PIMLICO, SOHO, MARYLEBONE AND WEST END LABOUR ACTION REPORT – February 2022
News from your Westminster Labour Councillors
NEWS AND ACTION
PIMLICO
Flaxley House, Abbotts Manor
We have again asked the Housing Department to fit a new front door at Flaxley House. The existing door is too heavy for elderly residents to open and an automatically opening is needed. The Housing Department says:
“The door at Flaxley House has indeed recently been automated, this is now functioning. The team have advised that they will be improving the ‘grab rail’ as currently it’s a little short for users, but other than this it is now fully functioning.”
Claverton Street
We have again asked when the outstanding repairs will be undertaken at a property in Claverton Street.
Sherbourne House
We are continuing to help a Sherbourne House resident with their application for a transfer.
Peabody properties
Churchill Ward Councillor Liza Begum has written to Ian McDermott, CEO of Peabody Housing Association regarding housing disrepair issues that have been raised by residents in Pimlico.
Mrs Smith’s Food Pantry
We were pleased to be able to persuade the Council to provide toilet facilities for the volunteers at Mrs Smith’s Food Pantry on the Ebury estate. The organisers say, “I would just like to thank you for sorting out the toilet facilities for our group, it’s very much appreciated.”
Sir Simon Milton University Technical College
The Sir Simon Milton university technical college (UTC) has confirmed plans to close just four years after opening. The UTC opened in 2017 and has capacity for 550 students aged 14 to 19 but only had 150 on roll last year. This number has since dropped to 75. According to its financial statements, the UTC recorded an operating loss of £486,000 in 2019/20 and required extra financial support from the Department for Education to stay afloat for the past two years. The college has also received almost £2 million in capital grants since 2017.
The building is set to be taken over by Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, which opened in 2016 and has been in search of a new home for a number of years. The Department for Education wrote off over £3.2 million on a failed research and development building project for the college, according to the DfE’s 2020/21 accounts.
https://feweek.co.uk/twelfth-utc-closure-confirmed/
VINCENT SQUARE WARD
Windsor Place and Coburg Close
We have asked the local Police to investigate residents’ concerns about drug dealing in Windsor Place, between Francis Street and Greencoat Place, as well as in the garden and courtyard in Coburg Close.
Ponsonby Place
We have asked the Street Lighting Team to fix a broken streetlight on Ponsonby Place.
Housing Issues
We have been taking up individual housing issues on behalf of residents living in Princess Mary House, Vincent Street, Jessel House, Page Street and Norfolk House, Regency Street.
ST JAMES’S
Victoria Street
Vic Keegan writes about the former Westminster Palace Hotel “Where Gandhi stayed in Westminster”
https://www.onlondon.co.uk/vic-keegans-lost-london-217-where-gandhi-stayed-in-westminster/
Westminster Cathedral
Vic Keegan writes about Westminster Cathedral’s ‘missing marbles’
https://www.onlondon.co.uk/vic-keegans-lost-london-2018-westminster-cathedrals-missing-marbles/
SOHO
Dufours Place
We have asked the Refuse Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“I used ‘Report It’ a while back to report refuse collectors repeatedly leaving bin store unlocked at 7 Dufours Place but got no response. Most residents do not have a key to this door. It is definitely WCC staff who are failing to lock it. Unbagged rubbish is being dumped in the unlocked bin store, exacerbating the rodent problem.”
The Refuse Team say:
“We will reiterate to Veolia collection crews that they should close and lock the bin store at this and all other locations after each collection. The Veolia collection crew had previously reported that the bin store lock was broken. Soho Housing have now repaired the door so it can be locked by crews after each collection.”
Berwick Street
After a Berwick Street resident was attacked by a seagull recently, we have asked the Housing Team to investigate the seagull nests at the top of Kemp House. The Housing Team say:
“Seagulls are a protective species and we are not allowed to interfere with the breeding process. Once the gulls had left, we arranged for our bird and pest control contractors to visit Kemp House to provide us with options to reduce the seagulls returning. This inspection took place in September, and spikes were installed. A further visit was carried out on 12 January and it was recommended that netting is installed as a further deterrent.”
Kemp House – new council flats
At the end of last year residents said:
“We would particularly ask for urgent action to ensure that the new social housing flats, which have been standing empty for months, are let to council tenants as soon as possible.”
We took this up and this is what the Council said:
“Unfortunately, there had been delays to finishing works to the block affecting access to these units. We expect these units to be let early in the New Year”.
They are still empty however, so we’ve taken it up again with the Council’s housing team, pressing them to follow through on what they said above.
Golden Square
We have asked the Council to bring back the second tennis table on Golden Square after it was removed during the initial waves of the pandemic.
