Question Time1
Question Time is for councillors to quiz cabinet members. It’s limited to 45 minutes. Unlike parliament, where there’s no limit on questions, only 15 questions are allowed. Six more questions should have been posed because the time wasn’t used. Ray Morgon favours scrutiny, so more questions fits his agenda. This inexplicable rule needs revising.
Barry Mugglestone answered eight questions. His world-weary approach is understandable. Question 1: Can the Cabinet Member for Environment confirm that the option of paper visitor parking permits is still available in Havering? [Judith Holt: 19 mins]2 The answer was, ‘Yes’, but he was more expansive. After the unpleasantness at the last Council Meeting being gracious was important.3
Mandy Anderson (38 mins) highlighted three unregistered Children’s Homes used by Lambeth and Hampshire Councils. Oscar Ford’s blandness pill grated. Mandy’s ward is Havering’s most deprived and is a ‘dumping ground’. Oscar couldn’t care less. Council’s officers are, “Keeping their eye on it.” If Upminster had three illegal Children’s Homes he’d care a great deal more.
Keith Prince’s question (46 mins) about CCTV was interesting until he promoted facial recognition systems. Neither he or Barry realise facial recognition is racially biased and flawed. Keith is a cheer-leader for HRA. Question 15 (49 mins) to Ray Morgon was classic: Do you agree with me that you’re great?4 Ray shyly agreed he was great.
Best humour: Gerry O’Sullivan’s constant mispronunciation of Martin Goode’s name.
Notes
1 Council Questions 4 September 2024.pdf (havering.gov.uk)
2 Annotator Player (mediasite.com) All times relate to this webcast
3 Havering’s Council Meeting 24th July 2024 (part one) – Politics in Havering
4 Not his ‘exact’ words but that’s what they added up to
Politics in Havering 