About

Hornchurch Residents’ Association (ex Ratepayers) was born in 1932 when three disgruntled men met up one evening in Wingletye Lane to agree to fight against their ever-increasing rates bills. They had limited success until after WW2 when it was decided to contest seats on the Hornchurch Urban District Council, which they won. These seats were retained thereafter, during which time Romford and Hornchurch UDCs were merged and Havering was born. Rates disappeared to be replaced by the Community Charge and eventually Council Tax, so there was a slight name change to Hornchurch Residents Association. We represent and assist our residents at every level, from personal requests for help right through to holding the administration of the day to account in the Council Chamber. Our aim is to take over the administration by working as a collective alongside other Residents’ Associations in the Borough under the umbrella of Havering’s Residents Association, with each member Association retaining its own identity.

Hornchurch Residents’ Association (ex Ratepayers) was born in 1932 when three disgruntled men met up one evening in Wingletye Lane to agree to fight against their ever-increasing rates bills. They had limited success until after WW2 when it was decided to contest seats on the Hornchurch Urban District Council, which they won. These seats were retained thereafter, during which time Romford and Hornchurch UDCs were merged and Havering was born. Rates disappeared to be replaced by the Community Charge and eventually Council Tax, so there was a slight name change to Hornchurch Residents Association. We represent and assist our residents at every level, from personal requests for help right through to holding the administration of the day to account in the Council Chamber. Our aim is to take over the administration by working as a collective alongside other Residents’ Associations in the Borough under the umbrella of Havering’s Residents Association, with each member Association retaining its own identity.

The neighbouring Rainham & Wennington IRG decided to sponsor candidates in South Hornchurch and eventually won a by-election in the ward in 2008. It has largely dominated the ward ever since. The group's main concern has traditionally been overdevelopment and its campaigns, amongst other things, for high-quality leisure facilities along the Thames. 

The Upminster Residents Association was formed in 1906, by 6 gentlemen.  Little is known about what they did or achieved, but records of their first successful campaign is recorded in 1929 when they saved the church's glebe land from development, and it became our Upminster Park.  Following the outbreak of WW11, prospective Councillors stood for election and were successful in getting elected.  Unfortunately, they lost their seats in 1948.

The Cranham Association was formed in 1938, with the two committees merging in 1958, and the Upminster and Cranham Residents Association was formed.  We were able to return one candidate in 1958, despite opposition comment that we were Socialists or Communists, or pseudo-tories - things do not change. We have been successful in most elections and many  campaigns since then, dealing with numerous issues - our original slogan was The Watchdog on Local Affairs - this still stands

Havering has a long history of Residents Associations, each with a strong ethos of supporting the residents they represent. They have their own selection process, constitution and executive arrangements but they share one thing in common, they do not have the whip-like mainstream parties. This enables your elected Resident Association Councillor to truly represent your wishes without being told how they have to vote. In 2019 the majority of Resident’s Associations formalised a working together arrangement under the umbrella of Havering’s Residents' Associations (H.R.A).  If you would like more information on how you could become a councillor, click the H.R.A Logo.