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ST JOHN’S WOOD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2022

News from your Westminster Labour Councillors 

Dear Resident

We hope you are well.

This is our latest Action Report on the issues we have been taking up on behalf of residents in the St John’s Wood area over recent weeks.

Please let us know if we can be of any help with issues in your street or block and we will do our very best to help. 

Grove End Road

We asked the Highways Team to take action on this issue in Grove End Road raised by residents:

“For over a month now a drain cover in the pavement in front of John & Lizzies hospital in Grove End Road has had water spilling out of it onto the pavement and into the gutter. Someone must have told either the council or Thames Water because over a month ago a barrier was put around it. Absolutely nothing has been done since the barrier was erected. It’s busy there with people walking in and out of the hospital and those who pass it both ways every day.” 

The Street Inspector tells us:

“We had already reported this to Thames Water. Additionally, as there is an issue with a small amount of damage to the footway as a result of the leak, we had the barriers placed there by our contractors as a temporary make safe precaution. I have raised this again to request an update from Thames Water as to when they propose to carry out a permanent repair of the leak and the footway.” 

Residents say, “At least it’s being dealt with now and whoever is responsible will have to do something and not just carry on as if it’s not there. I’m really impressed by how you got things moving!”

Scott Ellis Gardens 

We have asked the Housing Department to investigate and fix this issue in Scott Ellis Gardens: 

“A huge pane of glass in the stairwell on the ground floor leading up to stairs on various floors has been completely smashed.  This is a beautiful pane of toughened glass and could only have been done with a hammer.  I just do not know what the answer is to this level of vandalism but something mut be done about it. I would appreciate your thoughts on this please and hopefully the repair of the glass pane before it falls out and causes injury.”

The Housing Department say, “the area in question has been boarded to make safe and the glass will be renewed ASAP.”

Clifton Hill

We asked the Council to explain this issue:

“Much surprise yesterday in Clifton Hill when 7-8 very enthused WCC Veolia contractors armed with hoes and brooms started scraping dirt and weeds from between paving stones and around kerbs.  It seems WCC was cleaning areas that hadn’t been disturbed in 7 years. Is this a programme for across Westminster?”

The Council says:

“This weeding and detailed cleaning is normal business as usual activity by Veolia’s cleansing operation.  This week the focus for the team has been Springfield Road, Clifton Hill and Boundary Road area and moves around all residential areas repeatedly doing this through spring/summer when weeds are growing.”

Marlborough Hill

We asked the Waste Team to investigate this issue in Marlborough Hill:

“All our waste is collected on Thursday and the food and general recycling was collected today with no problem.  However, despite stopping in the street and collecting some black sacks that had been left on the pavement, the dustman did not empty my wheelie bin.  It is full to bursting.  I chased down the street after the lorry, but I couldn’t catch it.  I have phoned the Council but was told it is not an emergency and I should contact the council on Monday and they might be able to arrange a collection. I have nowhere to put my rubbish.” 

The missed waste collection was logged and the wheelie bin was emptied a few days later.

Robinsfield School

At the request of parents, we have asked the Council to investigate the establishment of a ‘School Street’ outside Robinsfield School.

Chagford Street

We have asked the Council to improve the street sweeping and waste collection service in Chagford Street. The Highways Team say:

“The weeding has been started on this road and will be fully completed by the end of tomorrow. The road has also been swept again, and is back to a Grade A level of cleanliness. It will be monitored more closely by Veolia’s environment managers over the coming weeks to ensure standards don’t slip.”

Residents say, “Many thanks, I really appreciate your response and the fact the street has been nicely cleaned.”

Circus Road/Wellington Road

We have asked the City Inspector to investigate this issue raised by a resident: 

“Please try and do something about the Sushi Café at corner of Circus Road/Wellington Road St John’s Wood encroaching more and more on the little public space. They have 4 tables and 16 chairs there and now large flowerpots in front of the two benches which are there for locals and visitors to sit on. These tables are nearly always empty. It is sometimes difficult to walk past with ease, hardly any space for a wheelchair to get through.”

