Tuesday 1 June 2021
 Today marks the first day of LGBT+ Pride Month. That's why we have a special masthead on this newsletter today and why the rainbow flag is flying outside the Town Hall.
Before coronavirus struck and put a temporary end to large public gatherings, the Romford Pride parade was a popular and successful event that reflected the vibrant and proud LGBT+ community in Havering. The flag and masthead represent our commitment to equality and are symbols of Havering Council’s support for the LGBT+ community in our borough.
Today also marks the start of Volunteers' Week. Throughout the awful pandemic I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of so many Havering residents who have volunteered their time to help us tackle lockdowns, restrictions, vaccinations and more. I am truly grateful for everything our volunteers do to to keep our charity and community sector flourishing.
To ensure that the Council supports these efforts in the future is one of the reasons why next Monday (8 June) we will launch the first of a series of Community Hubs designed to bring the Council and voluntary sector closer together.
We want to make it easier for residents in Havering to access council services and the first new Hub in Harold Hill is just the start of this. At the Hub, people will be able to get advice and support on helping to find a job, get access to free Wi-Fi and equipment alongside training and skills opportunities, as well as a wide range of social activities. Read more below.
Lastly, please continue to be cautious when it comes to COVID-19. Yes the vast majority of our over 50s in Havering are now fully vaccinated, as our latest weekly COVID-19 report shows, but many people under 30 haven't had the opportunity to receive even their first jab yet.
The prevalence now of variants of the virus means that we must remain on our guard. Our actions over the next two weeks will determine whether the Government gives the green light to Step 4 on 21 June. The Hands, face, space and fresh air message is as relevant now as it has been at any time over the last 15 months.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering’s first community hub, in Harold Hill, will be opening for residents on Tuesday 8 June.
This is thanks to a team of volunteers from Wates Residential who have turned the site around at the old Housing Office in Chippenham Road.
Disused for two years, the team from Wates Residential have provided their services and materials free of charge to clear the site, build new partition walls, lay vinyl floors, put up ceiling tiles and install shelving before cleaning and decorating, to bring the space back to life.
The Council’s housing service has helped by fixing the roof, removing the shutters and fixing the windows as well as repairing the electrics and the fire alarms. This was after local residents helped with the design and the development of the Hub.
|
Havering Council will be honouring the marvellous achievement of the Mighty Urchins, Hornchurch Football Club, in winning the FA Trophy this year.
On Sunday 11 July, an open top bus parade will lead to a civic reception at the brand-new Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre in Hornchurch.
Watch this newsletter and our social media channels for more news on this as we near the date.
|
The show goes on for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. It has received a £100,000 grant from Havering Council to help the cultural landmark recover from COVID-19 restrictions.
The significant financial boost was made available through Havering Council’s Additional Restrictions Grant, a discretionary fund set up by the Government for councils to help businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, Havering Council has distributed over £60 million in Government grants to businesses across the borough.
|
All of Havering's libraries are now open again.
Check our website for each location and its opening hours.
|
 Every week Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough on its website.
It includes data on infection rates and testing, as well as the vaccine roll-out. It also compares the success of that programme in Havering with other parts of London and the rest of the country.
The graph above is taken from the report. It shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week since 6 March last year.
There were 44 cases reported in the last week, 22 more than the previous week.
This corresponds to an incidence rate on 21 May of 17 new cases per 100,000 population. This is lower than the London (29/100,000) and the whole of England (31/100,000) figures.
Sadly a total of 921 people in Havering have died with COVID-19 but no new deaths have been reported in the five weeks up to 14 May.
Vaccines
The latest data shows that by 23 May over 62 per cent of all adults in Havering have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Nearly 37 per cent all adults in Havering have now received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Hospitals
As of 28 May there were 10 inpatients admitted due to COVID-19 to our local hospitals.
The trust that runs those hospitals, BHRUT, also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
 To help make sure you're not passing on COVID-19 without knowing, regular, twice-weekly rapid testing for people without symptoms is available for everyone in Havering.
You should still use testing even if you have had one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
You can order home test kits or pick them up from test centres, some libraries and most pharmacies. There are over fifty places in Havering. Find your nearest testing site and collection point.
If you aren't sure how to do a rapid test at home, visit one of these centres first and be shown by the professionals. You can then take a test kit home with you to use in subsequent weeks.
You can also order a test kit online.
Have symptoms?
It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you are aged 30 or over (or will be by 1 July) you can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now.
Alternatively, you can wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.
Take up of the vaccine is a key way in helping to get things back to normal and will protect you, your friends and your family.
|
If you weren't able to catch our special Zoom session on women's health and COVID-19 last week, you can now watch a video recording.
In the session, local health professionals answered questions from aound a hundred women online about the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding.
|
Please don't be concerned if you see smoke and the emergency services at Thomas England House, on the old Waterloo Estate in Romford, today (Tuesday 1 June).
Havering Council is continuing to support the London Fire Brigade with their fire evacuation training.
|
 Following last year’s success, Havering Council is hosting another Let’s Waste Less Creative Exhibition.
All ages are welcome to take part. This year’s theme has been widened with the title “Let’s grow together & waste less”. All sorts of creative responses to this theme are encouraged.
It could be photos of your creative indoor garden, perhaps by using toilet roll tubes as plant pots.
You could have made a sculpture, or collage out of items you would have otherwise thrown away, or even created a planter from a delivery pallet.
Feel free to share work and projects you have previously worked on as well. To enter, take a photo of your creation and send it in by email.
|
A free music event for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) children will be delivered by Havering Music School this Thursday.
It will offer musical and creative experiences in a relaxed group setting. No prior musical knowledge or equipment is required.
The session includes a variety of activities supporting musical expression, body awareness and movement and allows everyone to take part at their own pace.
A carer, parent, or guardian must be present throughout the session.
The session is free, but you must register for a place. To register or for further information call 01708 434135 or send an email.
|
Havering Council remains committed to our borough’s recovery from the pandemic and to protecting the public purse. That's why it's reviewing the 25 per cent Single Person discount on Council Tax.
Letters will be going out today to those who benefit from this discount to confirm they are still the only adult resident in the property.
If you receive a letter and are unsure of what to do, visit our website.
|
Due to COVID-19 restrictions many of us will not have been to Europe since the end of the Brexit Transition period.
As we look forward to more countries being added to the Government's "green" list of destinations, don't forget that people travelling to and from the EU to Great Britain are now treated the same as those travelling to and from non-EU countries.
This is likely to mean changes since you last travelled.
Passengers travelling from the EU are now subject to personal allowances, the same as non-EU passengers. For example, if you exceed your personal allowance of 4 litres of spirits, or more than 200 cigarettes you will need to pay tax or duty on all the goods in that category, not just the excess amount, the same as non-EU passengers.
You cannot bring in other goods worth more than £390 without declaring them.
When arriving at your destination's border control point you may need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay
- use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing
Your passport will be stamped.
If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. However, your stays are limited to up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
|
|
