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Monday 31 August 2020
 Happy Bank Holiday Monday.
I hope you've all had a nice, and more importantly, safe weekend, despite the turbulent weather. Today is the last Bank Holiday before Christmas, so hopefully you're able to make the most of your day.
If you're planning on heading out into one of Havering's parks or shopping in our town centres, please remember to keep your distance from others and always wear a face-covering when inside public places. Please remember, if you're using a single-use mask, dispose of it properly. You can find advice on face-coverings on our #DoingMyBit page.
Remember, rubbish and recycling collection dates are likely to changes due to the Bank Holiday, so please check out the poster further down this newsletter for the new collection dates.
Finally, children across the borough will be returning to school this week, and I'd like to wish them all the best for the year ahead. Parents, I know you must be worried about your children returning to school, but keeping them out of school longer could affect their development and life chances.
Nobody wants to see children, parents or teachers ill, and our schools have implemented special measures to ensure everybody can stay safe. We have to trust our schools, and all do our bit by following Government guidance.
If you're still uneasy, I urge you to join our special 'Back to School' Zoom session tomorrow evening, where you can put questions to our Public Health team directly. Otherwise, you are welcome to contact me via email. 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
This September will be even more challenging for those going back to school or starting school, with social distancing and face coverings required, especially on public transport.
The new Government guidance says wearing face coverings in schools isn’t compulsory at the moment, but it will be at the discretion of individual schools if they require face coverings in communal areas. This will be constantly under review.
There will be limitations on the number of people who can board regular bus services so you should allow more time for your journeys.
To support pupils in returning to school safely, TfL has added over 230 extra buses across its entire network, including school bus services, to allow people to travel and still maintain distance.
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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Havering Council will be hosting two Zoom sessions offering reassurance to parents and carers whose children are returning to school.
Our first 'Back to School' Zoom session for parents and carers of children returning to school, will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 1 September at 7pm.
There will be an opportunity to ask experts from our Public Health and Education teams questions and pick-up some practical tips to support your child’s emotional wellbeing.
If you haven't already done so, you can submit questions in advance to publichealth@havering.gov.uk or via the comments below, and we will answer these during the sessions.
Meeting ID: 951 3318 7763
Passcode: 545707
A second session will be held on September 23 at 7pm.
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Havering Council is 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 on Wednesday 2 September, and on Saturday 5 September.
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.
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With lockdown providing plenty of time for residents to work on their gardens, this is the perfect opportunity to enter into this year’s Havering in Bloom competition.
Categories include:
- Best Allotment Plot
- Best Front Garden
- Best Back Garden
- Best Communal Garden
- Best Hanging Basket.
There is also a Tallest Sunflower category. Residents need to ensure they send in the height details for their Sunflowers as well as a photo, for it to be considered.
There are voucher prizes for the top three in each category with £50 for the winner, £25 for second place and £15 for third place.
Entries are open until 18 September.
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