THE HAVERING PLAN 2040 Creating London’s Super Suburb
Executive Summary Havering stands at an important moment in its history. We were elected with a clear mandate to restore confidence in the Council, improve public services and build a stronger future for our Borough. Residents voted for change because they wanted a Council that listens, plans, and delivers, for the long term. In our first 100 days, our priority was to restore stability, assess where we were and to begin delivering visible improvement. Before making long-term commitments, we commenced a comprehensive review of the Council’s finances, services and major programmes to ensure decisions are based on sound evidence and responsible financial management. However, our ambition extends far beyond addressing today’s challenges. We want to move Havering from uncertainty to confidence, from short-term management to long-term planning, and from reacting to today’s challenges to building tomorrow’s opportunities. We do not simply want to react to what is going on around us, we want to proactively manage for the future. We believe Havering has the opportunity and potential to become London’s Super Suburb — the capital’s premier outer London Borough, being the gateway from London to the East, combining the advantages of London with our Essex character, vast space, heritage and East End community spirit that make Havering unique, whilst also having links to the East and beyond. Councillor Keith Prince AM Leader of Havering Council 2
Our vision: Create London’s Super Suburb The best place in London for residents to LIVE. LEARN. EARN. The best place for businesses to INVEST. GROW. THRIVE.
Our values Havering First This is our governing principle covering homes, jobs, schools, businesses and value for taxpayers. Every decision should seek to improve the lives of Havering residents, businesses and communities. • We will put Havering residents first for new homes we build as a Council, for new schools and new jobs. • We will put Havering businesses first for new opportunities.
The Havering Way This will be the Borough’s planning and place-making philosophy. Growth should enhance Havering—not just change it. • We will embrace growth while protecting the unique suburban character, heritage and environment that defines our Borough. • We will expect all new developments to embed the Havering Way principles within their design. 3
Our vision: Create London’s Super Suburb The best place in London for residents to LIVE. LEARN. EARN. The best place for businesses to INVEST. GROW. THRIVE.
Our strategic ambitions To deliver our vision, we will focus on three strategic missions:
Build Havering Delivering Place-led transformation that will create places where people and communities thrive.
Grow Havering Creating Economic Growth Zones to drive investment and opportunities for all who live and work here.
Improve Havering Improving the quality of life for every resident through excellent public services, healthier communities, safer neighbourhoods and greater opportunity. 4
Strategic ambitions
To deliver our vision, we will focus on three strategic missions:
BUILD HAVERING Delivering Place-led transformation • We will deliver the homes (primarily family houses) for Havering families, infrastructure, town centre regeneration and public investment required to support future generations. • We will work with partners to include community infrastructure: the places, facilities and services that support everyday life. • We will design safer places to facilitate social interaction, health, wellbeing, identity and belonging.
What success looks like • A Borough everyone is proud of where we celebrate our heritage as we look to the future. • Crime and disorder is discouraged through the design process. • Town centre regeneration and public investment supports future generations. • Delivery and build starts on new social and family homes. • Revive stalled Development Schemes such as Waterloo Estate, Hilldene Shopping Centre and Bridge Close. • Regenerated Romford Town Centre and complete the Romford Market Renaissance to create a new thriving community market and event location. 5
Strategic ambitions
To deliver our vision, we will focus on three strategic missions:
GROW HAVERING Creating Economic Growth Zones • We will work with partners to create Economic Growth Zones, create jobs, attract investment, strengthen our economy and establish Havering as one of London’s leading business locations particularly for growth sectors such as Data, AI, Robotics, Life Sciences and Logistics. • We will work with Thames Freeport, London Riverside and CEME to make Havering the gateway to London.
What success looks like • Havering’s economy is stronger and more resilient, with investment, jobs and growth focused around new and enhanced thriving Economic Growth Zones. • An active Invest Havering Bureau attracting inward investment. • A new Masterplan creating a new Rainham Growth Zone. • Havering is established as one of London’s leading business locations particularly for growth sectors including Data and Digital Services, AI, Robotics, Life Sciences and Logistics.
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Strategic ambitions
To deliver our vision, we will focus on three strategic missions:
IMPROVE HAVERING Improving the quality of life for every resident • We will put residents and families first by delivering better public services, helping people live healthier, longer and more independent lives, raising aspiration and attainment and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. • We will provide responsive, modern Council services, while ensuring older people, children and young people and vulnerable residents receive the care, protection and support they need. • We will create a more positive place to live with events for residents to enjoy, with clean and safe streets. • We will protect and upgrade our parks and public green areas.
What success looks like • Residents are supported to live healthy, independent lives. • Excellent customer service where residents can self-serve electronically 24/7, and AI and new technology are utilised to deliver enhanced services. • Clean and safe streets. • Prioritise our residents and families first. • Pride in neighbourhoods, increase in community events and cohesion. • Delivery of the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plans. • Local Education Plan for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and other provision. 7
How we will deliver Our strategic ambitions will be primarily delivered through two new organisations: Havering Growth Company Mercury Land Holdings will be transformed into the Havering Growth Company (HGC). This will be a modern municipal investment and regeneration company responsible for delivering housing, regeneration, strategic investment and longterm municipal wealth creation.
Invest Havering We will re-establish the Borough’s dedicated investment and economic growth agency, providing a single front door for investors, developers and businesses to invest and locate in Havering. This will work closely with the Thames Freeport and other organisations and bodies to maximise investment in Havering.
