A round-up of question and answers during the full Havering Council meeting last week.

-Havering Council is unable to introduce free parking in Romford town centre in part because the town’s shopping malls rely on the income from their car parks.

Cllr Barry Tebbutt (Conservative, Brooklands) replied to a question from Cllr Clarence Barrett (Residents Association, Cranham) asking why the council felt that Lakeside is gaining “an unfair competitive advantage” in not having parking charges for customers when it expands.

Cllr Tebbutt also said that free parking would undermine moves to reduce congestion and traffic levels in the town centre.

-Waste from Bedfordshire is being processed in the borough, in an arrangement which may generate income for Havering.

Bedford Borough Council has a six year contract with Shanks to manage the council’s waste at Frog Island, Rainham.

Cllr Barbara Matthews (Residents Association, Hacton) asked Cllr Tebbutt if the council could be informed when income is generated from the site for use by Havering Council. She was told that it could.

-500 new allotment places have been created since 2008, Cllr Andrew Curtin (Conservative, Romford Town) told Cllr David Durant (Independent Residents’ Group, Rainham and Wennington).

-Parking restrictions are unlikely to be introduced in the approach road to St Helen’s Court, off Upminster Road South, Rainham despite the site now being managed by Havering Council instead of Homes in Havering.

Cllr Barry Tebbutt read out the response from Cllr Lesley Kelly (Conservative, Harold Wood) on the issue following a question from Cllr David Durant.

-Council leader Cllr Michael White (Conservative, Squirrels Heath) and member for community safety Cllr Geoff Starns (Conservative, Havering Park) have had meetings with the borough commander over possible police plans to close Hornchurch Police Station, Cllr Starns told Cllr Barbara Matthews.

-A new bus stop will be placed opposite the existing one outside the Redberry Guest House in The Broadway, Rainham, Cllr Tebbutt confirmed.

Cllr Jeff Tucker (Independent Residents’ Group, Rainham and Wennington) confrmed had asked the council to assist in getting the one immediately outside the guest house removed.