Havering’s councillors collectively have a poor attendance record for council meetings.1 In the six months to the 14th February 2026, 55 councillors were scheduled for 374 meetings. They attended 320, which is a 14.5% absenteeism rate. The British absenteeism rate is 4.1%. A 14.5% absenteeism rate is a giant Red Flag for any employer. Obviously there are wild variations between councillors. Two councillors had severe illnesses and were given leave of absence by the council.
However
Most councillors didn’t have severe illnesses but still had appalling attendance records. Osman Dervish attended one meeting out of the seven. Carol Smith attended one of her three meetings. Damian White attended one meeting out of four. These councillors collectively attended three meetings in six months and were paid £200 per week each. This is £15,600 for nothing. It’s shameful.
However
At the other end of the scale there are dedicated councillors. There were 14 councillors who had 10+ meetings scheduled. Six had perfect attendance records. The Magnificent Six: Councillors McGeary, Morgon, Christine Smith, Summers, Taylor and Whitney.
So what?
Six years ago, Politics in Havering said Havering has too many councillors2 and current attendance records backs that up. There are piles of dead wood in the council chamber who need clearing away. Ten councillors were scheduled for three meetings in six months. If they weren’t there would anyone notice? They are make-weights at best.
On previous occasions when this point has been made, outraged councillors have contacted Politics in Havering denouncing the lack understanding. Claims to be hard-working ward councillors are made but can’t be verified. All that can be verified is attendance at council meetings.
And the attendance statistics are grim.
Addendum
Keith Prince, GLA member, attended 23 meetings from a possible 28 in the last six months.3 This is 82%. Three GLA members have 100% attendance records.
Notes
1 Councillors attendance summary, 22 August 2025 – 14 February 2026 | London Borough of Havering See also Sickness absence soars to nearly two weeks per head in 2025 for national figures and analysis
2 Does Havering have too many councillors? – Politics in Havering
3 Assembly Members attendance summary, 22 August 2025 – 14 February 2026 | London City Hall
Politics in Havering 
Well said.
Just read the HRA’s Focus magazine to see what trivial stuff they do. They even struggle to write a monthly report in coherent English and have to finish with saying they reported a pothole.
Some of them have extra responsibilities, but they never report how they have improved matters, because they haven’t.
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HRA understand pot holes they don’t understand strategic issues. The *Data Centre* is a major issue because it acts as a precedent for all other green belt development. They are gung-ho for it but don’t make that clear.
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They’re supposed to be the ears and eyes on the ground so to speak, but they don’t get out of their cars to notice anything and when they do walk, everything is a surprise. So much for active travel.
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Have you ever contacted your councillor? I think that you should and then you wouldn’t be dependent on anecdote and hearsay.
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I know them and their habits. They work hard on the wrong things.
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They work hard on things that they understand. Being in Administration moved them out of their collective comfort zone. As a result they relied on officer *guidance*.
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