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Wednesday 19 August 2020
 Adversity often brings out the best in people and that has certainly been the case in Rainham and Collier Row over the last few days.
Since the flood water struck on Saturday there has been a wonderful effort by many local residents helping each other cope mentally and physically with the problems caused by the heavy rainfall.
Working alongside our magnificent fire and police services and Council workers many local people did their bit. They helped their neighbours whether that was filling sandbags, moving personal items upstairs, assisting the elderly and infirm, or clearing up the mess afterwards. If you were involved, you have my sincere thanks.
The community spirit on show over the last few days is exactly what we need to cope with coronavirus and all the challenges it throws up.
One of those significant challenges will be allowing children to go back to school safely in a few weeks' time.
Back to school time is often a stressful time for parents, teachers and children and this September and it will be made more difficult as social distancing rules will mean changed start and finish times for many children.
Another challenge will be getting to school safely and on time with reduced capacity on buses.
Please read the article below about back to school travel.
We will all have to be considerate of each other as schools re-open in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allow life to return to some semblance of normality - without the threat of new local lockdowns or restrictions.
If you want to contact me directly, email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Buses, as the most common transport mode for schoolchildren, are likely to see the biggest increase in demand in September.
Transport for London (TfL) now has plans to dedicate a number of buses for school travel on routes that it has forecast to be the busiest.
Government guidance allows for all available seats to be occupied on dedicated school services, increasing the capacity of these buses.
However, as this September will be even more challenging than others for the first few weeks, with limitations on the number of people who can board regular bus services, you should allow more time for your journeys if they involve travelling during school travel times as you may have to wait longer for a bus.
Where you can, TfL advise that you travel in off-peak times.
Parents and pupils over the age of 11 must continue to wear a face covering on public transport unless an exemption applies. The covering must be worn for the duration of a journey and cover both the mouth and nose.
Social distancing guidelines must also be followed, and if you use public transport you should wash or sanitise your hands before and after travel.
If you can, please walk, cycle or ride a scooter to school when classes resume next month.
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Each week Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough on its website.
It includes information on the number of Havering residents testing positive for COVID-19 each week, starting back in March.
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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Work to help residents recover from the damage caused by the flooding has continued this week in Rainham.
The Council’s street cleaning and ground maintenance crews have been in different areas affected, including Brookway, Lambs Lane South, Farm Road and South Hall Lane.
They have been helping residents remove damaged furniture and other bulky items, and clearing silt in the roads left by the floodwaters.
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Havering Council has launched a consultation seeking the views of residents and businesses on the borough’s updated licensing policy.
Helping to keep the public safer and working towards the prevention of crime and disorder are among the key aims of the consultation which will run for 12 weeks.
It will ask residents and businesses if they agree on the updated Statement of Licensing policy.
This policy sets out the Council’s approach to how licensed businesses are regulated.
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A mobile testing unit for COVID-19 will be visiting the car park at the rear of Havering Town Hall frequently in the coming weeks.
If you are planning on going to the test centre you will need to make an appointment.
Testing will be available at the Town Hall rear car park between 10.30am and 3.30pm this Friday, 21 August, on Monday 24 August and Thursday 27 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 is in the car park so please do NOT go into the Town Hall or Central Library buildings.
The Government's guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested, has recently been updated.
The section on home testing now includes a step-by-step guide, as well as a guide on how to carry out a test on a child.
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If your child has special educational needs or a disability, the deadline to apply for travel assistance in Havering is next Monday, 24 August, so get your application in now.
New applications should only be submitted if the student has changed or is changing schools, or the student has changed or is changing address.
Otherwise, your application has been automatically approved to start in September.
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Self-employed people whose livelihoods have been affected by coronavirus are now able to claim a second payment of up to £6,570.
The second stage of Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opened for applications earlier this week.
You can make a claim for the second grant if you’re eligible, even if you did not make a claim for the first grant.
You must make your claim for this grant on or before 19 October 2020.
Those eligible will receive a government grant worth up to £6,570.
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 From left to right: Timothy, Sonia, Liam, and Ronnie
Delayed by the lockdown, the winners of the 2019 National Poetry Day competition, organised by Havering Libraries’ Reader Development team, received their book prizes at Hornchurch library last week, along with specially designed posters of their poems.
The junior winners were six year-old Timothy Nterebe in the KS1 category and Ronnie White in KS2.
The secondary level winner was Liam Blair and the adult winner was Sonia Gaffar.
Their work was submitted on the theme of ‘Truth', and will go on display in all of Havering’s ten libraries.
The 2020 competition will be launched on National Poetry Day, 1 October, and the theme will be ‘Vision’.
Havering Council's next fostering virtual coffee morning is just days away.
Join our foster team this Friday, 21 August, to find out more about fostering.
If you would prefer to speak to someone before that time please email fostering@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434574.
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With lockdown providing plenty of time for residents to work on their gardens, we are receiving strong entries into this year’s Havering in Bloom competition, making the decisions for the judges even harder.
The Sunflower category has proved to be very popular this season with some very tall plants.
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.
Entries are open until 18 September.
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Overflow in the parks is a series of activities for children in parks in Havering.
There is no charge for young people aged 10 - 16 years old to attend these activities that include sports, street dance and drama.
Activities will take place tomorrow (Thursday 20 August) in Cottons Park, Romford, and on Friday (21 August) at Upminster Hall Playing Fields.
You must register online before attending.
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Youth Unity, a Havering-based organisation supported by Havering Council, is currently working on a video project called "Voices of COVID-19".
Their film unit will offer members of the public a chance to have their say about how COVID-19 has impacted their lives.
This will be taking place at the Mercury Shopping Mall in Romford this Friday and Saturday (21 and 22 August) between 2pm and 7pm.
Come and have your say. Under 16s will need parental consent.
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