Remembering the fallen, planning for the future in Havering, and the latest COVID-19 figures for our borough.

Living masthead - remembrance

Tuesday 9 November 2021  

Cllr White blog masthead Doing my bit left hand image

Tomorrow night (Wednesday 10 November) I will be chairing a very important meeting of our Cabinet - the Council's leadership team.

With COP26 at the top of the news agenda it is timely for us to review and decide whether to adopt a proposed Climate Change action plan for our borough. If we do, the plan will guide our actions as we work with you to hit Havering's target to be net carbon neutral no later than 2040.

Also on our agenda tomorrow night is The Havering Local Plan.

It is a statutory requirement that local planning authorities have an up to date
Local Plan. The document plans for the type of development and infrastructure Havering’s communities will need in the future. It will be used to decide all planning applications submitted to the Council.

It's been an exhaustive process to get to this point.

In March 2018, the Council submitted the Local Plan for Examination. Following hearings in 2018 and 2019 led by an independent Planning Inspector, a consultation on a number of proposed modifications to the Plan started in August 2020. A further round of consultation took place earlier this year on what were called Further Main Modifications.

The Inspector’s Final Report was received on the 14 October 2021. That report concluded that our Local Plan is sound and legally compliant, subject to the main modifications being made.

The Cabinet will review the Local Plan tomorrow night and, if in agreement, will recommend it is adopted at the next Full Council meeting. See later in this newsletter for how you can follow tomorrow night's meeting in person, or from your home.

Lastly, If you are eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab or a flu vaccination, please do get your jab.

Flu vaccination is important because more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill. With more than 800 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Havering last week, it’s really important to boost your immunity this winter. 

If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.

Cllr Damian White

Leader, Havering Council 

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Budget consultation

Money visual

Havering Council is urging residents to have their say on the borough’s spending plans for the next three years – following the impact of COVID-19.

The borough currently faces a £12 million pound budget shortfall in the wake of the pandemic.

The Council wants to hear from residents and businesses on plans to balance the books while protecting key frontline services.

Have your say before 4 January.


Honouring the war dead

Remembrance Sunday 2021 banner

Every year Havering remembers those who have died in war. 

This year's events begin with an Armistice Day service in Romford on Thursday 11 November.

That will be followed by parades and services across the borough on Remembrance Sunday (14 November).

Our website has a list of all the events that are planned.

More


Meeting tomorrow

Cabinet March 2019

Havering Council's Cabinet (pictured) will be meeting this Wednesday evening (10 November).

The main business of the evening will be the adoption of the Havering Local Plan. This sets out a vision, strategic priorities and the planning policy framework for development in the borough.

Also on the agenda is Havering's Climate Change Action Plan and a consideration of a proposal to introduce a new all-day visitor permit, at the cost of £39 for 10 visits, for use in a controlled parking zone. This will cover a number of roads in Romford Town ward.

The public are welcome to attend the meeting in person, or to watch it online.

Read more


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Latest figures

Infections graph 5 Nov 2021

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 815 cases reported in the last week, just ten fewer than the previous week.

This corresponds to an incidence rate on 5 November of 314 new cases per 100,000 population. This is higher than the equivalent figure for the whole of London (239/100,000) but lower than the whole of England average of 354/100,000.

The total number of those who have died in Havering with COVID-19 now stands at 956 after two more deaths were recorded in the week ending 29 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 (61 per cent) and London as a whole (63 per cent), and similar to the national average for England (76 per cent).

Hospitals

As of 5 November there were 61 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.

Read our report

The Government also provides daily COVID-19 data broken down by town or even postcode level. 

See data for your postcode


Vax boosters 10 and 11 Nov

This week the Government has opened up the national booking system for people whose second jab was at least five months ago.

You will now be able to book for the booster vaccine ahead of time but you still cannot get a booster jab until six months after your second jab.

Please don’t attend a walk-in clinic before that six month period is up as you’ll be turned away.


Book a jab

Jabs for 12 - 15 year olds image

Young people between 12-15 years of age are now eligible to receive a single COVID-19 vaccine. 

12-15 year olds can book an appointment on the national booking system for the Liberty Vaccination Centre in Romford – they are offering after school clinics Tuesdays to Thursdays, as well as Saturdays and Sundays.

You can also book an appointment on the national booking system at King George Hospital in Goodmayes. Sessions there are after school tomorrow, (Wednesday) and this Friday (between 3.30 and 5.25pm), and Saturday and Sundays between 6pm and 7.30pm. King George also offers walk-in appointments at these times.


