Havering Council will use £1.3million of its government ‘bonus’ for three one-off projects.
The New Homes Bonus is given to council’s based on the amount of extra council tax revenue raised for new-build homes, conversions and empty homes brought back into use.
The council is proposing funding of £300k to clear silt from the lake in Harold Lodge Park, Hornchurch, £500k to provide 4G football pitches in Broxhill sports park, Harold Hill and the same amount to improve roads and fix pot holes across the borough.
Cllr Roger Ramsey, cabinet member for value, announced the plans in his 2014/15 budget report.
He said the recent rain and bad weather was the reason for the money being used to “beef up” the existing funds used to deal with streetcare.
“People have been telling us about problems everywhere with the rain and the bad weather,” he explained
“We are providing an extra £500k to beef up the money we already have.
“It will enable us to get extra people in to help our streetcare team.”
After already spending £3m on Broxhill sports park, an extra £500k injection is being used to complete the state-of-the-art complex within two years.
The lake in Harold Lodge Park will be cleared of silt “as soon as possible” and in time for the Havering Show at the end of August.
But Cllr Ramsey warned they need to be “careful.”
He said: “We don’t want it to be damaging to the wildlife so it should be done after breeding season in April.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here