FITZROVIA
Riding House Street
A new road scheme created by Westminster Council has increased road danger and air pollution outside a school in Fitzrovia, causing concern for teachers and parents and has frustrated the efforts of local environmental campaigners. You can read more here:
Public Meeting
All residents, businesses and community groups in Fitzrovia West are invited to come along to a Public Meeting on Tuesday 15th February 2022 ar Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street at 6pm, and share ideas for projects that will improve the infrastructure of Fitzrovia. Fitz West Say:
“We will collect all the suggestions together and then a selection will be put forward for funding application from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). There will be more information about CIL at the meeting.”
If you are not able to attend but have a project you want to suggest then email info@fitzwest.org
Al fresco dining
In December we reported that there is support for an al fresco scheme in Fitzrovia. Many residents believe that, subject to the right controls, an al fresco scheme adds vibrancy to the neighbourhood. This is in marked contrast to the scheme in Soho, where the Council turned its back on residents which in turn led to very many problems for local people.
We have spoken to local hospitality business owners and are working to kick-start a conversation between them, residents, and Council officers about opening up a trial permanent scheme.
It is critical the details are thought through and any concerns can be addressed – one important issue is the question of how any added value to landlords by providing public space on a more permanent basis to them is appropriately taxed.
Berners Place – disruptive works with no notice
We are pressing the Council hard on its failures which allowed this to happen:
“How is it possible for JSM streetworks contractors to turn up unannounced and with no notice close our street and cause intolerable noise. Works need to be done, yes, but notice MUST be given to affected neighbours. This is outrageous and must not pass without action and/or sanction because if these firms continue to see not particular cost to it then more people will be affected. This is an Environmental and mental health matter, not just a street one.”
MAYFAIR
St George’s Primary School
We are aware and concerned about the low number of school places being taken up. We are raising concerns with the Council’s education team.
We are also helping the community with the following:
“You may remember that you very kindly gave support to the Mayfair and St James’s Safer Neighbourhood Panel when we got involved in making suggestions for the greater safety of the children when arriving and leaving St George’s School. We are discussing solutions with the Head Teacher, our police team and Westminster Council.
Unfortunately, progress is at a snail’s pace, when what would seem to be sensible and inexpensive solutions suggested to WCC…to install a crossing or have a lolly pop lady/man have become protracted. WCC has come back with complicated and bureaucratic plans which are just stalling the outcome.”
Curzon Cinema – Asset of Community Value
The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum has submitted a notice to the Council asking that the Curzon Cinema be designated an ‘Asset of Community Value’. This means that were the process to sell it off start, then the community would have the opportunity to try to preserve its current use. We love the Curzon and want to protect it. In 2017 Labour ran a campaign to stop it from being sold off and we’re pleased it was successful. We support efforts to keep it in its current use as a cinema.
North Row
After residents contacted us about issues with sewage we corresponded with Peabody housing association who said:
“We initially raised a repair for the sewage issue, we attended and cleared out the drain and carried out a full clean of the area. Unfortunately, the blockage recurred a few days after due to wet wipes disposal and we reattended to this. We carried out further repairs to fully clear the blockage and restore the flow of the drain, as unfortunately the blockage was causing back surging to some resident’s homes. Since then the drains have been functioning and fully flowing, [a resident] has confirmed with us that the matter has now been resolved.”
Carrington Street
We have again asked the Highways Team to investigate the damaged railings outside Garrick House caused by construction vehicles. Residents say, “one solution will be to fit bollards down the outer edge of the eastern Carrington Street pavement, in the same fashion as has recently been done on the western side of nearby Trebeck Street.”
The Highways Team say: “We will arrange a site walkthrough with a member of the Public Realm team to look at possible interim solutions and keep residents updated.”
Residents say: “Very many thanks for your intervention. He called me yesterday. Whilst it doesn’t sound as if he is in favour of deploying bollards he has at least committed to take a look and revert to me. Just a shame that it has taken six months…”
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The £6 million Marble Arch Mound is finally being dismantled after just six months. The controversial eyesore is being dismantled after it was branded the ‘capital’s worst tourist attraction’. The Westminster council official in charge of the Marble Arch mound fiasco was paid more than the authority’s Chief Executive with a £220,000 salary making him the authority’s highest-paid employee. You can read the latest in this Westminster Conservative Council fiasco here:
MARYLEBONE
M&S, Oxford Street
Plans to demolish Marks and Spencer’s flagship West End store are inconsistent with tackling the climate crisis and directly at odds with government policy, according to a report by zero carbon expert Simon Sturgis The report, authored by architect and carbon expert Simon Sturgis and commissioned by SAVE Britain’s Heritage, compared the whole-life carbon impact of a comprehensive retrofit of the well-known 1929 landmark with the replacement project, which won planning permission from Westminster City Council last November.
New Cavendish Street/Harley Street
Following a very serious road accident involving an elderly resident at the New Cavendish Street and Harley which had been previously identified by residents as an accident ‘hot spot’, we asked the Road Safety Team to investigate. We were disappointed to get this response:
“Analysis of the collision data for the junction revealed that one slight and one serious collision has occurred since 2018. This location has not been highlighted to us as an area of concern going by the data. Road Safety funding is prioritised at those locations with higher than acceptable personal injury collusions. However, we are installing 20mph roundels along New Cavendish Street to remind drivers of the speed limit.”
