Last Thursday (5 May) residents in Havering went to the polls to elect 55 councillors who will represent them on Havering Council over the next four years.
Following a recount in the Rainham and Wennington ward on Monday night, this is the final allocation of seats on Havering Council:
- The Conservative Party: 23
- Hornchurch Residents Association: 10
- The Labour Party/Labour and Co-operative Party: 9
- Upminster and Cranham Residents Association: 6
- Harold Wood Hill Park Residents Association: 3
- Havering Residents Association - Emerson Park: 2
- Rainham Independent Residents Association (South Hornchurch): 2
There is a full list of all the candidates who stood for election and the votes they received on our website.
The results mean that no single political party or grouping is in overall control of Havering Council as no party or grouping won the 28 seats necessary to have an absolute majority.
The appointment of a Leader of Havering Council, and the election of the Mayor of Havering for 2022/23, will be part of the Annual Council meeting that will be held on Wednesday 25 May at 7.30pm at the Town Hall in Romford.
The agenda for that meeting is available online.
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 A host of Havering’s heroes have been recognised for their contributions to the local community at the Mayor’s Civic Awards.
The outgoing Mayor of Havering, John Mylod, handed out the awards at two ceremonies which took place on 8 and 22 April at Havering Town Hall. (Those who received their awards on 8 April are pictured above, and those on 22 April, below.)
Dozens of residents received a medal and certificate in acknowledgement of their outstanding achievements.
Foster carers across the borough are being celebrated for the amazing work that they do to support children in care.
As part of Foster Care Fortnight (May 9 - 22), foster carers and Havering Council will be shining a light on the fostering communities in the borough.
The hope is that more residents will play a life-changing role in the lives of children in care.
You can find out more about fostering on 20 May in The Mercury Mall and Liberty Shopping Centres, Romford, or by calling 01708 434574.
On Monday (16 May) the Council will celebrate its carers at the Havering Foster Carer Awards ceremony.
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You can meet members of Havering Council's Waste and Recycling team on Monday (16 May) in the Liberty Shopping centre in Romford.
They will be at The Pantry Shelf, from 10.30am until 4pm providing help and tips on recycling, home composting, real washable nappies and how to reduce single use plastic.
If you can't get along to the Liberty Shopping Centre on Monday, you can get more information on our website.
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Taster Sessions: 6, 7, and 8 June: 10am – 12.20pm
Fun and creative activities for children and information on our curriculum.
Book online
Open Days: 9 and 10 June: 10am and 1pm
Explore our unique nursery setting, discuss your needs with staff and register in time for our opening on 5 September 2022.
Book online
The Learning Tree Nursery School, 2A Carlisle Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 2QP. Tel: 01708 202300 Email: info@learningtreeromford.com
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A new community partnership to promote the arts and develop creative talent has been launched between New City College and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.
The partnership will encourage collaboration and learning and give students the chance to improve through workshops and performances at the Theatre.
They will also be able to see first-hand how the Theatre works and gain an insight into the range of roles within the performing industry.
Some of the College's students have already secured work experience and placements in front of house and technician roles at the Theatre.
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On Tuesday 21 June, Havering Council is hosting a special tri-borough 'Meet the Buyer' event for contractors, tradespeople and other local suppliers or service businesses.
The event runs from 8.30am until 1pm and is being held at the CEME Event Space, CEME Campus, Marsh Way, Rainham, RM12 8EU (pictured).
Representatives from Havering, Barking & Dagenham, and Redbridge Councils will be joined by representatives from the North East London NHS Foundation Trust, and other NHS partners.
The buyers will be sharing details of current and upcoming contracts and the event provides an opportunity for businesses to get one-to-one time with large public sector organisations from across north east London.
There will also be free seminar workshops throughout the morning. These will cover topics including being tender ready, securing contracts with large public sector organisations, and how to win work with large construction companies committed to local development.
They will also cover the importance of incorporating social value, and the acknowledgement of climate change and sustainability, in any successful bid.
The full programme will be announced soon, but in the meantime for more details and information on how to book tickets, visit this Eventbrite page.
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 Romford Library in St Edwards Way hosts a British Sign Language Group that meets on Fridays between midday and 2pm where the cost is just £3 per session.
