 Earlier this week, Cabinet agreed our proposals for the 2023/24 budget.
This is our first budget as a new Administration, and it is probably one of the toughest budgets this Council has had to face, particularly during this cost of living crisis and period of high inflation.
We will strive to be more efficient with the money that we have, change the way we provide and raise funds, and in some cases we may have to reduce or stop some services completely.
Despite receiving a slightly better than expected Government grant, which gave us a 9 per cent increase from last year, it is still not enough to bridge the gap. We still need to make £28.8 million in savings over the next four years.
This is because of Havering’s unique position as having one of the largest older populations and now the fastest growing children and young persons population in London, putting immense pressures on social care.
We have said before that for every pound that we spend as a Council, 70p of it goes on statutory social care services for adults and children that we have to provide by law.
As with everything, the cost of delivering these services has risen significantly. In order to meet this, we are raising Council Tax by 4.99 per cent, which will include 2.99 per cent for the Council budget plus 2 per cent social care precept, which is part of the Government funding package.
This is not where we want to be, but we have been open and honest throughout making sure residents are aware of the challenge.
We have had more than 3,000 people respond to the budget consultation, one of the best responses ever, and we have taken these views on board.
For example, we are investing in public safety, keeping our streets repaired and not cutting our funding to Citizens Advice Havering.
Our proposals also include lots of other positive things too, such as a £6 million investment in roads and pavements, the return of 30-minute free parking in Hornchurch and Upminster Town Centres to support our local businesses, and replacing and upgrading old lampposts to be more energy efficient and offer electric vehicle charging.
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 We know that feeling safe is important to our residents, so we will continue to fund the excellent Section 92 police officers (see more info on their success above), as well as upgrading CCTV in the borough.
We have also committed funds to improve school classrooms and buildings, disabled facilities in homes, and offer school cycling and scooter schemes.
So despite facing difficult times, we hope to present a balanced budget for final agreement at Full Council on 1 March 2023 that will continue to deliver the services that are most valued by residents.
Please read the full list of improvements to Havering and the livelihoods of our residents below, and as always, please email me or your ward councillor if you need support.
Cllr Ray Morgon,
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday (8 February) agreed the Council’s budget for the next four years.
Despite being one of the most challenging budgets ever, the Council has a package of plans to invest in the things that residents value the most.
These include keeping our roads and pavements repaired, making the borough safer, improving our schools, responding to climate change and building more homes.
In more detail, funding is being given to the following areas:
- £6 million investment in roads and pavements
- £650,000 investment to provide free parking in Hornchurch and Upminster Town Centres to encourage more trade and to provide a boost for local businesses
- £1 million to replace old lampposts with more energy efficient ones
- Additional £50,000 to upgrade lampposts for electric vehicle charging
- £290,000 to continue Council-funded Section 92 (S92) police officers
- £3.5 million to push forward the upgrade of CCTV in borough
- £2.5 million for improving school classrooms and buildings
- £2.5 million for disabled facilities in homes
- £50,000 for school cycling and scooter schemes
- £376,000 for solar panels on council buildings to make them more energy efficient
- £1.2 million to remove North Street Roundabout in Romford and the underpass to improve safety and create a green space
- £1 million for Beam Park linear green route
- 197 of new affordable homes for Havering residents being delivered at New Green in Rainham and Park Rise in Hornchurch
- Agreed funding from the Housing Revenue Account to build more new homes that include the 12 Estates Joint Venture with Wates, the St George’s and Bridge Close sites.
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 One key part of the Council's 2023/24 budget is the proposed increase in Council Tax.
If agreed by Council, the residents will see a 4.99 per cent increase in their Council Tax for the next year. This includes the standard 2 per cent rise set by the Government, and an additional 2.99 per cent set by the Council.
Please note, this does not include the Mayor of London’s precept, which is added after the Council's final rise is agreed.
The 4.99 per cent increase will mean an average Band D property will expect to pay £2,088 a year in Council Tax.
This is the last thing residents want to hear during a cost of living crisis, and it is the last thing the Council wanted to do, but following over a decade of severe cuts to local authority funding, 80 per cent of our budget is funded by Council Tax. Without this increase, it would be impossible for us to continue to pay for vital services.
Although this year's grant from the Government was slightly better than last year, it still falls drastically short of what is needed. More that 2,000 of you responded to our petition agreeing that a review is urgently needed, and we will continue to lobby for a fairer deal for Havering.
Your Council Tax bill for 2023/24 will be issued in March.
You can save 1.5 per cent off your bill by paying in full before Saturday 1 April, even if you pay by direct debit. For Council Tax Band D properties, this could be as much as £29.56.
Look out for your March 2023 Council Tax bill and don’t miss out.
To get the 1.5 per cent discount if you pay by direct debit, complete the online direct debit form and choose payment date '1st'. You don’t need to do anything else, we will request the payment from your bank with the 1.5 per cent discount.
Did you know you can also register for e-billing when paying for your Council Tax?
It’s safe, convenient and over 24,000 residents receive their Council Tax bills electronically.
You will have access to your Council Tax account and other services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can view your Council Tax balance, set up a direct debit and let us know about changes that affect your bill. Sign up online.
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February is LGBT+ History Month and Havering Libraries have dedicated displays showcasing LGBT+ books and authors, like the one shown here at Rainham Library.
The Council is currently flying the progress pride flag outside Havering Town Hall in Romford in honour of LGBT+ history.
