Library Services

Services for Hearing Impaired and Deaf.
We have been looking at how we can help Deaf customers to access our services.  We have a couple of members of staff who are level 1 British Sign Language (BSL) signers (Romford and South Hornchurch, please ring ahead to make sure they are available).  We also run a reading group with a BSL signer on the first Tuesday of the month at Romford Library, starting at 2pm.  You can bring your own books or choose one of ours.  The group is newly formed and very informal.  

Electric Blanket Testing

Havering Council is urging residents to dust off their electric blankets and get them safety checked ahead of the cold snap. The Council’s Trading Standards officers will be at Yew Tree Lodge Resource Centre on Thursday 28 November between 9.30am and 2.30pm. On the day, the Council will check blankets to ensure they are working properly and are safe to use.  The London Fire Brigade will also be on hand offering home safety checks and free smoke alarm fittings.

GP opening hours

Havering GPs opening at weekend to help busy A&Es

Havering GPs are to open their doors at weekends to help relieve the pressure on local hospital A&E departments. A new scheme, which starts this weekend, aims to offer patients who are ill or injured and need urgent care, but are not a medical emergency, a weekend GP appointment in place of a long wait at A&E. 

The scheme is designed to ease the pressure on local A&E departments this winter with Havering GPs reminding the public that A&E is only for people with a life-threatening medical emergency. 

Here’s how it works. Starting this weekend, the local NHS 111 service can book an urgent weekend GP appointment for you, if needed, at a nearby surgery.

If the problem can wait until Monday, you will be given a ‘passport slip’ that will ensure your own GP contacts you. This will also help reduce the pressure on GP surgeries at the start of the week as patients will not have to wait until Monday to phone for an appointment. 

Patients access the new service by calling 111 to ensure they get the right care. Some services, such as x-rays, stitches and medical certificates are not available through the new scheme. 

Local hospitals can also re-direct patients to a weekend GP surgery if it is the right place for them to be seen. 

A&E attendances at Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) increased by 18 per cent between 2003 and 2011, with the biggest increases coming at the weekend. Winter is the busiest time for the NHS so local GPs want to make sure that, if people need urgent care, alternatives are in place so only those with a life-threatening emergency use A&E and can be seen more quickly. 

The scheme will be rolled out between now and December starting in those areas that have the highest numbers of patients using A&E. Participating practices will be open for appointments between 9.30am and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Havering CCG chair and local GP Dr Atul Aggarwal said: 

“We know our local hospital is likely to face serious pressures over the winter and, as local GPs, we must do our bit to help. 

“Patients should only go to A&E if they have a life threatening emergency, but sometimes they simply don’t know where they should seek help. We need to provide alternative places for patients who don’t need to be in A&E at weekends but do need to be seen quickly. By calling 111, those patients who need an urgent weekend GP appointment will get one. 

“Opening some GP surgeries at weekends this winter is a key part of our plans to make sure patients get the right care in the right place.” 

The weekend opening scheme will initially run through the winter. GPs will then look at how effective the scheme has been in reducing A&E attendances before deciding whether to continue it on a longer term basis.

Library Forum

The 4th annual libraries forum was held in Romford Library on the 11th October 2013.  There was a packed agenda which included updates on the Digital projects currently being delivered by volunteers and a presentation on our new web services.  Customers gave positive feed back about our progress on the key objectives set out in our three year strategy.  We were particularly asked to  extend the training for the RNIB software and to run courses on using your iPad and down loading e books and magazines.  

Travel today

Following the stormy weather conditions this morning (Monday 28 October) many public transport services are now resuming, but with delays - you are advised to monitor public transport and road updates, as they are continually changing:

www.tfl.gov.uk

www.c2c-online.co.uk

www.greateranglia.co.uk

Halloween

Ardleigh House Halloween Party,

 

31 October from 6pm - £5 adults £3 kids (under 5 free)

 

Free face painting for kids and a glass of ghoul (Free glass of alcoholic ghoul

for adults) Spooks & Ghosts in the grounds. Ride the ghost train, if you dare!

Apple bobbing - trick or treat with free kids activities. Bar open for adults.

