News from Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug and Papya Qureshi
Dear Resident
We hope you are well.
With the number of people getting vaccinated increasing every day and the number of people testing positive for coronavirus decreasing, we hope that we will soon be through the pandemic. Along with Karen Buck MP, we are doing all we can to help the local community and individual residents and their families.
You can read our latest news on http://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Please feel free to pass this report on to any of your neighbours who may be interested. If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link http://bit.ly/signuplabnews
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Brunel Estate
We have been working with residents and the council to address concerns about the management of the Look Ahead hostel (formerly St Mungo’s) that is based on the estate. While issues continue, some action has been taken by the council and we will continue to monitor resident concerns.
Keyham House
We were very concerned to get reports from residents that water supplies to homes in Keyham House had been cut off several times in one week early February, and got in touch with Westminster housing to get an explanation and assurances that it would not happen again. They told us it was caused by a brief interruption from Thames Water, which led to one of the pumps (needed to get water to the top of the tower) running dry and burning out. When Thames Water’s supply came back on, the two remaining pumps could not cope. The housing team at Westminster ordered an emergency replacement of the pumps, and had to shut off the water supply while they were replaced.
Wessex Gardens
We are working with local residents to assist with issues around the council’s poor maintenance of the drains and ongoing of concerns around anti-social behaviour on the estate.
Shrewsbury Gardens
Ideas for improvements to Shrewsbury Gardens on the corner of Talbot Road and Shrewsbury Road are starting to take shape. An online design review workshop was held in the middle of February and the designs are now being worked up. This project is led by Notting Hill East Neighbourhood Forum, who have engaged Groundwork, a charity supporting community improvements to the environment, and this is funded by Community Infrastructure Levy payments from developers. If you would like to know more, get in touch with us and we will put you in contact with the project.
Westmead Redevelopment
We will speak at the planning committee on 16th March to follow up on residents’ concerns about parking impact, lower than desired amounts of social housing, design and loss of trees.
Woodfield Road
We picked up concerns about a damaged and overgrown downpipe and have pressed Notting Hill Genesis to take action.
Our Lady of Lourdes & St Vincent de Paul
We are working with the church (on the junction of Woodfield Place and Harrow Road) to explore ways to make the concreted area outside greener and more accessible to the public.
Canalside
We have been working to raise concerns about litter dumping on the canal, particularly near the Harrow Road bridge (where it has been adding to the vermin problem in the Network Homes blocks on the Brindley Estate). While the council has limited powers in what it can do on the canalside (as the land is controlled by the Canal and River Trust), we are raising concerns with them but also particularly with the Trust directly. Residents can report issues of litter and flytipping on the towpath directly to the Trust at enquiries.londonsoutheast@canalrivertrust.org.uk. Much of the Trust’s litter picking work is done by volunteers (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer) and this has been impacted by the Covid regulations but should hopefully improve soon.
Amberley Road
We are continuing to push the council to address the poor broadband on the road.
217 Harrow Road
St Mungo’s are looking to bring forward plans to redevelop their hostel at 217 Harrow Road. Details are currently somewhat vague but they have a website here: https://www.217harrowroad.com/the-project where you can sign up to keep informed and attend consultation events.
Westbourne Green
In January, after months of pressure from us, the outdoor gym, which had become a magnet for illegal gatherings, was partially dismantled. Though some problems are continuing, the numbers misusing the site have reduced. We have recently raised concerns about damage to lighting on the green and to saplings planted near Edward Wilson school.
Ward Budgets
We have recently supported schemes to provide virtual activities for children during the February half-term and will be supporting a number of schemes for the Easter holidays. We are also going to be providing support for an ambitious new gardening project. Let us know if you have any ideas on what activities should receive a small grant from the Ward Budget or if there is a specific local improvement you’d like to see this spent on?
Housing casework
As ever the majority of the cases we provide assistance to residents on relate to housing issues from repairs, to service charges to homelessness. Let us know if there is a problem we can help with.
Lifts
We have been asking why so many lifts in Westminster council blocks seem to have been shut down for long periods due to water ingress. There is some suspicion on behalf of the council that cleaning teams may have accidentally flooded the electrical intake room when mopping the landings.
Mayoral Election on 6th May – Voting by post
The Government has announced that the London Mayoral and GLA elections will be going ahead on 6th May 2021.
Some people may be concerned about going to the polling stations in person, having to wear a mask and waiting in a socially-distanced queue.
It will be much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post.
You can use this form to apply for a postal vote
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/postal-vote-application-form.pdf
You can email your completed form to electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk or post it to Electoral Services, Westminster City Council, 14th Floor City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.
Rita Begum is Labour’s candidate for West Central in the GLA Elections
You can visit Rita’s website at https://www.ritabegum.com/
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Free Travel to Vaccination Centres
We have welcomed the news that Age UK is now offering a free taxi transport service to local vaccination centres for anyone over 50 in Westminster. This service will run to the end of March 2021, and will focus on supporting people in the 50 plus age group from BAME communities.
For further details please get in touch with Amy Shallon at AShallon@aukc.org.uk or telephone 07497 188 221
Dispelling the vaccination myths
Here is the link to a video featuring Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic celebrities dispelling myths about the vaccine and encouraging people to have the vaccination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Ald__AhbI
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Test and Trace Support Payments
You may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 if you are self-isolating because of COVID-19 and you are either employed or self-employed. The payment is to support people on low incomes who are unable to work from home if they are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and lose income as a result.
Please let us know if we can ever be of help or assistance.
Yours sincerely
Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug and Papya Qureshi
Your three Westbourne Ward Labour Councillors
You contact Adam, Papya and David by email or telephone.