Residents Drop in Surgery

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is holding its first residents drop in surgery this Saturday, the 14th April. They are being held at the old Forest Lodge School Site, (F.L.A.C) in Lodge Lane, Collier Row, from 10.30 to 12.00. Click here for location details.

Cllr Andrew Mann will be on hand with both “Mawneys” and “Havering Park” Ward Organisers to listen to local residents and any concerns they may have with Havering Council, such as Housing, StreetCare or Parks issues. There is no need to make an appointment, just drop in during the morning; we will even make you a cup of tea.

If you need to make a private appointment with Cllr Mann to discuss an issue, you can still do so by phoning 01708 768 008.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Meeting

I had one of my regular briefings with the Havering Park, Safer Neighbourhood Team last week. Sgt Andy Barnes the team leader for our ward outlined some of his current issues, concerns and operations. We spoke about anti social behaviour in Collier Row, motor bikes in the Country Park and other Police issues affecting the Ward.

The day we meet, happened to coincide with the third anniversary of SNT's in London, although Havering Park was one of the last wards in London to get a full team, they have now been in existence across the Capital as a whole for three years. They are probably the only expansion in the Mayor of London’s budget that I could agree with.

We also discussed the newly created Ward Panel, this is a team of residents who live in the ward, they help scope and focus the team on priorities that residents want. The SNT are not lead by the Borough, but by what needs the ward have, which helps them to become truly local.

Sgt Barnes is a big believer in partnership working, he has made a huge impact in the 4 months or so that he has been on the team, working hard with all of his team together, to tackle local community issues, identified by local people.

Sgt Barnes said, “This is a really exciting time for the Havering Park Ward. We now have a really fantastic opportunity to move forward and resolve issues that locals want resolving. Rolling out the Safer Neighbourhoods model of community policing and working closely with our partners including Councillors is what it is all about. Importantly - our `community' is one of those partners”.

Illegal bikes need Cracking down on Harder

This week, I have called for more to be done in stopping illegal motorbikes in Havering Country Park and Bedfords Park, both in “Havering Park” ward in North Romford

As the opposition spokesman for the Environment at Havering Council, I have called for more help from the Council and the Borough Police Commander in supporting the Safer Neighbourhood Team working in “Havering Park” ward in cracking down on illegal motorbikes.

I recently spent the day with the “Havering Park” ward SNT on an operation in Havering Country Park, seeing how they work and surporting their operation.

The SNT in “Havering Park” ward have been doing a good job to date, with operations at weekends in the parks, however they only have a limited number of officers and resources. Don’t forget that for every operation in the park with the team, days are lost on the beat during the week”

Despite Havering Council recently allocating £10k for a new steel fence for part of the park, it is only 150m long. “It is madness to pay all that money for such a short piece of fencing, in my view, it is a knee jerk reaction to a far bigger problem, the bikers will just go to another part of the park that does not have steel fencing. At that rate it would take over £1/2 million pounds to fence the whole park, however, as both parks have legal bridal paths, any gates would have to allow a horse, but not a motorbike, something so far the Council has not been able to resolve.

As someone that was brought up just a few hundred yards from the Country Park, I am concerned that someone will be seriously injured by a biker. We have lots of families with children, old people and horse riders using the park, if we do not stop this anti social behaviour soon and come down hard on any offenders, I am worried that they will not just be seriously injured, but we could see someone being killed.

No more chips for Collier Row

Following a campaign by the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association, Havering Council has refused a planning application for a KFC takeaway in Collier Row. Officers commented that the proposal “would result in a row of three non retail uses in the core retail area of Collier Row”

Which in English means, there is already plenty of takeaway outlets in Collier Row and adding another one will not benefit the Town Centre in one way?

When the application was made some 6 weeks ago, m self and Graham Price spent some time in Collier Row talking to residents and shopkeepers about the application. Graham Price said, “We already have chips shops, Indians, Chinese, Wimpy, kebabs, pizza, chicken and cafes, I think Collier Row is at saturation point in relation to more takeaway outlets.

We are worried that this application is one too many for our Town Centre”.The Council have spent a lot of time and money on regenerating the Town, to enhance the area and to improve the shopping environment, for Collier Row to gain yet another take away outlet is a step in the wrong direction”

Spring Newsletter now being delivered

The latest edition of the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association newsletter is now being delivered across Havering Park & Mawneys Wards. 11,000 copies will be delivered by the end of the month to every house, flat, shop and business in North Romford.

