QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – February 2022
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Action Team member Cara Sanquest
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Portnall Road
We have asked our City Inspectors to investigate the situation in Portnall Road after receiving this message:
“As a resident of Portnall Road I have complained about the mess on our street before – both fly tipped and general rubbish. I don’t think the street sweeping team is doing a great job. I’ve also noticed a blue plastic bag stuck in a tree on the corner of Marban Road and Portnall Road for more than a year now. The issue of rubbish gives the area a depressing feel which is a real shame.”
We are pleased that action has been taken to improve street sweeping in Portnall Road.
We have also asked the Council to take action on the long-vacant property at 234 Portnall Road to bring it back into use and to clear the overgrown rear garden which is affecting adjacent properties in St Luke’s Yard.
Miller House, Harrow Road – update
Following our enquiries with Notting Hill Genesis about the broken lift at Miller House, NHG say:
“Unfortunately, it appears that when our contractors attended on 24/12 to fit new parts, they discovered that the initial assessment was incorrect and further parts were required to get the lift operational. These have been ordered as a priority and the repair will be scheduled as soon as they arrive. This matter has been escalated to the contract manager of our lift team and we’re doing everything we can to get this back running.
On a more positive note, the entire lift system at Miller House is scheduled to be replaced and modernised later this year, which should mean residents experience less of these kinds of inconvenience.”
Further update:
Notting Hill Genesis say: “Just to update you on the lift at this building, our contractor’s advised that the parts will be arriving next Monday and engineers will be attending the same day to fit and install. All being well, the lift will be back in service that day.”
Residents say, “Thanks a lot for your help with this issue and for bringing it to completion. I can confirm the lift in Miller House is back working today. Without your help and persistence to follow up with the Genesis team this would not have happened.”
Queen’s Park Gardens
We have asked the Parks Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“The dog park in Queens Park Gardens is a complete mud pit during winter months and do not see anyone use it. In summer it’s a great community asset. Wonder whether a little bit of investment could go a long way?”
Nutbourne Street
We asked the City Inspectors to arrange for a new black bin to be located at the corner of Nutbourne Street and Third Avenue after the old bin was smashed following an incident with a Veolia refuse vehicle. Residents told us, “People are dumping their rubbish bags and household items on the pavement which could cause a trip hazard. I and my neighbours have reported this on numerous occasions through Westminster report it site.”
We have also asked the Parking Team to investigate this issue:
“We also have a big problem with vehicles being parked in residents parking bays without having a permit. We have reported this again through the Westminster report it site and nothing seems to be done. We rarely ever see a parking attendant in our street, maybe if we did, this might help resolve the problem.”
Residents say, “The bin has arrived safely and thank you for the update regarding the parking. Your help is much appreciated.”
Ha’Penny Steps
We have asked the Council to investigate the slippery surfaces on Ha’Penny Steps and the surrounding pavement surfaces after receiving this message:
“This morning my little boy slipped on the ice approaching the bridge and banged his head, luckily he is fine, but in the space of 5 minutes three other people lost their footing both on the bridge and the paved area on the Harrow Road leading up to the bridge.
Unfortunately, it is not just limited to frozen weather. When the floor is damp the paved area on the Harrow Road and along the canal is also very slippery due to the slime on the surface of the paving, it needs a deep clean. This has been caused by bird droppings and the food that still consistently gets dumped next to the bridge. Again, this morning a heap of seed and bread was left at the foot of the bridge.”
The City Inspectors say:
“We have asked Veolia, our waste contractor, to spread some salt in this location. We will visit the area daily Monday-Friday to monitor the condition of the area for bird feeders/waste & graffiti and address any issues.”
We have also received an update on the bridge improvement works, including the refurbished lighting:
“There has unfortunately been a delay with the lighting upgrades for this project, which is due to the lighting industry being affected with a shortage of control gear. We are hoping to be in position by the end of February/early March to have the refurbished lights ready to install. The installation of the lights will need a temporary closure of the canal bridge likely for a few days. My thoughts currently are that we only close it off-peak during the day between 9am – 3pm.
Droop Street School Street
We have asked the Council to put up a larger sign to inform drivers about the School Street after receiving this message from a Queen’s Park Primary School parent:
“A scary big truck with scaffolding went past me and 6-year-old this morning. Why not say explicitly – no traffic during these times, and there are cameras so nasty fines if you breach. Before they had a physical yellow gate that was very effective.”
Queen’s Park Community Hub, Kilburn Lane
We are very concerned about the future of the Queen’s Park Community Hub on Kilburn Lane. The existing lease from Wilberforce school to the Hub expires in September 2022. We are working with QPCH to secure their future at the Hub.
581 – 587 Harrow Road
A planning application has been submitted by Westminster Community Homes for the demolition of the former Tyre and Wheel buildings and the construction of part 4, part 5 and part 6 storey building to create ground floor commercial space and 25 one-bed flats with balconies, bicycle storage, refuse storage and communal roof terrace.
The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 21/08497/COFUL.
