Rubbish Collection Days to Change

Rubbish and recycling collection days are about to change in Havering to make the service more efficient.

The changes come into operation on Monday 4 October and will affect the vast majority of residents. Collections will remain weekly.

Every home will receive a letter (even if their collection day remains the same) in mid to late September confirming their collection day. Collection rounds in Havering have not changed for more than 15 years. The rescheduling will make collections considerably more efficient and will reflect the changes in the borough.

The borough is being divided into five areas, each with its own collection day. By focusing on a particular area each day, there will be a reduction in vehicle travelling distances meaning trucks will be on the streets for less time. This more efficient working means savings on time, fuel and it will be easier to respond to any issues that may arise.

The new changes will mean that all residents will have to ensure their black refuse and orange recycling bags are left out by 7am on collection day (even if their collection day has not changed). This is because the times of collection will be changing as a result of the rescheduling. Sacks should be placed on your property next to the street. They should not be left on the pavement, grass verges or around trees or lamp posts as this can contribute to litter and cause obstructions.

All residents, schools and managing agents of blocks of flats will receive a letter notifying them of their collection day, however those with access to the internet are able to check their collection day by entering their postcode and house number on the Council website: www.havering.gov.uk

"All residents need to do is to look out for the letter which will tell them what their collection day will be."

There will be no change in collection days for trade waste container customers and the garden waste wheelie bin collections will not be changed either.

You can check your collection day by clicking on this link to our postcode checker page.

For more general information about our waste and recycling services click on this link.

Armed Forces Parade in Romford

Saturday 26 June will mark the second annual Armed Forces Day. In Havering the day will be celebrated with an Armed Forces Parade followed by a Uniformed Youth Festival.

The parade will take place through Romford Town Centre, beginning at 11am on South Street, going through the Market before ending at Tollgate House. The parade will be led by the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corp.

This is an excellent opportunity for the people of Havering to show their support for our Armed Forces - past, present and future.

If you are a veteran or represent a veterans' organisation and would like to be involved in the parade, please contact Mike Thomas on 01708 432427 or by e-mail at events@havering.gov.uk
Not sure if you're a veteran? A veteran is somebody who has served at any point in their life in any branch of the Armed Forces for any length of time. You do not have to have seen combat to be classed as a veteran. Veterans also include Bevin Boys and Lumberjills.

A collection for the Help for Heroes appeal will take place in the Market during the day.
Please note that there will be limited access to pay and display parking at the Town Hall during the day. If you wish to park at the Town Hall, you should enter from the Park End Road entrance.

As part of Havering's Armed Forces Day celebrations, the UProject will be running a Uniformed Youth Festival to celebrate cadets and other uniformed youth groups in the Borough.

The event will take place on Saturday 26 June at Romford Town Hall, 1.30pm to 4pm.
Uniformed youth organisations from Havering will have information stalls where potential recruits can find out about all the different training and activities each group offers.

This is also an excellent opportunity to find out information about becoming an adult volunteer with one of the groups.

Havering In Bloom

Gardeners across the borough are being urged to enter this year's Havering In Bloom competition. As one of the greenest boroughs in London, the Havering in Bloom competition is always hotly contested and last year there were well over 100 entries.

This year there are 12 categories in the competition giving a wide range of opportunities for individuals and businesses with different gardening strengths to show off their green-fingered talents.

The most popular category is Best Front Garden – but there are also specialist categories including Best Hanging Basket, Best Container Garden and Best Community Garden. The pub and restaurant which produce the best displays will be honoured and there is an award for the Best Business Premises, which could cover anything from a shop, office building to industrial premises.A school grounds award will be given not just for areas that are attractive and well-maintained, but also on the educational use of the grounds for the pupils.

