QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – May 2021
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Cara Sanquest
Dear Resident,
We hope you are well.
As more people are getting vaccinated and the number of people testing positive for coronavirus is falling, we hope that the pandemic will soon be at end. 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 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.
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Kilburn Lane – trees
We have asked the Trees Team to consider this request from residents:
“The tree-planting to the west of Kilburn Lane has been really appreciated by all residents over the last few years, thank you. We are asking that you might be able to plant some trees at the eastern end between 306 and 286 Kilburn Lane. It is the bleakest part of the street and would really be appreciated if you could put this on the council’s tree planting programme.”
We have received the following response, “I’ll include Kilburn Lane on the summer tree planting survey, which if is all is well, we’ll plant in the autumn.”
Kilburn Lane – speeding
In response to our request for measures to restrict car speeds to 20mph, the Highways Team say:
“We can consider this location for installation of Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), and welcome suggestions to where these could be best positioned in order to alert drivers of appropriate vehicle speeds. Having said that, we are working in conjunction with Brent Council on filling the 20mph gaps in those remaining joint boundaries where the 30mph has remained. Designs are being finalised for review, and subject to agreement we would be implementing 20mph in those isolated locations over the summer.”
We have also asked the Highways Team to include this suggestion in their discussions with Brent Council:
“Further to your call for the 20mph speed limit, many other roads in Westminster have either (a) a build out or (b) central island in one of 2 places that help calm the traffic. Can this be included in the discussions with Brent.”
459 Harrow Road
We have added our objections to those of local residents to the proposed conversion to a seven-bedroom HMO at 459 Harrow Road. The proposed accommodation looks to be sub-standard, with very little room for anything other than a bed. In this day and age, with so many people having to work from home, such poky accommodation is totally inadequate and does not benefit residents or Westminster. The ground floor kitchen area is tiny, with little room for a table and chairs and storage.
Marban Road/Portnall Road
We have asked the Road Safety Team to take action after receiving this report from a resident:
“Yet another crash has happened where Marban Road crosses Portnall. This one is quite serious, and the police and ambulance have been there for a while. The cars are parked too close to the end of Marban and it makes it really hard to see past along Marban when pulling out of Portnall. Cars also able to go too fast along Marban. Suggest taking a car length away from the end of the spacing, or speed bumps on Marban”
The Road Safety Team say:
“We recognise the need for safety measures at this junction and a scheme is underway to look at ways to improve safety and visibility here”
Moberly Sports Centre
We are making enquiries about this issue:
“I’d be grateful if you could lobby the Moberly Leisure Centre to hasten the opening up of the baby/ earners swimming pool. It remains closed and has been closed since the first lockdown in March 2020 so well over a year. It’s really disappointing that this facility just isn’t being used and seemingly mothballed especially given the likely extensive cost to build it, only relatively recently.
It isn’t fair that a toddler is expected to swim in the main pool during free swim periods in water that is too cold for babies and toddlers and amongst older children who are being boisterous and enjoying themselves play fighting, it isn’t safe.”
Moberly Sports Centre – Cladding
We have also heard from our colleagues in Brent that the insulation behind the cladding on the Sports Centre and flats above needs to be replaced. We have been told that a planning application has been submitted for the following:
“The proposals consist of removing the combustible insulation behind the aluminium cladding, replacing this with non-combustible insulation and reinstating the aluminium cladding.”
The Sports Centre and flats are in Brent so Brent Council will be responsible for the planning application.
Enbrook Street – update
Following our request to the Parking Team to investigate reports of parking abuse in Enbrook Street, we have received the following update:
“Following your e-mail, a visit to Enbrook Street was undertaken. At the time, the Marshal confirmed that the vehicles on site had valid resident parking permissions in place with exception of one private car, which subsequently received a Penalty Charge Notice.
Attempts have been made to remove the white van with no plates but, in each instance, it has not been at the location when the removal vehicle attended. We will, however, continue with our efforts to remove this problem vehicle as soon as possible. The number of Marshal visits has also been increased in First Avenue for the next couple of weeks and we will look to extend the measures if required.
We also encourage the residents to use the Report It function (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it/illegally-parked-vehicles) when necessary, as this is available 24/7 and requests to attend the location can be processed and actioned in real time.”
