Woolworths - Collier Row

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association are very concerned about the future of Woolworths in Collier Row, following the announcement tonight that the company has gone into administration after failing to find a buyer.

Woolworths have been a major player in Collier Row for years, the company is 99 years old and they have been in Collier Row for as long as any of us can recall. They are the second biggest retailer in the Town, in size, only behind Tesco.

Cllr Mann said "The loss of Woolworths to Collier Row would have huge implications for the Town, it is one of the biggest retailers we have and has the affect of drawing in a huge amount of people, not forgetting the loss of jobs for local people who work there"

We understand that the branch will continue trading whilst the administrators try to find a buyer for the business. Havering has a high number of Woolworths shops in the Borough, with branches at Harold Hill, Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford and Elm park.

Free Light Bulbs and Heating grants

Since we ran details about the Warm Front scheme 12 months ago, we have been contacted by residents that have received money off their heating repairs and replacements.

Mrs T of Bartlow Gardens said “I had just turned 60 and was amazed to learn that I could get £300 of my boiler repairs, which were carried out by Boilerchange of Hornchurch. (For more information you can contact Ray Coomer of Boilerchange direct, on 01708 477 146)

If you are receiving benefits, you can claim up to £2,700 towards a new central heating system. Mr B of Collier Row said “It was only because I read about the scheme in the Residents Association newsletter that I knew about it, thanks very much as you have saved me a fortune”.

More details are available at http://www.warmfront.co.uk/ or call free phone 0800 316 2805.

We again have another stock of Low Energy light bulbs that we are giving away to residents in North Romford free of charge. They come in packs of two and if you would like a pack please write to us, or e-mail with your name and address and we will deliver them to your house.

Please write to:

CRM Residents Association
380 Havering Road
Romford
Essex
RM1 4DE

or e-mail: haveringpark@hotmail.co.uk

Local Police News

Both the Havering Park and Mawneys Ward Safer Neighbourhood Teams have a published a local newsletter about the work and activities they are currently taking part in.

Havering Park Ward
The current ward priorities are youth and racial anti-social behaviour, anti social behaviour caused by motorists / motor bikes in parks (such as Bedfords and Havering Country parks) and Burglary. The team are also targeting graffiti in Collier Row, collection information on tags.

Click Here for the Havering Park Newsletter

Mawneys Ward
The team have been tackling burglaries on the ward, particularly between midday and early evening, also on the list of priorities is anti social behaviour in Collier Row town centre, working with the local authority they have been issuing acceptable behaviour contracts to youths causing trouble. The team also supported the soul in the city event with the Good Shepherd church, the event was a held in Lawns Park early in the year.

Click Here for the Mawneys Newsletter

Chelmsford Avenue Playsite

Following a consultation day held during the last school half term holidays, the overwhelming majority of residents opted for option 2 of the three choices available for the new play site, work is now in the process of starting on the play site.

The saga of new play equipment has gone on for many years, with the park laying empty and derelict, only for the police to force the Council to close it at one stage for being a danger to residents who went in there.

The work should be completed in the next few weeks, and with any luck open for all to use again. The park still needs some more care and attention, with some investment on the paths, fences and gateways, but hopefully this will be resolved shortly.

Cllr Mann said "After many years of involvement with this site, I am please that it is finally being built, having secured the £50k cost of the work as part of the deal that sold of the garage site next door, I was disappointed this had not happened sooner".

See previous story by clicking here.

Hampden Lodge - Latest

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is disappointed in this Conservative Administration as it ignores public feeling by continuing with the sale of Hampden Lodge, it would now seem, at whatever amount it can get for it. Last month, a confidential report was agreed by the Conservative Cabinet to accept a new offer from the developer at a considerable reduction to that originally offered, the exempt nature of the report does not allow us to print the actual costs involved.

However, if you are to read the summer issue of the Conservatives newsletter they say “Hampden Lodge Flats – Stopped, the Collier Row Conservatives successfully campaigned against the proposal to build yet more dwellings in Clockhouse Lane”. It is a strange boast from them, as the application was actually withdrawn, so we are not sure how they actually “Saved” anything. The words are also hollow, as the secret report pushed through by the Cabinet, just re-confirms the Council commitment to sell the land and the Council will only get the money, if planning permission is granted !

