Friday 29 November 2024
 Havering Council has launched its budget consultation for 2025/2026 – in the face of continued significant financial challenges. Next year the authority is predicting a budget gap of around £74million. This leaves the Council with few options to address the deficit.
The consultation asks for views from residents to help shape the difficult decisions that need to be made and to ensure that money is directed to where residents want it to go, once we have delivered all of the services that we must provide by law.
Residents can take part in the budget consultation online. Alternatively, paper copies of the consultation will be available at local libraries. A public meeting will also be held at Havering Town Hall, Romford, on Wednesday 18 December, 7pm to 9pm. Full booking details are available on the consultation webpage.
Residents can sign the budget petition and write to their local MP, details can be found online.
Havering Council has decided to publish its historic self-assessment peer review document, which was originally provided as part of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Race Equality, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) Review in 2019.
This decision comes after multiple legal challenges and the consideration of protecting staff confidence weighed up with the costs of further appeal.
Havering Council's Chief Executive, Andrew Blake-Herbert, writes:
"Back in 2020, Havering Council asked for the personal experiences of staff on a strictly confidential basis to help identify the equality, diversity, and inclusion challenges that needed to be addressed on the journey to becoming an anti-discrimination organisation and improving the Council for everyone.
"The shared understanding was that the self-assessment and the views contained within it were for the review team at the LGA only. It was provided to the LGA who then alongside the feedback from their face to face focus group and 1-1 discussions produced a report which highlighted all the failings as identified in the self-assessment. This is already publicly available online.
"After the Review was published, under the Freedom of Information Act, the Council received a request from the Romford Recorder to share the self-assessment, which was declined under the Act’s clear criteria for exempting the disclosure of information.
"The Recorder appealed to the Information Commissioner’s Officer (ICO) who agreed with us but then appealed to a higher legal tribunal who ruled against the ICO. We appealed against this decision but the tribunal disagreed and most recently the Upper Tier Tribunal have refused our right to appeal.
"We have now concluded that further appeals are unlikely to be successful and would incur significant costs. As we strive to close a growing £74m budget gap, it is essential that we continue to be as prudent as possible.
"Let me be clear, this was never about winning or losing a legal battle but about keeping the promises made to us by the LGA and to our staff. This was always about protecting our staff and therefore we have redacted the document by removing any personal details, including job titles and other information, which could identify individual staff members..."
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Following Full Council approval on Wednesday 20 November, we are delighted to officially launch our Integrated Starting Well Plan (2024-2027) – Happy, Healthy Lives.
This is the first children's plan that the borough has had in a number of years, and it has been developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including staff across Starting Well and other Council services, our partners, and most importantly of all, children and young people.
Happy, Healthy Lives sets out our on-going vision of enabling our children and families to lead happy, healthy lives.
It brings together our key strategies and plans under five priorities. The first four spell out our 'WISH', for children and young people to be:
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Well
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Inspired
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Safe; and
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Heard
Our fifth priority is a commitment, to doing everything we can to ensure children, young people and their families are treated fairly and with equity.
This is a plan for all children and young people in our borough and complements our Improvement Plan for children's services, which further outlines how we will improve our practice and outcomes for those children and families we are working with.
Our WISH is simple and describes what we would all want, for every child and young person we know. We hope this will provide a common language that will be meaningful to children, young people, and everyone in their lives.
We will be working with Havering Youth Council on a children's version, which will be shared with all schools.
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Where We Live - More litter pickers brave the cold
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.
There are already many groups of residents and volunteers who are regularly going out in their communities, to help pick up litter and keep where they live, tidy and clean.
Alongside Havering Council’s street cleaning and ground maintenance crews, these groups are taking pride in where they live and inspiring others to do the same in their communities.
Pictured, are some members from the Harold Hill Wombles group. They recently teamed up for a litter pick, tidy up and planting of poppy seeds at the Hilldene shopping area in Harold Hill.
