Friday 1 September 2023
 When we were elected to run the Council one of the first things we knew we needed to improve was customer services.
It is important that residents don’t have to wait ages to speak to someone, or to wait for something to happen. I am pleased to say these improvements are now underway. We are upgrading our online systems so when you report a problem, you can see action is taking place and track the outcome – examples include our tree reporting.
There will be more improvements to come over the next few months – including an upgraded My Havering Portal where you will be able to manage your council tax accounts, pay bills and report even more issues online such as fly tipping and missed waste collections.
Another major bugbear for residents is outdated and broken parking machines. This is why we will soon be replacing all of our parking machines for more reliable card payment-only ones. This will reduce the risk of them being damaged from people trying to steal the cash inside. This follows the removal of older machines in less well-used areas which are switching to pay by phone and app only.
 Our £6million investment to repair and improve roads and pavements is well underway. In the last 12 months we have repaired over 1,500 potholes and replaced and resurfaced 15 miles of roads and pavements across the borough. I hope that all of these improvements will mean easier parking and journeys for residents.
You will be aware of the ongoing issue around Launders Lane, and the fact there have been more fires on the site recently. It is totally understandable that residents are worried and concerned over this issue, which is why this administration has done more in the past year than previous administrations have over the last two decades.
This has included the installation of air quality monitors, holding public meetings, and working with partners and other agencies to carry out testing on the site - you can read more about this work in the update below.
As you know, ULEZ has now come into effect across all of Havering. We're not happy about it, and we've been clear that we're calling on the Mayor of London to stop this before it forces more and more people into debt.
We have had disturbing reports about people deliberately damaging or destroying ULEZ cameras. Unfortunately, this has also led to the damage of Havering Council and BT equipment that is completely unrelated to ULEZ. I understand this is an emotive issue, but this is criminal damage that has put people and property at risk, as well as costing the Council for unnecessary repairs. This needs to stop.
As always, if you have any concerns, please get in touch.
Kind regards,
Cllr Ray Morgon
Leader, Havering Council
Remember that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has now been expanded to cover all London Boroughs, including Havering.
This began on Tuesday 29 August.
If your vehicle does not comply with the ULEZ standards, you will have to pay £12.50 per day to use your car on ULEZ-covered streets.
You can check to see if your vehicle meets the ultra-low emission standards using the TfL website.
Havering has called on the Mayor of London to stop the expansion of the zone, and allow residents and businesses to replace their vehicles in their own time, without getting into huge and unnecessary debt.
You can read the full details on ULEZ, the scrappage scheme, how to pay, and any further information on support and exemptions, on the link below.
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The Council has been in regular contact with the London Fire Brigade, who have been doing a great job tackling the recent fires on the Arnolds Field private land site at Launders Lane.
We have continued to work with the land-owner to gain access to the site, and we were able to carry out a risk assessment on Tuesday 8 August.
The dates of the full site investigation depend on the availability of both the private land-owner, and the Council’s respective consultants, and will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Live information on air quality monitoring can be found on the Breathe London website.
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Residents originally from Ukraine joined the Council’s Homes for Ukraine team at the Wykeham Centre, Romford, to commemorate Ukrainian Independence Day on Thursday 24 August.
The event marked the strength, resilience and identity of the Ukrainian people in Havering and around the world.
The Homes for Ukraine team continue to work with local partner organisations to provide language, educational and employment support that helps to integrate Ukrainians while they develop independent lives.
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 According to research conducted by the School Food Plan, only 1% of packed lunches meet the nutritional standards applied to school meals so now is the perfect time to ditch your child’s packed lunch!
The Mayor of London has provided funding for all Year 3-6 children in London state schools to receive free school meals from September. London Borough of Havering’s School Meals Service, HES Catering, offers balanced, tasty and nutritious meal choices to help children improve their focus & better their learning.
Click here for more information.
Advertorial
The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Stephanie Nunn, raised the Red Ensign Flag today (Friday 1 September) at Havering Town Hall, Romford, in honour of Merchant Navy Day on Sunday 3 September.
