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.

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

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

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.

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.

Romford Christmas Market

From today, Friday the 11th December, Romford market will be open every day until Christmas Eve, the market is open from 9am until 4.30pm

This Christmas, you can find something special at Romford Market. Such as the freshest Orkney salmon, the most succulent free range turkey or the perfect roasting chestnuts. Gift ideas include the latest men's and ladies' fashions, homeware, music, art and jewellery.

Romford Market has been attracting shoppers for over 750 years - why not discover its secrets for yourself

12 Safety tips for Christmas

Havering Council will be handing out free security devices to protect resident’s homes and personal property in the run-up to Christmas. Council officers will hand out the devices as part of its 12 Safer Days of Christmas campaign to make residents safer while shopping, out at night, and their homes more secure over the festive season.

Around 6,000 property marking kits, 6,000 purse chains and 3,000 timer switches bought by the Council will be given out at events across the borough in the 12 days between Monday 7 and Saturday 19 December.

There are 12 key messages that the Council and police want to get out at this time of year. These include ensuring that PVC doors are locked properly, setting timer switches so that lamps come on in living rooms before it gets dark when you are out, protecting yourself against pickpockets, and making sure you do not become a victim of crime after a night of revelry.

Other messages include not leaving presents on view, disposing packaging of expensive goods carefully, not loading your car with presents and then leaving it to continue shopping. Police officers from the Mawneys & Havering Park Wards, local Safer Neighbourhoods teams will also be on hand at each location.

Wednesday 16th December - Clockhouse School Christmas Fete – 3 – 5pm

Saturday 19th December - Collier Row Library – 11 – 2pm

Cllr Mann said "Having been a victim of crime myself recently, it can be very upsetting at any time but it can be particularly distressing at Christmas. That’s why the Council and the police will again be handing out thousands of free security devices over 12 Safer Days of Christmas”.

Fireworks Night on its way

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.

Romford Christmas Lights Switch On

Bob the Builder will be at the Romford Christmas Lights Switch-on, in Romford Market Place on the 12th November and will be doing the honours by turning on the lights.

There will be a packed schedule of fun, which starts at 4.30pm and runs until 6.30pm, with something for everyone. Entry is free. Among the entertainment will be the Kryptic Fusion Dance Crew, Lydia White and the winners of the recent Havering battle of the bands, Kid Neon.

The event is organised by Havering Council and Romford's four shopping centres - The Brewery, The Liberty Shopping Centre, The Mall and Romford Shopping Hall together with Romford Market.

Children's favourite Bob the Builder and his friends Spud and Wendy will light up Romford Town Centre as the Christmas illuminations are switched on at 6.30pm.

Among the other highlights in the Market Place will be a special visit from Santa and his reindeer and Panto favourites from the Queen's Theatre as well as a spectacular fireworks display.

Half Term Haloween Fun

Havering Council has arranged fun activities for the borough's children and young people this half-term, which runs from Monday October 26 to Friday October 30.

Havering Council has arranged fun activities for the borough's children and young people this half-term, which runs from Monday October 26 to Friday October 30.

A sport camp will be taking place on Brittons School astroturf pitch from Wednesday to Friday with sports including football, cricket, rounders, tennis, athletics and handball. Sport camps are free and for children aged eight to 14.

On Wednesday 28 October at Collier Row Library at 2.15pm children can make their own creepy Halloween bat. There will also be a fancy dress competition with a prize for the best dressed. Tickets cost £1 and it is for children aged five and under.

A similar event will take place at Collier Row Library on Friday 30 October, also at 2.15pm where spookily dressed children can make their own Halloween themed characters. Tickets cost £2 and the event is aimed at children aged five and over.

Children should bring a packed lunch, water and waterproof jacket to sport camps. Book by calling 01708 434 743. To book for the events at Collier Row Library call 01708 434 936.
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Freedom Pass Mischief from the Tories

Cllr Andy Mann has hit out at the Collier Row Conservatives after producing a leaflet that is full of inaccuracies and lies in relation to the Freedom Pass, by implying that the Government have withheld this year’s payment of £1.8 Million from Havering Council. The leaflet was written by Silly Billy Taylor, who has a habit of printing mis-leading leaflets for the Conservative Party.

Cllr Mann is particularly unhappy about a quote from Cllr Binion and Leader of the Council Cllr Michael White who say “The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association have failed to defend the free travel and that he (Cllr Mann) regularly votes with the Labour party in the Town Hall”

Cllr Mann said “I am amazed that the Leader of the Council can get himself involved in another leaflet produced by Silly Billy Taylor (he of the Bower Park School to close leaflet, which was full of lies), I expect this sort of thing from Cllr Binion, as she does not know any better, having been mentored by former Councillor, Alby Tebbutt. However for Cllr White to associate himself with such deliberately misleading statements scarring the elderly of our Borough is an abuse of Power”

The Facts

· The Government have not withheld any money this year !

