Havering has elected a new Mayor for 2025/2026 following the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 21 May.

Councillor Sue Ospreay, ward councillor for Rainham & Wennington and previously Deputy Mayor for 2024/2025, replaces Councillor Gerry O’Sullivan as Mayor of Havering.

Councillor Barry Mugglestone, who represents Elm Park ward, has been named Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Sue Ospreay said:

“It’s such a privilege to have been elected as Mayor of Havering.

"I am looking forward to beginning my work as Mayor, and supporting the borough throughout this next year.

“Thanks for trusting me with this role; I will strive to be the people's Mayor.”

The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Sue Ospreay, has announced the mayoral charity she will be supporting and fundraising for over the coming year.

The chosen charity is the MCA Trust who provide support for local children with cancer and their families.

Our fostering team had an amazing time walking through the centre of Romford last Wednesday to mark Foster Care Fortnight 2025 (12 to 25 May).

It was an opportunity to highlight that Havering has children in care who are in need of a home and that there is an urgent need for more people to come forward to foster. The walk was received well by the locals in the community. 

The team also stopped by the Time 107.5FM studio, where they had given a talk about fostering the week before. 

They were joined by Havering foster carers, Councillor Oscar Ford, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, and the Council Leader, Cllr Ray Morgon.

If you think you could foster a child and would like to find out more, visit www.havering.gov.uk/fostering or call 020 8496 3437 and ask to foster for Havering Council.

If you are a postal voter and have recently been contacted by Havering Election Services, you are required to reapply in order to continue voting by post. You may have received an email from elections@havering.gov.uk, or a letter providing instructions on how to complete the reapplication process.

The Elections Act 2022 introduced changes to the process for applying for a postal vote for applications submitted from 31 October 2023 onwards. Under the new regulations, all postal vote applications must include the applicant's full name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, and signature.

If you do not reapply by the deadline, your postal vote will be cancelled. After this you will only be able to vote in person at a polling station until you make a successful reapplication to vote by post.

To reapply, please visit the website, or contact the Elections Office at 01708 432 444 or email elections@havering.gov.uk to request a paper application form.

Keep it Local is Havering Council's campaign aimed at encouraging residents to hit the high streets and town centres, and support their local businesses. 

The campaign calls on residents to prioritise shopping, dining, and using businesses, services and tradespeople within the borough and its high streets.

We are committed to sharing the great news and stories from local businesses that are doing their bit to make the shopping experience even better for residents.

This week, we're looking at Mercury Mall in Romford, which has recently changed management and hit the ground running with significant transformations to the facilities to reflect their ongoing commitment to providing a safer, cleaner, and more welcoming environment for all visitors.

In recent weeks, the car park has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme, addressing years of underinvestment and delivering major improvements to the overall user experience. From deep cleaning and fresh redecoration to essential repairs and restoration, every aspect has been carefully upgraded. New lighting and signage have been installed to enhance visibility, safety, and wayfinding, while drainage systems have been improved to ensure better performance in all weather conditions.

A key part of this transformation was the complete overhaul of the car park management system. The previous system was unreliable, offered limited payment options, and lacked digital capabilities, prompting the need for a modern solution. In its place, they’ve introduced a free-flowing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, supported by six new Pay Stations, enabling a seamless pay-on-exit experience.

This upgrade removes the need for physical tickets and barriers, instead using vehicle registration numbers to calculate and process payment. The result is a smoother customer journey, with multiple convenient payment options, reduced congestion at exits, and a system that’s far more reliable and user-friendly.

Got a story you want to share for your business? Let us know by sending an email and help us encourage residents to Keep It Local.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is offering free home safety checks.

The checks start with an online survey that help the LFB assess the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. They will then offer advice on improving fire safety, or arrange to carry out an in-person assessment of the home.

We are encouraging residents, particularly those with elderly or vulnerable relatives, to take advantage of this free service and ensure your homes are as safe as possible from the risk of fire.

Read more

Thanks to all our small businesses that have entered this year’s Small Business Awards, and to the public for nominating their favourites.

We’ve had a great turnout as usual in all but one of the categories – Best Shopfront. Due to the low number of entries we’ve decided to reopen that category only.

If you’re a Havering Small Business with a gorgeous shopfront, or you’re a customer that admires the effort that your local businesses put into the front of their shops, get nominating!

We need you to send the business name, full address and a photo of the shopfront along with your full name, postcode and phone number to smallbusinessawards@havering.gov.uk by 3pm on Friday 30 May.

The businesses that have qualified for the next round will be notified within the next couple of weeks.

Read more

Havering Libraries are collecting used school uniform donations from across the borough. The School Uniform initiative has started this week in all libraries across Havering.