The original planning application for the site was for the demolition of the existing care home and construction of three residential buildings extending to three to four stories in height, to provide 58 residential units, with 58 car parking spaces. However, this application was withdrawn, for no reason by the developers. However, we understand that as we go to print a new application could be submitted soon, for approx 50 flats, a reduction of just 8.

Cllr Andrew Mann said “We are very concerned about this application. Hundreds of residents contacted us to object to this scheme and over 1000 people signed petitions. Almost all of the concerns were about the size and bulk of the development, lack of parking and amenity space, along with the traffic implications in Clockhouse Lane. Over 100 people turned out for a demonstration against the plans for the site”.

Residents Association Action Member, Denis Stevens said “This was a big housing development for Collier Row and has caused a lot of upset in the community, not least because the Council will only receive the money once contracts have been exchanged, on condition of receiving planning permission”.

Sadly, by withdrawing the scheme, the developer has the opportunity to make a fresh planning application, free of charge to Havering in the next few months for a slightly modified scheme, so the plans to build on this site have not gone away. We will be watching very carefully and will continue to fight this scheme.

CCTV Car Troubles

Below is a copy of a letter received by the Havering Residents Association, copied below for information, it make interesting reading.

Dear sir’s I am writing to you as a paid up member of the Residents Association. I wanted to let tell you about an incident that happened yesterday (15.11.08) in Front Lane Car Park concerning one of the Borough's Smart Cars.

I pulled into the car park at 9.55 (I know this because when I paid my 20p the parking ticket is timed at 9.57). Stopped in the middle was the white coloured Smart Car, the driver's face looking quite concerned. He reversed so that I could park and then I noticed that he did not have the periscope on top of the car.

As I parked in my bay, I could see the periscope on the ground by the entrance to the 2nd part of the car park. The Smart car driver got out of his car, made a mobile phone call and ran back to the periscope. He picked it up and put into the car and drove off.

What had happened was that he had driven in with his periscope down and proceeded to take pictures of cars in the car park but forgot to lower the periscope when leaving so that it hit the "crossbar" immediately to the left of the recycling bins and snapped off.

I am telling you about for this two reasons.

Firstly, it was quite amusing to see the look on the driver's face as he was obviously embarrassed (not very Christian - I know!). Secondly, I believe that the cost of kitting out these cars is very high and I would like to know who foots the bill for this damage – I certainly would not want my council tax to pay for the error of this driver.

I assume that he was paid for a days work but could not carry it out due to his equipment not working. Personally, I am against these cars touring the borough and taking pictures and believe that having a team of conventional traffic wardens was sufficient.

These Smart cars have become a "cash cow" and antagonise a lot of residents. I understand that there are selfish peole who park where they shouldn't but these CCTV equipped cars have taken it too far. Sorry for the rant - I feel much better now.

Best wishes.

Mr SG
Cranham

Bower Park - Children in Need

Pupils from Bower Park school took part in events yesterday in aid of Children in need, one of the biggest events was the ever popular sponsored walk, dressed only in pyjamas ! This year, two members of staff (pictured on the far left and far right) got into the spirit with the children and dressed as schoolgirls. I was going to make a joke about Britney Spears here, but thought best not.

I am not sure how much money was raised, I shall update the info next week once known. Bower Park pupils have been involved with fundraising for Children in Need for many years now and it is those efforts, that make the children a credit to the school.

Cllr Andy Mann

Freeman of the Borough Awards

Former Gobions Avenue Post Master, Sunny Jasraj was honoured at the Town Hall last night and received his Freeman of the Borough Award, along with long serving Councillors; Cllr Barbara Matthews (R.A) and Cllr Peter Gardner (Cons) and former Councillor Maisie Whitelock.

Below is my speech in relation to Sunny;

Mr Mayor, ladies and gentleman, fellow Councillors, I feel very privileged to be nominating Mr Sunny Jasraj as a freeman of the London Borough of Havering on behalf of the Residents Association Group and Havering Council.

