Coronavirus has had an impact on the way we deliver services and a number of changes as a result of Covid 19 are also listed on this page.
Service disruption due to Coronavirus (Covid 19)
You should expect service disruption as a result of Covid 19 and specific changes to services will be listed here.
All statements are up to date at the time of viewing. Previous statements are removed and replaced with the most current information we have about each service.
Havering Town Hall, Public Advice and Service Centre (PASC) and Mercury House closed
In order to follow Government directives on staying at home and social distancing, and to make sure Council staff can continue to offer the best possible service to the public, Havering Town Hall and the Public Advice and Service Centre (along with Mercury House) are closed.
Buildings will remain accessible to staff on a strictly limited basis.
Business
Please see our coronavirus business support page for information about opening safely and assessing risks.
Farnham Road
The Farnham Road office is closed until further notice.
Housing applications
We are currently experiencing large volumes of applications to join our housing register and apologise for any inconvenience caused by delays.
Please allow 42 days for a response to your application.
For further information or assistance please contact us on 01708 434130.
Housing repair visits
The welfare of our residents is of paramount importance to us, and during this lockdown period we continue to work closely with our repairs contractors to deliver the best service possible and we are grateful for our customers understand at this challenging time.
Repair and maintenance work in occupied properties will be assessed against a number of safety and practicality criteria.
Only essential work will take place in homes where occupants are self-isolating or shielding.
If residents have a concern for their health, we will reschedule planned works.
Contractors will be subject to risk assessments and follow government guidance on safe working, including PPE provision.
Procedures on safe working will be explained to residents prior to work taking place.
Tenants are expected to inform us if they are isolating or shielding, and must maintain a two-metre distance from staff and contractors.
Parking services are running as normal.
Car parks
Dorrington Gardens and Viking Way remain closed until further notice while they are used as locations for mobile testing units.
Planning and local land searches and charges
Please see notices on the pages in this area for further information.
Building Control
All applicants and agents are asked to submit their applications electronically wherever possible.
All applicants and agents are asked to pay their applications fees electronically or over the telephone wherever possible. Card payments can be made by calling 01708 433100 and following the options.
Due to the current Covid 19 virus restrictions we are only carrying out risk assessed physical site inspection
Please book site inspection’s in the normal manner.
Once book an inspector will do one of the following
Telephone you to discuss the works being carried out and the best way to proceed and whether the a physical site inspection can and is possible and if not the submission of photographic evidence is appropriate. If no inspection is carried out then the lack of inspection will not prevent the issue of a completion certificate when works are complete on site.
Attend site and carry out an onsite risk assessment and carry out the physical site call if possible.
Unfortunately, unless the works are very minor a completion inspection will be required and if this can’t be carried out then the completion certificate won’t be able to be issued.
Please note that you should book for every site visit so that they can all be recorded if this is not done then it may prevent the issue of a completion certificate.
Site visits are carried out Monday to Friday between 11am and 3pm.
Timed appointments can’t be given but morning (between 11am and 1pm) or afternoon (1pm to 3pm) can be requested.
To book calls telephone 01708 433100 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. If called before 10am calls will be carried out the same day.
Alternatively you can book calls through LABC app, which can be downloaded from the LABC website .
Please email registration@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 433481 if you have an urgent registration query.
Please email ceremonies@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 433155 if you have a query regarding a ceremony.
Due to the current situation regarding Covid 19 the volume of emails and telephone enquiries has increased.
We apologise if there is a longer delay than normal in our response to you.
Langtons House is open for pre-arranged appointments only.
Unfortunately we are unable to speak to customers outside the building regarding any other issues.
Please email any questions or enquires to registration@havering.gov.uk .
Death registrations
Death registration continues to be taken over the phone. There is no need to contact us to make an appointment.
We will contact you once we have received the Medical Cause of Death Certificate from the medical practitioner with your contact details.
Death registration certificates
We aim to produce within a 4 days of your registration and you will normally receive them within 7 days, as we are dependent on the Royal Mail Service.
Birth registrations
We are open for birth registration, but still have a high backlog of registrations to get through you may have to wait longer for an appointment.
To book, please book your birth registration online however please be aware appointments are limited at this current time.
If you feel you require an urgent birth registration please contact us at registration@havering.gov.uk .
Please note that the requirement to register births within 42 days has been relaxed currently due to the on-going pandemic situation.
Birth certificates will be given to you at your appointment.
Birth by declaration
If you have registered your birth at another registration office please do not request copy certificates until 7 clear days after your appointment as we will be unable to produce your certificates.
