https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-free-30-minutes-parking

A petition as been launched by the Upminster & Cranham Residents’ Association opposing the proposed removal of the free 30-minutes parking in Upminster & Hornchurch (but kept elsewhere) as well as setting hugely increased parking charges across the borough, including £1.50 to park on a Sunday (was free) as well as charging £1.50 to park in Upminster Park for 1 hour.

The Residents’ Association petition opposes the draconian increases and calls upon the conservative led council to withdraw the detrimental proposals. The petition can be viewed and signed HERE

The petition joins another excellent version by local shopkeeper Barry Major (which can be viewed and signed HERE).

Our High Streets and town centres already face enormous challenges with business rates, rents and on-line competition. These incredibly damaging car parking charges proposals will be enough to deter any would be shopper and demonstrates an astonishing lack of understanding or empathy in local economies. The Council should be working with the business community and residents to keep our High Streets alive and sustainable, instead these highly damaging proposals will simply see the demise of our High Streets and Town Centres.

See our website for updates on an alternative budget that saves our 30-minutes free parking at https://www.ucra.co.uk/

The post Save our Free 30-minutes Parking – Petition appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

Among the proposed changes are:

• Free 30 minutes removed from Upminster & Hornchurch but retained in other parts of the borough
• Charge of £1.50 for one hour and £2.50 for two hours (was £1.50 for two hours)
• A flat fee of £1.50 to park on a Sunday (was free)
• Upminster Park – a charge of £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for two hours rising to £5.50 for 5 hours with a flat fee of £1.50 on a Sunday, whether you are there for 5 minutes or 5 hours

In addition, resident parking permit schemes are being proposed in a 1km zone around town centres, including Upminster.

Our High Streets already face enormous challenges with business rates, rents and on-line competition. These incredibly damaging proposals will be enough to deter any would be shopper and demonstrates an astonishing lack of understanding or empathy in local economies.

However, the Residents’ Association will be proposing an alternative budget which will focus on sustainability, fairness and common sense while staying within resources available.

The conservative proposals, which will be placed before the full Council on 27th February, are part of the 2019/20 budget which will see Council Tax increase by an overall 4.3% (including the Mayor of London precept).

The budget report can be viewed here .

The full schedule of car parking charges can be viewed here (towards end of document).

The post Town Centres Targeted as Car Parking Charges Set to Rocket appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

The post Parking Restrictions in Havering appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

Despite the outcome of the consultation process giving a firm rejection of the proposals, the scheme was nonetheless voted through by all conservative councillors by a margin of 29 to 24.

The scheme will mean that the annual contribution from those working age people on benefits will increase from 15% of council tax to 25% (Based on Band D property, £249 to £415) and 15% to 20% for the disabled (£249 to £332).

The change will also mean Havering residents will be amongst the schemes across the whole of London that require the highest level of contribution from working age claimants.

The new charges will affect some 9,000 Havering households, and with multiple occupants that is around 30,000 residents. Add in the adverse impact of Universal Credit and the growth of food banks, the picture becomes even worse.

Cllr Barrett, who presented the amendment to retain the scheme as it was, said: “As elected representatives we must do all we can to support our poorest and most vulnerable to the best of our abilities and not use them as revenue raising items. There are plenty of other ways to bridge any funding gap without targeting those least able to pay.”

The post Poor and Disabled to Pay More in Council Tax appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

• Remove the free 30-minute parking from Upminster, Hornchurch and Elm Park.
• Increase charges from £1.50 for two hours to £2 for one hour.
• Introduce a flat £1.50 charge to park on Sundays.
• Introduce a Residents Only Parking scheme in a 1km zone around town centres
• Charge those on Council Tax Support 25% of Council Tax rather than the current 15%, with disabled claimants increased to 20% from 15%. This giant hike will affect some 9,000 households who are least able to pay and, with Universal Credit, will cause great hardship.

Our High Streets already face enormous challenges with business rates, rents and on-line competition. These incredibly damaging proposals will be enough to deter any would be shopper and demonstrates an astonishing lack of understanding or empathy in local economies.

The final budget proposals for 2019/20 are due to be published on 30th January before being considered by the Council Conservative Cabinet on 7th February before requiring the approval of Full Council on February 27th.

We shall continue to keep residents updated through our website ,Bulletin and social media.

