont bite the hand that feeds her. Andrew Rosindell’s a veteran MP who always supports the government on financial matters.
3 Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting 7th February 2023 Annotator Player (sonicfoundry.com)
4 Cabinet meeting 8th February 2023 Annotator Player (sonicfoundry.com)
5 Go to 38-43 mins where she cites two organisations, which, allegedly, have influence
6 Go to 45 minutes. He says the government is “incapable”. This implies he knows the government is incompetent insofar as they don’t understand their own policy.
7 At 9 minutes
8 Four bankrupt councils have increased their council tax by 10%+. They were all bankrupted by searching for additional revenue to pay for statutory services through commercial activities. They all failed
Politics in Havering 