News from your Westminster Labour Councillors – Adam Hug, Angela Piddock and David Boothroyd

Here’s our September Action Report – a snapshot of some of the issues we’ve been dealing in recent months as your local Councillors, alongside the casework we take up on behalf of individuals and families.

Click here to receive our regular Action Reports direct to your inbox

NEWS, CASEWORK AND ACTION

Need help with a local issue? Please get in touch:

• David Boothroyd: dboothroyd@westminster.gov.uk
• Angela Piddock: apiddock@westminster.gov.uk
• Adam Hug: leader@westminster.gov.uk

Amberley Estate

Earlier in the summer we visited the Amberley Estate and reported several problems in Downfield and Clearwell. As a result, the Housing Department redecorated and repaired ceilings, removed dumped cigarettes from a balcony and cleaned out various light fittings. We are aware of ongoing problems on the estate so please do get in touch to let us know so we can ensure the Housing Department takes action

UK Power Networks Work

To install a new mains electricity supply from the substation on Amberley Road, UK Power Networks have had to dig up Amberley Road, Foscote Mews and Sutherland Avenue. We have been making sure the disruption is kept to a minimum and local people are properly informed. UK Power Networks Customer Help and Information Point remains at the junction of Sutherland Avenue and Castellain Road, staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.

Rug Cafe

The relatively new Rug Cafe (on the site of the Old Windsor Castle pub) has unfortunately suffered several break-ins and has contacted us for assistance. We escalated the issue with the Westminster Police (to Commander level), and as a result both the local Safer Neighbourhood teams and Council officers have visited several times to support the Cafe with crime prevention measures, reassurance and increased efforts to identify the perpetrators.

Academy Sports Pitch Replacement Works

Disappointingly the reasonably new surfaces at the 8-a-side and 6-a-side pitches at the Academy Sport have had to be replaced (thankfully at no cost to the Council or the Academy) with a new more robust, hard-wearing surface more suitable for the pitches. Work on some of the pitches took place in late July with the completion of the works due in September.

New Inclusive Playground on Alfred Road

After years of relative neglect (due to being previously managed by the Council’s leisure team-linked to Academy Sport; rather than the Parks Team) lobbying by your Ward Councillors and the efforts of the Labour-run Council have produced results. The playground on Alfred Road will be re-opening in September with new facilities that are accessible to children with disabilities and more active management of the space.

Warwick and Brindley

Your local Councillors have had the broken paving slabs on Bourne Terrace fixed and a dangerous hole in the car park of the 161-233 Bourne Terrace block repaired. We have worked with residents to improve the situation with the broken intercom at Gaydon House. We have had the dumped builders’ waste on Woodchester Square removed.

When some residents on the estate reported that they were being charged extra for heating and hot water through the cyclo electric system, we had it checked out by the Energy Managers at Westminster Housing. And they found the residents were right. We think everyone who was wrongly charged has now had their bill recalculated.

108 Bourne Terrace (the former Lime/Ariana building)

For several years the Council has been chasing the absentee owners of 108 Bourne Terrace for outstanding business rates and the poor condition of the building. The Council put in place a Section 215 order to improve the maintenance of the land. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly the owners have failed to comply with the notice at the time of writing.

Ponding on Westbourne Terrace Road

When it rains, water does not drain away at the bottom of Westbourne Terrace Road forming a large pool. Westbourne Councillors have contacted the Highways Team, who have agreed to remove the guard rail and unblock the gully.

Use The Report It Tool Online

If you spot any issues on local streets, you can use the online Report It tool which will alert the Highways Team very quickly. It’s very easy to use. The best link is: https://report.westminster.gov.uk/?filter_group=Street%20works

Woodfield Road

Some broken paving slabs on Woodfield Road were repaired and replaced when residents alerted us to the trip hazard. The Highways Team will keep checking because building work at Taxi House is continuing.

We have also asked about the patch repair to the cobbles from a few years ago. Officers are looking at what they can do to put Woodfield Road cobbles forward on the ‘Planned Preventive Maintenance’ programme.

Canalside: Present and Future 

The consultation on the Council’s plans for Grand Union Canalside has now closed.

For now, most of the Canalside is fully controlled by the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT). Your local Councillors and Council Officers have been working to pressure them and the Police to tackle anti-social behaviour and rubbish dumping associated with rough sleeping on the Canalside. Attempts have been made to encourage the rough sleepers in the area to move into accommodation and receive homelessness support but they have often been unwilling to engage with services. Work is ongoing with the Police and CRT about legal measures available to assist here.

Masjid Khalil Gets Planning Permission

We have helped the Masjid Khalil and Asian Cultural Centre, in the basement of 5 Sutherland Avenue with an entrance on Harrow Road, to sort out its planning permission. The shop basements were converted over 20 years ago and have become very popular, but have caused parking problems in the area. We now have an agreement for a management plan that will allow the Mosque to open when needed and be a good neighbour.