The City Inspector says, “The business has a valid table and chairs licence for use outside on Circus Road. It has also recently applied for additional table and chairs to the side of its property. Residents can make representations online at streettradinglicensing@westminster.gov.uk www.westminster.gov.uk/planning 

Blandford Estate

The Cycling Team has given us the following update:

“We have 6 cycle lockers proposed to be installed within the estate following liaison with housing estate managers and their feedback from residents and ward members. The lockers have been ordered and we are currently awaiting an update in terms of delivery date.” 

We have also urged the Housing Department to assist an elderly resident in Lascelles House.

Hamilton Gardens 

We have asked the Refuse Team to sort out a problem with rubbish collections in Hamilton Gardens to ensure that rubbish is collected regularly.

Food Waste Recycling

Thanks to all those who responded with comments on the new food waste recycling service. Here is a selection of what you said:

“I love it! I was so excited to have the option since it’s not possible for us to compost in our flat. Thank you again for making food waste collection a thing – we are so grateful!

“With the food waste collection it is all going well.  I was skeptical at first, but it has actually been easier than anticipated and the reduction in regular waste collection has not been a problem.  My one suggestion would be that the service is expanded to include the collection of garden waste such as grass and plant cuttings.”

“Regarding the food and waste recycling services – they’re fantastic! No complaints at all.”

“We have a compost heap and don’t eat that much meat or fish, but we do add such non-veg remains as we have to the recycling. It seems to work well. I hope it makes people more aware of waste. “

“I believe the food waste programme is unnecessary and the recycling waste collection once a week is fit for purpose. Plastic unused buckets appear to litter the streets with this project.”

“We are very pleased with the new food waste collection system. We no longer have much ordinary trash. It is a waste of money to collect it twice a week. Once is more than enough.” 

“I have been recycling food waste for some time now and am very happy with the procedure.  Separating the food waste from general landfill in an airtight caddie is great as it stops the smell of food waste mixing with general waste.”

OTHER ISSUES

Cost of Living Crisis 

Westminster City Council provides information on its website for residents in financial difficulty. There is also information about how to find a food bank and how to get referred.

Bus Service cuts proposals

Transport for London is running a consultation about the goverment’s-demanded cuts, which would remove around 250 buses, with 78 routes cut and 16 routes axed altogether. The 11, 12, 14, 16, 24, 31, 74, N11, N16, N31 and N74 are among the routes in Westminster where cuts are being considered.

All are routes residents rely on to get to work, to see family and friends, to access services or to do their shopping. And despite TfL’s attempts to keep cuts to overlapping routes, the government’s demands for £400m in cuts and a reduction in the overall bus network by 4% mean that some buses will disappear altogether.

TfL has extended the closing date for this consultation to Sunday 7 August 2022.

https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/busreview

Here is a summary of the proposed changes to bus routes into central London

Summary of route changes

You can read more here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/06/01/dont-let-the-government-cut-our-buses/

Walking

A new edition of a beautifully illustrated walking map has been released by Footways, plotting hundreds of kilometres of scenic, safe and pedestrian-friendly walking routes in central London. The map, which is also available as a digital copy with geolocation – encourages Londoners to choose walking to get around their city.

https://footways.london/digital-map

Waste/recycling collection and street cleaning

Waste/recycling collection and street cleaning schedules for all streets can be checked at:

http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx

Recycling bags

Recycling bags can be ordered from

https://webforms.westminster.gov.uk/order-recycling-bags/

Bags will be delivered within approximately 10 days of order.

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

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

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

https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=09649383-4dbb-4a3d-b164-9d26398578f3

What you say

“Very best wishes for the great success at local elections, with you lot and Karen Buck at the helm I feel a whole lot better!”

“Many congratulations on winning this flagship borough of Westminster and I sincerely hope we will see an improvement in services which have been lacking in recent years.”

“Thank you for your prompt reply to my recent email which is very much appreciated and I hope that in due course the Labour administration will succeed where the previous one failed, in adopting a zero tolerance policy to anti-social behaviour.”

Many thanks

Regards

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg
Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality
Westminster City Council

pdimoldenberg@westminster.gov.uk

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