Friday 8 November 2024
Where We Live - Enforcement against fly-tipping
Where We Live is the flagship campaign from Havering Council, encouraging residents and community groups to work with the Council to help make the borough a cleaner and safer place to be.
Our environmental enforcement team are investigating and clearing fly-tipping on a daily basis.
From July to September 2024, our environmental enforcement team:
- received 1,063 fly-tipping reports
- carried out 745 investigations into fly-tipping
- issued 260 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).
Fly-tipping is not only illegal, it is an anti-social behaviour that affects the whole community. The Council continues to crack down on those who fly-tip in the borough.
The FPN for fly-tipping is £400 but will soon be raised to £1,000. FPNs for littering is also expected to rise to up a maximum of £500.
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The Where We Live campaign aims to empower communities to take pride in their neighbourhoods by actively taking part in community clean-ups, litter picks, reporting fly-tipping and more.
Check out the campaign video and visit the website for more information on how you can get involved in Where We Live and how to report fly-tipping.
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Havering Council is stepping up efforts to support residents through cost-of-living pressures with an expansion of the Emergency Assistance Scheme (EAS) and additional winter aid measures.
Building on last year’s By Your Side campaign, the Council is extending its Havering Helps initiative to provide broader access to financial assistance for those facing hardship – including vulnerable residents who will be affected by the axing of the national winter fuel payments.
Council Leader, Cllr Ray Morgon, and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, Cllr Gillian Ford, spent time with older and vulnerable residents at the New Windmill Hall Community Association warm space in Upminster earlier today (Friday) in Upminster, discussing the support available.
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The warm spaces is one of a network of locations across Havering providing a comfortable and welcoming place for residents to come together - all completely run by volunteers (including a pianist from Upminster, who plays live music to entertain attendees).
In addition to financial aid, Havering Council will also be extending local offers:
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Emergency Assistance: For eligible low-income households in urgent need.
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Warm Spaces: Free heated community locations across the borough.
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Energy Doctors: Free energy-saving advice and repairs, saving households up to £209 per year.
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School Meal Support: £15 per child per week during school holidays, extended through March 2025.
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Council Tax Relief: £50 credit for single parents receiving Council Tax Support.
Visit the Havering Helps webpage for more information or call 01708 432280.
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A Havering business will have its licence reviewed after staff there sold alcohol to a young person aged under 18.
Havering Council’s Trading Standards officers are currently putting together an action plan for the Gidea Park business and are working with them to offer education, support and advice to help prevent future under age sales. The licence will also be reviewed with possible additional conditions.
The business can’t be named at this time as investigations are currently ongoing.
The action comes after Council officers made unannounced visits across the borough recently, checking that local retailers are not selling age-restricted products such as fireworks, vapes and alcohol, to young people aged under 18.
The teams visited 12 different premises in Upminster, Romford, Collier Row, Harold Hill, Gidea Park and Hornchurch, with volunteers all aged under 18 as part of the operation.
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 October was another busy month for the Havering Joint Taskforce - also known as the Section 92 officers or S92s.
These are the five police officers funded by Havering Council to fight crime and issues across the borough that matter to residents, including burglary, robbery and theft of motor vehicles.
Last month (October) saw actions around various crime, see above.
Havering Police has also issued its latest newsletter, rounding up the work of officers across the borough.
There’s news on the sentencing and conviction of a man from Harold Hill who threatened a member of the public with a knife, successful traffic actions against drivers with no insurance as part of Operation Cubo, tackling shoplifting crime in Hornchurch and more.
You can read more of their newsletter online.
A new health and wellbeing hub in Hornchurch welcomed its first patients on Monday 4 November.
St George's Country Park Surgery (formerly Upminster Bridge Surgery) was the first service to open at the hub in Suttons Lane.
Once fully operational, the hub will provide access, seven days a week, to a wide range of high-quality health and wellbeing services all in one place; transforming the way health and care is delivered for around 250,000 people in Havering and surrounding areas. As well as a GP practice, this will include outpatient, mental health, children’s and community services.
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Residents are invited to gather at Remembrance services across the borough this Sunday (10 November) to honour those who have served our country.
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Romford - Parade from outside the Liberty shopping centre, Western Road at 10:30am, followed by a service in Coronation Gardens.
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Upminster - Parade at 10:40am, followed by a service at the War Memorial, Corbets Tey Road.
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Hornchurch - Parade at 10:15am, followed by a service at St. Andrew’s Church.
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Elm Park - Service at 10:45am at the Royal British Legion.
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Harold Hill - Parade and service at 10:40am at the War Memorial, Hilldene Avenue.
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Harold Wood - Service at 10:40am at the New War Memorial, Arundel Road.
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Harold Wood - Service at 10:50am at Memorial Hall, parade to St. Peter’s Church.