Jacket spuds, hot dogs, Best costumes competition (for adults and kids (judged by age)) Plus

lots more - ALL ARE WELCOME

 

Autumn leaves

What to do with Autumn Leaves

It feels a little later than usual but autumn is now in full fall, and those with green fingers will lap up the opportunity to put the leaves to good use by composting them. With around 20,000 trees lining the borough Havering Council is encouraging residents to rake and collect the leaves that drift onto their property and then either compost them, put them in their green bins, or take them to the nearest refuse and recycling centre for composting. If residents aren’t able to dispose of the leaves, the Council offers a service to collect leaves blown in from the street and pick them up.

 

Residents should collect and bag their leaves during the autumn then call 01708 432563 to arrange a collection.

Peoples Inquiry into London's NHS

The first meeting is now in SW London, and we are keen to get contributions which go beyond concerns over hospitals and A&E (although these are important).
If you could pass on our request for people to submit written evidence to
http://www.peoplesinquiry.org/contactus.php
or to come along to one of the local hearings that would be great. Or if there are specific people we should contact, we now have some organising support to do this.
The questions we would like people to address include:


 *   Concerns (or congratulations) over mental health services, both from NHS providers, contracted non-NHS providers and services delivered through social care
 *   Care of older people: is there any evidence of an "integrated" or "seamless" service? Are adequate resources available from social care? Are local people being genuinely consulted and their views taken on board?
 *   Activities and policies of local Health & Wellbeing Boards, public health initiatives and preventive health
 *   Development of Healthwatch local organisation and issues of adequate accountability and voice
 *   Concerns over uneven quality of primary care and out of hours services


People are welcome to give verbal evidence to any of the public hearings of the Inquiry, five of which are more local, and two in central London addressing mainly London-wide issues. They need to contact us in advance, so we can organise the agenda at: http://www.peoplesinquiry.org/contactus.php

Public consultation on BHRUT

CQC’s new Chief Inspector of Hospitals asks local people to tell him about the care provided by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

 

England's new Chief Inspector of Hospitals is inviting members of the public to tell his inspection panel what they think of the services provided by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. Their views and experiences will help inspectors decide what to look at when they inspect Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford in October.

 

The trust is one of the first wave of 18 hospital trusts to be inspected under radical changes being introduced by the Care Quality Commission. The formal inspection at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust will start on Tuesday 15 October.

 

The Chief Inspector, Professor Sir Mike Richards, announced in July that he will lead significantly larger inspection teams than before, headed up by clinical and other experts including trained members of the public.

 

To ensure the views of patients and the local community are properly heard, the inspectors will be holding a listening event (details below):

 

Tuesday 15 October, 6.30pm, Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford

 

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend the listening event to find out more about the inspection process, to tell the team about their experiences of care and to say where they would like to see improvements made in the future. 

 

Sir Mike said: "The new inspections are designed to provide people with a clear picture of the quality of the services in their local hospital, exposing poor or mediocre care as well as highlighting the many hospitals providing good and excellent care.

 

"We know there is too much variation in quality – these new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before.

 

"Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients in the hospital. But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have had care at either of the hospitals run by the trust, or anyone who wants to share information with us. This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service.

 

“This is your opportunity to tell me and my team what you think, and make a difference to the NHS services in the local area.”

Sir Mike's inspection team is expected to look in detail at eight key service areas: A&E; medical care (including frail elderly); surgery; intensive/critical care; maternity; paediatrics/children’s care; end of life care; and outpatients.

A full report of the inspectors’ findings will be published by the Care Quality Commission later in the year. 

For media enquiries, call the CQC press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours or out of hours on 07917 232 143.  

For general enquiries, call 03000 61 61 61.

Notes to editors

CQC is asking people who would like to attend the listening event to fill in an online form atwww.cqclisteningevents.org.uk or call 03000 61 61 61. This will help us with planning for the event, but people are free to turn up on the evening even if they haven’t registered. We’d appreciate it if you could include these details in any coverage as we are keen to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Anyone who is unable to attend the listening event but wishes to give their views to the inspection team can do this by email to cqclisteningevents@livegroup.co.uk.

