Friday 10 January 2025
 As we head into a new year, it’s important to consider the challenges we have ahead of us. Before Christmas, the Government announced its settlement figures for local authorities – this is the money provided by the Government for Councils to run statutory services which are those that we must provide by law. And once again, it appears Havering’s plight has been ignored.
Despite our well-documented financial crisis stemming from chronic underfunding and the huge cost of social care and homelessness, Havering has lost out. The Government set aside additional grant money to councils who are most in need, but this is still being based on the out of date government funding formula, using data well over a decade old.
These grants are focussed on councils with high deprivation and lower Council Tax payments, rather than looking at the challenges that each Council faces. Because of underfunding and raising costs, we have had no choice but to raise Council Tax by the maximum level each year to try to counteract this underfunding.
We have tried to do the right thing year-on-year by making cuts and becoming more efficient, and independent analysis has shown that we are one of the most productive Councils in the UK and have one of the lowest unit costs in all of outer London, but still we get penalised and we are now at the point where we have very little to cut if at all. As a result, our residents are having to pay higher Council Tax to keep much needed services going.
Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent budget consultation. Your feedback will be used to guide us with the difficult choices we will need to make to present a balanced budget for 2025/26 – which we must do by law. But we still need your help. The funding system needs to change, and we will continue to lobby the Government for urgent action. Please take some time to sign our petition online demanding a fairer deal from Government, and if you can, please write to your MP and ask them to continue fighting for their constituents. As always, I will keep you updated on our budget issues, and any actions we take, as they happen.
Best wishes,
Ray
Cllr Ray Morgon
Leader, Havering Council
Councillor Paul McGeary and Councillor Graham Williamson recently visited the construction site at the new Family Welcome Centre in Harold Hill to see the significant progress that has been made.
Under the plans, the welcome centre will consist of 74 self-contained dwellings in a variety of sizes, with the largest size accommodating up to eight family members and will replace the borough’s existing hostels.
Designed as a U-shaped building, a landscaped central courtyard will sit at the heart of the centre, creating an attractive and secure space for families including play areas for children. Internally, the centre will include several shared spaces, such as recreational spaces for residents and families, as well as support facilities and private areas.
Once completed, the welcome centre will provide essential urgent accommodation to those who have been made homeless, and will help the Council reduce costs on expensive temporary accommodation like hotels and bed and breakfasts.
The Welcome Centre forms part of phase one of the Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan, which also includes Chippenham Road (phase two) and Farnham and Hilldene (Phase three) regeneration.
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January is a good time to turn over a new leaf and start looking after yourself.
For a healthier start to your year, you can take the following simple steps:
- Boost your physical and mental health through exercise
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay connected
Find out the simple things you can do to improve your health and wellbeing by visiting the NHS website.
Want help getting back on track with your weight loss goals? Live Healthier Havering is a free and inclusive weight management support service brought to you by Everyone Active.
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From better sleep and a mental health boost, to saving money and time, there's a whole lot to gain from the Dry January® challenge.
Double your chances of having a totally alcohol-free month with the free Try Dry® app for a total body and mind reset.
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Rubbish and recycling collections go back to normal next week, from Monday 13 January.
Residents should leave their waste outside from 7am on their usual day of collection. All your collection dates and other information can be found online.
If you still have extra packaging left over from the festive period, remember to fold any cardboard and place it neatly alongside or in between your sacks. If there is extra bottles and glass, please remember not to overfill your recycling bags.
Find out what goes in what sack on the website.
Recycling real Christmas trees
If you still have a real Christmas tree to recycle and are a garden waste customer, then you can cut your tree in half and place it in your green bin with the lid closed on your collection day. If not, please take it to Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre to be recycled.
Coffee pod recycling
If you use coffee pods, remember you can sign up for the Podback service for them to be collected in separate bags alongside your black and orange sacks every week as part of your waste and recycling collections.
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With cold weather, rain and snow on the horizon, it's important to stay on the look out for potentially blocked drains.
Havering's environment teams carry out regular gutter cleaning, but this time of year lots of leaves and mud collects quickly.
