At the Heart Autumn 2018

Magazine for tenants and leaseholders Autumn 2018

Helping Havering people live locally See page 3

2

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Contact us

You can report, apply and pay for a variety of housing services online.

For all enquiries please visit www.havering.gov.uk/ askhousing Send your comments about At the Heart or ideas for future issues attheheart@havering.gov.uk At the Heart is written, designed and published by Communications, Havering Council, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior written permission of Havering Council.

Visit our office

Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday You can follow us on Twitter @LBHHousing Sign up for the regular email updates from Havering Council www.havering.gov.uk/enews Your sign up to Council email updates @

OTHER FORMATS

Havering Council will consider requests for documents to be translated or converted into other formats.

More info:

Dear residents Welcome to the Autumn 2018 edition of At the Heart and my first as Havering Council's Cabinet Member for Housing.

I hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing summer and were able to enjoy some of our borough’s many Green Flag awarded beautiful parks or the fantastic new facilities at the Sapphire Ice and Leisure centre in Romford.

Housing has been in the news a lot recently and there are a number of things we are doing to provide Havering residents with homes fit for the 21st Century. In March, we announced Wates Residential as our partner for an ambitious project that will see an overhaul of our existing Council accommodation. The long-term scheme will increase the amount of council rented accommodation by 70 per cent and involve the building of around 400 low-cost home ownership properties. By doubling the amount of affordable housing on the 12 estates covered by the regeneration project, we are determined to make housing affordable for local people. Our extensive consultation with residents on the 12 estates continues, and, if you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to raise them at the community engagement meetings held around the borough. You can see details of forthcoming meetings on page 18.

As part of our strategy to provide accommodation to those most in need, we have also been cracking down on those people occupying council properties who have no right to be living in them. You can read about our successful “knock knock” campaign that has now returned more than 60 properties to our housing stock from those who had no right to live in them on page 4.

Finally, I'm going to talk about fire safety. A few simple measures can play a huge part in ensuring you, your family, and neighbours remain safe in your homes. Test your fire alarm weekly, keep communal areas clear of clutter, and don’t block fire escape routes. For its part, the Council has been conducting extensive checks on all of its properties to ensure that our residents are as safe as possible and you can read about that on page 10.

With thanks and best wishes, Cllr Joshua Chapman Cabinet Member for Housing

www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

Looking after your money There is still time to have your say in the Council’s budget consultation.

There are four more consultation events taking place in the borough this month – in Collier Row, Hornchurch, Romford and Upminster – residents are welcome to attend these events, where they can find out what the Council is looking to do around setting the budget and ask questions.

Details of the public meetings, the consultation documents and survey form are available online at www.havering.gov.uk/consultations. Alternatively a Published by Havering Council | Job no. 5482 Autumn 2018

paper version can be picked up in any library or the Town Hall. Your views are really important for helping the Council look at how it tackles the challenges that it faces and where it can focus the budget to make a positive difference and deliver a high standard of service to residents.

www.havering.gov.uk

3

Helping Havering people live locally in quality homes

How part of the Waterloo Estate could look after the estate regeneration project

Havering is now committed to one of the most ambitious local authority home building programmes in the country.

The 12 estate regeneration project will see an overhaul of Havering’s existing Council accommodation. It will increase council rented property by 70 per cent and lead to a doubling of affordable housing on the 12 estates. The aim is to deliver much-needed homes that will be affordable for Havering residents on local income levels.

Choice of quality homes The initial programme aims to deliver around 3,000 homes over 12 sites across the borough. This will provide a choice of good quality homes for people at all stages of their lives.

Wates Residential has been selected as the Council’s partner for delivering these new homes across Havering.

They are one of the leading family-owned construction, development and property services businesses in the UK specialising in delivering outstanding buildings with an uncompromising focus on safety and quality. These are some of the principles that Wates Residential has committed to follow:

• To provide a choice of good quality housing for people at all stages of life

• To diversify the estate by introducing lots of different

types of homes, including affordable rent, shared ownership, private rent, market sale, and extra-care sheltered housing • To create communities where there is no difference in appearance between private sale and affordable units • To provide more affordable housing • To replace unsuitable sheltered housing with modern older person village housing with extra care and dementia provision • To create new public green spaces • To improve pedestrian links to surrounding roads

Extensive consultation As the plans develop, Havering Council and Wates Residential will consult extensively with our current tenants and leaseholders. The consultation process began almost two years ago and has already involved hundreds of residents across the 12 estates, 159 group meetings and dozens of newsletters. There have also been hundreds of one-to-one meetings with residents. Feedback so far has shown strong support for the project from the majority of residents and further consultations will take place shortly. Extensive support is being provided to all residents to help them find new homes with work on the first four sites expected to commence late next year.

4

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Fighting fraud Over the past few years, housing demand has exceeded housing supply. Consequently, council waiting lists have got longer with more people requiring a long-term housing solution. As part of a strategy to lessen the strain on housing lists, Havering Council have been cracking down on those people occupying council properties who have no right to be living in them.