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Rainham - Parade and service at 10:35am at Rainham War Memorial.
For all Remembrance services in Havering visit the website.
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A new strategy to support people living in Havering with dementia was adopted by Cabinet this week.
The five-year plan aims to support people with dementia, their families and carers to live life to its full potential and was developed in partnership with local organisations and carers.
Havering has the largest older population in North East London and one of the largest in Greater London, with more than 18 per cent of the population being over 65. There are an estimated 3,121 people with dementia in Havering, with 1,757 being diagnosed in 2024.
The strategy sets out its intended outcomes, which include earlier access to good quality support, more people having a say after their diagnosis and dementia-friendly organisations and communities.
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 Havering is getting set to celebrate Christmas this year with various town centre Christmas tree light switch-ons.
Each town centre event will feature various festivities including carol singing, entertainment and activities for children.
The Christmas tree lights switch-on events have been made possible this year due to sponsorship and support from local businesses and organisations.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
"I’d like to offer my thanks once again to Marlborough Highways who have provided Christmas trees to a number of local areas and also to the other businesses and community groups who have worked so hard to ensure Havering can still celebrate Christmas despite our ongoing financial situation.”
Rainham
Friday 15 November - 5pm to 7pm
The Rainham Christmas tree lights switch on event will take place adjacent to the war memorial with local small businesses selling homemade sweets and Christmas crafts.
There will also be meet and greet Christmas characters for children, free glow sticks and carol singing.
Supported by Marlborough Highways, West and Coe, The Ship, Tesco, Sackvilles Solicitors, and community members.
Hornchurch
Sunday 17 November - 6pm to 6:15pm
The Hornchurch Christmas tree lights will be switched on with the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Gerry O’Sullivan, will take place at 6pm on the roundabout in the High Street.
Supported by Marlborough Highways, Griffin Estates and Moss and Coleman Solicitors.
Find out more about upcoming events by visiting the website.
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Havering’s annual Safeguarding Week is set to take place from Monday 18 November to Friday 22 November.
This year’s theme is Transitional Safeguarding and professionals are invited to a series of workshops on topics such as gangs and youth violence, mental health and wellbeing in sport, understanding professional boundaries and maternity and neonatal wellbeing for all early years’ practitioners.
There is also a morning conference on Wednesday 20 November at MyPlace in Harold Hill from 10am to 1pm, sponsored by Havering Care Association.
To find out more and register, visit the website.
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Are you thinking about trying something new for 2025? Or perhaps you’re looking to gain experience of supporting children, young people or families? Maybe you have some spare time and looking for something fulfilling and rewarding to do with it?
Whatever your reason, if you’re passionate about children’s play and learning, or providing support to young people and families in the borough, Havering’s Starting Well has the volunteering role for you.
You can spend time supporting one of our Children’s Centre activity groups or maybe a youth group, befriending a young person in care, or supporting interventions for young people referred into our Youth Offending Service.
You’ll receive a full induction, ongoing professional level training and the opportunity to bring positive change to the lives of children and young people living in Havering.
Information about our volunteer roles and contact details to register your interest can be found online.
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England Women's Under 17's squad made it all the way to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17's Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic last week (Thursday 31 October), where their campaign was sadly cut short by Spain.
Local resident and former Sacred Heart of Mary Girls School student Hope McSheffrey, represented the squad as goalkeeper, after finishing second in their group and beating Japan 4-1 on penalties in the quarter-final.
This is the first time the young Lionesses have made it this far in a World Cup since 2008. England finished the competition in fourth place after a final match against the USA.
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 The deadline has been extended for homeowners to apply for free energy-saving upgrades including solar panels, insulation, low carbon heating and more.
Residents have until Friday 15 November to begin their application for the Home Upgrade Grant, a government-funded scheme to make homes warmer and better for the environment.
To check if you’re eligible, visit the website.
Make sure you’re ready for winter, even if you’ve had flu or COVID-19 or have been vaccinated before.
Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.
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 We're always looking for help to improve services across the borough. This section of the newsletter features current consultations from the Council and partners so you can share your thoughts.
Have your say on all live Council consultations through our website.
 Customer Satisfaction Survey
Havering Council has launched an independent customer satisfaction survey in collaboration with The Institute of Customer Service (ICS). It is part of our ongoing commitment to prioritise and improve customer services for our residents.
The survey opened on Friday 1 November, and we encourage all residents to take part and share their feedback. The survey takes just 5-10 minutes to complete, and all responses are completely anonymous unless you choose to provide your contact details.
We want to understand what we are doing well and where we need to improve. Your feedback is invaluable to us as it will help shape the future of our customer services.
Romford Masterplan consultation
Time is running out to have your say in the public consultation of the Romford Masterplan. The consultation will ensure that the voices of residents, businesses and stakeholders are heard and incorporated into the development plans.