If you spot a drain that needs cleaning and could cause a flood, please let us know as soon as possible. Report this online so we can get a team out to investigate.
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Do you know an unsung hero who has gone above and beyond to better their borough?
Or someone whose achievements are helping to make Havering a better place to live, work or study? We want to hear about them.
Make a nomination to the Mayor of Havering’s Civic Awards and help recognise, celebrate and reward the special people of our borough.
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A Planning application for a 0.26 acre plot of land in an established residential location in Bedale Road, Harold Hill, has been earmarked for housing development.
The site, which is still subject to planning approval, proposes four 4-bedroom houses for sale.
It is one of the sites identified for planning purposes with a view to its subsequent disposal, under the Asset Disposal Programme 2022- 2028, agreed by Cabinet in August 2023.
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Romford Police Station will be temporarily closing its front office for refurbishment to create a safer and more pleasant environment for staff and visitors, from next Friday (17 January) until mid May 2025.
During this time, Police Public Access Officers (PAOs) will be available for support at Hornchurch Police Station, which will be converted to open 24 hours a day.
Those looking to report a crime in person will be redirected to Hornchurch Police Station.
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Works are continuing on the major restoration of Tithe Barn, Upminster.
Havering Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Gillian Ford, along with other councillors, joined partners and contractors on a visit recently to take a look at the progress.
The works include full re-thatching and structural timber and brickwork repairs to the building, plus works to help reduce water damage.
Funding for the £650,000 works comes from National Highways via the Lower Thames Crossing scheme and a grant awarded by Historic England earlier this year.
Protecting and securing the barn is part of a shared partnership between National Highways, Havering Council and Historic England. The building itself has been dated by dendrochronology analysis to 1430-1450, and is a Scheduled Monument. It is one of the earliest surviving buildings in the borough.
The project of works are being carried out for the partnership by Lexden Contracts, alongside specialist consultants from Purcell UK, Stace LLP and Conisbee.
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Are you thinking about trying something new for 2025?
Would you like to use your spare time to befriend a young person in care, or mentor a young person who needs a some support in reaching their goals?
Havering’s Early Help Service are looking for volunteer Independent Visitors and Young People’s Mentors. Training for these roles will run over four evenings from 6pm to 8pm on Wednessay 15, Wednesday 22, and Wednesday 29 January, and Wednesday 5 February.
Information about these and other volunteer roles, as well as contact details and how to register, can be found on the website.
Volunteering in Havering | Havering Directory
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The following NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available in Havering with no booking required.
Check your eligibility by visiting winter vaccinations and winter health - NHS.
- Monday 13 January (2pm to 6pm), Raphael House, Pettits Lane, RM1 4HP
- Tuesday 14 January (10am to 2pm), Hope Café, 80-84 Market Place, RM1 3ER
- Wednesday 15 January (10am to 2pm), Hope Café, 80-84 Market Place, RM1 3ER
- Thursday 16 January (2pm to 6pm), Hornchurch Library, 44 North St, RM11 1TB
- Friday 17 January (2pm to 6pm), Raphael House, Petits Lane, RM1 4HP (Children's Clinic)
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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.
Havering Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy consultation
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a key aspect to making Havering a safer place to live. We want to hear from you on your knowledge and understanding of VAWG and the ways we can support you.
VAWG is deeply linked to gender inequality and can have a huge impact on individuals and society. While most victims/survivors are women and girls, people of any gender can experience these types of abuse.
The consultation closes on Friday 17 January.
Tidal Thames Masterplan
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is asking for input on its Tidal Thames Masterplan, which seeks to increase the river's use for communities, businesses, and recreation, as well as enhancing its natural environment.
The Tidal Thames Masterplan, once complete, aims to become an essential guide for investment across all the 22 local authority areas along the river’s banks.
The PLA are calling on communities in Havering to share their ideas and ambitions for the River Thames in their area. They are encouraging people who live in Havering to think about what they want from their riverside and if there is anything that should be included in the plans.
The consultation is now open and will be running for a period of eight weeks, until Tuesday 11 February.