The awards are not just restricted to beautiful displays of flowers – but also to vegetables with prizes going to Best Allotment Site and Best Plot. In addition, there is a bio-diversity award which will be awarded to an area which supports the wildlife population and creates habitats which attract new species through the use of plantings, nesting sites, refuges and natural food sources.A new category, Best Capital Growth Area, will be awarded to residents who are creating new food growing spaces in their neighbourhoods.

Nomination forms will soon be available at local libraries and Council buildings. All entries must be received by 30 June. The winners will be announced in October. The aim of Havering In Bloom is to transform the appearance of the borough, instil pride in local people and to make it more attractive to visitors.

Bob Wenman, Head of Streetcare, said:"We know how much people love their gardens in Havering and take great pride in the homes and surroundings. Last year we had more entries than ever before but this year could be even bigger. Its amazing how uplifting a few flowers or hanging baskets can be – it can really transform a garden or office building."

Please click here for more information on the Havering in Bloom 2010 or to download the info leaflet and entry form.

The national day of England's patron saint falls on Friday 23 April and in Havering events to celebrate will be held on St George's Day itself and Saturday 24 April. Entertainment across the two days will include stilt walkers, jugglers, magic acts and balloon modelling. English folk band Skinners Rats will also be performing from 12pm to 2pm on St George's Day.

On Saturday 24 April the Salvation Army Brass band will entertain market goers from 11am to 12pm, then the Royal Liberty Morris Dancers will take over from 12pm to 2pm. Children will also be able to have their faces painted with patriotic English flags or other designs.

Entertainment on both days will take place from 11.30am to 3.30pm. Market stalls will also be decorated with traditional bunting. Cynthia Griffin, Group Director of Culture and Community, said: "St George's Day is a great time to celebrate our cultural heritage and we want this year to be the best yet. "Romford's historical market place is a great area to get into the St George's Day spirit and we hope that lots of people will be joining us over these two action packed days."

Hampden Lodge Update

Another planning application has been submitted by Havering Councils developer for flats and now houses on the former care home site. The new application is for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of 30 dwellings, 13 of which are 3 and 4 bedroom houses, and 17 are one, two and three bedroom flats. However there is only provision being made for 36 parking spaces for the whole site.

We have been contacted by lots of residents about the new scheme, with mixed views, most are happy that the scheme has a reduced number of units, however it still does not deal with the extra traffic coming from the site onto Clockhouse Lane and the impact this will have on the surrounding streets and the closeness to Clockhouse Primary School.

The lack of parking provision is also way below what is needed, only 36 spaces for 30 properties, however if you add the total number of bedroom up, you get almost three times that amount, we know some will be for young families, but over time, these young people will learn to drive.

Cllr Mann, Kevin Tonks and Denis Steven all can not understand why the Conservative Administration are hell bent on flogging of this site at any cost and still refuse to look at options for a desperately needed health centre or other community use.

The Councils Cabinet agreed a secret report last year, reducing the amount of money that the developer ad to pay. Cllr Mann has a copy, as all Councillors are allowed to see it, however he has been warned that he can not disclose the contents as it will be a breach of the members code of conduct. However the local Romford Recorder have printed suggestions that over the last 2 years, the price being paid could have been reduced by as much as £1/2 to £1 million pounds.

If this is true, the loss of £1 million in cash that could be spent in Collier Row is a grave indication of the type of people that are currently running Havering Council. Both of your Tory Councillors for Havering Park ward suggested last year that they had “Saved” Hampden Lodge, yet they are both part of the Administration agreeing to sell it off, Cllr Starns is actually a Cabinet member, who voted to sell it off, yet they both protest that they are on your side !

We would ask all residents that have a view to write to the Head of Regulatory Service, at Mercury House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3BD with their comments, it would be a great helpful you could copy in Cllr Mann by e-mail at andrew.mann@havering.gov.uk or by post, address on the right of this page.

