 Yesterday Council colleagues attended the Napier and New Plymouth housing developments in Rainham.
They were able to celebrate progress at the site with Sir James Wates from the housing development company, Wates Residential.
This development will be the first to be completed as part of our joint venture partnership to regenerate council estates across the borough.
The site (pictured) will see 197 high-quality homes built for local people, including 126 affordable homes. These new homes will be ready to move into this winter.
All residents who have been moved off the site to enable the regeneration are also guaranteed the right to return.
I welcome the news this week that a new system is being introduced to improve communiction betweeen the Police's Safer Neighbourhood Teams and residents directly in the areas where they live.
The new 'OWL' system will focus around advice on personal safety, crime and fraud prevention, local incidents and alerts for residents of any serious crime issues. There will also be messages to help find missing people. Read more about this below.
Lastly, I will be holding one more online surgery using Microsoft Teams before the Council elections are held in May. This surgery will be on Tuesday 8 March between 4pm and 5.30pm.
If you would like to see me on that day, please send me an email. My assistant will then get back to you by email to confirm your time slot.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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Havering Council is working with the Metropolitan Police in the launch of a new neighbourhood watch scheme.
OWL (Online Watch Link) is designed to make it easier for residents and communities across the borough to keep up to speed with incidents in their area.This includes issues around crimes and anti-social behaviour. It will also help people hear directly about the action being taken.
Residents can subscribe for free by signing up on the OWL website and will receive details via email.
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The COVID-19 vaccination centre at Hornchurch Library closes today (Friday 25 February).
As a result of this, the library will be closed for just over a week from Friday 4 March, so that the books and other equipment can be moved back down to the ground floor.
Hornchurch Library will re-open on Monday 14 March.
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On Havering Council's website you can see details of any applications to change a Premises Licence.
There are currently five applications open for consultation. They include Ped's Pizza in Main Road in Gidea Park which has applied for a licence to supply alcohol. You have until 21 March to comment on this application.
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The Government is removing remaining domestic restrictions in England.
There are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.
Get vaccinated, let fresh air in if meeting indoors, consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces, and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
All children aged five to 11 in Havering will be offered a low dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Government has announced that the NHS in England will offer jabs to children in this age group from April.
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Last week more than eight hundred people in Havering tested positive for COVID-19.
Find out if you, or members of your family, are infected by ordering a lateral flow test (LFT) kit online, or pick one up at many locations in Havering. See details on our website.
Take a LFT before you attend any social events where you are likely to be mixing with people you don't usually meet indoors, and also before seeing anyone who is more at risk of developing severe illness.
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The next memorial service organised by Havering Council's Bereavement Service takes place this Sunday, 27 February.
This interdenominational service is held twice a year for families whose loved ones have been cremated at South Essex Crematorium or buried in one of the borough's cemeteries.
The service will be at 3pm at the Parish Church of St Edward the Confessor in Romford Market Place (pictured).
Tickets are available online.
All ages are welcome and extra candles are always available. There is wheelchair access and individual chairs can be removed to allow wheelchair users to select where they sit.
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Performing Arts students Kian Crowley and Mia Ssali (pictured) from New City College Ardleigh Green, have won scholarships for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The talented pair were selected after an intense audition process to study at AMDA (the American Musical and Dramatic Academy).
AMDA is known internationally as a platform for nurturing the talents of Broadway, and alumni include pop star Jason Derulo and many other famous faces of the stage and screen. There are two main colleges, one in New York and one in Los Angeles.
Kian, 17, from Hornchurch, was awarded a $9,000 scholarship per year of study on the Batchelor of Fine Arts and Dance Theatre, based in Los Angeles, and Mia,18, from Harold Hill, won a $15,000 scholarship per year for a Batchelor of Fine Arts and Musical Theatre programme.
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 You can join the next Repair Cafe event tomorrow (Saturday 26 February) between 11am and 2pm at Rainham Library. Register to attend by sending an email or calling 0208 724 5803 (Option 2).
At this event residents, aged 18 or over (children must be accompanied by an adult) can get together to alter or mend clothes, or fix broken electrical gadgets, bikes, toys, crockery and more.
Trailnet will also be joining the Repair Café with their trained bike mechanics. They can provide a free bike MOT and advice on how to look after and repair your bike.
Tomorrow, (Saturday) between 1.30pm and 4pm Havering Music School will be hosting an event funded by Youth Music at their home in The Walk, Hornchurch. Parents and children will join DJ Ollie Weeks playing orchestral parts along to modern day hits.
To find out more, or if you wish to sign up to the event, send an email.
Havering Changing is bringing performances from international artists, arts workshops and music to Romford Market Place this weekend (26 and 27 February).
On Saturday and Sunday between midday and 4pm you can watch Spanish aerial ballet dancers Del Reves or join Italian artists Stalker Teatro and build an art installation with them.
Alternatively, you could listen to Andy Linham's 17-piece orchestra in the grounds of St. Edward's Church and the string quartet, Graffiti Classics in the Market Place. There will also be many other attractions on both days.
Maylands Green Adult Table Tennis Club is a community club. It runs six tables and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7pm and 10.30pm, with another session on Sundays between 9am and midday. Become a member or pay £5 per session. Coaches are available.