Lighting up Romford

Romford Xmas Light switch on banner Oct 2021

The Christmas lights are going on in Romford Town centre on Thursday 18 November.

The Romford event is just one of a series of events taking place across Havering to mark the start of the festive season.

Big Brovaz and Booty Luv, will be headlining this year’s show, and Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Brookside Theatre will be showcasing their 2021 Christmas pantos. 

Time FM's Mark Dover will be hosting the show that has been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Romford Business Improvement District and Marlborough Highways.


Improving lives

Abercrombie House, Harold Hill 2021

As part of Havering Council's regeneration work in Harold Hill, drop-in events for the public will be held shortly.

These events will update residents on proposals for the redevelopment of Harold Hill Town Centre, including Chippenham Road, and the Abercrombie Hostel.

These sessions will be held from 12 noon – 6.30pm on Tuesday 30 November and Thursday 2 December at Harold Hill Community Hub (formerly the Housing office) in Chippenham Road.


Protect your space

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Protect your outdoor space this Autumn.

Keep gates, sheds and garages locked and don’t leave tools lying around.

Keep hedges at the front low and install outdoor lighting to expose any unwanted visitors. 

Keep you and you’re your loved ones safe as the nights draw in.

More


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Reading Friend Knit and Natter sessions are held every Wednesday morning at Gidea Park library between 10am and midday. There's no cost to join a session.

French language lessons are held at 10.15am every Friday at the Ardleigh House Community Association, 42 Ardleigh Green Rd, Hornchurch. Students should have a basic knowledge of some tenses and vocabulary, however, the emphasis is on conversation for use in everyday situations. More details on the Association's website.

The Havering Literary Festival is back for 2021 and the first event of this year's celebration is tomorrow (Wednesday 10 Novermber).

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. Details of all the events are listed on our website.

fireworks 2

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 event is raising money for the Parents and Friends Association of The Coopers' Company & Coborn School, a registered charity.

Advance tickets are available online, or from the school office.

Richard Digance will be performing at the Brookside Theatre, Eastern Road, Romford, this Saturday, 13 November, at 8pm. To book tickets telephone the Box Office on 01708 755775 or book online at www.brooksidetheatre.com.

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.

Picture of 19th Century Romford

Simon Donoghue, the Local History Librarian for Havering Libraries, will be giving an illlustrated talk on 19th Century Romford.

It's at 10.30am on Saturday 20 November and will be held at St Edward the Confessor Church in Market Place, Romford.

The presentation includes maps, prints, photographs and more illustrating the old town of the church, market, manor houses, barracks and pubs.

The event is free to attend and tea, coffee and cake will be served prior to the talk from 10am. This isn't a ticketed event, but you can book your place in advance, if you wish, via Eventbrite.

Aladdin at Queen's theatre Nov 2021

Panto is back in Hornchurch for 2021! Oh yes it is!

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will be staging the much-loved traditional pantomime Aladdin, from 25 November until 2 January.

You can join the adventure as Aladdin falls in love with the Princess, discovers an enchanted lamp and with his hilarious mum Betty Bagwash and a mysterious Genie sets out to make a fortune.

The performance will include original tunes played live and plenty of panto antics. Full details on the Theatre's website.

Havering U3A meets at 2.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at Saint Michael’s Church Hall, Main Road, Gidea Park. On Wednesday 8 December, hear from Daniela Bartlett with her talk "Tis the Season to Be Jolly". For more information see their website.


Plan ahead

Trip to Europe graphic Oct 2021

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  

More


Stay safe

Report suspicious activity ACT image

If you work in retail you have the opportunity to hear from specialist Police officers from the Counter Terrorism Command at an event being held this week at the Brewery shopping centre.

The Action Counters Terrorism training is free and takes around 90 minutes.

This training session is being held at the Vue Cinema within the Brewery at 6pm this Thursday,11 November.

In the UK 31 terrorist attack plots have been foiled since 2017. The session will provide those attending with essential knowledge in Counter Terrorism awareness to both help prevent an attack, and knowing what to do if caught up in one.

There is no booking required, just turn up and complete the register. 


Time to nominate

Girl swimming underwater

The hunt is on again to find Havering's top sporting stars plus hard-working officials and helpers.

It's time for nominations for the Havering Sports Council's Annual Awards and as always, there are eight award categories.

Winners will be presented with their awards at a presentation buffet at Upminster Golf Club on Monday 7 February, sponsored by B.A.T.S. of Ilford and attended by the Mayor of Havering.

You can see how to make a nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award on the Havering Sports Council's website.

Entries close on Monday 10 January.


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