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How we will deliver A revitalised Romford Market will sit at the heart of our ambitions For nearly eight centuries, Romford Market has been the commercial and civic heart of Havering. Revitalising it will symbolise the renewal of the Borough itself. Through the Reimagined Romford Masterplan, we will restore the Market as the centrepiece of a thriving town centre, creating a destination that celebrates our heritage while embracing our future.
Growth will be carefully planned We will deliver a new Local Plan supported by Masterplan visions for Romford, Beam Park and Rainham including the Thames Freeport.
Specialist Economic Growth Zones We will also establish a series of Economic Growth Zones, positioning Havering as a leading location for investment in digital and data services, artificial intelligence, logistics, robotics, advanced manufacturing, medical and life sciences, education and culture.
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Flagship Projects Our strategy will be supported by a number of flagship programmes, including: • Financial Recovery • Havering Growth Company transformation • Reimagined Romford Masterplan led by the Romford Market Renaissance Plan • A new Beam Park Masterplan • Re-launch of Invest Havering • Creating specialist Economic Growth Zones and new Rainham Masterplan 10
Flagship Projects
• A New Havering Local Plan giving planning parameters for the next 15 years • A new Green Havering Programme • A Neighbourhood Health Plan • New Safer Streets Plan 11
How we will measure progress 2040 Vision measurement framework The outcomes that we want to achieve for Havering will be monitored through the 2040 Vision measurement framework. We will report on these outcomes publicly at least once a year to celebrate successes and define the direction of next year’s work.
Corporate Performance Report We will develop a Corporate Performance report alongside the budget setting process to closely monitor progress against key performance indicators.
Flagship projects For each flagship project, we will set annual milestones – dates by which we expect to achieve important actions and outcomes. Each quarter, the Council’s Executive Leadership team will review progress in achieving these milestones and outcomes.
Councillor scrutiny Progress will be scrutinised annually by Councillors through a review of progress, achievements, and barriers, identifying the factors contributing to success and any changes required to support continuous improvement.
Annual review We will also refresh this plan annually to reflect progress and challenges in delivering our ambitions. 12
Summary We are not simply managing Havering, we are creating London’s Super Suburb. We will use our values and ambition to deliver our vision. To create London’s Super Suburb
Vision Values
The best place in London for residents to LIVE. LEARN. EARN. The best place for businesses to INVEST. GROW. THRIVE.
Havering First
Put Havering people and businesses first
Ambition Delivery
Havering Way
Shape the Borough through the Havering way
Build, Grow and Improve Create
Growth and Investment
Deliver
Excellent Customer Services
Protect
The most vulnerable
We must plan now for 2040, recognising that many of our ambitions will take more than four years to deliver. Our ambition is that by 2030 and the next round of local elections in Havering, the Borough will be recognised as: A Protected Havering — clean, safe, caring and community-focused. A Thriving Havering — prosperous, healthy, ambitious and full of opportunity. A Green Havering — environmentally responsible, sustainable and proud of its natural heritage. This is more than a four-year programme. It is a long-term commitment to building a Borough that future generations will be proud to inherit. 13
Flagship Projects – measurement framework Flagship Project
Milestone
Financial Recovery
Develop a Financial Recovery Plan with identified cost saving areas and defined actions.
Havering Growth Company transformation
Agree scope, objectives, deliverables and funding requirement through the 27/28 Budget Setting process, with final terms agreed in February 2027 Budget setting Cabinet report.
A New Havering Local Plan giving planning parameters for the next 15 years
Cabinet to agree a new Local Plan timetable at its November 2026 meeting.
Reimagined Romford Masterplan led by the Romford Market Renaissance Plan
Romford Market Renaissance Plan planning application submitted by quarter 1 2027.
A new Beam Park Masterplan
Production of a Beam Park vision as part of the Invest Havering launch by quarter 2 2027.
Re-launch of Invest Havering
Relaunch the Invest Havering document and programme by April 2027.
Creating specialist Economic Growth Zones and new Rainham Masterplan
Production of a Rainham vision as part of the Invest Havering launch in April 2027.
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Flagship Projects – measurement framework Flagship Project
Milestone
A new Green Havering Programme
Bring together a network of volunteers to deliver on Green initiatives by April 2027. Consult stakeholders on a draft Parks Strategy by April 2027 with implementation of the new Strategy by October 2027. Consult stakeholders on a draft Tree Strategy by April 2027 with implementation of the new Strategy by October 2027. Draft a local Nature Recovery Strategy by summer 2027 for implementation by the end of 2027/28.
A Neighbourhood Health Plan
Agree a draft Neighbourhood Health Plan with National Health Service (NHS) and Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE) partners and the Place Based Partnership Board by end of March 2027, including shared priorities, governance and measures to improve prevention and access. Precise content of plan, deadlines and governance arrangements will flex to reflect final content of new health bill and subsequent guidance from Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) / NHS partners.
Statutory Improvement Plans
Agree the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement plan as the Council’s programme of response to the assessment findings by October 2026. Continue to deliver the Starting Well Improvement Plan up until the next full Inspecting Local Authority Children’s Services (ILAC) Inspection in 2027.
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Cover picture credit: Petes Digital Canvas Photography copy 3 Design by Insight Team and Havering Design 2026