Friday 11 August 2023
 We are now beginning to look at next year’s budget which will be, once again, very challenging. You may remember me earlier this year talking about the savings we had to make due to the rising costs of social care, for both children and adults. This continues to go up, and as the census has shown we have the second fastest growing children’s population in the country as well as still having a growing population of older people too. This means increased pressures on our services which leads to higher costs.
Unfortunately, the current funding formula is broken and does not meet the needs of a good low cost, well managed council like Havering. The cost of social care takes up 70 per cent of the Council’s funding. This will continue to grow. Unless there is a fundamental change in the funding we receive from government, there will come a time when we will not be able deliver services within the resources available.
In 2010 our government grant was £70million, this year it was just under £2million. The government wants us to push costs back to residents like you through increased Council Tax. We don’t want to do this but we have no other choice. The current funding formula does not help us and is broken and not fit for purpose.
So next year will be another challenging one and we are looking at the fine details of this. But I’m afraid I can’t sugarcoat it. While there is always scope to do things better, we are generally a low cost, efficient council doing all the right things but due to lack of government funding, high inflation and other costs we will have to find more savings.
Over the next few months we will be launching our budget consultation for next year to get your views on what’s important to you and where we should be making savings. This will help us deliver a balanced budget – which we are legally required to do. We shall also continue to lobby government for a fairer funding system that works for Havering, other councils across the country and you the residents.
 Another issue we continue to lobby on is ULEZ. We are calling on the Mayor Sadiq Khan for, at the very least, a delay to the planned expansion of the scheme which is due to begin at the end of this month.
The recent High Court decision to allow the expansion to go ahead as planned is disappointing but not surprising. We have said all along that this legal challenge was more than likely to fail. Some have accused us of sitting on the side-lines but if we had taken the approach of some other councils we would now be out of pocket to the sum of around £300,000. As mentioned above – Havering is simply not in the financial position to gamble away taxpayer’s money.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Jacqueline Williams, the new Councillor for Upminster ward, after being elected by residents in the by-election yesterday. I wish you the best of luck in your new position and look forward to working with you on the Council.
Cllr Ray Morgon
Leader, Havering Council
Jacqueline Williams has been elected to represent Upminster ward in the by-election that took place yesterday, Thursday 10 August.
Cllr Jacqueline Williams is a member of the Upminster and Cranham Residents Association, and has lived in Upminster for 21 years. She won the election with 1,642 votes.
The by-election took place after the sad death of long-serving Councillor Linda Hawthorn in May, who worked for the people of Upminster for over 30 years.
Speaking at the count, Councillor Williams said:
"I hope to serve the community well, and to the best of my ability. Tomorrow is another day".
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The Electoral Commission – the UK's elections watchdog – this week revealed it has been the victim of a "complex cyber-attack" potentially affecting millions of voters.
The Commission said unspecified "hostile actors" had managed to gain access to copies of the electoral registers, from August 2021.
The registers held at the time of the cyber-attack include the name and address of anyone in the UK who was registered to vote between 2014 and 2022, as well as the names of those registered as overseas voters. The registers did not include the details of anonymous voters.
No council-held data was compromised. The attack has not affected your right to vote or whether you are registered to vote. Council services remain unaffected. The Information Commissioner is currently investigating what happened.
The Electoral commission has warned people to watch out for unauthorised use of their data. More information and FAQs can be found using the link button below.
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Havering Council is currently replacing all of its Pay and Display machines across the borough.
This will be completed by the end of this year.
It has also reviewed the use of machines in lesser-used locations and where machines are constantly vandalised.
The amount of income generated from these machines does not cover the thousands of pounds it costs to purchase, run and maintain them.
From next week, in lesser-used areas, you'll be able to pay for parking by phone or app only. A list of these locations can be found on the Council’s website.
New machines will no longer accept coins, however, people will have the ability to pay contactless with debit and credit cards, or use nearby PayPoint facilities to continue paying with cash.
People are reminded to check signage at the location where they are parking, for further information.
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Have your say on the Council’s proposals to extend the existing PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) in Romford Town Centre.
The PSPO is in place to help ensure that everyone can use and enjoy public spaces safely. A PSPO sets out restrictions or requirements that can be put in place to help reduce the threat of anti-social behaviour.
Currently, the PSPO in Romford Town Centre includes an Alcohol Control Area, that bans being in the street with open containers of alcohol and drinking alcohol, unless it is on a licensed premises.