Council Leader Ray Morgon was also in attendance, honouring his father, who served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War.
The annual Merchant Navy Day campaign by Seafarers UK, remembers the sacrifices, salutes the courage and supports the future of the often unsung men and women from the Merchant Navy community, including merchant sailors and their families, veterans and the cadet forces.
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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued updated advice for pregnant women, those with weak immune systems and vulnerable elderly people, to avoid ready-to-eat cold smoked and cured fish.
While cases are rare, the FSA has put out the advice and asked Council public protection services to share messaging to residents around the risk of listeriosis - a bacterial infection.
More information on this and the risks are on the FSA website
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If you have post COVID-19 syndrome, also known as Long COVID, this is your last chance to share your experience in our survey.
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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Music students from New City College Havering Sixth Form were praised for their outstanding performances and songwriting skills during a competition at the Royal Albert Hall over the summer break.
Two groups of students were selected to audition in front of a judging panel for a place in the Futuremakers concert which takes place at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Founder members of the band Annotate - Thomas Young (guitar) and Daniel Young (drums) – played a brilliant version of their original song ‘Next In Line’ which impressed the panel.
Then a group of students from the A Level Music, BTEC Music Performance and the A Level Music Technology courses played student Ezekiel Zantua's composition ‘Soul of Motion’. The line-up for this band was Ezekiel Zantua (drums), Tori-Belle Pitt (keyboard bass), Rebeca Stratulat (piano), Ciel Hersom (vocals) and Thomas Middleton (guitar).
The judges were full of praise for the fantastic performances from the talented students and particularly noted their creative songwriting skills.
Both bands are now waiting anxiously to find out whether they were successful in the competition and if they will progress to perform at the Albert Hall concert in October.
If they win the overall competition, they will receive a year of support from the Royal Albert Hall and their industry partners.
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Havering Council, the NHS, Care, and community groups, working together as the Havering Place Based Partnership are holding a series of Wellbeing Events to support local people to access the right services and support they need, with a focus on improving wellbeing.
The next two events are taking place in Rainham and Harold Hill on the following dates:
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Rainham wellbeing event (led by your local Health Champions and Age UK) Thursday 7 September 2023 from 11am to 2pm at Rainham Library, Celtic Farm Road RM13 9GP
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Harold Hill wellbeing event (led by your local Core Connector programme) Wednesday 20 September 2023 from 12pm to 4.30pm at Harold Hill Library Hub, Harold Hill Library, 19a Farnham Rd, Romford RM3 8HR.
Come along to speak to local Health and care leads about what matters most to you for local services and how your health and wellbeing can be improved.
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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 vaccination 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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Saturday 2 September (11:30am - 3:30pm) at Fairkytes Arts Centre, RM11 1AX
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Monday 11 September (4pm - 7pm) at My Place, RM3 9EN
For more information on child vaccinations, visit the website.
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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
The latest Arts Society Havering lecture, The Impressionist Landscape by Dr Lois Oliver, will be taking place on Tuesday 12 September, 10:15am to 12:15pm.
Following in the footsteps of Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Pierre Auguste Renoir, Dr Oliver analyses what was modern about Impressionist landscape paintings: their experiments with colour theory.
The event takes place at New Windmill Hall, St Marys Lane, Upminster RM14 2QH. Tickets cost £8 for visitors. Call 01708 221903 to book, or visit the website for more information.
All Saints Players are back with their popular show, Escape Room.
It is the summer of 2022 and an amateur dramatic group are visiting an Escape Room. They hope the experience of trying to get out will act as a team building exercise and bring them closer together. Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan and their efforts just drive them further apart. Not funny for them but hilarious for the audience...
Escape Room is showing at All Saints Church Hall, Hornchurch RM11 2LG on Thursday 14, Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £8.50 and can be booked via email, or by calling 01708 456683.
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The Brewery, Romford is taking part in One Great Day on Saturday 16 September, between 11am and 4pm, by holding its very own charity fun day.
One Great Day is a series of family and community charity events being held throughout the country to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, and local charities.
