PIMLICO, SOHO, MARYLEBONE AND WEST END LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2022
News from your Westminster Labour Councillors
Read our Manifesto – Labour’s Plan for a Fairer Westminster
We have launched our manifesto for the May 5th local elections, 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.
PIMLICO
Tackling housing disrepair in Pimlico
We know social housing tenants are experiencing a poor repairs service. We’re calling for:
- Urgent review of current repairs
- A single point of contact for every repair
- Regular data on how long repairs take
You can sign our petition here https://bit.ly/pimlico-housing
Mary Smiths Pantry
Mary Smith’s Pantry provides vital resources to the most vulnerable in our community in south Westminster. Mike and his volunteers cannot continue to operate from the Ebury Bridge construction site and we have urged the Council to find them permanent premises in the area.
Pimlico District Heating Unit
We have been contacted by worried residents about recent stories on rising heating costs for communal systems. Residents are worried about gas prices and would like cost transparency of PDHU costs which serves Churchill Gardens and the surrounding area.
Lenthall House, Churchill Gardens
Following our enquiries about anti-social behaviour and security issues at Lenthall House, the Housing Department tells us:
“The ASB Case Officer has arranged to complete door knocks to gather further information from residents, to identify those involved and further details of the behaviour witnessed. In relation to stolen parcels as this is a crime, it will need to be reported to Police and investigated by them, if a perpetrator is identified as a resident or visitor to the estate, we will work alongside the service to take appropriate action.
In regard to the paving slabs, our surveyor has walked around the estate and the paving slabs have been inspected. There has been some movement to the slabs over the years; however, there are no defects or trip hazards. The work we completed to the communal drainage on the ground floor 1-15 flats has left one slab in need of replacement.”
Queen Mother Sports Centre
Following our request to ‘call in’ the Council’s proposed £16.5 million purchase of 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, next to the Queen Mother Sports Centre, the local press reports on the Scrutiny Committee meeting where we called for full disclosure of the Council’s redevelopment plans for the Sports Centre:
https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/labour-fear-back-door-deal-at-sports-centre-site
Ebury Bridge Estate
Westminster City Council is preparing to follow through with compulsory purchase orders, a legal mechanism used to acquire land, against 11 leaseholders who do not want to leave Ebury Bridge Estate.
https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/defiance-of-11-leaseholders-under-threat
https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/homeowners-feel-bullied-over-compulsory-purchase
Dolphin Square
A new book, ‘Scandal At Dolphin Square: A Notorious History’, has been written about the colourful history of Dolphin Square. You can read more here
https://www.waterstones.com/book/scandal-at-dolphin-square/simon-danczuk/daniel-smith/9780750997140
VINCENT SQUARE WARD
Robyn House, Page Street
Residents in Robyn House have asked if a big cherry tree at the back of the block can be pruned. We have asked the Housing Department if this can be investigated.
Tothill House, Page Street
We are taking up a series of housing issues raised by individual residents in Tothill House, including water leaks and a collapsed ceiling. The Housing Department say:
“The kitchen ceiling did collapse following the previous leak. A job has been raised for a mould wash to the kitchen and bathroom and to reinstate the kitchen plasterboard. During the surveyor’s inspection, the resident also mentioned there was a leak on the kitchen tap. We have raised a job to attend to this issue.”
Bennett House, Page Street
Residents in Bennett House have raised individual issues with us which we are taking up with the Housing Department.
Coburg Close
Residents in Coburg Close have asked if the street lighting can be improved and we have asked if this can be investigated.
SOHO
Berwick Street
Following concerns raised by residents, Westminster council has hired a hawk to tackle seagulls which are attacking people and dogs near Kemp House in Berwick Street. The Council has paid for a hawk to patrol the area during seagull nesting season in early May.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-60911505
Dufour’s Place
The local press reports on a Soho pensioner who has to brush his teeth in the kitchen because of the Council’s failure to do long-standing repairs to his flat.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/pensioner-brush-teeth-kitchen-20-23547009
FITZROVIA
Fighting for a cleaner Fitzrovia
Westminster City Council has lost its reputation for keeping our streets clean.
Bin bags, carrier bags, take away boxes, dumped household belongings and commercial waste now litter our pavements. Fitzrovia residents have had to step in by forming the Fitzrovia Rubbish Action Committee (FRAC), which Labour Cllr Pancho Lewis has worked with and supported, to tackle fly-tipping and rubbish dumping in our community. Paul Fisher, Patrick Lilley and Jessica Toale are committed to tackling waste and making sure that commercial entities are fined for playing fast and loose with the rules on rubbish disposal. Help us to clean up Fitzrovia by completing our waste survey
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/uncategorised/2022/03/29/fighting-for-a-cleaner-fitzrovia/
Holcroft Court
Residents say the Holcroft Court Entrance D video intercom has not been working properly for a very long time. They say they only get audio function and not the video – which they did previously. We have asked the Housing Department to investigate and fix the problem.
