The Overview & Scrutiny Board of Havering Council met on 16 April 2025 to discuss the Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC) and review the Board's work programme. The Board made several recommendations regarding the HVC's funding and operational future, and also proposed improvements to the scrutiny process itself.

Havering Volunteer Centre Funding and Operations

The Board scrutinised the funding and operations of the Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC), a vital organisation established in 2015 to support volunteering across the borough. The HVC currently has over 7,000 volunteers on its books and has provided significant value to the council and the community, with an estimated £5.8 million in volunteer hours saved across various council services. The organisation also plays a crucial role in supporting other charities and community groups, including Citizens Advice Havering, Havering Carers Hub, and Age UK.

The HVC's Chief Executive Officer, Shelley Hart, stated that the organisation represents good value for money, highlighting that the council's current grant of £56,000 has remained unchanged since 2015. The HVC also secures external funding, with reserves of £86,000, but faces challenges in obtaining infrastructure funding.

A significant concern raised was the potential impact of the cessation of council funding, which officers believe would likely lead to the closure of the HVC, impacting community cohesion and placing additional pressure on other services. The Board was also informed that the HVC had faced unacceptable treatment and language from some council officers regarding its premises and rent.

Following extensive discussion, the Board agreed on a series of recommendations for Cabinet:

• 1. That the HVC be given a longer term lease on their current location.
• 2. The Council should not ask the HVC to leave their current premises for a period of at least 18 months.
• 3. Whilst noting the remedial action taken by senior officers, the Board condemns as unacceptable the previous poor treatment and language used by some Council officers when communicating with HVC staff.
• 4. Further detail should be given on the specific level of the rent increase to be applied. This should be at a lower level than current market rents.
• 5. Details of the proposed alternative site for the HVC that has been identified by the Council, including levels of associated costs, should be supplied to the HVC as a matter of urgency. The Board finds it unacceptable that the HVC should have been given four weeks notice to leave without a costed alternative being provided. The Board notes that this position has now been addressed.
• 6. The possibility of a charitable donation of premises to HVC should be explored.
• 7. Any underspend in the community engagement budget should be passed to the HVC.
• 8. Cabinet should make clear its vision for volunteering/the voluntary sector in Havering and where the HVC sits within this.
• 9. The Council should make proactive efforts to obtain increased funding and support for the voluntary sector from local businesses and partner organisations.
• 10. Cabinet should commit to continue current funding (as a minimum) for the HVC.
• 11. Information should be provided as to whether any other tenancies of voluntary organisations are at risk due to the position with the HVC premises.
• 12. If Council funding arrangements allow, certainty of funding for the HVC should be given for a period of at least three years.
• 13. The Council should explore the introduction of a neighbourhood plan for Romford as this would allow a Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy to fund the HVC.
• 14. Cabinet is asked to support the view of the Board that the HVC provides good value for money.

Review of Board's Work and Consideration of Work Programme

The Board reviewed its performance over the past year and discussed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year. Key themes identified for future scrutiny included resource constraints, community engagement, and the measurement of scrutiny's impact.

To enhance the effectiveness of scrutiny, the Board proposed several recommendations for Cabinet:

• 1. The relevant Cabinet Member should be required to attend each meeting of the Board or Sub-Committees where there is an item relevant to their portfolios.
• 2. All Cabinet responses to scrutiny recommendations or comments should be included as an agenda item at the next scrutiny meeting.
• 3. Comments and recommendations to Cabinet should be presented at the Cabinet meeting by the Chairman and Vice-Chair of the Board or relevant Sub-Committee.
• 4. Cabinet responses to scrutiny comments on called-in decisions should be circulated to all members of the Overview and Scrutiny Board as well as other Members supporting the call-in.
• 5. Cabinet supports the Board's request for scrutiny reports to be received two weeks ahead of publication as this will facilitate earlier pre-meets and general consideration of the material.
• 6. That Cabinet supports the Board reviewing its work programme and its ongoing efforts to make the scrutiny process as effective as possible.
• 7. That a protocol be developed for working practices between Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Board including, but not limited to, the issues outlined in the recommendations above.