TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER

Havering ULO’s leading the way.

In Control, the national leading social innovation network on personalisation and self-directed support has been working in Havering with the many excellent voluntary and third sector organisations to help them get ready for the BIG transformation in social and health care. The leaders from these organisations have come together to understand what the new world will look like and what new opportunities this brings for the organisations and the people of Havering.

This innovative piece of work has generated an exciting vision for Havering and to deliver this it has been decided that creating a User Led Organisation Consortium would be the best way forward. To support the development of the consortium Havering council has funding for a development worker for a year to get the consortium up and running. Work is now going ahead to find an organisation to host the worker and find the best person for the job.

Census Day (27th March) has passed, however residents of Havering still have time within which to complete and submit their Census form.

Havering Council therefore continues to actively promote the 2011 Census. Our Census message has now changed to advising people that "it's not too late to complete their Census Form".

If a form was not returned by 6th April, one of 35,000 Census collectors will be visiting these individuals at their homes throughout April (Census completion is mandatory by law). Census collectors will offer help and advise to those who have had difficulty filling in their Census forms and will supply replacement forms if theirs has been lost or damaged.

2011 marks the centenary of the completion of Romford Garden Suburb, by Raphael Park, in 1911 - one of Britain’s great Arts and Crafts suburbs. Copies of the English Heritage publication "English Garden Cities: An Introduction", giving and introduction to the period, have been purchased by the Library Service to mark the event and can be read in the Local Studies and Family History Centre on the first floor of Central Library. The library also has copies of the book "Rediscovering Utopia: saving London’s Suburbs" with a section about Romford Garden Suburb at Gidea Park by local resident Ian Rice. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the Romford penny post, the fiftieth anniversary of Romford Summer Theatre producing a play by Shakespeare annually in Raphael Park and the hundredth anniversary of the birth of cricketer Kenneth Farnes - who studied at Royal Liberty School. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Romford Summer Theatre producing Shakespeare in Raphael Park the group have produced a fascinating booklet outlining their history. Copies are available in the Local Studies Library in Central Library. 2011 also marks the centenary of the establishment of Romford Special School in Malvern Road - perhaps the beginning of special school provision in Romford?

KEEPING ROMFORD SAFE
Retailers, the police and the Council have introduced a new scheme to keep pickpockets and shoplifters out of Romford town centre. Anyone arrested for theft of pickpocketing in the town centre will automatically be issued with an interim banning notice from the town centre, pending a decision as to whether or not they should be permanently banned from it. Photographs of those banned will be distributed to all shops in the town centre so that security guards and shop assistants can identify people who have been banned.

I am continuing my efforts to have a pedestrian refuge installed in Junction Road, Romford opposite to the Medical Centre.

From: Andrew Rosindell M.P.
Monday 4^th April 2011

Defend Queen's Hospital and keep the King George Hospital A & E and Maternity OPEN!
Later this year around August, the decision will be made whether to keep the A&E and maternity units open at the King George Hospital.
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member for Romford, said that:
"The closure of these services at King George will have an adverse impact on the already overstretched Queen’s Hospital. The hospital already faces significant overcrowding issues, a shortage of visitor parking and other transport problems. Should King George services close, then the Queen’s problems would get worse and health services would suffer even more."
Councillors from both boroughs are united against the proposal, along with local Members of Parliament.
There is a protest event coming up to highlight the concerns we hold with the proposals, with details outlined below.
Next event:
Assemble at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 8th, outside the Queens Hospital for the walk to the Ilford Town Hall.
Rally to be address by:
Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan-Smith M.P. (Member of Parliament for Chingford and Woodford Green)
Ken Livingstone
Lee Scott M.P. (Member of Parliament for Ilford North)
Mike Gapes M.P. (Member of Parliament for Ilford South)
Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge M.B.E. M.P. (Member of Parliament for Barking)
Andrew Rosindell M.P. (Member of Parliament for Romford)
Jon Cruddas M.P. (Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham)
Angela Watkinson M.P. (Member of Parliament for Upminster and Hornchurch)
John Cryer M.P. (Member of Parliament for Wanstead and Leyton)
And faith speakers

Visit http://savekinggeorgehospital.blogspot.com for more information on the campaign!

Your support for our campaign would be very much appreciated!

I will be attending the North East London Joint Health Scrutiny meeting today