Havering Council’s Cabinet is being urged to approve a £66 million investment aimed at expanding educational facilities across the borough to meet the growing demand from children and young people. The funding is part of Phase 5 of a comprehensive school and early years expansion program designed to address the needs of an increasing student population.
The investment will focus on accommodating rising numbers of pupils across Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) categories. The £66 million will be financed through a combination of government allocations, funding brought forward from previous phases, and Section 106 contributions from housing developments.
Key proposals include the establishment of two new nursery schools for children aged 2 to 4, aligning with the Government’s 30-hour childcare entitlement expansion. Additionally, new Primary schools at Beam Park and Bridge Close are in the pipeline, alongside plans to expand both primary and secondary schools to cater to the growing student population.
The program also includes increased funding for SEND units at select schools to address the rising demand for additional support. Plans are also in place to increase capacity at Lime Academy Forest Approach. A separate project to develop a 300-place special school on Balgores Lane was announced earlier this week.
Havering has seen the second-highest growth in children aged 0 to 4 of any local authority in the country. From 2002 to 2016, the borough experienced a 52% increase in births. In the 2023/24 academic year, primary school applications rose by 13%.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, emphasized the importance of the investment despite the financial challenges the Council faces. He stated, “Havering is a great place to live and raise a family, and it is our responsibility to provide those families and their children with the best opportunities. Despite severe financial pressures, this investment is essential to ensure young people receive a solid, safe, and nurturing education.”
This expansion program highlights Havering’s commitment to addressing the educational needs of its growing population, ensuring future generations have access to quality learning environments.
New Access to Homes Policy Proposed
Havering Council’s Cabinet Members are set to review a proposed Access to Homes Policy at the upcoming Cabinet meeting on January 22, 2025. The policy aims to ensure council homes remain safe and well-maintained by clarifying the circumstances under which the Council, as a landlord, can legally access its properties.
The policy has already received approval from the Council’s Resident Panel. It covers access for essential procedures such as gas safety checks, electrical testing, and health and safety inspections. These measures are vital for meeting legal and regulatory standards to safeguard the wellbeing of tenants and their neighbors.
The initiative follows a series of stock condition and Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) surveys conducted by contractor Savills in November 2024. Tenants were informed ahead of these assessments, and the findings are now being analyzed to inform future maintenance programs.
However, the project revealed challenges in gaining access to some properties for the surveys. Properties where access was denied have been flagged to tenancy teams for investigation and resolution. The proposed policy also outlines actions to be taken when tenants refuse access, ensuring compliance with tenancy agreements.
Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Lead for Housing Property, emphasized the importance of the new policy, stating, “We have an obligation as a social housing landlord to make sure all our properties are maintained well for the safety and benefit of our tenants, and we need their support to achieve that. For most tenants, this isn’t an issue. The new policy sets out these reasonable access criteria and details the process for any tenants who fail to meet their tenancy agreements by preventing us entry into their property.”
Future plans include commissioning Savills to extend stock condition and HHSRS surveys to remaining properties. Tenants will be notified in advance to facilitate access, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to providing safe and decent homes.