We are grateful for the developers for agreeing to host an informal meeting at Clockhouse School, for residents to view the plans recently. However we are not sure how much this was politically motivated, as Cllr Mann was only invited less than 24 hours before the event ! Luckily for us, we were able to get three of our members along on the night and Graham and Karen Price and Joe Webster were able to spend some time, talking to local residents about the revised plans which were on display.

Whatever the outcome, it is likely to come before the Planning meeting just the week before the Local Elections on May the 6th how very convenient. We still feel that on balance this scheme is not as good as it could be, we except they have now proposed houses, which the majority of residents said would be acceptable, however there is still a great amount of flats to houses and the traffic situation is still not going to be resolved properly.

Tories Baked Bean Budget

It seems the Conservative budget this year will go down in history as the “Baked Bean Budget”, following the generous rebate that they have given you of just 13p a week. Not even enough to purchase a cheap tin of beans.

Local residents have inundated us with comments, the most popular being “this is just election year gimmick” and “how much will it cost you next year when it goes up again”.

Your Conservative Councillors have made a big issue about how they have reduced your Council tax by 1/2% this year. Whilst we agree you pay too much, their saving equates to £7 a year, or 60p a month, or 13p a week. That’s right, they waste Millions and save you just 13p a week.

In a recent news flyer the Tories say “We Understand how hard you work to earn the pound in your pocket. That’s why your Conservative Council has worked hard to cut your Council Tax Bill”. However, they have had above inflation increases for the last three years and then increased just the Tory Special Responsibility Allowances by over £ 7,000 !

We looked at what you can actually purchase for your 13p a week saving, and our best option was a tin of Tesco Value Beans. Perhaps if the Tories had not wasted so much money over the last eight years of being in control, with Council Tax increasing a whopping 46%, there would be more available now to make proper reductions for the residents of Collier Row.

Council Tax has gone up 46% in 8 years under Tory Control, from £1,037 to £1,511. A 1/2% reduction is nothing compared to this increase.
It is also suggested that the Conservatives deliver better value for money? Well not according to the latest MORI poll which placed Havering Council at the very bottom of all 33 London councils, when residents were asked if the council provided Value for Money. Let us knot forget that Havering still has the third highest Council Tax in the whole of London !

Residents will not be fooled by a Council Tax reduction, just a few weeks before people go and vote for a new Council, I wonder when a Tory Candidate knocks on your door if he or she will assure you that their will not be an increase ext year to pay for it.

Andy

Cllr Andrew Mann

StreetCare Matters, but not in Collier Row !

Kevin Tonks and Denis Stevens have been out and about in the ward recently, meeting residents and discussing their biggest complaints at present, StreetCare and the lack of it.

In particular, the large amount of pot holes that have opened up on our roads like small craters on the moon, well to be honest, some are not that small.

Kevin Tonks said “The down side of any cold spell is the snow and water turns into ice. This then runs through any cracks or pot holes and gets under the road surface. When this freezes again, it expands and blows the road surface out, hence an instant pot hole”.

“These are always made worse by roads that are not well maintained. You are able to tell if a road is looked after by the amount of pot holes in it, the more holes the more neglect”.

Denis Stevens said “Three of the worst roads are Burland Road, Highfield and Hillrise Roads. These are not by any means the only roads, just three that we have found that have more holes in than a bag of Hoola Hoops, there is dozens of them”.

Cllr Mann, Kevin and Denis have all reported dozens of pot holes in the last two months as they continue to appear. We all call on this Conservative Administration to stop spending all their Capital money in Harold Hill and their new priority areas and to start spending more in Havering Park Ward. Of a recent Capital spend of £4 million, over half was spent in just two wards in Harold Hill, with the rest being shared amongst the other 16 wards in Havering !

Freedom Pass Delays

Freedom Pass users may have encountered difficulties in obtaining their new pass. According to the scheme administrators, London Councils and the Post Office, the delay in issuing the passes is due to the sheer volume of renewals which is affecting production and distribution, in some cases up to a month.

