QUEEN’S PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – May 2022
News from your three Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister and Hamza Taouzzale and Labour Candidate Cara Sanquest
Read our Manifesto – Labour’s Plan for a Fairer Westminster
Our manifesto for the May 5th local election sets 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.
You have three votes on Thursday 5th May – Please vote for Patricia, Cara and Hamza
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Refuse Collections
We are very concerned at the reduction in the number of rubbish collections in Queen’s Park Ward and elsewhere. Residents have contacted us about this and say:
“Our rubbish collection recently changed from twice to once a week, supplemented by a new tiny food waste bin which the leaflet said accounts for 30% or refuse. One look out on the street on Tuesday night, ahead of our now weekly collection on Wednesday, and rubbish bins are overflowing and there are bags outside piled high at double the previous level. In our household food waste is a tiny portion of overall waste it seems and nowhere near 30%.”
We have raised this with the Council and called for the reinstatement of the twice weekly rubbish collection service.
Queen’s Park Gardens
Crissie Chambers has updated us on dogs in the football area. She says:
“Nuno did extra patrols and replaced ‘no dogs allowed’ signs in the football area. These were taken down numerous times, but we finally got the message across by keep replacing the signs and last week found the offending parties using the dog run which is partially open. We are also aware that a local resident has been using this area as for exercising their dogs. That same resident has had a warning and been visited by the animal welfare department.”
We have also asked the Parks Team to make good the poor construction works recently undertaken to the table tennis table area where the concrete appears not to have set properly and looks like a very poor job. The Parks Team say they will jet wash the area and we hope that this improves the situation.
Ha’Penny Steps
Following our enquiries about pigeon feeding on the RBKC side of the canal and our request to put up ‘Don’t feed the pigeons’ signs, the City Inspector says:
“I will attempt to reach out to my colleague in RBKC again on the issue of the Ha’Penny steps. Previous efforts have not been as successful as I would like, but it is important that we have a pincer approach to prevent vermin from getting embedded. I will see if they are at least prepared to place signs up in the area.”
Harrow Road/Second Avenue
Following the concern we raised about the painting of the flank wall at the corner of Harrow Road and Second Avenue, the Planning Officers tell us:
“A search of the planning records revealed that the flank wall has been painted red since at least 2008, but recently the red paint has been partially removed, and it appears this was the reason for the erection of the scaffolding. However, the scaffolding has since been removed and only some of the paint has been removed. We have therefore written to the owners to advise that the current, partially painted appearance of the flank wall is not acceptable, and the remaining paint should be removed.”
Second Avenue/Harrow Road
We have asked the Highways and Parking Teams to investigate this issue:
“I would like to raise a concern about the entry into Second Avenue after the recent works. Cars still park at the mouth of Second Avenue despite the double yellow lines and now that the pavement has been widened that roadway is more constricted making entrance and exits more dangerous for moving vehicles.”
The Parking Team say:
“The amendments at the junction were undertaken in order to reduce the distance required for pedestrians to cross the carriageway, therefore, limiting any exposure to turning vehicles, manoeuvring at lower speeds, within the modified road space.
The concern with regards to vehicles parking on the Double Yellow Lines, at the entrance to Second Avenue, have been highlighted to the Marshals, and they will closely monitor the location for any contraventions occurring.”
Bravington Road
We have asked the Highways Team to consider this suggestion from a resident:
“A speed monitoring system has been installed, however, unfortunately, this is between a speed bump and an intersection hence cars and scooters drive very fast before and after it, but they are forced to slow down where the monitoring system is placed. Ideally this should have been placed outside 109/111 Bravington Road.”
The Highways Team have told us, “the speed and volume equipment will be relocated to the suggested location and will continue for a further week.” Residents say, “Fantastic. Thank you so much!”
Bike hire facilities
We have received this message from a resident about the lack of bike hire facilities in the area and we have asked the Cycle Team if they have any plans to improve the situation:
“I notice that Westminster Council have restricted the use of private businesses such as Lime and Jump from operating their cycle hire service in the area. This is very frustrating seeing as there is next to no TfL bike hire service in the W9/W10 postcodes either! The council seem to be encouraging of an environmentally friendly agenda especially with the recently introduced food waste collection which is to be applauded but they seem to be oblivious to this most obvious of failings with regards to cycle hire provision.
The lack of cycle hire services will only increase the use of private vehicles, congested roads and increase pollution. Please can we reinstate the use of private sector bike hire or invest properly in TfL bike hire stations.”
Environmental and other issues
- Fifth Avenue – we have asked the City Inspectors to remove a box of needles in Fifth Avenue. The City Inspectors tell us, “Veolia have confirmed the needles were all removed”
- Droop Street – we are making enquiries on behalf of a former resident who has left the area and would like a partial refund for bike hangar rental he has paid and no longer requires.
