HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – Mid April 2022
News from your Hyde Park Labour Candidates – Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Your three Hyde Park Ward Labour Candidates
Md Shamsed Chowdhury has lived and worked in Westminster since 2016. He is experienced in the business and hospitality industries and keen to use his knowledge to support young people into work. Shamsed is also a volunteer with a homeless charity in Westminster. He speaks English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali and is keen to support all residents in the ward to ensure everyone has a decent home and feels safe on our streets.
Paul Dimoldenberg has been a Queen’s Park Labour Councillor for nearly 25 years and was a Harrow Road Councillor for 8 years before that. He is a former Leader of the Labour Group and led the Team that uncovered the ‘Homes for Votes’ and ‘15p Cemeteries’ scandals. Originally from Manchester, he has lived on Marylebone Road since the 1970s. Paul’s knowledge of the Council has enabled the Hyde Park Labour Action Team to ‘get things done’ for local residents.
Judith Southern grew up in rural Cumbria and trained to be a nursery nurse. She then worked in West Yorkshire as a bus driver before starting nurse training. She worked at Paddington Green Children’s Hospital and has lived in Hyde Park ward since 1985. Before retiring she worked at Trinity Hospice at Clapham Common where Judith says she felt privileged to be able to give the best palliative care possible.
Don’t forget, you have three votes in the Council elections on 5th May. You can vote for all three of us. Use your three votes to vote for Shamsed, Paul and Judith.
Our priorities for Hyde Park Ward
- Freeze Council Tax for all residents until 2024
- Keep our area safe with more police to tackle crime
- Stop illegal rubbish dumping with fines for offenders
- Put residents first in the planning system
- Stand up for better NHS services against cuts and sell-offs
- Deliver cleaner air, and greener homes and transport
- Stop the financial waste – no more £6m Marble Arch Mound disasters!
You can read our Manifesto here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/manifesto-labours-plan-for-a-fairer-westminster/
Hyde Park Ward – The Three Key Election Issues
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Norfolk Crescent
We have been speaking to residents in Norfolk Crescent who raised with us a series of concerns, including their bins being tampered with and rubbish strewn over the pavement, poor street lighting, frequent car break-ins and anti-social behaviour. We have asked the Council and the Police to investigate and take the necessary action to safeguard residents.
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.”
Albion Street
We noticed this post on Nextdoor recently:
“I along with many of the other residents in Albion Street woke to find our rubbish bags torn open and the contents strewn across the doorsteps and pavement. I noticed that my bin liners had been slit open and when I looked through our CCTV, I saw it was someone going through our rubbish. It was impossible to identify him as he had a baseball cap on, but he appeared to be going through all the recycling rubbish bags slowly and methodically. This was between 2-3 am. A very creepy reminder to shred any confidential paperwork.”
If you see anything suspicious, please call the police.
Connaught Square
We have asked the Parking Team to arrange for an abandoned car with multiple parking tickets to be removed from outside number 10 Connaught Square.
£6 Million Marble Arch Mound
Read the latest on the £6 million Marble Arch Mound disaster
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
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. The Parking Team say:
“Due to its condition, steps are being taken to have the vehicle removed from the location, as soon as possible. The PCNs issued to the car will also be pursed in accordance with the statutory process.”
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.
St Michael’s Street
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate the water ‘ponding’ in the road by the nursery in St Michael’s Street. Anyone walking by at the same time as a car is driving down the road will get an unwelcome cold shower.
Norfolk Place
We have restated our objection to the alcohol licence application for the shop premises at the corner of Norfolk Place and Star 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.”
Star Street – anti-social behaviour
Residents have raised concerns about the activities at 47 Star Street:
“Yet again this morning the Police were at this address. A police car & a police van, they visit on a regular basis. There is a single man living there but 2 other men were in the flat when the police called. There are loads of visitors arriving throughout the day on e-scooters. Local residents don’t feel safe anymore due to this tenant’s continual stream of visitors.”
Star Street – anti-rubbish dumping sign
Residents are angry that the Council has threatened to take legal action against the owner of the Star Street laundrette for displaying the ‘Don’t Dump’ sign on his railings. The Council say that the sign is ‘advertising’ and does not have permission!
We have told the Council that their threat of legal action is totally inappropriate, unnecessary and smacks of ‘bully boy’ tactics by the Council against an individual who is trying to keep his local environment clean. Residents say, “Thank you for your support. If we didn’t have your support things would be much harder.”
Praed Street
We asked the Highways Team to investigate noisy drain covers on Praed Street after residents made these comments:
“The drain covers make appalling noise every time a vehicle passes through, which is all the time. There are 7 of them on the short stretch of the road from Tanner Lane to the bus stop.”
The Highways Team say, “We are aware of this issue (this came in last year also and were actioned then) however we believe some have again failed. We are going to continue to monitor and have Inspectors on route to double check.”
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens – 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.”
Edgware Road
We have asked the Highways Team to fix a broken pavement outside 308 Edgware Road after a local resident tripped up and hurt herself. Thankfully, nothing was broken.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
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.
Chapel Street
Following our enquiries about non-working streetlights in Chapel Street, the Street Lighting Team tell us:
“The lamp column without a lantern is having its UK Power Networks connection installed on the 16th of May. I would also like to confirm lamp column 8 outside the flats has now been fixed.”