Residents are able to use their current pass until March 31st. The link below will take you to the London Councils website where there is tracking system for residents to use. The message on their website states; "We're working hard to produce the new passes.

If you do not receive your pass within 10 working days, please be assured that it is on its way. You can use your current pass until 31 March".

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/freedompass/default.htm

Alternatively, there are two Havering e-mail addresses that have been set up to answer resident queries. If residents send in their full name, address and the application tracking number detailed on their Post Office receipt, council staff will track the application and provide an update to residents.

The e-mail addresses are;
mailto:Freedom-Passes@havering.gov.ukor freedom-pass@havering.gov.uk

Massive Countil Tax Debt

According to the 2008/09 Council accounts, residential Council Tax debt has increased by £2.6m since 2006 and now stands at a breathtaking £13.8m, despite an average of £2.8m being written off in each of the last three years.

Information emerging from a Council question by Leader of the Residents' Association, Cllr Clarence Barrett, revealed that there were 10,413 recovery actions for council tax arrears in 2008/09. Of those actions, there were:

81 Attachment to earnings orders
244 State benefit reductions
7,174 referrals to bailiffs
30 bankruptcies obtained
264 summons to court

The balance were either withdrawn or paid up.

In 2006/07 there were 9,461 recovery actions and in 2007/08 10,500.

Cllr Barrett said: "It is important that Council Tax debt is pursued in a firm, fair and efficient manner, and that residents who pay should not be expected to subsidise those who do not.
"However, despite an average of £2.8m being written off in each of the last three years, it is very worrying that residential council tax debt has now increased by £2.6m to £13.8m under the watch of this Tory council".

notes:

Residential council tax debt (as per LBH statement of accounts)

2005/06 £11.205m
2006/07 £11.526m
2007/08 £12.523m
2008/09 £13.842m

Holocaust Memorial Day

Havering will commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day with a service of remembrance and reflection to be held at the Holocaust Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Romford on Sunday 24 January at 2pm.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides including those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and during the ongoing atrocities in Darfur.

Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. On this day, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is challenging everyone across the UK to become part of a Legacy of Hope. HMD 2010 offers an opportunity to listen to the voices from the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and to make the lessons of hope for a safer, inclusive society where the differences between us are respected a reality today and in the future.

Havering's Holocaust Memorial Day Service will also provide the opportunity for reflection on war, peace, tolerance and eliminating discrimination from our community. It will be led by Reverend Lee Sunderland, Rabbi of Romford and District Synagogue, and Reverend Stephen Waine, vicar of St Edward's Church, Market Place, Romford. The Service will feature poignant reading entitled Auschwitz Remembered and a musical reflection.

2010 Freedom Pass re-issue

The 2010 Freedom Pass re-issue is now taking place, and will end on 6th February 2010. Your existing Freedom pass will expire on 31st March 2010 and you must renew it.

Under new arrangements, you can only apply for your FreedomPass from any one of the 24 local Post Offices in Havering. The implementation of the new style photo ID card means your FreedomPass cards will no longer be available at the time of application. Your application will take up to 10 days to process.

The re-issue period will start from 4th January 2010 unlike previous issues when it commenced from February. The early start is necessary to ensure that all pass holders have applied for their pass and received it through the post, prior to their existing pass ceasing to operate on 1st April 2010.

For a list of Post Office branches in Havering click on the link on the right of this page.
Please see timetable below to work out when you should apply:

Look at the letter your surname that begin with, and then go along during one of the dates to apply.

A / B / C / D / E
04 - 16 Jan

F / G / H / I / J
18 – 23 Jan

K / L / M / N / O
25 – 30 Jan

P - Z

01 – 06 Feb

If you miss your week, please apply 08 – 13 Feb. For more info click here, or on the picture above.

Refuse Collection back to Normal

Refuse collections are now operating to the normal schedule, ie collections due on Monday will be made today.