Useful Contacts for older residents

Useful Telephone Numbers

Alzheimer’s Society- Havering 01708 739293

Alzheimer’s Society Helpline 0300 222 1122

Age Concern – Havering 01708 796600

Age Concern – Havering Dementia Services 01708 797700

Benefits 01708 433996

Public Advice and Service Centre 01708 433481

Bus (Freedom) Passes 01708 433997

Citizens Advice Bureaux 0844 826 969

Community Safety Team 01708 432028

Dial a Ride 0845 999 1999

Havering Housing & Council Tax 01708 757242

Havering Direct (Social Services) 01708 464974

Pension Service 0845 606026

Queen’s hospital 01708 435000

Community Dentist 0844 600 1201 ext 5074

Continence Advisory Service 01708 465142

Collaborative Care Team (Queens Hosp) 0300 555 1096

Older Adult Mental Health Team (Suttons House)
0300 555 1135

Carers Information Service 01708 722700 

Havering Parks

HAVERING PARKS

We are proud to report that Havering Council has maintained its status as having some of the best parks in the country after eight of them were awarded the prestigious Green Flag status for 2013/14.

 

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards.

 

The award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

 

A panel of judges visited the parks and checked that they met the criteria of being welcoming, safe and secure, clean and well maintained, sustainable, that they support conservation and heritage, and encourage community involvement.

 

Parks and open spaces are one of the most frequently used public services in the borough, with more than 50 per cent of people visiting a park at least once a week and many using green spaces as an integral part of daily life. This is why the Council has maintained the high standards of its parks - as they are so highly valued by residents. The Council has secured the Green Flag awards for the following parks:

• Bedfords Park, Havering-atte-Bower

• Cottons Park, Romford

• Harold Wood Park, Harold Wood

• Hylands Park, Hornchurch

• Lawns Park, Collier Row

 

My Health London

MY HEALTH LONDON                                                                                         The National Health Service has recently launched a new website www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk where you will find information about your GP in your local area. Log on to the site and see how your practice is doing or give feedback on the services you receive. You can also get involved in surveys aimed at service improvement or look for information on the open hours of GP surgeries including those that are open on Saturdays.

Memory Matters

Memory Matters Roadshow

Age Concern Havering’s Dementia Advisory Service is holding a

Memory Matters Roadshow at Upminster Library, Corbets Tey Road Upminster on October 8 from 10am–2pm.

Havering carer representatives, dementia advisors, dementia support nurses from Queen’s Hospital, and people from The Alzheimer’s Society and Crossroads will be on hand to give advice.

For details, call 797700.

 

Takeaway litter

Shops across the borough invited to join the crackdown on takeaway litter

​Last month, Havering Council launched the next stage of the Cleaner Havering campaign to tackle takeaway litter, starting in Elm Park. And this month, the campaign will be rolling out across the borough.

The campaign encourages takeaways, snack shops and supermarkets to sign a pledge, which commits them to encourage customers to bin their rubbish and to undertake regular clean-ups of litter outside their shop.

The shops will also display the Council’s campaign posters and put special campaign stickers on their food packaging.

Letters have been sent to hundreds of Havering shops encouraging them to take the anti-litter pledge. Recently, a number of McDonalds stores in the borough signed up to the campaign too.

Local businesses that want to also take the anti-litter pledge should visit www.havering.gov.uk/takeaway

 

Blooming Awards

Nine Blooming Awards for Havering

The Council scooped nine top awards at this year’s London in Bloom competition, including three gold. And the winners are: The London in Bloom Borough of the Year Award 2013 – Silver Gilt Award in City Group B category; Business Improvement District, The London Riverside BID, Havering – Silver Gilt award; Country Park of the Year, Hornchurch Country Park – Gold Award;  Large Park of the Year, Bedfords Park – Gold Award; Park of the Year, Lodge Farm Park – Gold Award; Small Park of the Year, Langtons Gardens – Silver Gilt; Large Cemetery, Romford Cemetery – Bronze Award and South Essex Crematorium and Upminster Cemetery – Silver Award; The Best Horticultural Display on the Public Highway, 3^rd prize for Oldchurch Road roundabout.

Italian Market

Italian Market returns to Romford town centre

on Sunday 8^th Sept 2013.

 

Italia in Piazza is an innovative and authentic Italian Food Market comprising a number of mouth-watering stalls bringing you all the wonderful tastes you would expect to get in Italy, such as parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto, salame, olives, extra virgin olive oils and much more.

 

I have arranged for some Italian themed entertainment throughout the day to entertain shoppers as follows:

 

• Children will be able to have the opportunity to access Italian craft activities on the day,  designing venetian maks

 

• Italian themed street performers will entertain members of the public including the sing-along gondolier.

 

• Italian themed face painting.

 

• An Italian quiz for adults and children on the day courtesy of Havering Adult College. The winners will receive an Italian food hamper.

