Havering councillors had the chance to quiz officers about the latest budget proposals at last night’s overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

With savings to the tune of £60m needed, the lengthy debate developed into a long, drawn-out affair, with Cllr Keith Darvill (Labour, Heaton) and Cllr Gillian Ford (Residents’ Association, Cranham) going through the report with a fine tooth comb and questioning many of the cuts.

Cllr Clarence Barrett (Residents’ Association, Cranham) chaired the meeting, while leader and former cabinet member for finance, Cllr Roger Ramsey (Conservative, Emerson Park), chipped in with the finer details.

Cllr Darvill took issue with the slashing of funding for children’s centres, youth services and older adults, saying the cuts were “pushing it far too far”.

Cabinet will meet again on September 24 to discuss issues raised at the meeting.

Read more:

Havering cabinet to debate £60m budget cuts

Havering cabinet: Budget of £60m cuts and tax rises is given thumbs up