A specialist team was assembled whose sole function was to audit every single council tenancy in the borough.This meant that an officer would enter each household and talk to the tenant, confirming who lived there and checking formal identification and proof of residence.

The project launched in October 2015, in parallel with an amnesty, which encouraged anyone committing tenancy fraud to return their keys within a set timescale to avoid prosecution. Since then, the vast majority of the Council’s general needs housing stock has been visited, with audits completed on more than 8,500 individual households. To date, 66 properties have been returned to the Council’s housing stock from the hands of fraudsters, some willingly and others after legal action.

To boost the efforts of the audit team, last year the council launched a public awareness campaign called ‘Knock Knock’. This involved a fresh amnesty, and a £1,000 reward for information directly leading to the return of a sublet property. This fraud project received strong support from residents and has proven to be a big success returning council properties to those who truly need them.

Cleaning up in Harold Hill Ten volunteers recently joined Havering Council staff and councillors for a clean-up event at the Hilldene shopping area in Harold Hill.

Armed with litter pickers, brooms and shovels, they went about filling bags with litter that had been blighting the area. Gloves and sacks were supplied by the Council’s Street Cleansing team and all bags were collected at the end of the event.

Following concerns raised by residents, businesses and councillors about the level of litter on the streets, the event was held to encourage visitors and residents to think about where they put their rubbish and take pride in their local shopping area.

Cllr Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for Environment, (pictured below) said: “This is an example of a local community working together with the Council to keep the area in which they live, work and go to school cleaner and tidier.

“A daily street sweeping operation is undertaken by the Council, but we want to encourage residents to have pride and help us in keeping neighbourhoods cleaner. This will in turn, mean that others will perhaps think about how they dispose of a cigarette butt or a crisp packet.”

If you want to help keep Harold Hill tidy, then flag up the places you consider to be a problem. Where the Council is informed about consistent environmental issues such as fly-tipping, excessive litter, dog fouling and waste, it can investigate, and take measures to reduce the problems, such as holding clean-up events. To give your feedback on a hotspot area go to: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Haroldhillhotspots.

www.havering.gov.uk

Pick

of

the

5

bunch

From Best Community Garden to Best Hanging Basket to Best Allotment and Best Front Garden, the efforts of local residents, businesses and schools in this year’s Havering in Bloom awards were celebrated at a special lunch with the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Dilip Patel, at the Town Hall last month.

Among the winners were: •B est Community Garden: William Tansley Smith Sheltered Housing, Hacton Lane, Hornchurch •B est Allotment Site: Keats Avenue Allotment Site, Romford

Hacton Lane: Havering in Bloom winner

• Best Front Garden: Parminder Singh, Hornchurch • Best School Grounds: Drapers Academy, Romford Cllr Patel said: “We’re extremely proud of our borough and the efforts of everyone who took part in this competition. The work that goes on in our parks and open spaces on a daily basis has meant Havering has been in full bloom throughout the summer months.”.

With cooler nights, and days, on their way, here are some timely tips to help avoid condensation problems in your home this autumn and winter.

The most important tip is whenever there is cold weather to try and maintain a constant temperature of above 18 degrees Celsius in your home. If you do find an area of mould, treat it with a fungicidal wash. Mould does not grow on dry surfaces, so it is really important that you wipe off any condensation from your windows or surfaces every morning to stop mould growing.

Keep doors closed while cooking, or when taking a bath or shower, so that the extra moisture in the air doesn’t spread to the rest of your home. If you can keep bathroom windows open and extractor fans turned on during these activities or immediately afterwards that will also help.

If you can dry wet clothes outdoors, rather than indoors, that will reduce moisture in your home. If you can’t, put them in a closed room and keep the window open. If

Best allotment site: Keats Allotments

Best front garden: Parminder Singh

you use a tumble dryer make sure that the ventilation pipe runs to the outside of your home.

Finally, keep your home well ventilated by opening windows or using extractor fans and trickle vents (if your home has them). If you spot condensation on your window, it’s likely that it will be elsewhere in your property too.

Havering Council is responsible where condensation problems are caused by water leaks from windows, the roof, overflow pipes, gutters or drainpipes. It is also responsible for maintaining the damp proof course, loft insulation (if the property has it), and for any works that are high above the ground level. If you know of issues at your property that are the Council’s responsibility and may cause problems with condensation please report it. www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

6

At The Heart Autumn 2018

• • Sheltered Times Housing Extra • • • Sheltered Times

How to contact your scheme officer Sharon is the Sheltered Housing Manager and is in charge of the scheme officers.

Email Sharon.Nunn@havering.gov.uk Ashley looks after Serena, Solar and Sunrise Court, Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane.

Email Ashley.Cowlin@havering.gov.uk Carol looks after Brunswick Court and Holsworthy House.

Email Carol.Foley@havering.gov.uk Stephanie looks after Delderfield House, Poplar Street and Royal Jubilee Court.

Email Stephanie.Johnson@havering.gov.uk Kristie looks after Bards Court and Cole Court.