 

The Italian food market will be located along South Street and will run from 10am until 4pmand will hopefully add an extra dimension to the towns vibrancy and offer while increasing footfall within the town centre on a Sunday.

Yew Tree Resource Centre

YEW TREE RESOURCE CENTRE                                                         You are all invited to the Yew Tree Resource Centre in Romford on Wednesday 18th September. There will be a number of staff from Adults Social Care as well as other voluntary support groups to provide information on Arthritis Care, Parkinson’s support services, and a range of advice for people in need. Entry is free. The event starts from 10:00 till 3:00 pm. There will be light refreshments. Call 01708 434392 for further information.

Active living week and Silver Sunday

ACTIVE LIVING WEEK & SILVER SUNDAY                                                                      Havering Council and the Havering Over 50s Forum are organising the Active Living Week from September 30th to 6th October 2013. The week will see series of activitiesfor the older residents in Havering. Watch out for the final programme which willinclude a special awards ceremony. You can find additional information at:www.havering.gov.uk/silversunday

Immigration poll

Voters say immigration hurts UK

A poll of more than 20,000 people has found that only 17% of Britons believe immigration has benefited the country. In contrast, 60% of people thought immigration had brought more disadvantages than advantages to Britain. The study also found that 79% of people supported the message on the Home Office's "Go home or face arrest" advertising vans - although only 17% of people thought the policy would work.

Havering A level results

Excellent results for our

A Level students

Havering’s students proved once again that they are among the best in London with another year ofoutstanding results. This year’s A Level pass rate currently stands at 99.8 per cent, pending final results from Havering Sixth Form College and Campion School’s sixth form. In 2012 the pass rate was 96.4 per cent. The average points score is up on last year and, while students generally entered fewer exams this year, the grades they achieved were higher.

 

Come Dancing!

DANCE ACTIVE

Do you wish to stay active after 50 years? Are you interested in learning new dance moves while socialising with others with similar interests? Come and join us every Wednesday 8:00pm –10:00pm, at Chadwick Hall, St Michael’s Church, Gidea Park, RM2 5EL. You do not need any prior experience, and it is free to join. For more information, contact Mary Bryan on 01708 752057 or marybryan151@talktalk.net

 

HASWA

HASWA WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

The Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA), in Elm Park runs variousactivities at their Community Hall in Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, RM12 5NB. Adultsweekly activities include Bollywood Classes on Tuesdays, 19:00 – 21:00, Yoga Classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am, and Lunch Club on Wednesdays 12:00 -14:00. Participants are expected to make a minimumcontribution of £2.00 for attendance to each event. Come and join us in any of our activities, and either learn breathing and relaxation techniques, improve flexibility and balance or to simply reduce the perpetual loneliness you face at home. For further information contact 01708 522789, or email office@haswa.org.uk

 

HAD Welfare Surgery

HAD WELFARE SURGERY

Havering Association for People with Disabilities (HAD) is organising monthly Welfare Benefits Surgery on the 4th Wednesday of every month starting from July 2013. Benefits advisers from the council’s Welfare Rights Unit provide clients with up to date advice and information on benefits. The team also carries out benefit checks to advise those who may be entitled to other benefits. This is an appointment only service. To make an appointment please ring 01708 476554.

 

Dementia roadshow

DEMENTIA COMMUNITY ROADSHOW VISITS RAINHAM

A pioneering Dementia Community Roadshow will be visiting Bridge Road, Rainham Tesco Extra on 20thAugust 2013 as part of a local awareness programme to increase understanding of the condition. Residents living outside Havering can find out when the Dementia Community Roadshow will be visiting their local area by visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk/roadshow. Residents in Havering can contact Sue Mcnally on 01708 739293 or email sue.mcnally@alzheimers.org.uk for any additional information.

Swishing!

There will be  a free Swishing event at Romford Shopping Hall tomorrow (3 August) and everyone is invited. The swapping event of clothes and shoes has been organised by the Council’s Recycling team in partnership with Romford Shopping Hall. It is aimed at cutting waste by giving people the chance to give away their unwanted items and take away things they want. It starts at 12 noon and ends at 3pm. For more information tel: 432838.

Takeaway Litter

Take away your litter and bin it 
‘Enjoy your takeaway – then bin it’ is the key message of the Council’s latest campaign urging fast food outlets and their customers to help keep Havering clean.

