QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – June 2021
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Cara Sanquest
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Ashmore Road
We have contacted the Council on behalf of Ashmore Road residents who have been busy planting in the tree pits, but dog owners are placing dog waste in the planting. We have asked if dog waste bins can be located in the area. The Council say:
“We can always look at locations where there is a genuine need for litter bins but they can very quickly become magnets for dumped rubbish and officers have certainly had their hands full trying to tackle this.
“We have produced leaflets with maps on the back to help dog owners find their nearest bins. We are hoping to do some more awareness raising this year as easing continues, to educate around problematic areas. In the meantime, I can provide a stock of these for the library and Beethoven Centre and see if we can attach some laminated versions these affected planters. I will also flag Ashmore Road to the local cleansing depot to ensure the sweeper is clearing/collecting bags.”
Moberly Sports Centre – cladding update
Following the news that a planning application has been submitted to Brent Council for changes to the cladding on the Moberly Sports Centre and flats above, the Council has given us the following update:
“When the Moberly construction was completed in 2018 the building was compliant with current Building Regulations and Fire Safety requirements. Since that point, the building requirements have changed significantly with amendments in 2018 and again in 2019 around Fire Safety thus meaning that we will be making changes to bring the building in line with requirements.
EcoWorld London, our development partners, have undertaken a review of external wall systems using independent fire safety experts. This review concluded that a component of the cladding should be replaced to ensure compliance with new updated standards. EcoWorld London confirm the risk has been assessed by the independent fire safety experts in accordance with the Government guidelines and has been deemed sufficiently low so as not to require any additional fire safety measures to be put into place in the interim. They have also submitted an application to the government’s Building Safety Fund to determine whether such works are eligible for grant funding and will begin the works as soon as they can, pending the outcome of that application. Any such works will be carried out with the minimum disruption possible to residents.”
The Council has also confirmed that the new development on Bruckner Street is not affected by cladding issues, as that building has a brick façade.
Ha’Penny Steps
The Police located a metal detector on Ha’Penny Steps in early May and told us why this was done:
“The operation was put in place due to increased tensions between various groups across the area. The feedback from the public who the police spoke to during the operation was very positive. The feedback on Facebook and Instagram is largely positive.
Sadly, on Saturday, during the operation, a young person was stabbed in another part of Westminster. Every knife we can take off the streets to help prevent further incidents like this is a step towards making our community safer. Knife arches and stop and search in general are controversial subjects which will always get some negative feedback but are a vital part of our tactics to reduce serious violence.”
We have also asked the Police to investigate this recent incident:
“I was coming home from ‘school pick up’ yesterday, from the Kensal Road side of the canal. As my 4-year-old and I went over the Ha’Penny steps towards Harrow Road, a motor bike was coming over! Not only was he aggressive it was also peak school time!!!! This happened between 1525-1535. Please can you help track him down via cctv? This is so dangerous and should not happen.”
The Police say they will arrange for some patrols at the location at school finishing times in case this is happening regularly.
Queen’s Park Gardens
Recently, the local police installed a knife arch in one of the entrances to Queen’s Park Gardens due to knives being found in the park, including two large kitchen knives. The arch is a temporary measure allowing police to stop & search if metal is detected.
Open Spaces, Greener Places Programme
We are delighted that the the following projects have been approved:
- Queen’s Park Gardens – Queen’s Park Community Council applied for funding for a water fountain and tap in Queen’s Park Gardens. The installation of a tap and water fountain, as well as improvements to the park more generally, has been a recurring request from residents and volunteer groups.
- St John’s Church Gardens – Funding has been agreed for the next phase of the greening project.
- Selby Square – This project will enable A2 Dominion to replan the Square so that local residents can access and utilise the currently unused green space.
Ilbert Street
We have asked Nuno if the black bins along Ilbert Street can be relocated. Residents suggest the following location”
“Could both sets of bins be moved to by the walls of the playing courts. This could be where something more attractive and permanent could be built against the walls but at some time giving easy access for the rubbish trucks. The planting there has never worked and tends to be a dogs’ toilet. If it was fenced on the sides and looked nice people might behave better when dumping. By centralising at that location both sets of bins would make the entrances to the lovely gardens so much nicer. At the moment, both on Ilbert Street are blighted by dumping.”
Portnall Road/Harrow Road
We have asked the police to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour at the end of Portnall Road, near the junction of Harrow Road. Residents say:
“Unfortunately, people have had nowhere else to go, so have now formed a habit of congregating outside houses on Portnall Road, near the junction with Harrow Road. Almost nightly in good weather there are constant gatherings of people engaging in anti-social behaviour: shouting, playing loud music, drinking, gambling for money (over dominos etc). They have become so much worse than before. Lockdown has caused them to gather much more regularly and this year they’ve got the addition of either parking cars with loud music or using portable speakers.”
219 Portnall Road
We have asked the Council to investigate crumbling plaster and stonework from the doorway of 219 Portnall Road which was a serious safety issue for residents. The Council told us:
“The two families living in the temporary accommodation at 219 Portnall Road will be contacted by Housing Solutions with the offer of alternative accommodation in Westminster while the works at the property are completed by A2 Dominion.
