The Havering Cabinet met on Wednesday 9 April 2025 to discuss several key issues. They approved the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-2029, and agreed to include VAWG training in new member induction and WAVE training for Licensing Chairs. The Cabinet also approved the award of a contract for Project Delivery (Statement of Works) Managed Consultancy Services to Constellia Public Ltd, and agreed in principle to conclude negotiations on contractual uplifts for the leisure management contract with SLM. Furthermore, they approved the procurement of a two-stage tender process for essential building safety works to ten of the Council's high-rise blocks, with an indicative value of £13.4 million, and approved in principle the procurement of a two-stage tender for the renewal of cladding at Highfield Towers, with an indicative value of £7.5 million. Finally, the Cabinet agreed to publish the Proposed Submission East London Joint Waste Plan for consultation and approved the new Local Development Scheme. They also reviewed the Corporate Plan for 2025/2026, noting the Council's financial position and performance.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy & Action Plan 2025 - 2029

The Cabinet approved the Havering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-2029. This strategy aligns with the Mayor's Building a Safer London plan and focuses on four key priorities: reducing and preventing violence, increasing trust and confidence, better supporting victims, and protecting people from exploitation and harm. The strategy acknowledges that VAWG carries a significant socio-economic cost in Havering, with domestic violence accounting for a third of all reported physical violence. The Council will continue to deliver initiatives through prevention, provision, protection, and partnership. Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to include VAWG training in new member induction and WAVE training for Licensing Chairs, recognising its importance across the council.

Award of Contract for Project Delivery (Statement of Works) Managed Consultancy Service

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract for Project Delivery (Statement of Works) Managed Consultancy Service to Constellia Public Ltd. This contract will be procured via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation MSTAR4 Lot 4 London Collaboration call-off. The contract will have an initial duration of two years with the option to extend for two further periods of two years, totalling six years. This decision was made following an extensive evaluation of options, with the Constellia Public Ltd contract identified as delivering the greatest financial benefit to the Council.

Leisure Finance

The Cabinet noted the basis on which Sport and Leisure Management Limited (SLM) and the Council have agreed to continue discussions regarding contractual uplifts to the leisure management contract. They agreed in principle to conclude the negotiation on this basis and delegated authority for further negotiation and agreement on final terms to the Strategic Director of Resources, in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing. The Council is also seeking specialist advice on the negotiation details, and a further report will be brought to Cabinet if agreement cannot be reached.

Building Safety Works – Residential High-Rise Buildings

The Cabinet approved the procurement of a two-stage tender process for essential fire safety works to ten of the Council's older high-rise blocks. The works, with a total indicative value of £13.4 million, will include the replacement of non-compliant spandrel/window infill panels, installation of automatic opening vents, replacement of windows and roofing, fire stopping between flats, installation of new fire/smoke alarms, and the installation of sprinkler systems. This procurement will utilise Lot 1 of the Fusion 21 Framework. A waiver was approved for the Council's default evaluation criteria, opting instead for a 60% Quality, 30% Price, and 10% Social Value weighting. Authority was delegated for the award of the Pre-Construction Services Agreement (Stage 1) and the works contract (Stage 2) to the Strategic Director of Place.

Highfield Towers Phase 1 - Renewal of Cladding

The Cabinet approved in principle the procurement of a two-stage tender for the replacement of rainscreen cladding, AOVs, windows, and roofing, as well as the installation of sprinklers and LD1 fire alarms at Highfield Towers. This project, with an indicative value of £7.5 million, will be procured through the LHC – Fire Safety (FS2) Lot 7A framework. Similar to the previous item, a waiver was approved for the standard evaluation criteria, opting for a 60% Quality, 30% Price, and 10% Social Value weighting. Authority was delegated for the award of the Pre-Construction Services Agreement (Stage 1) and the works contract (Stage 2) to the Strategic Director of Place.

Proposed Submission East London Joint Waste Plan for Consultation (Regulation 19)

The Cabinet agreed to publish the Proposed Submission East London Joint Waste Plan and supporting documents for a statutory public consultation under Regulation 19. This plan, prepared jointly with Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Redbridge, sets out policies for waste management up to 2041 and confirms that East London does not need to develop additional waste capacity. The Cabinet also approved the new Local Development Scheme (LDS) for publication.

Corporate Plan Review

The Cabinet considered and noted the Quarter 3 Corporate Plan Performance Report for 2024/25, which outlines performance against the Council's three strategic priorities: People, Place, and Resources. The report highlighted areas of good performance and areas needing improvement. The Labour Group Leader suggested that the report be reviewed by the Overview & Scrutiny Board. The Cabinet also noted the revenue financial position at Period 9, projecting an overspend of £20.14m on the General Fund revenue budget, and progress on the 2024/25 savings. They also noted the Quarter 3 Capital Programme update.