New homes, Romford leisure centre and cuts discussed at Havering council
Havering Town Hall - Credit: Archant
New homes and jobs in Rainham, the Romford leisure development and the departure of the children, adults and housing group director were all discussed at last night’s full council meeting.
Leader, Cllr Roger Ramsey (Con, Emerson Park) discussed his pleasure at the Mayor of London’s pledge to build 2,000 homes and create 6,200 new jobs in the new Beam Park project which will run from Rainham to the borough boarder with Barking and Dagenham.
Later in the meeting, when challenged by Cllr Jeffrey Tucker (IRG, Rainham and Wennington) on the progress of new leisure facilities in Romford, admitted that no time scale could be give, although the council is “committed to providing a new state-of-the-art leisure centre for the borough”.
He added: “I am as frustrated as anybody that it has taken longer than anticipated.”
The council also debated the future of the authority in light of the savings they need to make while reflecting back on the cuts Havering has already made to its functions, including reducing management staff and merging with Newham for back office functions.
The councillors joined together in an uncommon agreement to wish the outgoing director of children, adults and housing, Joy Hollister, a fond farewell with many stating whoever were to be appointed to the post next had “big shoes to fill”.
Finally, the meeting ended in a sensational motion from Cllr Tucker for the leader, Cllr Ramsey, to resign following a series of accusations over personal gain which were refuted and disproved.
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The events were referred to as an embarrassment and a farce by Cllr Ray Morgan (Res, Hacton) and Cllr Gillian Ford (EHRG, Cranham) adding after the meeting that the motion was a “waste of time”.
For the full report see tomorrow’s Recorder.