However, as many residents may not be aware of this, Havering refuse collectors are also trying to catch up on collecting refuse that was left out last Friday and Saturday.

In order that the collection crews can collect the volume of refuse that will be presented, for one week only both black sacks and recycling sacks will be collected by the same vehicle. After one week, the separate waste and recycling collections will run as normal.

The Green Waste Collection Service will also be suspended until the week beginning Monday 18 January.

If you have excess green waste that cannot be contained in the wheelie bin, please present this is an open container or untied sack alongside your green bin and this will be collected.

SUSPENSION OF REFUSE COLLECTIONS

Due to the severe weather conditions Havering Council has stopped all refuse collections for the rest of the week - Thursday 7th January to Saturday 9th January.

Full copy of the details below:

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but the icy conditions mean that it is impractical to send these large lorries into residential streets.

We plan to start collections again on Monday 11th January, and this will follow the normal collection schedule and not the revised Christmas collection schedule that was due to run until Saturday 16th January.

In order that the collection crews can collect the volume of refuse that will be presented, for one week only both black sacks and recycling sacks will be collected by the same vehicle. After one week, the separate waste and recycling collections will run as normal.

The Green Waste Collection Service will also be suspended until the week beginning Monday 18th January. If you have excess green waste that can not be contained in the wheelie bin, please present this is an open container or untied sack alongside your green bin and this will be collected.

Please accept our apologies for the disruption and if you have any further questions then please do call us on 01708 434343.

Weather Update - Thursday 7th January 2010

Weather Update - Thursday 7th January 2010

Havering continues to be covered in snow this morning. At the time of updating this post, at 08.30, it is again snowing in Collier Row.

With overnight temperatures as low as minus 5 in Collier Row, the snow has now become compacted and icy. The average daytime temperature is expected to be no higher that one degree today. The daytime temperature for the next four to five days is also expected to be around one degree.

This will therefore not melt the snow and any fresh fall will settle on top, compounding the 6 or 7 inches that have fallen in the last 24 hours.

Almost all school sin North Romford are closed today, Thursday the 7th and a number will be closed tomorrow. Listen out to Time FM on 107.5fm for updates or go to Havering Council website for more information, or click on the Weather button at the top of the page.

Severe Weather warning in Havering

Havering has been covered in a blanket of snow this morning, for more information about school closures and travel information, click on the link above to take you to Havering Councils website.

For school closure information, listen into Time FM on 107.5 FM.

Time for Change in 2010

Havering Council Rubbish Collections

Refuse collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period will be subject to change. This pages gives full details together with information on the wheeled bin garden waste service and opening times of Gerpins Lane reuse and recycling centre.

Your new Collection day will be as follows:

Thursday 24th December - Collections as normal
Christmas Day - Tuesday 29th December
Monday 28th December -Wednesday 30th December
Tuesday 29th December -Thursday 31st December
Wednesday 30th December - Saturday 2nd January
Thursday 31st December - Monday 4th January
Friday 1st January - Tuesday 5th January
Monday 4th January - Wednesday 6th January
Tuesday 5th January - Thursday 7th January
Wednesday 6th January - Friday 8th January
Thursday 7th January - Saturday 9th January
Friday 8th January - Monday 11th January
Monday 11th January - Tuesday 12th January
Tuesday 12th January - Wednesday 13th January
Wednesday 13th January - Thursday 14th January
Thursday 14th January - Friday 15th January
Friday 15th January - Saturday 16th January

Normal collections resume Monday 18 January 2010.

Please note: The above dates also apply to clinical, cardboard and trade waste collections.
Bulky items collections (household furniture and large items) will cease on Christmas Eve and will resume on the 18 January 2010.

Wheeled Bin Garden Waste Service:
Customers of the Wheeled Bin Garden Waste Collection service should note that collections of this service cease between 22 December and 4 January. Collections resume Tuesday 5 January on the normal scheduled day (please see garden waste calendars for these dates).

