Friday 27 October 2023
 Our new rubbish and recycling collection service rolled out earlier this week, with lots of improvements and changes for residents.
Havering Council is now working in partnership with Urbaser Ltd with a service that enables residents to recycle more items such as plastic pots, tubs and trays and have glass bottles and jars collected for the first time.
The crews have been out this week across the borough.
Other new additions to the service is the collection of small electrical items and batteries, and clothes. Residents are reminded to place these items separately to their black and orange sacks, so they can be recycled through the correct procedures.
Collection days stay the same and while there might be slight changes to the timings of collections, that is only because crews and vehicles are coming and going from a different depot.
Residents are asked to keep putting their bags out for 7am on their collection days.
Leaflets are still being delivered across the borough and those residents who have not yet received one will do so soon. In the meantime, information will also continue to be here in Living in Havering, plus on our website and social media channels.
Urbaser has also taken on the current in-house street cleansing service, as well as the existing weed control services, garden waste collection service, fly-tipping clearance, graffiti cleaning and collection of clinical and bulky waste.
In addition to the main service, the Council and Urbaser are also working in partnership with Podback to provide recycling on the doorstep for residents that use coffee pods. Sign up to the scheme.
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With the clocks going back this weekend (Sunday 29 October) and shorter days on the horizon, Havering Council and the police are once again joining forces to remind residents to be burglar aware.
Here’s some top tips to keep your home as safe as houses:
- Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. Don’t leave packaging from expensive items or outside your front door
- If it is still mild, burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open or with vulnerable features that they can exploit
- Burglars are aware of the times when someone is expected to be away from their house such as during the school run
- Burglars often choose a home because they’ve spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence
- Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as burglars target them for tools that can help assist them to break into properties. Make sure to keep outer buildings secure
- It’s a fact that many burglars return to homes that they’ve previously targeted to see if the homeowner has failed to upgrade security. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break-in.
Sign up to the Online Watch Link, or OWL, where you can be kept informed of what's going on locally and report crime.
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With the rapid rise in social care costs and inadequate funding from central government, Havering Council has had to maximise the use of all the assets at its disposal to address some of the urgent accommodation needs facing some of our most vulnerable residents.
The Council has seen unprecedented numbers of families finding themselves homeless in the last 12 to 18 months. In addition, the private rental market has seen a significant reduction, forcing us to place homeless families in hotels - often for months on end, at great expense to the Council at a time where we're potentially unable to balance our budget.
Studies have shown that living in hotels long-term can negatively affect children’s schooling and well-being, as well as the long term impacts of not having cooking facilities. There has also been considerable impact on mental health and well-being for both parents and children.
 To address this, the Council has taken the decision to re-open Royal Jubilee Court in Romford, to use as temporary accommodation for homeless families from the borough, while work progresses on the new Family Welcome Centre in Harold Hill.
The Royal Jubilee Court site is due for regeneration as part of borough-wide plans to deliver new homes, but such work is some way off. The use of Royal Jubilee Court for homeless families is only temporary and we will go back to the original regeneration plans once the new building opens in approximately two years time.
The site will be fully staffed, with security and CCTV provided 24 hours a day to ensure residents are safe.
Opening up an otherwise unoccupied building to help homeless families will also save the Council from having to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds for hotels, easing the strain on our budgets and on council tax payers.
Unfortunately, there has been some misinformation regarding the 'meanwhile use' for Royal Jubilee Court. To be clear, the site is only being used to house homeless families that have a local connection to Havering, and is not being used to house asylum seekers or illegal immigrants, who are the responsibility of the Home Office.
Havering Council is joining the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and local police to remind residents to enjoy Bonfire Night and fireworks safely.
If you are hosting a bonfire or fireworks display at your home, please remember to:
- only buy fireworks which carry the CE safety mark and are from licensed sellers
- only have bonfires if they are clear of buildings, sheds, fences and hedges
- store fireworks safely, in their original packaging, away from children and pets, keep dry and away from anything that generates heat or ignition
- always follow the instructions with fireworks for safe use and disposal
- keep a bucket of water near and make sure any used fireworks are completely out before getting rid of them
- pets should be kept inside when fireworks are being let off and checked on to ensure they are not distressed
- keep an eye on everyone using sparklers as these stay very hot for a long time. Wear gloves and place in a bucket of sand or water once they have burnt out
- buy quieter fireworks if you can, which will cause less noise and distress to vulnerable neighbours and pets.
The Council adopted a policy earlier this year that bans the unauthorised use of fireworks, sky lanterns and the release of helium balloons on Council-owned or managed land.