Copy certificates
Please be aware we currently have large volumes of requests for copy certificates, we aim to process your request within 10-14 working days.
Please note, fast trace service is now available.
Corrections
Applications for corrections can be accepted. They must be posted to us with the required evidence. Please see the GOV.UK website for the correct guidance .
Payment will be taken on receipt of the correct forms and evidence being received.
Please note the all corrections must be authorised by the General Register Office.
If you submitted an application prior to March 2020 and have a case reference number from them you will need to check the progress with the General Register Office by calling 0300 1231837.
Re-registrations
We are currently working through re-registration applications handed in before the March 2020 lockdown.
New applications can be accepted however we are unable to give a timeframe as to when it will be possible to complete them.
All applications along with the original certificates need to be posted to us at: Havering Register Office, Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1XJ
Ceremonies
Government guidelines have been announced with regards to the limit on how many people can attend a ceremony at each stage.
Please note these numbers are dependent on the size of the venue as social distancing still needs to be adhered to, current social distancing with a mask used is 1 metre.
From 21 June 2021
In the Langtons East and West Room
Total number of people is 19 (the couple and guests)
Workers are on top of this amount e.g. 2 registrars and 1 photographer
In the Langtons Hall or Orangery
Total number of people is 36 (the couple and guests)
Workers are on top of this amount e.g. 2 registrars and 1 photographer
If your ceremony is booked in the East/West Room there may be an opportunity for you to upgrade to the hall if it is available, there is an extra charge, please email ceremonies@havering.gov.uk with your request.
We will be contacting all those couples with a ceremony booked up to 19 July 2021 with further information.
We do understand the disruption and distress this has caused.
From 19 July 2021
Please keep checking back on the website for future changes
Notice of Marriage/Civil Partnership
Please see our notice page for the latest details.
Citizenship
Please see the citizenship page for details.
Numbers of mourners allowed from Monday 17 May 2021
South Chapel - 55 (40 seated downstairs and 15 in upstairs balcony)
East Chapel - 25
Upminster Cemetery - 30
Romford Cemetery - 34
Rainham Cemetery - 30
The outside speakers and screens at all our chapels are available..
Toilets are open at all sites, providing hand-washing facilities and sanitiser is available on entry and exit to chapels.
Hymn books and donation boxes have been removed from all chapels for the time being.
Current guidance states that singing, chanting or playing instruments that are blown, should be specifically avoided.
NHS Test and Trace registering at our chapels
The details of the person arranging/booking the funeral will be retained for Track and Trace purposes.
In addition posters are displayed at our sites displaying the track and trace ‘QR’ code for visitors/mourners to check in upon arrival.
Cemetery grounds and chapels
The cemeteries at Romford, Hornchurch, Rainham and Upminster remain open 9am to 4pm but please note from 1 April we move to summer opening times when they will close at 7pm. Please follow the current government social distancing rules.
The chapels in the Rainham and Romford cemeteries are now open following renovation.
South Essex Crematorium Gardens of Remembrance are open.
South Essex Crematorium
The Tea Room at South Essex is open to groups of no more than 6 and for wakes by arrangement.
The Hall of Remembrance and Chapel of Meditation have now reopened. Each has a sanitising station and one way system.
The reception office is closed to visitors. You can ask your funeral director to pick up cremated remains or we will continue to hold them free of charge until further notice. You can make an appointment to lay cremated remains to rest and may arrange a telephone appointment with an advisor to discuss a memorial.
You can still book a Witnessed Committal. From 21 June 2021 there will be no limit on numbers attending.
Staff can be contacted via telephone 01708 434433 or email cemeteries@havering.gov.uk
For anyone showing symptoms of Covid 19 our advice is that you do not attend a funeral but be encouraged to participate remotely and to that end we continue to offer a webcast for a fee of £30.
Funeral directors can still pick up ashes from the crematorium.
Both car parks are fully open.
Read more on the changes at South Essex Crematorium
Audio visual services
Families may order webcasts for funeral services in either the South or East Chapel at South Essex Crematorium for the £30.
A Live and Watch Again Webcast is available for £45. This allows a family to view again for up to 28 days and provides a free download, on request.
Please note, they will not be provided automatically.
Unfortunately no guarantee can be given that your webcast will be uninterrupted or error free, particularly at times of high demand.
Your funeral director will email the applicant for the cremation, a username and password before the funeral. Due to heavy demand this may be as late as the day before the service.
You will be able to view the service as it takes place.
You may now order a keepsake copy of the webcast on a DVD, Blu-Ray, USB or audio CD in a presentation case.