The new style, 12 page booklet should be easier to read and is now in a handy size that allows you to keep it by the phone to refer to the contact numbers inside.

We also have a selection of advertisers, many of them local to Collier Row, if you use any of the traders, dont forget to mention that you got the number from the newsletter.

Please feel free to drop me a line with any comments you may have about the newsletter.

Residents Association 2012 Olympics Petition

Residents Association Councillor, Clarence Barrett recently presented the 3,519 strong Havering Residents Association petition, which protests about the funding arrangements for the 2012 Olympic Games, it was presented to the Mayor of London via the GLA Assembly. Havering and Redbridge GLA Member, Cllr Roger Evans

Cllr Clarence Barrett said: “Whilst welcoming the Games to London in 2012, the issue of funding the Olympics and who will meet the overspend has a particular significance to the residents of Greater London. I am very pleased that the thousands of people who have signed our petition will now have their views expressed to the Mayor. Indeed, I shall be making sure the Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, also receives a copy.

“I am very grateful to the support given to this petition by the residents of Havering and beyond and firmly believe that the existence of this protest has and will make a difference to the outcome of this issue”.

The wording of the petition is as follows:

To: Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London

Under a pre-arranged deal with the government, council taxpayers across London are compelled to pay an additional £20 per year (based on an average Band D property) for up to eleven years to raise £625 million towards the total cost of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The average council tax across London has increased by 35 per cent over the last five years and has become a significant financial burden for many thousands of residents.

a) There has been no direct consultation with Londoners regarding the setting of an Olympic levy and we do not consider it fair to impose the charge on London residents alone. The 2012 Games is set to benefit the country as a whole and we submit that the costs, including the £625 million, should be shared across the country as a whole.

b) Should the staging the London 2012 Olympic Games result in an overspend against budget, we seek absolute assurance that Londoners will not have this deficit added to council tax bills beyond the pre-arranged period.

Is it chips for Collier Row ?

The CRM Residents Association has concerns at yet another planning application for a take away outlet in Collier Row, which we understand has been made on behalf of KFC.

My self and Graham Price recently spent some time in Collier Row talking to residents and shopkeepers about the application. Graham Price said, “We already have chips shops, Indians, Chinese, Wimpy, kebabs, pizza, chicken and cafes, I think Collier Row is at saturation point in relation to more takeaway outlets. I am worried that this application is one too many for our Town Centre”.

The Council have spent a lot of time and money on regenerating the Town, to enhance the area and to improve the shopping environment, for Collier Row to gain yet another take away outlet is a step in the wrong direction”

The CRM Residents Association accepts that shops close and have to change; however filling Collier Row with takeaways is not the answer. There is support available from the Council to help small businesses and we wish to encourage new retail outlets, not just chip shops.

However, I am pleased to welcome a new business to Collier Row, a new estate agents is set to open in Collier Row. “Steps” will be taking over an old shop that has been empty for over 12 months, based in Dagenham; they plan to open in April, we wish them luck.

Chief Executive of Havering Retires

Stephen Evans, Havering’s Chief Executive, retires from his post this week and I was pleased to be able to attend a fair well drink at the Town Hall last night. We heard the usual stuff when someone retires, funny stories; he’s a good bloke really, we will miss him, everyone loves the boss, etc,etc.

To be honest, I have always got on with Stephen, during my time as a Cabinet member we disagreed on a few things and did not see eye to eye on everything, but as a whole, we sorted any issues out that we had and got the job done.

Stephen Evans has been at Havering Council for eight years and Chief Executive for the last four and a half years, during that time he has overseen the delivery of a programme of stabilisation and improvement at the Council. A lot has happened over the last four years or so that he was in charge and has been resonsible for a culture change in the Town Hall.

Stephen Evans recently said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chief Executive. Havering is a great borough and has a Council committed to improvement and regeneration. Havering has improved much over the last three years and I feel that the task I was set has been completed. The Council is ready for a succession-planning exercise that will allow an orderly transfer to a new Chief Executive. I would like to thank staff, councillors, local organisations and residents for making my time here so pleasant. I will look forward to working with them all until March next year."

I would like to wish Stephen all the best for his retirement, now he is not politically restricted in his post, he may wish to come and help deliver some of our news letters up in North Romford, we are always looking for helpers !

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Best wishes Stephen and thanks.

Andy

Chelmsford Avenue Play Site

Your Residents Association team is pleased that the gates have finally re-opened at Chelmsford Avenue Park, off Gobions Avenue. The park was closed last June, by the Council and the local Police after the equipment and ground had become so dangerous it was felt it would be un-safe. The work to reopen the park, should have taken just a few weeks, but in the end it took almost 9 months.

