MP calls for London borough to split from Greater London Authority
The London Borough of Havering should be given the chance to shed its London borough status and rejoin Essex, the MP for Romford has said.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Andrew Rosindell MP said the area's Essex identity "has tragically been diminished" since the London Government Act 1963, which established the Greater London administrative region.
Under the Act, the then-Essex local authorities of Romford Borough Council and Hornchurch Urban District Council were incorporated into the London borough of Havering.
"Ever since then, our Essex identity has tragically been diminished and even discarded by some, as if centuries of history in belonging to such a great English county could end simply because of local government reorganisation, which was lazy in its construction and took no account of our history."
Rosindell added: "Romford is geographically Essex. We are historically Essex. We are culturally Essex and our social, sporting and commercial connections have always looked towards the county of Essex."
He complained that the Greater London region "is too big and too remote to meet the needs of a borough such as Havering", and that being a part of the capital is "very costly" for locals.
"We pay tens of millions of pounds per year to the Greater London Authority", he said.
"That equates to a vast sum for the [Greater London Authority] precept per household—an exorbitant amount of money that my constituents simply cannot afford.
"London-wide policies are imposed on us, such as planning decisions and, of course, the ultra low emission zone, but we do not get the services that we are meant to receive. They are completely inadequate, with policing being the worst example."
Rosindell's speech comes as the Government is implementing a local government reorganisation programme aimed at replacing two-tier local government areas with single-tier unitary local authorities.
It also plans to introduce mayoral strategic authorities across the country.
The MP said that "now is the time to consider Havering's future", adding: "With devolution for what is termed Greater Essex now being implemented, this must surely be the right moment to examine a change that would give the people of Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham hope that we could be part of something that better suits our local needs and goes with the grain of our historical identity.
"If the Government truly believe in genuine devolution, I hope the Minister will agree that local people should determine what is best for them, and a borough such as Havering must surely have the freedom to consider all options for our future.
He said he believed that if a referendum were called “tomorrow”, Havering residents “would overwhelmingly vote to leave Greater London and be a unitary authority”.
Rosindell requested that the Government open up a "meaningful conversation with the people of Havering" about devolution for Essex that could include Havering.
He also asked that Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, consider Havering for collaboration with its neighbouring local authorities such as Brentwood or Epping Forest.
Responding to Rosindell in the House of Commons, McMahon said: "It is currently not envisaged that the boundaries of Greater London will be changed, or that the proposed Greater Essex mayoral combined county authority will be expanded, although the latter would be possible at a later date should it be locally desired and should statutory tests be met."
On reorganisation, he said the new administrative boundaries being drawn "are about efficiency and the importance of having a single tier of local government that people can hold to account and that is sustainable in the future".
However, he added that the plans are "in no way intended to cut across the identities that people feel and are proud of".
Adam Carey
