HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – Early May 2022
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors – Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Thank you to everyone who voted for us in last Thursday’s Council elections. We are truly humbled to have been elected as your Councillors and we will do all we can to repay the trust you have placed in us.
The results of the election in Hyde Park and elsewhere in Westminster can be found here https://www.westminster.gov.uk/about-council/democracy/elections-referendums-and-how-vote/local-elections-5-may-2022/hyde-park
The result was very close and we pledge to represent all residents in all parts of the ward. There will be a Labour Council in Westminster for the very first time and we will try our very best to deliver improved, high quality local services across the city.
We have already received many kind messages and we will be out and about across the ward to meet residents and take up local issues.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Connaught Square
A VW car has been abandoned outside 10 Connaught Square for months. It has been reported to the Council multiple times by residents and by the Labour Action Team. It has two flat tyres and many parking tickets. We have asked for it to be removed. The Parking Team say:
“The existence of a valid Road Tax and MOT prevents the Council from pursuing this vehicle as being abandoned by its owner. Attempts are being made to contact the registered keeper of the vehicle, whose details were provided by the DVLA, after the PCNs were issued. Additional steps have also been taken to verify any Police interest due to the presence of a handwritten note, displayed in the vehicle windscreen.
The Police have now confirmed that they are not pursuing the owner in connection to any other legal matter and provided the Road Tax is not renewed after its expiry, on 1 June 2022, the Council may then be able to legally remove the vehicle as being abandoned. In the meantime, the outstanding PCNs will continue to be pursued in accordance with the legislative process. Should they reach Warrant stage, after being registered as a civil debt with the Court, this is currently scheduled to occur by mid-June, a Certified Enforcement Agent (bailiff) may also be able to take control of the vehicle in respect of any unpaid debt.”
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Star Street
Following our enquiries about bikes tied to lampposts and coaches blocking the road outside the International School in Star Street, the City Inspector says:
“Footway Parking – as this is prohibited and restricts pedestrian access, our Marshals can issue Penalty Charge Notices and we will ask them to monitor the area.
International School Buses – enforcement is intelligence led and our Marshals are directed to monitor known areas of low compliance. Our records show that there have been 243 enforcement visits to the location, over the last 6 weeks. During that time, 240 Marshal visits were undertaken and 57 contraventions were recorded.”
Spring Street
We have asked the Parking and Highways Teams if they can take action on these two issues raised by a Spring Street resident:
“There are a lot of idled engines on Spring Street with people waiting in their cars with their engines on and this is not ok for obvious reasons”
“Please can you ensure the operators of the tourist buses are not playing out their automated/non-automated tour guide on speakerphone. Passengers can plug in and listen in earphones, it is very irritating to keep hearing it over and over again, not to have peace and quiet and learn about Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the 20th time”
The Parking Team say:
“This has been highlighted to the Marshals operating in the area, for further investigation, and appropriate follow up action. The Council’s approach to engine idling enforcement, along with any potential exemptions that may apply, depending on the circumstances, are further detailed on page 74 of our Kerbside Management and Enforcement Code of Practice.”
Sale Place
We have asked the Council to consider this request raised by a resident:
“Now that spring is in the air and all the hanging baskets in this area are in full bloom and beautiful, it makes it more noticeable that Sale Place is the only street that has been neglected. While the immediately neighbouring streets i.e. Sussex Gardens, Star Street, Southwick Street are all graced with the flower baskets, there is only one on the top end of Sale Place off Praed Street and none on the section between Sussex Garden and Star Street. We raised it with the council before to no avail.”
We have also asked the Highways Team to remove a number of redundant road signs from two of the lampposts in Sale Place.
Southwick Street
We are helping business owners in Southwick Street who are experiencing issues with the Planning Department.
Star Street/St Michael’s Street
We have continued to press Notting Hill Genesis to include full renovation works to the windows of properties in Star Street and St Michael’s Street, including double glazing to keep heat in and to reduce energy bills.
We have also urged NHG to fit new intercoms to those houses which do not have them, so that residents do not have to come up from the basement or down from upper floors to answer the door.
We have also continued to help residents with individual issues affecting their flats.
Eastbourne Terrace
We have written to the letting agents for the new office/retail development at 50 Eastbourne Terrace, at the corner of Craven Road, after receiving this enquiry from a resident:
“I would appreciate it if you could use your position to ensure that the retail space in the new development 50 Eastbourne Terrace by the new Elizabeth line goes to services actually useful for the local community i.e. bank branch, supermarket, gym etc.”
Praed Street
Following our enquiries about taxis picking up/dropping off outside the Hilton hotel at Paddington Station, the Parking Team say:
“This area of Praed Street remains subject to special enforcement measures with regular marshal visits occurring on a daily basis. TfL have previously conducted their own monitoring of the location and, like the Marshals, have engaged directly with members of the taxi trade to promote best parking practises. In addition, joint patrols, involving both the Marshals and TfL officers, are routinely carried out, subject to available resources, and these will next take place at the beginning of June 2022.
The placement of barriers on the carriageway, for the requested purpose, is not possible and whilst idling signs can be added, where street furniture permits, the proposed upcoming development of nearby Paddington Square will involve renovation works in the area to widen the footway on the North Side of Praed Street, outside the Hilton Hotel. This will provide more space for pedestrians and should deter taxies from informally ranking at the location.”
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road
We have continued to urge the Council to take action against the shops and restaurants which illegally dump rubbish on the pavement along Edgware Road.
The City Inspector tells us, “I will visit the shop and remind them of their duty of care to dispose of waste correctly and monitor the area for anything untoward.”
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens
The newly paved area by Boots at the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens is over-run by pigeons just weeks after the Council and the Marble Arch BID spent over £40,000 repaving the area and adding new seating. We asked for large ‘Don’t Feed the Pigeons’ signs to be located here, but the tiny sign that was put up has now been vandalised.
We need to put up cameras to identify who is feeding the pigeons and creating a health risk for us all.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
38-47a Chapel Street
The installation of the long-awaited bike stands for residents is expected to take place in the car park of 38-47a Chapel Street this week.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
5 Harbet Road
Following our enquiries to Octavia Housing regarding the cladding issues, we have received the following update:
“There has been some progress in respect of the fire alarms – the surveys are taking place this week so we are hopeful that works will commence soon. This should enable the waking watch to be removed. We continue to seek clarification on the cladding situation, unfortunately, we do not have any further update on the plans for this.”
We have asked Octavia to keep us posted on progress.
Other Issues
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
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/
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
“Thanks for all your courage and dedication. We are all with you.”
“Thank you for your actions in the Hyde Park ward.”
“Thank you for all the work that you do – and the most informative updates”
“Thanks very much and once again well done for a well-deserved win. Lovely to get a response from a councillor. We are not used to it!”
“HyPER warmly congratulates Councillors Md Shamsed Chowdhury, Paul Dimoldenberg and Judith Southern on their victory in yesterday’s Westminster Council elections. We look forward to working closely with them as representatives of the Hyde Park Ward on the many initiatives they have outlined to improve our community.
During their campaign, they put forward policies to promote healthier, cleaner and greener spaces along with bold and imaginative planning strategies. HyPER members look forward to collaborating with them and the rest of the Council on these and other initiatives, for example, to promote local businesses.”
“Congratulations to you and your team! I know you all worked hard for this.”
“Very well done. You certainly deserve to have won, given the time and effort you have invested in Hyde Park Ward.”
“Congratulations. Well done. Very proud of you all. Keep up the good work.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
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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 Councillors – Here to Help, All Year Round
You can contact us at hplabour@gmail.com
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