 I am delighted that Havering's Small Business Awards for 2022 are proving so popular.
More than 250 individual small businesses have been nominated to win an award. It just goes to show how great Havering is to do business.
The final voting round for the community-led awards, which give members of the public the chance to shine a spotlight on their favourite small businesses in the borough, has now begun. Over 10,000 votes have already been received.
I can’t wait to find out who wins each category. So, please do take a couple of minutes to vote for your winners over the next few weeks, and give these extra special businesses the recognition they deserve.
Lastly, don't forget that I will be holding more online surgeries using Microsoft Teams on Friday 18 February, between 10am and noon, and on Tuesday 22 February, between 5pm and 6pm.
If you would like to book one of these slots, please send me an email telling me which day you would like to talk. My assistant will then get back to you by email to confirm your time slot.
Wishing you a great, and safe, weekend.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council's Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 16 February to discuss a proposal to increase Council Tax by 2.99 per cent from April.
This includes a 1.99 per cent increase on general Council Tax and a one per cent increase, as set out by the Government, to support local social care where costs have risen rapidly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2.99 per cent increase proposal does does not include the Mayor of London’s element of residents' overall Council Tax bills.
However, the Council still needs to make £13 million in savings for 2022/2023. This will come from further efficiencies such as reducing staff costs, working more closely with health partners to prevent people going into care, better ways of delivering services, using data and technology, and improved management of regeneration schemes.
These savings will be made while protecting front line services such as the road investment programme, maintaining green spaces and leisure services, and the opening of a new leisure centre in Rainham.
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Free swimming for school-aged children during school holidays will return for next week's half-term holiday.
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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On Havering Council's website you can see details of any applications to change a Premises Licence.
This week the new Ibis Styles Hotel next to Romford railway station has applied for a licence to supply alcohol and late night refreshments.
You have until 9 March to comment on this application.
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From today (11 February) if you are fully vaccinated you no longer need to test for COVID-19 when returning to the UK.
However, travellers are advised to check that they meet vaccination rules for destinations outside the UK.
For example, recently France joined Spain and Denmark in requiring anyone who completed their vaccination jabs more than 270 days ago to have a booster to enter the country – or be considered unvaccinated. Austria requires boosters after 180 days.
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In March you will receive your Council Tax bill for the next financial year (2022/23).
If you pay in full before 1 April you will receive a 1.5 per cent discount off your bill. For Council Tax Band D properties, this could be as much as £28.40.
You can also get the 1.5 per cent discount if you pay your annual Council Tax in full in one instalment on 1 April by Direct Debit. Complete the online direct debit form on our website and choose the payment date as the first of April. You don’t need to do anything else, Havering Council will request the payment from your bank.
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Advertorial
Be part of your local community’s closed loop repair movement.
Havering Council and ELWA are holding free repair café events where residents, aged 18 or over (children must be accompanied by an adult) can get together to:
- alter or mend clothes
- fix broken electrical gadgets, bikes, toys, crockery and more
- participate in reuse and repair initiatives through donations to local furniture reuse organisations
- Get involved in activities designed to maintain household electrical items (electronics) including simple PAT testing activities that can be conducted within each household.
You can join the next Repair Cafe event on Saturday 26 February between 11am and 2pm at Rainham Library. Register to attend by sending an email or calling 0208 724 5803 (Option 2).
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The Care Workers' Charity is organising a Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection.
It will be held next month and be dedicated to those working across the adult social care sector.
It is designed to give people a chance to remember those sadly lost during pandemic and reflect on the vital work the social care sector has done to keep people safe and well.
Ahead of the day, a virtual Memorial Wall and Thank You Wall have been created.
You can use these "walls" to leave a tribute to a lost loved one, a "thank you" to a care worker who has provided vital support to you or someone you know, or a "well done" to a colleague who worked hard to help keep the people they support safe during the pandemic.
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 Picture courtesy of Ron Cook
Havering Sports Council held its annual awards presentation evening, sponsored by BATS of Ilford, at Upminster Golf Club earlier this week.
Congratulations to all the winners, pictured above.
Stephanie Okoro won the Junior Sports Competitor of the Year award. She has belonged to Havering Athletic Club since the age of 10 and last July she won the English Schools 300 metres hurdles. She also set the third fastest time ever by a UK under 17 athlete.
Jon Warren was named Sports Competitor of the Year. He specialises in long distance triathlon events, represents Havering Triathlon Club, and owns a multi-sports coaching business. Jon has clocked 3 hours 14 minutes in the Virgin Money London Marathon.
The Disability Sports Competitor of the Year award went to Rebecca O'Rourke. She won silver over 1500 metres at the England Athletics Senior Disability Championships despite still being a junior. She's currently ranked third in the UK T20 female athletes class at 800 metres, and fourth at 1500 metres.
The Mayor of Havering, Cllr John Mylod, presented the Sports Volunteer of the Year Award to Katie Ennis. In 2021 she officiated at 12 separate athletics meetings and is also a member of the "Off-Ice Team" for Romford Junior Ice Hockey Club. At the rink, Katie has volunteered 45 hours of her time.
It was probably no surprise that the Sports Club of the Year Award was won by Hornchurch Football Club. The club were one of 293 to enter the 2021 FA Trophy, but the only one to win it in the final held at Wembley Stadium.
