 Next week Havering Council’s Cabinet will meet to recommend the borough’s budget to Full Council on 2 March.
This budget will aim to balance our recovery from COVID-19 with maintaining and improving the services which matter most to residents. It will include more money to support local social care costs which have spiked due to the pandemic.
I have been working hard with Council officers to make sure that we deliver the best value for money for our residents. To keep the Council Tax increases as low as possible, Havering Council needs to make £13 million in savings for the financial year ahead. This will come from further efficiencies such as reducing staff costs, better ways of delivering services, and better use of data and technology.
These savings will be made while protecting front line services such as our £40 million road investment programme, maintaining our excellent Green Flag parks and green spaces, keeping the streets clean and safe, and providing care and support for the most vulnerable in our community.
Construction of a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Rainham will go ahead as planned and that is expected to be complete by May 2023.
I’m proud that, unlike many other councils, we continue to invest in our leisure centres and in one of the biggest social housing regeneration schemes in the country.
I’m pleased that the Government has announced more support to cover energy bills, including a £150 rebate for those on Council Tax bands A to D. Havering Council will do all it can to help our residents further.
Lastly, this week is Race Equality Week. The theme this year is Action Not Just Words.
Havering Council is committed to implementing practical solutions to tackling race inequality in the workplace. But we know there is plenty of work still to do as my cabinet colleague, Cllr Viddy Persaud, explains in a short video.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Free swimming for school-aged children during school holidays will return for the upcoming half-term.
This is part of Havering Council’s commitment to 60,000 free swimming sessions for school aged children and young adults by this summer.
Bookings can be made now for sessions during the week beginning Monday 14 February.
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Landscaping works continue at Hornchurch Country Park on planting a memorial woodland. This is part of Havering Council's commemorations of the impact of COVID-19 on local communities.
The works have temporarily closed access and parking at the south entrance to the park, off South End Road.
Access to the park and car parking is still possible at the north entrance.
If you, or your business, would like to contribute to this COVID-19 memorial through the installation of dedicated benches, or you wish to receive more information regarding an individual memorial bench, please send an email.
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It has now been 22 years since the UK Government lifted the ban on gay, trans and bisexual people serving in the Armed Forces.
This LGBT+ History month, the Royal British Legion is once again celebrating this important step, and reflecting on the ways it has transformed the British Armed Forces for the better.
Before the ban, many LGBT+ individuals in the armed forces were unfairly treated, even though they were serving their country with honour. David Kelsey, for example joined the Army at 16, but after just seven years his military career was cut short because of the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces.
Like many others, David also had his military medals taken away but is currently fighting to get them back. Former service personnel, and the families of those deceased, can now apply to the Ministry of Defence to restore honours to the delight of many of those affected.
Since the lifting of the ban, LGBT+ members of the Armed Forces have experienced a change in culture that has meant they no longer feel they have to lead a double life or hide who they are.
LGBT+ History Month talk
On Thursday 10 February at 7pm an online Zoom talk exploring issues of sexuality and gender during the Second World War will be held. From the Armed Forces to the home front, the war years brought new freedoms to society.
This presentation will highlight an often forgotten aspect of this period’s social history. Visit Eventbrite to register for a free ticket.
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The table below shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week from 13 March 2020 to 4 February 2022.
 Every week Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough. 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.
There were 1,628 cases reported last week. This corresponds to an incidence rate on 4 February of 625 new cases per 100,000 population. This is lower than the equivalent figures for the whole of London (758/100,000) and the whole of England (869/100,000).
Sadly, the latest data shows there were seven COVID-19 related deaths in Havering in the week ending 28 January. This means that 1,025 people have now died in Havering with COVID-19.
The risk of catching Measles, Mumps or Rubella increases when children go to nursery school.
If you don't get your child the MMR vaccines, they're left exposed to becoming seriously ill.
Protect your child with both MMR vaccines.
Contact your GP to book their first or second dose, or find out more online.
If you wish, you can read a leaflet all about MMR vaccinations in English, Polish, Romanian, or Somali.
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Exercise Referral is a tailor-made package of exercise sessions specifically for people with health complications.
The scheme is designed to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, help with stress and mental health, and regulate blood sugar levels.
The main scheme runs for 12 weeks, with a consultation in the first week, a review in week six, and an assessment at the end. There are another 12 weeks of follow-ups where the patient is still supported in their health and fitness regime by a qualified trainer helping you to enjoy and maintain physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
To take advantage of the scheme, make an appointment with your GP or health professional as their referral will be required in order to access the Exercise Referral programme.
By getting a GP referral and joining the scheme you receive a discounted membership to use at any of the Everyone Active leisure centres in Hornchurch, Harold Hill or Romford.
