MAIDA VALE & LITTLE VENICE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2022
News from Maida Vale Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Labour Candidate Iman Less
And the Little Venice Labour Candidates – 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:
Councillors win refund for over-charge leaseholders
Following intervention from the Maida Vale Labour Councillors, Westminster Council has admitted making a mistake when issuing service charge demands to leaseholders at four of its blocks on the Maida Vale estate. The total amount over-charged was £141,437 across 116 properties – an average over-charge of £1,219 per flat.
We challenged the annual bills which had risen by over 80% to a massive £3,200 for a typical flat. Costs for cleaning and grounds maintenance had tripled over the previous year. Many leaseholders have been worried about how they would pay the charges at the same time as other bills are going up so fast.
In response, Westminster Council has admitted making “a charging error for the following service charge categories; block cleaning, co-op repairs, grounds maintenance and window cleaning.”
As a result, all leaseholders in Thurso, Atholl, Braemer and Dundee Houses have been sent revised bills with annual charges, on average, £1,219 lower than before. Tenants will also receive lower bills – but we don’t yet know how much the cash savings will be.
Playground facilities
We have started a petition asking Westminster Council to improve playground facilities for children with additional needs. We were inspired to do this after two Maida Vale families approached us about this issue. We want to see a commitment from Westminster Council to ensure that all new refurbishment of playgrounds considers the needs of children with disabilities and that a scoping exercise is done to explore sites where new inclusive playgrounds could be installed. We also want to see information signs that explain how the equipment should be used and that announces to all users that the playground is inclusive and that children with disabilities are welcome. Please sign the petition here
Urban foxes
We’ve had reports of unusual numbers of foxes in the neighbourhood. These animals are considered as a nuisance, not a pest, so residents need to be careful not to breach animal welfare rules. The Council has published a handy guide to with all you need to know about urban foxes Fox deterrent advice
Queen’s Jubilee
There will be a special party in Paddington Rec to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in June. Watch this space for more details.
Telecom masts
Mobile telephone companies have notified us that they are planning to install additional telecom masts on Oak Tree House on Delaware Road and Edinburgh House on Maida Vale. Due to a change in the law, masts up to 6m in height no longer require planning permission unless they are to be located in a Conservation Area. This means that residents have no opportunity to object to either of these new locations.
Notting Hill Genesis
We have been in touch with senior management at Notting Hill Genesis housing association about several issues including the empty shipping container left on Essendine Road and a permanently locked bin store in a property on Shirland Road.
Glasgow House
We have been in touch with Westminster Housing arguing for better provision for residents using mobility scooters. This includes automatic entrance doors and better synchronisation of the two elevators.
Kilburn Park Road & Carlton Vale
Westminster Highways has agreed to replace a broken streetlamp at the junction of Carlton Vale and Kilburn Park Road, outside Keith House. This lamp was mistakenly relocated from Brent when the traffic layout was changed a few years ago and never adopted by Westminster.
Dolphin Block – Lanark Road
Following intervention from the Maida Vale councillors, Dolphin cleaned up the accumulated mess of rubbish in its car park.
Chippenham Hotel
The Co-Op have let us know that they are still hoping to open a convenience store on the ground floor but are having many issues getting the landlord to deliver the space to the agreed specification.
Grantully Road
We are chasing Westminster’s Tree Team over the replanting of three trees on Grantully Road outside Leith Mansions. These were diseased and removed several years ago and, despite a number of promises, not yet replaced.
Carlton Dene
We are pleased that Westminster has finally taken steps to secure this derelict site at the junction of Carlton Vale and Kilburn Park Road. We had been pressing for action for some time.
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
LITTLE VENICE
Sara, Murad and Rosie have been very busy over the last month:
Bakerloo Line petition
Murad, Sara and Rosie went to the Department for Transport to hand in our petition to ensure the Bakerloo Line is saved. It was widely reported that the Bakerloo line is at risk of closure due to the pandemic decimating the income from fares that huge government cuts forced TfL to rely on. Unlike national rail and other public transport systems in the UK and worldwide, the government refused to fund TfL, instead forcing several short-term “bailouts”, each with demands for heavy cuts to London’s critical transport.
Little Venice Pool – Rubbish
Murad, Sara & Rosie have informed Canal & River Trust (CRT) of our and many residents’ concerns about the rubbish floating on the surface of the canals in Little Venice and trust they will dedge the canals before the Little Venice Canal cavalcade returns at the next bank holiday weekend. Residents say, “Well done reporting on this Rosie. Thank you”
Removing derelict telephone kiosks
Murad, Sara & Rosie have been successful in their campaign of getting rid of derelict telephone kiosks in Little Venice, with the first one that has been taken away at Warrington Gardens (plus replace the old sign street sign ) We now await BT Openreach to paint and repair the old red telephone boxes in the locality that we had identified already and in urgent need of regular maintenance.
Sutherland Aveue – Planning Enforcement
We have been successful in getting Council officers to take up the issue of the metal shutters at ground floor level of a large home along Sutherland Avenue, which is completely out of keeping with Maida Vale Conservation Area. We await what the officers propose as action.
St Mary’s Churchyard
Murad, Sara & Rosie are now undertaking a survey on what other facilities we could have in St Mary’s Churchyard off Paddington Green. As its corner of the locality tucked away from everything else which we could all make a better use of with new facilities. Please take part in the survey with this link
John Aird Court
We have been helping residents in John Aird Court who are experiencing problems with water leaks into their flats.
Howley Place
We have made a request for a rapid electric vehicle charger for John Aird Court residents along Howley Place.
And finally, we have also requested the Council
- for improvements in pavement surfaces in Hall Place Estate
- remove dangerous brick work along Clifton Gardens and
- put a stop to the dumping of rubbish in front of Pondfield House.
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
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#
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
Paddington 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.
‘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.
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
“Well done on your recent campaigns!”
“Thank goodness for your newsletters – they are always very informative and helpful. I hope you manage to send it to many residents in your area as possible so they know about matters like the development plans for Travis Perkins. I would not have known about it if I did not get the newsletters!”
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“I can’t thank you enough for standing up for us in this matter.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
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Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Labour Candidate Iman Less
Your Maida Vale Labour Councillors
Tweet @MaidaValeLabour
https://www.facebook.com/MVLabour/
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
Promoted by Connor Jones on behalf of the Maida Vale Ward Labour Candidates and Andy Whitely on behalf of the Little Venice Ward Labour candidates, all at 4G Shirland Mews, W9 3DY.