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."

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

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.

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.

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.

Havering Chief Executive ignores Councillor concerns

Cllr Mann has hit out at Havering Council Chief Executive, Cheryl Coppell for failing to reply to an e-mail concerning a financing issue around funding for the Freedom Pass. The e-mail was marked urgent and was sent on the 2nd November, and as of the 1st December, she had failed to reply or even acknowledge it.

However, Cllr Mann sent it with an auto acknowledge and he can see that the e-mail was opened on the 5th November. The e-mail was sent, following Cllr White, the leader, failing to answer a simple question in Full Council concerning a leaflet that the Tories had circulated suggesting that the Government had cut £1.8 million form Havering's Freedom Pass budget.

This was later found to be untrue, however Cllr White refused to answer and instead went into a rant at the Full Council meeting. Cllr Mann then sent the request to the Chief Executive, for her to answer and is still waiting.

Cllr Mann said "It is totally unacceptable that the Chief Executive of Havering Council should fail to answer such a serious question, in over 4 weeks, without so much as an acknowledgement, let alone a proper answer. I am concerned that she is setting a bad example to Council officers that dealing with members enquires should be dealt with in a speedy and professional manner.

Also more worrying is that by failing to answer me,she is becoming involved politically, by protecting the leader from having to tell me the truth in relation to my question".

Havering Remembers

Cllr Andy Mann, Kevin Tonks, Denis Stevens and Joe Webster attended the Havering Remembrance Service this morning at the Coronation Gardens in Main Road, Romford.

Service 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 were held throughout Havering on Remembrance Sunday.

The Service started at 10.55am and was conducted by Reverend Stephen Waine, Vicar of St Edward's Church. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Romford Salvation Army Band.

Along with ourselves, the service was attended by The Mayor of Havering; The Deputy Lieutenant of Havering, Air Commodore Brian Batt; The Member of Parliament for Romford, Andrew Rosindell; Chief Inspector John Harlow, on behalf of the Havering Borough Commander of Police; Councillors and representatives of local uniformed and civilian organisations.

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

On Armistice Day, Wednesday the 11th 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.

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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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.

Newsboy granted alcohol Licence

Denis Stevens was on hand at the town Hall this week, speaking on behalf of Cllr Mann who is on holiday against a licensing application for an off license in Chase Cross Road. Sadly, Councillors decided to grant the license, despite objections from the Police, albeit with some restrictions.

However, local residents have vowed to boycott a newsagent after councillors gave the green light for them to sell alcohol. At the end of the licensing meeting on Monday August 10, residents said that they would take action after the committee agreed the application for Newsboy in Chase Cross Road, Romford.

Resident Julie Green said: "I feel very disappointed because the committee has not fully grasped the weight of people's anger. "I think he will definitely see a decline in his sales because people will boycott the shop."

Councillors agreed for the off licence to sell alcohol but they also put on conditions restricting the sale of alcohol in the shop from 10am to 9pm for seven days a week, two people have to be on duty at all time and staff training to be provided.Other conditions included restricting two young people to the shop at one time, bottle and can marking, a refusal register to be kept and CCTV cameras to be installed.

Earlier the councillors heard a presentation from resident George Higgins who was against the application because he believed that it would add to the problems already in the area. He said: "If alcohol was introduced in the shop public safety and crime is going to take a bad turn and I can only see bad news coming in the future."

The residents were also concerned that more people were not able to respond against the application because it was advertised in a paper that was not delivered to all residents and advertised behind the counter in the shop.

Denis Steven, speaking on behalf of Cllr Andy Mann, (Havering Park, Resident's Association) said: "I am disappointed that the formal legal adverts about this application were placed in the Yellow Advertiser, a paper which is not delivered to the new Havering's estate and, living in Havering Road myself, a paper that is only delivered every other week or so."

New Recycling Schemes comes to Collier Row

A recycling collection trial that resulted in big increase in the usual amount of orange sacks and cardboard being collected, will become a permanent service and expand to cover more of the borough on Monday 3 August. The trial began in November and enabled 25,000 residents to recycle more materials in parts of Elm Park, Upminster, Cranham, Hornchurch and Rainham.