Email Kristie.Sobodu@havering.gov.uk Kelly looks after Thomas Sims Court and Cockabourne Court.

Email Kelly.Murray@havering.gov.uk Nadine looks after Beehive Court and Charlbury Crescent.

Email Nadine.Quinlan@havering.gov.uk Andra looks after Dell Court and Garrick House.

Email Andra.Ramsay@havering.gov.uk Denise looks after Cottons Court and Fambridge Court.

Email Denise.Smith@havering.gov.uk Lade looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court, Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House.

Email Lade.Dairo@havering.gov.uk Abigail is the Sheltered Housing Support Administrator Email Abigail.Fuller@havering.gov.uk

SHOUT for your representative

Each sheltered housing scheme can have up to two representatives attend the SHOUT (Sheltered Housing Users Team) forum. If you have a question or issue you wish them to raise please contact your representative.

The current representatives are:

Bards Court Bards Court Beehive Court Beehive Court Brunswick Court Brunswick Court Charlbury Crescent Charlbury Crescent Cockabourne Court Cockabourne Court Cole Court Cole Court Cottons Court Dell Court Fambridge Court Garrick House Holsworthy House Holsworthy House Poplar Street Poplar Street Ravenscourt Grove Ravenscourt Grove Royal Jubilee Court Royal Jubilee Court Solar Court Sunrise Court Thomas Sims Court Thomas Sims Court William Tansley Smith House William Tansley Smith House

John Ashwell John Hunter Graham Broad Joyce Rafis Ann Christian Paul Clark Rose George Derek Dench Peter Newins Laraine Newins William Russell Patricia Pain Valerie Harper Gary Narborough Jean Freeman Malcolm Hales Stan Tackley Margaret Boyd John Clifford John Wilson Christobel Gibson Jean Garbett Elizabeth Paterson Carlene Robertson Frances Rowntree Brian Laws Peter Cox Mick Droy Lucy Proctor Adrienne Bell

SHOUT meetings are only open to your elected SHOUT Forum Representatives. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 October at 10am at Cole Court, Dorking Road in Harold Hill. If you have something you wish to be raised at one of these meetings please let your representative know.

www.havering.gov.uk

7

s Housing Extra • • • Sheltered Times Housing Extra • •

Poetry Please Earlier this year we received the sad news that Brian Weston, a resident at Cottons Court in Marks Road, Romford, and a regular contributor to the poetry column, had unexpectedly and suddenly passed away. His daughter, Heidi, said that Brian loved writing, particularly poetry, and was very proud to contribute to At the Heart magazine. She asked if we could feature one of his poems that he wrote in May 1996 that she though would be a fitting tribute to her dad who she says: “lived life to the full, and always had a smile on his face.” Other tributes came from his fellow residents: “All Brian's friends at Cottons Court are missing his friendly face, kind words, and not meeting him whenever we walk around the building. We miss our poet dreadfully.”

And from Brian's four children: “Our loveable dad and best friend was a talented writer, with an endearing cockney charm and quick wit. He lived life to the full and always with a smile. We are proud to say he were ours.”

Renee Smith, a resident in Poplar Street, Romford, recently celebrated her 80th birthday at a party arranged by her family that included a visit from a certain celebrity singer.

Sheltered Housing events

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL

late afternoon I look through my window in the k soon Night time is coming it will be dar day the a in rs The twenty four hou Fly by so fast and fritter away e?

Where has it gone what have I don e non is re Time was here now the day Tomorrow will bring another new y awa Then it will be gone far, far When I was born I was brand new Out of my cot then into a shoe First I was young then I was old Now stories I tell as time unfolds Life is so short as time travels fast last Live it to the full and memories will le whi rt sho very a for e her We are only smile. a r wea ays alw and full Live life to the

Friday 21 September Sheltered Housing Quiz Tournament Cole Court, Dorking Road, Harold Hill, RM3 9YD Wednesday 26 September Scam awareness roadshow Thomas Sims Court, Wood Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 5NN Wednesday 3 October Scam awareness roadshow William Tansley Smith, Hornchurch, RM12 6PE Tuesday 30 October SHOUT Forum meeting Cole Court, Dorking Road, Harold Hill, RM3 9YD Friday 7 December Sheltered Housing Quiz Tournament Dell Court, Hornchurch, RM12 6JH

8

At The Heart Autumn 2018

• • Sheltered Times • • •

Keeping

memories

alive

A memorial plaque was recently unveiled in the gardens at William Tansley Smith House in Hacton Lane, Hornchurch in memory of Stanley Tyler. Known by his friends and family as Tom the residents paid tribute to him by saying: "Tom was a very poplar resident who was generous and kind. He loved the garden at William Tansley Smith and spent many happy hours in it. We wanted to pay tribute to Tom and thought that rose bushes were the best way to mark his memory."

From the heart. A poem.

Donna Wilkes, a tenant living at Ravenscourt Grove in Hornchurch, has written to us to say thanks to our housing support team, Queens Hospital, paramedics, and her neighbours for providing a home where she can feel safe.

She wrote a poem to share her feelings.