The Romford Masterplan was approved for consultation by Cabinet on Wednesday 18 September following extensive public consultation earlier this year.
Its key features include improved public spaces, in particular the marketplace, re-naturalising the River Rom, and enhancing other green spaces. It also includes new housing designed to meet the needs of a growing population, and supporting the delivery of infrastructure.
The consultation closes on Monday 11 November, at 11:59pm and feedback from the consultation will be used to refine the masterplan before it is finalised and submitted for adoption in early 2025.
Havering SEND Family Voice survey
Havering SEND Family Voice are an independent group of local SEND parents that form the Parent Carer Forum for the London Borough of Havering.
They represent those who live in Havering who look after children and young people with special educational needs, disabilities and neurodiversity aged 0-25. The Forum have recently launched their Shout It Out! form which allows parents, carers or professionals to share their views, ideas, feedback and experiences relating to children and young people with SEND.
For more information, please send them an email.
 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 is looking for performers to join them in their next exciting production, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The theatre is seeking talented performers of various ages to join them in the magical musical. Roles available for adult performers include Mrs Teavee, Mr Salt, Mrs Bucket, Mr Beauregarde and Oompa Loompas, whilst roles for young performers include Mike Teavee, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde and the lead role of Charlie Bucket. The role of Charlie Bucket is open to boys aged 8 to 12 years.
Rehearsals begin soon, so if you'd like to audition, please send an email now. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will run at Brookside Theatre from Friday 6 December to Monday 23 December.
The Arts Society, Havering is hosting its November lecture, The Painter's Craft.
This lecture describes and explains the materials painters use, the various techniques they employ to preserve their work and what happens when things ‘go wrong’. The lecture explores in detail the technical, practical and historical aspects of the painter’s craft, from choosing the correct support, pigments and medium, through to varnishing, framing and conservation.
The event takes place on Tuesday 12 November, 10:15am to 12noon, at New Windmill Hall, Upminster. Tickets cost £8 for new members. You can find more information on the website.
Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) is teaming up with the Hornchurch and Upminster Sea Cadets for a special Christmas Bazaar.
The event will feature a variety of stalls, a Christmas raffle, tombola and refreshments, and will raise money for the two organisations. Entry is free, and tables can be still be hired by local businesses and organisations by sending an email or calling 01708 522789.
The event takes place on Saturday 16 November, 10am to 1pm, at HASWA, Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, RM12 5NB.
Havering Antiques Club will be hosting a talk on Vintage Collectibles from auctioneer Steve Lester. The talk will take place on Friday 15 November from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, at the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane, RM3 0QA. Tickets cost £6 for guests.
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Do you care for someone with dementia? Alzheimer's Society regular holds a series of four-week Carers Information and Support Programmes to help carers to better support relatives with dementia.
The sessions provide a listening ear, as well as equip carers with the tools to look after loved ones and ensure they are getting the right emotional and financial support.
The next sessions take place from Monday 18 November, 11am to 1pm, and run for the following three Mondays. Sessions take place a Royal British Legion Elm Park, 35A Maylands Avenue, Hornchurch, RM12 5BB. Please book in advance by emailing or calling Nyree on 07759 119516 or Anisa on 07720 144231.
The Havering Repair Café is back tomorrow, Saturday 9 November, 11am to 2pm. Bring along a household item to be repaired for free and learn skills at the same time, at the Salvation Army, High St, Romford. For more info visit the website.
A member of Havering Council’s Waste and Recycling team will be at Upminster Library tomorrow, Saturday 9 November at 10am to 4pm, at Harold Wood Library, Thursday 14 November at 2pm to 8pm, and then at Collier Row Library on Wednesday 20 November, 10am to 4pm, to talk about the food waste collection survey, recycling and more.
Havering Museum is hosting a talk about the East End Women: The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous. Hear fascinating stories of East London history, capturing the match girl and Ford machinists strikes, and the famous women in entertainment, sport and criminality.
The talk takes place tomorrow, Saturday 9 November, from 1:30pm to 3pm. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked online or at the museum front desk.
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Electric vehicle charging bays in Elm Park
The Council is holding a consultation on proposals to introduce electric vehicle charging bays in Tadworth Parade and Station Parade, in Elm Park, and have written to local residents on the scheme.
Full information is available online. Comments and objections can be sent in writing to the Highways, Traffic and Parking Group Manager, Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BB or by email to schemes@havering.gov.uk.
All responses need to be received by Friday 15 November 2024. Any objections must state the grounds on which they are made.
Upcoming road closures
There are no currently no planned road closures taking place in Havering between Saturday 9 November and Friday 15 November.
Public transport
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Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking/Upminster, are affecting late night services after 8:45pm on all c2c line from Monday 11 November to Thursday 14 November. Sections of each line will not run, and rail replacement services will be in place.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
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