The group also maintain planters there, but are looking for more volunteers to help them with looking after and keeping the planters looking good all year round.
They welcome new members to join them or if anyone wants to help out here and there. They can be contacted via their Facebook page.
If you are already out and about taking part in litter picks and clean-ups, let us know what you are doing and where. Share what you are doing by using the hashtag #WhereWeLive and tag in @LBofHavering on Twitter/X or email us your activities at wherewelive@havering.gov.uk.
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If any residents are thinking of doing a litter pick or clean-up in their street or community, they can go to the Where We Live campaign page and find out how they can get started and where to go for litter picks and information.
We also ask that you don’t drop litter on our streets, parks and green spaces - instead, take it to a bin or take it home with you.
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 once again putting its support behind this year’s White Ribbon and 16 Days of Action campaigns towards the prevention of VAWG - violence against women and girls (Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December).
The work by the Council’s community safety teams and its partners, also support anyone of any gender who may be experiencing or have concerns about domestic violence, controlling or coercive behaviour.
This week, Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council and Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Havering’s Cabinet Member, joined the community safety team at Havering College in Hornchurch.
The team spoke to students and hosted a session explaining the many things that domestic violence can be, what to look out for to help keep themselves safer, plus looking at how behaviour towards others can also help towards the prevention of abuse.
Other actions included a VAWG hub tent placed in South Street, Romford at the weekend.
As part of the night time safety initiative, police and Council community safety and enforcement teams spoke to passers-by and provided information on VAWG crime prevention. The aim of the project is to improve the experience for women visiting the town centre, making a safer environment for all, by having a visible presence and a point of safety.
Trident Medical services, Romford BID which helped fund the event and Havering’s Night Marshalls were also on hand to support.
Havering Council has launched an exciting new project which will see foster carers working together to develop a strong family network.
The new scheme, known as the Mockingbird Project, was initially developed by the Fostering Network and is made up of a group of Havering Council foster carers, special guardians (usually a family member caring for a child) and connected carers (a family member or someone they know well who fosters a child).
The aim of the project is to improve stability for all the children and to provide a community environment for all the adults and children involved.
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The winter weather can cause damage to properties and with that, can bring the dangers of doorstep crime.
This is when scammers target people to persuade them to having work done on their homes, often when it is not needed. They also offer to fix damage but want money up front and then disappear with the money but don’t carry out the work properly or at all.
Be aware of cold callers and always look to contact Buy With Confidence for those that are Trading Standards Approved-businesses.
Top tips to beat scams include:
- Do not buy goods and services from traders who call uninvited at your home.
- Consider fitting door chains so you have additional security when opening the door.
- If you are expecting callers from a utility company or the Council, set a password when you make the arrangements and the caller will give that password on arrival.
- If anyone knocks on your door even if arranged, make sure you check ID and phone the company independently to verify them.
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 Havering Council has launched a new initiative to help residents to keep well this winter.
The Winter Wellness Scheme will identify adults who might need some support with their physical and mental health this winter and help them to get connected with their community.
During the winter months, a team from the Council will be contacting residents who may potentially need some support, to speak directly to them and help them get connected to the most suitable place or service for them.
This could be a befriending or voluntary service, one of the local area coordinators who are there to signpost residents to support in their community or one of the borough’s health and wellbeing coaches.
Our ‘Warm Coats Initiative' is back at all libraries across the borough this autumn and winter. The initiative gives anyone the chance to pick up a warm coat for free.
Last year's initiative run until the end of March, and saw over 1,700 coats given out to people of all ages.
We are asking for donations of warm, good-quality, undamaged and clean adult or children’s coats for us to give to those in need.
Please call your local library before bringing in your donations. Details can be found on the website.
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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.
Collier Row
Friday 6 December - 4pm to 8pm
Come along to Collier Row for various stalls in the High Street and Community Centre, including free children's fairground rides, Reindeer pen, free face painting and the Christmas tree light switch on by Brock Whiston, British Paralympic swimmer.