· The Government have actually started a consultation with London Councils on the possibility of withdrawing the last year of a three year grant in 2010 / 2011. The total grant across London is £55 million, with Havering’s part being possibly £1.8 million.

· Havering Council actually received a saving last year from the Freedom Pass budget of some £2.65 million, which it used to prop up some of its overspending Council Departments.

London Councils first raised this issue, after they attended a meeting with Whitehall Officials and came away with some concerns from it and are now seeking reassurances that the money will not be cut. (Cllr Merrick Cockell, Chairman of London Councils speaking in London Bulletin Sept/Oct 2009)

Cllr Mann said “If the Conservatives managed to run the finances of the Borough better they would not be in this mess, we have £12.5 million tied up in Iceland and they took £2.65 million out of the Freedom pass budget last year and spread around overspending budgets in the Council”.

Cllr Mann goes on “Everyone knows you can not trust Gordon Brown when it comes to finance, if the Conservatives had been a but more prudent last year and not spent their savings of £2.65 million form the Freedom Pass budget, we would not be in this position now”.

The Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association have an on-line petition at their web site www.collier-row.co.uk that residents can sign if they wish to show their support for not cutting funding from the grant.

As Chairman of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Mann has written to Cllr Michael White and Mr Billy Taylor warning them that any further lies printed in a Conservative Newsletter will result in Court Action. It is not the first time this has happened, Cllr Mann issued proceedings in the County Court against Cllr Michael White two years ago.

Cllr Mann said “I will do whatever is needed to protect my good name and that of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, if that mean we have to take the Leader of the Council back to Court again, then so be it. The residents of Collier Row deserve far better than what they are getting from the Five Conservative Councillors at present, and if we need to put all of them in a witness box to prove they are lying then so be it”

Young Artists on Display

From the 25th September until the 1st October 2009, Havering will host a free exhibition of young contemporary artists and writers. Open everyday from 11am until 5pm the exhibition will be held in the former shop 'Heart of Dixie UK' (opposite the Salvation Army building) in Romford.

Free workshops and talks will be available to attend for both individuals and groups. Everyone is welcome, please come along and support youth arts in the area.

Romfest 09

On Sunday 27 September Havering Council will present 'Romfest'; a free, day-long festival of music, dance, sport and the arts. The day will get off to a flying start at 10am with a 5 kilometre Fun Run in Raphael Park. You can walk, run, jog or be pushed around in a buggy – it doesn't matter.

From midday until seven in the evening, Romford market place will be the venue for a non-stop programme of free, live entertainment featuring a host of superb local talent.

The programme also includes some great headline acts - Chico, Blazin' Squad and “Lemar” – with some of our most popular local presenters from Time 107.5 and Link 92.2 comparing the lavish stage show.

Don't worry if you can't make it to the front of the stage – we've laid on an overhead big screen so you don't miss out on any of the action!

And there will be lots of other things going on to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Why not try your hand at the arts and crafts workshops on offer; pick up some handy personal safety advice from the borough's experts; check out the active sports zone or pop along to the fashion show in The Liberty Shopping Centre?

There'll be street entertainers, amusements and, at 5pm, the Romfest Best Rock Band competition taking place at Brannigans in South Street concluding with a special performance by London Blackmarket. Doors open at 5pm at Brannigans and entry is FREE before 8.30pm.

Romfest will offer something for everyone. And the great thing is the admission is FREE. So mark the date – Sunday 27 September – on your calendar, tell your friends and join us for a great day out.

Free entry into the Havering Show - August Bank Holiday

The Havering Show, supported by The City Pavilion, is back for its 29th year. So make a diary date for the August Bank Holiday weekend - Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch. It promises to be a great fun day out for the whole family. And this year admission is free (NB there is a £1 charge for parking).

The Show will feature two great live music acts from pop's golden era - Eric Faulkner's Bay City Rollers ('By Bye Baby', 'Give a Little Love') and sixties chart-toppers The Manfreds ('Do Wah Diddy Diddy', 'Pretty Flamingo'),as well as the Never Forget tribute to Take That. Visit the Music Stage for the full line-up. There will also be an array of fun activities for all from the jousting Knights of Middle England to canine act, Delta Dogs.

Last year's popular acts, Stallions of Substance and the Havering Majorettes will be returning to the main stage.

Planet Havering will once again be providing environmental activities and workshops as well as a solar powered stage. Freecycle, a 'bring and take' opportunity, will match people who have things they no longer need with people who need them. This reduces the amount of things thrown away, minimises waste and helps you to save money.

There will be many other Activities and Workshops at the show including assault courses, bouncy castles, a traditional fun fair and craft and flower displays.

Don't forget to bring your Haveringcard to the show as many stalls will be offering discounts or special offers to residents. You can also find out more and pick up a FREE Haveringcard in the Havering Council marquee (Your Community area). Proof of address not more than three months old, such as a utility bill will be required.

For more information about the show, go to Havering Councils web site by clicking here.