Havering Residents Association respond to Councillor David Taylor’s column in the Havering Daily.
In response to Councillor Taylor’s remarks, in his article entitled “Our Council has failed to prepare for ULEZ”, it’s important to clarify several points. Firstly, Councillor Taylor appears to overlook the GLA Act 1999 and the powers this has given the Mayor to enact ULEZ, as well as the legal advice that Havering Council received. It’s worth noting that the court case challenging ULEZ implementation did not succeed.
Furthermore, our new administration has been diligent in making savings, including reducing Member allowances and eliminate Special Responsibility allowances introduced by the Conservative party for all their Members.
The new administration have made further savings through restructuring the council and closer working relationships with partners. Returning to the Budget Setting process that took place in February, the Conservative budget proposal formulated by Councillor Taylor, was rejected by Members of his own group and some or his own Group Members failed to attend the most important meeting
of the year.
The H.R.A working relationship with Labour has consistently voted against ULEZ, demonstrating our commitment to opposing it and voted to “stop ULEZ at the Extraordinary meeting held in August for the second time. In contrast, it’s essential to highlight that the Conservatives did not aim to stop ULEZ in their motion; instead, they focused on criticizing the Mayor stating “condemns the Mayor”. We continue to firmly believe that there are no valid grounds for ULEZ to be introduced in Havering.
Councillor Taylor’s perspective appears to be a lone voice, seldom visible during campaigns,
offering more words than actions. It might be beneficial for him to reconsider his priorities and urge his government, to which he is a part, to take measures addressing the issues faced by our residents, such as poverty, foodbank reliance, fuel poverty, inadequate social care funding, and high interest rates. It is time for him to acknowledge the real challenges our residents encounter and the power his own government possesses to rectify these injustices, including the matter of ULEZ.
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