Keith Prince Sets Out 100-Day Council Plan | Havering 2026

Key Points

• Councillor Keith Prince, who is the Havering Council leader, has laid out his first 100-day plan.
• This strategy is meant to re-establish stability, good governance, and better council services.
• Finance, value for money, cleanliness of streets and safer neighborhoods have been selected as major priorities.
• Councillor Prince commended the police officers funded by the council under S92 and the Havering Joint Task Force after a robbery at Boots in Hornchurch.
• Five people were arrested after the vehicle that was stopped by the officers turned out to be carrying stolen goods.
• Recent fires in the Ingrebourne Valley area of Rainham and other parts of Havering have raised concerns over public safety, the welfare of wildlife, and pressure on emergency services.
• Havering Council is collaborating with the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and others to determine what caused the fires and how to minimize future occurrences.
• Residents have been warned not to start any barbecue or open fire in parks, open spaces and grass.
• The council is continuing litter clearance, grass cutting and management of other vegetation on council-owned properties.
• Other cultural events, including the reopening of Rom Skatepark, programs at Fairkytes Arts Centre and performance in Romford have been mentioned in

Havering (East London Times) August 7, 2026 – Havering Council leader Councillor Keith Prince has promised a programme focused on public safety, council finances, stronger governance and improved local services as the administration begins its first 100 days in office. Writing in his monthly column for the Havering Daily on August 7, 2026, Councillor Prince said the plan would focus on restoring stability, listening to residents and delivering visible improvements across the borough.

What does Havering Council’s first 100-day plan include?

Councillor Keith Prince said he had presented the new administration’s first 100-day plan at a Full Council meeting. He described the programme as a “clear, practical” plan designed to establish the administration’s approach and begin work on issues that directly affect residents.

According to Councillor Prince, the first 100 days would not resolve every challenge facing Havering. However, he said the period was important because it would set the tone for how the administration intended to operate.

The plan includes listening to residents, making what Councillor Prince described as sensible decisions, reviewing the council’s finances and strengthening governance. It also places emphasis on the everyday concerns of people living in the borough, including cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, better local services and value for money.

The focus on council finances means the administration intends to examine how public money is managed and spent. Councillor Prince linked this to the broader aim of ensuring that local services provide value for money for residents.

He also connected the first 100 days with the council’s longer-term direction. In September, he said he would report back on progress made against the plan and set out the administration’s vision for the next four years and beyond.

Why has public safety become a major priority?

Councillor Prince said residents had the right to feel safe in the places where they live, shop, work and spend their free time. He described safety as one of the administration’s priorities and referred to recent police activity in Hornchurch.

In his column, the council leader recognised the work of Havering’s council-funded S92 police officers and the Havering Joint Task Force following a robbery at Boots in Hornchurch.

Councillor Prince said officers responded quickly after the incident. A vehicle was intercepted shortly afterwards, five people were arrested and the stolen goods were recovered.

He described the response as “visible, practical action” and said it demonstrated the importance of partnership working with the police. His comments placed the Hornchurch incident within the administration’s wider approach to public safety, which includes cooperation between the council and law-enforcement agencies.

The council leader did not suggest that the incident represented a wider trend in crime across Havering. Instead, he used the response to highlight the role of officers funded through the S92 arrangement and the work of the Havering Joint Task Force.

For residents, the incident is also an example of how quickly police and local partners can act when an alleged robbery is reported. The arrests and recovery of the goods were cited by Councillor Prince as evidence of practical enforcement activity.

What concerns have been raised about grass fires in Havering?

The council leader also addressed recent grass fires in the Ingrebourne Valley area of Rainham and in other parts of the borough. He said he had been deeply concerned by the fires, particularly during a period of hot and dry weather.

According to Councillor Prince, the fires place pressure on emergency services and damage wildlife habitats and green spaces. He added that they understandably cause anxiety among nearby communities.

The Ingrebourne Valley and other open areas are part of the borough’s green spaces. Fires in such locations can affect vegetation and wildlife habitats, while smoke and flames may create concern for people living close to the affected areas.

Councillor Prince said Havering Council was working closely with the London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police and other partners to establish the causes of the fires. The council is also working to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.

The statement did not identify a confirmed cause for the fires. It also did not attribute responsibility to any individual or group. The council leader said the work with partner organisations was intended to establish what happened and support measures to reduce future risks.

What preventative work is being carried out?

Havering Council is continuing preventative work on council-owned land, including litter clearance, grass cutting and vegetation management. The administration also said it was working with private landowners where firebreaks and responsible maintenance are required.

The measures are intended to reduce potential fire risks in open spaces. Litter clearance can remove materials that may contribute to the spread of fire, while grass cutting and vegetation management form part of the council’s maintenance work.