We need your views on whether the PSPO is useful and has helped to reduce ASB and nuisance in the town centre.
The consultation ends on Sunday 20 August.
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The Council's new enforcement team will be locking and unlocking park gates from this evening (Friday 11 August).
The gates to parks will be locked daily from approximately half an hour after dusk and re-open by 8am each day.
The officers are provided by NES (National Enforcement Solutions), working on behalf of the Council alongside our existing enforcement team. The officers are also able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to those found littering, fly-tipping or not clearing up after their dogs.
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Applications are open for more than £500,000 of grants for community and not-for-profit groups that encourage people to walk and cycle.
Walking and Cycling Grants London aims to enable more people to walk and cycle, addressing the barriers that prevent people from getting active and helping to make London a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy city.
All projects give participants the chance to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, get active and improve their physical and mental health.
Funded by TfL, in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation, and administered by Groundwork London, the programme offers two types of grants for applicants. Walking and Cycling Grants can provide up to £10,000 over three years to successful applicants that will help kickstart smaller projects throughout London.
Applications for Community Ideas Grants are also open to help kickstart smaller projects across London that are based previous successes in other communities.
Applicants will be considered on the potential of their idea to benefit the local community and boost walking and cycling levels, particularly among communities who do not tend to walk or cycle.
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Havering Council is looking for volunteers to support young people living in care.
Known as Independent Visitors, they will provide befriending support to young people up to the age of 18 living inside and out of the borough, and are only required to volunteer for a few hours every two to three weeks.
Read on to find out more about the role and how to register your interest online.
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Havering Interfaith has introduced a new toy collection to give disadvantaged and vulnerable children new toys, from Tuesday 1 August to Sunday 3 September.
The children are between the ages of 3 and 11, all living in Havering, and the scheme works with Havering Social Services to make these children’s smiles a little larger this summer.
Only new toys in their original packaging will be accepted, and the types of toys wanted are outdoor toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, stationary sets, science and nature-based sets, building sets, and board games.
Toys can be donated at the following locations:
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The Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ, Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 August, and Monday 7 to Thursday 10 August, 10am to 2pm
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 64 Butts Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2JS, Sundays 9:30am to 12pm
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Havering Islamic Cultural Centre, 91 Waterloo Road, Romford, RM7 0AA, Fridays 11am to 1pm.
For further information, you can email the team.
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If you have post COVID-19 syndrome, also known as Long COVID, we’d like to hear from you.
We’re working with Healthwatch Havering and the Havering North Primary Care Network to find out more about residents’ experiences of living with Post-COVID Syndrome.
The causes of the syndrome are not yet known, the recovery times varies for each individual and the treatment received varies.
The survey will help us to find out more about what is happening locally. It can be completed online. If you’d prefer to speak to someone directly, you can contact the team via email or on 01708 303300.
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If your child is aged 4-11 years old, they may be overdue for their polio and/or MMR vaccinations.
Pop-up vaccinations clinics are taking place across the borough (appointment only).
If you would like an appointment at the pop-up clinics, please call 0208 017 4292 or email appointments@v-uk.co.uk.
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Tuesday 15 Aug (10am - 3pm) at My Place, RM3 9EN
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Thursday 24 Aug (10am - 3pm) at Rainham Library, RM13 9GP
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Saturday 2 Sept (11:30am - 3:30pm) at Fairkytes Art Centre, RM11 1AX
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Monday 11 Sept (4pm - 7pm) at My Place, RM3 9EN
For more information on child vaccinations, visit the website.
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Havering Means Business Expo 2023 is set to be bigger and better this year, offering a range of exciting opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, network with other professionals, and learn valuable insights and strategies to help their businesses thrive.
With 35 exhibition stands available, businesses have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their products and services to a large and engaged audience. Exhibitors can connect with potential customers, generate leads and raise brand awareness.
Furthermore, businesses can take advantage of advertising opportunities in the Expo brochure, ensuring maximum visibility and exposure before, during and after the event.
Get in touch to discuss your space today via email, or online.
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Advertorial
Former Havering Councillor Paul Rochford has passed away.
Paul represented Emerson Park Ward on behalf of the Conservative Group from 1998 to 2014.
During that time, Paul held several Cabinet positions, including areas such as environment, regeneration and social inclusion.
