James Small-Edwards, Maggie Carman & Max Sullivan
James Small-Edwards, Maggie Carman & Max Sullivan

BAYSWATER & LANCASTER GATE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – May 2022

News from Councillor Maggie Carman, James Small-Edwards and Max Sullivan, your Labour Candidates in Bayswater, and

Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby, your Lancaster Gate Labour Candidates

 YOUR LABOUR CANDIDATES

Your three Bayswater Labour candidates are:

  • Maggie Carman was first elected in 2018 and has worked tirelessly for residents ever since, from getting families out of bad housing to stopping the Royal Oak coach station. She’s working for safer neighbourhoods.
  • James Small-Edwards was born and bred here and has supported the community by working at a local food bank and being a vaccine marshall. He’s championing better housing, cleaner streets and a green future for Bayswater. You can read more about James in this recent interview he did with the Guardian: https://bit.ly/3O7y5LI
  • Max Sullivan has lived in the area since 2013. He is appalled at Tory waste in Westminster including £6m on the Mound and is campaigning for cleaner air and to rebuild services for young people in Westminster.

Please vote for all three of us on 5th May.

Your three Lancaster Gate Labour candidates are:

  • Dario Goodwin has campaigned to save local pubs, reduce food waste, and stop cuts. He’s written on cities and inequality and wants to stop our future being outsourced to developers.
  • Ryan Jude is a green finance expert and spent the pandemic delivering essentials to residents. He’s got dozens of ideas for improving Lancaster Gate and making us a carbon-free Council.
  • Ellie Ormsby is already working for you, helping neighbours sort problems on their streets and campaigning for a cleaner, greener and safer ward. She’s fighting for housing for all and protection for renters. You can read an interview with Ellie here https://www.youngfabians.org.uk/meet_the_candidate_ellie_ormsby

Please vote for all three of us on 5th May. 

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.

WARD NEWS AND ACTION

Fighting to save Queensway Post Office

Good news that an alternative site has been found for Queensway Post Office. But why was the service ever under threat?

Well… Conservatives on Westminster Council granted planning permission to developers for the row of shops in Queensway which included the Post Office. At that time they chose not to challenge the developer to provide a new site for the post office…. But then it got close to an election and so they started a campaign against.. themselves!  The Post Office were always committed to providing a service in the area – this is what they wrote to Karen Buck MP:

“We appreciate that our customers are concerned about the future of Queensway Post Office due to the redevelopment of the area. We are aware of the development and are in discussions with the postmaster about future plans. The postmaster currently runs the Post Office on a temporary basis and is considering submitting an application to operate the branch on a permanent basis. As you know the branch will also need to move to new premises.  A proposal for new premises isn’t yet agreed, although there is a location under consideration at the moment. Discussions are at an early stage but when we confirmed proposals for the branch, we will update you and the local community.”

The Colonnades

Councillor Maggie Carman and Max Sullivan visited The Colonnades at the request of the Residents’ Committee.  Following her visit, Maggie wrote to the Management Company, the London Fire Brigade and the Council to ask that the following issues are addressed:

  • The fire doors located on the T Section, glass entrance side in the 100 block are defective.  There is a dangling electrical wire and the mag lock fixtures have been ripped out.  Also, one of the doors needs to be trimmed as the thick carpet would impede its closing.  This needs to be fixed urgently as a fire safety measure.
  • The Ornamental Gardens has been closed for years.  Could you please share your plan of action for restoring and opening the Gardens?
  • The lighting on the stairs and in the common areas of the 300 block urgently needs attention. Several of the lights are not working.  Some lights are constantly flickering, which is not only unpleasant but could trigger an epilepsy attack.  The 300 block is markedly dilapidated with some plaster bubbling on walls due to damp, and a persistent mouldy smell.

The London Fire Brigade says, “I have spoken to the Managing Agents this morning and they have assured me that their maintenance team will be on site asap. I have stated the urgency in this matter and have asked them to update me when the team have been down and what their findings and actions are.”

The Property Management Company said:

Firstly, I can confirm that the doors at the end of the T-section of the 100 block have now been adjusted so that they close correctly.  Regarding the lights in the stairwells, I have inspected this and am aware that the emergency lighting has power to it (as evidenced by the small green light that can be seen). These lights will activate in an emergency, which means that the staircase will be lit when required. Not all lights in the stairwell are emergency lights, and the lights that are not working are not the emergency lights. We have instructed an electrician to take a look at repairing these.

