Friday 6 June 2025
 At Annual Council last month – I reflected on the past year, which has seen the Council face some of its most challenging times. Despite this, through sheer determination and help from our community, we’ve continued to move forward.
Like many Councils across the country, our biggest challenge remains finance. A budget gap that stood at £32.5 million has now grown to £81.9 million over the next four years. This isn’t due to mismanagement—our financial governance has been independently verified as sound—but rather a result of outdated government funding that fails to meet the rising costs of social care and homelessness. With one of London’s oldest populations and one of the fastest-growing young people population in the UK, the pressure is immense.
These constraints have forced us to make some difficult decisions. While the closure of three libraries was difficult, we remain committed to a strong library service and enhancing other community services in affected areas.
We’ve also continued to be proactive in lobbying for change—campaigning for fairer funding, better transport infrastructure, and launching a budget petition to rally resident support. Positive developments include the Superloop extension, imminent improvements at Gallows Corner, and progress on a new Beam Park station.
On housing, we’ve delivered new homes such as the Park Rise development and innovative temporary accommodation. The Harold Hill redevelopment is underway, including a new Family Welcome Centre.
For our young people, we’ve invested £66 million in school expansion and continue to improve children’s services following last year’s Ofsted inspection. We’re proud that most pupils received their first-choice school placements.
We’ve also listened to residents. Clean and safe streets led to the launch of our Where We Live campaign, where we want to bring back pride in our neighbourhoods. Our Keep it Local initiative is aimed at supporting our local shopping areas and businesses in Havering.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue to fight for Havering—bringing in investment, jobs, and skills, to support our economy. We’ll keep listening, remain open, honest and transparent, and work with our communities to deliver the services they value.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate Cllr Sue Ospreay (pictured) who has been elected as the new Mayor of Havering.
I am sure Sue will work tirelessly to support the borough, our residents and her chosen charity, the MCA Trust, over the coming year.
Best wishes,
Cllr Ray Morgon
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Planning permission has been granted for the 18 modular homes on the Waterloo and Queen Street Estate in Romford, marking a milestone for the pilot project aimed at transforming temporary housing across London.
The scheme is part of the wider regeneration joint venture between Havering Council and Wates Residential that will deliver up to 5,000 new homes across the borough. It also represents a bold step in London’s wider efforts to tackle spiralling housing costs and demand, particularly for vulnerable families living in unsuitable temporary accommodation like hotels and hostels.
There are currently 61,000 households in the capital living in temporary accommodation, costing London boroughs £114 million every month. These modular homes represent a practical, high-quality solution for councils in the short term. Built to the same standards as permanent housing, the homes will include modern amenities, private bedrooms, family bathrooms, and kitchen and living spaces, helping restore stability to those facing housing insecurity.
Havering’s modular homes are hoped to be installed this year and are designed to be able to be moved to other sites in the borough once the final phase of the regeneration project is complete. This flexible approach ensures that the homes continue to deliver value where they are needed most.
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 Havering Council is flying the Progress Pride flag to mark Pride Month 2025.
The Deputy Mayor of Havering, Cllr Barry Mugglestone, joined staff and community representatives on Monday 2 June 2025 at Havering Town Hall, Romford, to raise the flag and mark the beginning of Pride Month.
Pride Month is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to society.
The month is also an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and for everyone to stand in solidarity with their fight for equality, acceptance, and human rights.
Next month the Council is proud to be attending Pride in London again, where Council staff, councillors and partners will be joining hundreds of other councils and organisations in celebrating Pride and promoting acceptance and inclusivity in Havering.
Locally, Romford Pride 2025 takes place on Saturday 28 June (12noon to 5pm) at Romford Market. The event organised by Kaleidoscope is free and accessible to everyone.
 National Highways and Historic England have signed a landmark agreement to protect and promote England’s heritage, which will include buildings such as the Upminster Tithe Barn.