Supported by Chigwell Window Centre, Keys and Lee Estate Agents, Keystones Property, Darjeeling Tandoori, Samantha’s Flowers, Zara Curtains & Blinds, T. Cribb and Sons, Mazda Romford, Maisy Rose Flowers, Wags & Scruffs, Scooperb Ice Cream Parlour, The Church of the Good Shepherd, The North Romford Community Centre, Gup Shup-Chit Chat Chai and Marlborough Highways.
Harold Wood
Saturday 7 December - 4pm to 7pm
The Harold Wood Christmas event will feature a charity Christmas market, live music, live Nativity, food stalls and a chance to meet Santa and his Elves.
Supported by Transport for London, Saba Carparks, St Peters Church, Grahams Highways, 8th Squirrels Heath Scouts Group, Matthews Property Management and Perfect Haulage.
We are a long established law firm with roots in the Hornchurch since 1948 and it is important to us to be an integral part of the community.
To learn that we would not be able to enjoy some festive lighting in the town centre this year to celebrate Christmas left us feeling gloomy. To be able to help and make sure that the town centre is lit up for everyone to enjoy is a pleasure.
To find out more about our services please visit the website or call us on 01708 446 781
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Advertorial
As of Monday 9 December, all park tennis courts will be subject to a booking fee of £6 (peak) and £3 (off peak) per hour.
It is part of the new online booking system that was introduced earlier this month (November), for residents to use tennis courts in the borough’s parks.
The fee is in line with many other local authorities and as part of our partnership with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association). The income from the booking fees will be allocated to help towards maintaining the courts long-term and carrying out any ongoing improvements.
As part of the Council’s partnership with the LTA, the new system has QR codes on signage at each court site for people to scan and book a court. This takes you to the specific park on the Clubspark website - information is there to tell you how to book but also to access the court.
The new system is one part of the project with the LTA that saw improvements made to courts during the summer months, earlier this year, including resurfacing and replacing fencing.
The Council’s park service will also continue to work with the LTA to look at delivering a range of activities across our sites over the next year. This will include regular organised free tennis sessions for all ages.
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Sunshine and a warm welcome greeted HRH The Duke of Gloucester when he visited Havering earlier this week.
The Duke, accompanied by DL Nick Bracken, Deputy Lieutenant for Havering, was in the borough to open the new Habitat ReStore in Romford, before visiting Hornchurch to pay his respects and lay a poppy wreath at the war memorial in St Andrew’s Cemetery.
His Royal Highness then inspected graves in the memorial garden before joining the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council and other dignitaries at the Hornchurch branch of the Royal British Legion.
This was followed by a visit to the RAF Heritage and education centres in Sutton Lane, Hornchurch.
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The Council’s Rough Sleeping Team joined partners to conduct an overnight count of those sleeping on the streets of Havering last week.
The team continue to help some of the most vulnerable in the borough and the count is another opportunity to respond to the needs of rough sleepers and help individuals who may have rejected earlier support.
On Wednesday 27 November, the Council also hosted a People Sleeping on the Streets Conference at The Salvation Army, Romford.
The conference brought together borough partners, service providers, community members and former rough sleepers to address the challenges around sleeping on the street.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, please share details via Streetlink – a London-wide rough sleeper network that helps in getting them off the streets.
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Mayor of Havering, Councillor Gerry O'Sullivan, joined NHS representatives at a new NHS lung screening facility in the car park at Tesco Extra, Rainham on Monday 25 November.
The facility will provide smokers aged between 55 and 74 years most at risk of lung cancer, to get a free check.
The NHS will be inviting more than 14,000 residents in Havering for a free lung check appointment over the next 12 months.
This is part of a national NHS initiative called the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, and it is now available in Havering for the first time. Picture courtesy of NHS NEL.
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Stay connected with friends and family this winter and tell someone if you are unwell. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Find out more about how the NHS can help you stay well this winter.