All orange recycling sacks and sacks of domestic waste should be placed on the boundary of properties nearest the road by 7am on collection day.

Additional orange sacks can be collected free of charge from Havering Town Hall in Main Road Romford, local libraries or from the Public Advice and Service Centre in The Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford.

Gerpins Lane RRC Opening:
For opening times of Gerpins Lane Reuse & Recycling Centre, Upminster over the festive period please click here.

For more information on reducing and recycling waste and saving money over Christmas see Christmas Recycling Information article.

Further Information:
For further information on the refuse collection and other services including the disposal of bulky household items, call StreetCare on 01708 432563, e-mail: waste-team@havering.gov.uk

Havering Weather Warnings

Severe weather may continue to affect some services today, Tuesday 22 December. Regular information and updates are available on Havering Councils Website. They have links to other useful websites, such as travel, weather and StreetCare information.

Severe Winter Weather Conditions Questions and Answers from Havering Council

Gritting
The Council has a limited supply of grit and salt available for severe winter weather such as what we are experiencing now. This is not enough to treat every footway and road in the entire borough therefore gritting is prioritised as follows.

Roads
In the instance of severe winter weather the first areas to be gritted will be main roads and bus routes. This is to ensure essential services can still operate within the main road network. Priority 1 roads have been treated continuously over the last 5 days. Priority 2 areas include schools however this is not the case during school holidays.

A full list of priority one routes are shown in the winter service plan which can be found on the council website at http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1024

Footpaths
In the instance of severe winter weather footpaths in high footfall areas such as stations, schools, high streets will be treated as priority 2 after the major road network.

Service Requests
For all icy and snow related service requests please direct these through the StreetCare call centre on 01708 432563. They will deal with these requests in order of priority.

Salt Bins
Salt bins located in the roads are for use by Street Cleansing Operatives and are NOT for the personal use of residents.

What’s happening with Domestic Waste Collections ?
Domestic waste collections are continuing on the normal collection routes however there are a large number of side roads in the borough which the vehicles are unable to access due to icy roads and footways. These collections will be put on a priority list so that once the road becomes accessible again the service vehicles will resume the collection.

Christmas Waste collection schedule
Every year due to the bank holiday season the domestic waste collection schedules change for a short period of time. Please refer to the Havering website for full details of the changes to the schedules affecting your street. If severe weather conditions continue over the Christmas period then these seasonal waste collection dates will likely change again, however residents will be made aware of any changes on the Council’s website. http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4580

Advice
The Council’s advice to residents is to avoid travelling either by foot or by car, the roads and footways are very icy and due to limited supplies of grit and salt the Council is unable to treat every footway and road in the borough. Severe weather conditions are being experienced across the country causing grit stock replenishment to take longer than expected to arrive.

Click here for more info, or on the info panel at the top.

Warning on Selling GOLD

Havering Council is urging people who want to sell their gold to shop around after an undercover investigation discovered huge differences in quotes for customers.

Council officers posing as customers visited eight gold buyers in Romford on the same day and quotes they were offered differed by as much as £160. The officers asked for a quote for four rings, a pair of earrings, a pendant and bracelet. The quotes offered varied from £200 to £360. The average quote was £296.

Some of the gold buyers had signs claiming they were offering ‘the best price in town today’. Others failed to ask for identification from the seller - which helps deter thieves from selling on stolen goods.

Council weight and measures experts have since visited 20 gold buyers across the borough, including one hairdressers which buys gold, to test their scales and ensure that they are calibrated correctly and are suitable for business.

Officers handed out 15 notices to buyers who were not using the correct scales for trade use. Now they must ensure they have the right scales.

In the current harsh economic climate, residents who have hit tough times may be tempted to sell gold jewellery. Quotes that vary from £200 to £360 for the same amount of gold is a cause for concern. The Council is now urging people to shop around to make sure they get a fair price.