Today I woke with a pain in my arm, but don't think it serious enough to pull the alarm.

I can still get up and make a cup of tea, having drunk it, I really don't feel 'me'.

I cannot help but to lay down again and rest, and hope when neighbours don't see me, they feel unrest.

Two nights and days go past in a daze, hours are passing in a haze.

My chest is getting so very tight, I'm not sure if it’s a heart attack, or just pure fright.

I really should have been wearing the emergency neck cord provided, the independence I craved now seems so deluded.

I cannot put a finger on how I feel, there's an aura around me that doesn't feel real.

My jaw is aching, like having a toothache, and I lay down on the sofa to take a break.

There's a knock on the door I know I must answer, if I cannot get to the door, sure I will be laid in pasture.

I gather all the strength I physically can, each and every move causes such pain.

All the facilities provided by assisted living, pass through my mind, so unforgiving.

So many tenants have complained at the 'lack of care' but I know if I can just hold on, help will be here.

Any energy I had has just been zapped, I try to move, but feel within i'm trapped.

The emergency cord is only feet away, but when I try to reach it, I begin to sway.

I realise my mobile phone is out of reach, the very thing to neighbours I have preached.

Always keep the phone on your person, for any emergency you call for help within reason.

Sure enough help eventually comes, and after operations and time gave me life again.

I cannot thank Havering Council and the NHS too strongly, for giving me another chance to enhance my longevity.

www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY 2018 www.havering.gov.uk

| 47 9

Universal Credit is here How does it affect you?

5382 Apr

5418

Get online to make a claim

Pay your rent on time – set up a monthly Direct Debit Be prepared – budget and plan ahead

www.havering.gov.uk/uc

10

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Working hard to keep you safe There are many simple measures you can take to help prevent a fire in your home and keep you, and your neighbours, as safe as possible.

For example, not wedging open fire doors, overloading electrical sockets or leaving lit candles unattended. However, it’s also the duty of the Council to regularly check the condition of all its properties and, where appropriate, swiftly rectify any potential problems that are identified.

Assessing the fire risk Mark Howard manages the Council’s Housing Fire team. He oversees a rolling programme of fire risk assessments which are checks to ensure that buildings are compliant with fire safety standards. All of Havering Council’s properties have a current fire risk assessment report which is up to date.

When the Council carries out a check it looks at things including signage, emergency lighting and fire alarm systems where they are fitted. The check starts at the top of the building and works its way down to the ground floor.

Assessors will talk to residents and when necessary point out clutter or other problems that could impede emergency escape routes from buildings.

They may also call on residents to check on the safety of front doors and provide residents with general fire safety advice. All of the Council’s assessors carry appropriate identification.

Don't miss the Fire Safety and Clutter Workshop, including a presentation from the London Borough Fire Brigade.

Friday 5 October 6.30 to 8pm At: myplace, Harold Hill.

Free to attend

Spotting potential problems The Council keeps a register of all these visits and the assessor will file a report that is sent to Paul’s team identifying any remedial work that’s required to improve fire safety.

What key tips does Mark have for tenants and leaseholders to help reduce the risk of fire hazards?

“One of the most important things for residents in blocks of flats is that they don’t remove the selfclosing device on their front door. These are vital to prevent fires or smoke escaping from, or entering an apartment. If there’s a problem with the self-closing device please report it so it can be adjusted.

“The second thing that I would implore all residents to do is to check the smoke alarm weekly. Press the test alarm button and if you hear the low battery warning signal please get the battery in the alarm replaced” said Mark.

www.havering.gov.uk www.havering.gov.uk/living | JULY2017

NG in Havering

www.havering.gov.uk/living

|

JULY2017

|

| 11 09 09

““KKNNOCK OCK,, K NO OCCKK!” KN !”

005099

005099

owing support

pplaud those marching through Romford Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday vides an opportunity for members of the upport for the men and women who make community.

” ? e ” r ? e e h r t e s h ’ t o s h ’ o h ““W W

““YYOOUU T ELL US S!!””

y the Royal British Legion Band and Corps d included serving military personnel d cadets.

moonnthth isit h m c h a c e a s e e m o ’re v nnccil h e u o u W o C C f o f o s s d d e r e hhuunnddr g g n i n t i t s i s i v v e e ’r ’r e eCharlie Turner, said: WW ing B Company, Major We’re t Following the parade the Mayor of ay parade in Romford Town centre was Havering, Cllr Linda Van den Hende, ty for us to enhanceW our W local profile, e dedication ceremony at e ’r ’re et takingattended gArmy baacaReserve o as reservist paratroopers and the akin ckkppCentre theb rroopinpeLondon errttie iess being usseedd ille t within 4th battalion. The Parachute Road where the bar was formally named illeggaallllyy ly grateful to the Mayor and the people of after local Upminster resident Jim Knox. us the privilege of taking part.”

