David Taylor

Jul 186 min read

Havering's Secret Millions - The Proof

Havering Council has over £3m of unallocated infrastructure money available to spend. Spending it won't hit our budget, but it will improve our borough.

So what is it and why is it just sitting there?

Community Infrastructure Levy

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a tax applied to developers when they want to build. It is in place across the UK and set at being a certain £ per square metre. In London we have a second CIL, set by the Mayor of London, the MCIL.

All of the MCIL money goes directly to funding the Elizabeth Line, Havering collects it from developers and passes it over to the Mayor. The CIL, however, goes to Havering Council, and Havering has £millions of it.

CIL money, as set out by its name, is for developing community infrastructure. It can't be used for the day to day operation of things, such as salaries or energy costs, but it can be used to expand a school, upgrade a road or improve and expand a library (as done in Chelmsford).

Disputing My Claims

There are certain Councillors in Havering who would disagree with me if I said that the sky was up. I, and others, witnessed as eyes rolled and tuts were slipped out when I challenged the Administration on library spending. I think I was the only person who was spoken over.

They tut and roll their eyes for two reasons.

"How can a 'tory' oppose library cuts?"
"He's wrong about the money".

The first complaint is understandable, but ludicrous. You spend years complaining the Conservatives don't care, and then complain when a newly elected Conservative does different. Do you not want me to care?

The second is why I'm writing this blog. Because I have proof.

Havering Council has unspent millions, and it could be used to help our libraries and infrastructure.

The Evidence

My first claim, that is refuted, is that Havering Council has allocated over £1m to tinker with a roundabout in Romford.

"It's TFL money and it can't be reallocated", is what some are claiming. Which is false.

The image below is a screenshot from an email sent to me by a Council Officer in January 2023. This is a list of all the projects in Havering where CIL money has been allocated.

As is very clear, £1.2m is allocated for the Liveable Neighbourhood Romford Ring Road Scheme. This was approved on 16th Jan 2023.

The scheme was first proposed by the Conservatives and it is designed to eliminate some of the subways in Romford, specifically the one going under the North Street roundabout. The scheme enjoys some match funding by TFL, but we are putting in £1.2m of CIL money.

For the record, TFL have got their scheme on pause. So it isn't happening anytime soon.

There are also some other projects put forward here. The Tithe Barn roof repair, which we've all seen the Administration cheer about in the news. And a Romford Youth Centre (any news on that?)

So, it is quite clear that Havering Council has committed £1.2m to tinkering with our Ring-road. And, as CIL money doesn't come from TFL, the claim that this money cannot be diverted as it is from TFL is FALSE.

My second claim is that there is around £2.3m of unallocated CIL money available.

I mentioned this at the Library Consultation in the Town Hall and watched as senior HRA Councillors looked at each other in confusion. Which was worrying. One would think that the people running our council know whether we have money or not.

Turns out I was wrong.

The figure is much higher. There is £3.2m of CIL unallocated.

Below is another screenshot of an email, again from a Council Officer. This one sent in July 2024.

At the bottom of the list, of CIL projects, is the total amount unallocated.

42% of our CIL money is not set aside for anything.

There are some newly funded projects on the full list. Some new crossings in Elm Park and Hornchurch, for example. I've put the full image at the bottom of this page, so you can see them all.

So there is money for local infrastructure. £millions of it. Even after you take into consideration all the proposed schemes.

My third claim, also disputed, is that this can be used to save our libraries. This one is a tad more complicated, but entirely possible.

Remember earlier, I said CIL cannot be used to fund day to day running of operations. This is true. So, when the library services are looking to save £300k, by closing 4 libraries, CIL won't be able to cover that gap.

But, my argument has never been that (anyone claiming that hasn't paid attention). My claim is that this money can be used to expand and improve our library services.

The cost of running and maintaining our libraries is too high. They are old, need constant maintenance, and many are not fit for purpose. But, we all know that running costs can be reduced by upgrading or replacing a building.

CIL could be used to combine an existing library into an existing community centre. Perhaps the Collier Row Library could be added to the North Romford Community Centre just down the road.

CIL could be used to demolish the old Gidea Park structure and replace it with something efficient, using green-energy and creating a public meeting space that can be hired out.

There are a lot of options, many of which will reduce the cost.

These improvements will all take time, and they won't deliver the saving in this financial year. But, if the administration turned around and said "The closure will be temporary, for 3 years, whilst we do building work", I think we'd all agree that it is a much better plan than simply closing them.

Below is another email extract, confirming exactly that.

Conclusion

I don't live in a fantasy world. I know that what I am proposing isn't a simple fix and nor will it save the council the running costs this year. But, it provides a light at the end of the tunnel, in a way that our HRA run administration is not doing.

Instead of engaging with me and listening to my ideas, Senior HRA Cllrs roll their eyes and tut. They take to social media to write posts debunking my claims, they put their energy into telling you I am wrong, before checking the facts.

"You should work with us, and stop obstructing us", is a regular cry towards me. It's used as if I am the person blocking them from doing good in our borough.

I say this, if the HRA put as much effort into listening and researching, as they are into trying to prove me wrong, then we'd be in a better position.

Havering Council clearly has £millions available to spend on local infrastructure. Even once they've allocated over £1m for the roundabout, they have £3.2m unallocated.

That money can be used to upgrade our libraries. It could be used to transform Romford Market, allowing it to host parking at events at the same time. It could be used to improve a school, add in new road crossings or expand CCTV to keep residents safe. Why not use it to build a youth facility in Romford!?

Instead, it is unallocated.

Havering's secret millions are no longer secret. I've shown you the proof.

Before the election, the HRA made a promise that they wouldn't allow further homes without infrastructure first. We're seeing them propose new homes, such as a 12 storey tower-block on Como street car park. They haven't proposed any new infrastructure.

The money is there. It must be used.

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