West End Ward Labour Action Report – February 2022
News from Councillor Pancho Lewis, Patrick Lilley, Paul Fisher and Jessica Toale
SOHO
Dufour’s Place
We have asked the Refuse Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“I used ‘Report It’ a while back to report refuse collectors repeatedly leaving bin store unlocked at 7 Dufours Place but got no response. Most residents do not have a key to this door. It is definitely WCC staff who are failing to lock it. Unbagged rubbish is being dumped in the unlocked bin store, exacerbating the rodent problem.”
The Refuse Team say:
“We will reiterate to Veolia collection crews that they should close and lock the bin store at this and all other locations after each collection. The Veolia collection crew had previously reported that the bin store lock was broken. Soho Housing have now repaired the door so it can be locked by crews after each collection.”
Berwick Street
After a Berwick Street resident was attacked by a seagull recently, we have asked the Housing Team to investigate the seagull nests at the top of Kemp House. The Housing Team say:
“Seagulls are a protective species and we are not allowed to interfere with the breeding process. Once the gulls had left, we arranged for our bird and pest control contractors to visit Kemp House to provide us with options to reduce the seagulls returning. This inspection took place in September, and spikes were installed. A further visit was carried out on 12 January and it was recommended that netting is installed as a further deterrent.”
Kemp House – new council flats
At the end of last year residents said:
“We would particularly ask for urgent action to ensure that the new social housing flats, which have been standing empty for months, are let to council tenants as soon as possible.”
We took this up and this is what the Council said:
“Unfortunately, there had been delays to finishing works to the block affecting access to these units. We expect these units to be let early in the New Year”.
They are still empty however, so we’ve taken it up again with the Council’s housing team, pressing them to follow through on what they said above.
Golden Square
We have asked the Council to bring back the second tennis table on Golden Square after it was removed during the initial waves of the pandemic.
FITZROVIA
Riding House Street
A new road scheme created by Westminster Council has increased road danger and air pollution outside a school in Fitzrovia, causing concern for teachers and parents and has frustrated the efforts of local environmental campaigners. You can read more here:
Al fresco dining
In December we reported that there is support for an al fresco scheme in Fitzrovia. Many residents believe that, subject to the right controls, an al fresco scheme adds vibrancy to the neighbourhood. This is in marked contrast to the scheme in Soho, where the Council turned its back on residents which in turn led to very many problems for local people.
We have spoken to local hospitality business owners and are working to kick-start a conversation between them, residents, and Council officers about opening up a trial permanent scheme.
It is critical the details are thought through and any concerns can be addressed – one important issue is the question of how any added value to landlords by providing public space on a more permanent basis to them is appropriately taxed.
Berners Place – disruptive works with no notice
We are pressing the Council hard on its failures which allowed this to happen:
“How is it possible for JSM streetworks contractors to turn up unannounced and with no notice close our street and cause intolerable noise. Works need to be done, yes, but notice MUST be given to affected neighbours. This is outrageous and must not pass without action and/or sanction because if these firms continue to see not particular cost to it then more people will be affected. This is an Environmental and mental health matter, not just a street one.”
MAYFAIR
St George’s Primary School
We are aware and concerned about the low number of school places being taken up. We are raising concerns with the Council’s education team.
We are also helping the community with the following:
“You may remember that you very kindly gave support to the Mayfair and St James’s Safer Neighbourhood Panel when we got involved in making suggestions for the greater safety of the children when arriving and leaving St George’s School. We are discussing solutions with the Head Teacher, our police team and Westminster Council.
Unfortunately, progress is at a snail’s pace, when what would seem to be sensible and inexpensive solutions suggested to WCC…to install a crossing or have a lolly pop lady/man have become protracted. WCC has come back with complicated and bureaucratic plans which are just stalling the outcome.”
Curzon Cinema – Asset of Community Value
The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum has submitted a notice to the Council asking that the Curzon Cinema be designated an ‘Asset of Community Value’. This means that were the process to sell it off start, then the community would have the opportunity to try to preserve its current use. We love the Curzon and want to protect it. In 2017 Labour ran a campaign to stop it from being sold off and we’re pleased it was successful. We support efforts to keep it in its current use as a cinema.
North Row
After residents contacted us about issues with sewage we corresponded with Peabody housing association who said:
“We initially raised a repair for the sewage issue, we attended and cleared out the drain and carried out a full clean of the area. Unfortunately, the blockage recurred a few days after due to wet wipes disposal and we reattended to this. We carried out further repairs to fully clear the blockage and restore the flow of the drain, as unfortunately the blockage was causing back surging to some resident’s homes. Since then the drains have been functioning and fully flowing, [a resident] has confirmed with us that the matter has now been resolved.”
Carrington Street
We have again asked the Highways Team to investigate the damaged railings outside Garrick House caused by construction vehicles. Residents say, “one solution will be to fit bollards down the outer edge of the eastern Carrington Street pavement, in the same fashion as has recently been done on the western side of nearby Trebeck Street.”
The Highways Team say: “We will arrange a site walkthrough with a member of the Public Realm team to look at possible interim solutions and keep residents updated.”
Residents say: “Very many thanks for your intervention. He called me yesterday. Whilst it doesn’t sound as if he is in favour of deploying bollards he has at least committed to take a look and revert to me. Just a shame that it has taken six months…”