Key Points
- Havering Conservative councillors have called for the formal establishment of resident-led forums to increase public influence in local planning decisions.
- Conservative members argue that current council processes do not empower residents sufficiently on planning and development issues.
- The Conservative councillors’ proposal follows heightened local frustration over controversial development schemes and perceived lack of community consultation.
- They urge Havering Council to adopt new structures for engagement, including open forums, dedicated online resources, and more regular face-to-face meetings.
- The call comes amid political shifts in the council, with several Conservative councillors having moved to the Havering Residents Association in recent months.
- Council Leader Councillor Ray Morgon defends the administration’s engagement record and points to new strategies aimed at boosting openness and resident participation.
- The council’s 2024–2027 Resident Engagement and Participation Strategy, led by Cllr Morgon, outlines plans for improved consultation and forums, especially in housing and regeneration.
- Discussions on resident voice intersect with ongoing tensions between Conservative and Residents Association councillors, particularly over planning control and public spending priorities.
- The debate is set against the backdrop of recent community campaigns—including a Conservative-led petition demanding safer parks and greater investment in local infrastructure.
Havering’s Conservative councillors have renewed their call for structured resident forums to be embedded in the borough’s planning process, arguing that such platforms are essential for ensuring local people have meaningful influence over the area’s future development. Their demand comes as pressure mounts on Havering Council for greater transparency and a more collaborative approach to decision-making, following a series of high-profile planning controversies and changes to the council’s political landscape.
Why Are Havering Conservative Councillors Demanding Resident Forums?
As reported by The Havering Daily on 29 July 2025, Conservative councillors in Havering have spoken out on what they describe as a “critical need” for established, resident-led forums to
The call is rooted in growing discontent among residents and Conservative members, who contend that community perspectives are routinely sidelined in significant development and regeneration decisions.
Speaking with The Havering Daily, several Conservative representatives voiced frustration at what they see as a lack of direct citizen input in planning processes. They point to concerns voiced by local people over large-scale development projects—ranging from housing expansion to commercial infrastructure—where consultation has often been perceived as a “box-ticking” exercise rather than genuine engagement.
“Current processes simply do not give residents the weight or influence they deserve, especially in matters that shape our communities for generations,”
one councillor told The Havering Daily.
What Structures Are Conservatives Proposing For Greater Engagement?
The Conservative group outlined several recommendations for Havering Council to consider, including:
- The formal establishment of neighbourhood planning forums, where residents can openly debate, scrutinise, and contribute to development proposals before decisions are made.
- The introduction of dedicated online platforms and social media communities to broaden the reach of engagement and include more voices.
- Regular public meetings, workshops, and “drop-in” sessions in accessible community venues.
- Transparent reporting and feedback mechanisms, ensuring that the findings of forums are shared publicly and feed directly into council decision-making.
As reported by The Havering Daily, the Conservatives’ proposals echo principles set out in other parts of the borough’s governance, such as the Statement of Community Involvement 2021 and the new Resident Engagement and Participation Strategy. They assert, however, that these frameworks must be backed by concrete action and statutory guarantees if they are to restore public trust.
What Is The Current Council Administration’s Response?
Responding to the mounting calls for reform, Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, defended the administration’s record and outlined several forthcoming measures to strengthen resident engagement.
In his official foreword to the Resident Engagement and Participation Strategy 2024–2027, Cllr Morgon states:
“As a new Administration, it was clear to us that residents wanted to be more involved in decision making. They also wanted us to be more open and transparent. Central to our commitments to residents was to work with, listen more and make sure that they are better informed and engaged with decision making.”
The strategy document acknowledges that while forums already exist in specific domains—such as housing, with Resident Participation Panels and associated groups—the council intends to broaden the model, enhancing support structures and ensuring forums represent a full cross-section of the community, including youth, leaseholders, and minority voices.
Cllr Morgon has also challenged claims that the council is unresponsive or insular, asserting in a May 2025 response to The Havering Daily that:
“Havering Council is committed to fostering a prosperous and vibrant community, and our strategic plans reflect this dedication… We are actively investing in the economic development of Havering to ensure sustainable growth and job creation”.
How Do Political Changes In Havering Affect The Debate?
The renewed Conservative push for forums coincides with notable shifts in the borough’s political landscape. In April 2024, as covered by The Havering Daily, three Conservative councillors switched allegiance to the Havering Residents Association, echoing previous moves by Cllr Robby Misir. This bolstered the Residents Association’s numbers and raised the stakes for control of the council.
Cllr Gillian Ford, Chair of the Residents Association, has welcomed the influx, stating:
“With an expanded team, we can ensure the voices of more residents are heard as we work our way through the tough times to get the borough on a sustainable future”.
These political developments have fuelled further debate over the effectiveness of citizen engagement and representation on Havering Council, with the balance of power now subject to frequent recalibration.
What Do Existing Council Documents Say About Community Engagement In Planning?
The borough’s Statement of Community Involvement—updated in 2021—sets out a legal and policy framework for public participation in planning. The document stresses the
“importance of early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with neighbourhoods,”
and outlines various methods for consultation, including public meetings, focus groups, and digital channels. However, the Conservatives maintain that such statements are only as effective as their implementation.
Meanwhile, the Council has committed to regular reviews of engagement methods to ensure they stay relevant, citing lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of online tools and new modes of communication.
What Additional Issues Are Residents Raising?
Wider resident engagement is not limited to planning. Conservative councillors have recently pushed campaigns such as the “Safer Parks” petition, formally presented in July 2025, demanding more CCTV and secure gating in local parks after previous proposals were blocked by council majority members. Cllr Nisha Patel told The Havering Daily:
“We put forward a sensible, fully costed proposal to make our parks safer—something residents consistently tell us they want. The administration chose to vote it down. In response, we took the issue directly to local people, and the public has spoken loud and clear. Residents want safer parks, and this petition proves it.”
This, too, has become part of the broader conversation about how resident priorities are reflected in council decisions and funding allocations.
What Happens Next For Planning Forums In Havering?
With cross-party awareness of the importance of resident input—and overt commitment in council documents and leadership statements—the prospect of bespoke planning forums is now the subject of formal council debate. Whether these forums become a statutory or advisory part of the planning process will depend on future council votes, the outcomes of ongoing political negotiations, and further input from the public.
For now, Havering’s Conservative councillors remain vocal advocates for expanding forums as a key tool to “give residents a stronger voice” in shaping the borough, while the current administration—led by Cllr Ray Morgon—insists it is already moving in the direction of greater transparency and participation, but on a borough-wide basis.
As the debate continues, residents, councillors, and the council’s leadership will be closely watching how these promises translate into real influence over the planning, regeneration, and future shape of Havering.