Travis Perkins Development Concerns

The ‘Travis Perkins’ site is just outside Westbourne Ward but Councillor David Boothroyd has written with concerns about the proposed design and objections to the site being focused on student housing rather than for local people.

Westbourne Summer Festival

On the 23rd June Westbourne Councillors attended the Westbourne Summer Festival. Yet again we were lucky with the weather. The sun shone on a variety of activities and stalls with information about local community groups. There were donkey rides, a performance by a local choir as well as the usual array of stalls with information about healthy eating, the environment etc. This is an annual event supported financially by Westbourne Councillors’ ward budget.

Windrush

On the 22nd June at Paddington Arts there was a Windrush Day Cultural Event. As well as being a celebration of the contribution the Windrush generation to life in Westminster, it was an opportunity for local businesses to showcase and sell their products. The event opened with a performance by one of the founding Carnival steel pan bands, Nostalgia Steel Pans. There was a talk on the history of Windrush and the community from Ansell Wong. The whole celebration was rounded off very successfully by Peter Straker, singer and performer.

Graffiti Clean-up

We have helped one resident with graffiti that appeared during last year’s Carnival, but which the routine graffiti clean-up could not deal with as it was too high up the building. We took up the issue with the Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, who volunteered to repaint the building as a goodwill gesture.

Asking a Question at Council Meetings

The Council has agreed to include a new Public Participation item at all Ordinary Full Council meetings. The link below will take you to the online form to submit questions or petitions: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/about-council/democracy/public-participation-full-council-meetings

For further details contact public.speaking@westminster.gov.uk

Refuse and Recycling Collection – Useful Links

• Food waste recycling expansion
• Check your refuse and recycling times
• Check what you can recycle
• Check the A-Z recycling directory
• Find out how to recycle electronics
• Order recycling bags online (delivery within 10 days)

Request secure bicycle storage

Labour-run Westminster Council is committed to speeding up the roll-out of secure cycle storage in Westminster. Please register your interest here.

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. Please note this is not an emergency service.

Voting by Post

It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. Apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/postal-voting It only takes 5 minutes and you will need your national insurance number to hand.

Alternatively download a form to fill in here  You can email your completed form to electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk   or post it to Electoral Services, Westminster City Council, City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.

‘Westminster Extra’

You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online PDF edition, or check their website for local news.

Pest control

If you are a Westminster tenant, you can report issues with pests in your home by calling 0800 358 0514 or emailing: pestcontrol@westminster.gov.uk

Dogs

If you have any issues with dogs or animal cruelty, please contact animalwelfare@westminster.gov.uk. The team addresses animal cruelty cases and offers support, advice, relevant signposting and the appropriate tools to those that need it.  They are the only team with the delegated authority to enforce the Animal Welfare Act and in worst-case scenarios the authority to seize animals.

USEFUL CONTACTS

• If you feel as though you or someone you know is struggling to cope for any reason please call the Samaritans 24/7 helpline on 116 123. If you would rather speak to someone over text, text “SHOUT” to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 support. In an emergency, call 999.
• The Angelou Centre helps women & girls affected by domestic violence & abuse. Call free & confidentially on:  0808 801 0660 (Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm, Wed 6pm – 9pm.)Translators available. Or call 0208 741 7008 (Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Thurs  10am – 9pm) Translators available.
• If you or anyone you know are experiencing domestic abuse contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline by calling 0800 2000 247. In an emergency, call 999.
• Age UK Westminster for people over 50 for shopping service, and other support. Call 020 3004 5610 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday). Email: enquiries@ageukwestminster.org.uk
• Westminster Citizen’s Advice Bureau provide information, advice and support covering areas such as welfare benefits, housing and financial hardship. Call 0808 278 7834 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
• Community Living Well for all Westminster residents – call 020 3317 4200 (Wellbeing services including benefits, debt and employment advice)
• Shelter Westminster for people with housing difficulties – call 0344 515 1540 between the hours of 9:30am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
• Cardinal Hume Centre The Cardinal Hume Centre supports families and young people facing poverty and homelessness by helping them to thrive – Call between 09:30 and 13:30, Mon-Fri on 0207 227 1673 or email info@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk
• The Passage, for people who are homeless – call 020 7592 1850 or email clients@passage.org.uk (open Monday – Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3:30pm)
• Carers Network for unpaid carers – call 020 8960 3033, Monday to friday 9am – 5pm or email info@carers-network.org.uk
• Nucleus Legal and Debt Advice Service – Call between 10am – 4pm Mon-Fri on 020 7373 4005 or email info@nucleus.org.uk