In 1941 Jim Knox reported at the same location to what was then known as The as a detachment based in London Road, ud a r y F Drill Hall to sign up. He lied about anc c clos actively recruiting. They are looking for fit e n n r ’ a e e T n e W n T his age so that he could join the o en aged 18 to 34. There are also posts ooor16.roHenvolunteered dojust e d h t Army aged e g h t n A attached arms for both male andlfemale i g s e’ree’rcelcosoin to then join The Parachute Regiment and went on to see WW

South Street and finished at Tollgate lace. Soldiers from 4 PARA, the country’s erve parachute battalion were part of the is to augment the regular battalions that ult Brigade based in Colchester.

d contact the Army Recruiting Team on or 4PARA-BCoy-RECRUITING@mod.uk

#NoJoke #NoJoke

action with the original 4PARA in North Africa and Italy including the critical battle for Monte Cassino.

www.havering.gov.uk/knockknock www.havering.gov.uk/knockknock

5413

www.haveri

12

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Local heroes During Volunteers’ Week this June nine residents were nominated by Havering Council to thank them for their involvement and the time they have devoted to helping others.

Thanks

to everyone who completed the survey we promoted in the last edition of At the Heart and received a free kitchen kit to help reduce household food waste. We had a great response with over 150 residents receiving kits.

The draw has now been made and the winner has been informed and has received their prize of a slow cooker.

For more information and top tips on how to reduce your food waste and save money please go to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

The Deputy Lieutenant for Havering, Colonel Mark Bryant, and Shelley Hart, the Chief Executive Officer of the Havering Volunteer Centre presented the awards.

Look out

One of the award recipients Brenda Hughes, pictured above left, said: “I was pleased to receive appreciation for the commitment and contribution I have made in many voluntary roles with Havering Council for the past thirty plus years where I believe that I have represented the views of tenants and leaseholders across the borough.”

for news of an exciting new literary festival coming to Havering this November.

The event will feature talks by internationally-acclaimed and awardwinning authors, including Jeffrey Archer, Alison Weir, Kimberley Chambers and Roger McGough.

To find out how you could help others in your local community visit www.haveringvc.org.uk or call into the Havering Volunteer Centre at 32-24 High Street in Romford.

During the three-week festival, there will be workshops, family activities and poetry events. You can get tickets and details from your local library.

Lots of ways to get

involved

Havering Council is keen that residents get involved with the services we provide in the borough. Here are some of the ways you could help provide us with feedback or help your neighbours:

Involvement option

Commitment

Participation Panels

• Monitor performance within the Housing Service •A ttend a minimum of 4 meetings annually per panel •A ttend walkabouts in your local area • Feedback area repair information • Attend quarterly meetings •D iscuss Leaseholder services • Havering borough events •H elp to set up and run events • I T Buddy – helping others on line • Garden Buddy – helping others with gardening

Community Representative Leaseholder Forum Activity Event Helper Buddy Scheme

If you would like to find out more about getting involved please email getinvolved@havering.gov.uk and let us know your name, address, email and telephone number, or call 01708 431767.

www.havering.gov.uk

Shared Ownership homes available now at ROSEHIP CLOSE off Briar Road, HAROLD HILL

Our brand new development of two and three bedroom houses at Rosehip Close is perfectly located for people working in London or Romford. With a minimum share of 25% available, the houses are ready for purchase under the Shared Ownership scheme. For more information please contact the Shared Ownership team at sharedownership@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434182.

Prices for 2 bedroom

£90,000 (for a 25% share)

6 available

Lim ava ited ilab ility

Prices for 3 bedroom mid terrace

Prices for 3 bedroom end of terrace

(for a 25% share)

(for a 25% share)

£95,000

2 available

All s old STC

£97,500

2 available

Last rem one aini ng

Property features:

inished to a high standard • Fand specification these

• • •

homes include a downstairs cloakroom/toilet and generously proportioned rooms: a living room/ kitchen/diner of 29 square metres in the 3 bedrooom houses. Bedrooms 1 and 2 in both types of property are 11 square metres in area.

H igh energy efficiency with wall, floor and roof insulation and gas central heating and hot water A garden plus allocated parking. (2 bedroom = 1 space, 3 bedroom = 2 spaces) C lose to excellent schools and local services and well served by public transport with easy access to the A12 and M25.

Contact the Shared Ownership team now at: sharedownership@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434182

13

14

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Insurance cover helps in emergencies In 2016 two rivers in Havering burst their banks causing flooding of some homes, especially in Collier Row. The mess caused by such flooding is always difficult to clean up and having your home flooded, often with the loss of furniture and family mementoes, is never pleasant.

But if you don’t have insurance cover there can often be a big financial cost too.

The Council does not insure your furniture, belongings or decorations against theft, fire, vandalism and burst pipes.

It is up to you to take out your own home contents insurance either by making your own arrangements or by joining a special scheme exclusively for Havering's council tenants and leaseholders.

From as little as 35p a week you can cover the cost of replacing your belongings and Council tenants can pay weekly with their rent which helps spread the cost.

See the table below.