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Sheldon Square
Following our regular enquiries, we have received the following update from the Council regarding the installation of air conditioning to flats in the first two floors of Sheldon Square:
“Both Housing Associations (HAs) have received the relevant permissions from the freeholders and landowners and are now at a stage to start proceeding with starting works. Due to the nature of these works and the size of the contracts it is anticipated that works should start around June/July this year. With this in mind, both HAs are looking at providing temporary units such as the ones Network Homes provided to residents last year.”
Dudley House
We have continued our enquiries with the Council about why the promised gym for Dudley House residents has not yet been provided. The gym is clearly marked on the sign by the lift and shows the original intention to provide a residents’ gym. Residents say the office staff keep trying to cover the word Gym with white tape and residents keep removing it. Residents say they were told by staff that just before the building was completed the management decided to make money from the room instead of buying gym equipment.
Paddington Basin graffiti
We have asked the City Inspector to arrange for graffiti to be removed from the canal side buildings. The City Inspectors says:
“As the property is private, our graffiti team would not be able to clear it, also I don’t think it would be accessible for them. I have engaged the assistance of planning enforcement, who will do some checks on who owns the building, and request they remove it.”
South Wharf Road
We have asked the Highways Team to fix the loose and uneven kerb stones in the lay-by outside Tesco on South Wharf Road as they look dangerous for pedestrians.
5 Harbet Road
We are continuing to assist leaseholders in 5 Harbet Road who have been waiting patiently for action on the removal of the cladding on their building. Octavia has told residents:
“The freeholder is in discussions with experts on the external wall system (the cladding and the fittings behind that are attached to the main structure) and what is required to meet current standards. We have been advised that the cladding complied with the standards at the time of construction 2007-2010 but that it no longer does. The freeholder is in discussions with their advisers on a possible claim against the contractor who installed the external wall system as some issues have been identified. At this stage, we do not know whether there will be any costs that Octavia will be required to pay towards as a result of the works.”
Harbet Road
Following our call to the Hilton Hotel to undertake regular street sweeping and stricter parking control in Harbet Road (which is a private road), the situation has improved. Residents say, “Definitely an improvement, thank you. Seems to be a few less cars parking also.”
Westbourne Terrace area
Eastbourne Terrace
We have asked the Planning Team for the permitted hours of work for the construction site at 40 Eastbourne Terrace after receiving the following enquiry from a resident:
“I am attempting to discover the working hours are on the 40 Eastbourne Terrace office to hotel conversion. Based on noise it is 0800 to 1800 Monday to Friday. I just wished to check that was correct, and if not, can you point to me something in writing so I can print and drop off with the site foreman. If it is correct, does the planning team, have a date for completion? Working from home, has its challenges when you cannot hear yourself think.”
The Council has confirmed that the hours of work are 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday.
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
Labour Councillors 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.
Service charges
Amongst the many rising costs landing on hard-pressed residents are service charges (for tenants and leaseholders). Labour councillors in Maida Vale have just successfully challenged service charges affecting a number of leaseholders where bills rose 30% in a year and included multiple charges for the same service. Westminster Council accepted that a mistake was made and lower bills will now be sent out, so it is essential to check, query and where necessary challenge because bills can be wrong.
However, bills are still rising even when they are accurate. In these cases, it is important to be as clear as possible about what rights you have because it can be complicated. There is a useful page on the LEASE website covering many of the key issues (what you can ask for, how to challenge bills). Service Charges – The Leasehold Advisory Service (lease-advice.org)
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
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 Libraries under threat
It seems Westminster Conservatives have been quietly planning radical changes to Westminster’s libraries – seemingly without any intention of telling people about them before Council elections on 5th May. An internal paper entitled ‘Westminster Libraries and Archives: Overview of Transformation and Next Steps’ outlines the key findings from the Council’s review of the library service. Based on the information in this document it seems that the Council is preparing to:
- Close Charing Cross Library and merge it with the Westminster Reference Library
- Close the Westminster Archives, removing the materials to an ‘off-site’ collection.
- Break their promise to replace the St James’ Library
- Only extend the lease on Mayfair Library for a short period with no commitment on its future
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/02/11/libraryclosuresrevealed/
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
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 Hyde Park Ward Safer Neighbourhood Police Team is PC Adam Oddy, PC Harminder Purewal and PCSO Grant. You can contact them at AWMailbox.SNTCWHydePark@met.police.uk
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/hyde-park/
Heathrow flight path
We are supporting local residents who are concerned about Heathrow planning a flight path over Paddington, Bayswater and Notting Hill.
https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/post/ugc-voting-petitions/989b8335-15f5-4964-adda-13342cf3299f
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
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.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
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
“You have my vote for definite and I will ensure I attend the polling station to vote for Labour!”
“Great update. Many thanks.”
“Thank you for all the help with the filming problem, all the vehicles left by 19.30”
“Amazing work guys. Will certainly be voting for you.”
“Super-efficient, as always!”
“Thank you for your kind efforts in matters I raised with you over the last months.”
“Thank you for assisting, much appreciated.”
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
Please keep safe, stay well and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Your Hyde Park Ward Labour Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round
You can contact us at hplabour@gmail.com
Follow us on
Facebook @LabourHydePark
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Twitter @HydeParkLabour
Promoted by Margaret Lynch on behalf of the Hyde Park Ward Labour candidates, all at 4G Shirland Mews, W9 3DY