Havering Council's Cabinet has officially approved the Romford Town Centre Masterplan, marking a significant milestone in the borough's regeneration efforts.

The Masterplan, which has been subject to extensive public consultation and refinement, aims to revitalise Romford by focusing on key areas such as the market, the River Rom, and public spaces.

With 73 per cent of residents expressing continued support for the plan, the Council is set to adopt the Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document by winter 2024. This approval by the Cabinet underscores the Council's commitment to improving Romford's appeal as a place to live, work, and visit.

There will be six weeks of public consultation starting at the end of September. The aim is to adopt the Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document to support the adopted Local Plan, by the end of this year.

Read more

Parents and guardians on the school run have been asked to think about how they travel or park when taking and picking up their children to and from school.

If parents do need to use a vehicle to take their youngsters to and from school, they are being asked to be mindful of where and how they park.

A number of schools have contacted Havering Council about dangerous and selfish parking that is causing safety issues and is also blocking traffic flow, which in turn, impacts on the community around the school. There has been an increase of vehicles being parked outside schools where there is no parking allowed, or parking dangerously and affecting the safety of pupils and staff as they enter or leave the school grounds.

If you're driving your children to school, please remember these basic tips:

• Park legally - Follow all parking rules and restrictions.
• Park safely - Use proper parking spaces and avoid obstructing traffic flow.
• Do not block school entrances or residents’ driveways.
• Be mindful of school children and elderly pedestrians and road users.
• Switch off your engine when you are stationary and help reduce pollution.

Walking, cycling or scooting to and from school is the best way if possible, as it is better for children’s health and helps towards the reduction of air pollution.

The Council’s rough sleeping team continues working closely with partner agencies such as the NHS, Police and social landlords, to help some of most vulnerable in the borough.

The team works to get individuals off the streets and helps to manage complex needs. They also help people keep any existing accommodation and build up the confidence and self-respect of rough sleepers.

Earlier this year a female named anonymously as N was found sleeping in a car in Romford during a monthly rough sleeping count, she was placed into a hotel that same night.

N became a rough sleeper due to her unfortunately experiencing domestic violence at her previous home. She was also encountering alcohol dependency, this was detailed as part of her individual needs assessment ahead of her placement into female only supported accommodation.

N is engaging well with services following the team’s intervention and is on her way to establishing a safer and secure life. This is not always the case, as regrettably some rough sleepers refuse to engage with the support provided.  

If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, please inform us via Streelink – a London-wide rough sleeper network that helps in getting people off the streets.

There are also ways residents can help without giving money to rough sleepers directly, such as making a donation to the Salvation Army, and Ahava Community.

Shoppers are being advised to avoid buying perfumes and other goods from unlicensed street traders as the products may be counterfeit or unsafe.

Havering Council’s Trading Standards team are currently carrying out investigations following a number of reports recently of lone street sellers in the Romford Market area when it was not a market day. There were also unlicensed traders popping up in and around the town centre.

These type of sellers are not registered with the Council or the market and therefore are unlicensed.

Advice and information includes:

• Counterfeit goods such as perfumes can pose serious safety and health risks
• They can contain harmful chemicals and allergens, which can cause severe skin reactions and rashes. Products also tend to be highly flammable
• If the price seems to be too good to be true, it probably is
• Only purchase products from reputable traders.

If you are concerned about unsafe or non-compliant products being sold, report it to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Read more

Romford BID (Business Improvement District) has invested in four bikes to be used by officers in the Romford Town Centre police team.

The business-led body purchased the bikes to assist the officers as they aim to respond as quickly as possible when tackling issues of anti-social behaviour, including theft and drug-related crime in the town centre.

Already the bikes have proven to be effective, where after just 40 minutes of picking up the bikes, officers were able to arrest two people for possession of Class A drugs.

The bikes, purchased by the BID from Smyths toy store in Romford, will be used by plain-clothes officers.

Romford BID is a business-funded body that aims to improve and support local businesses in Romford and the community around them.

Read more

Havering Council is aware of the potential impact the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment will have on our elderly residents across the borough.

Now is the best time to make sure you're claiming all of the benefits that you are entitled to, especially Pension Credit.

You can visit our website now to take a look at the benefits calculator and other cost of living measures you can take to help save money and stay warm this winter.

We are also looking for ways to provide further support to those residents that may be affected and help them through the winter months.

Cost of Living hub

We are looking for entrepreneurs in Havering for the Green Tech Incubator Programme designed to transform green and sustainable ideas into thriving businesses.