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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 - last chance
Have you contacted us recently about a customer service issue? We'd like to hear from you by completing the Customer Satisfaction Survey before it closes tomorrow, Saturday 30 November.
Sharing your experience with us and help us understand where we need to improve.
Active Travel Consultation
Havering Council has launched a comprehensive Active Travel Consultation, aimed at transforming the way we move around our community over the next 15 years.
This initiative seeks to gather valuable insights from residents to promote safer, more sustainable travel options. Residents are encouraged to share their views on current travel habits as well as potential improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure.
The consultation is part of Havering’s broader strategy to reduce car dependency, improve public health, and create a more environmentally-friendly community in which people can get around the borough safely on foot or by bike, if they choose and are able to do so.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on Friday 6 December.
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
This Christmas, escape to a world of pure imagination at the Brookside Theatre with a sensational new musical production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, celebrating 60 years since the book's release - and they're giving away a pair of tickets exclusively to one Living in Havering reader!
It tells the delicious tale of young ‘golden ticket’ winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionery wizard, Willy Wonka. When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he’s always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible and edible delights, five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.
To win a pair of tickets, simply visit the competition page, leave your contact details and answer this simple question (T&Cs apply):
What is name of Willy Wonka's creepy rival that tries to convince the children to steal an Everlasting Gobstopper?
A: Beetlejuice
B: Slugworth
C: Snaketongue
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens will run at Brookside Theatre from Friday 6 December to Monday 23 December. Book your tickets now.
Essex Wildlife Trust is hosting as Wildlife Walk next Saturday 7 December, 10:30am to 12:30pm at Rainham Marsh. Expect to see wintering waders and wildfowl, and raptors. The walk will last approximately two hours, and is suitable for adults and older children. No need to book, just meet at the Rainham Marshes car park, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, Thurrock, RM18 1SZ.
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 The Woodland Trust is also hosting a Wildlife Talk giving background on the work the trust has done to protect the UK's woodland heritage and enhance biodiversity, at Fairkytes Arts Centre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX on Monday 9 December, 2pm to 3:30pm. No need to book in advance, and there is a suggested donation of £5, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits.
Kaleidoscope Romford is hosting its free LGBTQIA+ Christmas Party for young people aged 17 to 24.
Kaleidoscope is a free social space for young LBGTQIA+ people to express themselves in an alcohol-free environment. They run monthly creative workshops in Romford to help young people engage with creative arts and boost their confidence.
The Christmas party takes place in The Mercury Mall, Level Three, on Tuesday 3 December, 5pm to 7pm.
St John's Church in Rainham is hosting a Christmas pantomime, It's A Boy on Saturday 14 December, 1:30pm to 2:45pm. Performed by professional actors from LOL Bear Productions, this funny and engaging show for primary school-aged children features lots of interaction, signing and dun for all. Tickets cost £5 per person and includes light refreshments after the show. To find out more information and get your tickets, visit the website.
Langtons House is hosting a Christmas Open Day on Thursday 5 December, 5pm to 8pm.
If you're looking for a wedding venue, this walk-in event is a great opportunity to see the beautiful ceremony and event rooms at Langtons in all their wedding-day glory. Grab a glass and canapes while taking a look around the grounds, and chat with the experienced registrars who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
For more information, visit the website.
New Windmill Hall is hosting its Annual Christmas Quiz Night on Tuesday 3 December, 7pm to 10pm at New Windmill Hall, St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH. Booking is essential, and each team must consist of six to eight people - if you have fewer people, they will match you with others to make a full group. Tickets cost £5 per person, and you should bring your own food and drink.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Havering, Cllr Gerry O'Sullivan and Mrs Susan O'Sullivan cordially invite you to attend the Mayor of Havering's Christmas Carol Service.
The service takes place on Tuesday 10 December, 7:30pm to 9pm at St Andrews Church, 222 High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 6QP. Mulled wine and mince pies will be services after the service, and there will be a collection for the Mayor's chosen charities, Mind and H.A.D. Please send an email to confirm your place by Monday 9 December.