Sunny, as he is know to everyone, was the post master of the Gobions Avenue Post Office for almost 25 years, he has served the community in that time, not just as the man at the post office, but as a friend, employee, local campaigner and opinion former. He is a pillar of the community, to all of our residents, young and old, from around Collier Row, Chase Cross and Havering-Atte-Bower.

I recall before I was first elected in 2002, highlighting the dreadful state of the former Council garage site behind the post office with Sunny, being pictured together amongst the derelict site and burnt out cars, much was his determination to help clean up the area.

That old site is now gone and eight affordable houses have been built in its place, along with an investment from the house sales being put into the park next door, allowing £50k of investment to be used for new children’s play equipment.

The sad part of tonight’s event, is Sunny was not able to make his 25 year anniversary, due to the terrible decision of this Government and Post Office Ltd in deciding to close his branch, along with four others in our Borough.

Something, I know every member of this Council feels strongly about, I am sure we all know how these closures for Havering have affected our most elderly and vulnerable within our community.

Sunny has brought consistency and loyalty to both his shop and the community, in over 50 years, Sunny is only the third post master of Gobions Avenue, first coming to Collier Row in August 1984, when I was just 13 years old !!

Mr Mayor, as a Councillor for Collier Row, it is a great privilege to present to you tonight, on behalf of Havering Council, Mr Sunny Jasraj as a Freeman of this Borough.

101 Clockhouse Lane Planning application

We are pleased that the planning application for 101 Clockhouse Lane has been withdrawn by the applicant after discussion with planning officers, who suggested that the application was likely to fail and be recommended for a refusal.

The application was submitted to Havering Council for the part demolition of 101 Clockhouse Lane and the formation of a new access road and four bungalows, this is one more than last time and that application was refused.

For more details, please see the story below;

http://andrewmann.blogspot.com/2008/10/101-clockhouse-lane-planning.html

The Invisable Killer

Environmental Health staff from Havering Council will be meeting the public to warn residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Council staff will be urging shoppers in the Liberty centre on Wednesday 19 November to check that their cooking and heating appliances are well maintained as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous flammable gas which cannot be seen or smelt and can kill without warning. In the UK, more than 50 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year, and 200 people are seriously injured.

The gas is produced when fossil fuels like gas, oil, coal or wood do not burn fully. This can happen when cooking or heating appliances have not been properly installed or maintained or if appliances have blocked flues or chimneys or are in unventilated places.

Danger signs to look for on boilers, fires and cookers include yellow or orange flames (except for fuel-effect fires), soot or stains around the appliance and a pilot light that frequently blows out.
Symptoms of poisoning are tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, chest and stomach pains.
As well as ensuring appliances are regularly maintained by CORGI registered engineers and that there is suitable ventilation, residents can buy an audible alarm for between £15 to £35.

Landlords are required by law to make sure gas fittings and flues are checked every 12 months, keep a record of the checks and issue a certificate to tenants.

Carbon monoxide is a killer. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it – but it can kill without warning in a matter of hours. You are particularly at risk when you are asleep. Having your gas appliances checked regularly by CORGI registered engineers will keep you safe.

For more advice call the HSE Gas Safety Advice Line 0800 300 363.

Romford Christmas Lights Swith-On

Romford's biggest ever Christmas launch throws the spotlight on the family on Thursday 13th November when the town's Christmas illuminations are switched on by the World's most famous cartoon family - The Simpsons.

Supported by Havering Council and Romford's four shopping centres - The Brewery, The Liberty, The Mall and Romford Shopping Hall - the launch features a packed schedule of fun and entertainment in Romford Market Place hosted by Mark Dover from Time 107.5 FM, Havering's popular local radio station.

Starting at 4pm there'll be appearances by Homer, Marg and Bart Simpson, Acrobats from Tanzania, Fire Dancers from Australia and, of course, Father Christmas with Frosty the Snowman and Rudie the Reindeer. And big TV screens flanking the stage will ensure that everyone gets a good view of the fun and frolics.

At 6pm the excitement will build to a climax when the The Simpsons step forward to trigger the switch to light up Romford Town Centre with spectacular Christmas illuminations, accompanied by a fabulous firework display complete with guaranteed snowfall.