Havering Council Leader Ray Morgon and Councillor Barry Mugglestone were present at the recently restored barn in Hall Lane, on Monday 2 June as the Chief Executives of National Highways and Historic England signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the historic venue (pictured above).
The repair of Upminster Tithe Barn was funded with the Council contributing £142,645, along with a grant of £650,000 from National Highways via the Lower Thames Crossing scheme and an additional grant of £97,664 awarded by Historic England.
The works included full re-thatching, plus structural timber and brickwork repairs to the building.
With the completion of the repair works now done, there was more good news as Historic England confirmed the barn will also be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register.
Check out the time-lapse video to see the fantastic restoration of the barn.
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Where We Live - Enforcement crackdown in force
Enforcement and community safety is part of Havering Council’s flagship campaign Where We Live.
Residents and community groups are being encouraged to work with the Council to help make the borough a cleaner and safer place to be, including reporting issues in these areas, so action can be taken by the Council’s community safety and enforcement teams and the police.
Last week saw the Council’s enforcement team and the Havering Joint Task Force police officers (S92s) and Essex Police join up to work together, taking action against fly-tippers, unlicensed waste carriers and those dumping abandoned vehicles.
As part of Operation Fume, they identified fly-tipping offenders who have been coming into Havering from other parts of Essex.
The operation was a big success as the teams were able to confirm the location, address and vehicles connected to recent large scale fly tipping in the Rainham area. Investigations are currently ongoing.
They also identified three vehicles in the borough that had been marked as abandoned. This anti-social behaviour is a blight on the lives of residents when the vehicles are dumped and left close to where they live.
Enforcement action will now be taken against the registered keepers of the vehicles found, which can include the vehicle owner paying costs for the removal of it, a penalty notice or prosecution. You can report abandoned vehicles on the website.
The Havering Joint Taskforce or S92s as they are also known, includes five officers funded by Havering Council, to help tackle crime across the borough.
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 To celebrate , the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Sue Ospreay, presented awards and certificates to local volunteers at a ceremony that recognised their hard work and continued efforts.
Those awarded by the Mayor of Havering were:
- Members of the Resident Participation Panel
- Members of Havering Green Streets
- Members of the Harold Hill Wombles
- Members of the Gidea Park Wombles
- Members of the Romford Wombles
- Havering Volunteer Centre Managers
Thanks to all the volunteers for playing a crucial role in helping the Council keep our streets, estates and parks clean and green. Thanks also to our sponsor Elm Site Services who helped make this event possible.
Havering will once again show appreciation this Armed Forces Day, Saturday 28 June 2025, with a parade starting at 10.30am on South Street's junction with Arcade Place, finishing at Havering Town Hall, Romford.
Among those marching will be currently serving troops, veterans and cadets, as well as Service families.
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 A huge thank you to Elm Site Services who are supporting this event.
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Havering Libraries are looking for volunteers aged 13 years and older to support the Summer Reading Challenge in all of our libraries.
The role involves listening to children talk about the books they have read as part of the nationwide reading initiative.
You can give as much time as you want in two hour sessions and it’s a great way to learn valuable new skills. Apply online at www.havering.gov.uk/volunteer or contact any library for further information.
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 Tickets are still available for this Sunday’s Langtons Summer Concert (8 June).
Tickets via the Queen's Theatre Box Office are available until 12noon tomorrow, Saturday 7 June.
Doors open at 1.30pm on Sunday 8 June, with any remaining tickets only available to buy on the day of the concert at the main entrance at Langtons House from 1.30pm.
Please note Keswick Avenue entrance will be for pre-booked tickets only, tickets cannot be purchased from this entrance.
Havering local radio station, Time 107.5FM, celebrated a huge win recently with the publication of the official listening figures from RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd).
Figures showed that Time 107.5 had the highest average listening hours per listener than any other radio station in the UK, with 15.5 average hours per listener.
Time FM is a big asset to our borough and works with the Council regularly - whether it be as media partner at the Small Business Awards, helping us to recruit foster carers or hosting Council Leader - Ray Morgon - once a month to answer residents' questions live on-air (pictured). They also do a lot to help the local community through their Give a Child a Christmas and Be a Good Egg appeals.
