KNIGHTSBRIDGE & BELGRAVIA WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – February 2026
News from your Knightsbridge & Belgravia Labour Action Team
Dear Resident,
We hope you find our latest Action Report of interest and help.
Every week we go door-knocking to ask residents if there are any local issues on which we can help. Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance at labour4knights.belgr@gmail.com
Please let us know how we are doing by completing our residents’ survey https://bit.ly/Residents-survey-25-2
NEWS AND ACTION
Council to freeze the main Westminster element of Council Tax for 2026/27
Westminster City Council plans to freeze the main Westminster element of Council Tax for 2026/27 to help residents deal with cost-of-living pressures. The adult social care precept that funds care for the elderly and disabled will see a below-inflation rise of just two percent, meaning the Westminster share of the bill that Band D payers receive will increase by just 20p a week and maintain the second lowest Council Tax in the country. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/keeping-council-tax-low-while-investing-our-communities
Council help for St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square and St Peter’s Primary School
Westminster City Council is investing more than £650,000 into a range of improvements at St Peter’s Church Eaton Square and St Peter’s Primary School via the Community Infrastructure Levy.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities place on new development to help fund the infrastructure needed to support local communities. A portion of the levy collected is designated as Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL). Westminster City Council allocates NCIL funds through a public application process, which is open quarterly.
In the latest round, St Peter’s Eaton Square Primary School was awarded £337,964 for playground improvements and St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square was awarded £314,464 for the replacement of a lift and refurbishment of the Parish Hall.
One Hyde Park
Residents living in One Hyde Park are facing a ‘decade of misery’ despite winning a decade-long court case over defective piping issues that cost £35 million.
Mobile phone thefts cut
The Metropolitan Police has cut mobile phone theft offences by 10,000 in the past year following its largest ever crackdown on phone thieves. Over the last four weeks, officers made 248 arrests related to phone theft and seized about 770 stolen phones. https://news.met.police.uk/pressreleases/met-cuts-phone-theft-by-10000-offences-following-year-long-crackdown-3432888
A crackdown on Airbnb lets
A crackdown on Airbnb lets is set to be unveiled to target abuses. Details of the online registration scheme for short-term lets, including how it will operate, who will run it, and measures to make it effective, are likely to be announced by April. Up to 9,300 short-term lets a year in Westminster have been in breach of a 90-night rule, the maximum time they can be rented out annually without planning permission. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/airbnb-booking-com-london-let-rent-flat-tourists-westminster-b1268929.html
Leaseholders – ground rents capped
Leaseholders are set to benefit from a major shake-up of the outdated leasehold system – with ground rents set to be capped at £250 a year. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-were-capping-ground-rents-at-250
Good news for private renters
The Council’s Selective Licensing Scheme improves our ability to regulate and improve the private rented sector. It allows us to move from a system that was too often reactive – responding only once problems had escalated – to one that is proactive, focused on early intervention, compliance, and prevention. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/housing-and-homelessness/2026/02/13/westminster-labour-more-than-doubles-its-support-for-private-renters/
New Pedicab regulations
Pedicab drivers to be banned from charging “rip-off fares” and blasting music. New rules from Transport for London require drivers and operators to pay for a licence, meet English language requirements, pass a safety test, and hold a driving theory test certificate. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyzdxrjny9o
Energy-saving home improvements
More than 2,000 social homes in Westminster have benefitted from energy‑saving retrofits over the past few years, helping to make them warmer, greener and cheaper to heat. Improvements like internal wall insulation, solar panels and secondary glazing have helped to reduce energy bills while creating better air quality indoors. Labour has plans and funding in place to extend these energy-saving measures to a further 4,000 additional households.
Graffiti removal
The Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, works seven days a week ensuring any offensive graffiti is always removed within 12 hours from the moment it is reported, and other types of graffiti are cleaned within three days. Around 80-100 cleaning jobs are undertaken weekly, totalling around 400 every month.
Recycling and Waste Collection
Westminster City Council wants to hear about your experiences with your local recycling and waste collections service, and any ideas you have to improve it. You can read more at
https://fairerenvironment.commonplace.is/news/have-your-say-westminsters-recycling-and-waste-service
Overhauling the Vet sector
The Government is overhauling the vet sector for the first time in 60 years, aiming to create a better experience for pet owners. Among other things, vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments, making it easier for pet owners to shop around. Read more here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pet-owners-to-benefit-from-biggest-vet-sector-reforms-in-60-years
Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs
Westminster City Council, in partnership with Unloc, is launching an entrepreneurship programme that provides young people (16-24) based in Westminster with grants of up to £1,000 to test business ideas and take the first steps on their entrepreneurial journey. Alongside funding, successful applicants gain access to over 40 hours of support, including mentoring, bootcamps, and a network of business leaders who want to see young-led ideas thrive. Register your interest below. https://forms.monday.com/forms/ac336283592c2e0bda4ef48738c79704?r=use1
Recycling and Clean-Up Success
Read about the Council’s Christmas and New Year recycling and clean-up success https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/streets/2026/01/30/christmas-and-new-year-recycling-and-clean-up-success/