We are aware of some emergency lights that are flicking, particularly in the 300 block. We have asked the maintenance team if these can be turned off so that they are only activated in an emergency. I can also confirm that I have been in touch with LFB on these matters and have updated them accordingly.”

Ma Dame nightclub victory

It was a fantastic victory for long suffering residents of Westbourne Park Road, Porchester Road and Celbridge Mews when Ma Dame nightclub lost its licence in a tense hearing at a special Licensing Committee Review at City Hall.

For years residents were plagued by noisy revellers leaving the club in the early hours of the morning, shouting, slamming car doors and carrying on partying. Long-time resident, Charlie Avis, recounted how he had been assaulted while trying to film evidence.  The panel also heard how residents, Erika Pilkington and Juliette Wright, whose homes shared a party wall with Ma Dame, were reduced to leaving their homes at the weekend to escape the incessant noise.  The panel were shown some shocking images of defecation, urination and vomit in the Mews along with videos of rowdy behaviour and drug use.

Councillor Maggie Carman worked closely over the years with local residents to call for the licence review.  Residents were sick to death of their complaints being ignored and were at a loss to understand how the club’s owner, given the deeply concerning issues raised at the hearing, were allowed to continue running the club for so long. Councillor Maggie Carman said,  “It was due to the dogged persistence of local residents in the face of Tory Council indifference that we got this fantastic result.”

Charlie Avis said to Maggie, “Amazing result!  It’s been a long journey and you’ve been with us all the way.”

Erica Pilkington said: “I cannot thank you enough for your help getting the Ma Dame licence revoked; your hard work and dedication is epitomised by your willingness to attend a 7-hour licence review hearing last Friday, to speak on behalf of Bayswater residents – at a busy time when I know you could have been out canvassing.

Your dogged refusal to take no for an answer, and your determination to hold responsible authorities to account was key to getting the Ma Dame nightclub licence revoked after 7 long years of misery for residents. For the first time I will be voting Labour at the local elections. With best wishes to you and your fellow candidates.”

Other residents said: “Just read that all our efforts, particularly the tireless Erika, have paid off! Wonderful news. Thank you so much for putting my points across which Erika said you did eloquently! I do hope we can meet up again in due course, if not before, outside voting station!! Finally someone in Westminster CC who listens.. hurrah!” 

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/04/23/victory-for-bayswater-residents-as-ma-dame-nightclub-loses-its-licence/

Porchester Square Gardens

We have called on the Council to fix the entrance gate to Porchester Square Gardens which does not close properly. The long delay in fixing the gate is totally unacceptable.

Shrewsbury Gardens

We are making enquiries about the progress with the renovations at Shrewsbury Gardens. Residents say, “The park has been closed for some time now with very little evidence of any work being done.”

Hereford Road

We have continued to press Notting Hill Genesis to explain and justify the steep increase in service charges on two flats on Hereford Road. We have asked why there is a disparity in charges between them, as they are of similar size.

Gloucester Terrace – Housing issues

We have asked the Housing Department to inspect two Council properties in

Gloucester Terrace where the condition of the communal stairwell is appalling. We have asked the Housing Department to clean it up and carry out repairs who say:

“This communal area sits in the major works package and not general repairs. We will prepare a response with time scales for the works shortly and will let you know.”

We have also chased the Housing Department to urge them to re-let a number of vacant Council flats in Gloucester Terrace that have been vacant for some time.

Gloucester Terrace – Traffic

Residents have also asked about the high levels of traffic on Gloucester Terrace when the A40 is closed. The Highways Team say that Transport for London will be closing the Westway (A40) at weekends for a few months:

“There are warning sign in place to advise drivers of the closure however our Street works team have asked Transport for London to install additional signage to the approach roads as well, to hopefully rectify the issue.”

Newton Road 

Councillor Maggie Carman has contacted Notting Hill Genesis about problems being caused by a malfunctioning fire alarm in a flat in Newton Road. The resident told us:

“I called out the gas board and NHG and also removed the kitchen alarm in an attempt to silence the alarm which continued to ring for 2 days. On removing the kitchen alarm, I discovered a label displaying that the alarm should have been replaced by January 2016. On inspection of the other alarms it shows that all of them are out of date.” 

Following Maggie’s enquiries, residents said: “Thank you for contacting my landlord. They have arranged an appointment for this week so am really appreciative of your help with this. I shall be, as always, voting for team red next week”.