Please click the link below to visit the Masterplan website where you can leave comments. Alternatively, please send any comments or feedback to thamesmasterplan@pla.co.uk.
 To submit events for possible inclusion in this section of the newsletter, please use the form on our website or send an email
The Dragon Theatre Company
presents Rapunzel, a 'hair-larious' traditional pantomime that’s crammed full of fun.
Many years ago, the King and Queen of a far off Kingdom were blessed with a baby girl with magical, golden hair. They named her Rapunzel.
Their happiness was short-lived as one day the jealous, evil witch Mother Gothel kidnapped the child and locked her in a tower, selfishly squandering all her powers for herself. With the help of local hairdresser Dame Fanny Follicle, her silly son Pascal and the dashing Prince Ryder, will Rapunzel ever escape her tower?
Complete with songs and audience participation, tasty refreshments, and a chance to meet and greet the characters, we’re offering a family friendly evening to remember.
Dragon Theatre Company is putting on multiple shows at Havering Road Methodist Church Hall, Moray Way, Rise Park, RM1 4YD from Thursday 23 January to Saturday 25 January. Book your place online now.
Romford Museum is holding a talk on The Household Cavalry on Saturday 25 January, 13:30pm to 3pm. Derek Redding from the Household Cavalry Museum will be sharing the amazing history and accomplishments of the regime which includes a ceremonial guard role and an armoured reconnaissance unit.
Book your tickets online, at the museum, or by calling 01708 766571.
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 Looking for a new social activity for 2025? Get involved in Havering Dance Classes for Adults.
Sessions are available to book now, running from January to March. With genres including Latin and Ballroom, Popular Sequence and Modern Line Dancing, there is something for everyone. Classes are available in ten week blocks, with prices starting at £59. Book your place online now.
Havering Antique Collectors Club is hosting its next monthly meeting next Friday (17 July) with BBC Antiques Roadshow star Paul Atterbury. Paul will be speaking about his 40 years on the show and his experiences with antiques.
The talk will take place at Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, Gubbins Lane, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
The Arts Society Havering is hosting its next lecture, Tintoretto "Il Furioso": Painter for the People by Julia Musgrave.
In sixteenth century Venice, Tintoretto produced work so quickly that he was nicknamed 'Il Furioso (The Furious)". The talk takes place at New Windmill Hall, St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH on Tuesday 14 January, 10:15am to 12noon. Tickets cost £8 for non-members.
Romford BID is celebrating Chinese New Year in style, welcoming in the Year of the Wood Snake with a range of free family-friendly activities in Romford Town Centre.
The festivities take place on Saturday 25 January from 12noon until 4pm, and include a selection of live shows and performances, music and drumming, and calligraphy and origami classes. There will also be delicious Chinese cuisine on offer in the Market Place and Romford Shopping Hall.
Read more information on the Romford BID website.
Thames Chase Forest Centre is hosting a Winter Wellbeing Day on Saturday 18 January from 10am to 4pm. This is the perfect opportunity to reset, recharge and renew your energy after Christmas.
There are a range of activities on offer, including Nordic walking, forest bathing, strolls, meditation and yoga. No booking required, just show up on the day. Read more information on the website.
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Upcoming road closures
Upminster Road North in Rainham will be closed opposite Greenacres Close for street light maintenance, 9:30am to 3:30pm on Tuesday 14 January.
Station Lane in Hornchurch will be closed overnight between its junctions with Suttons Avenue and High Steet for carriageway resurfacing works, from 7:30pm on Tuesday 14 January to 6am on Wednesday 15 January. The Avenue, Mavis Grove, and Appleton Way will all be closed at their junctions with Station Lane during the period.
Ongoing road closures
There are currently no ongoing road closures this week.
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Public transport
Engineering work between Liverpool Street and Barking is affecting morning services on the c2c Basildon line before 10:45am on Sunday 12 January.
Due to engineering works between Barking and Grays via Rainham, the c2c Rainham line will not run on Sunday 12 January.
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Upminster are affecting late night services on all c2c lines after 11:30pm from Monday 13 January until Thursday 16 January.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
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