The Brewery will be raising money for the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund, as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
On the day you’ll be able to get your caricature created by one of their incredible onsite artists who will be located on Level 1 of the Centre, outside Zizzi’s. The Brewery just ask that you give a small donation for your portrait creation, which you can take home and enjoy. You’ll also have the chance to win some amazing prizes on the day.
Havering U3A is hosting a talk from novelist Bobbie Darbyshire - Where do novelists get their ideas? Bobbie won the 2008 fiction prize at the National Academy of Writing and the New Delta Review Creative Non fiction Prize 2010. She has written four novels
The group meets in the hall of Romford Baptist Church, Main Road RM1 3BL, on the second Wednesday of each month, from 2pm. This event takes place Wednesday 13 September. You can find more information on their website.
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Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is hosting a Forest Day tomorrow, Saturday 2 September from 1pm to 5pm.
This event is created to share and discover interesting, new initiatives that are taking place within the local area.
With information on how to participate in the activities, gaining a more enriched relationship between the community and nature, displaying the efforts, striving for a greener future. After, you can also stay to watch the World Premiere of New Beginning.
For any questions about this event email Grace Coppin, or for tickets to see New Beginning click here.
Havering Museum is hosting a lecture, The House of Valois.
The House of Valois: The Tudor's dysfunctional French counterparts. If you thought the Tudors were colourful, this lecture will explore and enlighten you about the rivalries, treason and shortcomings of the French royal family and their court.
The lecture takes place at Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street Romford, RM1 1JU, midday to 1:30pm on Thursday 14 September. Tickets cost £5 and include light refreshments. View more on the website.
An information and technology exhibition is taking place at the Romford YMCA on Wednesday 6 September from 10am to 3pm. The event is run by Sight Action Havering, to help those experiencing sight loss or anyone supporting someone with sight loss. Exciting new specialist technology will be displayed to aid anyone struggling day-to-day, including books in accessible formats, kitchen aids, and information about local services.
There is no entry fee and for any questions, email Michael Brace, or call 01708 375238.
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Lower Mardyke Avenue will have a lane closed for street light maintenance from 8am to 5pm on Saturday 2 September.
Hall Lane remains closed for drainage works between The Fairway and Ingrebourne Gardens until 5pm on Sunday 3 September.
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.
Lodge Lane will be closed between numbers 318 and 320, and south of Havering Park Farm, for maintenance work, 8am to 6pm on Monday 4 September.
Suttons Avenue will be closed daily for resurfacing works from 9:30am on Monday 4 September, to 3pm on Monday 11 September (Excluding Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September). Warriner Avenue, Lambourne Gardens, Suttons Gardens, Wayside Avenue, Mansfield Gardens, Bedford Gardens, Shirley Gardens, Balmoral Road, Connaught Road, Belmont Road, Urban Avenue, Priors Park, Beulah Road will all be closed at their junctions with Suttons Avenue during this time.
Little Aston Road will be closed between numbers 18 and 32 for maintenance work, 8am to 6pm on Thursday 7 September.
Western Road / Chandlers Way remains closed for cable laying to the junction of Chandlers Way and Slaney Road until 5pm on Thursday 7 September.
St Clements Avenue is closed at its junctions with Elderberry Close and Copse Avenue until 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.
Cambridge Avenue remains closed for gas works at its junction with Upper Brentwood Road until 6am on Wednesday 13 September.
Public transport
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Following the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport worker’s (RMT) announcements, industrial action is planned for Saturday 2 September.
As a result all Liverpool Street – Shoeburyness services via Laindon WILL NOT RUN.
Fenchurch Street – Grays via Rainham services will only run on an hourly frequency, one train an hour WILL NOT RUN.
Further information can be found here. Greater Anglia services are also affected by the strike.
Due to engineering works between Woodgrange Park and Grays, c2c Rainham and Ockendon services will not run on Sunday 3 September.
There are engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking/Upminster, affecting evening services on the c2c Basildon and Ockendon lines from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 September. Check the website for full details.
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