RA’s proposed budget shows Xmas is cancelled.

A draft budget proposal by the Resident’s Association has shown how they wish to reinstate the 30 minutes free parking by cutting money to the borough’s highways programme by half, cutting events at Romford market throughout the year, cutting the Havering Living magazine, cutting the lights in Romford and removing the Christmas show put on every year in Romford market.

The proposed budget was shown to the Havering Daily and reveals how the Residents Association wish to bring back the free 30 minutes but at the expense of cutting funding to our highways.

A recent consultation undertaken by the current council showed that residents were unhappy with the state of the roads and the many potholes in the borough. As a result, extra funding was given and a long term scheme to fix roads and potholes was started.

This proposed budget shows a cut by half to the highways programme that would stop the current work being done to fix poor roads across the borough. A current report has shown that £10 million needs to be invested into the highways programme just to keep the roads at a safe level. This would then go below the recommended level.

Romford market would also lose its events throughout the year. The market has gradually being on a decline and these monthly events have encouraged people to come and shop at Romford market.

The removal of the lights in Romford and the removal of the yearly Christmas show would be a big loss to the borough as thousands attend the show, mainly families with children, attracting visitors to Romford.

This could also potentially have an impact to our lights switch on across the borough that is enjoyed by so many.

The proposed budget will also bring an end to the Havering Living magazine which the council have obtained sponsorship for.

These measures are in the proposed budget that will be discussed next week.

The RA’s are due to publish their budget on Tuesday.

Independent Resident Councillor Graham Williamson said “No budget amendment has yet been agreed (until Monday) but we are determined to restore the 30 minutes free parking in the Hornchurch and Upminster Car Parks by cutting £120k off Council member Special Allowances and cutting back on propaganda tools such as the Living magazine”