A2 Dominion confirmed they are not the freeholder but A2D are leading on repairs to the building. Their contractors erected scaffolding on the building earlier this week and also managed to remove the hanging brick work and their contractors confirms the building is safe. A2 Dominion have confirmed that in addition to repairing the area where the masonry fell, they are also renewing the roof to the property and expect all works to be completed in 3 weeks”
Fernhead Road
We are making enquiries with the Council about this issue affecting Fernhead Road residents:
“For some time now, we’ve had to live with a lot of noise, and some tremors, when vehicles drive across our building on Fernhead Road. It looks like there is a fault in the road itself where when vehicles (mostly buses, trucks etc.) drive over a section of it there is a thud and movement which is a real annoyance, particularly at night where some buses run late into the night and the early mornings. This happens often during the day and night. And this is not good for us residents but also critically it can’t be good for the building itself.
The other serious issue is speeding buses, especially at night when the street is empty. Some buses just come hurtling down the street which make the noise and impact worse.”
Kilburn Lane
We have asked the Highways Team if Queens Park Station Bus Stop H on Kilburn Lane can be moved just slightly further down the road, following several suggestions from the local community, including both residents and local businesses.
The bus stop is currently located right beside a mechanics garage and in front of a cafe meaning there’s is very little space both in front and behind. The lack of accessibility is also an issue for busses when it comes to them stopping as there is parking on the other side.
The Highways Team say this will be considered as part of the Bus Stand/Stop review to be undertaken later this year.
Beethoven Street
We have asked the Tree Officer to investigate the tree near the Yoga studio on Beethoven Street. Residents say, “It looks like it has been hit by a van again and is leaning at a very precarious angle”.
We have also asked the Highways Team to take action to address this issue: “After rain the water rises out of the drain and flows under the door to our yoga studio. The drainage is blocked and inadequate.”
Environmental and other issues
- Kilburn Lane – we have again asked the Council to give the pavement along Kilburn Lane, between Bravington and Ashmore Roads, a deep clean.
- Dog mess – we have reported this issue to our City Inspectors, “There is an ongoing problem in local streets with dog mess. Some owners even let their dogs mess the middle of the pavement, which is very anti-social. There is ample evidence around here. I think that the culprits walk their dogs early morning or late evening and so are rarely seen in action.”
- Lothrop Street – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate a faulty streetlight in Lothrop Street.
- Shirland Road/Ashmore Road – we have arranged with the Parks Manager for additional planters to be located at this junction to stop the occasional rubbish dumping that still continues here.
- Peach Road – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate a faulty streetlight outside 243 Peach Road.
- Barfett Street – we have asked Nuno, our local Inspector, to arrange for the tree cages in Barfett Street to be cleared and for rubbish to be collected regularly.
- Ha’Penny Steps – we have asked Nuno to arrange for the graffiti on the wall by Ha’Penny Steps to be removed.
- Ilbert Street – we have asked if action can be taken to clear rubbish from a front garden in Ilbert Street
- Dart Street – we asked the Highways Team to reinstate a broken bollard at the junction of Dart Street and John Fearon Walk.
- Ilbert Street/Chamberlayne Road – we have asked for the markings on the pedestrian crossing to be repainted so that they are clearer for drivers to see. The Highways Team say, “we will be raising a works order to repaint the pedestrian crossing markings as appropriate”.
- Fifth Avenue – we have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate faulty streetlights on Fifth Avenue at the junctions of Oliphant and Marne Streets.
- Portnall Road – we have asked the Highways Team to repair a broken manhole cover and a blocked drain on Portnall Road.
- Huxley Street – we have asked Nuno to investigate long-standing rubbish dumped outside a house in Huxley Street.
Housing and other Issues
- Oak House – we have again urged the Housing Department to fix the long-standing water leaks at Oak House.
- Fernhead Road – we are helping a family in Fernhead Road with their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application.
- Juniper House – we are assisting a family in Juniper House in their application for a move to alternative accommodation.
- Courtville House – we are pressing the Housing Department to complete long-standing repairs to a flat in Courtville House.
- Droop Street – we have asked the Housing Department to investigate a house in Droop Street. There is a lot of rubbish dumped in garden and the property appears abandoned.
- Third Avenue – we are continuing to assist a resident in Third Avenue who is need of a transfer to a more appropriate flat. We have also contacted Soho Housing Association about repairs that are needed in a flat in Charles Leach Court. In addition, we have asked the Noise Team to investigate complaints from a flat in Third Avenue.
- Holly House – we are helping a family in Holly House who are in need of a transfer for medical reasons.
- Second Avenue – we have urged the Council to take action to resolve the subsidence issues affecting two houses in Second Avenue.
- Ashmore Road – we have asked Network Housing to take action on problems with the front door of a house on Ashmore Road. We are also helping an elderly resident in Ashmore to move to supported housing.
