‘THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE’: COUNCIL LEADER WARNS OF HAVERING’S FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AS COUNCIL FIGHTS FOR MORE FUNDING.

19th October 202619th October 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Funding, Havering, Havering Council, Super Suberb min read

Havering’s Leader of the Council, Councillor Keith Prince AM writes his regular column in the Havering Daily.

When residents voted for change, they sent a clear message about the future they want for Havering. Last month we were proud to launch our long-term vision for the Borough with The Havering Plan 2040 – our ambition to create London’s Super Suburb.

This vision is about making Havering the best place in London to live, learn and earn, and the best place for businesses to invest, grow and thrive.

At its heart are two simple principles – putting Havering First in every decision we make, and following The Havering Way, ensuring growth enhances our Borough while protecting the character, heritage and green spaces that make Havering special.

We know there are challenges ahead, particularly around Council finances, housing, infrastructure and public services. That is why our plan focuses on delivering real improvements for residents, from safer streets and healthier communities to better customer services, stronger economic growth and more opportunities for local people.

This is an ambitious vision, but meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. By looking ahead to 2040, we are creating a clear roadmap that will help transform Havering into an even better place for current and future generations.

You can read the full Havering Plan 2040 and learn more about how we are Creating London’s Super Suburb on the Council’s website: www.havering.gov.uk/vision

I am sure you have heard us say many a time that this Council has a Government loan to shore up its finances. We said before the election that we will look to get them under control, and we are doing just that.

We are currently doing some intensive work as an Administration with Officers looking at our budget for next year. A number of meetings have taken place to look at savings as well as where further investment is needed.

There are tough decisions to be made, some that should have been taken under previous Administrations that would have meant we are not in as bad a place as we find ourselves today. The good news is that working with Officers we have found savings to reduce spending so that our position is much better. This means we are able to draw down less of the loan than anticipated. This also means we will pay less interest on it too.

However, this is not sustainable and more needs to be done to move into a better-balanced position.

The Government have to work with us on this. It is good news that they have allocated an additional £6 million after some excellent work from the Chief Executive and our Finance Director. It is still not enough, and we will continue to lobby for more and look at other solutions. Such as cancelling the interest on the Government loan. I will keep you updated on progress.

The Government also needs to move quickly on finding a solution for social care, one of our biggest financial pressures, and we will lobby hard to ensure that the National Care Service announced by them does this. This includes taking on all the costs of social care.

One area we are committed to investing is in our Section 92 Police Officers. They do an amazing job and have had some outstanding successes cracking down on different crimes such. Last Friday (9 October), I visited Hornchurch to see how they have helped catch prolific shoplifters.

Lastly, I am pleased to say that life is almost back to normal in the Borough after Gallows Corner reopened. We all know it was a botched operation from the beginning and sadly we are still feeling the aftershocks where businesses suffered as a result. As promised before, you are not forgotten and we will continue to push the Greater London Authority (GLA), Transport for London (TfL), and Essex and Suffolk Water for compensation.

Cllr Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council

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