The club competes in the Romford League. They meet at The Barn (to the left of the Manor House) at Brettons Outdoor Recreation Centre, Rainham Road, RM13 7LP. More information on the club's webpage.
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.
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The Harold Hill Community Hub is hosting a ‘Brighter You in 22’ event on Thursday 3 March (1pm to 4pm).
The free event will feature stalls to help you realise your potential, maximise your income and train to earn more this year.
If you’re worried about rising costs, struggling with childcare or want to improve your well-being, this event is for you. Get more information and sign up online.
The Liberty of Havering Outdoor Bowls Club is holding open days between 11am and 4pm on Friday 6 May and Sunday 8 May. The club is looking for new members and you are invited to come and have a go at bowls.
Equipment is provided but please wear flat soled shoes or trainers. Refreshments will be available.
The club is located just beyond the leisure centre’s car park in Harrow Lodge Park. Club members will be available throughout the day to give advice. Alternatively, call Sheila on 07949 307336 or Richard on 01708 449245 for more information.
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With warmer and lighter days as spring begins next month, many residents will be spending more time in the garden.
Home composting is the most environmentally friendly way of dealing with kitchen and garden waste.
You can join Havering Council's waste and recycling team for a free compost workshop. Workshops will be held at Thames Chase Visitor Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster on Saturday 19 March, and at Langtons gardens in Hornchurch on Monday 21 March.
Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis and booking is essential.
Register your interest in a free compost workshop and complete the online form.
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Havering Council is running a series of engagement roadshows across its housing estates in the coming weeks.
They are to recruit community-minded tenants to get involved, sharing their thoughts and ideas, or joining a participation panel or focus group to help with vital decision-making for an estate.
The first session takes place this Monday (28 February) at the Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre, Bolberry Road, Collier Row, from 1pm to 3pm.
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Next month you can attend a coffee morning to receive reusable nappy advice and support.
Delivered in partnership with Real Nappies for London, the event is on Wednesday 9 March between 10am and 11am.
The morning is an opportunity to meet local parents with babies using reusable nappies. The session is for both those who have claimed an East London Waste Authority reusable nappy pack, and those who use reusable nappies.
Register to attend the event.
If you live in Havering and have a child under 18 months old you can apply for a free washable nappy pack worth over £300.
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Havering Council’s Arts Development Team's annual photography competition and exhibition is now open for entries.
All ages are welcome to take part. There's no theme this year, so all subject matters are welcome, providing that they are family-friendly in content.
To enter, or for more information, send an email.
The closing date for entries is 1 April. The minimum file size is 1MB.
Once the photographs have been received (and consent organised) a show reel of all the suitable photos will be shared on the Havering Culture and Leisure YouTube account. Winning entries will be displayed throughout Havering during 2022/2023.
You can view previous exhibitions online.
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 With Ofgem’s announcement of a rise in the energy price cap from April, Havering Council is encouraging residents to check if they are eligible to receive help under a new scheme.
Under the Green Homes Grant scheme, delivered by Warmworks on behalf of Havering Council and through funding from the UK Government, householders can apply to receive improvements to increase the comfort and warmth in their home.
The scheme offers a wide range of insulation measures and renewable heating technologies which are designed to support homes to reduce their impact on the environment. This includes air source, ground source, and hybrid heat pumps.
The Green Homes Grant scheme is open to homeowners, private tenants and people in social rented accommodation, where the home has a low energy rating and a low annual income.
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.
Havering Council's contractor for road resurfacing work, Marlborough Highways, will be working outside number 336 Rush Green Road, in Romford, on 1 March. They will then begin road resurfacing work in Collier Row Lane on 2 March, and in Garry Way and Dee Way, Romford, on 3 March.
Manor Way in Rainham will be closed (from its junction with the A1306 to the railway line) for road resurfacing work from 28 February until 3 March.
New surfacing around a pedestrian crossing on Straight Road, Harold Hill, means that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 2 to 4 March.
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. The same company will also be working in Heath Park Road in Romford, at its junction with Academy Fields Road, from 28 February until 2 March.
Gas mains replacement work means that Craigdale Road and Kyme Road will be closed at their junctions with Brentwood Road from 28 February until 13 March. A diversion route will be signposted.
Telecoms work in Rainham Road South in South Hornchurch, near the junction with Simpson Road, will mean that temporary traffic signals will be in use from 7 until 11 March, and again from 21 to 25 March.
On the tracks
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Wearing face coverings is no longer mandatory on TfL services, but they are recommended.
On Sunday (27 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 Sunday there will be no London Overground service between Romford and Upminster. Please use local bus routes 165, 248 or 370.
c2c trains on the Rainham line are not running this weekend (26 and 27 February). Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line maintenance work between Grays and Pitsea this Sunday (27 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.
This weekend (26 and 27 February) there will be no District Line trains running between Earls Court and Wimbledon. Replacement buses will operate.
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My apologies to any Living in Havering readers who went to Gidea Park library on Wednesday (23 February). You would have found it shut despite reading an item in Tuesday's edition of this newsletter that said it would re-open after storm damage on that day.
It was my mistake, it should have said it was re-opening from Thursday 24 February.
Peter Stremes, Editor
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