Council drops borough-wide declaration, vows targeted environmental work
Havering Council has voted to rescind its Climate Emergency declaration, signalling a change in approach by the new administration towards local environmental policy. The motion was approved at Full Council on 22 July, with the administration saying it will continue to protect the environment while focusing on what it described as more practical and cost-effective measures.
The administration set out that future environmental policy and investment will be guided by practical outcomes, local priorities, affordability and value for money, alongside the council’s duty to deliver high-quality public services. It said its priorities will include cleaner streets, well-maintained parks and green spaces, improved biodiversity, better waste services, and stronger flood resilience.
“We don’t need a Climate Emergency in place that will force the Council to try and meet arbitrary targets that cost the taxpayer money,” the council leader said.
Council leader Councillor Keith Prince AM told councillors the decision was intended to avoid pursuing net-zero policies that could place unnecessary cost or restriction on residents, motorists, businesses or essential council services. He added that ending the declaration would not mean stopping "sensible and costed environmental improvements" but that the council would consider local needs first.
What the council says it will continue to deliver
- Cleaner streets and well-maintained parks
- Improved biodiversity projects in the borough
- Better waste services and recycling delivery
- Stronger flood resilience and targeted sustainability projects
The motion states the council will prioritise schemes that provide the greatest benefit to local residents, emphasising affordability and clear value for money. The administration framed the move as a shift from a symbolic declaration towards outcome-driven, locally tailored interventions.
| Stated priority | Examples given by the council |
|---|---|
| Quality of life | Cleaner streets, safe parks |
| Resilience | Flood resilience measures |
| Value for money | Costed sustainability projects |
Residents and local groups who campaigned for the original Climate Emergency declaration will now be looking for detail on how the council intends to translate the stated priorities into programmes, timelines and budgets. The administration emphasised it will continue environmental projects across the borough but did not publish an implementation plan alongside the motion at Full Council.
The change is likely to shape how future council spending and planning decisions are judged in Havering. With priorities refocused on immediate local issues and affordability, councillors, community organisations and businesses will be watching for concrete proposals on how the council intends to deliver the promised improvements.
