“I WILL MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH”: Havering Leader Reveals Council Is In Talks To Bring University To The Borough.
Havering could soon have its own university as Council Leader Councillor Keith Prince reveals that talks are already taking place with university providers as part of the administration’s long-term Havering 2040 vision. The ambitious proposal would be one of the most significant education and economic developments ever considered for the borough, with the Council Leader saying he is determined to make it happen.
The prospect of bringing a university to Havering was revealed during council’s briefing on the new Havering 2040 plan.
Keith Prince said the ambition was already being explored and that the Council was in discussions with potential university providers.
He said:
“One of my aspirations is to bring a university to Havering.”
The Council Leader indicated that this was not simply a long-term idea with no work taking place behind the scenes.
He said:
“We are in talks with university providers.”
Keith said he was determined to pursue the idea.
“I will move heaven and earth to achieve this.”
A university would represent a potentially major change to the borough’s education, employment and economic landscape.
The proposal forms part of the wider Havering 2040 vision, which the administration says is designed to look beyond the immediate council term and establish a long-term direction for the borough.
Keith described this as a key difference between Havering 2040 and shorter-term council planning.
“It is the first time in history that an administration has looked beyond the horizon. Beyond the first term. We have a long term vision.”
The administration believes Havering’s geographical position could also make it attractive for investment and education.
Keith described the borough as a gateway between London, Essex, Kent and the wider South East.
“Havering is a gateway for the east. We have our roots in Essex and have links to travel to Kent and the south east of England. We are the gateway to the east and a tollgate to London.”
A university could potentially provide opportunities for local young people to study closer to home, while also attracting students from outside the borough.
It could also form part of the Council’s wider ambition to create more highly skilled employment and attract businesses.
Keith said the borough needs to create jobs that local residents actually want.
“We need homes, the building of houses. We need to understand the history of the borough and bring businesses into the borough. It is time to create jobs our residents want.”
The administration’s existing economic strategy has also identified the importance of supporting enterprise, innovation, skills and employment within Havering.
A university could potentially connect those ambitions, depending on what type of institution and courses might ultimately be proposed.
Keith acknowledged that the administration will have to make difficult decisions to deliver its wider programme.
“We have to make tough decisions.”
But he said he hoped residents would eventually see the results of the work now being undertaken.
“I hope that in time people will start to see the fruits of their hard work and labour.”
The university ambition is just one part of a much larger vision.
The administration also wants to revitalise Romford Market, attract investment, create employment, improve parks, regenerate town centres and develop what it describes as London’s “Super Suburb”.
The Council’s 100-day plan has already set out the foundations for a longer-term roadmap, with the administration saying it wants Havering to become a place where people are proud to live, work, visit and invest.
For young people in Havering, however, the university proposal could potentially become one of the most significant elements of the 2040 vision if it progresses beyond the current discussions.
For now, Keith Prince’s message is unequivocal.
He wants a university in Havering and says he is prepared to work to make it happen.
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