If you want to find out more information on the scheme before getting a GP referral call 01708 463190 or send an email.
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This year Ramadan is expected to run from the evening of Saturday 2 April until Sunday 1 May.
Charity Diabetes UK is holding a free webinar for people living with diabetes and who wish to prepare for Ramadan.
The webinar is on Thursday, 17 February 17, from 5pm to 6.30pm and will take place on Zoom.
To join the webinar book your place.
The speakers will be followed by two people sharing their experience of diabetes and Ramadan - one of whom fasts and one of whom chooses not to fast. The talks will be followed by a question and answer session.
The webinar will be recorded. So if you can’t attend the live event but would like to watch it you should register and you will be sent the recorded version after 17 February.
Diabetes UK recommends that people consult a doctor or healthcare team before Ramadan, to make sure that they are able to look after themselves properly. Failing to do so is in itself contrary to the Qur'an, which clearly states that you must not act in a way that harms your body (Al Baqarah Verse 195).
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 Havering U3A will be meeting at 2.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 9 February) at St. Michael’s Church Hall, Main Road, Gidea Park. Doors open at 2.15pm.
John Gordon will be speaking. His subject is “My time as a Professional Photographer.”
In addition, interest groups run throughout the month. For more information attend a meeting or go to their website.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will open its Spring 2022 season with a revival from Director Douglas Rintoul of Arthur Miller’s moving and powerful landmark drama All My Sons.
It will play from this Thursday (10 February) until 5 March. To book tickets, visit the Theatre's website.
This Thursday (10 February) the Friends of North Thames Estuary meet at the small car park beyond Veolia Landfill, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham RM13 9YB at 10.30am for a litter pick.
The litter collection will continue until 1pm. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves and sturdy walking shoes, please bring them. The group will be collecting river rubbish from around the RSPB centre.
The group will be holding another litter pick on Saturday 5 March. This time they will be meeting at Riverside Carpark, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham, RM13 9YB (before the landfill security building) at 10.30am.
They will be collecting river rubbish on the reed beds on the Thames foreshore until 1.30pm.
Havering Council’s Para Music session returns to Fairkytes Arts Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, during the February half term holiday.
The session on Tuesday 15 February is for special educational needs and disability (SEND) children.
A parent, carer or guardian must stay throughout the session.
To book call 01708 456308, or visit Fairkytes Arts Centre.
On Wednesday 9 March at 1.30pm, Dr Ian Browne will be giving a talk on Everyday Life in Tudor Havering at Havering Museum. It's free for members of the Friends of Havering Museum and £5 for non-members.
Book your place at the Museum, or call 01708 766571 between 11am and 4pm, Wednesday to Friday. More details on the Museum's website.
Havering Singers will be holding their 75th Anniversary Concert on 2 April at 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0QA.
They will be performing Handel's Messiah accompanied by a baroque orchestra with soloists Cheryl Enever (soprano), Freya Jacklin (alto), Richard Dowling (tenor) and Greg Link (bass).
Tickets cost £15 for adults and £6 for children. More information on the Havering Singers website.
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The latest National Childhood Measurement Programme 2020-21 (NCMP) found obesity levels have increased since 2019 in both Reception and Year 6 classes.
There is no information available for each borough because only a small sample of children were measured nationally due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, across England the results show that more than a quarter of children aged four to five years, and 4 in 10 children aged 10 to 11 years are now overweight or obese.
This means there's an urgent need to improve children’s health. For healthier food swaps, recipes, and tips for your family to eat well and get active together download the free NHS Food Scanner App.
This free app is available from the App Store or Google Play.
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New City College (that includes Havering Sixth Form College and Havering College of Further and Higher Education) has been announced as a partner in the Local London Green and Digital Mayoral Academy (LLGDMA).
The programme aims to support the creation of over 60,000 new jobs in London by 2030. It will help Londoners access a range of careers and opportunities across the region, focusing on sectors such as creative, digital, green, health and hospitality.
New City College will collaborate with 11 other Further Education colleges and nine London councils (including Havering Council) to develop a skills plan and create events.
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Following Brexit, customs controls for goods flowing between the UK and EU were introduced.
Now the Government is asking businesses, traders, and the public to give their opinion on how the customs system is working and what improvements they would like to see.
You have until 2 May to share your thoughts.
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The Havering Small Business Awards celebrate the diverse range of small, consumer-focussed businesses across our borough.
See all the finalists listed on our website and vote for your favourites.
You can vote for as many categories as you like, but can only select one finalist per category.
Over 2,800 votes have already been received so far and the webpage has been incredibly busy. If you're struggling to get through, please keep trying.
The closing date for voting is Sunday 27 February.
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