taking part in art, crafts and sports

Havering Council organises a range of activities across the Borough during school holidays.

Find out what’s happening this half-term here.

at RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve

Throughout half term there is a Winter Spectacular Week at the RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve including bird watching events, craft activities and much more.

at Romford Market

Get a bird's eye view of Romford from the Ferris Wheel in Romford Market and then watch the children enjoy the helter-skelter before browsing the bargains on offer from local traders.

with Parasports

Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and AthleFit are just some of the activities on offer from Havering Council at a Parasports day at the Romford YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH on Thursday 18 February, noon – 3pm.

at Fairkytes Live

Thursday 18 February, 8pm. Fairkytes Live, Music for a Winter’s Night with acoustic guitarist Clive Carroll

Book tickets here. 

The roll-out of Universal Credit starts in Havering on Monday 15 February. The new benefit will initially apply only to new claims for Job Seekers Allowance from single people, but will be expanded in stages to cover recipients of other benefits.

If you are on benefits then the introduction of Universal Credit is likely to affect you.

Find out how on Monday 29 February, 10am – 2pm during a Universal Credit Information Event at myplace, Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, RM3 9EN.

If you’re looking for a new job, want to be an apprentice or find work experience then head to the Recruitment Event at Romford YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH on Wednesday 24 February, 2pm – 7pm.

You can also get advice on writing a good job application and CV. Find out more by email.

Havering’s Safer Neighbourhood Board is holding two conferences open to all residents.

Speakers will include the Metropolitan Police Borough Commander and a representative from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.

The interactive conference will help bring communities together to share crime prevention advice, with particular focus this year on Neighbourhood Watch, the scamming of vulnerable people and running effective Ward Panels.

The first is on Monday 22 February, 10am – 1pm at Romford YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH and the second on Wednesday 2 March, 7pm – 9pm at Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB. Book your place by email.

There are a number of scams taking place and you can see the latest alerts here

Current scams include ones using the Royal Mail and signature collecting. Advice is attached on using public Wi-Fi safely and seven cyber resolutions for a safer 2016.

If you are approached by scammers report it to Action Fraud here.

To date 523 local people have volunteered to get involved with Clean for the Queen targeting areas across the Borough. The largest number so far is from Crownfield Infants School (pictured) in Collier Row where 270 pupils and staff have volunteered to clean White Hart Lane shopping area.

If you're involved with a community group, school or business why not follow their example and volunteer too?

Clean for the Queen takes place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 March and is a campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June 2016. Register your interest in a Havering Clean for the Queen event here.

On Sunday 12 June 2016, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her 90th birthday. 

Communities across Havering can be part of this national celebration by organising a neighbourhood street party. Street parties are a great part of British life and an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate national occasions. 

Find out more about street parties in Havering here.

Havering’s Cabinet has proposed to increase Council Tax by 1.99 per cent as well as two per cent for the social care precept. However, in real terms, residents will actually see an increase of only 1.96 per cent, mainly because the amount that residents have been paying to the Mayor of London for the Olympics will come to an end. The increase is 57p per week for a Band D property.

This decision follows the disappointing news that the Borough would receive £10.8 million (17 per cent) less than last year from Government. This will fall further by £30.8 million (96 per cent), leaving Havering with only £1.3 million from Government by 2019/20.

The Council Tax and budget will be decided at Full Council on Wednesday 24 February. Read the agenda papers here and watch the meeting live here.

If you have a Freedom Pass that expires on 31 March 2016 you should soon receive a letter explaining how to renew it.

That letter has a unique renewal number. As soon as you receive that letter you need to log on here to renew your Freedom Pass.

As passes take up to four weeks to arrive renewing as soon as you receive your letter is important.

More information on the Freedom Pass is available here.

If you’re looking to replace your old boiler check the London Boiler Cashback Scheme as you could be eligible for £400 cash back. But act fast as there are only 6,500 cash back vouchers available across Greater London.

Our website gives you a simple way to access whatever you need – from planning applications to swimming pool opening times – on your computer, tablet or smartphone, at a time that suits you.  If you don’t have your own device, you can log on at your local library, where staff will be on hand to offer help.

More than 89,000 subscribers now receive the award winning email updates from Havering Council including:

NEW THIS MONTH

Launching in February is a new email update providing news and information to local voluntary groups and their members. Sign up here to receive your copy.

The full list of award winning email updates currently produced by Havering Council can be seen here.

You can access information on everything happening in Havering by visiting our website.

You can also follow us on Twitter @LBofHavering, check out the Havering YouTube channel, see us on Instagram and stay up-to-date with Havering events on our Facebook page.