The Romford Recorder have also picked up on the parking charges proposal – see HERE.

Cllr Clarence Barrett

We shall work hard over the coming months to unpick this poorly constructed budget and present an alternative which will focus on sustainability, fairness and common sense.

The post Budget Cuts Target Town Centres appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

Havering Councils Conservative led Administration, has now put a stop to both of these agreed proposals, with the aim of introducing Pay and Display machines in the Village “as part of the wider parking strategy which was agreed at Cabinet – to introduce Controlled Parking zones around stations that serve the borough”. Whilst these locations are clearly not near a station, we will be consulting with Cranham retailers to hear their views as to a way forward.

Councillor Gillian Ford

The post No Limited Wait Bays for Cranham Village appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

While most dog owners are very responsible and do pick up after their pets, there are some who choose to ignore the rules – including those who do use a bag, but then throw it into a bush to hang like a Christmas tree decoration! If dog owners are caught ‘in the act’, so to speak, they will be issued with an £80 penalty charge notice.

Residents can report offences by visiting the dedicated page HERE or by calling 01708 432563 (office hours).

Please try to provide as much information about the offence as possible, specifically the dates and times it is committed.

The post Dog Fouling Penalty appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

M25 – Junction 28 (Brentwood/Brook Street)

Further consultation on the proposed reconfiguration of the M25 junction 28 of the M25 (Brentwood/Brook Street) us being undertaken by the Highways Agency from 3^rd December to 28^th January 2019.

Details of the scheme, which involve a two-lane loop road with widening of a short section of the M25 and reconfiguration of the A12, can be seen at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/m25j28

Public consultation exhibitions will take place at the following times and locations:

 Paper copies of the consultation brochure and response forms will be available to take away during the consultation period from the following locations, during normal business hours:

Havering Town Hall – Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD,   Central Park Leisure Centre – Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9LB, Upminster Library – 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB,

Harold Hill Library – 19A Farnham Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8ED,   Gidea Park Library – Balgores Lane, Gidea Park RM2 6BS, Hornchurch Library – 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB.

How to respond to the consultation

• Online: complete the response form at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/m25j28
• Complete the consultation response form and return it to FREEPOST M25 junction 28 improvement scheme
• Email your response to info@highwaysengland.co.uk
• Post: write to us at FREEPOST M25 junction 28 improvement scheme.

The post M25 Brentwood Junction Scheme Forges Ahead appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

• Remove the free 30-minute parking from Upminster, Hornchurch and Elm Park.
• Increase charges from £1.50 for two hours to £2 for one hour.
• Introduce a flat £1.50 charge to park on Sundays.
• Introduce a Residents Only Parking scheme in a 1km zone around town centres.
• Charge those on Council Tax Support 25% of Council Tax rather than the current 15%, with disabled claimants increased to 20%. This giant hike will affect some 9,000 residents who are least able to pay and, with Universal Credit, will cause great hardship.

Our High Streets already face enormous challenges with business rates, rents and on-line competition. These incredibly damaging proposals will be enough to deter any would be shopper and demonstrates an astonishing lack of understanding or empathy in local economies.

The Cabinet report containing the full budget proposals can be seen HERE.

Whilst there will be further consultation on some of the parking proposals, we shall work hard over the coming months to unpick this poorly constructed budget and present an alternative which will focus on sustainability, fairness and common sense.

Cllr Clarence Barrett

The post Budget Cuts Target Town Centres appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.

The magnificent Xmas Tree at Bell Corner

Around a thousand people packed into Upminster on Thursday evening (22nd Nov) to see the Christmas Lights switch-on, with the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Dilip Patel, on hand to officially switch on the lights to the magnificent Christmas tree placed at Bell Corner. The event also featured free rides for children in the Bell School, kindly funded by the Upminster & Cranham Residents’ Association, with the Upminster & Hornchurch Rotary Club doing a splendid job in raising cash for charity.

Cllr Linda Hawthorn, who has been pivotal in organising the event for many years, said: “I was really pleased with the excellent turn-out with lots of festive cheer and community spirit. Seeing so many children enjoy the lighting up of the tree and the free rides was lovely to see.  May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas.”

The post Upminster Lights up for Christmas! appeared first on Upminster & Cranham Residents' Association.