More info www.havering.gov.uk/HomeInsurance

Home Contents Insurance for all Tenants The cost of Tenants Contents Insurance under the Havering Council scheme is now lower than it has been in years!*

Prices for standard cover start from: 79p per week for £9,000 cover for under 60s 53p per week for £6,000 cover for over 60s

35p per week for £4,000 cover for those in sheltered accommodation

Or you can choose to upgrade to full accidental damage cover from: £1.13 per week for £9,000 cover for under 60s 76p per week for £6,000 cover for over 60s 50p per week for £4,000 cover for those in sheltered accommodation

You simply need to choose the level of cover to suit you, up to £40,000.

Avoid unexpected costs with cover included for items such as lost or stolen keys, freezer contents and broken windows – all specially designed just for tenants!

NO EXCESS if you need to make a claim

There is also a range of optional covers to choose from, including cover for personal belongings away from the home, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hearing aids and pedal cycles.** No increase in your premium if you do make a claim – the prices quoted are fixed for at least the next two years

Pay weekly with your rent– no additional interest charges!

Call now 01708 434000 or visit our website for an application form.

*Review conducted from 1996 to 2017. Based on £9,000 worth of standard cover for under 60’s. Price does not account for increases in Insurance Premium Tax. **Please speak to a member of staff for more details on applicable items and limits available.

The policy is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. FP.ENT.2053.MH

www.havering.gov.uk

Christmas rubbish all wrapped up As always there will be some changes to rubbish and recycling collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period so look out for notifications of those changes.

You will see them in Living in Havering magazine out in November, on a leaflet through your door, public notice boards or by visiting this page on the Council’s website: www.havering.gov.uk/ christmasbins

15

Under Occupancy

If you are a housing benefit claimant living in social housing, aged between 16 years old and Pension Credit age having a 'spare' bedroom can lead to a cut in your housing benefit. There are options available for tenants affected by under occupancy. These include covering the shortfall from your personal income, finding work, or trying to increase your hours if working part time.

Another option is to consider taking in a lodger or other family so you no longer have a spare room.

Alternatively, you may want to downsize. Havering Council offers a financial incentive for council tenants moving into smaller accommodation: Move from...

to...

you get...

PLUS...

4 beds

3 beds

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

4 beds

2 beds

£1500

Up to £500 towards moving costs

4 beds

1 bed

£2000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

3 beds

2 beds

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

3 beds

1 bed

£1500

Up to £500 towards moving costs

2 beds

1 bed

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

In specific circumstances, we may be able to provide extra financial help via the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund.

If you would like to discuss Under Occupancy, please call: 01708 432537.

SPEND YOUR POINTS The London Green Points Havering scheme, the free resident reward scheme that gives members points for reducing waste and increasing recycling, will be ending this October.

If you joined the scheme please check your online statement for your points value and spend them by next month. You can spend your points by either logging into your account at www.localgreenpoints. com/havering or by calling 020 7326 5055 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm).

Points can be spent on products from the online store such as Marks & Spencer vouchers, or donated to one of nine local charities in Havering such as Saint Francis Hospice, Harold Hill Foodbank, Havering Mind and more.

Don’t lose out on spending the points that you have earned and check your account today.

For further information, visit www.havering.gov.uk/ greenpoints.

16

At The Heart Autumn 2018

It's easy to do it online

Many of the Council’s services are now available online, so you can access them day or night when it suits you, and we can provide them more cost-effectively.On average an online transaction is 20 times cheaper than using the phone, 30 times cheaper than the post and 50 times cheaper than a face-to-face meeting.

Sign up to Havering Council’s ‘My Account’ service at www.havering.gov.uk/myhavering and you can then access a wide range of services 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the website.

0000 000

6543 2109 8765 4321

SeeMyData

Tenant/Leaseholder Repairs

Find your local job club Contact the Job Club Team on 07923 054727 or just come along with some ID to any of these job clubs: Mardyke Community Centre - Mondays 9am to noon Mardyke Community Centre, South Street, Rainham, RM13 8PJ

You can apply to move house, for energy efficiency advice, to rent a garage and much more at www.havering.gov.uk/applyhousing

North Romford Community Association - Tuesdays 10am to 1pm Room 6, North Romford Community Association, Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row, RM5 3QJ

You can also pay your housing or garage rent and Council Tax by Direct Debit by completing and returning the online form, or you can pay online using credit or debit cards through www.havering.gov.uk/payforit

Betty Strathern Centre - Wednesdays 10am to 1pm Betty Strathern Centre, 41 Myrtle Road, Harold Hill, Romford, RM3 8XS

The Report It service is available to let the council know about community and neighbourhood issues, housing issues and a lot more at www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

Hornchurch Library - Thursdays 10am to 1pm Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB

Council tenants and leaseholders can get secure access to all their housing information online through www.havering.gov.uk/SeeMyData

ICT support at libraries

Havering Citizens Advice Bureau - Fridays 10am to 1pm Havering Citizens Advice Bureau, Central Library, St Edward's Way, Romford, RM1 3AR

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/JobClubs

The 10 libraries in Havering have computers available and offer support for people needing help to set up email accounts or access the internet. This free support is only available at certain times at each library as shown in the table, as these sessions are often run by volunteers. Please contact the library to confirm details and book your place.

