James Edwards, Maggie Carman and Max Sullivan
James Edwards, Maggie Carman and Max Sullivan

BAYSWATER & LANCASTER GATE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – March 2022

News from Councillor Maggie Carman, James Edwards and Max Sullivan, the Labour Action Team in Bayswater, and

Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby, the Lancaster Gate Labour Action Team

 WARD NEWS AND ACTION

Porchester Leisure Centre

Councillor Maggie Carman has received complaints about the studio being closed and the effect on classes.  She has urged the Leisure Centre operators to remedy the problem with the flooring as a priority. I her letter, Maggie says:

“I understand that the floor is buckled due to water damage caused by the flooding in July 2021.  Users reported that classes were moved to smaller rooms with a lower capacity and not really fit for purpose.  Understandably, some users have cancelled their membership.  This closure has adversely affected many users who rely on the centre to keep fit and healthy. It has now been seven months since the flooding and this seems an unreasonable delay.  Could you please prioritise this job and treat it as a separate issue from any other repairs that the Porchester Centre might need as it is affecting quite a large number of people and needs to be tackled urgently.”

Bishop’s Bridge Road 

We have asked the Council to replace a missing street sign on Bishop’s Bridge Road, at the corner with Porchester Terrace North.

Westbourne Park Road

We asked Zipcar UK to remove one of their cars which someone had abandoned on Westbourne Park Road, at the top of Chepstow Road. 

Chepstow Road 

We have asked the Highways Team to take the necessary action to resolve this recurring issue on Chepstow Road:

“I write to express my exasperation at the continuing horrendous noise of buses and lorries running over the recent roadwork channels that were cut into the road for fibre broadband carried out by Network. They did not do a proper job replacing the tarmac, so the tarmac has sunk about 3cm. There is a huge thudding when heavy vehicles and busses pass and we cannot sleep or relax at the front of the building.”

The Highways Team say:

“We are aware of the poor work that GNetworks have done and this being the case we will be sending them the cost for them to resurface the whole carriageway between Talbot Road and Westbourne Grove. The work they have done and the repairs is just not good enough.” 

Alexander Street

Councillor Maggie Carman has responded to the Council’s consultation on the use of parking bays in Alexander Street. She says the proposed parking bay site should be used for cycle parking, rather than an EV charging point, as residents have long lobbied for this.

Newton Road

We are assisting a resident on Newton Road who is having difficulty with their housing association, Notting Hill Genesis.

Westbourne Gardens

We are working with a resident who has told us of problems with drug-dealing taking place in Westbourne Gardens, and their children having been approached by those looking to buy/sell drugs as they walk to and from their home.

Moscow Road

We have asked the owner of the building to clear the rubbish which has been thrown behind the railings of the Bayswater Telephone Exchange building on Moscow Road.

St Stephen’s CE Primary School

We are supporting the school’s management who are planning to make an application for Ward budget funding in the near future for enrichment activities for pupils of the school.

Policing

We have helped a number of residents concerned about crime they have witnessed or experienced to join the local Safer Neighbourhoods Panel so they can speak to our local police team. If you are interested in receiving the SNP emails or joining these meetings, please contact the Chairman Roger Harding- roger@rogerharding.com.

Porchester Road

We are helping a Peabody tenant in Porchester Road with their housing transfer request.

Moorhouse Road

Councillor Maggie Carman is helping residents in Moorhouse Road with long-standing damp and repairs issues and have urged Notting Hill Genesis to undertake the necessary works.

Clifford Court, Westbourne Park Villas

We have asked the Council to locate ‘Don’t Dump’ signage by the private Clifford Court bins so that passers-by do not dump rubbish there. Some people believe it is a recycling bin for the whole street, whereas it just for Clifford Court residents.

Marlow House, Hallfield

We are helping residents in Marlow House who have been experiencing long-standing problems with water penetration in their flat. We have asked the Housing Department to take urgent action to rectify the problem.

Notting Hill Genesis rent and service charge increase 

We have been contacted by NHG tenants who say their rent and service charge has been increased by about £20 a week. We are making enquiries with NHG to ask them to explain this huge increase. 

Bayswater Road bus stops – what you say 

“The reality of those bus stops is that the one outside Caroline House was moved there by TfL as it is the one that would normally be outside the Park Modern development and labelled Queensway, but clearly can’t be there at the moment with the building work.  It should be going back there once Park Modern is finished.

