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Wednesday 2 September 2020
 Among all the wonderful news of people doing their bit to help others get through this coronavirus crisis, it is sad to see that a small minority are not.
This includes people who don't bother to use a handkerchief, napkin or their elbow to catch coughs and sneezes.
Others who are not doing their bit include scammers and those pedalling ridiculous conspiracy theories and fake news.
Some Havering residents recently received a letter pretending to come from Havering Council, the Government and the NHS. It was designed to lead people to a bogus website and scam people out of money for COVID-19 testing.
If you are in any doubt about any communications you receive, call our COVID-19 hotline, 0800 368 5201, Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Some conspiracy theorists have said that the risk of catching COVID-19 is being exaggerated and that face masks don't help reduce the risk of catching the disease. They are wrong. This matters because COVID-19 has not been beaten.
Indeed our latest report on COVID-19 infections in Havering shows that the threat of further spread of this awful coronavirus remains, with the number of infections in Havering rising over the last week compared with the previous week.
Havering's infection rate is now higher than the London average although thankfully still well below the level where an area is placed on the Government's watchlist.
That is why we launched the #DoingMyBit campaign last week to encourage residents to do the right thing around COVID-19 by sticking to the rules set out by the Government and help to prevent local lockdowns in Havering.
See our latest video and visit our website for more information.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
In July this year Havering Council launched a consultation asking schools and residents to have their say on proposals to introduce School Streets schemes to promote safer streets around parts of the borough from September.
The proposal was to introduce pedestrian and cycling only areas around some schools at set times of the day, in a bid to reduce traffic and improve safety and air quality.
The scheme is part of the Transport for London’s Streetspace initiative to support social distancing on the public highway.
Following the end of the consultation on 16 August, the scheme had majority support in areas around three primary schools for a trial to start this month.
The areas choosing to have schemes were around Branfil Primary School, Hylands Primary School, and Squirrels Heath Infant and Junior Schools.
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This month 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.
All children and young people aged 11 or over must wear face coverings when using public transport unless they are exempt.
A number of high-frequency bus routes including the 5, which runs from Romford to Canning Town via Barking, and the 86 from Stratford to Romford will now have designated “School Services” replacing some of the regular buses.
The school services will only pick up school children and will run on weekdays between 7.30am and 9.30am, and also between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
Parents, students and school staff are encouraged to walk, cycle or ride a scooter whenever they can, while those not travelling to school are advised to travel at quiet times where possible.
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Due to the Bank Holiday on Monday rubbish and recycling collections are a day later than usual this week.
So, if your usual collection day is tomorrow (Thursday 3 September) this week your black and orange sacks will be collected on Friday, 4 September.
Collection may also be at a different time of the day than you usually expect, so please make sure all bags are outside your property by 7am on your revised collection day.
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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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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 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. 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 majority of results for tests taken in person at mobile testing units are delivered the day after the test is taken.
Testing capacity is being increased across the country with a target of 500,000 tests a day by the end of October.
If you try to book a test and are unable to do so, or you are offered a location or time which is not convenient, please wait a few hours and then try again.
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The Government’s new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme is designed to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country.
The six month placements are open to those aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.
The first placements are likely to be available from November.
There will also be extra funding to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.
Employers will receive funding for 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions.
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If you are planning on holding your final barbecue of the year this week please be considerate of your neighbours.
Also please remember that if you are having a house or garden clear up that you must never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint.
If you burn rubbish that causes a nuisance, Havering Council may issue an ‘abatement notice’ and ask you to pay a fine.
See the recycling pages on our website for advice on recycling items, bulk collections and composting.
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Havering Council is running a survey to ask about your experience if you have had to recently use our formal complaints service.
An official complaint means you will have filled in our complaints form or phoned us to have your details taken and we will have responded by phone, email or letter. Conversations on social media would not be classed as official complaints.
If you wish to take part, please register your interest in being involved to help us gather feedback on the service.
We also want to speak to any of you who have recently lodged a Freedom of information (FOI) request so we can gather thoughts and feedback on the current service.
If you would like to be involved in this research please register your interest.
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Last Saturday the Government issued new guidance for people moving into homes in England, whether as owner-occupiers, private or social renters.
It provides important public health information to ensure that moving home and related activities, such as viewing a property, can happen safely. It also applies to custom and self-builders looking to acquire a plot or a property to renovate or demolish.
If you are about to enter into a legally binding contract, you should discuss the possible implications of COVID-19 with your legal professional and consider making contractual provisions to manage these risks.
You should not expect to immediately be able to move into any home where people have COVID-19 or are self-isolating.
Those renting a property, letting agents and landlords should be aware of and follow the government guidance on coronavirus and renting which contains further advice that may also be applicable such as on possession proceedings, repairs, maintenance and health and safety.
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If you represent a community association, or manage a hall, then you should join a webinar organised by Havering Council's public health team.
The webinar will be held tomorrow (Thursday 3 September) between 10.30am and 1pm and is open to all community associations, hall managers and hall hirers in Havering.
To take part, one participant per group please, email publichealth@havering.gov.uk with your name, contact telephone number, email address, your hall setting plus postcode and let us know whether you are a hall manager or user.
For those who have already attended the Faith Settings webinar this will follow a similar plan but will be of benefit for information and advice to pass on to any group who meet in your premises.
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Influenza (flu) can be a serious disease. Many people die from flu every year and many more need to go to hospital and yet flu is preventable by vaccination.
Help the NHS in North East London this winter by sharing your views about flu vaccination.
Whether or not you had the flu vaccine last year, and whether or not you intend to have it this year, they would like to know what you think.
Your views will help the NHS understand why people choose to either have, or not have, the vaccine.
All survey responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Your information will be processed and protected in accordance with the Data Protection Act, and not retained any longer than is necessary.
The closing date for responses is Sunday 13 September (5pm). If you need this survey in a different format or language, contact stuart.hosker1@nhs.net.
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Tomorrow, Thursday 3 September, we will be flying the Red Ensign flag outside the Town Hall to commemorate Merchant Navy Day. (Last year's event is pictured).
Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day on 3 September has honoured the brave men and women who kept our ‘island nation’ afloat during both World Wars.
It also celebrates our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for over 90 per cent of the UK’s imports, including almost half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we rely on, and virtually all the products and goods we tend to take for granted.
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Walking and Cycling Grants London is a grants programme funded by Transport for London, in partnership with The London Marathon Charitable Trust.
Grants of up to £10,000 over three years are now available to community groups and organisations across London.
The grants can be used to deliver projects and programmes that remove barriers to walking and cycling, and enable all communities to enjoy the benefits of active travel.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 15 October.
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Following extensive work behind closed doors to complete their QNew Transformation programme, and work to be COVID-19 safe, Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch is back in business and taking bookings for shows in its new Autumn season from tonight.
That Autumn season includes Misfits, four intertwining inspirational tales of Essex resilience by some of the region’s most exciting playwrights.
Sadly due to COVID-19 and the subsequent social distancing rules there won't be a Christmas pantomime this year but there will be festive cheer with Christmas Allsorts.
This traditional family variety show will feature yuletide tunes from films and musicals, alongside classic and new sketches.
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