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You shall go to the ball this Christmas, as the classic panto family favourite Cinderella makes a grand entrance at Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch (QTH).
Cinderella dreams of a glamorous life far removed from the everyday grind of primping and preening her vain sisters, and an invitation to the Prince’s royal ball is just the ticket.
Cinderella runs through to Saturday 4 January. Book your tickets now.
Upminster Methodist Church is once again hosting its annual Christmas Tree Festival in aid of St Francis Hospice. Come along between Saturday 30 November and Sunday 8 December to see over 30 spectacular Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by local groups and businesses. This year's theme is The Great Outdoors and features lots of creative ideas.
Open Saturdays 10am to 4pm, Sundays 12noon to 4pm, and weekdays 2pm to 6pm at Upminster Methodist Church, Hall Lane, Upminster, RM14 1AE.
Romford's Central Park Leisure Centre, operated by Everyone Active, is hosting a charity open day tomorrow, Saturday (30 November), from 9am to 5pm, to mark 20 years of community fitness and wellness.
The day will feature a wide range of activities aimed at bringing the community together while raising funds for Breast Cancer Now, Everyone Active's corporate charity. Visitors can join in the fun for just a £1 donation per activity.
New Dimensions Choir presents its Christmas Concerts 2024, featuring music from Last Christmas to Silent Night, as well as carols for the audience to sing along to. Shows take place on the following dates:
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Tomorrow, Saturday 30 November, 7pm at Havering Road Methodist Church, Moray Way, Romford, RM1 4YD
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Friday 6 December, 7pm at Harold Wood Methodist Church, 1 The Drive, Harold Wood, RM3 0DU
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Sunday 8 December, 7pm All Saints Church, 80 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LG.
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Upcoming road closures
Western Road/Mercury Gardens Service Road in Romford will be closed overnight for a film production, from 2pm on Friday 29 November to 4am on Saturday 30 December.
Fen Lane in Upminster will be closed outside Ladyville Lodge for cabling works, 9:30am to 3:30pm on Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December.
Oaklands Avenue in Romford will be closed at its junctions with Main Road and Mashiters Walk for resurfacing works, 8am to 5pm on Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December. Dickens Way will also be closed at its junction with Oaklands Avenue during the period.
Main Road in Romford will be closed nightly between its junctions with Pettits Lane and Balgores Lane for carriageway resurfacing, 7:30pm to 6am from Monday 2 December to Thursday 5 December. Heath Drive, Gidea Avenue, Lodge Avenue and Lake Rise will also be closed at their junctions with Main Road during this period.
Carfax Road in Hornchurch will be closed between its junctions with Elm Park Avenue and Cowdray Way for carriageway resurfacing, 8am to 5pm on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 6 December.
Singleton Close and Claygate Close in Hornchurch will be closed at their junction with Carfax Road for carriageway resurfacing, 8am to 5pm on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 6 December.
Claygate Close in Hornchurch will be closed at its junction with Carfax Road for carriageway resurfacing, 8am to 5pm on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 6 December.
Station Lane in Hornchurch will be closed nightly between its junctions with Suttons Avenue and High Street for carriageway resurfacing, 7:30pm to 6am from Thursday 5 December to Saturday 7 December. The Avenue, Mavis Grove, and Appleton Way will also be closed at their junctions with Station Lane during this period.
Ongoing road closures
Garland Way in Hornchurch remains closed daily outside number 1a to its junction with Nelmes Way for sewage works, 8am to 4pm until Wednesday 4 December.
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Public transport
Engineering works between Pitsea and Shoeburyness are affecting c2c Basildon and Ockendon line services on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December. Rail replacement services will be in place for affected sections.
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking, and between Barking and Upminster are affecting late night services after 11:30pm on all c2c lines from Monday 2 December to Thursday 5 December.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
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