On a more traditional note and to get revellers in the festive spirit, there'll be toe tapping music from The Dualers, appearances from characters from the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch's pantomime Dick Whittington as well as carols sung by the Choir of St Edward's Church.The celebrations and party atmosphere will continue until 8pm in each of the shopping centres.

At The Mall Santa and his team will meet and greet his friends; at The Brewery the Simpsons will enjoy some family shopping; in The Liberty there'll be shows by the Black Eagles and the Amazing Titan the Robot; and in the new look Romford Shopping Hall clowns and balloon modellers will be on hand to entertain youngsters until 6pm.

Remembrance Parade & Service

Collier Row & Mawneys team members Karen & Graham Price, Joe Webster and Denis Stevens were all at Havering's Service today. Cllr Mann was unable to attend today, missing the service for the first time since 2001, he attended a serice in London instead.

We hope as many of you as possible attended Remembrance parades or services, Havering had services at Romford, Hornchurch, Rainham and Harold Hill, details are on the Havering Council Web Site.

We have also added the name of Andrew Rosindell to the story below, after his office e-mailed Cllr Mann complaining that his name had been left out of our description, we are happy to include his name as the term "Member of Parliament" is obviously not enough for him.

Havering Remembrance Service

Services to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives or suffered during the two World Wars and in conflicts since will be held throughout Havering on Remembrance Sunday, 9 November and Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November.

The borough's official Service of Remembrance will be held at the War Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Main Road, Romford. The Service starts at 10.55am and will be conducted by Reverend Stephen Waine, Vicar of St Edward's Church. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Romford Salvation Army Band.

The Service will be attended by The Mayor of Havering, Councillor John Clark; The Deputy Lieutenant of Havering, Air Commodore Brian Batt; The Member of Parliament for Romford, Andrew Rosindell; Superintendent Steve Wisbey, acting Havering Borough Commander of Police; Councillors and representatives of local uniformed and civilian organisations.

After the Service there will be a parade and march-past by veterans and uniformed organisations with music from the Royal British Legion Band. The salute will be taken by The Mayor and the Deputy Lieutenant.

On Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November, the Mayor will attend the Armistice Day Service organised by the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion. This will be held at the western end of Romford Market Place between the Lloyds TSB and Co-op banks starting at 10.45am.

This year The Poppy Appeal theme is 'Serving those who Serve' and emphasises the need to help men and women who are serving today, as well as ex-Services people and their dependants.

Romford Recorder Letters Page

Below is a copy of a letter from Mawneys Team Member, Graham Price to the Romford Recorder, concerning the on going problems at Homes in Havering.

Dear Sir,

This has not been a good year for Homes in Havering and, as your article"Where's the cash gone", (Recorder, 31st October), graphically illustrates, it's going from bad to disastrously worse.

This is Havering Council's 'arms-length management organisation' which has come in for repeated criticism in the local press, and at three consecutive meetings of the North Romford Area Committee. At the April meeting I described the then Chief Executive, Stephanie Miller, as being "not fit for purpose". Within weeks she had resigned and, courtesy of Cllr. Curtin, she walked away with a pay-off of some £87.000.

Such was the furore arising from this, that Cllr. Curtin then resigned as Chairman of The Board of HiH. It is interesting to note the quoted comment of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr. Armstrong, that "We will obviously be there to ensure that we hold HiH to account". Brave words, but I have grave doubts that they will be sufficiently effective.

Yours sincerely,

GRAHAM PRICE

Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association

Dont be Dim - Dont let the Burglars in

Havering Council is urging residents to take extra home security measures as winter approaches. With the clocks having gone back and the nights becoming darker sooner, homes are more vulnerable to break-ins.

As part of the Council’s Better Together campaign to make the borough safer, cleaner, greener and stronger, the Council’s Community Safety officers have organised seven events at which timer switches will be given out free of charge to residents, starting on Saturday 8 November.

Burglary in the borough remains low – in the 12 months up to 1 October 2008, Havering was the seventh safest out of London’s 32 boroughs for house burglary.

However, when break-ins occur at this time of year, they tend to take place in the afternoon or early evening. A home in darkness between 4pm and 9pm is a sign to crooks that no-one is home. Taking a simple precaution like having a light on in the late afternoon and evening can deter thieves.