Library Collier Row

ICT Session date Saturday 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Contact CollierRow.library@havering.gov.uk T 434936

Elm Park

Alternate Fridays 10.30 – 11.30am.

ElmPark.library@havering.gov.uk T 434919

Gidea Park

Wednesday 10 – 11am Beginners' course over five weeks. Saturday 10 – 11am Techy Buddy session.

GideaPark.library@havering.gov.uk T 434978

Harold Hill

Monday 10.30am – 12.30pm. Tuesday 10am – 12noon. HaroldHill.library@havering.gov.uk Thursday 10am – noon. Friday 1.30 – 3.30pm T 434973

Harold Wood

Wednesday 10.30am – 12.30pm pre-booking essential.

Thursday 2.30 – 4.30pm pre-booking essential.

HaroldWood.library@havering.gov.uk T 434975

Hornchurch

First Tuesday of month, 2 – 4pm, Techy Teas.

Hornchurch.library@havering.gov.uk T 434903

Rainham

Last Wednesday of month, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Techy Teas.

Rainham.library@havering.gov.uk T 434970

Romford Central

Wednesday 10am – noon, ICT Support drop-in sessions. Central.library@havering.gov.uk Friday 10am – noon, Beginners' four-week course T 432389 pre-booking essential.

Upminster

Thursday 10.15am – 12.30pm.

Help relative to iPhones, iPads, tablets and smartphones. Booking essential.

Upminster.library@havering.gov.uk T 434933

More info www.havering.gov.uk/libraries - all telephone numbers are 01708

www.havering.gov.uk

Listings Youth Diversionary project dates

More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing every third Tuesday, 9.30 – 11am Card Making Workshop for adults – £7 t 434933

Havering Branch Essex Wildlife Trust Family Mosaic runs weekly drop-in sessions at: Collier Row Children’s Centre, Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row​, RM5 3Q​J Every Tuesday, Noon – 2pm Chippenham Road Children's Centre​, 85-89 Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8HP Every Wednesday, Noon – 2pm

Fostering

Information events for training, rewards and benefits of becoming a foster carer.

Presentations are being held at Havering Town Hall from 6 – 7.30pm on: Thursday 4 October Thursday 1 November Thursday 6 December

Fairkytes

Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX Tickets can be purchased through Seetickets, or from the Fairkytes Box Office on 01708 456308. www.seetickets.com

Brookside Theatre

21a Eastern Road, Romford, RM1 3NH. For ticket details email: info@brooksidetheatre.com www.brooksidetheatre.com or call 01708 755775

Queen's Theatre

Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT For ticket details visit: www.queens-theatre.co.uk or call 01708 443333

Youth Bus

Central Park, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, RM3 9LB Every Thursday, Until 31 December, 6 – 8pm

Youth Bus

Oldchurch Estate, Romford Every Thursday, until 31 December, 5 – 8pm

Street Football in Central Park Every Wednesday until 31 December, 5 – 7pm For other Centre-based projects call: Myplace on 01708 376004 Royals Centre on 01708 525601 Check social media for where we will be this week: Twitter @LBHHousing Please visit: www.havering. gov.uk/youthbus

Libraries

Adult Craft Workshop

Upminster Library – Craft workshop on the third Tuesday of the month 1.30 – 3pm.

(Booking required – chargeable event).

Afternoon Tea Group Harold Hill Library Wednesday 2 – 3pm Small charge for refreshments.

Family History

Help with researching your family history.

Upminster Library – Thursday 2 – 4pm

Card Making Workshop Upminster Library –

17

1st floor meeting room, Hornchurch Library.

Second Monday of each month, 8 – 9.45pm t 440297

In Stitches Groups

Join a friendly knitting and sewing group (small charge for refreshments) Collier Row Library – Fridays 10.30am – noon and 1.30 – 3pm Elm Park Library – Thursday 2 – 4pm (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Thursday 2 – 3.30pm Harold Hill Library – Monday 1 – 3pm / Thursday 10am – noon Harold Wood Library – Friday 10am – noon Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 2.30 – 4pm Rainham Library – Tuesday 2 – 4pm Second Wednesday of each month 6 – 7.45pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am – noon South Hornchurch Library– Wednesday 1.30 – 3.30pm Upminster Library – Wednesday 10am

Bravo Café, 4 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR Coffee/tea and cake for £2.95 for Di's Diamonds members Fourth Thursday of every month, 10am – Noon

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Bowling first Tuesday of every month, 1015am Namco, The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford, RM1 1AU

Diamond Geezers

Mens' Club, free to join, free to attend and free refreshments. Come along and enjoy monthly trips to the dog track, play cards, draughts etc.

Tesco Roneo Corner, Romford, RM11 1PY Every other Monday, 3.30 – 5.30pm

LGBT Group

At Tapestry, Stanton Gate, Mawney Road, Romford RM7 7HL Meeting first Tuesday of each month, 3 – 5pm

Tapestry

Tapestry,services are shaped to meet the needs of frail old people who live in Havering.