The Senior School Team of the Year Award went to Redden Court under 12 boys indoor athletics team and the Primary School team of the Year was won by Gidea Park Primary School's year 5 and 6 girls football team.
The Doug Riden Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Moira Barber, who has been involved in karate for over 40 years.
 Havering Singing for the Brain 2020, a music and social group for people living with dementia and their carers, is now meeting three times a week.
They meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Join one of their meetings for live music, singing, dancing, plus advice and support. New members are welcome. The entrance fee is £5 per person, including refreshments, and the first session is free for new members. You can find more information on their website.
This February half term, the Brookside Theatre in Romford is doing all things Disney with their musical theatre workshops.
The Frozen workshops which welcome children aged 5-10 to become Elsa, Anna, or Olaf as they dance, sing and act, letting their imaginations come to life.
Or for the older children, the theatre is running Disney’s Descendants workshops aimed at children aged 11-16. This workshop will teach a street dance routine and will really hone in on not just technique but also stage craft and performance.
Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked. For dates, times and further information go to the theatre's website or call 01708 755775.
Havering Green Streets Group is a voluntary group . They will be gardening in community spaces on Sundays from 1pm to 3pm from 6 March. These usually include places in local streets that have planters or open green spaces that need a bit of extra tender loving care.
Find out more about this group on their Facebook page.
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Steven Newberry, a Case Officer in Havering Council’s Children’s Services team, has written a poem for LGBT+ History Month that is marked with the flying of the Progress Pride flag outside the Town Hall (pictured).
To be someone you are not supposed to be; is difficult.
To be stuck in a closet; is damaging.
To be the person you are meant to be; is brave.
To be that person who accepts and embraces equality and diversity of all kind; are champions.
It’s important that we continue to acknowledge that times are changing.
We are living in a society where people are more open about their identity.
We are living in a society where people have become more understanding and supportive.
However; more sadly needs to be done.
We are living in a society where people are still afraid to be them true selves.
We are living in a society where identifying as LGBT+ may put you at increased risk of harm, or provide you with less opportunities.
We are living in a society where people within all of our communities can still feel lost, helpless and alone.
LGBT+ History Month allows us to take some time to pause and reflect.
It allows us to look at how all communities have worked together.
It allows us to look at where we are at now, and take note on the challenges that we face today.
It allows us to look at what we should be doing now, to continue the progress being made.
We can all make a positive difference.
Act now,
Be the change,
Notice your impact!
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Highways England are holding a series of drop-in community events over the next few weeks about the Lower Thames crossing project.
One of these events will be held at the New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH on Wednesday 16 February between 4pm and 8pm.
At the meeting Highways England will provide information on their proposed new or improved paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as work with local schools and businesses to create opportunities for new jobs and skills.
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Angel Way in Romford (pictured) is closed between its junction with St Edwards Way to Rubicon Court to allow for new building work. The road is expected to re-open by 19 February at the latest.
Water mains are being renewed by Essex and Suffolk Water in Highfield Road, Chase Cross, between its junctions with Avelon Road and Highfield Link. This work will be continuing until 2 March. The same company will also be working outside number 17 Hall Lane, Upminster, and outside number 29 Havering Road, Romford, from 14 to 16 February.
Cadent Gas will be working to replace gas mains in Park Lane at its junction with Brentwood Road in Romford, from 12 to 20 February. Temporary traffic signals will be used during the work.
Telecoms firm EE will have contractors working in Maybank Avenue, Hornchurch, near the junction with Rosebank Avenue, from 14 to 16 February. Temporary two-way traffic signals will be used during the work.
Road resurfacing work will take place in Straight Road in Harold Hill, from 14 to 16 February.
Volker Highways will be working in Broxhill Road in Havering-atte-Bower on Wednesday 16 February and temporary traffic signals will be in use on the day. There will also be work taking place in this road on 18 February.
Havering Council's contractor for road resurfacing work, Marlborough Highways, will be working in Esher Avenue in Romford on 14 February with the firm moving on to Campbell Close on 15 February, Queens Park Road in Harold Wood, on 16 to 18 February, and Court Avenue, Harold Wood, on 17, 18 and 21 February.
Footpath work in Upminster Road North will mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 21 to 23 February.
Lastly, Essex and Suffolk Water will be working outside number 200 London Road in Romford, from 28 February until 2 March. During this time temporary traffic signals will be in use.
On the tracks
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Transport for London (TfL) is reminding customers that they must still wear a face covering when using any TfL service or station, unless they are exempt.
Those who do not comply could be prevented from entering the network or asked to leave TfL services.
This weekend (12 and 13 February) there will be no TfL Rail service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Please use London Underground connections between Liverpool Street and Stratford. Replacement buses will be operating.
Also, this weekend there will be no London Overground service between Romford and Upminster. Please use local bus routes 165, 248 or 370.
Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line maintenance work between Grays and Pitsea this Sunday (13 February), c2c trains on the Ockendon line will start and end their journeys at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Grays and Pitsea via Tilbury.
c2c trains on the Rainham line are also not running this Sunday (13 February). Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
Finally, this weekend (12 and 13 February) there will be no District line service between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road.
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