We do NOT want to lose the stop at Orme Square and, for some reason, TfL have just taken away the electronic signage recently.  Orme Square itself are known to wish the stop to go away but those local residents who are elderly and/or disabled would find it much harder to walk all the way to Queensway to catch a bus.  The Orme Square bus stop is very popular and well used. TfL need to disconnect the electrics at Caroline House and simply put up a sign to move travellers along to Orme Square stop.” 

Selling off Council flats 

On 2nd March, the Council sold off the following flats at auction which could have housed local residents in need of a home:

  • 54 St Stephen’s Gardens – 1 bed flat
  • 221b Gloucester Terrace – studio flat
  • 250b Gloucester Terrace – studio flat
  • 62b Gloucester Gardens – studio flat

Drinking fountains

We are making enquiries with the Council after receiving this message from a resident:

“I am writting to try to find out if Westminster Council has a policy regarding its old drinking fountains, including the modest combined fountain-trough on Bayswater Road to Eros, perhaps London’s most famous but least recognised drinking fountain. The one thing that they all have in common is that just about each and every one is derelict and dry.

Does the Council see a role for our historical drinking fountains, working alongside the new, helping us reduce both litter and our carbon footprint, improving the quality of life for residents and visitors?” 

Gloucester Mews

We have continued to liaise with the police and residents about the anti-social behaviour at a property at Gloucester Mews. We have also urged the Council to improve street lighting in the centre of the Mews. The Street Lighting Team say:

“We will look into installing an additional wall-light at this location above no.52, but that would be subject to getting an approved wayleave from the property owner to attach the light to their building.”

Gloucester Terrace

We have contacted the Council about these issues raised by a resident:

“There seems to be a big problem on Gloucester Terrace with dog owners letting their dogs mess on the street and not picking it up. Residents have now taken to spraying pink circles around the mess so people waking do not tread in the mess. There are no street marshalls around or CCTV, so people just walk away rather than pick the mess up.

Another problem is parking there might be a parking attendant twice a week and people are parking across 2 bays and on the kerbs and nothing is done about it.”

Bike thefts

We have been told about a number of bike thefts in the area. Following a theft of a locked bike in Westbourne Crescent, we have received this message,

“My husband tells me he encountered a very angry and upset woman as he walked along Gloucester Terrace yesterday whose locked bike had been stolen in broad daylight. It feels as if bike thieves can just help themselves whenever they feel like it.”

It looks like there may be a gang operating in the area, and we have passed this on to the police.

The Bayswater police held a bike marking event on 26th February. They say, “Over 60 bikes marked in under 5 hours. It was very well received by the public and great to be out to meet the residents of W2 and surroundings.”

Wood-burning stoves

A resident has raised concerns with us about the environmental impact of wood-burning stoves. We have written to the Council to ask what, if anything, is being done in Westminster to reduce this form of pollution.

Flooding

Residents whose homes are not habitable due to flooding may not be obliged to pay Council Tax. This would apply for the period you are not living in the property.

If you are affected please email Rehana Hannan at the Council rhannan@westminster.gov.uk with details of your property, reasons it is not habitable and some indication of how long it will be vacant.

Rubbish dumping

The time is long overdue for tough action against the regular rubbish dumpers who litter the streets and who are currently getting away with this particularly selfish and nasty form of anti-social behaviour. We have put forward a 5-point plan to tackle the rubbish dumping menace.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2021/09/21/labour-calls-for-action-on-mounds-of-dumped-rubbish-on-westminster-streets-as-council-renews-50m-a-year-waste-contract/ 

Other Issues

Ukraine Appeal

We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. You can support them in their struggle against Putin’s invasion here

https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

Council Tax

We voted for No Increase in Council Tax at last week’s Council meeting. 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.

We are 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 called on the Council to freeze Council rents. The Council budget included 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 and works out an average increase of £5 a week.