They offer a wide range of services from Health and Coffee Mornings Wellbeing to coach trips Ingrebourne Community and financial services.

Housing Group at Hitchin For more information Close Hall, Hitchin Close, please call 01708 796600 Harold Hill, RM3 7EG or email Every Tuesday, 10am – Noon hello@tapestry-uk.org The Queen's Theatre, Billet Lane, London RM11 1QT Coffee, chat and knitting.

10% discount for Di's Diamonds members.

Third Monday of every month, 10am –Noon

Details of other events can be seen online at www.havering.gov.uk/ events

18

At The Heart Autumn 2018

Tell Joshua what Cllr Joshua Chapman, the Havering Council Cabinet you think... member for Housing writes: “Every month I will hold a surgery so that you can call in and discuss any housing issues with me.

The surgeries are on a “first come, first served” basis and any tenants are welcome to come along to any of the venues listed below. Alternatively you can book an appointment online at: www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries or email: getinvolved@havering.gov.uk.”

If you prefer,you can always write to me at: Cllr Joshua Chapman, Cabinet Member for Housing, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB. Cllr Chapman Surgery Date

Time

Venue

​Monday 8 October 2018

10am – 1pm

Hornchurch Library, Meeting Room 2, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB

Monday 12 November 2018

2 – 5pm

HASWA Hall, 39 Wood Lane Hornchurch, RM12 5NB

Tuesday 11 December 2018

9am – 1pm

Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre, Bolberry Road, Collier Row, RM5 2FG

Monday 7 January 2019

2 – 5pm

Council offices, Macon Way, Cranham,RM14 1NZ

Special housing regeneration surgeries are also being held on a regular basis and Housing Regeneration Officers will be visiting estates at these dates and times: Date

Time

Venue

​Monday 8 October

3 – 4pm

Royal Jubilee Court

Thursday 11 October

7.30 – 8.30pm

Oldchurch Gardens

Friday 12 October

4 – 5pm

Brunswick Court

Tuesday 16 October

6 – 7.30pm

Maygreen

Thursday 18 October

12 – 1pm

Delderfield

Thursday 18 October

4.30 – 8.30pm ( this will be split into resident and businesses sessions)

Chippenham, Farnham & Hilldene

Tuesday 23 October

6 – 7.30pm

DELTA

Wednesday 24 October

3 – 4pm

Dell Court

Homes recovered

If you’re thinking of exercising your Right to Buy (RTB) make sure that you are following the rules.

In the last two years the Home Ownership Team has identified 55 RTB applications which caused concern and were referred to Tenancy Fraud investigators.

The investigations showed that the 55 applicants were committing fraud by not providing accurate information and their RTB was cancelled.

Many of those applicants then had to hand in their keys to avoid fraud prosecutions meaning an extra 55 properties were available for genuine Council tenants.

That tough action saved the Council £4,784,438 in discounts which would have been given if RTB had gone ahead.

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/RightToBuy

Cancelled

www.havering.gov.uk

UMC UMC PHAB PHAB

Youth Youth Club Club

EE: : R R E E tt WWHH odoidsis

etehth M M r r ,, inisntsete alal lLl aLnaene m m p p UU EE 2, 2HH , 1A1A h h c c 4 4 r r 1 1 u u ChCh R, M RM , r r e e t t inisns pm pm UU

ENTRY ENTRY£1 £1

:: N N E E pm WWHH .0.0p0m

0 0-8-8 0 . .

6 6 adyasys d s s e e TuTu

Are Areyou youaged aged10 10toto25?

25?

Come Comealong alongand andhave havea agogoatatour ouractivities activitiesincluding: including: Dodgeball, Dodgeball,Table TableCricket, Cricket,Dance, Dance,Drama, Drama,Music, Music,the thechance chance ESSEX totoattend attendactivities, activities,residential residentialtrips tripsand andgain gainqualifications qualifications ESSEX In In association association with with such suchasasthe theDuke DukeofofEdinburgh EdinburghAward!

Award!

For Formore moreinfo: info: Email: Email:katiec@essexboysandgirlsclubs.org katiec@essexboysandgirlsclubs.org Phone: Phone:01245 01245264783 264783 An Aninclusive inclusiveyouth youthclub clubfor fordisabled disabledand andnon-disabled non-disabledyoung youngpeople people www.essexboysandgirlsclubs.org www.essexboysandgirlsclubs.orgCharity CharityNo: No:1163658 1163658

19

20

Clutter can cost lives Download by blocking fire exit routes – just keep them clear!

At The Heart Autumn 2018

app

Please don’t store bikes, prams or mobility scooters Be back to school ready and purchaseinyour child’s school lunch atand www.haveringcatering.co.uk corridors stairwells Sub-brand logo

Under the HES umbrella are other service providers, such as HES catering services. Their logo should be shown as follows. The colour palette used is as page 16 of this guide. The logo should not be altered without permission from the Head of Education Traded Services.

www.havering.gov.uk

5132 C