WESTBOURNE WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2022
News from Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug and Papya Qureshi and Labour Candidate Angela Piddock
Read our Manifesto – Labour’s Plan for a Fairer Westminster
We have 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.
NEWS AND ACTION
Wessex Gardens anti-social behaviour
We have been helping Wessex Gardens residents who raised problems with getting Westminster Housing to help tackle anti-social behaviour on the estate at a recent residents’ meeting.
Brunel Estate Anti-Social Behaviour
Residents have reported both suspected drug-dealing on the estate and issues with large groups on the estate late at night and local councillors are working with the police safer neighbourhoods team and housing officers to see what can be done to improve the situation.
Aldridge Court
We are continuing to assist residents at Aldridge Court with ongoing problems with their security door.
Micro-recycling centre bins
After a resident reported to us that the bins on the corner of Talbot Road and Shrewsbury Road had been damaged, we arranged for Veolia to replace them.
Westmead update
At a resident’s suggestion we asked if Westmead, unused since the residents were moved to the new Beachcroft House, could be converted into short-term accommodation for Ukrainian and other refugees. Sadly, Westminster told us that asbestos problems and other disrepair would cost too much for a temporary use and have said that hoardings will be put around the building later in April.
Maida Hill Junction
Last summer workmen dug-up the recently laid stone slabs in front of Costa Coffee and filled it back in with what they said was temporary tarmac while new stone was on order. Residents are still waiting for the area to be properly repaired and we have raised this urgently with the council to seek to get answers.
The Collective- Woodfield Road
Last Autumn the Collective went into administration just after it was given permission to redevelop Taxi House on Woodfield Road, so it was uncertain what would happen. We have discovered that the company’s creditors want to go ahead and that the funding remains in place. Another indication that it will be going ahead is that the developer has in the last month asked Westminster Council planners for more time to agree delivery and servicing arrangements for the completed building.
Notting Hill Genesis
We have had a series of meetings with Notting Hill Genesis over poor repairs, delayed major works and unfair service charges in a number of their blocks. Separately after several months, we have finally had agreement from Notting Hill Genesis to repair works on a flat in Grand Union Close, dealing with issues that had been going on for years.
Marylands Road
We worked with local business to get action from the police after a series of break-ins on Marylands Road. There is a need to improve camera surveillance on the road not only for the purposes of tackling crime but deterring continual fly-tipping.
Elmfield Way
After many months of legal wrangling, Westminster Council now owns the empty land on Elmfield Way and has promised it will finally take action to remove litter and cut back overgrown plants that are encroaching on the games area.
L&Q blocks on Elmfield Way
We have been working to support residents in the two blocks on Elmfield Way managed by L&Q, to make sure tenants can get spaces in the basement car park and to question CCTV, water pressure and carpet cleaning. L&Q have had unavoidable problems recently but have promised to help.
Amberley Road fibre
Full fibre broadband suddenly arrived for Amberley Road residents at the beginning of April when G.Network dug up the street to lay cables to each house. Westminster council had been negotiating with a different provider and were surprised to find they had been scooped. We have been working to help residents whose parking was suspended during the building work.
Amberley Estate
The condition of the communal areas on the Amberley Estate is currently poor. We are working with local residents to repair a long-broken security door, replace missing door closers and tidy up deteriorating paint work and cover up graffiti.
Canalside
The Canal and Rivers Trust has been pushed by us to take action to repair the safety barriers on the Amberley Road canalside, take action on long-overdue paving works and do more to remove rubbish from the canal and its verges.
Warwick Estate Fire Safety works
We have been helping a number of residents in Gaydon House with concerns about new fire doors and other fire safety works, urging the council to learn lessons to improve the process elsewhere.
Roof in Warwick low-rise
We have noted leaking water tanks in Warwick Estate low-rise blocks on Senior Street and in two separate blocks on either side of Bourne Terrace. We are asking housing officers whether these problems are connected to the roof work carried out under the major works scheme.
Cyclo-control billing
We are supporting a household in one of the Warwick and Brindley towers who have been getting very high energy bills because of miswiring of their cyclo-control meter. Citizens Advice Westminster has noted that cyclo heating significantly increased bills even before the current energy crisis.
Westminster Housing reorganisation
A long-overdue reorganisation of Westminster Council’s Housing Team means local estates now come under the North area, which is going to be managed by Edith Brannigan. Estate team managers and housing officers are still being settled.
Blomfield Mews development
Although planning permission for the three-storey development on Blomfield Mews was agreed at the Planning Committee in September 2019 (despite neighbours’ objections, which we supported), nothing has happened on site. Officers have told us it is “currently on hold” as they have had problems making sure they own and control all the garages. The impact of Brexit and Covid has also meant construction work costs have increased, which has affected the financial costings.
OTHER NEWS
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
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
You can read the latest on the £6m Marble Arch Mound
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/westminster-council-marble-arch-mound-cost-b991093.html#
Council Tax
We have called for No Rise in Council Tax until at least 2024. At the last Council meeting we voted 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.
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.
Local Police
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/
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 48 hours of order.
You can check when refuse and recycling is collected from your street here http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx
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.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
Please let us know if we can ever be of help or assistance.
Yours sincerely
Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug & Papya Qureshi and Labour Candidate Angela Piddock
Your Westbourne Ward Labour Councillors – Here to Help, All Year Round
You can contact Adam, Papya and David by email or telephone.
Promoted by Connor Jones on behalf of the Westbourne Ward Labour Candidates, all at 4g Shirland Mews, W9 3DY