Kildare Gardens 

We are continuing to help Council tenants in Kildare Gardens with their long-running problems and have just heard that the repairs will soon be undertaken and the Council will pay compensation for the problems they have had to endure. 

St Stephen’s Gardens/Westbourne Park Road

Following our request to the Council to deter rubbish dumping by locating planters at the junction of St Stephen’s Gardens and Westbourne Park Road, where the big black bins were located, the Refuse Team say: 

I’ve asked our Highways team to look into installing planters at this location – I believe they’ve had a number of requests for other similar locations too.”

Late Night Railway working 

We are making enquiries with the Council and Network Rail about noise from railway works late at night (e.g. regularly at 1am) recently. This is affecting residents in Orsett Terrace and Porchester Road. 

Pickering House, Hallfield

Following our enquiries about poor lighting in Pickering House, the Housing Department has told us:

“Our team have attended the site and tested the communal lighting on the stairs. Following site visit a work order was raised to repair the low-level defective lights on each of the two staircases. We will extend the circuit to add an additional LED light to the left-hand staircase.”

Marlow House, Hallfield

Following our enquiries to the Housing Department about a problem that has been causing misery for residents on and off for over 20 years, the problem has now been resolved. The Housing Department says:

“Our surveyor inspected this with abseilers and drainage contractors on 21 April 2022. During this inspection, with the use of cameras, they found a plastic bottle stuck in a 3-inch pipe. This is causing a major issue when we get heavy rain, the pipes are designed to hold water and allow water to pass through; therefore, we believe the blockage is causing the water to not escape quick enough and leak through the pipe causing the leak. We are attending on 29th April 2022 to core the pipe which will break the plastic bottle and remove the blockage, we will then test the pipe afterwards.”

Caernarvon House, Hallfield

We are helping a resident in Caernarvon House on the Hallfield Estate with various housing issues, including a fly infestation, which the Council has known about but has yet to action. We are applying pressure, alongside Karen Buck MP, to ensure this situation is fixed immediately.

Craven Hill Gardens

After working with residents and the managing agents to get a fair compromise on the access charge for Craven Hill Gardens, Bruton, the managing agents, have now begun to consult with residents on the new payment cycle. Residents should check their post this week for an update from Bruton. The managing agents have adopted our suggested approach of transparency on cost and increased outreach to ensure residents understand the payment system and are more easily able to sign up. This will thereby reduce the cost per resident to the benefit of all. 

Craven Road 

We have asked the Council to provide more information to residents on Craven Road about the Thames Water tanker that continues to be parked outside 33 Craven Road. Repairs to the collapsed sewer connection were expected to be completed by 11th May, but Thames Water say this may now take longer. We have asked for reassurances that the tanker noise will cease during anti-social hours.

Chilworth Street

We have asked the City Inspector to investigate this issue and take the necessary action:

“I am writing regarding the flats on 18, 20 and 22 Chilworth Street, which are all used as serviced apartments. The short-term residents regularly leave their garbage on the pavement in front of these three addresses. Permanent residents inevitably have to pick it up to put it in the nearby bins to avoid the situation quickly deteriorating. Could notices be given to all three addresses to let them know that refuse should be brought to the bins on the corner of Westbourne Terrace, just a few meters away.”

Praed Street taxi ‘idling’

We have asked the Council to take action to stop taxis using the area in front of the Hilton Hotel at Paddington Station as a drop-off/pick-up point. Residents say:

“I have seen this myself many times, and today walked past to take a few pictures. In the space of 1 minute, five different black cabs idled here, and one Uber. One of the black cabs even kept its engine on while the driver left the vehicle!”

Bayswater Road 

We have asked the Council if any action can be taken about this issue: 

“I am writing to you regarding what seems to me to be arbitrary actions by people affiliated with the Embassy of Russia. It appears to me that they are engaging in cancelling freedom of speech rights of lawful citizens and residents.  I have noticed that periodically they take up to the task of removing posters denouncing the illegal war in Ukraine that are placed on the north side of Bayswater Road across the street from the embassy. A couple of days ago I noticed two individuals that were removing such material. They walked heading north on Palace Court, and dumped the removed material in the bins located on Moscow Road, to head back south on Ossington Street. I found their attitude very threatening when I asked them why they removed the posters placed by people protesting the war.”

