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Friday 7 August 2020
 We know there is a high demand for high-quality affordable housing across the borough, with the COVID-19 pandemic likely to increase this further.
That is why we have decided to provide more social housing in Rainham.
The additional council homes on the Napier and New Plymouth site will help to deliver on our promise to create new communities with quality affordable housing where people are proud to call home.
Through the 12 Estates project we want to double the amount of Council-rented accommodation and more than double the number of affordable homes for local people, including former residents on the estates, who will get the right to return to a brand new home.
With demolition now complete and construction due to start on site early this autumn, we are one step closer to providing the thousands of new and affordable homes that Havering needs.
With the temperature set to stay uncomfortably warm this weekend, please take care in the heat.
We have some advice below, but please be particularly thoughtful and considerate of elderly and vulnerable residents now coping with extreme heat and the coronavirus pandemic. And don’t let the heat tempt you into taking more risks around COVID-19.
Lastly, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms - stay at home and get tested as soon as possible and follow the instructions of NHS Test and Trace if they contact you.
A mobile testing unit will be visiting the Town Hall again on Sunday (details below) and will also be operating in neighbouring boroughs when it’s not in Havering.
If you test positive you must isolate for 10 days. This will keep the borough out of lockdown – and protect vulnerable people from serious harm.
Do wear a mask – the life you save might be your parent’s.
If you want to contact me directly, email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council has announced more social housing for the Napier and New Plymouth regeneration development in Rainham.
The Napier and New Plymouth House site in Rainham is the first of 12 to be redeveloped as part of the ongoing work to deliver more affordable homes across the borough through the 12 Estates project with joint venture partner Wates Residential.
It was originally set to include 126 affordable homes and a further 71 homes for private sale, but following agreement from Cabinet – those 71 homes will now be bought by the Council to provide nearly 200 much-needed, high-quality affordable homes for local people.
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Havering Council is urging residents to sign a petition to give them a discount on the charge for use of the future Lower Thames crossing.
If you want to comment on the refinements to the design of the Lower Thames Crossing you have until Wednesday night to do so.
The proposals will be available to view and comment on a dedicated consultation website until 12 August.
You can also visit an online exhibition where you can explore an interactive map, watch videos explaining the proposals, and download documents including the guide to consultation, response form, environmental impacts update, and maps.
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Havering Council publishes a weekly report on coronavirus in Havering on its website.
It includes information on the number of Havering residents testing positive for COVID-19 each week, starting from 6 March 2020.
It also compares the number of new cases in Havering with neighbouring boroughs and the regional and national figures, and provides a link to the daily figures produced by the UK Government.
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Parking in on-street parking bays and in all Council car parks is free on Sundays, starting this Sunday, 9 August.
Remember also that when when parking in our car parks on other days of the week you can get a 20 per cent discount if you pay via the RingGo App.
It is also a COVID-19 secure way of paying. It’s more hygienic than cash and you don't need to touch any buttons or screens on parking machines.
NHS and key frontline workers can apply for a Havering Hero parking permit.
The permit allows the holder to be able to park in resident parking bays for a maximum stay of three hours with no return to that bay for two hours, and also in Council-run car parks for a maximum stay of three hours with no return to that bay for two hours.
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It's even more vital now that we all do our bit to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus and help save lives.
From this Saturday, 8 August, the list of places where members of the public will have to wear a face covering will be expanded to include libraries, museums, galleries, community centres, cinemas, bingo halls, and places of worship.
You are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.
If you can, please use a reusable face covering that can be washed and then worn again. This helps reduce the amount of rubbish generated and littering.
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If you are planning a visit to one of Havering's leisure centres then watch this video for helpful tips and details on how how Everyone Active, who manage Havering's leisure centres, are keeping everyone safe.
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A mobile testing unit for COVID-19 will be at Havering Town Hall again on Sunday.
Before you attend the site in Romford, you will need to make an appointment.
The testing at the Town Hall rear car park is between 10.30am and 3.30pm, this Sunday, 9 August.
Vehicles and pedestrians should enter via Park End Road, Romford RM1 4AU, where a one-way drive and walk through system will be in place. Please do not try to enter from Main Road.
The testing unit will be back at the same location on Wednesday and Saturday next week.
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New information has been produced explaining the importance of getting vaccinated this winter.
It tells you how you can protect yourself and your children against the highly infectious disease and why it’s very important that people who are at increased risk from flu have their free vaccination every year.
It also tackles questions such as ‘will the flu vaccine protect me against COVID-19?’
Those to consider having a flu vaccination this year include people aged 65 or over, people with medical conditions including diabetes, heart failure and asthma, pregnant women, and frontline health or social care workers.
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The annual Havering in Bloom competition has returned for the summer, and there is still time for you to show off your creative talents.
There are six categories to choose from with something for everyone, including Best Communal Garden and Tallest Sunflower.
Entry is free and there are voucher prizes for the top three in each category with £50 for the winner, £25 for the second place and £15 for third place.
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With temperatures remaining high, please make sure to keep hydrated, stay in the shade and wear suncream.