The improved service involves collecting orange sacks (including cardboard) and refuse sacks in different vehicles on the same day each week. This will now be rolled out to most of Collier Row, who missed out on being part of the scheme last year. Residents will receive a letter informing them if their property is covered by the new service. The remainder of the borough will be included in November.

A further three dedicated recycling vehicles will be introduced at the beginning of August and more vehicles being introduced in November.

Orange recycling sacks and flattened cardboard will be collected in one vehicle and the rubbish sacks in another on the same day each week. Yellow pages directories can now go in the orange recycling sacks.

More than 1,600 tonnes of orange sacks and cardboard were collected in the first 19 weeks of the trial. This equates to 90 tonnes per week compared to an average of 20 tonnes in the same area before the trial was launched.

The collection process has contributed to increasing the percentage of household waste recycled and composed to more than 27 per cent in 2008/9. It is expected that once the trial is rolled out, the recycling and composting rate could rise to 36 per cent.

For more information see the Council website: http://www.havering.gov.uk/recyclingOr call 01708 432563.

FREE - Summer Playfest in the Park

Havering will be hosting its annual Playfest again this summer. A free play festival which will take place over five days throughout the borough’s parks, to celebrate national Playday.The first Playfest was held last year, thanks to a £99,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to host the event over three years.

Following last year’s successful event, an extra day has been added to make sure as many children as possible get the chance to take part.Activities at this year’s event include sports like quick cricket and short tennis as well as a dance workshop, interactive music, bouncy castles and face painting.

Playfest will be at:

Central Park, Harold Hill on Monday 3 August

Raphael Park, Romford on Tuesday 4 August

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch on Wednesday 5 August

Rainham Recreation Ground on Thursday 6 August

Upminster Park on Friday 7 August.

Now the summer holidays have begun, it’s time for children to get out and about in the borough, make new friends, try new things and get active, this free event is a great, stress-free summer day out for children.

For more information go to http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16248

Hampden Lodge Refused – for now !

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association are pleased that the Planning Committee refused permission for the former care home to become 43 flats. Over the last two years, the application has gone from 58 flats, down to 48 and then rather controversially mid way through the recent consultation, reduced down to 43.

Cllr Mann who was joined by Joe Webster and Denis Stevens at the planning meeting said, “I am pleased that the Committee agreed with all those who objected by refusing the scheme, I struggled to find a single positive point, the flats were too high, out of character, a danger to the highway in Clockhouse Lane, loss of light and there is also a lack of education places in North Romford.

However, the Conservative controlled Council need to take some responsibility for this whole debacle, they are the ones that sold the land, (subject to planning being granted) they are the ones that reduced the price by an alleged £1/2 million (as reported in the Recorder) to get shot of it and they are the one who have now made it a planning condition that 100% of the flats are offered as affordable housing to a Housing Association.

Over 1000 people signed the original petition that was presented to the Mayor last year, however it seems that your Tory Councillors are hell bent on doing anything for money, and could not give a damn about what local people want. Earlier this year, Tory Cllr, Geoff Starns said he was resigned to taking the big bucks for the land and at the Planning meeting, Cllr Tebbutt, said it was the Councils job to squeeze every pip of money out of a piece of land they sell, so plenty of hope there then !

Almost every resident we have spoken to would accept some sort of housing on the site and that is what we need “housing” not flats. Havering Council now need to go back to the drawing board, look at what money they want for the site and balance that against what is best for a family town like Collier Row and come up with suitable plans, perhaps houses, maybe a Health Centre.

The developer has spent a lot of money trying to get planning permission and will undoubtedly appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Or will the Tory run Council shelve plans until May 2010 when the next Local Elections take place, hoping people will forget ?

Hampden Lodge Planning Meeting

URGENT – PLEASE READ – Hampden Lodge

As you may or may not know Havering Councils Regulatory Services Committee will be deciding the outcome of the planning application to turn the former care home into 43 flats on Thursday of this week (the 25th).

