Tuesday 26 October 2021
 Last week, Havering Council's Cabinet agreed recommendations to update our financial strategy and we soon will begin consulting on our budget planning for the next three years on Monday (1 November).
Balancing a budget as we are legally required to do is always a challenge. Setting out our plans during this stage of the pandemic with the current increase in demand for our services and a backdrop of unprecedented financial uncertainty makes the task this time even harder.
As a consequence of the awful coronavirus pandemic there has also been a spike in demand for children’s and adults services and huge pressures across the whole range of our services.
We also don't yet know what is in the Government’s spending review and therefore how much funding Havering will receive. However, it won't be a surprise to say that savings will need to be found. These will have to come from a mix of even more efficient and new ways of delivering services, better use of data and business intelligence and through our regeneration plans.
Look out for more information on our budget consultation in this newsletter and on our website next week.
Today is also Essex Day, and we are once again proudly flying the Essex flag outside the Town Hall to celebrate Havering's unique heritage in both Essex and London.
Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over – cases are high and we are all still at risk of picking up the virus and passing it on to others, even if we have been double or triple vaccinated.
Please read the words of London's Director of Public Health below, and take simple steps and actions to enjoy the half-term break safely and keep your family and friends safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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A message from Professor Kevin Fenton, London Regional Director of Public Health
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is becoming part of our everyday lives in London but we have reached another turning point in the progression of the virus in the city.
Case rates have been stable in recent weeks, although at a higher rate compared to October last year, and now they are starting to increase again.
With winter rapidly approaching and the potential for more social mixing over half-term, it’s important that Londoners step up their action to prevent catching and spreading COVID-19, which we know can have a devastating impact on our communities and city.
Whilst we’re able to enjoy more freedoms now than before, we must keep in mind that the virus is still circulating at high levels and increasing day-on-day.
I would therefore urge Londoners to get fully vaccinated without delay and get the all-important booster jab when offered.
Do get back to wearing face coverings in enclosed and crowded places especially on the tube and buses, wash your hands and test regularly, stay at home if you’re unwell, and don’t forget about good ventilation as it really does help.
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The COP26 climate summit takes place in Glasgow starting on Sunday (31 October).
Havering Council is committed to tackling climate change and plans to be Net Carbon Neutral no later than 2040.
To meet this target it is currently reviewing everything it does and will publish a climate action plan in November on how it will achieve that target and also meet the Government’s commitment to the UK being net carbon neutral by 2050. The plan will also set out what it is already doing.
To gain opinions from as many young people as possible, Havering Council is running a survey that will be open until the end of COP26 summit on 12 November.
If you're under 30, please take part in the survey to share your thoughts.
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Wearing a face covering on all Transport for London (TfL) services, and in TfL stations, is still required under TfL’s Condition of Carriage for anyone aged 11 and over, unless they are exempt.
TfL’s 500 uniformed enforcement officers will continue to ask customers to comply with the rules of the network to keep passengers safe, and anybody who does not comply may be refused entry.
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 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 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 608 cases reported in the last week, 69 more than the previous week.
This corresponds to an incidence rate on 15 October of 234 new cases per 100,000 population. This is slightly lower than the equivalent figure for the whole of London (237/100,000) and the England average of 436/100,000.
The total number of those who have died in Havering with COVID-19 now stands at 949 after three more deaths were recorded in the week ending 8 October.
Vaccines
The latest figures show that 80 per cent of all adults aged 18 or over in Havering have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Over 75 per cent of the adult population in Havering have had their second dose of the vaccine which is higher than in East London (60 per cent) and London as a whole (63 per cent), and similar to the national average for England (76 per cent).
Hospitals
As of 18 October there were 45 inpatients admitted due to COVID-19 to our local hospitals, nine more than the previous week.
The trust that runs those hospitals, BHRUT, also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
The Government also provides daily COVID-19 data broken down by town or even postcode level.
The NHS is encouraging those eligible to get vital protection with a free flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster jab ahead of winter.
It comes after recent research suggested that adults are underestimating the combined threat of COVID-19 and flu this winter.
See Dr Dawn Harper's short video explaining the benefits of getting a flu jab and a booster COVID-19 vaccination.
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When we recycle our old electricals, we’re giving a new lease of life to the treasure hidden within. This includes precious metals like gold, copper, steel and aluminium.
These valuable materials can then be recycled and turned into everything from children’s playgrounds to life-saving equipment – even into new electricals.
