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Monday 30 November 2020 (Update #146)
 National restrictions end at midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) but we cannot afford to loosen our grip on this pandemic that gives us hope for a better, and safer, future.
Havering along with the rest of London will now be subject to high alert Tier 2 restrictions from Wednesday. We enter this period in the knowledge that this is not easy, but in increasing confidence that keeping to those restrictions will eventually lead to a positive outcome.
Our latest data shows that the slowing in the number of new cases has continued, and it looks like we are past this peak.
However, that presents us with two challenges for the next few weeks.
First, our new infection rate is still one of the highest in London, and indeed higher than many areas that have been forced into the tougher Tier 3 level of restrictions.
Second, it is critically important that all of us keep to the new restrictions and act with as much caution as possible so that this improvement is sustained.
I’m glad to see our local leisure centres reopening on Wednesday. These facilities play an important role in both the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. Havering Council is committed to providing the facilities residents need to live healthy lives – something that is more important than ever. Despite the pandemic, work has continued on the building of our brand new Hornchurch Leisure Centre and I'm looking forward to that opening next year.
I urge all residents to follow the COVID-19 guidance when using any of our leisure facilities to keep themselves and others safe. We are all tired of this pandemic, but please continue to do your bit to help fight COVID-19.
It was great to see so many residents and organisations involved in last week’s Zoom meeting to discuss the concerns around anti-social behaviour at Ardleigh Green College.
There were 178 people on the call, including myself. We discussed issues such as a serious incident at the college, young people congregating outside, security and the roles of the police and college.
The College's principal outlined a number of steps that the college is taking to remedy the situation, such as introducing extra transport, reminding pupils about social distancing, wearing masks and improving security.
Our Director of Children’s Services and Assistant Director of Education have also met with senior college staff and we’re speaking to young people at the college to find out what their experience has been.
We’ve also made arrangements for our CCTV mobile vehicle to visit the area more frequently to help improve security.
Finally, please see in the news item below my thoughts on the latest delays to the Crossrail project.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Last week the Government released its Winter Plan for managing coronavirus.
Here is the roadmap for the weeks ahead:
From 2 December
Havering will be under Tier 2 restrictions. The Government has said that this level of restrictions will be reviewed on 16 December.
Leisure centres in Havering are set to reopen this Wednesday (2 December).
Central Park Leisure Centre, Hornchurch Sports Centre, Noak Hill Sports Complex and Sapphire Ice and Leisure managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Havering Council, will reopen following a month’s closure due to the national restrictions imposed by the Government.
However, Tier 2 restrictions that will apply from Wednesday mean that some activities are not available at some centres.
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The Leader of Havering Council has raised his concerns about further delays to the Crossrail project (known as the Elizabeth Line) – caused by an ongoing row between the Government and Transport for London (TfL) over funding.
Cllr Damian White is urging the Government and TfL to “come together and resolve their differences over the funding dispute”, which once again “means outer London boroughs like Havering are paying the price. It’s time TfL gave us a light at the end of the tunnel and put Crossrail back on track.”
The latest in a long line of setbacks comes as TfL warned the whole east-to-west rail link faces being "mothballed" without the release of urgent new government funding. It follows a host of previous delays – the most recent in August – when it was revealed that the project was now likely to cost £18.7bn - £450m more than the previous estimate, nine months earlier.
When completed Havering will benefit from three Crossrail stations: Harold Wood, Gidea Park and Romford. The connection will provide fast links into central London and to Heathrow Airport.
Following a host of delays, the central section – which will go underground - is now expected to open during the first half of 2022.
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Havering now has three permanent COVID-19 testing centres open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
Residents can get tested at one of the sites if they have symptoms of COVID-19 – a continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of taste or smell.
To get tested you must book an appointment.
See our video on what the test involves.
The tests are quick and easy and take less than a minute.
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Free flu vaccinations will be rolled out to those aged over 50 from tomorrow.
If you’re aged 50-64, your GP will contact you about getting your free flu vaccine.
Please wait until you are invited by your practice to come forward for your flu vaccine, unless you are in a vulnerable group.
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Havering's parks have been ranked the fourth best of all 32 London boroughs in the latest Good Parks for London report.
Havering also topped the league table for events in its parks with the pre-COVID regular Langtons Gardens summer concerts (pictured) drawing praise.
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Havering Council is urging residents to have their say on the borough’s spending plans for 2021/22 – following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That has left the Council facing a budget gap of £27m for 2021/22. In order to present a balanced budget for the coming year, the Council has identified £19million of savings and efficiencies to close the remaining gap.
The consultation is to get the views of residents and businesses on these budget and savings proposals for 2021/22.
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Havering Register Office is urging parents to register their babies as soon as possible.
If you have had a baby during February, March, April, May or June 2020 and you have not yet made arrangements to register the birth of your child, it is important that you make arrangements to book your appointment urgently, preferably before Christmas.
Birth registrations will be suspended over the Christmas period and you are therefore encouraged to book your appointment as soon as possible.
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 East London Health and Care Partnership are calling on children and young people across North East London to help them improve the way health and care services are provided.
It has worked with a group of young people, including members of the Havering Youth Council, to design the survey asking young people how they are feeling during the second national lockdown, and what should be done to support them.
The survey is aimed at 11-18 year olds, or up to 25 year olds for those with special educational needs, living in Havering or seven other East London boroughs.
It should take around five minutes to complete the survey and the results are anonymous. Forward this email to children or grandchildren who may be eligible to complete this survey which closes on 4 December 2020.
Today (Monday 30 November) has been an important day in the history of the restoration of Upminster Windmill.
Today the cap and sails were lifted back on to the windmill after many months of painstaking repair work.
This work is expected to be completed by Spring 2021 from which time the public will have access to the field around it.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is not possible to say when the mill will reopen to the public.
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New Book Clubs have been organised by Havering Libraries.
They will take place online using Zoom.
It's a chance to chat about new books, favourite books, and in December there will be a focus on the Book of the Month, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
The Evening Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning on 2 December, between 7 and 8pm.
The Daytime Group will meet on the third Wednesday of each month between 2 and 3pm, commencing on 16 December.
Book your free place by email.
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South Essex Crematorium (pictured), plus Upminster, Romford, Hornchurch and Rainham Cemeteries will be open every day including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day from 9am to 4pm.
Everyone is welcome to bring Christmas tributes to the Gardens of Remembrance and cemeteries from tomorrow (1 December).
For safety reasons please ensure that you do not bring glass, china or lanterns.
Permitted Christmas memorabilia wil be removed from the Gardens on Monday 11 January and from the cemeteries on the 31 January. If you wish to keep these items please remove them before these dates.
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More than 19,000 people in Havering have now applied for EU Settled Status.
New figures released by the Government showed that the nationalities with the most applications were Romanian (6,850), Lithuanian (3,170) and Polish (1,650).
Other nationalities with more than a thousand applications were Bulgarians and Italians.
The deadline for applications to the scheme is 30 June 2021.
If you are an EU or EEA national living in Havering, or a business owner employing EU/EEA nationals, check out the EU Exit page on our website.
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Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the performances of The Wizard of Oz planned for the Brookside Theatre, Romford, in December have had to be postponed until February.
However, Britain's Got Talent Semi-Finalist, Becky O'Brien, will still be at the Theatre before Christmas as she joins the cast of Sounds of Christmas to sing and dance their way through some of the greatest Christmas songs ever recorded including White Christmas, Step Into Christmas, Santa Baby, A Winter's Tale, Frosty The Snowman, and many more.
This family show is suitable for anyone over 6 years of age. It runs from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 December.
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