Name for the new leisure centre for the Jubilee site on Lancefield Street
The result of our consultation with residents about the name for the new leisure centre is an overwhelming choice of ‘Jubilee Community Leisure Centre’.
“My vote goes for Jubilee, for continuation of the history of the centre.”
Lancefield Street
We alerted the police to reports from residents of intruders at the building site on Lancefield Street.
Harrow Road
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate the faulty pedestrian crossing lights between Second and Third Avenues. A resident says;
“The buttons are definitely faulty. Often, I press the button many times but the little ‘wait’ light doesn’t come on. Sometimes even if the light doesn’t come on the lights do change. It’s a busy crossing for kids as there are few primary schools on either side of that bridge.”
Naylor House – update
We have received the following update from Naylor House residents:
“It’s with great gladness that I’m pleased to announce to you another victory over the issues of installation of Telecommunication equipment at the rooftop of Naylor House. The application has been rejected.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you and our community for coming together to uphold the good cause of our community. I would also like to convey the residents’ appreciation to our Councilors, Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister, and Hamza Taouzzale for your relentless support for our community most especially on this matter. You are greatly appreciated by the residents.”
Ha’Penny Steps – update
We are very pleased that Nuno and his colleagues have managed to remove the remainder of the graffiti on the walls at the Ha’Penny Steps and removed the items from the latest dredge of the canal. Hussein is still working with the Canal River Trust in getting the canal side wall graffiti removed.
Environmental Issues
- Ilbert Street – we asked Nuno, our local Inspector, to investigate the regular rubbish dumping by the black bins and take action against those responsible.
- Sixth Avenue – we have asked the Council to take action against the regular dumping at the top of Sixth Avenue.
- Mozart Street/Bravington Road – we have asked the Council to take action against the regular dumping at the corner of Mozart Street and Bravington Road and repeated our call for those responsible to be fined the maximum penalty charge.
- Kilburn Lane – We have asked for the section of Kilburn Lane between Bravington and Ashmore Roads to be given a deep clean, Residents tell us that the area around the bus stop gets very dirty and has not had a deep clean for two years. The Council say, “Kilburn Lane, among other areas in the Queens Park area, are due to be deep cleaned during the August/September months”.
- Oliphant Street – we have asked the Parking Team to check whether a motorbike in Oliphant Street has been dumped. Residents say, “It is still in the same bay outside my house and hasn’t moved for a year. It is making parking for other bikes and cars in the adjacent bay quite tricky.”
- Ashmore Road – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the broken streetlight by 88 Ashmore Road.
- Harrow Road – we have asked for a litter bin to be located near the bench and bus stop outside St John’s Church.
- Lothrop Street – We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix the broken streetlight outside 111/113 Lothrop Street.
Housing and other Issues
- Queen’s Park Court – we asked the Housing Office to repair a broken front door to one of the blocks at Queen’s Park Court. Following our enquiries, a resident told us: “Thank you so much for your quick intervention, yes the matter has been resolved and the door has been fixed”
- Mounsey House – we have reported this issue to the Housing Office, “For two days I have noticed a lot of water pouring from the roof of Mounsey House in Third Avenue. Fortunately for the people living there the guttering stops it pouring over the front entrance door.” The problem has now been fixed have liaised. The Council say, “the leak from the tank, which was causing the leak in question, has now been rectified”.
- Birch House – we are helping a resident with a Mutual Exchange application.
- Lothrop Street – we are a helping a resident with a number of repair issues.
- Banister House – we are continuing to help a resident who has been experiencing persistent leaks and have urged the Council to resolve the problems as a matter of urgency.
- Marne Street – we are helping a resident with a planning enforcement issue.
- Farnaby House – we have asked the Housing Office to investigate regular day-time noise problems which are having a negative impact on the health of residents of Farnaby House.
- Caird Street – a big thanks to our local Inspector, Nuno, who helped residents remove a sofa from a house in Caird Street.
Help for community projects – annual design commission
Every year, the Architectural company run by local resident Jonathan Tuckey invites community groups, organisations, schools, clubs, places of worship and so on, to put forward a building that needs attention, or ideas they have which would benefit from some design input to make into a reality. Jonathan says:
- We select one project and work on a no-fee basis to produce detailed design, consultation and a costed feasibility study.
- This year we will be focussing on a project with the greatest social impact and highest environmental ambition. Full details can be found on our website here.