Cllr Mann said “Chelmsford Avenue Park was allocated £65 thousand pounds over two years ago and it is a disgrace that the money has still not been spent, I would like to know why are Havering Council dragging its feet on this issues”

“There is no reason why this park has been left to rot, the Council closed the gates months ago, it has left local kids with no park to play in and there is no excuse for this delay. I am also concerned about the recent comments from the Leader of the Council, Michael White, on his public announcement that some play sites may have to be sold, part of Havering’s heritage is its green and open spaces”. You can count on the Residents Association in fighting any plans for selling of parks.

It seems like forever, when i was first pictured at the park in front of the closed gates, i only hope now that it does not take Havering Council another 9 months to sort out the new play equipment and works rquired in the park.

Sure Start Children’s Centre

I was pleased to be able to attend the official opening of Havering’s First Children’s Centre in Collier Row this week. The new centre brings together a range of services to local families with young children.

Although I did not partake in the fun and activities with “Bob the Builder” or “Fifi forget me knot”, I did manage to say hello (see picture), I also missed the flower pot men that were at the event, along with a magician, however, they all managed to keep the kids amused whilst parents and carers were able to look round. The official opening was carried out by Havering Mayor, Cllr Wendy Brice – Thompson, who also took in a tour of the centre, helped by “Fifi forget me knot”.

I was shown round the centre by David Woodhull (Sure Start Children’s Centre Manager) and three very nice ladies, Sarah Tether (Havering Early Years Manager), Alyson Day (Under 5’s team) and Carole Jaques (Havering Inspection & Advisory Service). I don’t normally mention staff, but they twisted my arm, well two of them anyway. I think the new centre is a credit to all of the staff involved at Havering’s Children’s Services department and they deserve a mention.

The Centre is funded by Sure Start, through the Department of Education & Skills, and managed by Havering Council. The project cost over £500,000, through a grant from the DFES, and I must say as a Ward Councillor, I am very pleased that this facility has come to Collier Row. It is the first of a number of Centres that will be rolled out across the Borough over the next 12 months or so.

The new Children’s Centre at Collier Row comprises an extension to the existing Early Years Centre, providing space for a 34 place full day care provision, a hot desking area for the multi agency, multi disciplinary team (based on the Sure Start Local Programme model), two further rooms which will be used as training or health rooms, a buggy store and large reception area.

The aim of ‘Children’s Centres’ is that all services come together as one provision and that the Centre becomes a hub for the community. The Centre will offer a range of multi agency services for under 5’s and their families and provide early support and intervention particularly for the most disadvantage communities. The aim is to ensure that every child gets the best possible start in life.

If you would like any more information bout the centre, the best thing is to just drop in, it’s in Clockhouse Lane, just opposite the Community Centre in Collier Row.

New Residents in Collier Row

I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of 24 new homes in Bushey Close on the old Gobions School Site in Havering Road this week.

The houses were built by Family Mosaic, a Registered Social Landlord and total 14 x 3 bed houses and 10 x 4 bed houses. They form part of the 6 acre former school, the rest of the site has houses and flats for sale on the open market and total over 160 new properties in total

Cllr Mann said “I have been involved with the development on the Gobions site from the very beginning, meeting with residents, planning officers and the developers, Taylor Woodrow, it is nice as a Councillor to see something that is completed, from drawings on a piece of paper, to houses in the ground and people living in them”

Although over 40 houses now have people living in them, the rest of the area is still a building site and will not be completed in full until March next year, 2008, adding almost 300 new residents to Collier Row.

Cllr Mann went on, “I would like to welcome everyone living in Bushey Close to Collier Row, it’s a great area of the Borough and im sure they will all fit in with the surroundings just fine”

Martin and Alex off to Oz

Two of Havering’s former Councillors are set for a new life down under, after emigrating to Perth, Western Australia this week. Martin and Alexandra Smith were Councillors for Mawneys Ward in Collier Row for four years between 2002 and 2006.

They stood for Election with the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association this May, in one of the closest and hardest election battles North Romford has ever seen, they narrowly missed out on being re-elected after four recounts, a record at Havering.

Martin and Alex had planned to leave for Oz in 2010, but Martin was offered an early retirement opportunity and with being unsuccessful at this years election, took the chance three years earlier than planned.

Both Martin and Alex have worked tirelessly for the ward over the years, both of them have been School Governors, over the last eight years at some time at Crownfield, Mawneys and St Patricks Schools.