At Upminster Library in Corbets Tey Road every Thursday between 2pm and 4pm you can get help and advice on tracing your family tree.
A volunteer will show you where to start, or help you with any problems you may have encountered. You will be able to access Ancestry and Find My Past for free.
For more information contact the library on 01708 434933.
 Havering Over 50s Forum and Havering Dementia Action Alliance are holding an event at the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch on Monday (16 May) from 1pm to 4pm.
This event goes under the banner of "We're here to help" and will feature many different organisations that offer help and support in Havering ranging from Age UK to the Volunteer Centre.
All are welcome, especially those residents aged over 50 and it's free to attend. There will also be entertainment and refreshments.
The first Big Smile Collective Clothes Swap takes place on Tuesday 17 May from 5pm to 7pm at New City College, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch.
Bring clean clothing, shoes, bags and more and swop them for a new wardrobe.
The £3 swap entry fee also includes a vintage brooch making workshop and refreshments. Read more online.
Havering Libraries run a Reading Friends Zoom Book Club. It meets monthly and the next meeting is on Wednesday 1 June. June's Book of the Month is Piranesi by Susannah Clarke.
Join the club from 7 - 8pm to talk about favourite books, new books and the best-selling Book of the Month.
It's free to join, just send an email to book your place.
Upminster Library also provides weekly IT Help and advice sessions. You can get help and advice on laptops, mobiles, iPads and more every Thursday between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
If you attend one of the sessions, please bring your device along with a charging cable. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.
Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book, a new musical adaptation of The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - the Musical will be playing at Queen's Theatre Hornchurch until 21 May.
Life’s pretty hard when you’re a misunderstood and spotty teenager living in a cul-de-sac in 1980s Leicester.
Adrian’s life simply can’t get any worse – until new girl Pandora joins a class and captures his heart. But can Adrian win her love and escape from the school bully and his chaotic family life?
For ticket details visit the Theatre's website.
If you are feeling isolated and would like to meet some new people then the Romford Shopping Hall's friendship group is for you. It’s free to attend - you just pay £1 for tea.
The group is made up of a bunch of Havering residents aged 55 plus who love to get out and about. They meet every Thursday morning between 10am and 11am at the Sunrise Café on the first floor of the Shopping Hall. They also hold quizzes, invite speakers and arrange days out.
To find out more call Michelle on 01708 740492, or just turn up.
Gidea Park Bowling Club are holding open days on Sunday 15 and Saturday 28 May from 10am to 4pm at Gallows Corner Sports Ground. The clubhouse will be open and there is off-street parking available.
Come along and have a go - just bring flat soled shoes and club members will show you around. For further information contact Gill on 07790 297413 or Des on 07941 674938, or send an email to the club.
Havering Chamber of Commerce and Havering Means Business are holding a social media planning event for businesses on Monday 30 May from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
To attend this event the charge is £20 for Havering Chamber and Havering Means Business members, and £30 for non-members. You can book your place online.
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In preparation for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Harold Hill Library is holding some craft events for children.
These free to attend drop-in sessions include flag making on Monday 30 May from 10am to 4pm, and crown making on Tuesday 31 May, again between 10am and 4pm.
Harold Hill Library is also holding an indoor street party as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
It's on Wednesday 1 June from 11am to 2pm.
It will be a chance to share a tea, coffee, or cold drink, and biscuits or cake along with your memories of the Coronation, Silver Jubilee or other Royal events.
Visitors are welcome to dress up for the occasion.
On Saturday 4 June, Romford BID is holding a Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea party at St Edward's Church in Market Place, Romford.
There are three sessions during the day running from 12 noon to 1.30pm, from 2.30pm to 4pm, and from 5pm to 6.30pm. Tickets include a traditional tea of sandwiches, scones and cake, plus unlimited tea or coffee.
You can get more information, and book tickets online.
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Tickets are now available for this year's Langtons Summer Concert (pictured in 2018).
This popular event organised by Havering Council returns, after a two year break, on Sunday 19 June, for an afternoon of musical entertainment.
Sponsored by West and Coe, the event is also supported by Mullis and Peake and Kingston Smith. Tickets are £6 on the day, (£4 in advance), and free for children under 10. Assistance dogs only permitted.