The Council’s LGBT+ Staff Forum will also be running and promoting a number of events and activities.
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The lower Thames Crossing Community Fund has been opened to support local charities and community groups near the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
Through this funding, organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to deliver schemes that:
- Encourage physical activity and increase public use of local green spaces
- Improve the health and wellbeing of local communities
- Improving signage and/or way-markings to increase accessibility for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders
- Help communities to connect with their heritage
- Support local communities to secure permanent employment in the wider Lower Thames Crossing potential supply chain
- Increase the use of technology to help local communities better understand the Lower Thames Crossing proposals and inspire future careers in construction.
The initiative is being funded through National Highways' Designated Funds programme. This is a national initiative that looks beyond managing the country's Strategic Road Network, to deliver lasting benefits for communities and the environment.
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 Havering Sports Council held its annual Awards Night at Upminster Golf Club earlier this week, crowning this year's winning sports stars from across the borough.
The event was hosted for the 23rd consecutive time by diving coach John Whitby, with speeches by Councillor Trevor McKeever, Mayor of Havering, Havering Sports Council President Jeremy West MBE, and Upminster Golf Club captains Annette Cousins and Tony Dance.
Congratulations to this year's winners:
- Junior Sports Competitor of the Year (sponsored by West & Coe Funeral Directors) - Billy Macey
- Disability Sports Competitor of the Year (sponsored by the Beadle Family) - Kieran O'Hara
- Sports Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by former Mayor John Mylod) - Susan Deane
- Sports Club of the Year (sponsored by BATS of Ilford) - Hornchurch Cricket Club
- Senior School Team of the Year (sponsored by Brentwood M&E Services Ltd) - Emerson Park Academy Year 10 Football Team
- Junior School Team of the Year (former Mayor Melvin Wallace) - Gidea Park Primary School Year 5/6 Netball Team
- Peter Bruce Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by McDonalds Restaurants of Romford) - Dale Sharp
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
Best selling author Ben Aaronovitch will be visiting us at Hornchurch Library on Thursday 9 March from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Ben will be discussing his latest book, Amongst Our Weapons, and talking about his writing career which delivered the fantastic science fiction series Rivers of London.
There will be a chance to buy the book and get it signed. The event is completely free, but please book in advance to at any Havering Library to guarantee a place.
There’s a chance to chat and share experience around making Havering safer for women. The first of three pop-in informal sessions led by the Council’s community safety team, is taking place on Tuesday 14 February, 10:30am to 12noon, at Harold Hill Library.
Half Term Fairy Craft returns to Upminster Library on Wednesday 15 February, 11am to 12noon. Join the team for a fun fairy-making workshop, suitable for ages 4 and up.
Tickets cost £3.50, and all materials are provided. Please book in advance by sending an email, as places will fill up fast.
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Christmas might be months away, but Queen's Theatre Hornchurch is offering special price 'early bird' tickets to this year's pantomime extravaganza, Dick Whittington.
The panto, one of the theatre's "biggest productions ever", will run from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 31 December. Early bird tickets are on sale now until Friday 31 March, remaining at last year's prices. Book your tickets online.
The Arts Society, Havering is hosting a lecture on The Magic of Pattern by David Phillips. From the Alhambra to William Morris, patterns can be gorgeous, yet pattern has often been dismissed as “mere ornament” in comparison with painting.
The event takes place on Tuesday 14 February, 10:15am to 12noon, at New Windmill Hall, Upminster. The event is open to visitors for a fee of £8.
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MyPlace is hosting a wide range of fun crafting sessions for children aged 2 to 12 years over the February Half Term.
Activities take place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 February. You can book your place now by emailing the team or calling 01708 376004.
Creative Re-Work is holding an online introduction session offering more about their free Get a Creative Coach mentoring programme to help Londoners find a job, up-skill and expand their creative network.
No matter your creative background or history, your skills, lived experience and knowledge are important, and creative coaches are on hand to guide and support you on your creative journey.
The free session takes place online from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday 15 February. Book your place online.
New Life Church, Hornchurch are hosting a special Play & Craft Day for school kids this half term. The event takes place on Saturday 18 February, 10am to 12:30pm. Suitable for children aged three to five. Book your place online.
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Allen Road remains closed from its junction with Upminster Road North for gas mains replacement works until 5pm on Sunday 12 February.
Briscoe Road will then be closed at its junction with Upminster Road North for gas mains replacement works from 8am on Monday 13 February to 5pm on Wednesday 22 February.
Ardleigh Green Road will be closed at its junction with Squirrels Heath Lane for sewage repairs from 8am on Thursday 23 February to 6pm on Friday 24 February.
London Road A1306 / A13 Wennington Overbridge over the A13 remains closed nightly between the Wennington Roundabouts until Sunday 26 February. The road will be closed between 9pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.
Fen Lane remains closed for electrical cabling works between its junction with Ockendon Road and Scorers Football field until Friday 31 March.
Public transport
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The c2c Rainham line will not run on Sunday 12 February due to overhead line works between Barking and Grays. A rail replacement service will be available between Upminster and Grays via Rainham and Purfleet.
More details can be found on the c2c website.
The TfL Elizabeth line will not run between Stratford and Shenfield on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 February.
Due to engineering works, Greater Anglia services will not run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield on Sunday 12 February.
Rail replacement services will be available. Check the Greater Anglia website for details.
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