Budgets cuts to make unpopular decisions in desperate bid to keep the borough afloat.

A budget consultation will go live today across Havering looking at proposed cuts that need to be urgently made. Havering’s Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Morgon stated clearly that the borough ‘is in the most difficult position it has ever been in’ and as a result sadly, cuts have to be made to stop the borough from going under.

The census last year revealed a 20% increase in the population of children across Havering in the last decade, the largest rise in the country. This consequently means a rise in the demand on children and adult social services, alongside the rise in inflation that will add £10 million to overall costs, the cost of living crisis and most importantly the funding cut from the government reduced from £70 million in 2010 to £1.5 million in 2022.

“We have a high percentage of elderly residents and a growing children’s population. From every £1 we spend, 70% of that goes on children and adult social services. These are statutory services that we have to provide by law” said Councillor Morgon.

“We know that we have to make some unpalatable cuts that are going to be unpopular such as not locking parks at night, closing certain children centres and providing support in different ways. We are also looking at changing waste collection, alternating weeks for recycling and general house hold waste in the consultation.”

Certain buildings that closed during the lockdown periods and have stayed closed, will not reopen as the council plan on making services more targeted in a desperate bid to save £70 million in four years and keep Havering afloat.

“The council must become more efficient to bridge the budget cut gaps and now unfortunately we have to cut into the bone and make uncomfortable changes, but the reality is, we don’t have much choice,” continues Councillor Morgon.

He also revealed how he and other councillors will be asking MP’s to lobby the government to provide more urgent funding for Havering, including going to Number 10 Downing Street himself in an urgent bid to get additional funding.

“We know these are difficult choices to make, but it is better that we do them than we go bankrupt and a commissioner comes in and then we have no choice but do what he tells us.”

It was also bought up how the funding model for the different boroughs was ‘scewed’ and that Havering is being treated extremely unfairly compared many other London boroughs.

“80% of our funds come from our council tax rates compared to other boroughs who only provide 40% in comparison. It is clear that the funding model is scewed. Our reserves have been reduced and our population is growing faster than ever. All our resourcing levels have gone now.”

The borough’s top financiers clearly admitted that the funding system needs to be urgently changed and Havering is being penalised.

“We have five times the number of care homes compared to neighbouring boroughs. Two thirds of these of these are supported by the council.

“Havering residents are not getting a fair deal and we must now campaign to get fairly treated like all the other London boroughs,” finished Councillor Morgon.