Unsightly takeaway food packages thrown on the ground are a major concern of the borough’s residents, as revealed in last year’s Spring Clean survey. In response to this our Cleaner Havering Campaign is signing-up takeaways, snack shops and supermarkets – starting in Elm Park – to a pledge to clean-up takeaway litter outside their shop, display the campaign posters, and put special campaign stickers on their food packaging.

 

Havering Museum

History & Archaeology Club for 12 - 16 year olds starts Saturday 14th September 2013, 2:00 - 3:30pm. 10 Sessions £25 (inc light refreshments). Sessions include Saxon Rainham, Osteoarchaeolgy & the case of Richard III, Maritine Archaeology & The Mary Rose, and a session hosted by Museum of London Archaeologists. To reserve a place please ring the Museum on 01708 766 571

Havering's parks are the best.

Havering's parks have been named as some of the best in the country. What is your favourite park in the borough?

http://bit.ly/13ppJB0

Havering Council...hot weather statement

Fans have been issued to every resident of RJC where they had none

·         All clients deemed vulnerable by care management have been  contacted this has resulted in one increased care package and two respite placements where clients were in difficulty

·         Commissioned providers have been put on alert to respond to emergency referrals from care management

·         Commissioners have issued the 2013 PH Heat wave plan to all providers and asked them to risk assess existing clients and liaise with care management where required

·         All Day centres issued with above guidance and outdoor activities risk assessed and ceased where appropriate and bottled water will be provided by transport to and from services

·         All supported living providers issued with above guidance

·         Front door report no increase in demand arising from heat wave to date

 

Sports news

YOUTH SPORT

Havering School Sports Collective is working with the Council and schools throughout the borough to promote participation in school sport festivals, sports development opportunities, disability sport and teacher development programmes. For more information please see http://www.haveringsportscollective.org.

 

NEW SPORTS CENTRE APPROVED

Permission has been granted for a new public sports centre in Western Road inside the Ring Road, including an 8-lane swimming pool, new ice rink, gym and fitness centre.

 

Bank Hollies Day!

Make it a Bank Hollies Day

The Hollies will headline at this year’s Havering Show held from 11am to 6pm, on the August BankHoliday weekend. The top pop 60s group will perform their hits such asHe Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother and The Air That I Breathe on Monday 26 August at the free two-day event in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch,

Silence won’t be golden when The Tremeloes Twist and Shoutand ask Do You Love Me? as the headline act on Sunday 25 August. David Van Day of Bucks Fizz and Guys ‘n’ Dolls will appear on both days. 

Other entertainment includes the East Coast Freestyle Moto-x Display Team, a big top with circus performances, and more than 50 classic cars on display.

Bottle deposits

Bottle deposits to make a comeback

A bottle deposit scheme could reduce litter, increase recycling and create 4,000 jobs, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has told MPs. Bottle deposits used to be common in Britain 20 years ago but were phased out when plastic bottles and cans became cheap to make and discard. However, as the country runs out of landfill sites, the system could come back into fashion. Government studies found that returning drinks containers for 10p would increase recycling and reduce litter.

Havering over 50s

HAVERING OVER 50’s WEBSITE

Havering Over 50’s Forum have recently launched their new website which holds useful information for members and potential members atwww.havo50forum.org.  The Havering Over 50’s Forum is a non-political organisation that creates a platform for people aged 50 years and over, to have an effective voice within the community and the Council on matters that affect them.  The Forum holds monthly meetings at the Town Hall on the second Tuesday of each month, next meeting Tuesday 9th July 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Havering Music School

Musical open day

You can learn how to blow your own trumpet and other musical instruments at the free Havering Music School Open Day, tomorrow (Saturday 6 July), from 1pm to 4pm, at Havering Sixth Form College, Hornchurch.  There will also be live music from bands showcasing their skills along with stalls, and food and drink. Although entry to the event is free, it is by ticket only, available at the door or reserved in advance by emailingmusicschool@havering.gov.uk

Harold Hill Festival

Summer festival set to shine

Donkey rides, inflatables, and local music acts are among the entertainment on offer at the Harold Hill Summer Festival, tomorrow (Saturday 6 July) at Central Park, from 12pm to 5pm. The festival, which is run by volunteers, will also give local people the chance to find out more about the progress of the Council’s Harold Hill Ambitions programme, which aims to regenerate the area.