Tickets can be booked online.
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Havering Library Service needs volunteers aged 13 or over to listen to children talk about books they have read for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
This could be of interest to students looking for something interesting to do over the summer - particularly those thinking of future jobs in teaching or childcare as volunteers will gain valuable experience of interacting with children.
The role involves listening to children aged 4-11 talk about the books they have read for the Summer Reading Challenge. It starts on 9 July. Last year almost 4,000 Havering children took part.
The Summer Reading Challenge sessions are for around two hours each time.
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There have been reports in London that residents have received emails from scammers asking them to pay a parking fine.
These emails may come from a public.gov.delivery.com email address to make it appear as though they have been sent from the Ministry of Justice.
They ask residents to download ‘photographic evidence and forms for making payment’. However, the attachment is likely to contain a virus.
If you receive one of these emails, delete it, do not download the attachment, and report it to Action Fraud. You can report phishing emails on Gov.uk.
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Work by Havering Council and its contractor Ebsford Environmental is well underway restoring the lake in Harrow Lodge Park.
You can get involved in the work to improve the park by volunteering for work sessions being held on Wednesday 18 May. The sessions, that start at 9.30am and 1.30pm, will focus on planting a variety of bulbs around the lake edge.
Equipment will be provided so if you are interested turn up at the site compound at the end of Albany Road at the session starts times. Water will be supplied, but please bring your own lunch if you plan on staying for both sessions.
For more information send an email to our Parks team.
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On Havering Council's website you can see details of any applications to change a Premises Licence.
You have a right to object to an application for a new premises licence or club premises certificate, or if an application is made to vary the licence or certificate.
There are currently six applications open for consultation.
These applications include ones from Marley's Brasserie and Lounge in Billet Lane, Hornchurch; the Breakfast and Lunch Kitchen in Balgores lane, Romford; and from Hornchurch Food and Wine in Park Lane, Hornchurch.
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Broadway in Rainham, between the War Memorial and the Phoenix pub, is closed to road traffic until around 23 May while developers Persimmon Homes carry out essential building works on the site of the old Rainham Library.
Essex and Suffolk Water will be working in Dunedin Road, Rainham, at its junction with Gisborne Gardens until tomorrow (13 May).
Auckland Avenue in Rainham will be closed at its junctions with Christchurch Avenue and New Zealand Way between 8am and 4pm on Monday 16 May for carriageway patching repair work.
Havering Council's contractor, Marlborough Highways, will be resurfacing Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, on 13 May, and Woodlands Road, Romford, from 16 - 18 May.
They will also be working in Kensington Road, Romford, on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May. Work there will take place between 8am and 5pm.
Marlborough Highways will be resurfacing Gaynes Road, Upminster, begining on the evening of 23 May. Work should be complete by 6am on 25 May. During the work the road will be closed to vehicles. Melville Road in Rainham will be resurfaced on 23 and 24 May. This work will involve the daytime closure of the road.
Lastly, South Street, Romford, will be closed near the railway bridge outside Romford Station from 28 May to 1 June to allow for works by Essex and Suffolk Water.
A diversion route via Victoria Road, Mercury Gardens, Western Road and Chandlers Way will be in operation.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line work between Grays and Pitsea, c2c trains on the Ockendon line on Sunday (15 May) will start and terminate at Grays. Rail replacement buses will run instead of trains.
Due to Network Rail undertaking overhead line work between Barking and Grays, Rainham line c2c services will not be running on Sunday 15 May. Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham. Change at Upminster for other c2c services towards London.
Transport for London (TfL) recently confirmed that, subject to final safety approvals, the Elizabeth line will open on Tuesday 24 May.
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However, the Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railways, with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with the central tunnels from autumn this year.
Passengers travelling from stations in Havering will therefore not notice much change for now, other than signage and announcements, although they will have the opportunity to change to the new Abbey Wood to Paddington service at Liverpool Street station. See the Elizabeth line map below.
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 Finally, the Bank branch of the Northern line will reopen on Monday 16 May after a 17-week closure, TfL has announced.
Northern Line services between Kennington and Moorgate have been suspended since January 15 so that upgrades to Bank station can be completed.
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