The Governance Committee of Havering Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of appointments to various external organisations for the 2026/27 municipal year, as well as noting the current situation with the Poyntz Charity.

Appointments to Other Organisations 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider appointments to a range of external bodies for the period until the municipal year 2027/28. For executive appointments, the committee was asked to review these and make recommendations to the Leader of the Council. For non-executive positions, the committee was to review and agree any changes to existing appointments.

The report pack detailed a number of organisations requiring appointments. These included the CEME (Centre for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence), the East London Waste Authority, and the London Councils Leaders' Committee. Other organisations listed for appointments were the Transport & Environment Committee, the Grants Committee, the Pensions CIV (Sectorial Joint Committee), the Greater London Employment Forum, and Newable (formerly Greater London Enterprise Limited). Appointments were also to be considered for London Riverside (BID) Ltd and the Thames Freeport Governance Board.

Non-executive appointments were also scheduled for discussion, including the Adoption & Permanency Panel, the Children's Executive Board, the Coopers Company & Coborn Educational Foundation, and the Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Havering Community Safety Partnership, Havering Joint Forum, and Havering Theatre Trust were also on the list. Additionally, the committee was to consider appointments to the Hornchurch Housing Trust (Nomination Trustees), the Local Government Association General Assembly, the Local Government Information Unit, and the London Road Safety Council. The London Youth Games, Lucas Children's Play Charity Nominative Trustees, NELFT NHS Council of Governors, and the North East London NHS Foundation Trust were also included.

The Poyntz (a.ka. Richard Poyntry's) and other charities, Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, Romford Town Management Partnership, Romford Combined Charity Nominative Trustees, and the Safer Neighbourhood Board were also listed for appointments. Finally, the committee was to consider appointments to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and Tenant Management Organisations, as well as the Wennington Quarry Community Liaison Committee.

The committee was also asked to agree to the continuation of a practice where, if a Council representative is unable to attend a meeting of an external body, they can authorise the Chair of that meeting to exercise a proxy vote. This is to avoid a potential loss of influence.

Furthermore, the committee was asked to ratify the voting arrangements for the forthcoming year concerning the Local Government Association General Assembly, where the Council is entitled to five votes. Previously, the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition had allocated votes, but in August 2020, it was agreed that all five votes would be cast by the Leader.

The report also highlighted the situation with the Poyntz Charity, noting that the Parish Priest of St Mary Magdalene's, North Ockenden, who is the ex-officio Chair, has not yet been appointed. The report stated that the Trust had been unable to meet and faced an uncertain future following the resignation of its long-serving Secretary in December 2024. The committee was asked to note this position.

Principles of Conduct in Public Office

The meeting agenda included a reminder of the Principles of Conduct in Public Office, as set out in the Localism Act 2011. These principles, which members are committed to upholding, include Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership. These principles aim to ensure that public office holders act in the public interest, maintain public confidence, and achieve best value for the Borough's residents.