Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale
Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale

QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – November 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

Ha’Penny Steps Bridge

We have continued to urge the Council to complete the repair works at Ha’Penny Steps bridge as soon as possible. Residents say:

“The bridge closing is really such a problem for getting children to the many schools on the other side of the canal – when the mornings and evenings start getting dark it is going to be even worse for the secondary school kids who currently walk or cycle along the canal path – this means they have to use the clogged Harrow Road with its traffic and fumes, and all the primary school runs are having to take a massive detour via Ladbroke Grove. I’m sure people would be delighted to see them working Sundays and round the clock to get this work finished!”

Following our representations, the Council now say:

“After much deliberation with our senior management team, and working closely with our Health & Safety Advisor to agree a way forward, whilst still maintaining a safe system of work, we re-opened the footbridge this week. Currently we are working on one side at a time, whilst maintaining access for pedestrians. One of the changes is introducing Pedestrian Marshals each end of the footbridge to control the footfall, especially anyone crossing with mobility issues.

Although we don’t have full access now, the painting works are progressing well, with additional resources in place, an average team of 10 on site. Going forward there will still be some closures required, which will be carried out during off-peak times, which will be for shorter periods of times, this is required for the safety of the public, and our staff. Other works include lighting, brickwork repointing, and maintenance access improvements.”

Sixth Avenue

We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this enquiry from a resident:

“I regularly cycle along Sixth Avenue and note it has been resurfaced. What specification were the speed bumps supposed to be? They appear to be a very aggressive “round topped” as opposed to the modern sinusoidal hump that are now common across London (designed to be less aggressive on short wheel-based vehicles, e.g. bicycles, while more ‘assertive’ on car length wheelbase vehicles.”

The Highways Team say:

“The current instruction is to replace existing speed humps with sinusoidal humps that are part of a resurfacing scheme. On Sixth Avenue the existing speed humps that are to be replaced with sinusoidal humps. Additionally, a site visit will be undertaken to corroborate their type and replacement will be done, should they differ from the current specification.”

Queen’s Park Court

We have asked the Council to organise the parking at Queen’s Park Court better during the works to build 23 new Council homes. Residents say:

“We have numerous cars parking on the pavement outside block 85-90. Not only are they parking on the pavement, there is one particular car that tends to block the actual entrance by parking in the middle of the road. This is very concerning as we in this block had had two emergency ambulance service required access over the weekend. Residents are fed up not being able to access their homes.” 

Ilbert Street  

We have asked the Highways Team to inspect the drains outside Queen’s Park Court. Residents say, “A foul smell has been present for weeks in front of Queens Park Court. Some days are better than others, but it has been continuous and is now seeping into our home.”

The Highways Team say:

“The gully itself is not the issue in terms of the smell.  Unfortunately, it is the nearby Thames Water vent that is omitting the smell, so we have called this through to them to attend and action yesterday against a high priority.  Additionally, we have had the gullies attended to and cleared just in case.” 

Kilburn Lane/Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove junction – update 

The high friction surfacing (anti-skid) has been laid at the junction of Harrow Road/Kilburn Lane/Ladbroke Grove. The Highways Team has also been undertaking a safety and operational review of the junction.

Cullen House/Queen’s Park Station car park 

We have asked Brent Council for an update on the long-delayed redevelopment of this site on the Brent side of Kilburn Lane. Brent Council say:

“The Queen’s Park Cullen House remains a key site within the South Kilburn masterplan. Negotiations for new site options are still underway with London Newcastle following the notice of termination being issued. It is difficult to estimate how long these will take but LBB are still committed to delivering the scheme on this site as soon as is possible. The Council recognises that the current site is an eyesore and is exploring an option to demolish Cullen House ahead of any future development plans.  Hopefully this can progress in early 2022 but in the meantime a security team are monitoring the site.”

North Westminster Programme

A new Council funding stream has opened for up to £40,000 for projects taking place in Queen’s Park, Harrow Road, Westbourne or Church Street wards. Individuals or organisations are eligible to apply. Applications open on 1st November 2021 for projects that are aimed at:

  • Empowering young people
  • Enabling all adults to progress
  • Building connections between people
  • Making places safe, sustainable and welcoming

The deadline for applications is 28th November 2021 at 11:59pm.

You can find out more at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/north-westminster-programme or you can also get in touch via email at northwestminsterprogramme@westminster.gov.uk

Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Plan

The referendum on 21st October endorsed the Neighbourhood Plan. The vote was carried with 775 residents (9%) voting, with 91% of those voting ‘yes’.  These figures compare well with other parts of Westminster which have already been through the process.