We have also asked the Housing Department to finish the works opposite 201 Holcroft Court to replace the unsightly temporary sheeting.
MAYFAIR
Leconfield House
We are supporting residents’ continued campaign to stop the change the use of Leconfield House from offices to a private members’ club/hotel, with many bars and restaurants and a nightclub. The proposal would add one storey and dig three basements below the existing basement, and if approved, would mean at least four years of disturbance for residents of Chesterfield House and neighbouring properties in the local area.
Leconfield House Developments Ltd have appealed against the planning refusal of August 2021 and we have written in support of residents’ continued objections.
Paul Fisher, West End Labour Candidate, said:
“We have real concerns about the noise and disruption generated from overdevelopment and lax planning decisions in the area – we completely understand why this planning appeal causes so much consternation among local residents. We will do everything we can to help residents challenge overdevelopment and intensive construction projects like the one proposed. It’s unacceptable.”
Mount Street Gardens
We have asked the Parks Team to investigate recent incidents involving anti-social behaviour in Mount Street Gardens.
Save Mayfair Library
We are continuing to campaign to save Mayfair Library. Leaked Westminster City Council documents have raised doubt about the future of Mayfair Library.
West End ward candidates Paul Fisher and Jessica Toale met with the Friends of Mayfair Library to raise our concerns and to highlight the questions we would want answered by the Council. Patrick Lilley and Jessica Toale spoke with parents outside St George’s Hanover Square Primary School in Mayfair to raise awareness about the issue. If you would like to support our campaign to keep Mayfair Library open, sign our petition here.
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The £6m Marble Arch Mound is coming down – at a cost of £660,000.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/westminster-council-marble-arch-mound-cost-b991093.html#
Protecting residents – what you say
“The abiding problem in the West End is protecting residents against the knock-on effects of too much licensing. Noise anti-social behaviour, deliveries at all hours and rubbish collections make this a 24-hour problem. It is just about controllable but takes a great deal of effort and knowledge of the licensing and planning acts to keep on top of the situation.
Any prospective councillors should pledge to look after the residential interests of the West End first and foremost. Licensed premises have clever barristers with much expertise, residents need the help of committed councillors who are not on a crusade to destroy business but who understand the needs of the residents whose long-term commitment to the area have made it into the place everyone else wants to visit.”
HYDE PARK WARD
Hyde Park Street
We have asked the Highways Team to consider this suggestion from a resident:
“Stop the rat run from Bayswater Road via Hyde Park Street to Sussex Gardens with a traffic sign – i.e. no thoroughfare to Sussex Gardens/Local traffic only. Another option is to put in traffic humps/sleeping policeman to stop people speeding.”
Cambridge Square/Southwick Street
We have again asked the City Inspector to contact Virgin to urge them to secure the open telecoms box from vandalism at the corner of Cambridge Square and Southwick Street. The box has been left wide open and looks like sticky tape had been used to keep it closed – which has failed!
The City Inspector says, “I will contact Virgin to raise this with them.”
Norfolk Square
We have asked the Parking Team to remove an abandoned car in Norfolk Square, opposite the Norfolk Plaza Hotel. The car has a smashed side window, two flat tyres and about six parking tickets on the windscreen.
Southwick Street – unauthorised Airbnb lettings
We have asked the Council to investigate unauthorised Airbnb short-term letting in Southwick Street. Residents say:
“In Westminster this has become an issue where residential landlords are renting out flats as Airbnb – yet only pay residential Council Tax. This seems unfair on Hoteliers who pay much higher Business Rates. This is not a “level playing field”. Karen Buck MP has been working on this for more powers for the council for the last 5 years. A lot of rubbish dumped recently seems to be from Airbnb.”
The Council say, “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, we will of course investigate this and advise as to our findings.”
Sussex Gardens
Residents tell us that a hotel on Sussex Gardens has a nightly linen delivery. The delivery van parks in Southwick Street. Southwick Street residents say, “They make a lot of noise with the linen trolley, van hydraulic lift with yellow hazard light/sound when reversing in Southwick Street. The hotel should be informing their suppliers to park on their forecourt in Sussex Gardens for deliveries as the noise does wake up residents”
We have asked the City Inspector l if the hotel can be asked to ensure their deliveries park in the hotel forecourt in future. The City Inspector says, “I have spoken to the hotel, however also asked for the general manager’s email to reiterate the issue.”
Bouverie Place
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate the water ‘ponding’ in Bouverie Place and to check the yellow line markings to ensure that they are correct.
Sale Place
The paint spillage on the pavement outside 6 Sale Place has now been removed, following our report to the City Inspector.