If someone you know is self-isolating with suspected COVID-19 symptoms, keep in contact with them to make sure they're safe.
Health advice for those sensitive to air pollution is available from UK AIR by calling 0800 55 66 77 (recorded information) or online.
Public Health England has advice on staying safe in a heatwave during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Government yesterday announced that working parents or carers who are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare, but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, will continue to receive financial support until 31 October 2020.
Critical workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020 to 2021 tax year as a result of working more to play a vital role in tackling the coronavirus pandemic will continue to receive support this tax year.
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We are aware of Havering residents receiving scam calls from people claiming to be from NHS Test and Trace.
The bogus callers say that you have been in close proximity to someone who has COVID-19 and that you need to take a test.
The scammers then ask for a mailing address and your payment card details in order to send a testing kit.
If you receive such a call do not give out any payment card details. There is no charge for NHS testing.
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Volunteers are urgently being sought to befriend young people in care who are living outside the borough.
Known as Independent Visitors, the volunteers act in the interest of children and young people in care and are independent of children’s services.
They meet up every three to four weeks to do an activity of the young person’s choice.
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Extra weight puts extra pressure on your body.
Which makes it harder to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now, COVID-19.
Losing weight can help reduce your risk.
For many, the past few months have been a wake-up call, with people realising how precious their health is and recognising that it is time to get back on track.
One way you can do that is to follow the NHS 12-week weight loss plan, tailored to your needs.
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The temporary mortuary at South Essex Crematorium has been removed as part of the further scaling back of extra facilities that were set up in March, to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic across London.
A decision was made to take it away following a review by London’s Strategic Coordination Group.
Following the removal of the temporary mortuary, car parking in the crematorium grounds is now fully available again.
Visitors to the crematorium and the borough’s cemeteries should still check details before making a trip, as social distancing and other guidelines around COVID-19 remain in place.
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Free online training focussed on small charities and voluntary groups to help them gain useful knowledge across various aspects of managing volunteers, working with different communities, and communicating effectively, is available starting later this month.
The training is provided by the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme.
The programme is aimed at community groups who look after local heritage or environmental projects.
The training sessions on offer cover a wide range of topics that will be useful to long established charities and groups or those just starting out. The sessions on offer include recruiting volunteers, developing plans for communications, and the roles and responsibilities of trustees.
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We will be commemorating VJ Day 75 on Saturday,15 August, by sharing tributes throughout the day on our social media channels.
The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, will lead the UK in a national moment of remembrance and thanksgiving for all those who served in the Far East.
His Royal Highness will lead a two minute silence at 11am at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of a special televised service.
A Havering Council web page is now live advising residents how they can get involved.
This includes templates to help make your own bunting, and sending messages of remembrance.
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Carriageway resurfacing is currently taking place in White Hart Lane, Collier Row, until 18 August. This will be followed by the replacement of the speed cushions between 19 and 21 August, and the replacement of high friction surfacing to the pedestrian crossing outside Crownfield School on 4 and 5 September.
Road resurfacing work will take place in Havering Road, Rise Park between the Pettits Lane and Chase Cross Road junctions starting on Monday 24 August. Havering Road will be closed nightly from 7.30pm to 6am from 24 to 29 August.
Resurfacing work will also take place in Osborne Road, Romford between the Brentwood Road and Lyndhurst Drive junctions beginning on Monday 24 August.
This weekend, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no service on the District Line between South Kensington and East Ham.
Rail replacement bus service DL6 and DL7 will run. Use alternative Tube, local and replacement bus services.
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If you are making a trip to the tip next week, the one-way diversion into and out of Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre will be removed from Monday, 10 August.
It means that from Monday, you will be able to enter and leave the site again from either Warwick Lane or Aveley Road as before.
Following the further easing of lockdown, the Council’s traffic marshalls will be scaled down in numbers but will still be in place to deal with any traffic issues.
The usual opening hours remain, 7.30am to 5.45pm Monday to Sunday.
Visitors may still experience queues as social distancing measures remain in place on the site, which is managed by the East London Waste Authority.
Do not make a trip if you or any of your household have symptoms of COVID-19 or are self-isolating.
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While counting herself lucky that she's never known anyone who's needed Saint Francis Hospice's care, Patricia Flavell (on the left in the picture) admitted that moment could come at any time.
"Local people are always going to need the Hospice," she said. "I've heard nothing but great things about what the Hospice does, so we must do our bit to keep it going."
A dressmaker from the age of 17, Patricia's clients in the 1960s included Dame Shirley Bassey.
Now 80 years young, Patricia prefers to shun the limelight and make things a little less glitzy, but just as essential as the Dame's outfits: facemasks for Upminster residents.
She kindly decided to donate the money from the sales of the face coverings to the Hospice — while throwing in some free masks for local nursing and residential homes to boot.
Within two hours of posting on Facebook, Patricia received over 200 orders.
Selling at £2.50 a piece, she sewed 950 masks over 475 hours and raised £2,000. A real Havering Hero!
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