The timer switches will be given out on a first come first served basis at the following locations:

Saturday 8 November - Tesco , Gallows Corner 11am -1pm

Monday 10 November - Tesco, Collier Row 11am -1pm

Wednesday 12 November - Farnham Road Shops, Harold Hill, 11am -1pm

Thursday 13 November - Aldi Car Park, Upminster 11am-1pm, Brannigans, Romford, 5pm -7pm

Friday 14 November - Tesco, Cranham 11am -1pm

Saturday 15 November - Tesco, Rainham 11am -1pm

Another 500 switches will also be given away, at the Havering Christmas Lights Switch-on in Romford Marketplace starting from 4pm on Thursday 13 November.

Timer switches should be set to come on before it gets dark. They should ideally be placed in a downstairs living room – a light left on in a hallway or porch won’t fool a burglar. Timer switches can also be bought for around £3 from DIY stores.

Have a safe Fire Works Night

Havering Council, Havering Police and the London Fire Brigade have launched a crackdown to prevent the sale of fireworks to under-18s. They will be making visits to remind retailers that it's illegal to sell fireworks without the necessary licence from Trading Standards.

Havering Trading Standards takes a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of the stringent conditions governing the storage and sale of fireworks, which will result in legal proceedings and the confiscation of such products.

Though current legislation allows some businesses with special authorisation to sell fireworks all year round, most fireworks can only be sold between October 15 and November 9. It is illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, though on special occasions like Bonfire Night they may be set off up until midnight, unless special permission for them to continue until 1am has been granted.

It is also an offence for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in a public place. Using fireworks in an anti-social way is irresponsible, dangerous and unacceptable, so Havering Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be operating additional patrols throughout the borough at this time.
Remember; fireworks are mini-explosives dressed up in colourful packaging – they are NOT toys. Most injuries caused by fireworks happen to children under 16, with many of them ending up with burn scars for life.

So please take care this bonfire night. Go to http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/Fireworks.asp for helpful safety advice from the London Fire Brigade.

If you wish to report illegal sales of fireworks, you can call a special hotline 01708 433428 in confidence.

Dartford - Thurrock Crossing

Changes at the Dartford – Thurrock Crossing

The charging regime at the Dartford - Thurrock Crossing will change with effect from 10.00pm on Saturday 15th November 2008. The main changes are as follows:

No charges at night during the hours of 10.00pm to 6.00a

Charges for those customers outside those times paying cash will increase (e.g. from £1 to £1.50 for cars, from £1.80 to £2 for 2 axle goods vehicles, and from £2.90 to £3.70 for Multi-axle goods vehicles)

Discounts for those paying by the electronic pre-payment DART -Tag system will also increase (e.g. cars will pay the current £1 charge only).

There will no longer be any charge for trailers.

A Local Resident scheme will be introduced applicable only to those living within the Dartford and Thurrock Council areas.

A pre-registration scheme will be available for vehicles that are exempt from paying the charge.

Further information is available from Le Crossing Company Limited's Customer Centre on 01322 280200 or via the website http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/.

101 Clockhouse Lane Planning Application

My final words, almost a year ago on the last planning application for this site were “We now wait and see if yet another planning application will be made on this site”. (see previous story by clicking here). And 12 months later, it is here

Another planning application at 101 Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row, has been submitted to Havering Council for the part demolition of 101 Clockhouse Lane and the formation of a new access road and four bungalows, this is one more than last time and that application was refused.
Cllr Mann has “Called in” the application, which means no decision can be made unless it is refused by officers are goes in front of a committee of Councillors to decide. If you live near by, and have an issue with this application, you need to write with your objections by 6th November to the head of Regulatory Services at Mercury House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3SL and quote Planning Reference No. P1510.08.

The last application was refused for the following reasons, "By reason of the proximity of the access road and the intensification of vehicular activity close to residential properties adjoining the access road, be detrimental to the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, contrary to Policy DC61 of the Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Submission Development Plan Document".

I can see nothing that has changed to address any of the original concerns. Cllr Mann said "I have almost lost count of the application on this site, I think this is the sixth one since 2002, the last application ended up at a public enquiry meting of the Planning Inspectorate, an independent body that regulates planning appeals. The Inspector agreed with myself and local residents that this site was not appropriate for development".