West End Ward Labour Action Report – January 2022
News from Councillor Pancho Lewis, Paul Fisher, Patrick Lilley and Jess Toale
SOHO
Soho Clarion
You can read West End Ward Councillor Pancho Lewis’ latest article on page 17 in the latest ‘Soho Clarion’.
Also, Paul Fisher, Jess Toale and Patrick Lilley, Labour’s West End Ward Candidates in May 2022 write about their local priorities on pages 20, 21 and 22.
Berwick Street Market
Martin Elvery writes about the plight of Berwick Street Market
https://www.mylondon.news/news/nostalgia/i-visited-one-londons-oldest-22335693
FITZROVIA
Bolsover Street
Several residents and a care worker have told us that the entry buzzer is not working at Tabron Court, Bolsover Street. This delays the care worker who has to wait in the cold and obviously a huge inconvenience if residents have to come to the door to let people in. We have asked Notting Hill Genesis to fix the buzzer as soon as possible.
Greening Consultation
You can read the results of the Fitzwest Neighbourhood Forum’s ‘Greening’ consultation here
https://www.fitzwest.org/the-plan/greening-consultation-overwhelming-support-next-steps/
Oxford Street
Westminster Council has spent over £20 million on Oxford Street with most of it going on expensive consultants
‘Fitzrovia News’ summarises the recent Council debate about the future of Oxford Street
And the Guardian has published a photo-essay on Oxford Street buildings through time
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/26/oxford-street-buildings-through-time-photo-essay
Fitzrovia Chapel
The Fitzrovia Chapel starts off 2022 with a special exhibition celebrating the life and work of the performance artist, club promoter and fashion designer Leigh Bowery. As a model he sat for painters and photographers: his large naked and bald form becoming as recognisable as his outlandish and ornately decorated costumes and creations.
Leigh Bowery: Tell Them I’ve Gone to Papua New Guinea. From Friday 7 January to Sunday 6 February 2022, at The Fitzrovia Chapel, 2 Pearson Square, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3BF. Admission is free but visits must be booked in advance.
MAYFAIR
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The Marble Arch Mound is finally coming down! The Council has told us
“The Marble Arch Mound will close to the public on 9th January. The process of decommissioning the Mound will begin on 10th January, with the removal of the art installation and onsite operator facilities. Deconstruction of the Mound will then begin 18 January 2022 and our contractors FM Conway will erect site perimeter barrier. It is anticipated that the decommissioning work will be completed around May 2022.”
The Marble Arch Mound cost £6 million – three times the original budget – and entry up the Mound has been free since it opened as the Council had to scrap the plan to charge visitors because of the very poor reaction to the promised ‘spectacular views’ that never materialised.
UPDATE – The Council Officer responsible for the £6 million Marble Arch Mound fiasco was Westminster Council’s highest paid employee at £220,000 a year. You can read more here
Aldford Street
We have asked the local City Inspector to investigate this issue and take action against those responsible for the rubbish dumping:
“The rubbish is continuing to arrive at the same location in Aldford Street, plus I’m sorry to report, now a lot of human waste, too. Is there a way Westminster Council could monitor the location and catch the fly-tippers? As soon as one pile is cleared, more appears soon after?”
Grosvenor Square
The Grosvenor Estate has submitted proposals to the Council for the transformation of Grosvenor Square. The design would see a central open garden in its original 1720s oval shape, a ‘biodiversity’ garden and new play areas and education centre. You can find out more and how to comment at http://bit.ly/GrosvenorSq
Hertford Street
5 Hertford Street: Westminster Conservative Councillors over-rule their own planning experts SEVEN times to benefit Tory Donor
Down Street
You can read the story of Down Street underground station which closed in 1932 and served as a bunker for Winston Churchill during the Second World War