The comprehensive programme includes access to expert mentorship, networking with investors and the opportunity to work alongside other inspiring entrepreneurs in a collaborative environment.

The deadline for applications is Monday 14 October, and you can sign up online.

Sign up now

Most child vaccines are given before a child starts primary school but there are vaccines that are offered at secondary school to protect against serious diseases.

Routine NHS child vaccinations are free and are provided by a trained and experienced vaccination team at school.

You can speak to your GP or your child’s school vaccination team for more information or if you have any questions.

Read more

Suicide Prevention Strategy consultation

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Tuesday 10 September, Havering launched a new consultation to request feedback on the proposed Suicide Prevention Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to strengthen and improve suicide prevention activities within Havering, leading to a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide over the next five years.

The views of residents, employers, health and social care professionals and those with lived experience will help to inform and improve the proposed five year strategy which focuses on identifying people most at risk, increasing knowledge and reducing stigma, and supporting those affected by suicide.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. We want organisations to work together and for communities, employers, colleagues, friends and families to know how to support the prevention of suicide.

The consultation runs until Friday 18 October.

Have your say

Havering Safeguarding Priorities 2024-27

Havering Safeguarding Partnership works to keep adults and children safe in Havering by working together with all statutory agencies, the voluntary sector, our community and faith groups. Whether you are an adult or child, young person, student, resident, worker or volunteer, please let us know what your priorities are for us to help keep people safe. 

Please let us know your priorities for safeguarding adults and children in Havering for our Safeguarding Partnership.

The survey closes on Monday 30 September.

Have your say

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch presents a chilling reimagining of the classic Henry James ghost story The Turn of the Screw.

Bly, Essex. Angelic 9 year-old Flora and precocious 12 year-old Miles are the picture of innocence, rescuing injured birds and playing make-believe by the shady lake. But, as a new governess arrives at the manor to take care of them, disturbing secrets emerge from beneath the undulating waters. Questioning the truth behind the children’s stories, the governess finds it increasingly hard to tell reality from her nightmares – until she is forced to take action.

Adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, The Turn of the Screw plays at QTH from Thursday 3 October to Saturday 26 October. Book your tickets on the website.

Join the Big Smile Collective Clothes Swap presented by Brennan & Burch at New City College, 42 Ardleigh Green Rd, Hornchurch RM11 2LL, on Tuesday 24 September for a clothes swap, sustainable workshop and refreshments.

Entry is £5 and includes the first 3 items free.

Havering Antiques Club is hosting a talk with Horologist Paul Williams, entitled 'It's About Time', followed by a Q&A session and refreshments. The talk will take place at Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0QA. The event takes place tonight, Friday 20 September, 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Tickets cost £6.

Havering Libraries is hosting a National Poetry Day competition. Write a poem for the 30th Anniversary of National Poetry Day (Thursday 3 October) on the theme of 'Counting'.

The competition is open to all ages, you just need to be a member of Havering Libraries to enter (sign up for free today). Winners will receive book prizes and their poems will be displayed in all libraries across the borough. 

The competition closes on Saturday 9 November. Drop your entries into any Havering Library, or send it via email, along with your name, age and library card number.

Hornchurch Library is also hosting a special event to celebrate National Poetry Day - Blackout Poetry. Blackout Poetry is an art form which revitalises any type of writing and breathes new life into them, but blacking out sections and creating compelling poetry from the remaining words.  

Come along to Hornchurch Library for free on Tuesday 1 October, 2pm to 3pm, to try Blackout Poetry and celebrate National Poetry Day. No booking necessary, just drop in.

The next Havering Green Forum meeting takes place at 7pm on Thursday 3 October at Havering Town Hall, Romford.

The forum brings together local people who are passionate about tackling climate change and taking action to protect the environment. No booking required.

Elm Park Baptist Church is hosting a Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. Pop in for home made cakes, tea and coffee and a nice chat on Friday 27 September, 10am to 1pm. 

Upcoming road closures 

Boscombe Avenue in Hornchurch will be closed daily at its junction with Osborne Road for utility works, 7:30am to 6pm from Monday 23 September until Friday 27 September. 

The Parade in Romford will be closed at its junction with Colchester Road for carriageway patching, 8am to 5pm on Tuesday 24 September. 

Manor Avenue in Hornchurch will be closed daily from outside number 56 to outside number 58 for utility works, 7:30am to 6pm from Wednesday 25 September until Tuesday 1 October. 

Ongoing closures  

Lambs Lane North in Rainham remains closed daily from its junction with New Road to its junction with Todd Close for gas mains works, 7am to 7pm until Monday 23 September.

Public transport