Repairs to pavements and roads

PAVEMENTS AND ROADS

The Council will be carrying out pavement repairs in the following roads in the current financial year; King Edward Road, Hearn Road, Alexandra Road, Eastern Road (outside Ring Road), Kingston Road, Errol Road, Gilbert Road, South Street (between Dymoke Road and Melton Gardens), Park Lane (outside shops and school). There will also be road surface repairs in King Edward Road, Eastern Road (outside Ring Road) and South Street (Dymoke Road to Melton Gardens). The Council has raised 27 works orders for footpaths and potholes in Carlton Road after we were contacted by a resident. The mini “crater” at the junction of Repton Avenue and Repton Gardens has been repaired. We have reported a hole in the pavement in North Street underpass and a pothole in Globe Road near the junction with Hillcrest Road. A pothole inBrentwood Road near the entry to Tolbut Court has been repaired.

 

Travellers and green belt

Travellers face green belt ban

The Mail reports that Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, will issue new advice to councils barring Travellers from settling on green belt land in a bid to prevent disputes such as the one at Dale Farm in Essex. Mr Pickles said that in future planning officials must give "particular scrutiny" when letting caravan sites blight England's beauty spots and concentrate them in other areas.

Town Centre news

ROMFORD MARKET

A new food court offering freshly cooked delicacies from around the world has been established in the Market. From mid to late-July events will be organised in Romford Market and throughout the town to promote independent retailers and market traders. For more information please see http://www.havering.gov.uk/romfordmarket or follow the Market on Twitter @LBofHavering.

VICTORIA ROAD

The organisation Transport for London will decide whether to fund environmental improvements in Victoria Road (inside the Ring Road) and in The Battis at a meeting in July.

PARK LANE

Havering Magistrates upheld the Council’s decision to refuse longer alcohol licensing hours at Hornchurch Food and Wine. Many thanks to all those residents who took the time to attend the Court and express concerns at this application.

Security in our Parks

PARKS PROTECTION TEAM

Please contact Havering Council’s Parks Protection Team on 07904 805 872 if you notice bad behaviour or anything untoward in any Havering park.

Nature Conservation

A "citizen science" project aims to establish the degree to which bird song has local dialects. Residents are asked to record the song of the yellowhammer if they hear it, and send it to the researchers. For more information please see http://www.yellowhammers.net. The organisation Sustrans is looking for residents to volunteer as "Cleaner Air Champions" in Romford and Hornchurch. For more information please see http://www.sustrans.org.uk, or email cleanerair@sustrans.org.uk, or telephone Sustrans on 0207 017 2356. OPAL (Open Air Laboratories Network based at Imperial College, London) is undertaking a tree health survey, and invites residents to take part. For more information please see http://www.OPALexplorenature.org or write to Freepost RSCH-CKYJ, OPAL, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ. Since last year Havering Council has planted 3,000 plants, shrubs and wildflower beds to provide wildlife habitats and promote nature conservation. New trees have been planted around Romford Ring Road and in Hornchurch High Street, and work carried out with residents to improve nature conservation, including with London and Quadrant Housing in Logan Court and with the Council’s Housing Department in St. Andrew’s Road and Queen Street.

Falls Awareness week

Council marks Falls Awareness Week with a stall in South Street

Thursday 27 June 2013

​A resident has their blood pressure taken at the Falls Awareness Week stall

​Hundreds of people sought advice and information about falls prevention during annual Falls Awareness Week (Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June).

The national week, organised by AGE UK, was marked by Havering Council, and partners including NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust), with an information stall in South Street, Romford on Wednesday 19 June.

 

As well as information and advice, visitors could also have their blood pressure taken to check on their general health and wellbeing and try out the balance master, which helps people to improve their balance.

 

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Best Foot Forward’, therefore a range of advice was offered on the importance of keeping feet fit and healthy to maintain good mobility and independence for older people to prevent falls.

 

Councillor Steven Kelly, Cabinet Member for Individuals, said:

 

“We all know how debilitating a fall can be for an elderly or vulnerable person; it can really knock their confidence and take a while until they are back to full health.

 

“Therefore, it’s important that we do everything we can to prevent these falls from happening in the first place. I am pleased that so many people visited our stall and hope they all took away some worthwhile advice for the benefit of themselves, their friends and family or someone they help to care for.”

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day parade

Come and show your support for the Armed Forces Day parade.

Havering will celebrate Armed Forces Day with a parade through Romford town centre on Saturday 29 June. The event is free and all are welcome.

