Opinion: Exciting and sometimes challenging year

Public finances were kept under control, employment is at a record high, and foreign direct investment into the UK is the second highest in the world.

Most of all however, it will be remembered as a year in which the EU’s intransigence had to be challenged, something I will carry on pushing for.

Locally, our borough has struggled with two challenges with the population, its very large elderly population and the fastest growing number of children across Greater London.

However I am glad to see the progress and promising future we have achieved in my latest talks with Cllr Damian White, leader of the council.

In real terms this means new schools, road repairs, a major housing regeneration and new leisure centres.

Looking further ahead to 2019, proposals have recently been released on what will be one of the most ambitious pavement improvement programmes across our capital. This equates to £30million over the next three years from the council’s budget.

Clearly, local representatives have listened, when last year’s road fund was £3.2million.

We are also maintaining weekly rubbish collections, something many councils find difficult to do.

In terms of community safety, a quarter of a million pounds is being set aside for CCTV improvements.

This is in response to worries from local residents who do not feel safe walking at night.

We know that the threat from crime is changing, that is why I stand fully behind stop and search and see it as a vital tool for the police, we must remove obstacles which stop the police from doing their job properly.

Similarly, the “tactical contacts” police forces are using to reduce moped crime is a welcome change.

I made the concerns of Havering’s residents clear to the prime minister during my meeting with her last month, and hope to see a more robust response to violent criminals.