Ward Budget
We have been approached by Paddington Academy for the funding of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Equipment. With increasing numbers of children taking up the DofE Award, the Academy will use this funding to provide equipment to enable students to partake on the expeditions.
Environmental and other issues
- Galton Street – we have asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned moped in Galton Street who has told us, “I have been in contact with our Abandoned vehicles team and they confirmed they will arrange to have the motorbike removed.” We have also reported that streetlight number 3 outside 30-32 Galton Street is not working. It keeps getting fixed and then breaks down again soon after. The car charger at this post is also out of order and have this to be fixed, too.
- Naylor House – we are continuing to support Naylor House resident’s opposition to Vodaphone’s proposal to install telecommunications masts and other equipment on the roof of Naylor House.
- Nutbourne Street – at the request of a resident, we have asked for a recently-planted tree to be relocated. We were also sorry to hear about a number of recent car break-ins in in Nutbourne Street and have asked the local police to investigate.
- Harrow Road/Kilburn Lane – following our enquiries about the need for better street lighting around the Harrow Road/Kilburn junction, the Street Lighting Team says, “we can look at installing additional lighting on the northern footpath where the path is quite deep with trees. We will look into programming these works hopefully in the next finance period 2022 to 2023.”
- Ilbert Street – we have asked the City Inspectors to contact residents who persist in leaving bags of rubbish on the pavement along Ilbert Street and explain the days on which the three refuse collections a week take place. The City Inspectors say, “Two Fixed Penalty Notices have already been served in the recent past for the depositing of waste here. We are taking soundings about a possible escalation of action and are monitoring the behaviour here.”
- Bravington Road – we were very disturbed to learn that a young woman was attacked in Bravington Road recently and have asked the police to increase their patrols.
- Cannon House – we have asked the City Inspectors to investigate regular dumping of furniture and other household goods outside Cannon House.
Housing Issues
- Pine House – we have asked the Housing Team to investigate problems with the installation of new radiators in a flat in Pine House and problems with noise coming from the flat above.
- Lothrop Street – we have urged L&Q to repair broken guttering to a house in Lothrop Street which is causing damage to the house next door.
- Bravington Road – we have contacted Octavia on behalf of a Bravington Road resident who has been flooded as a result of building works next door.
- Fifth Avenue – we are continuing to assist a family in Fifth Avenue who need a temporary move to enable the extensive damp in their house to be fixed.
Beethoven Centre
JoJays Lunch Club are restarting at The Beethoven Centre on Thursday 10 February from 12.30pm – 2.00pm. Set meals are only £3.00 this month with funding from Queens Park Community Council. They serve Indian/Caribbean fusion food on the second Thursday of every month. They say:
“We are a community initiative providing high quality, freshly made vegetarian and vegan food with the aim to inform local residents about healthy eating and nutrition in a social and community setting.”
Empty Homes
Action on Empty Homes week is February 28th -March 6th. Please let us know if you are aware of any empty properties which could be used to house the large number of homeless people and families in inadequate or temporary housing on Westminster’s Housing list. We need to find ways that the council can get landlords to allow empty properties to be put into use.
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The £6 million Marble Arch Mound is finally being dismantled after just six months, after it was branded the ‘capital’s worst tourist attraction’. The Westminster Council official in charge of the Marble Arch mound debacle was paid more than the authority’s Chief Executive with a £220,000 salary making him the authority’s highest-paid employee. You can read the latest in this Westminster Conservative Council fiasco here:
Council Tax
We have called for No Rise in Council Tax until at least 2024. As residents face a challenging winter with rising prices and energy bills, they want to know that they aren’t going to have any nasty surprises in the spring in when it comes to Council Tax.
Labour Councillors will vote against any increase in Council Tax until at least 2024 to try to help residents through these difficult times. We think that at the very least Council Tax should be frozen at its current rate, while further efforts are made to protect those on low incomes.
Council Rents
We are also calling on the Council to freeze Council rents. We have been told that the upcoming Council budget in March will include a Consumer Price Index inflation plus 1% rise in rents for council flats, shops, and other commercial properties owned by Westminster’s Housing Department. That’s the maximum rise local authorities are allowed to impose.
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.
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 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 9th February, 2.00-3.00pm
Recently, your ward police officers were joined by Met Volunteers to leaflet areas recently affected by Theft from a Motor Vehicle in the last week – Fernhead Road, Galton Street, Ashmore Road and Ilbert Street. Remember to lock your vehicle and not to leave valuables inside unattended
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
What you say
“The Green New Deal for Westminster sounds like an excellent initiative with lots of very sensible proposals.”
“I just wanted to add my thanks for the clean-up operation on our side of the Ha’penny Steps, it has been transformed! Much appreciated.”
“Unbelievable that the council officer responsible for the £6m mound was paid more than £200,000 pa. What an absolute waste of our money as taxpayers. Shocking really.”
“Thank you so much for your prompt response.”
“Great to see that these humps have now been replaced with the suitable sinusoidal type. Thank you for your time and effort on this.”
“I really appreciate 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 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
Facebook @QPLabourTeam