Dog Waste bins

We have reported a number of dog waste issues, including Salem Road, Westbourne Grove and at the corner of Needham Road/Artesian Road where we have asked for bins to be located. So far, there is a reinstated bin at the corner of Needham Road and Artesian Road, and some signage along Artesian Road. 

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

£6 million Marble Arch Mound 

Here is the latest news on the £6m Marble Arch Mound disaster

https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/they-squandered-6-million-councillors-23745629?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

‘Clean Air Bayswater’

‘Clean Air Bayswater’ say:

“We are delighted to announce the launch of ‘Clean Air Bayswater’ and we would like to invite you to our launch event on Wednesday 15 June 7-8pm at St Stephen’s Church, Westbourne Park Road. The key speaker at the event will be Dr Gary Fuller, Lecturer in Pollution at Imperial College London who will tell us more about air pollution, how we can minimise our exposure and take questions from you. 

Air pollution affects our lungs, heart and brain, irrespective of our age. Clean Air Bayswater is a community group which aims to improve our health, well-being and the air we breathe by encouraging everyone living or working in Bayswater to join in, and take some simple steps to reduce air pollution in our area and have some fun in the process.  Our 12-month programme is supported by the Breathe London programme run by Imperial college and by Westminster City Council. Visit our website https://clean-air-bayswater.co.uk

Council Tax Rebate

Residents have contacted us about the £150 Council Tax fuel rebate which is available to residents living in properties in Council Tax bands A-D. Some residents believe they have been wrongly placed in Band E which means they do not qualify for the £150 fuel rebate. Council Tax bands are set by the Valuation Office (central government agency) and residents have the right to appeal to the Valuation Office – contact www.gov.uk/contact-voa

Flooding 

Thames Water will be surveying all the properties impacted by the 12th July floods. To be included in the survey, you must fill in their form (https://bit.ly/3EU0d0Q). After this, they will survey the sewers of the property, and install devices, such as one-way valves, if needed. Stage 1 of the independent report has admitted that Bayswater and Lancaster Gate were the worst affected areas in London on July 12th, so we encourage affected residents to fill in the form.

Regulating Airbnb premises

To help residents in Bayswater, Lancaster Gate 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.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/03/23/karen-buck-mp-and-westminster-labour-call-for-action-on-airbnb/

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.

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

We are chasing up the Home Office regarding delays to their ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. 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. 

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/02/05/westminster-labour-calls-for-local-action-to-help-with-energy-bills/

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

Supporting Leaseholders

Local leaseholders have given us details of two organisations which are able to help leaseholders in battles against freeholders:

The Leasehold Partnership (run by leaseholders and solicitors)

https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com

The National Leasehold Campaign (set up leaseholders)

https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org

Policing

For the latest local police statistics see https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/bayswater/ and https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/lancaster-gate/

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.

https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2021/11/05/introducing-a-green-new-deal-for-westminster/

Child Poverty

We are committed to working towards a child poverty free London. Despite being one of the UK’s richest councils, 41.29% of children in Westminster are in poverty. This is why we have all signed the London Child Poverty Allowance Pledge. So far, no Conservative candidates have committed to this. You can read more here: https://www.childpovertylondon.org/pledge-wall

Bike Hangars

Please let us know if you would like to suggest locations for additional bike hangars where bikes can be stored safely and securely.

‘Westminster Extra’

You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ onlinehttps://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.

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 

Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE

Interactive Map

You can see the latest Covid data for your area here

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

 What you say

“Thanks. Keep up the good work” 

“Thanks for your efforts. Good luck next week, my son and I voted for you” 

“I have just heard from my parents that they have received a direct debit notification from NHG reducing the service charge! So, I think your intervention must have had an effect.”

Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.

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

Keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours.

Regards

Councillor Maggie Carman, James Small-Edwards and Max Sullivan

Your Bayswater Labour Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round

Bayswater@westminsterlabour.org

Tweet @bayswaterLabour

 

Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby

Your Lancaster Gate Labour Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round

Email: lg@westminsterlabour.org

Tweet @LancGateLabour

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancGateLabour/

Promoted by Andy Whitley on behalf of the Bayswater Ward Labour Candidates and Connor Jones on behalf of the Lancaster Gate Ward Labour candidates, all at 4G Shirland Mews, W9 3DY.

Dario Goodwin, Ellie Ormsby & Ryan Jude
Dario Goodwin, Ellie Ormsby & Ryan Jude
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