- Ilbert Street/Third Avenue – following our enquiries, graffiti has been removed from the end house of Ilbert Street, at the corner of Third Avenue.
- Bravington Road – we again asked the Street Lighting Team when the street lights in Bravington Road will be working again.
- Ashmore Road – we have asked the local police to take action to stop the regular use of the Ashmore Road pavement by cyclists travelling at speed. We have also made enquiries about when a ‘Play Street’ sign will be installed in Ashmore Road.
- Moberly Sport Centre – we have reported problems with cleaning parts of the Sports Centre, following enquiries from users. The Leisure Team say, “The dirt on the wall in the spa was hair dye. It was cleaned immediately, but as it’s dye, there may be visible traces.”
- Ashmore/Shirland Road – we asked the City Inspectors to remove the graffiti from one of the planters at the corner of Ashmore and Shirland Roads. We are delighted that the graffiti has been removed.
- Kilburn Lane – we have asked BT to fix the broken phone box outside 326 Kilburn Lane.
- Parry Road – we have asked the City Inspectors to arrange for paint spillage in Parry Road to be cleaned of the pavement.
- Marban Road – we have asked the Highways Team to investigate ways of making Marban Road safer for pedestrians crossing the road.
- Harrow Road – we have asked the Highways Team to consider this suggestion from a resident: “Harrow Road remain a bit of a speedway. It would be great to have a speed camera installed by Third Avenue on Harrow Road. I’m sure it would pay for itself very quickly!”
Housing Issues
- Pine House – we are continuing to urge the Council to take action to stop regular ASB from the residents in a flat in Pine House.
- Bravington Road – we are continuing to urge the Council to take action to stop regular ASB from the residents in a flat in Bravington Road.
- Droop Street – we have asked the Housing Department to fix a new gate to a house in Droop Street.
- Ashmore Road – we are assisting residents in an Ashmore Road flat with long-standing repairs issues.
- Kilburn Lane – we have asked the Council to check if a number of properties in Kilburn Lane have HMO licenses.
- Mulberry Court – we have asked Octavia to clean up dog mess in the outside communal area of Mulberry Court. We have also asked the police to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour.
- St John’s Terrace – we have asked L&Q to fix a long-standing water leak, rotten window frames and broken windows at a flat in Steve Biko Court.
- Bantock House – we have asked the Housing Department to investigate why 14 visits and missed appointments were made by Council contractors to a flat in Bantock House and yet no repairs were undertaken.
- Courtville House, Third Avenue – we have asked the Housing Department to repair the intercom at Courtville House.
- Naylor House – we have asked the Council to clear rubbish dumped in a corridor in Naylor House.
- Elm House – we have asked the Housing Department to fix the broken heating and hot water system at Elm House which has left residents without heating and hot water.
- Larch House – we have reported a water leak in the communal area outside a flat in Larch House.
- Huxley Street – following our enquiries, the Housing Department has completed works to a drainage issue affecting a house in Huxley Street. Residents said, “Many thanks, a job well done!”
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
Queen’s Park Book Festival
The 2022 Queen’s Park Book Festival will return on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2022.
Dogs
If you have any issues with dogs you can contact Crissie Chambers (canineculture@googlemail.com) as well as Nuno Reis (nreis@westminster.gov.uk) and they will deal with them together on their twice weekly patrols.
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.
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
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
Here is the latest news on the £6m Marble Arch Mound disaster
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
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
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, graffiti, broken paving stones and street lights and more to 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
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/queens-park/
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 as always for this bulletin and the work you do for the community.”
“Thank you so much, as without you, I think I’d still be on a roundabout with the council. You have been a great help”
“I can honestly say you and your colleagues have been a major factor in making this area become safer at the same time as retain its specialness. Of course, it has many problems, but I can’t imagine what it would be like if you and your team had not been in your roles.”
And finally…..
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg says:
“It has been a privilege to represent Queen’s Park ward residents for the past 25 years. I have met so many kind, interesting and friendly people and it has been an honour to be your Councillor. Thanks to all the Council officers, Health Service staff, local Police officers, Voluntary workers and Housing Association staff who have been working hard with us to improve life for residents. Wishing you all the very best for the future”.
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Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillors Paul Dimoldenberg, Patricia McAllister & Hamza Taouzzale and Labour Candidate Cara Sanquest
Your Queen’s Park Ward Labour Councillors and Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round
Facebook @QPLabourTeam
Promoted by Andy Whitely on behalf of the Queen’s Park Ward Labour candidates, all at 4G Shirland Mews, W9 3DY.