Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Havering Borough and Essex Devolution 2025-05-07

07 May 2025 · 4 other contributors

Opened by Andrew Rosindell Con Romford

Local Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrew Rosindell raised concerns about havering borough and essex devolution 2025-05-07 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about Havering Borough's identity and relationship with Essex since its incorporation into Greater London in 1965.
  • Havering pays tens of millions annually to the Greater London Authority while facing costly policies like ULEZ and experiencing a lack of local services.
  • Request made for the Government to initiate discussions with Havering residents on devolution options for Essex.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andrew Rosindell Con Romford

I have proudly represented my home town of Romford in the House for 24 years. An historic market town since 1247, it has been part of Essex county since the 6th century. Despite being incorporated into Greater London in 1965, our constituents and I are proud of our Essex identity which transcends local government boundaries. The reorganisation took Romford from Essex, leading to confusion about its true location within the historic county. Since then, Havering has been part of Greater London but remains geographically, historically, culturally, socially, and commercially linked to Essex. The borough pays tens of millions annually to the Greater London Authority and faces costly policies like ULEZ without receiving adequate services in return. We have experienced police station closures and a lack of local policing due to resources being diverted towards inner London areas. To address these issues, I am requesting that the Government open up meaningful conversations with Havering's residents about devolution options for Essex.

Other contributors (4)
  • David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

    He agrees other government institutions should follow Mr Speaker in flying historic county flags to celebrate heritage.

  • James McMurdock Reform South Basildon and East Thurrock

    Thurrock, like Havering, is Essex through and through and should remain that way, avoiding ULEZ and planning interference from the Mayor of London.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Devolution must have community support and effective people in place to carry out the job. He supports Rosindell's argument that Havering residents would likely vote to leave Greater London for a unitary authority.

  • Peter Fortune Con Bromley and Chislehurst

    My borough faces many of the frustrations that your constituents face, and we are also contributing huge amounts of money to the Mayor of London.

Government Response

Title not provided

Minister’s response is not available in the given transcript. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Romford for securing this important debate and raising the question of Havering borough’s place in relation to devolution in Essex. Our reorganisation in Greater Manchester was a bit later, but many still feel that they are Lancashire to their heart even though they are part of the Greater Manchester combined authority. One of the first things we did upon coming into government was change the way county flags are flown from Marsham Street to Parliament Square and New Palace Yard on each county day. The Government have made it a clear mission to extend devolution to all corners of England, while fixing the foundations of local government. A public consultation has been conducted on our proposals to establish a mayoral combined county authority across Essex county council, Thurrock council and Southend-on-Sea city council, as part of the devolution priority programme. Responses are being assessed and I will shortly make a decision on whether to proceed with the necessary legislation. The three existing council areas form the currently proposed footprint for the future devolution of Greater Essex, although boundaries might change in the future if it is locally desired and statutory tests are met. We remain open to discussions with any council across England on its vision for its region.

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