Mark Dover, Time 107.5FM Station Manager, said:
"I’m so proud that we have a radio station that is located and broadcasting in Havering that people clearly love.
"The recent official audience research listening figures by RAJAR show that we had an increase in the amount of people that listen, however what’s really impressive is that we have the highest average listening hours in the whole of the UK.
"It's a great feeling to know that when people find us they stay listening to us."
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As my time as the Mayor of Havering came to a close on Wednesday 21 May, I find myself reflecting on a journey filled with meaningful experiences, inspiring people, and an unwavering sense of community.
Serving in this role has been both an honour and a privilege, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.
Throughout my tenure, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with incredible individuals and organisations that help to drive positive change in our borough.
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Measles can be a serious infection that can lead to complications, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems.
The NHS are reminding parents on what signs and symptoms to look out for and what to do if they think their child has measles.
The free MMR vaccine can prevent measles. It also protects you from mumps and rubella.
Ask your GP surgery if you're not sure you or your child have had the vaccine.
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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):
- Saturday 7 June (10:30am to 3:30pm) - Harold Hill Library, 19a Farnham Road, RM3 8ED
- Friday 13 June (10am to 3pm) - Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, RM11 1TB
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 Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating Eid al-Adha in Havering this weekend.
 We're always looking for help to improve services across the borough. This section of the newsletter features live consultations from the Council and partners so you can share your thoughts.
Have your say on all live Council consultations through our website.
East London Joint Waste Plan Consultation
Consultation is now open to determine how waste is strategically managed in East London.
Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Redbridge will be consulting on the ‘Proposed Submission East London Joint Waste Plan’, setting out how waste should be managed in East London until 2041.
The Plan outlines how waste can be managed sustainably in East London; will ensure that there will be enough capacity to manage waste; and that waste facilities are located in the right areas to reduce the impact on local communities and the natural environment.
The Plan also includes policies on how developers should consider the management of waste during demolition and construction of buildings, and when a development is occupied.
The consultation closes on Monday 30 June.
Balgores Special School engagement
Public engagement on plans for a new 300-pupil SEND school for Havering is taking place online.
The new special school on the Balgores Fields in Gidea Park would provide education for pupils aged 4-19 who have autism and complex learning needs.
Residents can see the plans and share their views at www.balgoresschoolconsultation.co.uk. The school planning team can also be contacted directly, via 01926 298895 or balgoresschool@hattonplanning.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. Please note that we cannot guarantee entries. If you'd like to discuss paid-for advertising, please contact our marketing team.
The Guildonian Players are performing Goodnight Mister Tom at The Little Theatre.
Set in 1939, Goodnight Mister Tom is about an evacuee sent from London to the countryside, and the friendship he develops with Mister Tom and Sammy the Dog.
The show runs from 8pm on Wednesday 11 June to Saturday 14 June, at The Little Theatre, Methodist Church, The Drive, Harold Wood, RM3 0DU. Book your tickets on the website.
St James' Church on Chase Cross Road is hosting a Summer Fayre on Saturday 7 June from 10:30am to 3pm. There will be a BBQ, stalls selling local items and plants, cakes, a raffle and more.
A member of Havering’s waste and recycling team will be at the Mercury Mall, Romford, on Saturday 7 June, 11am-3pm. They will be giving advice on reducing waste including food waste, home composting, reusable nappies and more.
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.
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The Lower Thames Crossing team is hosting a series of Engagement Events in the area, asking residents to discuss preparations for the upcoming works, and ask for feedback on plans.