 

The parade will start at 10:30am next to the Havering Visitor Centre in South Street, and makes its way through Romford Market to finish at Tollgate House.

 

Families and shoppers are urged to come along to the parade and show their support for Havering's Armed Forces community. Free Union hand waiving flags will be available on the day from the Havering Visitor Centre on South Street.

Date

Saturday 29 June 2013

Time

10:30 until 11:00

Location

South Street and Market Place, Romford, RM1 3ET

Admission

Free

Website

Armed Forces Day web page

Email

events@havering.gov.uk

Phone

01708 432 427

Collier Row Carnival

After last years success with the Collier Row Carnival & Family Fun Day we have decided to have another one this year!

It will be taking place on Sunday 11th August at Forest Row Centre in Lodge Lane Collier Row (Same venue as last year). This year we will have the entire centre for our use so will be having craft stalls inside as well as out & a huge marquee out up on the field so there won’t be any windswept stalls!

We are hoping to make it even bigger & better than last year! The theme for the Carnival is "Storybooks & Fairy tales" & are hoping that the groups/Schools & Clubs taking part in the parade will embrace the theme & come up with some wonderful costumes & routines just like last year!

If you would like to take part in either the parade or the Fun Day please reply to this email & we will send you out a booking form.. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Ella Rayment

Events Organiser Collier Row Community Group

Collier Row Community Group

CollierRowCommunityGroup@yahoo.co.uk

For all up to date news & info find us on facebook at:www.facebook.com/collierrowcommunitygroup

 

Met Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service is putting an extra 2,600 neighbourhood police officers onto the streets of the capital to fight crime in the heart of London’s communities.

Safer Neighbourhoods Teams [SNTs] are changing. With more officers and additional responsibilities, SNTs will take a stronger approach to catching criminals and protecting communities. Using their detailed local knowledge, SNTs will now be responsible for investigating neighbourhood crime, tackling those that cause harm to our communities and reducing anti-social behaviour [ASB]. SNTs will be more visible with officers on patrol later into the evenings, over the weekends and at peak times.

A neighbourhood inspector* will have the flexibility to direct officers to where they are needed un-restricted by ward boundaries. They will take responsibility for reducing crime in their area and be held accountable to the local community.

There will be new ways to contact the police. Victims of crime, or those who wish to speak with a local police officer, can make an appointment at a time and place convenient to them. Each borough will have one police station open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other police stations will provide standard front counter services, with opening times determined by local need.

There will be additional contact points in police buildings and staffed by SNTs across their neighbourhoods for a minimum of three hours per week.

The 101 telephone number will remain for non-emergencies and the public will be able to request a visit from a local officer within 48 hours. In an emergency there is the 999 system that answers just under five million calls a year - 93 per cent in ten seconds or less.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne said: “We’ve listened to the public and understand people just want to know police are close by. So we are changing the way we do things to make neighbourhood policing our priority.

“We will now have around 200 places for the public to access police, in more convenient locations and at differing times.

“We are telling Londoners exactly where their police will be and when, making it clearer what the best way to access police is depending on what their need is.

“Making neighbourhood policing our priority demonstrates our commitment to Londoners and will deliver the service they deserve”.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing Stephen Greenhalgh said: “After the most extensive public consultation ever carried out into policing in London, we have listened to what people want in putting ‘bobbies’ before buildings. Moving 2,600 extra police officers into neighbourhoods provides a golden opportunity for the Met to reconnect with Londoners".

The transition into the new model of policing will take place in two tranches. The first boroughs to see the changes will be: Barnet, Bexley, Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Havering, Hillingdon, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, *Merton, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets and Westminster.

Tranche two boroughs will roll out in September and will be: Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Harrow, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth.


Under targets set by the Mayor of London to cut key crimes by 20 per cent, improve public confidence by 20 per cent and cut costs by 20 per cent by 2016, the Met is introducing these changes to the way local policing is carried out across London boroughs to ensure there are more officers on your streets and that they are used with greater flexibility.

The full list of locations, maps and opening hours of police stations, contact points and deployment bases for all London boroughs can be found on the MOPAC website.

Please click on your borough’s PDF file; http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-crime/mission-priorities/police-and-crime-plan

To find out who your neighbourhood inspector is and the officers on your local SNT please use the postcode finder on the SNT website*; http://content.met.police.uk/Site/saferneighbourhoods