- We’d like ideas by 31st May and they should be sent to studio@jonathantuckey.com.
- We are excited to see what interesting projects are put forward that we can help with.
Carlton Vale Boulevard
We have received this message from Brent Council:
“As part of Brent’s South Kilburn Regeneration Programme, the second of three online public consultation events for Carlton Vale Boulevard (CVB) is being held on Tuesday 11th May and Thursday 13th May 2021 at 6-8pm.
CVB aspires to create an ecologically diverse, tree-lined avenue with re-imagined public spaces and improved transportation links in the heart of South Kilburn. You can register via www.carltonvaleboulevard.co.uk.”
Queen’s Park Book Festival
The Queen’s Park Book Festival will return on the weekend of 18th and 19th September 2021. For further details visit https://queensparkbookfestival.co.uk/?mc_cid=a0361e24a7&mc_eid=d675de24cf
Food Waste collections – update
Following our enquiries about food waste collections, we have received the following update:
“Our food waste collection pilot schemes were unfortunately curtailed due to covid but we are currently finalising plans to recommence the roll-out of food waste collections to all residents. We expect to start introducing food waste collections from September this year but the timetable for services to individual wards hasn’t yet been agreed.”
Dogs
If you have any issues with dogs you can contact Crissie Chambers (canineculture@googlemail.com) as well as Nuno Reis (nreis@westminster.gov.uk) and they will deal with them together on their twice weekly patrols.
North Paddington Foodbank
If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support, please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/
If you need the foodbank, or know someone in need please call 07511 590997
The Foodbank is on the frontline helping more people than ever before in a very difficult situation. Please donate here
Blood Donors
The NHS Blood and Transplant service is appealing for donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus to help save lives as London moves from “medium” to “high” alert. Donating blood plasma is a simple procedure and very similar to giving a normal blood donation but the red blood cells are returned to the patient and the process takes a little longer.
The nearest donor centre is at 26 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia. W1. Anyone who has had coronavirus, either a test result or the symptoms, can offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visitinghttps://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk to arrange an appointment to donate.
Voting by post
It is 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/
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=09649383-4dbb-4a3d-b164-9d26398578f3
Refuse collection and Recycling collection times
Recycling bags can be ordered from https://webforms.westminster.gov.uk/order-recycling-bags/
Bags will be delivered within approximately 48 hours of order.
You can check when refuse and recycling is collected from your street here http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx
The doorstep recycling service concentrates on the recyclable materials most commonly produced by houses so that these can be easily separated into the different material types. The link below summarises what can be put in recycling bags
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/what-can-i-recycle-home#can-recycle
Lots of other materials can be recycled but not through the doorstep collection service. The A-Z list below gives details of what and where items can be recycled or re-used:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/a-z-recycling
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to the Report It service https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Local Police
You can keep an eye on the latest local crime information through the Met Police website: https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/queens-park/
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
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
Health advice
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Westminster Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
Queen’s Park Covid-19 Task Force
Queen’s Park Community Council has set up a Covid-19 Task Force. For help or further information, you can phone 0208 960 5644 and leave a message, or text 07511 590 997 or visithttps://queensparkcommunitycouncil.gov.uk/covid-19-response/.
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Many thanks for these updates really enjoy reading them and it’s obvious there is a lot of work going on to help create a better community/environment for us all to live in. A special shout out to the volunteer gardeners who keep Queens Park Gardens looking so beautiful and are always so cheery and offer a friendly hello whenever I see them.”
“Thanks as ever for your updates and help.”
“As usual, a very nice newsletter with actions taken, please keep up the good work.”
“Thanks for your update. Very useful as ever.”
“Thank you so much for your help and support with our case.”
“I’ve just received an email acknowledging that this issue wasn’t our fault and saying the penalty had been refunded. I just wanted to say a real, heartfelt thank you for once again being an absolute gentleman and very kindly helping. It really is so appreciated!”
“I’m very pleased to report that the sofas have finally been removed from the garden of 196 Portnall Road. Thank you”
“You seem to be busy and doing an excellent job for us as always!”
“Thank you so much for your concern, advice and support”
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your neighbours. If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link http://bit.ly/signuplabnews
Keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale
Your Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors – Here to Help
pdimoldenberg@westminster.gov.uk
pmcallister@westminster.gov.uk
Facebook @QPLabourTeam