Martin and Alex were also heavily involved with the Havering Twinning Association, a relationship that they started whilst Martin was Deputy Mayor (2002 – 2003), a job he undertook after stepping into the breach at the last moment.

On recalling how he was asked to be Mayor, Martin said “I was traveling on the train on the way home on the night of annual Council in May 2002, when I received a phone call to ask if Alexandra and I would be the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for the year, on repeating the question out loud on the train, the man sitting opposite me instantly stood up and shook my hand, shouting well done, this man is going to be the Deputy Mayor of Havering to everyone on the train”

He went on “Both Alexandra and myself would like to thank all of the residents that have supported us over the years, it has been a great privilege and honour to serve this Borough, we will both miss the friends and residents that have been part of our lives for so many years”

Chairman of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Andrew Mann said, “Both Martin and Alex have worked for the community of Collier Row and Mawneys Ward for many years, not just whilst elected but both before and after, their commitment can not be faulted and will be greatly missed”

Members of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association presented Martin and Alex with a signed photo of their time as Councillors.

Police Crackdown on illegal bikes in Havering Park

I was pleased to be able to join and The Havering Park Safer Neighbourhood Team on an operation last Sunday in the ward. (Pictured above with Sgt Andy Barnes, left and PCSO Hitesh Kamboj, on right) The team were out and about in Bedford’s and Havering Country parks in an operation designed to crack down on the illegal use of motorbikes in the parks.

The team were backed up with a colleague from the Mawneys team and one of Havering Councils mobile patrols, and of course me, well for a couple of hours at least anyway. The idea was for a high visibility patrol of the parks and surrounding areas to show both residents and those intent on tearing around the park that the Police will take action.

One of my biggest complaints at the moment is illegal bikes in and around the parks, it is dangerous to residents and the horse community that use them, and believe it or not, to the people actually using the bikes, but they do not seem that bothered.

The team kicked off at 11.00 last Sunday and spent the whole day until darkness fell across North Romford, out and about in the Ward. Although no arrests were made, a number of people were stopped and spoken to. The main objective was to stop the bikes and the high profile presence of the team done just that, maybe the bikers stayed away this week.

But, if you are a motor bike rider reading this, don’t worry, the team will be coming back soon, but maybe next time they will not be so high profile. My advice to you is simple, if you plan to use you bike illegally in one of our parks, DON’T, because you will be caught and I for one will be pressing for the maximum penalty in the Courts.

Wedding of the Year

I should have posted this two weeks ago, but somehow it did not get done. However, I had the pleasure of attending the Residents Association wedding of the year, Leader of the R.A's Cllr Barbara Reith married retired Policeman Terry Mathews at Langtons earlier this month.

A wonderful day was had by all who attended, friends and family of Barbara and Terry along with a sprinkling of Councillors (June Alexandra, Ray Morgon and Steve Whittiker) and the odd Chief Executive of Havering.

Barbara has now changed her name and is to be know as Cllr barbara Mathews, and we all look forward to her being back in the Town Hall this week after a well earned two week honeymoon in the sun. Best wishes to both of you, Andy

Transport cash is a joke

Just before Christmas, the Mayor of London, slipped out the news of his annual transport allocation, known as the LIP, which replaces the old name for the allocation, the BSP, get it so far !

The Borough Spending Plan allocates money for road safety and environmental improvements, across all 33 London Boroughs. This year Havering’s allocation has now slipped to the lowest allocation in London receiving only £2.9 million.

I personally think the allocation from the Mayor of London is pathetic, if you consider we pay the Mayor of London over £25 million each year for the GLA, what do we get back from him, why is it that Waltham Forest that is half the size of Havering should get almost £6 million, I would like to know what the Mayors problem is with Havering, he has only been here once in six years, he treats our residents with contempt.

I am also disappointed with Havering Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Mike Armstrong, I can not believe that the Cabinet Member is happy with this allocation”, in a press statement on the 21st Dec he said “we are especially pleased at the range of projects for which funds have been awarded. It means we will be able to continue work on a number of important transport issues” Does he mean the £400k for bus lanes and £200k for cycle lanes, the Cabinet member should be condemning the poor settlement from the Mayor, not saying how wonderful it is.

Don’t forget it is out money in the first place that the Mayor is just re-distributing; he is like a modern day Robin Hood.

Comments can now be made again

Following a bad case of comments being added to the blog site last year, I had to remove that service as the words used were pushing the boudaries of decency.

