Motions1 probe the Administration. Labour and the Conservatives failed to prove that they are a better alternative.
Labour’s motion was on tree management and falling trees. The Conservatives considered the reduction of hours at Romford Police Station, which Havering isn’t responsible for.
Ray Morgon is lucky having a weak disorganised opposition.
Tree management
Labour: Keith Darvill (1 hour 12)2 blamed ‘climate change’ for falling trees. Jane Keane (1:37) promoted volunteer tree wardens
HRA: Barry Mugglestone (1:17) was thin skinned. Gerry O’Sullivan (1:33) defended him. Reg Whitney (1:37) said falling trees was a national problem.
Conservatives: David Taylor (1:20) was worried about trees, Judith Holt (1:28) and Tim Ryan (1:35) wallowed in local knowledge.
East Havering RAs: Brian Eagling (1:21) and Martin Goode (1:25) talked about themselves.
Reform: Keith Prince (1:31) nit-picked. He enjoys this even when no-one else does.
Everyone agreed that randomly falling trees are a ‘Bad Thing’.
Romford Police Station
Conservatives: David (1:49) said a 24 hour front desk was vital to public safety. Dilip Patel (2:10) and Judith (2:11) saw a Labour plot in the reduction.
Labour: Keith D. (1:54) thought a review was a good idea. Jane (2:09) said it wasn’t.
Residents’ Association IG: John Tyler’s (1:57) ‘Good Old Days’ thoughts were from his days as a police officer.
Reform: Keith P. (2:00) dislikes Mayor Khan. He’s vitriolic. Keith is petulant and it spoils the flow – such as it is.
HRA: Stephanie Nunn (2:07) felt lied to about the reduction. Barry (2:08) said voting Labour worked and cited Margaret Mullane’s lobbying successes in Dagenham. Reg (2:09) said Havering was lucky to have a police station at all.
Hostility to Mayor Khan ignores a changing world and budget deficits.
Perhaps better motions would encourage councillors3 who were absent to come next time?
Notes
1 (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Council, 19/11/2025 19:30 These are the emotions for debate
2 Annotator Player Times relate to this site
3 Councillors Anderson, Benham, Best, Chapman, Glass, McArdle, McKeever, Ruck, Tumilty, Vickery, Williams, White D, and White M. Councillors Anderson and Tumilty have long-term illnesses No explanations are needed otherwise. This is a quarter of all councillors. For attendance over the last six months see Councillors attendance summary, 29 May 2025 – 21 November 2025 | London Borough of Havering
Politics in Havering 