I wanted to use my first column since December's General Election to thank the voters of Hornchurch and Upminster for returning me to office with such a terrific mandate.
The start of a new year always makes us think of our health and fitness. We take up gym memberships, join weight loss classes, vow to give up smoking, drink less alcohol, eat more healthily.
Firstly, I would like to say how fulfilling it was meeting so many of you during the election period and being able to listen to the views of our different communities.
It is estimated that in the year from April 2017 to March 2018, 17 per cent of young people aged 10 to 15 in England were bullied in the previous 12 months in a way that made them frightened or upset.
Eight months ago the borough was rocked by the murder of Jodie Chesney, a 17-year-old stabbed in the back while she chatted with friends on a bench in a Harold Hill park.
In 2014 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles accused five Labour-led councils of publishing 'propaganda on the rates' - using tax payers' money to produce literature deemed as political publicity.
More black patients are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in Greater London than patients of any other ethnic background, figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show.
In mid-September we hosted our first-ever Older People's Fair at Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, to bring together a huge range of support groups from across Havering.
The news that Havering Council is going to conduct a review of its parking charges policy will be extremely welcome to local business owners on high streets throughout the borough.
Recently we celebrated the first phase of our £1billion 12 Estates regeneration project, with our joint venture partner, Wates Residential. This is the first of many milestones to come with our ambitious plans to improve the lives of Havering residents.
Missing teeth can dent confidence, not to mention the physiological issues. But, as award-winning cosmetic dentist Dr Jas Sagoo explains, help is at hand…
A fast, pain-free and affordable dental treatment is producing super smiles in south Essex. Dr Jas Sagoo, an award-winning cosmetic dentist at Perfect Smile Spa in Hornchurch, explains how.