As the referendum was successful, the plan is now part of Westminster’s statutory Development Plan and will be used alongside the council’s own planning documents and the Mayor’s London Plan in determining planning applications in the Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Area. While the plan has virtually come into effect, the City Council will still need to formally adopt it through a formal decision, which will be sought in the coming weeks. More information on the Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Plan can be found here: Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Plan | Westminster City Council

Environmental and other issues

  • Fifth Avenue – we have asked for street sweeping in Fifth Avenue to be improved after concerns were raised by residents.
  • Kilravock Street – we have asked the Tree Team to prune a tree in Kilravock Street.
  • Canal area – we have asked the Council to investigate further reports of rats around the Canal area.
  • Parking enforcement – There are an increasing number of complaints from residents about the lack of parking enforcement. There are particular problems in and around Caird Street Jubilee site as well as at Queen’s Park Court. We have asked the Parking Team to increase parking warden patrols.
  • Ashmore Road – we have asked for trees to be replanted in Ashmore Road to replace those that have died. We have also asked for an electric car charger to be located in the street.
  • Enbrook Street – we have asked the Council to take action against those responsible for rubbish dumping in Enbrook Street.
  • First and Second Avenues – we have asked the Parking Team to increase patrols along First and Second Avenues to deal with an increase in the number of vehicles parking with a permit.
  • Sixth Avenue – we have asked the Council to investigate the vandalism of two electric charging points in Sixth Avenue.
  • Peach Road – we have asked the Parking Team to check out some motorbikes in Peach Road which may have been dumped.
  • Beethoven Street – now that there is a 20mph limit on Kilburn Lane, we have asked the Highways Team to remove the 30mph sign at the junction with Betthoven Street.
  • Rats – we have asked the Environmental Health Team to take urgent action to deal with an increase in the number of rats in the area.
  • Portnall Road – we asked why a number of trees in Portnall Road have been removed recently. The Tree Officer told us: “We have had to remove a number of trees from Portnall Road recently due either to the trees poor condition or to the tree being involved in an insurance claim. We are planning to plant 14 replacement trees in Portnall Road this winter.”
  • Nutbourne Street – we have asked the Parking Team to investigate a moped on the pavement on Nutbourne Street which appears to have been abandoned.
  • The Lancer, Lancefield Street/Mozart Street – we have asked the Council to consider buying the former Lancer public house using compulsory purchase powers. The building has been derelict now for over a decade and is a blight on the local environment. Despite a planning consent for new homes nothing has been done.

Housing Issues

  • Bantock House – we have urged the Housing Department to undertake long-standing repairs to a flat in Bantock House.
  • Portnall Road – we have called on the Housing Department and A2 Dominion to take urgent action to tackle a damp-infested property in Portnall Road which is being used as temporary housing.
  • Droop Street – we are continuing to assist a Droop Street resident with repairs issues.
  • Ash House – we are continuing to help residents in Ash House with their housing needs.
  • Barfett Street – we are making enquiries with the Housing Department about the tenancy of a property in Barfett Street to check that everything is in order.
  • Mounsey House – we are helping a resident in Mounsey House who needs a transfer to a ground floor flat.
  • Dowland Street – we have asked the Housing Department to fix a leaking roof at a flat in Dowland Street.
  • Nutbourne Street – we are continuing to assist residents in Nutbourne Street with their housing needs.
  • Farnaby House – we are assisting a family in Farnaby House with their housing repairs, which include persistent and significant damp and leaks.
  • Lothrop Street – we have reported problems with a broken gutters and water penetration in Lothrop Street.
  • Alperton Street – we are helping residents in Alperton Street with a a downpipe repair issue.
  • Steve Biko House, St John’s Terrace – we have asked L&Q to stop a water leak which has damaged the window area of a the flat below.

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.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2021/10/14/westminster-hits-leaseholders-with-estimate-busting-service-charge-rises-of-8-6/

£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.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/28/marble-arch-mound-call-review-culture-complacency-council-westminister

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

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 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

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 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, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to 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 

Local Police

The next session of ‘Coffee with a Cop’ is at Queen’s Park Library on 3rd November, 14.00pm -15.00pm.

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

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

“Thanks as ever for a brilliant update.” 

“Thanks again so much for all the work you all do on our behalf.” 

“As always, a very informative update. We are so lucky to have you as our councillors for all the work you put into dealing with such a wide variety of issues.” 

“Many of us have been stunned by the tragic death of Sir David Amess. It has certainly given me cause to reflect on how fortunate we are to have direct access to the democratic process and the hard work of our representatives, particularly at the local level. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for all that you do for us. It is appreciated.”

“You are certainly doing great work for us all, as usual!”

“Thank you for your assistance throughout the Neighbourhood Plan referendum process, including the final publicity push.  We are blessed to have supportive ward councillors”

“Many thanks for your swift response, it is enormously appreciated”

“Just to let you know Morgan Sindell came on Saturday, thanks to you. Really appreciate  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 https://bit.ly/labour-news

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

htaouzzale@westminster.gov.uk

 

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