The reference to private landowners reflects the fact that not all land in the borough is controlled by the council. Where firebreaks or maintenance are required on privately owned land, cooperation between the council and landowners is necessary.

Councillor Prince stressed that preventing fires was a shared responsibility. He warned that after prolonged dry weather, even a small spark could spread quickly.

Residents were advised not to light barbecues or open fires in parks, open spaces or grassland. They were also asked to take care when using barbecues at home, dispose of cigarettes safely and take litter home or place it in bins.

Anyone who sees signs of a fire was urged to call 999 immediately. The council leader said that simple actions could help protect people, wildlife and the green spaces that form part of Havering’s character.

How is culture included in the council’s first 100 days?

Councillor Prince said culture also played an important role in the borough because it brought people together, celebrated local pride and offered residents different ways to enjoy Havering.

He referred to the programme of summer events supported through Havering London. The events include activities connected with local history, music, performance and community life.

One of the developments highlighted was the revival of the listed and world-renowned Rom Skatepark. Councillor Prince described the revival as a recent event and presented it as part of the borough’s cultural activity.

He also mentioned The Mega Mega Collection Days at Fairkytes Arts Centre in Hornchurch. The event will allow residents to celebrate Romford’s club scene and share memories through items including posters, tapes, tickets and other memorabilia.

The collection event is intended to connect residents with material linked to Romford’s past. The items listed by Councillor Prince provide a way for people to share personal memories and celebrate the area’s club scene.

What events are planned for Romford and Raphael Park?

Over the August bank holiday, Suburban Legends is due to bring a costumed performance to Romford Market. The programme will also include an art installation designed to bring back the famous Romford fountain.

The performance and installation were included by Councillor Prince among the events intended to support local cultural life. His column did not provide further details about the performance schedule or the design of the installation.

The council leader also announced the launch of free live music at the bandstand in Raphael Park. The programme gives local musicians and groups an opportunity to perform in the park.

Councillor Prince said the live music events would support local talent, bring families and communities together and highlight Havering’s cultural life and local spirit.

The cultural programme therefore sits alongside the administration’s other priorities. While the first 100-day plan focuses on finances, governance, safety and services, the council leader also presented events and local performances as part of the borough’s wider development.

When will Havering Council report on the plan?

Councillor Prince said he would report back in September on the progress made against the first 100-day plan. He also said he would set out the administration’s longer-term vision for the next four years and beyond.

That future vision is described as creating London’s “Super Suburb”. Councillor Prince said the ambition was to develop a borough that works for residents, supports local businesses, protects what makes Havering distinctive and plans properly for the future.

The September update will therefore be important for residents seeking details about what has been delivered during the first 100 days. It is expected to connect the immediate programme with the administration’s plans for the remainder of its term.

The council leader’s column set out the priorities and areas of work but did not provide a full timetable for each action. Further information about progress, finances, governance and longer-term plans is expected when he reports back in September.

What is the background to Havering Council’s development plan?

The first 100-day programme has been introduced by the new administration led by Councillor Keith Prince. It is intended to provide an early framework for the council’s work and establish priorities for the start of the administration.

The plan covers several areas rather than a single policy. These include public safety, council finances, governance, street cleanliness, local services, open-space management and cultural activity.

The public-safety element includes recognition of police action following the Boots robbery in Hornchurch. The environmental and emergency-response element relates to grass fires in the Ingrebourne Valley area of Rainham and other parts of Havering.

The council’s cultural programme includes the revival of Rom Skatepark, collection days at Fairkytes Arts Centre, a performance at Romford Market and free live music at Raphael Park. These developments were presented by Councillor Prince as part of the borough’s local identity and community life.

The administration is due to provide a progress report in September. That report is also expected to explain the longer-term vision for Havering over the next four years and beyond.

How could the development affect Havering residents?

The effect on residents will depend on how the first 100-day priorities are implemented and what progress is reported in September. If the council’s stated measures continue, residents may receive updates on council finances, governance, local services, street cleaning, safety and the management of open spaces.

People living near parks, grassland and the Ingrebourne Valley may pay particular attention to fire-prevention work and cooperation with emergency services. Residents have also been given practical guidance, including avoiding barbecues and open fires in grassland, disposing of cigarettes safely and calling 999 when a fire is seen.

The police response to the Hornchurch robbery may be viewed by residents as an example of partnership working, although the council leader’s statement does not make a wider prediction about crime levels.

The cultural programme could provide residents with opportunities to attend free music, performances and community events. It may also help local musicians and groups gain opportunities to perform, while collection events could allow residents to share memories and material linked to Romford’s club scene.