News for the community, by the community.
The creeping rebranding of protected green spaces as so-called “grey belt” land is raising growing concern among residents and environmental campaigners, who warn that the move risks opening the door to widespread development on areas once considered untouchable.
Havering now has an official group of Reform UK councillors at the Town Hall following the defection of two former Conservative councillors. Christine Vickery and Robert Benham have joined the party, bringing the total number of Havering Reform councillors to three alongside Councillor and Keith Prince.
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Havering Council anticipates a £77 million budget gap for 2026/27, despite achieving £40 million in savings recently. Over 70% of the budget is earmarked for statutory services. Future financial pressures are expected, necessitating ongoing efficiency improvements and potential tax increases.
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Keith Prince has cast doubt on whether major works at Gallows Corner will be completed on time, saying he is struggling to believe the project will reopen by the end of April 2026.
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Havering’s council leader has launched a sharp attack on Nigel Farage, accusing the Reform UK leader of misleading residents about the borough’s financial crisis
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Reform would “attempt” not to borrow more if it took control of the cash-strapped Havering Council, Nigel Farage says.
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Two Romford Conservative councillors have reaffirmed their loyalty to the Conservative Party, making clear their commitment to the residents who elected them and the principles they were chosen to represent.
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Romford witnessed a significant political moment yesterday, as Andrew Rosindell, Member of Parliament for Romford, declared “today marks a new era for Romford” while standing alongside his party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to the town.
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Havering Council has formally objected to the Government’s proposed London Emergency Housing Package, warning the plans could remove millions of pounds in local funding and reduce the borough’s control over planning decisions.
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Across the London Borough of Havering, questions are increasingly being raised about whether enough properties are being built or adapted to meet the needs of disabled residents, as demand for accessible housing continues to grow and many families say suitable homes remain extremely difficult to find. With an ageing population and a rising number of people living with long-term health conditions, the need for homes that support independent living has never been greater, yet concerns persist that current housing developments are not keeping pace with local need.
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Umberto’s, Andrew Rosindell MP, Chancellor, Politics, Business Rates,
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After more than two decades serving Havering, Council Leader Ray Morgon has announced he will step down from local politics.
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The Member of Parliament for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, has spoken in Parliament highlighting the struggles faced by local small businesses dealing with rising business rates.
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The Member of Parliament for Romford has stated that the latest proposals from a London think tank for sweeping changes to the governance of “Greater London”, particularly that of cutting the number of London boroughs and reshaping local government structures, are entirely unacceptable, not least for communities such as Havering
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A new report from the public policy think tank Re:State is calling for a major overhaul of how London’s local government is organised, suggesting a dramatic reduction in the number of boroughs and the creation of an official “opposition mayor” role to strengthen democratic checks and improve strategic governance across the capital.
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The Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, Margaret Mullane MP has received confirmation that essential work will be carried out to clean and clear up an area in Rainham village and deal with an infestation of rats.
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On Thursday 29 January, Julia Lopez MP brought Shadow Chancellor, Sir Mel Stride, to Upminster to hear directly from Havering’s hospitality businesses about the growing crisis facing the high street as tax bills and cost pressures pile up from Labour’s last two Budgets.
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Andrew Rosindell, the Reform UK Member of Parliament for Romford, has visited a family-run Hornchurch business facing closure due to soaring business rates, lending his support to Gina and Vincenzo of Umberto’s, a much-loved Italian restaurant that has served the community for more than three decades.
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“In so many conflicts troops and other military personnel from Dagenham and Rainham have bravely put their lives on the line to
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Rainham and Wennington Labour Action Team have been actively working with residents along Wennington Road since November and pressured the council to reinstate the badly damaged traffic calming signage along Wennington Road near East Hall Lane.
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