Havering Consultations

Havering Council launched a consultation on our Budget 25-26 draft proposals, from 22 November 2024 to 3 January 2025, which set out how the Council propose to save money whilst still providing vital public services.  We asked for feedback on how these proposals would affect Havering’s residents.  We also held a public event on Wednesday 18 December 2024 which was attended by 14 people.

At the time the consultation was published, we were predicting a budget gap of around £74 million and we explained that Havering is in this position as the funding we receive from government no longer meets rising costs and the borough’s changing population and that, as in recent years, we knew we would have to make some difficult decisions during the setting of the 25-26 budget to ensure money is directed to where it is needed most.

We also explained how we continue to lobby the government for a fairer funding deal which accurately reflects the changing population and needs in Havering and asked residents to help us by signing our petition and writing to their local MP. 

608 responses were received to the consultation, which included 25 paper copies.

• The three most important issues that respondents felt Havering is likely to face in the next year by weighted rank are: Crime and Community Safety (14.9%), The Economy and Cost of Living (14.4%) and Increasing Population Levels (14.1%).

• The three most important issues that respondents are personally most concerned about are: Cleanliness of Street and Local Area (17%), Anti-Social Behaviour in My Community (14%) and Paying Bills/Rent/Mortgage (10%).

Residents were asked if they would support an increase in Council Tax.  We did not include any particular assumptions on a Council Tax increase but provided an illustration of how a 5% increase in Council Tax would mean an increase of £1.66 per week on an average Band D property in the borough:

• • 40% supported an increase of up to 5%
  • 15.5% supported an increase of 5% or above
  • 41% did not support an increase

Respondents were asked if they would support a Council Tax premium for second homes which have been empty and furnished for more than twelve months in the same way as empty and unfurnished properties:

• 80% supported charging a premium
• 13% did not support charging a premium

We asked for feedback on our proposals which we grouped into themes:

Council Tax Increases:  Many comments expressed concerns about the affordability of council tax increases, especially for pensioners and low-income households. There was general sentiment that any increase above 5% would be unaffordable to many residents.

Empty and Second homes:  There were mixed opinions on charging a premium for empty and second homes. Some believed that second homes are a luxury and should be taxed if left empty, while others want exceptions in cases like long-term hospital stays, care homes or probate delays.

Council Efficiency and Spending:  Some comments highlighted the need for the council to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending. Suggestions included better management of council resources, reducing high salaries, and cutting down on unnecessary projects.

Social Care and Essential Services:  There was an emphasis on the importance of funding essential services such as social care, policing and education. Some residents were willing to support a council tax increase if it ensured the maintenance or improvement of these services.

Fairness and Equity: The theme of fairness was prevalent, with many comments suggesting that council tax should be based on the ability to pay.

Government Funding: A recurring theme was the need for increased government funding to support local councils to alleviate the burden on local taxpayers

Havering's Cabinet met on 26 February 2025 and agreed proposals for the Council's 2025-26 budget.

As a direct result of feedback:

• Council tax will be increased by 4.99% from 1 April 2025
• The Council will continue to invest in safety with a new CCTV system coming online and another year of funding for the section 92 police officers.
• Parks will continue to be maintained and the Council will carry on building homes for Havering residents through a number of different regeneration schemes.
• The Council will continue to invest in our roads, support local businesses through a new campaign, and ensure help remains for our most vulnerable through the cost of living challenge. 

Please see the full Public Document Pack Here which includes the 2025-26 Council Budget Setting Report.

Between November 2023 and January 2024, we carried out another round of surveys that built on and added further detail to the information shared by parents and carers in response to the ‘Havering: SEND Survey for Parents and Carers’ in March 2023. 

Using three separate surveys, one for children and young people, one for parents and carers, and one for professionals working within Havering’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) partnership, we sought views on how well the SEND partnership is promoting positive outcomes and experiences for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Where the earlier survey informed priorities linked to the Council’s involvement in the Department for Education’s (DfE) Delivering Better Value scheme, these additional surveys were used to inform the partnership’s evaluation of how well it is supporting children and young people with SEND and their families, and in turn, determine the priorities for its new SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy (2024-2028).

A combined total of 292 responses were received to the surveys.

Parents and Carers

We received 190 responses from parents/carers of children and young people living in Havering.

Summaries of what they told us can be found here: SEND Survey – Parents and Carers

Children and Young people

We received 29 responses from children and young people living in Havering.

Summaries of what they told us can be found here: SEND Survey – Children and Young People

Professionals

We received 73 responses from professionals working with children and young people living in Havering.

Summaries of what they told us can be found here: SEND Survey – Professionals

These responses and information from other engagement activities with children and young people, families and those working in the local area have been used to create the local area’s SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy (2024-2028), which sets out how the local area partnership will work together with the community to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families over the coming years.

The Strategy, and the partnership’s Self-Evaluation, was agreed by the Council’s Cabinet in September 2024 and is now available to view on the Havering SEND Local Offer, here. 

Havering Council carried out an independent customer satisfaction survey between 1 November and 30 November 2024 in collaboration with the Institute of Customer Service (ICS), to help shape and improve our customer service.

968 customers responded to our survey.

The results have been received and have provided us with some insightful data.  We will publish your feedback once we have been able to fully analyse the findings.

Once we have analysed the feedback report, it will be used to shape and improve the customer experience.  More information will follow on any improvements we will be making.