Energy bills

We have called for local action to help with energy bills.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/02/05/westminster-labour-calls-for-local-action-to-help-with-energy-bills/

£6 Million Marble Arch Mound

The scale of Boris Johnson’s Westminster Conservatives’ £6m Marble Arch Mound financial mismanagement has now come into sharp focus as Westminster Council unveils its budget for the next financial year. As a result of the Conservatives’ financial blunders:

  • Council rents are going up £5 a week, bringing in £3m extra income.
  • Parking charges are going up, too, raising £1m extra income.
  • Adult Social Services are being cut by £500,000 and
  • Mayfair Library is under threat of closure to save £200,000 a year in rent.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/02/22/the-price-of-the-conservatives-6m-marble-arch-mound/

Supporting Leaseholders

Local leaseholders have given us details of two organisations which are able to help leaseholders in battles against freeholders: 

The Leasehold Partnership (run by leaseholders and solicitors)

https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com

The National Leasehold Campaign (set up leaseholders)

https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org

 Policing

For the latest local police statistics see https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/bayswater/ and https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/lancaster-gate/ 

To assist the Bayswater Ward police officers in prioritising their time and work within the ward, please take a few moments to fill in the short survey to have your say on how Bayswater is policed.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BayswaterJanuary22/

Parties at Airbnb premises

There have been a number of parties in flats let out as short lets. A number of residents have experienced massive disruption as a result and it’s unacceptable. As soon as parties begin it’s crucial to both contact the Council’s Noise Team and the police so they can turn up to break up the party. Both need to be there to intervene effectively and preferably they should be called out as soon as possible.

Green New Deal for Westminster

We have launched a Green New Deal for Westminster which sets out a clear, ambitious agenda to achieve the change we desperately need. Key measures include:

  • Appointing a Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate action. This will be pivotal to driving change from day one of a Labour Council.
  • Implementing a Net Zero Test for all decisions to assess the climate impact of decisions made, and a sustainable approach to procurement.
  • Seeking to refurbish first, rather than demolish, putting real emissions standards on all developments, and retrofitting our existing housing.
  • Driving a green recovery and a just transition, with a Local Climate Bond for investments in our neighbourhoods, a focus on green jobs, and training available to all.
  • Starting recovery in the streets, with a commitment to 15-minute neighbourhoods, new tree planting, and high streets that attract customers with active travel infrastructure.

In the spirit of working collaboratively with others we are keen to hear from residents, experts, and other stakeholders about how to develop and build on this plan. So please do get in touch with us to share your thoughts.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2021/11/05/introducing-a-green-new-deal-for-westminster/

Green Doctors service

Green Doctors are expert energy advisers who help residents save money, stay warm, and improve energy efficiency in the home. They are now offering pre-booked home visits/phone consultations to help families and individuals to maximise their income by:

  • Sharing easy tips on how to save money on their energy bills
  • Helping to switch onto cheaper tariffs to save money
  • Delivering free energy-saving items such as draft proofing strips/LED light bulbs/showerheads, etc

You can call 0300 365 3005 or email greendoctorsldn@groundwork.org.uk

Bike Hangars

Please let us know if you would like to suggest locations for additional bike hangars where bikes can be stored safely and securely.

Cargo bikes survey

The Council is asking Westminster businesses and residents to complete a 10-minute survey about using cargo bike services, such as deliveries, and household cargo bike use such as bringing home the weekly food shopping or moving large items (furniture etc). There’s a prize draw and responses will help shape future cargo bike projects.

Resident Survey:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CargoBikeRes

Business Survey:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CargoBikeBiz

‘Westminster Extra’

You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ onlinehttps://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 

Recycling small electrical appliances

Any household electrical and electronic item that operates on a battery or has a plug and is smaller than 60cm in length and under 30cm in width and height, can be put in an on-street small electrical appliances recycling bin. For details of locations see https://www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/reusing-and-other-recycling-services/how-recycle-electrical-appliances/small-electrical-appliances

Report It

You can tell the Council about dumped rubbish, broken street lights, graffiti and more by using Report It https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it 

Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE

Interactive Map

You can see the latest Covid 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

Westminster Connects COVID-19 phone line – 020 7641 1222

What you say

“Thanks as always for all the updates. I really appreciate your continuing to call Whiteley’s that and not the awful name The Whiteley so please continue with the name we know and love.” 

“Thank you for your invaluable work and dedication to our area. You are an amazing team”

“Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf.”

“Just read your latest newsletter!  Always full of useful news.”

Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.

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

 

Councillor Maggie Carman, James Edwards and Max Sullivan

Bayswater Labour Action Team – Here to Help, All Year Round

mcarman@westminster.gov.uk

Bayswater@westminsterlabour.org

Tweet @bayswaterLabour

 

Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby

Lancaster Gate Labour Action Team – Here to Help, All Year Round

Tweet @LancGateLabour

Email: lg@westminsterlabour.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancGateLabour/

Dario Goodwin, Ellie Ormsby and Ryan Jude
Dario Goodwin, Ellie Ormsby and Ryan Jude
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