Unannounced visits to check that local businesses do not sell fireworks to those underage and have the correct license to sell them in the first place, are also regularly carried out by the Council’s trading standards team.
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L&Q plan to develop a new community centre as part of Phase 2 of its Beam Park development in Rainham, and they're looking for your input.
The community centre will be located on the corner of New Road and Thames Avenue. The area is about 800 m2 or 8,611sqft, which is just over the size of 3 tennis courts.
The new space should be ready to welcome the community by the end of 2024/early 2025. They are currently developing a brief and would like to use your views and ideas to develop the new space. You will be asked to provide your contact details at the end of the survey.
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 Halloween takes place on Tuesday 31 October, but many families will take to the streets to celebrate this weekend.
Please remember to follow the advice below and have a spooky but safe Halloween:
- trick or treating is better in a group - try not to go out alone
- young children should always be accompanied by a parent/guardian
- take a torch or glow stick with you
- make sure your costumes have flame-resistant labels
- plan a safe route that is well-lit and stick to it.
Havering's ‘Warm Coats Initiative' is back at libraries across the borough this autumn and winter.
The initiative gives anyone the chance to pick up a warm coat for free.
We are asking if anyone has any donations of warm, good-quality, undamaged and clean adult or children’s coats to donate.
Rainham, Hornchurch, Romford, Upminster, Harold Hill, Gidea Park, Harold Wood and Collier Row Libraries are all open to receive donations over the coming weeks. As we are unsure of how many coats we will receive, please call the relevant library before bringing in your donations. Details can be found on the website.
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Havering held its tenth annual ‘Moving On’ event last week for young people to find information and to consider their post-16 options.
The event came about after the government raised the age of participation, making it compulsory for young people aged 16 to 18 to remain in some form of education, training, apprenticeship, or volunteering.
Dozens of organisations offering apprenticeships, sixth form and college places and higher education exhibited at Coventry University London, Rainham Road North, on Wednesday 18 October.
Local sixth forms, New City College, Metropolitan Police, Falltricks, Middlesex University and Balfour Beatty were amongst the exhibitors at this year's event, which included providers offering Support Internships for our SEND cohort of learners.
The event was a resounding success with over 500 learners from Havering schools transported to the event during the day, opening up to parents/carers and their young people in the early evening. Learners and parents were provided with a face to face opportunity to explore the range of options on offer for post-16 learners, including the new T-Level qualifications.
You can find out more about T-Levels on the government website.
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Havering Council is currently running a survey to find out residents’ views about home to school travel for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Around 600 local children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are currently receiving transport assistance.
The cost of transport has resulted in a £2.8 million overspend in the past financial year. However, a review of the way travel takes place could help to cut costs and result in savings.
One of the options that could help is a personal travel budget. See the bottom of our survey page to read what parents and carers had to say about the freedom a personal travel budget has given them.
We have also provided travel training to 40 pupils in the last two academic years and 36 of them are now independent – travelling to school without Council support and making use of community resources.
The survey closes on Friday 17 November.
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The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Stephanie Nunn, hosted a civic service and parade in support of the Mayor’s charity, First Step, starting at Saint Nicholas Church, Elm Park on Sunday 22 October.
Guests and dignitaries who attended the service led by Revd Amanda Keighley, included Craig Haslam, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, neighbouring borough Mayors, local councillors, borough representatives from our armed forces community and faith leaders.
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The NHS winter flu and Covid-19 vaccines are being offered to those most at risk of getting seriously ill.
This year, it’s more important than ever for people at risk to get their free winter vaccines, before the cold temperatures start.
For eligibility and how to book, please visit the website.
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Don't forget, the clocks go backwards one hour at 2am on Sunday 29 October.
This will give us an extra hour in bed as we prepare for the shorter days and colder months this winter.
Most smartphones and smart-devices will automatically change, however you'll need to change analogue clocks yourself.
The clocks won’t go forward again until Sunday 31 March 2024.
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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
Brookside Theatre, Romford, presents its 'laugh-out-loud' production of School of Rock - The Musical.
Based on the 2003 Jack Black film, with songs by legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show follows a wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn, who impersonates his teacher friend to work a supply teacher job at a posh private school. Not content with the regular curriculum, Dewey sets out to turn the group of bookish straight-A pupils into guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
Featuring songs from the original movie, as well as over a dozen brilliant new Andrew Lloyd Webber additions, this musical delivers high-octane guitar riffs and moving moments in equal measures.
School of Rock - The Musical runs from Thursday 2 November to Sunday 5 November. Tickets are available online or from the box office on 01708 755775.
