Havering's Cabinet has approved the Council’s budget for 2024/2025 amid a funding crisis which could see the council triggering a Section 114 notice - effectively declaring itself bankrupt – unless the government approves a £54 million loan (Capitalisation Directive).
At a meeting of the Cabinet last week (Wednesday 7 February), the administration signed off on the budget report for the next year as the authority faces a £32.5 million budget gap, which rises to £81.9 million over the next four years.
This is set against a backdrop of an outdated funding formula which hasn’t kept pace with the rapid change in population, resulting in years of systemic underfunding from government.
This is coupled with the increase in the cost of living and a reduction in available Housing which has led to a significant rise in homelessness and temporary accommodation costs.
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 For the next financial year, subject to agreement at Council, it is proposed there is an increase to Council Tax by 2.99 per cent with an additional 2 per cent, as set by the Government, for social care – making the total proposed increase 4.99 per cent. This does not include the Mayor of London’s precept.
After the biggest ever consultation with residents where almost 4,000 people responded, Cabinet has agreed to remove the proposal for charging in park car parks and Sunday parking charges.
They’ve also agreed to a reduction in the proposed pay and display increase from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, as well as only raising the cost of football pitch fees by inflation.
The budget features further savings proposals, including:
- Generating income through increasing fees for registration services, parking, bulky waste and green waste collections
- Dimming lights on main roads and being more efficient on road schemes
- Increase market pitch fees and ending the Sunday market in Romford
- Reviewing preventative contracts and amending rent subsidies for the voluntary sector
- Increase events in parks and reduce cost of Christmas lights and trees
- Launch a review of Children’s Centres and Libraries
- Review alternative bin collections.
Work is also taking place to see if Christmas lights and trees can be funded by traders or other groups so that they still go up during the festive season.
Cabinet also approved spending plans for the next four year Mid-term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
The 2024/25 annual business rates bills are due to be issued in March.
Now is the time to sign up for online e-billing. It's a safer, quicker and easier way to receive your annual bills, manage your account and make changes.
You can sign up for e-billing, manage your business rates account, change details and apply for support with the new My Havering account.
If you have any further questions, you can email the business rates team. Please ensure you have your business rates account number to hand when contacting us.
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Havering Council has partnered with VinciWorks to give local businesses the opportunity to join industry-leading online training for free, and take their first steps towards a low-carbon future.
Businesses that sign up can attend any of the 15 online courses covering a wide range of aspects in the world of sustainable business. These include topics such as understanding climate change and pollution, what makes a sustainable business, and supply chain diligence.
The courses are pre-made and all online, so you can take them at your leisure - but must be completed by the end of March 2025. Businesses can nominate up to two members of staff to take part in the free training.
Take advantage of this great offer, and send an email to express your interest.
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The next Havering Small Business Awards are coming soon, and there's still the chance to support small local businesses by sponsoring a category.
Your support allows us to continue celebrating the brilliant contributions local small businesses make to the borough.
Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the awards evening, the chance to introduce their chosen category and present the award to the winner, as well as being featured on promotional material in the lead up to the event.
If you're interested in supporting the awards, take a look at the sponsorship page on the website.
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 Havering Council is seeking residents’ views on living a healthier lifestyle in a bid eradicate childhood obesity in the next 20 years.
The Council has been working in partnership with over 25 local organisations to develop a strategy to address obesity in Havering.
It wants to hear residents’ views on proposals to tackle obesity over the next five years. The consultation closes on Sunday 3 March.
The Heat Training Grant initiative means Quantum Group can now offer a refund to engineers who undertake their training, on completion of their three-day Level 3 LCL Award course, LCL Awards Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps Systems (non-refrigerant circuits).
You will have to confirm:
- that you are a sole trader or work for a business with 250 employees or fewer, or are unemployed
- that you or the business you work for are certified by an appropriate competent person scheme for heating and hot water systems, for example: APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Gas Safe Register, Certsure/NICEIC, HETAS, NAPIT, OFTEC or Stroma
- whether your employer received £315,000 or more in Government subsidies over the past three years?
You will receive the Government Heat Training Grant of a £500 payment once you complete your LCL Awards Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps Systems.
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The next Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) monthly Networking Breakfast will be hosted by KBater Consultancy.
The event takes place on Wednesday 28 February, 8am - 9:30am.
The networking and social event is free to members, £10 for non-members.
To sign up for the Chamber newsletter, or get more information about what the Havering Chamber can offer your business, send an email to enquiries@hcci.org.uk.
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The UK Home Office is asking for businesses to provide feedback on proposed new laws, which will help make sure we are better prepared for, and protected from, terrorist attacks.
They are particularly interested in hearing from small businesses to ensure the new legislation is proportionate and deliverable for smaller businesses. Under the plans, premises will be asked to put in place procedures such as evacuation and lock-ins in an emergency.
Martyn’s Law will require premises to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe. It is named in tribute to Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Under the proposed law, premises will be considered ‘Standard Tier’, meaning they have capacity of 100-799, or ‘Enhanced Tier’, with a capacity of 800 or more.
The consultation on the updated approach to Standard Tier will seek views to make sure the new requirements do not place undue burdens on smaller businesses, while still protecting the public.
The consultation is open to the public until Monday 18 March. It particularly seeks views from those responsible for smaller premises, especially those in the community and voluntary sector.
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Do you use a laptop, tablet, smartphone, Wi-Fi, Google Home, Alexa, or other electronic equipment to do business?
Even just one of these connections to the internet exposes you to potential cyberattacks.
Businesses across London can now join the Cyber Resilience Centre for London, completely free of charge.
The Cyber Resilience Centre is a non-profit organisation founded by the Mayor of London to protect small businesses against cybercrime.
Sign up now for free to access practical resources and guidance, a monthly newsletter, as well as a network of partners and organisations offering discounts and events to improve cyber resilience in London.
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