 Tomorrow (Wednesday 16 February) Havering Council’s Cabinet will meet to recommend the borough’s budget to Full Council on 2 March.
This budget aims to balance our recovery from COVID-19 along with maintaining and improving the value for money services, which matter most to residents. It will include more money to support local social care costs, which have spiked due to the pandemic.
To keep the Council Tax increases as low as possible we need 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. We will also look at ways of supporting those who have been affected the most from rising costs and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the worst of that pandemic seems to be behind us please don't forget that it's never too late to get your first, second, or booster vaccination.
Perhaps there's someone in your family who couldn't get a booster dose when invited to do so as they had COVID-19 at the time? Perhaps you have a colleague at work who was nervous about getting jabbed and didn't take up the offer first time around?
If you are planning a trip abroad don't forget that many places around the world still have strict measures in place to combat COVID-19 so it would be a good idea to check that your vaccination status meets the rules for your holiday destination.
If you haven’t made up your mind up about the vaccination, you can talk to a clinical expert confidentially about your concerns or questions. Call 07480 067213 and book a face to face appointment at the Victoria Centre in Pettits Lane, Romford. Alternatively, you can see the answers to many questions online.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Tomorrow (Wednesday 16 February) Havering Council’s Cabinet will meet to recommend the borough’s budget to Full Council on 2 March.
You can read all the papers for this meeting on our website.
Items on the agenda also include approval of the Council's capital spending on its housing programme for the next four years, and a discussion of the Business Plan for the redevelopment of the Bridge Close area of Romford.
This follows the Council acquiring full control of the joint venture that had been set to redevelop this area in October 2020. A planning application for Bridge Close including plans for a new three form entry primary school, health centre, and affordable housing is expected in the summer of this year.
You can watch proceedings on the night in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall or follow it online. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.
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Havering enforcement officers joined local police and other partners on a special day of action last week with the aim of cracking down on violent crime, drugs and other anti-social behaviour.
Drug sniffer dogs Alfie, Oakley and Rexton were on hand as action was carried out at locations in Harold Wood, Gidea Park and Romford.
The operation saw over 100 stop and searches, two arrests for intent to supply Class A drugs, various penalty notices for possession of Class A drugs, and warnings for the misuse of e-scooters.
They also visited a local secondary school and with support of staff, saw around 300 students walking past the drugs dog with only two searches made as a consequence, both showing negative results.
Other partners involved included British Transport Police, Safer Transport teams and Safer Neighbourhood teams.
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The table below shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week from 13 March 2020 to 11 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 1,038 cases reported last week. This corresponds to an incidence rate on 11 February of 398 new cases per 100,000 population. This is lower than the equivalent figures for the whole of London (549/100,000) and the whole of England (591/100,000).
Sadly, the latest data shows there were six COVID-19 related deaths in Havering in the week ending 4 February. This means that 1,031 people have now died in Havering with COVID-19.
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 this Thursday, 17 February, from 5pm to 6.30pm and will take place on Zoom.
To join the webinar book your place.
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Havering Council is launching a Learning Disability Weight management programme.
The programme will be delivered by Everyone Active in partnership with Sport for Confidence.
This weight management programme is part of the Live Healthier Havering programme which is aimed at individuals with Learning Disabilities. It is a 12 week face to face programme for individuals with mild to moderate learning disabilities with a BMI between 25 and 40.
Family members are encouraged to attend the programme alongside those on the course to support them. The programme is led by a weight management specialist and an occupational therapist. Referral is either self-referral, or through family members and healthcare professionals.
The first programme is due to start on Thursday 17 March at the Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
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In recent weeks, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) has experienced an increase in night time attendances at Queen’s Hospital children’s Emergency Department (ED).
However, the upgraded children’s ED at King George Hospital (pictured) has seen a small number of patients in comparison.
If you live near King George Hospital, remember that BHRUT’s state-of-the-art children’s ED is open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.
Share this message with friends and family, so children can be treated as quickly as possible.
If you’re unsure whether to visit a hospital, contact NHS 111 if the child has an urgent problem. In an emergency, phone 999.
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Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting a screening can help stop it before it starts.
Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
This is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time could potentially lead to cervical cancer. Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are eligible for screening. Screening saves lives so if you receive a cervical screening invite please don't ignore it. If you missed your last screening, book an appointment with your GP practice or local sexual health clinic.
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This month is LGBT+ History Month.
A number of events are being held across London to mark the month including an opportunity to learn about hidden histories at Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn in a guided tour this Friday.
Also on Saturday, 19 February, you can explore the vast and complex history of LGBT+ life in London. A tour of London's West End will include stories of iconic people and places who have shaped the city and community through the centuries.
A new wallchart is also now available from the the LGBT+ History Month website. It is a downloadable resource that can support those raising awareness of sexual orientation and gender identity equality and diversity.
Meanwhile Havering Libraries are showcasing books by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans writers (pictured).
Literature holds an important place in the LGBT+ community in helping to share perspectives and insights. The libraries have a wide variety of books – both fiction and non fiction – for all age groups to help celebrate LGBT+ History Month.
There's a list of all the libraries in Havering on our website.
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 Havering Antique and Collectors Club is holding an antiques and memorabilia quiz hosted by Ann Wilmore this Friday, 18 February.
There will be an assortment of antique items for guests to identify as to their possible use. The event starts at 7.30pm and runs until 9.30pm at the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane in Harold Wood. It's just £5 to attend. Buses stop outside and there is on-site parking.
The Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, RM5 2LD is holding a table top sale on Sunday 27 February.
Tables can be booked for £12 by calling 01708 766652 and stallholders should arrive from 12.30pm. The sale will be open to the public between 2pm and 5pm. The entrance fee is £1 and that includes a drink.
The Friends of North Thames Estuary 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 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.
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.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has announced the cast for the 10th anniversary production of Tom Wells award- winning, comedy The Kitchen Sink.
The play will be performed from 17 March until 2 April.
Things aren’t going to plan for one Yorkshire family.
Martin’s milk float is falling apart and something’s up with Kath’s sink.
Billy’s trying to get into art school with a portrait of Dolly Parton. Sophie’s dreaming of her black belt whilst Pete, a local plumber, is quietly falling in love. Amidst the dramas and the dirty dishes, something has to give. See booking details on the theatre's website.
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During the winter months, we use the heating at home more to stay warm.
If you live in Havering, find it hard to heat your home and worry about your energy bills, a Green Homes Grant might be able to help.
Delivered by Warmworks, the scheme can help you make improvements for a warmer home that’s kinder to the environment, and will help you to reduce your fuel bills.
You could qualify for help if you live in an energy inefficient home, which is owned or privately rented, and you are in receipt of benefits or are on a low income.
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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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