Here is a summary of the Cabinet meeting of Havering Council on 17 September 2025. The Cabinet covered a range of topics, including the ongoing situation at Launders Lane, adoption of conservation area plans, an updated asbestos policy, and the council's quarterly performance. They agreed to note a report on Launders Lane, adopt conservation area appraisals and management plans for Romford, Rainham and Gidea Park, and approve an updated asbestos control policy, a housing ombudsman annual report, and an updated complaints policy. They also reviewed the Q1 corporate plan performance report.

Launders Lane (Arnold's Field) Update

The Cabinet discussed a report providing an update on the situation at Arnold's Field, Launders Lane, and agreed to note it. The report was requested by the Full Council following a judicial review and aimed to detail the history of the site, the council's investigations, and potential solutions to the ongoing fires.

Key points from the discussion:

• The council recognises the impact of the fires and smoke on the health and quality of life of local residents.
• The site is privately owned, and the root cause of the fires is the illegal dumping of waste between 2002 and 2014.
• Since 2004, the council, Environment Agency¹ and Metropolitan Police have taken enforcement action, including serving notices and prosecuting individuals.
• Since 2022, the council has been gathering data, including air quality monitoring, soil investigations, and health impact analysis.
• The judge in a recent judicial review said that the council should have gathered more data and considered whether airborne contamination could lead to the land being determined as contaminated land under the Environmental Protection Act 1990².
• The council is in the process of making a new determination on whether the site should be designated as contaminated land.
• Depending on the outcome of the determination, the council will either serve a remediation notice or an abatement notice on the landowner.
• Any substantial works to stop the fires may take several years, but an interim solution may be possible within 6-12 months.
• The council has incurred costs of £949,000 to March 2025, and estimates further costs of £604,000 in 2025/26, plus additional costs in future years.
• Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council, clarified that cost was never going to be an issue, and that the priority was to solve the problem.
• Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, stated that the council had engaged with partners including the Environment Agency and had used 14 experts and scientists to gather evidence.
• Helen Oakerbee, Director of Planning and Public Protection, noted that whichever decision the council makes, there may be a group that decides to challenge the decision.
• Councillor Keith Darvill raised concerns about the urgency of the response and the time it was taking to reach a decision.
• Councillor Martin Goode raised concerns about the future use of the land and the need to consider all opportunities.
• The council is also working to update its Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), which is currently overdue.

Adoption of the Romford, Rainham and Gidea Park Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans

The Cabinet voted to adopt the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plans (CAAMPs) for Romford, Rainham and Gidea Park. These plans provide guidance for planning decisions within the designated conservation areas. The cabinet also delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Public Protection for adoption of future CAAMPs, if there are no boundary changes proposed.

Key aspects of the plans:

• Romford: The boundary will expand significantly to include more buildings along Market Place, High Street and South Street.
• Rainham: The boundary will expand to include the whole garden area of Rainham Hall, while a small area in the north will be removed.
• Gidea Park: A small expansion is proposed to include the Interwar parade of shops with flats above at 142-156 Balgores Lane.
• The CAAMPs reflect changes in the areas since the last appraisal in 2008 and provide guidance on managing change while protecting historic character.
• The council consulted with the public and key stakeholders on the draft CAAMPs, and the final versions reflect the comments received.
• Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, noted that the last updated release was due in 2008, so it was about time.
• Councillor Williamson also said that the purpose of the conservation area is to enhance planning control.
• Councillor Darvill welcomed the work and said that the longer you can wait for them, the less you are likely to get the investment.
• Councillor Goode mentioned that we're not adding shops into the conservation area in the sense of building more, it's expanding to cover the existing shops.

Asbestos Control Policy (2025)

The Cabinet approved the updated Asbestos Control Policy (2025) for Property and Housing Services. The policy clarifies the council's commitment to managing asbestos in its properties to protect residents' health and safety.

Key elements of the policy:

• Applies to all Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Private Sector Leasing (PSL) and hostel properties owned or managed by the council.
• Presumes that all materials contain asbestos unless proven otherwise, except for properties built after 2001.
• Sets out the duties and responsibilities of staff, management and contractors involved in asbestos removal.
• Requires a review of the management survey before any works that may disturb asbestos are undertaken.
• Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said that the policy sets out to clarify the council's commitment to supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of its residents.
• Councillor Goode raised concerns about counter-action if someone has been exposed to asbestos.

Housing Ombudsman Annual Report

The Cabinet approved the Housing Ombudsman Annual Report and agreed to publish it on the council website. The report is a compliance requirement under the Housing Ombudsman's complaints handling code.

Key points of the report:

• Provides information on Stage One, Stage Two and Housing Ombudsman complaints received for Housing Services under the Housing Revenue Account for the financial year 2024-2025.
• Shows volumes, top ten themes, performance, declined complaints and service improvement.
• Includes feedback on the Housing Ombudsman Complaints Handling Performance report and spotlight reports.
• Councillor McGeary said that the report sets out how we meet the requirements of the shelter section against the housing ombudsman's performance in the fund standing cut.
• Councillor Darvill said that there is the annual report as well, and that there is an overview and scrutiny meeting as well.

Complaint Policy

The Cabinet approved the updated Complaint Policy and agreed to publish it on the council website. The policy has been reviewed to ensure it is fully in line with the Housing Ombudsman (HO) Complaints Handling Code 2024 and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) complaints code.

Key changes to the policy:

• Definition of a complaint changed to the definition set by the Ombudsman.
• Vexatious behaviour changed to unacceptable behaviour.
• Acknowledgement target changed from 3 days to 5 days.
• Stage One complaint response changed from 7 working days to 10 working days.
• Councillor McGeary said that the report was the updated version of our complaints policy.
• Councillor Darvill said that there's a formal route when you're making, and the same goes for residents as well, when you're making a formal corporate complaint, you go via the website to do so.
• Councillor Middleton said that perhaps we'll put some extra communication out to people about the best way of formally raising a complaint.

Q1 Corporate Plan Performance Report

The Cabinet reviewed the Q1 Corporate Plan Performance Report, which provides an overview of the council's performance against its strategic goals.

Key highlights from the report:

• As at the end of Q1 2025/26, 124 Corporate Performance Indicators have been measured.
• Of these, 57 are either narrative only (38) or are KPIS for which a target is not applicable (19). The remaining 67 have been given a RAG status.
• 31 (46.3%) have a RAG status of Green.
• 11 (16.4%) have a RAG status of Amber.
• 25 (37.3%) have a RAG status of Red.
• Councillor Darvill raised concerns about the apprenticeship levy and the need to ensure that the council is getting value for money.
• Councillor Goode said that the issue that I mentioned that conservation area, the most, we want to protect the character.
• Councillor David Taylor said that a lot of the indicators are going to be developed.