He also sat on many committees which included regeneration, children’s learning and social enterprise, education, skills and young people and standards committees.
Paul also served as a London Council representative for the Children, Young People and Families forum.
He was an active part of the local community, lending his time and support to amongst others, the Emerson Park Community Association, Havering College of Further and Higher Education plus several sports and arts organisations.
We send our sincere condolences to Paul’s family and friends at this sad time.
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 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
Join us for a Summer Community Fun Day at New Zealand Way, Rainham, on Wednesday 16 August between 12pm to 3pm for a free fun day that the whole family can enjoy and get involved in.
The activities provided will include sports, face painting, housing services, youth services, arts and crafts, a petting farm, a bouncy castle, lunch and fruit pots all completely free.
Havering Museum is hosting a free, traditional games & toys event on Thursday 24 August, 11.30am to 1.30pm, a fun experience for families with children over four to play games.
There is no booking required, so you can drop in at any time and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information visit the website or contact Dr Ian Browne on 01708 372679.
A youth movie night for young people aged 14 to 20, is taking place at the New Life Church, Emerson Park, Saturday 19 August, 5pm to 7pm. Free to attend, it is a chance to watch a movie based on a real-life story.
For more details visit the website or call Wola Akwenuke, on 07824817688.
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A Kids Play and Craft event is taking place at New Life Church, Emerson Park 11am to 2pm, Saturday 19 August. This is a free event for children aged 3 to 5 years and their parents to play with toys, listen to a story, make a craft, and enjoy refreshments.
For more details visit the website or contact Wola Akwenuke on 07824817688.
Author Cathy Lake will be on zoom for a Meet the Author online event at Havering Libraries on Monday 21 August from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. She will talk about her latest book “The Country Village Allotment,” a feel-good summer read involving the power of community, female friendships, and nature.
The event is completely free, and you can book your place via email.
Children aged 4 to 11 can still join up for the popular Summer Reading Challenge 2023 challenge in all Havering Libraries. This year we’ve got Scratch ‘n’ Sniff stickers, Glow in the dark Bookmarks and Mini Frisbees to collect as children read six library books during the holidays.
The challenge finishes on Saturday 9 September and is totally free to take part.
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Tomkyns Lane will be closed for telecoms replacement works between A127 Southend Arterial Road and Great Tomkyns Farm, 8am to 6pm, Monday 14 August.
Chelmsford Drive will be closed for resurfacing work between its junctions with Newbury Gardens and Derby Avenue, 8am to 5pm on Thursday 17 August. Aintree Grove will also be closed at its junction with Chelmsford Drive.
Albert Road will be closed for telecoms works from its junction with Brentwood Road to number 89 Albert Road, 8am on Tuesday 15 August to 6pm on Wednesday 16 August.
Front Lane will be closed for maintenance works between its junctions with Brunswick Avenue and Isis Drive, 9:30am to 3pm on Wednesday 16 August.
Upminster Road North will be closed for maintenance work between Greenacres Close and Launders Lane, 9:30am to 3pm on Thursday 17 August.
St Clements Avenue remains closed at its junctions with Wessex Lane and Wildcary Lane until 5:30pm on Wednesday 16 August.
St Clements Avenue will then be closed at its junctions with Elderberry Close and Copse Avenue, from 8am on Thursday 17 August, to 5pm on Friday 8 September.
The bus gate restriction on St Clements Avenue will be lifted during this time to allow access. Those needing to reach the Harold Wood Walk-In Centre can access via Lister Avenue and the bus gate.
Hall Lane remains closed for drainage works between The Fairway and Ingrebourne Gardens until 5pm on Sunday 3 September. Closures will not be in place Thursday 24 to Monday 28 August.
As part of these works, there will be no waiting, loading or parking at any time on The Fairway, Ingrebourne Road and parts of Holden Way.
Public transport
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Due to engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking, all c2c lines will be diverted to Liverpool Street via Stratford on Saturday 12 August and Sunday 13 August.
There are engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking/Upminster, affecting evening services on all c2c lines on Monday 14 August to Thursday 17 August. Check the website for full details.
Due to action by the ASLEF trade union, there will be a number of train cancellations on Greater Anglia lines today and tomorrow (Saturday 12 August). Check the website for full details.
The TfL Elizabeth Line will not run before 6:30am between Gidea Park and Liverpool Street on Sunday 13 August.
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