MAIDA VALE & LITTLE VENICE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – October 2021
News from Maida Vale Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
And the Little Venice Labour Action Team – Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Kilburn Park Road
TfL has objected to Westminster’s proposals for a pelican crossing at Kilburn Park Road by the junction with Maida Vale. The new crossing will be a zebra crossing instead and, disappointingly, won’t now be installed until the New Year.
Lauderdale Mansions West
The planning appeal will be heard on 21 November when Westminster Council defends its decision to refuse permission for the absentee freeholder to build an additional storey. We will be attending the appeal to support the residents who have opposed this development since the outset. The proposal will deliver poor quality flats – many bedrooms only have skylights, not external windows – and the design is out of keeping with the Maida Vale conservation area.
Flooding
We continue to support residents affected by the floods of 12 July. Councillor Barraclough and Councillor Butler-Thalassis both represented Maida Vale at the public scrutiny meeting on 30 September. Disappointingly, Westminster Council would not allow residents to speak/ask questions of the council or Thames Water and many people left the meeting unhappy. We think there are still a number of unanswered questions which we’ve listed here.
Meanwhile, Karen Buck MP has met with the regulator, Ofwat, along with Hammersmith and Kensington MPs, to make clear our deep dissatisfaction with Thames Water and to urge Ofwat to ensure the forthcoming independent inquiry actually listens to the opinions of local flood victims. Karen Buck has also raised concerns with Government Ministers about the cost and availability of insurance, as many residents are worried about this.
Carlton Dene
Westminster Council closed the Carlton Dene care home and the adjacent Peebles House 18 months ago, since when both buildings have lain derelict attracting weeds, grafitti and squatters in equal measure. The site will be redeveloped as a 65 unit extra-care facility and 22 unit general needs social housing block but Westminster is unable to give a date for work to start. Meanwhile, we’re calling for Carlton Dene be properly looked after and, if possible, given a meanwhile use.
https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/housing/fears-over-maida-vale-care-home-development-inaction-8449302
Active Westminster Awards
Best of luck to Paddington Sports Club who have entered the inclusion category of the Active Westminster Awards for its work with Metro Blind Bowlers.
New waste bins
Many of you will have noticed the colourful new bins that were placed on the streets in August. These were part of a £50K behavioural experiment to see whether people would behave better if pictures of flowers and funny slogans would help them build an emotional relationship with waste receptacles.
The answer was a resounding “no”. The new bins quickly became magnets for flytipping. And they kept breaking when they fell off the back of the Veolia trucks. We are very pleased that we have been able to halt this pilot and return to the robust, big black bins of before.
Guerrilla Gardening
With the help of Paul Newman of Paddington Waterways, we have been supporting the ‘guerrilla gardeners’ of Shirland Road. Paul organised for Veolia to provide extra topsoil to help the winter planting in the tree pits.
Ward Budget
Besides a contribution to One Westminster to support residents who were flooded, we have used the ward budget to pay for the winter flower baskets that are now decorating our streets. It’s not affordable to have flower baskets on every street, all year round but we are hoping to have them in future on a few more roads such as Oxford Road, Lauderdale Parade and Lanark Road for at least part of the year
Shirland Road
We worked with the City Inspector to have the rubble cleared from the from 121 Shirland Road (ex Arty-Club) and we have also gained agreement to install a drop-curb at 112 Shirland Road. The lack of a drop curb at the latter location has been causing difficulties for people with mobility scooters and pushchairs.
Anti-vax Protest
We were very disappointed that anti-vax protesters picketed the Vaccine Bus when it came to Paddington Rec last week. There is a fine line between the right to legitimate protest and harassment of members of the public, but a number of residents have complained about the anti-vax activities. They told us that police officers were present but did not intervene.
We have written to the police and senior council officers to ask that the park byelaws (which are very clear that political activity of any sort is not permitted) are properly applied if this happens again.
Elgin Parade
The former Barclays Bank on Elgin Parade is to become a greengrocer. Opening is delayed as Westminster planners have refused permission for the proposed external signage.
New HMO licensing regulations
Westminster’s new HMO licensing regulations came into force at the end of August. These now apply to flat shares – three people from two households in the same flat qualifies as an HMO. More details here. The licensing regulations do not over-ride provisions in a lease. If the freeholder does not permit HMO’s, then the freeholder still has the ability to enforce the lease.
Christmas Tree & Lights
The Christmas Tree will be lit in Paddington Rec on Friday 3 December at 4.00 pm. All welcome.
Ashworth Mansions
We have been supporting residents in one block of Ashworth Mansions who have been without gas since August. We asked Westminster’s planners to fast-track consideration of Cadent’s application to run a new gas supply.
Oxford Road
We have asked that renewal of the pavement on the Westminster side of Oxford Road be included in the 2022/23 planned preventive maintenance programme. It has become very uneven in places with plenty of trip hazards.
Delaware Road
We have nominated Delaware Road for extra street-trees as part of Westminster’s plan to extend some pavements to accommodate space for additional trees.
Randolph Avenue – update
Residents have asked when the Randolph Avenue pavements will be renewed. Councill Geoff Barraclough says:
“We’ve managed to get quite a bit of work allocated for Maida Vale this financial year, notably the footways on Lanark Road between Elgin and Sutherland Avenues and all of Shirland Road. Randolph Avenue is on the reserve list for this financial year so there’s a good chance of getting it done. If not this year, it would be very likely for 2022/23.”