If you have pre-loved school wear that you'd like to donate, please bring it you your nearest library. Please note, we cannot take underwear, socks or shoes.

There will be a rail in each library so people can browse and take what they need. The initiative will run through the summer, and is a brilliant way to help others and recycle at the same time.

We are encouraging residents to hold street parties to celebrate VJ Day 80.

Even though VJ Day 80 on Friday 15 August 2025 is not a public holiday, you can apply to hold a street party either the weekend prior, or following, the official anniversary.

Road closure charges will be waivered for successful applicants. More information on how to apply for a street party and guidance for applicants can be found online.

Applications will close on Friday 27 June.

Apply now

Time is running out to renew your London Councils Freedom Pass, which may have expired at the end of March.

Freedom Pass provides Londoners over the age of 66 and those with eligible disabilities free public transport across the capital and on local buses across England. Around 500,000 Freedom Passes expired on Monday 31 March. 

If you, or someone you know, have moved but not informed London Councils, or have not used the pass in the last two years, please check your email inbox and junk mail as you may have been contacted with instructions about how to renew the Freedom Pass using the online portal, which will remain open until Friday 30 May.

If you have not received an email or letter, please contact info@freedompass.org to discuss your next steps.

The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to those who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus – including those aged 75 and over, residents of care homes for older adults, and those with a weakened immune system (until 17 June 2025).

If eligible, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. To book, visit the NHS App, the NHS website or call 119 for free.

In Havering, you can also visit the following free NHS walk-in clinics (over 18s only):

• 30 May (10am to 3pm) - Harold Hill Library, 19a Farnham Road, RM3 8ED
• 31 May (10am to 3pm) - Raphael House, Pettits Lane, RM1 4HP

Check eligibility

This May Half Term book a slot for children’s activities (£6 per session) at MyPlace Youth & Community Centre, 343 Dagnam Park Drive, RM3 9EN.

• Wednesday 28 May - Musical Theatre (1-3pm) ages 5 to 12 years old
• Thursday 29 May - Clown School (1-3pm) ages 4 to 12 years old
• Friday 30 May - Plate Spinning, Diablo Spinning, Stilt Walking & Parachute Games (1-3pm) ages 4 to 12 years old

Call 01708 376004 or email MyPlace@havering.gov.uk to book.

A ‘Recreate Treasures From The Thames’ modelling workshop is being held this half term at Fairkytes Arts Centre on Tuesday 29 May between 10am to 3pm.

The session will involve creating your own 3D model that has been inspired by historical artefacts that you can take home.

Participants must be over 10 years old and it costs £14 per person.

Bookings and payments can be made by calling 01708 433860 or via email.

Havering Museum is hosting a brand new exhibition entitled Local Music Scene 1950s - 1960s. This fun and vibrant exhibition celebrates the local music scene from the era including venues, famous artists, and the fashions that followed.

The exhibition is available until Wednesday 28 June, and is included as part of the normal museum entry price. There are limited access times so check the website in advance for more details.

Come along for a Creative Health Takeover at The Mercury Mall, in partnership with Dicing with Life. Take part in a community mural, get free support and information on a range of health and wellbeing topics, listen to live music from local performers, and even get free health checks. The event takes place on Saturday 7 June, 11am to 3pm. 

Harold Hill Bowls Club is hosting an Open Fun Day Fete at the Bowls Pavilion, Noak Hill Road, RM3 7FL. Head along for games on the green, craft stalls, hot rolls and a bouncy castle.

The event takes place tomorrow, Saturday 24 May, 11am to 3pm and all ages are welcome.

Upcoming road closures 

Cherry Tree Lane in Rainham will be closed daily at its junction with Rainham Road (southbound) for telecoms pole installation, 8am to 6pm from Tuesday 27 May to Thursday 29 May.

Heath Park Road in Romford will be closed outside number 164 for carriageway patching, 9:30am to 3pm on Thursday 29 May.

Gallows Corner updates

TfL has confirmed that from Monday 23 June, Gallows Corner junction will be closed to all traffic (except emergency vehicles, black cabs and TfL buses) for the flyover renewal project. TfL will issue more information and travel advice in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, preliminary works continue at the Gallows Corner junction. There is currently a series of temporary lane restrictions on the A127 Southend Arterial Road and A12 Eastern Avenue to/from Gallows Corner roundabout. These will reduce road widths from two lanes down to one.

All routes - including the flyover - remain open, except for some overnight closures. There are walking route diversions.

Major roads, approach roads and local roads will be very busy, so expect traffic queues and long delays. There is likely to be less disruption before 7:30am and after 7pm.

You can read more about the closures online.