Key Points:
- Havering Council has proposed removing prayers and the national anthem from full council meetings to shorten their length.
- The change would save around five minutes, with prayers being moved to a separate room and the national anthem no longer played at the end.
- The proposal has drawn criticism from Christian groups, with Conservative councillor David Taylor expressing his shock and disappointment.
- Changes to the constitution would require full council approval and further research into practices in other councils before proceeding.
Havering Council has put forward a proposal to remove prayers and the national anthem from full council meetings as part of efforts to shorten the meetings. Currently, meetings begin with a brief prayer delivered by the mayor’s elected chaplain and end with the national anthem. The council suggests that prayers could be held before the meeting in a separate room, while the national anthem would no longer be played at the end.
Why is Havering Council considering these changes?
The proposal to remove prayers and the national anthem stems from concerns over the length of full council meetings, which often exceed two hours. The council aims to streamline meetings to make them more efficient and reduce time spent on ceremonial traditions. The changes would save an estimated five minutes, as both the prayer and anthem ceremonies take around this amount of time combined.
What has been the reaction to these proposals?
The proposal has faced significant backlash, especially from Christian groups. Conservative councillor David Taylor, the church engagement lead for the Conservative Christian Fellowship, expressed his shock at the plans. Taylor criticised the idea, saying that removing these traditions in the name of saving a few minutes is “trashing” important customs. He added that the anthem and prayer serve to unite the group and remind councillors of their greater responsibilities.
What will happen next with the proposal?
The proposal is still under review and would require approval from a constitutional working group before any formal changes could be made. Havering Council has stated that there are “no plans for the near future” to make these changes, as other constitutional updates are already on the agenda. The council intends to research the approaches of other London councils before proceeding with any decision. If the proposal is recommended, it would need to be approved by both the governance committee and the full council.
How does this compare to other boroughs like Redbridge?
In the neighbouring borough of Redbridge, full council meetings also begin with a prayer, but the national anthem is not played at the end. This comparison is likely to inform Havering Council’s decision-making process as it looks at how other councils structure their meetings and ceremonial practices.
Could the proposed changes impact the way councillors engage with the community?
Some critics argue that removing traditional elements like prayer and the national anthem could diminish the sense of unity and purpose during council meetings. They believe these practices serve as a reminder of the councillors’ duty to serve the public. However, the council’s main focus is on improving the efficiency of meetings, and whether this change would improve outcomes for residents remains a topic of debate.