- Kilravock Street – we have asked Adult Services to assist a vulnerable resident in Kilravock Street. We have also asked the Housing Department to investigate reports of damp at another house in Kilravock Street.
- Lothrop Street – we have asked the Housing Department to undertake repairs to a house in Lothrop Street.
- Elm House – we are helping an overcrowded family in Elm House to try to get them moved to a larger flat.
- Huxley Street – we are helping a resident in Huxley Street with their Right to Buy application.
- Portnall Road – we are continuing to help a family in Portnall Road who are suffering from anti-social behaviour from neighbours.
- Selby Square – We have asked A2 Dominion to investigate and repair a flat in Selby Square which “has two large gaping holes in the ceiling to the lounge and bathroom and this has been the case for a couple of weeks now. She is unable to use the lounge as she fears the ceiling will collapse.”
- Farnaby House – we are continuing to help a family in Farnaby House who have been suffering from continual leaks from the flat above.
Queen’s Park in Bloom
Congratulations to local resident Jade Murray on winning a Chelsea gold medal for the Judges Choice! See her amazing indoor oasis, and Ronan Keating on BBC1 The One Show https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000w7nm
The Avenues Summer Programme
We are supporting The Avenues Summer Programme with a grant of £5,970 from the Ward Budget. The project will support young people aged 8-18. Activities will take place in The Avenues professional kitchen, dance studio, sports hall, classroom, art and design studio, music studio and radio broadcasting suite. They will offer taster sessions for judo, dance and boxing. Additional activities will take place outdoors on the play street and a football camp will take place on the MUGAs in Ilbert Street, and tennis sessions in Queen’s Park.
During socialisation, fitness and skills activities, the qualified and experienced team of youth workers will lead discussions on mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, staying safe and other issues of importance. The Avenues will provide free, healthy breakfast and lunch.
Queen’s Park Summer Festival – 7th August
We are supporting the Queen’s Park Summer Festival with a grant of £4,984 from the Ward Budget. We have also asked the Council to waive the road closure fees. The road closures are vital to ensure social distancing and avoiding the use of indoor space. Ilbert Street and Third Avenue will be used for performances and the Seniors Tea Party. A vaccination bus will also be available.
Trees
We have received the following message from Queen’s Park Community Council:
“Following on from your note on trees on Kilburn Lane: we met with Chris Colwell from the Westminster Tree Team to discuss how we can increase the number of trees in the ward. He indicated he would be happy to receive suggestions on tree locations, for assessment in the summer survey, so we have put together a submission form so that residents can easily make suggestions in one place.”
We have also asked the Tree Team for their comments on this enquiry from a resident:
“Once again, this summer the lovely plane trees in Queen’s Park are being savagely cut back whilst in full leaf, leaving bare ugly branches. Trees in full leaf provide some protection against pollution.”
Carlton Vale Boulevard
As part of Brent’s South Kilburn Regeneration Programme, the second (and final) online Co-design Workshop for Carlton Vale Boulevard (CVB) is being held on Thursday 3rd June 2021 at 6.00pm – 8.00pm. This follows on from the Second Online Public Consultation event held in May 2021. This second workshop will be the final opportunity to feedback into the design proposals for the boulevard. You can register via www.carltonvaleboulevard.co.uk.
For further information contact James.Cooper@brent.gov.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
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
Survey of Residents’ Views
We want to know what you think the Council’s priorities should be over the coming years. Please let us know by completing this short survey so we can take action on your priorities. Thank you
https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90333853/Westminster-Labour-Survey
Film and TV Production – opportunities for young people
We have received this information from The Screen Community:
“We are a Westminster-based charity that engages with young people aged 14-25 and we teach industry standard skills in Film & TV Production with routes to further education and employment. We have a couple of opportunities coming up
- FILM CLUB – “ROCKS” + Q&A. Thursday 3rd June 6-9pm. We are running our first FILM CLUB – where as a group we watch a film, discuss and then have a Q&A with the actors and producer. ROCKS is an award-winning film about school age teens. This is a great way to learn how young actors make it in the industry.
- FILM & TV PRODUCTION WORKSHOP– starts Saturday 12th June – young people will learn how to script a film, pitch their stories, learn camera work, learn how to direct and then they will shoot their film and edit it.
People can secure their spot by emailing Kate.Herron@Thescreencommunity.com. or Tel : 07703 312296.”
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. You have two weeks to cast your vote and you can vote at home.
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.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
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 another detailed report on all the work that you are doing in the ward!”
“Please convey our thanks to the person who painted the plant containers on the junction of Shirland Road and Ashmore Road, and with the spring tulips and daffodils it has made such a difference to the look of the area and is a pleasure to enjoy when we walk that way”
“One email from you sorted a problem 2 years old. Thank you once again”
“Thanks so much for your help”
“Our recycling has just been collected. Thank you so much for getting this collection organised.”
“I’m very grateful for all your help!”
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
If you do not wish to continue to receive this newsletter you can unsubscribe below.
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, All Year Round
pdimoldenberg@westminster.gov.uk
pmcallister@westminster.gov.uk
Facebook @QPLabourTeam