Covid 19- latest, changes to Council services.
Havering Council is working to ensure emergency plans are in place to keep vital frontline services running.
We will be issuing this daily briefing note to media advising of the latest service changes and news, including statements and releases.
Some non-vital services will also be subject to change. Stay updated via our Facebook, Twitter, the regular Living in Havering email newsletter and our website news feed https://www.havering.gov.uk/covid19
Leader’s statements:
Free Council helpline launched:Havering Council has launched a new free-to-call helpline for residents with urgent needs because of coronavirus. Read here what Havering Council Leader Cllr Damian White, has to say on this https://www.havering.gov.uk/news
Help our market traders – Havering Council Leader Cllr Damian White has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP asking for the government to increase support for the borough’s market traders as the country battles coronavirus – read more about his letter here https://www.havering.gov.uk/news
News: Today’s #HaveringHeroes
#HaveringHeroes – A big thank you went to local business, Tool Station, in Harold Hill, which has kindly provided our parks protection team with a supply of cable ties so our officers can securely close off play areas, outdoor gyms, tennis courts and ball courts in our parks.
These areas will remain closed for the time being but our parks and allotments remain open as we are mindful of the health and well-being benefits of being outside.
However, residents must observe the Government and NHS advice on social distancing – stay 2 metres away from other people.
For more on #HaveringHeroes, visit https://www.havering.gov.uk/news
New announcements & service changes
Adult Social Care
Yew Tree Centre – The Yew Tree Day Service is currently closed and there is restricted activities at Avelon Road Centre for adults with learning disabilities. If residents need further help because of this decision, they can contact the Havering Access Team on 01708 432000
Leaving care
Havering Council’s Leaving Care Team will continue to support our young adults. Where possible they will be working remotely, using Skype and telephone communication.
In essential cases we will still provide home visits to vulnerable young adults who live alone however for the most part this support will be provided through their foster carers or staff at their semi-independent accommodation.
Previous announcements & service changes
Reuse & recycling centres
To support the government’s guidelines on social distancing, East London Waste Authority has closed its Reuse & Recycling Centres including Gerpins Lane in Havering to the public as from today until further notice.
Langtons House
Langtons House remains open for registrations of deaths and pre-booked appointments only. It is closed for all other services for the next three weeks. Please call 01708 433481 or email registration@havering.gov.uk if you have any urgent queries.
Libraries and Children’s centres
All the borough’s ten libraries, Chippenham Road and Hilldene Children’s Centres, MyPlace in Harold Hill & Cocoon will be closed for the foreseeable future to minimise risk of transmission of coronavirus, especially to vulnerable people.
The Council’s other Children’s Centres – Collier Row, Elm Park, Ingrebourne, Rainham Village and St Kilda – remain open only in order to support health colleagues maintain a venue for ante natal appointments. All residents are reminded to observe the guidance about staying at home and social distancing.
For full information visit https://www.havering.gov.uk/covid19
Town Hall and PASC
The Town Hall is closed to the public.
The PASC in the Liberty Shopping Centre in Romford is also closed.
Romford Market
Following Government guidelines, Romford Market is closed until further notice.
Havering college
Havering Adult College has suspended all face-to-face services with immediate effect. Distance and online lessons are continuing where available for existing courses. https://haveringadultcollege.co.uk/
Parks & allotments
Havering Council is not closing parks and allotments at this stage as we are mindful of the health and well-being benefits of being outside. Play areas, tennis courts and outdoor gyms should not be used at this time.
Residents must rigidly observe the Government and NHS advice on social distancing, i.e. keep 2 metres away from other people.
People who need to stay at home and self-isolate must do so. If the guidance is not followed this position on parks and open spaces will be reviewed again.
Libraries
While Libraries remain closed, a fines amnesty has been introduced, which means there will be no charges for overdue materials for the time being. The library webpages are also available, providing online access to audiobooks, eBooks, magazines and more.
Leisure Centres
All sports and leisure centres in Havering are currently closed.
Parking
Havering Council will now only seek to enforce parking restrictions that pose a danger to other road users.
Please park considerately and lawfully.
Bad parking could prevent emergency service vehicles from reaching residents in real need. They could prevent disabled residents from parking to secure vital medicine or supplies.
Havering Council’s enforcement of parking restrictions will be focused on keeping the vehicles of emergency services and key workers moving.
Waste & recycling collections
Staff shortages to our contractors SERCO at this time means there are some delays in collections for both residential streets and bin collections at low-rise blocks of flats in the borough. The crews are near to finishing today’s collections but aim to complete any outstanding non-collections the following day. We are asking residents if their waste has not been collected, to please have it out for collection for the following morning.
School closures
Schools in Havering and across the UK have closed as part of the government’s response to curb the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
As of last Friday (20 March 2020) schools were closed until further notice but will remain open to children of key workers and vulnerable children.
Read our full statement on schools
In year admissions applications
Havering School Admissions Team have taken the decision to stop accepting In-Year applications.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and as soon as it is possible to reopen the application process we will do so.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and trust that you understand why this decision has been taken.
Culture and Sports
Havering Music School is closed – there are plans to run online lessons. More details here https://www.haveringmusicschool.org.uk/
Fairkytes Arts Centre is closed until further notice.
The pre-school on the Fairkytes site will remain open in line with government guidance on schools.
Havering Council’s arts and sports events and activities programmes are currently cancelled until further notice.
Fostering
Havering fostering service is currently following Government advice to support the containment of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
We are still going ahead with our scheduled information sessions but we are currently looking into innovative ways of how we can deliver these sessions online. Alternatively, if people are unable to join the online session but would still be interested in finding out about fostering, we are still available by email fostering@havering.gov.uk or by phone on 01708 434574.
Adopt London East
Adopt London is currently following Government advice to support the containment of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
We have reluctantly cancelled forthcoming information sessions and are currently looking into innovative ways of how we can deliver these sessions online. We will reply to all enquiries about adoption though some aspects of our service may be subject to a slight delay. More
Housing
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Farnham Road office is currently closed until further notice. If you require information on any of our housing services then please visit our website www.havering.gov.uk.
Business rates and support
Details of government support for businesses including business rate support are on the GOV.UK website. Please take the time to look through it. Go to GOV.UK
Council meetings
The decision has been taken to suspend all meetings of Council, Cabinet and committees with immediate effect for a period of six weeks.
All mayoral engagements have been postponed until further notice.
A full review of all decisions that are due to be made has been undertaken and necessary day-to-day decisions will continue to be made under the Council’s scheme of delegation, whether by The Leader, Cabinet Member or officer.