Castellain Road
We have asked the local City Inspectors to investigate this issue:
“I live in Castellain Road and notice there has been a recent increase in the number of black bags being left out the night before collection which is resulting in a rise in unsightly pavement spillages. I wonder if there might be some way of alerting residents to the requirement to put rubbish out within an hour of collection? Otherwise, might hanging on pavement railings, although still unsightly, avoid bags being attacked by wildlife?”
Blomfield Road
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue:
“Westminster Council carried extensive pavement work in Blomfield Road. Two benches at the canal bridge end were taken away during the works and not replaced. I would be grateful if this could be looked into.”
We have been told that the benches are to be returned and monitored to ensure that the previous anti-social behaviour issue does not return. Residents say, “great news and thank you so much for all your efforts and hard work”.
Canal Lighting petition
If you’ve tried to walk along the canal after dark recently, you’ll have noticed the lack of lighting along the towpaths. With winter rapidly approaching and more people forced to walk in the dark, the paths are increasingly unsafe – particularly as many cyclists use the narrow towpaths to commute or deliver, some riding fast with no lights. Areas around bends and the tunnel under the Harrow Road Bridge are especially dangerous.
Everyone should feel safe and comfortable using the towpaths. That’s why the Labour Action Team in Little Venice are campaigning to get lighting installed, as Councils and the Canal and River Trust has been able to do with other urban towpaths in the country. So please sign our petition below to get lighting installed along our towpaths.
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/help-get-lights-for-little-venice/
Council leaseholders face higher charges
In their latest example of overspending and failing to deliver what they promised, Westminster Council has admitted their costs have gone massively over budget for their day-to-day services for leaseholders, leading service charges to hit an average cost of £1,631.41 per household. This is a massive 8.6% over the Council’s original estimates to leaseholders for 2020/21.
£6 Million Marble Arch Mound
Westminster Council has released its internal review of the £6 Million Marble Arch fiasco which saw costs escalate from £2 million to £6.6 million in a matter of months. As the report finds, “despite clear and repeated warnings”, the Mound was left unfinished and plans to recoup costs with entry charges had to be scrapped. The review has found:
“There was a breakdown of project management of the Mound which, amongst other issues, led to confusion over roles and responsibilities, a lack of communication between staff and contractors working on different elements of the Marble Arch Mound project and a basic lack of project coordination and documentation.”
The Council rejected Labour’s call for a full independent inquiry of how and why the costs had increased and why there was a basic lack of financial control. The subsequent ‘internal review’ has failed to ask key questions about the Council’s failure to apply basic financial controls on this high-profile project. The ‘internal review’, as expected, also fails to ask questions about the involvement of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members in making decisions regarding the cost increases.
For a report on the Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27th October, see
https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/marble-arch-mound-council-spent-21991333
Advice Surgeries
The Maida Vale councillor surgeries have started again after an enforced break due to Covid. You can come and meet us at the Café in Paddington Rec:
- First Saturday of the month at 10am
- Third Sunday of the month at 11am
No appointment needed
North Paddington Foodbank
If you are in need of emergency support, please contact your support worker or Westminster CAB for a referral, you will then be contacted by the food bank to arrange a delivery or collection. If you are struggling to access a referral or are concerned for someone you know, please call the food bank directly on 07932 623443.
The Foodbank is on the frontline helping more people than ever before in a very difficult situation. Please donate here
The Food Bank is in need of volunteers of all ages across all roles. From lunch hour delivery drivers to evening packers and daytime support. If you would like to find out more please get in touch at volunteers@npfoodbank.org.uk
Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society
If you’re interested in the local area, please join PWMV. It publishes a regular newsletter and it’s free to join. https://w9w2.co.uk
Street Link
If you see anyone sleeping rough, please contact Street Link who are able offer help and assistance. You can contact Street Link 24 hours a day at www.streetlink.org.uk.
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. With a postal vote you have two weeks to cast your vote and 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 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 10 days 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, broken street lights, graffiti and more using the Report It service https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Electric Car charging points
Charging points have been installed in lamp columns across the area and you can register your interest in having a lamp post charger installed near you by completing the form below. You can also register an interest in having stand-alone charging posts installed in your local area.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/request-vehicle-charging-point
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Westminster Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
What you say
“Thank you so much for this newsletter!”
“As always, a comprehensive list of things you are working on. Much appreciated. Thank you for highlighting the North Paddington Foodbank. As a keen allotmenteer I found myself with a glut of squash this month. The foodbank was so thankful for this fresh food. They made it easy for me to drop off and even offered to collect were I not able to go by. The staff were both welcoming and helpful. There are many ways to support this operation and I hope people are inspired to give to those less fortunate. Without your newsletter I would not have known of the North Paddington Foodbank.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
Your Maida Vale Labour Councillors
Tweet @MaidaValeLabour
https://www.facebook.com/MVLabour/
gbarraclough@westminster.gov.uk
nbutler-thalassis@westminster.gov.uk
You can read our news here
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/maida-vale/
Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
Your Little Venice Labour Action Team
Facebook @labourforlittlevenice
Tweet @labourforlv
You can read our news here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/little-venice/