MAIDA VALE & LITTLE VENICE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – March 2022
News from Maida Vale Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
And the Little Venice Labour Action Team – Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
Read our Manifesto – Labour’s Plan for a Fairer Westminster
We have just launched our manifesto for the May 5th local election, setting out our plan to deliver a council that puts residents first. Our key pledges are below, and you can read the full manifesto here. A Labour Council will be on your side:
- Freezing Westminster’s Council Tax until 2024 to help with the cost of living crisis.
- Putting the needs of residents before developers in the planning system,
- Keeping our area safe with more police to tackle knife crime and Council action on Anti-social behaviour and rubbish dumping.
- Standing up for better NHS services against cuts and sell-offs.
We are keen to hear from you! Let us know if you have any thoughts.
MAIDA VALE
Geoff, Nafsika, Rita and Iman have been working hard over the last month on the following issues:
Maida Vale Studios
The BBC has lost its appeal against Historic England’s decision to list the Studios on Delaware Road. The listing gives the structure and interior of the building protection against development. Of course, it’s still possible to make changes to listed buildings but requires an extra layer of permissions.
The BBC have confirmed that they do plan to leave Maida Vale for a new home in East London and also that they do plan to sell the site. We will now be working closely with the BBC, the Mayor’s office, Westminster Council and any new owner of the building. We want to ensure that the local community has a strong say in the future of this iconic location.
Tollgate Gardens
After five years, the refurbishment of Tollgate Gardens is still not finished. We joined residents at a site meeting with Westminster Council officers including the new area housing director. There are many outstanding issues but the most urgent is the lobby which does not allow people to get in and out of the building securely.
Foxes
We have been following up complaints of residents of Kilburn Park Road feeding foxes which has encouraged large groups of animals to gather and cause a nuisance. Foxes are not classed as pests but can be very noisy.
12 July Floods
The Independent Inquiry into the floods has published its Stage 1 report. https://londonfloodreview.co.uk/stage-1-report/. This is primarily a technical document that lists the facts as they are known but we would be interested in your views, especially if you’ve a background in water engineering. Three more reports are expected which, we all hope, will culminate in recommendations to prevent future floods of this scale.
If you were affected by the floods yourself and would like to be on our special email distribution list, please get in touch.
Springfield Road
We objected to a proposal to demolish a modern 7-bedroom house in St John’s Wood to be replaced with a larger house with fewer bedrooms. The project will generate more Co2 emissions than the construction, from scratch, of six average homes. https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/housing/westminster-to-decide-st-johns-wood-mansion-8757952
Street Parties
If you want to have a street party for the Queen’s Jubilee, please see guidance from Westminster Council. There’s a form to complete if you want to close your street to traffic. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee/apply-street-party
Shirland Road
We helped a resident track down a private contractor which was noisily collecting recycling from the Institute of Psychoanalysis on Shirland Road at 4am each Wednesday. This contractor has now rescheduled the collections to a more civilised hour.
Broadband on Cobbled Streets
We have been in touch with Westminster Council and G.Networks on behalf of residents of our cobbled streets – Elgin Mews North & South and Andover Place. Telecoms companies are still reluctant to dig trenches on cobbled streets.
Lanark Road – Youth Club and Community Centre
These new facilities reached practical completion before Christmas and it’s disappointing that they are not yet open and providing much needed space for local people. We understand that the Youth Club still has snagging issues to resolve with Dolphin Living, the owners of the building.
At the same time, we are pressing Westminster to find a tenant to operate the new community centre.
Advice Surgeries
The Maida Vale councillor surgeries have started again after an enforced break due to Covid. You can come and meet us at the Café in Paddington Rec:
- First Saturday of the month at 10am
- Third Sunday of the month at 11am
No appointment needed
Councillor Rita Begum says farewell
LITTLE VENICE
Sara, Murad and Rosie have been very busy over the last month:
St Mary’s Terrace
We have asked the Refuse Collection Team to fix this long-standing issue affecting residents in St Mary’s Terrace:
“For about a year now, our quality of life has been shattered by the loud beeping sound of reversing council utility vehicles day and night, from the Veolia Westminster depot under the Westway, at 131 Harrow Road. Just last night I was woken at 1:30am and 3:40am by the incessant bleeping of whatever it is that is constantly reversing in there.
I have been in there to speak to them, and the manager says the electronic main door is broken, which should shut behind the vehicles before the start reversing. It’s been over a year. This could surely all be stopped if they just fixed the door and put the policy back in place to close it. It’s driving us crazy!”
The Refuse Team say:
“I’m pleased to report that the Westway cleansing depot doors have now been repaired. I have also reiterated to Veolia that the vehicle reversing beacons are to be switched off when entering the depot and that the shutters are to be closed at all times apart from when entering and leaving the depot.”