It is a shame that one or two indiviuals had to spoil the site. I have now had to set up the new comments page for those that log in with an e-mail address and or a log in to blogspot.com.

All comments then have to be moderated and approved before they can be uploaded. I hope it does not stop people leaving comments, as long as they are not rude, they will all be published. Andy

Residents win CCTV for Collier Row

North Romford residents and the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association are celebrating after Havering Council has finally listened to the local residents of North Romford in bringing forward plans for CCTV for our Town Centre.

Following a campaign launched last October, by the CRM Residents Association over 1000 local residents and shop keepers signed a petition calling on Havering Council to install CCTV in Collier Row town centre. Cllr Andrew Mann presented the first part to the Mayor of Havering at a Council meeting last year. Now the Council has been forced into bringing a report forward to next weeks Cabinet meeting (17th Jan 2007) outlining the plans.

Three cameras are proposed at yet to be determined locations in and around the shopping centre at a cost of approx £85k; Cllr Mann said “this is a small price to pay for the provision of cameras in North Romford, our residents have felt vulnerable for to long, this will go some way to make people feel safer”

During the local elections last May, the CRM Residents Association made the provision of CCTV for Collier Row one of its main priorities. With Romford Town Centre fully covered with cameras, Collier Row has gone without, to the detriment of its residents and shopkeepers.

Cllr Mann said “For to long, Collier Row has gone without, we have spent a lot of money on improving our Town Centre and we need to protect that asset, with the Police no longer issuing dispersal orders, those intent on causing trouble know that they can do so, without being caught”

He went on “Things have to change, it is wrong to demonise all youngsters, as only a small minority are intend on causing trouble, but we need better protection for our residents and shop keepers, Collier Row is a vibrant busy place, but a lot of people, in particular the elderly, do not like to go out in the dark”

During October and November last year, members of the CRM Residents Association spent Saturday mornings in Collier Row talking with residents and collecting signatures. Hundreds of people supported the petition, along with shopkeepers displaying posters and placing copies of the petition in their shops.

Now sit back and wait for the Tory spin, about how they were always going to install CCTV in Collier Row, just ask yourself one question, were have they ever said it, it was not in their manifesto for Collier Row at the last election.

I would like to just add a big thank you to all those residents that wrote to me and signed the petition, without your support we would not have been able to achieve this. Andy Mann

Happy New Year

Well, its a bit late but i have finally got round to updating the old blog site and wishing you all a Happy New Year, i was going to do so sooner, but im afraid the dreaded lurgy got me over Christmas and its taken a few weeks to get up to speed.

I have made a few New Year resolutions, the first to get back down to the gym as soon as possible and the second, to promise to update my blog site more often, so watch out this week for the first news postings of what i have been up to in the Town Hall recently.

Happy New Year to you all.

Andy

Winter News Letter now being Distributed

The Winter edition of the Collier Row and Mawneys news letter has almost been delived to some 10,000 houses across Havering Park & Mawneys wards in North Romford.

The news letter contains stories about our campaign for CCTV for Coller Row, local information, a safety scheme for Clock House school, planning matters and much more.

If you have not seen a copy, just drop us a line and we will send you a copy, either e-mail us at haveringpark@hotmail.co.uk or phone 768 008 and leave a message with your name and address.

Heating Bill Increase

Elderly residents across Havering have been sent a very unwelcome Christmas present by the Tory Administration – a rise in the cost of their heating & hot water bills by 200%, with increases in some case going from £3.69 a week to a whopping £11.75. The charges are set to rise next year to £13.

Over 1000 Council tenants are affected, many of them elderly and vulnerable, such as those in sheltered housing accommodation and what a time to do it, just a few weeks before Christmas, when all of us are feeling the pinch in buying goods and presents for the festive period.

Nobody doubts that the cost of energy has risen over the last 24 months, my own bills have doubled in this time, however British Gas had the decently to write and tell me every other month or so to say it was going up and adjusted my bill. They did not save it all up to a month before Christmas and hit me with the lot in one go.

Running a Council has often been described like running a big business; after all it turns over almost £1 Billion a year. All I can say, is if this is the way the Tories wish to run Havering Council, I would not trust them to run a bath and a cold one at that as we cant afford the heating bills.

To cape the whole sorry tale, Senior Housing officers sent a briefing note to only the Conservative Councillors on Havering Council and the three Tory M.P.s. This was a shameful act, weather intentional or misguided, the Residents Group on Havering Council feel this was done to suppress the opposition and try and keep the whole thing a secret.