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Friday 18 September 2020
 The decision to not allow more We Are 500 events to go ahead in Upminster was a very difficult one.
The organisers of these events have gone the extra mile to comply with COVID-19 secure guidance. But the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Havering, and the very real prospect that further events would entice people to travel long distances across the country to attend, meant that we had to act.
I would rather act too early than too late. I am sorry to those who are making strenuous efforts to do their bit and attend safely, but there is a risk there that cannot be managed by anyone – Council, attendee or organiser – if these events continue.
I look forward to the day when the pandemic comes to an end and we can once again enjoy our lives, but in the meantime we need to take tough decisions such as this to keep residents and people visiting our borough safe.
However, I must warn residents that cancelling one smallish event has no impact if people are still congregating in back gardens in groups of more than six, or not maintaining social distancing of ideally two metres when outside. This is not about old versus young, it is about all of us doing our bit for each other.
On a happier note, earlier this week my Cabinet agreed the purchase of 36 high-quality affordable housing properties on the former St George’s Hospital site in Hornchurch.
This step, and the decision to buy out the interest of our joint venture partner in the Bridge Close Romford regeneration scheme (see news item below), are practical demonstrations of our commitment to providing high-quality homes for local people.
Have a great, safe weekend and please visit our website for more information on how you can do your bit.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
A third COVID-19 testing centre will be set up in Havering tomorrow (Saturday 19 September).
The new test centre is called Dagnam Park Drive, and is on the multi-use sports pitches located behind Central Park Leisure Centre in Harold Hill.
You must enter the site through a pedestrian entrance on Dagnam Park Drive. You will NOT be able to gain access to the site via the Central Park Leisure Centre car park.
It follows the opening last weekend of the walk-through centre at Cherry Tree car park off Rainham Road in South Hornchurch. That centre is open seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.
Who can be tested?
Testing is only available for those who have booked an appointment, please do not turn up to a test site without one.
Anyone who has coronavirus symptoms may get a test – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense or taste – or those who have been asked to get tested by a doctor, public health professional or by their local council.
Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. You can expect your result the next day.
How do I get to the testing centre?
The Harold Hill and South Hornchurch testing centres are walk-through sites and should not be reached by car (there is no parking facility at these sites) nor should residents be taking public transport to reach these sites.
Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre).
If you show up without an appointment you are likely to be turned away. Residents with appointments will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely.
You should attend at the time your appointment is booked for and return home immediately afterwards. You must then remain in isolation until the result is known.
The Council is aware of the problems with the national testing system which is currently restricting testing capacity and booking appointments. As a result, Havering residents may experience difficulty in securing a test.
If you are unable to book a test, or are offered a location or time which is not convenient, you are advised to try again a few hours later or the next day. More tests are made available throughout the day.
The Council continues to support Serco and Deloitte in the setup and running of new testing centres to ensure minimal disruption to local residents and businesses.
Testing still available in Romford
Testing will also be available in Romford in the car park at the rear of the Town Hall in Romford between10.30am and 3.30pm this Sunday, 20 September, and also on Monday 21, Sunday 27 and Wednesday 30 September.
This site can be accessed by car.
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.
Before you attend any test centre please make an appointment. You may find that a home test kit delivered in the post is more convenient than a visit to a testing centre.
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Havering Council has decided to prevent the upcoming We Are 500 events in light of increasing coronavirus infection rates in the borough.
This means that the events due to go ahead between now and 5 October will not take place.
The Council has notified the event organisers setting out the key reasons why this decision was made.
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Havering Council has shared its bold ambition to end long-term rough sleeping in the borough.
Announced at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday night, the Prevention of Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 – 2025 sets out the Council’s ambition to tackle homelessness in the borough, and help those vulnerable people and families that do not have a place they can call home.
The Council aims to end rough sleeping by developing special outreach teams to build relationships with identified rough sleepers, especially those with complex mental health and substance misuse needs.
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 A new website has been launched to bring the community together.
Residents can now access Council services, community support groups and local charities through the Havering Community Hub, which has been developed by a group of local residents, charity organisations and Council staff.
The one-stop shop offers a wide range of tools for residents to get Council and community help in a way that overcomes the barriers to access support services created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
West Ham United football club are supporting our DoingMyBit campaign asking everyone to do their bit to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent local lockdowns in Havering.
Are you?
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On Wednesday Havering Council’s Cabinet agreed to buy out the share of First Base in one of its regeneration joint ventures.
The Council formed a joint venture in 2018 to take forward the regeneration of the area around Bridge Close in Romford, in accordance with planning policy and the Council’s vision for Romford town centre.