Here are just some examples of the sort of items that Havering Council will collect and recycle:
- small kitchen appliances (such as kettles, toasters, irons)
- hairdryers, straighteners and clippers
- clocks, watches, calculators and torches
- remote controls, mobile phones, cameras and chargers
- phone and laptop batteries
- radios, mini hi-fis, CD and MP3 players
- small electronic toys (such as remote control cars)
- hand power tools, smoke detectors and thermostats
To play your part, gather up and store your old electricals in a bag. When you’re ready to recycle put them in an open plastic bag and leave it next to your orange recycling sack on your collection day.
Alternatively you can take them to Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre and place them in the electrical and electronic area. Or you can use the Recycle Your Electricals postcode locator to find your local recycling point.
- If you are recycling cardboard but it's too large to fit in your orange sack, and you still want it to be collected from your home, please flatten boxes and leave them alongside your sacks for your weekly refuse collection.
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 Charlotte's Social Afternoons are held every Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at All Saints Church, 80 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG where parking is available.
It's a chance to meet new friends, and have a laugh with bingo, quizzes, raffles and games. Admission is just £4 and this includes refreshments and prizes.
For more information contact Charlotte on 07824 893006.
Queen's Theatre Hornchurch is currently staging Beth Underdown's The Witchfinder's Sister. (Picture: Mark Sepple).
It's the world premiere of a chilling and creepy tale of Essex witch hunts and plays until 30 October.
It is based on the true story of the infamous witchfinder Matthew Hopkins and is set in 1645. It follows the story of Alice Hopkins, who comes home to Manningtree to live with her brother after her husband is tragically killed.
To book, visit the Theatre's website or call 01708 443333.
Havering Singers' first post-COVID live performance is a selection of Choral Favourites including Mozart's Ave Verum, Handel's Zadok the Priest and Brahms'
How Lovely are thy Dwellings.
This concert, at St Peter's Church, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0QA, on Saturday 6 November, is free of charge but ticketed to allow for safe COVID-19 measures. You can get tickets from their website or by calling 01708 341265.
Bedrock Radio's Charity Quiz Night will be held on Sunday 7 November from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Crumpled Horn pub, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster.
Tickets are just £10 and include a meal. Buy them online.
The event is to raise money for Bedrock Radio, the hospital radio serving Queen's and King George Hospitals.
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The Coopers Coborn School in St Mary's Lane, Upminster, is holding a fireworks display on Saturday 13 November.
Gates open at 5.30pm with the display due to start at 6.30pm.
There will be a barbecue and bar, plus live music throughout the evening. The evening is a fundraising event on behalf of the Parents and Friends Association of The Coopers' Company & Coborn School, a registered charity.
Advance tickets are available online, or from the school office.
Havering Concert Orchestra are holding a Belated Happy Birthday Beethoven concert on Saturday 20 November at 7.30pm. The venue will be Frances Bardsley Academy, Brentwood Road, Romford, RM1 2RR.
Tickets are £10 in advance. You can get more information on their website.
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 The Havering Literary Festival is back for 2021.
This year will feature bestsellers as well as highlighting the hidden talents of local authors. Whether you'll be joining an online event or an event in a library - all the tickets are free.
Read more about one of the events on 10 November.
South Essex Crematorium's memorial service, which is interdemoninational, will be held on Sunday (31 October) at 3pm in St. Edward the Confessor Church, Romford Market Place.
It's an opportunity to join in a shared act of remembrance. Anyone who has lost a loved one during the last eighteen, difficult months is welcome.
The service will be led by Fr. David Simpson and attended by the Mayor of Havering.
On arrival you will be offered a candle and during the service you will be invited to take part in the Act of Remembrance by bringing your candle to the front of the church where you can light it and place it with others.
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If you have a trip to Europe planned, please remember to check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice before you go, and while you're away.
In particular, check for
✅entry requirements
✅COVID-19 rules
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Come along and meet our fostering ambassadors at the Liberty Shopping Centre this Saturday (30 October).
Lucy, Eileen and Alison will be on hand to talk about what it’s like to foster a child, and how you can become a foster carer too.
If you’re interested in fostering and would like to know more, find them outside Marks and Spencer until 5pm. You can also find out more on our website.
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The Mum's guide to Romford Awards are back for their second year, supporting local businesses and encouraging us to celebrate great work.
There are seven categories where local businesses have been nominated by their clients and customers.
Over 1,000 nominations were received in the initial stages and there are currently five finalists in each category.
The categories are:
Best Activity Class or Group for Under 5s
Best Activity Class or Group for School-age Children
Best Holiday Club or Class
Best Pre/Post-natal Support Service
Best Party and Celebrations Provider
Best Local Independent Business
Best Family Day Out
Voting closes on Wednesday 3 November.
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