The events are taking place on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday 11 June, 3pm to 8pm - Upminster Methodist Church, Upminster, RM14 1AE
- Thursday 12 June, 3pm to 8pm - Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, RM16 3HS
- Tuesday 17 June, 3pm to 8pm - Brandon Groves Community Club, Brandon Groves Avenue, South Ockendon, RM15 6SB
- Thursday 19 June, 10am to 5pm - Baytree Shopping Centre, Brentwood, CM14 4BX
- Friday 27 June, 3pm to 8pm, Chadwell St Mary Village Hall, Waterson Road, Grays, RM20 2ZP
The Arts Society Havering is hosting the lecture From Claridge’s Hotel to the London Underground: The Life and Work of Textile Designer, Marion Dorn. The talk will explore Dorn's work dating from the 1920s to the 1960s.
The event takes place at New Windmill Hall Upminster RM14 2QH, on Tuesday 10 June at 10:15am.
Tickets cost £8. Visit the website for more information.
All Saints Church is hosting its 16th Annual Flower Festival. The festival will feature floral displays in the church, with this year's theme being TV Programmes. Refreshments and children's activities will also be available.
The festival takes place at All Saints Church, Ardleigh Green, on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June from 10am to 4pm.
Elm Park Horticultural Guild is hosting its Summer Show and Plant Sale to celebrate its 88th Anniversary.
The event will take place at St Alban's Church, Langdale Gardens, Elm Park, RM12 5JX, on Saturday 14 June, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. There will be displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables, exhibits of floral artwork and photography, as well as homemade cakes and refreshments, and plenty of activities for the children.
Havering Over 50s Forum are holding a Community Event in conjunction with the Queen’s Theatre and Havering Dementia Action Alliance. The event takes place at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch RM11 1QT, on Wednesday 18 June, from 11am to 3pm.
Entry is free with refeshments available. Visit the website for more information.
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Upcoming road closures
Aveley Road in Upminster will be closed daily from its junction with Park Farm Road to its junction with Gerpins Lane for resurfacing works, 8am to 3pm from Monday 9 June to Wednesday 11 June. Park Farm Road will also be closed at its junction with Berwick Pond Road to Aveley Road, and Harwood Hall Lane will be closed at its junction with Aveley Road during this period.
Clockhouse Lane in Romford will be closed overnight at its junctions with Firbank Road and St Johns Road for telecoms maintenance, from 9pm on Tuesday 10 June to 5am on Wednesday 11 June.
Severn Drive in Upminster will be closed daily between its junctions with Avon Road for carriageway resurfacing works, 9:30am to 3pm from Wednesday 11 June to Friday 13 June, and 9:30am to 3pm on Monday 16 June.
Fleet Avenue in Upminster will be closed at its western junction with Avon Road for resurfacing works, 9:30am to 3pm on Wednesday 11 June. It will then be closed at its eastern junction with Severn Drive from 9:30am to 3pm on Thursday 12 June.
Humber Drive (north) in Upminster will be closed at its junction with Severn Drive for resurfacing works, 9:30am to 3pm on Thursday 12 June.
Fourth Road, Stour Way, Iris Drive and Clyde Crescent in Upminster will all be closed at their junctions with Severn Drive for resurfacing works, 9:30am to 3pm on Friday 13 June.
Clyde Crescent and Humber Drive (south) in Upminster will both be closed at their junctions with Severn Drive for resurfacing works, 9:30am to 3pm on Monday 16 June.
Nelmes Way in Hornchurch will be closed for maintenance works outside and opposite number 7, between 8am and 6pm from Monday 16 June to Friday 20 June.
Dorian Road in Hornchurch will be closed between its junctions with Albany Road and Candover Road for resurfacing works, 8am to 5pm from Tuesday 17 June to Friday 20 June.
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.
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Public transport
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking are affecting all c2c line services on Sunday 8 June:
- The c2c Basildon and Rainham lines will be diverted to Liverpool Street, calling at Stratford but not calling at Limehouse or West Ham.
- The c2c Ockendon line will not run between Upminster and Grays - rail replacement services will be in place.
Engineering works between Fenchurch Street and Barking are affecting evening services after 8:45pm on all c2c lines from Monday 9 June to Thursday 12 June.
Check the website for full details on all c2c service changes.
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