Over the last 12 months the applicant, Bellway Homes and Havering Council have submitted plans for 58 flats, then 48 flats and now revised plans for 43 flats, the latest revision has included a planning condition that 100% of the flats are for social housing and will be handed to a Housing Association.

This will therefore stop local people actually being able to buy the flats and as you have to offer properties across East London as part of the choice based lettings scheme Havering are part of. There is no guarantee that Havering people will get a flat, if they are approved.

The level of support against this development has been fantastic, with hundreds writing to object and over 1000 people signing the original petition; please join us for the last push at the planning meeting this week at the Town Hall to show the level of objection.

Please meet at the Town Hall from 6.30pm for a demonstration this Thursday, the 25th June, then stay on for the planning meeting at 7.30pm. Your support on Thursday could make all the difference.

Cllr Andy Mann

Residents Association By Election Victory

The Residents' Association scored a landslide victory yesterday, in securing the vacant St Andrew's ward seat in a by election, following the resignation of Tory David Charles, who was convicted of downloading child porn.

John Wood, of the Hornchurch Residents' Association, was returned with 1,413 votes, 522 ahead of the second placed Tory candidate.

With a high turn-out of 42.6%, the full result is as follows:

JOHN WOOD (RA) 1,413
PAIN (TORY) 891
JOYCE (BNP) 771
CARR (LABOUR) 455
WEBB (UKIP) 433
DURRANT 291
TAFF (LIB DEM) 159

John has lived in Hornchurch for over 30 years and has been a member of the Hornchurch Residents' Association for many years. He currently works for the London Probation Service and has served as a governor at St Mary's RC Primary school and as chair of Education appeals in other local authorities.

John is pictured above, with Cllr Barbara Matthews, who was his election agent for the campaign.

Armed Forces Parade in Romford

On Saturday 27 June, Havering will join the nation in honouring Britain's armed forces past, present and future on Armed Forces Day. The event will consist of a parade through Romford Town Centre, beginning at South Street and taking in the Market before finishing at the Town Hall.

The parade will be led by a 12-piece band the Invicta Rifles. Army and police cadets, as well as members of the St John's Ambulance are also due to join in on the day and any veterans in Havering who would like to take part are welcome.

After the march there will be a chance for veterans to catch up with old friends, as well as meet new comrades during refreshments outside the Town Hall. Collections for the Help for Heroes Appeal will also take place.

Anyone wishing to take part should call 01708 432 427 for more details.

Residents who would like to support the veterans as they parade through the Town Centre are also welcome to come along. Prior to the event, a special Armed Forces Day flag will be raised at the Town Hall in a ceremony on Monday 22 June.

A local veteran will be raising the flag and it will fly for a week leading up to Armed Forces Day.

Dont lose your chance to Vote

Don’t lose you chance to vote in next months European Parliament elections. The elections take place on Thursday 4 June - but the deadline for registering to vote is much earlier - Tuesday 19 May.

Residents who usually vote at the Central Library, Romford, which is currently closed for refurbishment, will need to go to Romford Baptist Church, Main Road. This site opposite the Town Hall has parking facilities and disabled access.

Elections to the European Parliament take place every five years. There will be seventy-two members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing the United Kingdom after the 2009 elections. Eight of these MEPs will be elected to represent the London region.

European elections are held using proportional representation, which means the number of seats a party gains is directly related to the proportion of votes their party receives.

The parliament has a significant influence on the lives of EU members. For example, many laws passed by Westminster are drafted in response to European directives.People may feel that what happens in Brussels doesn't matter to them - but that is not the case. Every vote will count - don't waste yours.

The deadlines for the election are as follows:

last day to register to vote is Tuesday 19 May
last day to request a new postal vote is 5pm Tuesday 19 May
last day to request a new proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 27 May

Forms for any of the above are available by contacting 01708 432444/5 or emailing elections@havering.gov.ukFor more information please go to the Elections page on Havering’s web site.