Havering Music School is holding a Super Saturday Open Day on Saturday 4 November from 1:30pm. Featuring instrument try-out sessions for children, a raffle and second-hand music sale, and live performances from 3:30pm.
The event takes place at NCC College, Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 2LL, and is free to enter.
United Singers Choir presents We Will Remember Them, an event of reflections and remembrance of Armistice Day through music, drama and poetry.
The event takes place on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November, from 7:30pm at Upminster Methodist Church, Hall Lane, Upminster, RM14 1AE. Tickets cost £12, concessions cost £10 and under 16s go free. Send an email to book your place.
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Kaleidoscope is hosting Romford's first LGBTQ+ Film Festival at Premiere Cinemas on Saturday 4 November, 10am to 10pm.
The festival will have a mixture of independent and blockbuster films and other entertainment including special guests.
Supported by The Mayor of London’s community fund, the film festival aims to increase positive and accurate representation of LGBTQ+ people on screen. It will also be a place to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community. Book your tickets online.
Tickets will be £15 with access to the films all day, as well as talks and access to the private cocktail bar area; which will serve thematic cocktails. Kaleidoscope and festival merchandise will also be available for purchase. Funds raised will go towards continuing social or cultural projects for LGBTQIA+ youth in Havering to benefit from.
Celebrate the spookiest month of the year with Halloween Spooktacular Fun in Romford Market on Saturday 28 October.
There is something for the whole family to enjoy, with ghost hunts through the market, frightfully brilliant stilt walkers, face painters, and a freaky maze of terror ride.
This is sure to be a fun family event and is totally free for everyone to enjoy, so make sure to head along for some seriously spooky fun.
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Havering Museum is hosting its next monthly lunchtime lecture, The East End in Photographs, on Thursday 9 November, 12noon to 1pm.
The lecture will draw on a variety of photographs and photographers that what captured the many faces of East London over the years.
Book your tickets online, or by visiting the museum.
Elm Park Baptist Church is holding a Christmas Table Top Sale on Saturday 4 November, 10am to 2pm.
Grab a bargain on early Christmas presents, take part in the tombola and other games, and treat yourself to a home-made cake. Entry is free.
St. Laurence Church Hall in Upminster is hosting a Market & Artisan Craft Fair on Saturday 11 November, 10am to 4pm. Head along to support your local crafts people with over 20 stalls selling a wide variety of items from wax melts and crystals to hand-made jewellery and jams.
Entry is completely free and ideal for the whole family, with disabled access. Dogs are also welcome.
Collier Row Library hosts a weekly 15 minute Reading Buddies session during term time to help children improve on their reading skills.
Sessions take place Thursday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, and Saturdays 11am to 1:30pm during term time, beginning Thursday 2 November. Please call 01708 434936 to book a place.
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Upcoming road closures
Lambourne Gardens in Hornchurch will be closed at its junction with Suttons Avenue for carriageway resurfacing from 8am to 5pm on Monday 30 October to Tuesday 31 October.
Gerpins Lane in Upminster will be closed from the verge of Newbury Farm to Gerpins Farm for installation of poles and aerial cabling from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Monday 30 October to Tuesday 31 October.
Ongoing closures
Knighton Road in Romford remains closed daily from the junction of London Road for gas mains works, 8am to 7pm until Sunday 29 October.
Eastbury Road in Romford remains closed daily from its junction with London Road for gas mains works, 8am to 6pm until Sunday 29 October.
Burlington Avenue in Romford remains closed daily at its junction with London Road for gas mains works, 8am to 5pm until Monday 6 November.
Mungo Park Road in Elm Park remains closed daily at its junctions with Wood Lane and Simpson Road for resurfacing works. The road will be closed from 7am to 6pm until Saturday 11 November. Freeborne Gardens and Tempest Way will also be closed at their junctions with Mungo Park Road.
Crowlands Avenue in Romford remains closed daily for gas mains works, 8am to 5pm until Friday 17 November.
Public transport
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The c2c Basildon line will be closed between Liverpool Street and Barking, and Upminster to Pitsea via Laindon, on Saturday 28 October.
Due to engineering works between Upminster/Standford-le-Hope and Shoeburyness, there is a limited service on all c2c lines on Sunday 29 October. Services will not call at Liverpool Street or Stratford, and will be diverted to Fenchurch Street and West Ham. Check the website for full details.
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking/Upminster are affecting evening and early morning services on all c2c lines from Monday 30 October to Thursday 2 November. Check the website for full details.
Engineering works are taking place affecting Greater Anglia services between Liverpool Street and Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October. Check the website for full details.
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