A happy resident said, “Thank you so much for such a swift response to my concerns about the noise from the Veolia Service Area underneath the Westway. It seems they have since committed to stopping the reversing beacons and keeping the doors shut unless going in and out of the unit. We really appreciate your assistance with getting this sorted.”
Pindock Mews
We have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate this issue:
“The streetlight on Pindock Mews gets partially blocked as the trees in the garden behind grow over the streetlight and block the light. Apparently in the summer this almost completely stops any light getting through. Can anything be done?”
The Street Lighting Team say:
“The horticultural team are going to attend to clear the branches from around the column.”
Canal clean-up needed
We have asked the Canal & River Trust to clear an accumulation of rubbish in the canal under the canal bridge by Nissan Design Europe at the entrance to Browning’s Pool. Residents say, “It is full of rubbish. Somebody needs to clean it up – it really looks awful.”
We have also asked the Canal & River Trust to take action on the issues raised by another resident:
“We were wondering if anything can be done to improve the rubbish littered along the canal from the bridge by the Waterways down to Ladbroke Road. We walk down that way on a regular basis and the rubbish just seems to be worse rather than better.
When I walk on my own with our dog it sometimes feels rather unsafe just because it is so unkempt and rough which does not make me feel too confident being on my own. I would do a litter pick but do not feel safe doing it on my own.”
Travis Perkins site – planning application refused!
Following an energetic campaign by local residents, Westminster Council has refused Travis Perkins permission to redevelop its site at Paddington. The proposals were for a 20-storey student block which would have taken much of the daylight from neighbouring properties and cast its shadow as far as John Aird Court in Little Venice. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/03/09/westminster-labour-welcome-decision-to-refuse-baltic-wharf-development/
This is a great result for local residents, the Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society and the Labour Action Team. Residents say:
“That’s great news. Thank you for your help with this.”
“Well done!”
“Thank you for your assistance throughout. Much appreciated.”
“Fantastic news re. Travis Perkins site having its planning application refused! Absolutely the right thing here. Thanks for your effort on this one.”
We have written to the Mayor of London to urge him to support the Council’s refusal of Travis Perkins’ plans for a 20-storey student development opposite Sheldon Square which would have ruined residents’ residential amenity, including for residents in Little Venice.
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 the last Council meeting.
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.
Air pollution
Under a recent Freedom of Information request, we uncovered that Westminster Council has issued just 1 fine for every 1,112 reports of unnecessary engine idling since 2017. Over the 5-year period, over 70,000 incidents were reported to the Council, but a mere 63 fines were handed out and only 34 were actually paid.
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.
£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.
The real cost of the £6m Marble Arch Mound – read more here
Regulating Airbnb premises
To help residents in Maida Vale, Little Venice and elsewhere who are plagued with problems associated with unauthorised short-term lets, Labour MP Karen Buck introduced a Bill in Parliament calling for a national register of short and holiday-let accommodation. This is another move in her long campaign to regulate AirBnB and similar companies to control the impact on neighbours and neighbourhoods.
Unfortunately, Karen’s Bill was blocked by a Conservative MP.
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.
- Contact the Council’s noise team: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it or 0207 641 2000
- Contact the police on 101 or tag them on twitter on @MetCC
Contact the poPaddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society
If you’re interested in the local area, please join PWMV. It publishes a regular newsletter and it’s free to join. https://w9w2.co.uk
Street Link
If you see anyone sleeping rough, please contact Street Link who are able offer help and assistance. You can contact Street Link 24 hours a day at www.streetlink.org.uk.
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. With a postal vote you have two weeks to cast your vote and 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
Handyperson service
Westminster residents aged over 60, or in receipt of disability benefit, can request free help from a handyperson. The service covers minor works to a home such as replacing light bulbs and other small DIY jobs. It does not cover gardening, plumbing or decorating, and it is not an emergency service. Please see the following link for details https://www.westminster.gov.uk/handyperson
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, broken streetlights, graffiti and more using 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
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
What you say
“Thank you for your newsletter and all that you do to keep the area safe, clean and welcoming.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
Your Maida Vale Labour Councillors
Tweet @MaidaValeLabour
https://www.facebook.com/MVLabour/
gbarraclough@westminster.gov.uk
nbutler-thalassis@westminster.gov.uk
You can read our news here
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/maida-vale/
Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
Your Little Venice Labour Action Team
Facebook @labourforlittlevenice
Tweet @labourforlv
You can read our news here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/little-venice/
You can read Murad Qureshi’s blog here https://muradqureshi.com