Due to the slowing down of the housing market, increased construction costs, design enhancements and inflation, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it has not been possible to produce a forecast for the profitability of the scheme that would meet the requirements of the Council’s private sector partner.
Under the new arrangement, the Council will be in full control of the joint venture and will be considering a further report in the coming months regarding options for future funding and delivery arrangements.
This move will allow the Council to look at increasing the level of affordable housing for local people, beyond the current allocation of 30 per cent.
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A survey is being conducted by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of Renewi, the organisation that runs the Reuse and Recycling Centre in Gerpins Lane and others in neighbouring boroughs.
The purpose of this survey is to get your feedback on the centres and the results will be analysed by Keep Britain Tidy and provided in a report to Renewi.
By completing this survey, you will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Love2shop gift vouchers.
Your survey responses will be kept anonymous and no comments or feedback will be personally attributed to you.
The survey takes up to eight minutes to complete and will close at 9am this Monday, 21 September.
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The Great British Week of Sport runs from 19 - 27 September.
The week aims to inspire the nation to celebrate the power that sport and physical activity has on our mental, physical and social well-being – especially important through the pandemic.
The week is for everyone, regardless of age, background or fitness level.
You can get active using the free ‘Active 10’ walking and ‘Couch to 5k’ running apps. Their website will also host a range of tools and support to help people get active.
It is never too late to get active to improve your health, so start small and build up.
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This week is London Voter registration Week.
Did you know you have to register to vote every time you move address?
If you are about to move because you are off to University, or you have just moved to Havering make sure you have a voice.
Check out the London Voter Registration Week hub and find out everything you need to know about how to register to vote.
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Our second online parent information session on returning to school is taking place on Wednesday, 23 September.
Anyone with questions about how schools in Havering are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, school transport or meal arrangements, or any concerns over what has happened so far, is welcome to join.
Unlike the first of these sessions held on 1 September, for this session you must register in advance.
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An Upminster resident has written to us so we can alert other residents as to a potential scam.
Just as it was getting dark the resident had her doorbell rung by two young people. Described by the resident as "very presentable", they said they were collecting for a charity.
They were not wearing face coverings and the resident had the impression that they were targeting homes where they believed elderly people lived - particularly when they seemed to have a hard job in understanding that the resident didn't want to contribute to their "charity".
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If you're a Havering Council tenant or leaseholder you should have recently received a questionnaire from Kwest Research on behalf of Havering Council asking what you think about the services we provide to our residents.
If you haven't already completed that questionnaire please do so today (Friday) as this is the final date for replies.
The information you give will help Havering Council improve the services that you receive.
Kwest will keep your answers to the questionnaire and the views you express absolutely confidential unless you give permission for your details to be shared.
All competed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw, run by Kwest, giving you the chance to win one of twelve £50 supermarket vouchers.
If you have any questions about the survey, please call Kwest on freephone 0800 634 8260.
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With multiple health conditions Christine Packer has been in the wars of late.
A much-needed boost came in the form of a £1,000 win on Saint Francis Hospice's Lottery.
"It cheered me up no end" she said. "As a community, we must do our bit to support the Hospice and make sure that it'll always be there for us when we need it. They look after people so well, and that's what people really deserve."
Christine plans to help her son with her winnings.
"He's going blind and had to give up his job caring for the elderly, so he hasn't got much money" she said. "We can clear a few bills and put the rest towards spending Christmas together."
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Front Lane in Cranham is currently closed near its junction with the A127. This is to allow Cadent Gas to repair a gas escape. Work is expected to be completed by Thursday 24 September.
Cadent Gas are also carrying out works in Slewins Lane, Hornchurch on Thursday 24 September. The work at the junction with Cavanham Gardens will involve temporary traffic lights between 9.30am and 3pm.
Havering Council will be carrying out overnight carriageway resurfacing work in Petits Lane North in Rise Park between Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 September.
Carriageway resurfacing work is also planned to take place in Launders Lane, Rainham, near the junction with Warwick Lane between 7.30pm on Wednesday 23 September and 6am on Wednesday 24 September, and between 8am and 5pm on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September.
Following those works, North Hill Drive in Romford will be resurfaced with overnight work commencing on 28 September. During this work North Hill Drive will be closed to traffic in both directions with diversions in place.
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On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service on the District Line between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington.
Use alternative Tube or local bus services.
When using public transport please try to travel during the quiet times. Many local stations have different quiet times, so check how busy any station is on the TfL network at any time or day.
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