Norfolk Place
We have restated our objection to the alcohol licence application for the shop premises at the corner of Norfolk Place and Start Street. We have told the Council:
“The response from the applicant doesn’t address the concerns about the number of bike delivery couriers that are creeping up again – parking on the double yellow lines and making noise, vaping, smoking and littering. It’s very anti-social and they arrive early and stay late. This hasn’t been addressed by the letter and it is a big concern for the neighbours in this part of Star Street near the junction with Norfolk Place.”
Edgware Road/Sussex Street – pigeon feeding
We are continuing our campaign to stop pigeon feeding by the new seating next to Boots, at the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens. Residents tell us:
“I made use of the seats adjacent to Boots the other day. Although it was a relief to sit down, it was not a welcome experience. The immediate area is full of pigeons, and the whole ground area is marred by pigeon droppings. As you will know, the birds carry disease transmissible to humans. It is far from an ideal spot in which to sit, and I wonder if there is any deterrent treatment that can be used to impede the number of pigeons, and which could also be applied to the paving stones.”
Transept Street
We have again reported a large pile of rubbish illegally dumped outside the entrance to 38a-47 Chapel Street and called on the Council to fine those responsible for the dumping. The Council needs to get much tougher with the illegal rubbish dumpers who ruin the local environment for everyone.
Dudley House
We have continued our enquiries with the Council about why the promised gym for Dudley House residents has not yet been provided.
MARYLEBONE
Sherwood Court, Shouldham Street
We are continuing to support Sherwood Court residents who have been fighting a long-term battle against unauthorized activities in the basement car park area of their flats.
New Cavendish Street
The Cavendish, a pub on New Cavendish Street, was given a food hygiene rating of zero after inspectors found mouse droppings on the premises. An inspection of The Cavendish on February 21 uncovered poor pest control and a low standard of cleaning. A report from an environmental health officer from Westminster City Council stated that there were “ongoing evidence of pest activity and overlooked areas for cleaning, indicate a lack of verification from management at the food premises. Mouse faeces were found throughout the basement kitchen, preparation area and food storage rooms.”Serious concerns were also raised over the failure to kill bacteria on raw meat, specifically venison tartare, which was found to not be seared on the outside before serving.
ST JAMES’S
Duke Street
Vic Keegan writes about Brunel’s house in Duke Street
https://www.onlondon.co.uk/vic-keegans-lost-london-222-brunel-in-duke-street/
WESTMINSTER WIDE
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
We are chasing up the Home Office regarding delays to their ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. A number of residents have got in touch saying that they signed up for the scheme weeks ago but still have not received any further information. The situation facing so many in Ukraine is unimaginably dreadful and we believe the Government needs to be moving much faster to get people here safely. If you have volunteered to host a Ukrainian family and are not in direct contact with a family or individual from the Ukraine who is seeking a match in the UK, please contact Steve Bywater at steve.bywater@rbkc.gov.uk
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.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
If you are thinking of organising a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, these links might of interest
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee/apply-street-party
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
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.
Westminster Foodbank
The Westminster Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network of Foodbanks. The foodbank provides nutritionally balanced non-perishable food to residents in Westminster experiencing financial crisis through a referral system. The foodbank is currently operating an Appointment Only Collection Service. Clients can be referred by one of the following agencies:
- Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau: 0300 330 1191 (freephone – 0808 278 7834)
- The Cardinal Hume Centre, (Pimlico): Tel: 020 7227 1673
- Local Support Payments: Tel: 020 7745 6464.
www.westminsterchapel.org.uk/ministries/foodbank/
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. 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.
Regulating Airbnb premises
To help residents in Westminster and elsewhere who are plagued with problems associated with unauthorised short-term lets, Labour MP Karen Buck has 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
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 report dumped rubbish, broken pavements, defective streetlights and more on 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
“Thanks to you and your team for such an extensive and helpful report! You certainly cover a lot of ground.”
“I am, as always, so grateful for all that the Labour Team are doing for us, and really hope and pray that you succeed in our Soho Ward in the coming election.”
“An excellent read and many thanks for all the hard work you and your team have put in to make the area a better and more harmonious place for us all to live in!! Well done!!”
“I would like to thank you all for your support over some difficult times.”
“Very, very good luck in the coming Council elections”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Please feel free to pass this report 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
If you do not want to receive this report you can unsubscribe below.
Please keep safe, stay well and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg
Labour City Management spokesperson
Westminster City Council
Your Labour Councillors can be contacted as follows
Churchill Ward – For details of ways to contact Councillor Liza Begum and Councillor Shamim Talukder, please see the Churchill Labour website
West End Ward – You can contact Councillor Pancho Lewis by email or telephone.
Promoted by Jacqueline Bore on behalf of the Labour candidates, all at 4G Shirland Mews, W9 3DY.