Oxford Street
Robert Bevan writes about “The changing face of London’s Oxford Street – what’s the architectural future of this tawdry avenue?”
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/oxford-street-architecture-shopping-london-covid-b978575.html
HYDE PARK WARD
Bathurst Street
Residents tell us that the street sweeping situation in Bathurst Street continues to need improvement, “It remains as rubbish strewn as it has been for at least 2 weeks. We noticed some of those little silver nitrogen things around new year (something our street had previously avoided) and noticed at least one today, along with rotting banana skins”. We have asked the City Inspector to investigate and improve the street sweeping situation.
Connaught Street/Connaught Square
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate this road safety issue raised by a resident:
“One of the no entry signs at the junction of Connaught Square and Connaught Street does not light up in the dark as the other one does, not saying this will change anything but would be an idea to rectify it so they both show up in the dark? At least they could both be seen clearly”
Also, we have asked the Street Lighting Team to investigate this issue raised by residents:
“The tall streetlight on the corner of Connaught Street and Connaught Square does not light-up, plus the shorter streetlight in Connaught Square is also not lit up!! So, all in all it’s pretty unlit!”
Following our enquiry, the Street Lighting Team issued repair orders for both lights.
Sussex Gardens
We have asked the Council for details of who is responsible for clearing the dumped rubbish along Sussex Gardens in front of the Classic Hotel. The current situation is appalling with bags of rubbish and other debris strewn over the garden area by the pavement. The Council say:
“As this is on private land this would be the responsibility of the property owner to clear. Further to your referral, officers are engaging with the Hotel (and others along this stretch) to remind them of their responsibilities regarding responsible waste management and also to check their current waste transfer arrangements.”
Star Street
We were shocked to hear from Star Street residents that vandals have removed the ‘Don’t Dump’ signs that residents had designed and paid for on the lampposts at the corner of Star Street and Sale Place, next to the big black bins. We have asked the Police and the Council to investigate who was responsible and have sent them video evidence to help their enquiries.
UPDATE – We were very angry that the Council has now admitted that it was Council officers who ripped down the ‘Don’t Dump’ signs from the Star Street lampposts because “the signs erected are not in keeping with our corporate standard, did not seek permission to use the council’s logo”.
Residents share our shock at the Council’s admitted vandalism. As one resident remarked,
“The signs did seem to make a difference, and it was easy to point to them and tell people it’s illegal to dump. Last week I had to make a guy remove his broken-down wardrobe and he made the point that everyone else did it so he assumed it was okay. Since they have been taken down it’s given people more agency to dump stuff there.”
“The council’s own signage has absolutely no utility in preventing dumping. These worked.”
Another resident said, “What a horrible red-tape world we live in. We are just trying to make a difference and help our community.”
The Council claims to be “supportive of signage to reduce fly-tipping and littering as long as it is safe and the messaging is in line with our corporate standards”, so we have asked for signs to be installed without further delay.
In addition, residents have organised a petition calling on the Council to allow them to install their own large ‘Don’t Dump’ signs.
Southwick Street
We have asked the Highways Team to remove two abandoned signs from the pavement on Southwick Street which are causing a pedestrian hazard as well as being unnecessary clutter.
Update – The signs have now been moved from the pavement and stacked by a lamppost, hopefully awaiting collection.
Hotel plans for The Chapel pub site
We are continuing to support Wallace Court residents in their battle to stop a 7-storey hotel being built on the site of The Chapel pub. The developers’ revised proposals are still too massive and will badly affect light to many flats in Wallace Court next door. Also, with two large hotels under construction nearby on Old Marylebone Road, there is no need for another hotel. In addition, the loss of The Chapel building will be the destruction of one the few historic buildings left in the area.
Cabbell Street/Transept Street
Following information from residents in Hyde Park Mansions and Oxford & Cambridge Mansions, we have asked the City Inspector to ensure that Cabbell and Transept Streets are swept regularly. These two busy streets are used by many people on their way to and from Edgware Road Station.
Sheldon Square
At the request of residents, we asked Paddington Central if they had made any progress in fixing prominent signs to the walls of the licensed premises urging their patrons not to congregate or make noise at night. This is something that residents regularly raise with us and progress on this would be very much appreciated to complement the larger mobile signs which were introduced in the summer.
Update – Vagabond have installed a ‘Please respect our neighbours and leave quietly’ sign
We have also asked Notting Hill Genesis if they have completed the air conditioning design and specification for presentation to British Land so they can provide the written permissions for work to start on installing the long-awaited air conditioning to flats on the first and second floors at Sheldon Square.
Travis Perkins site, Harrow Road
So far, there are over 140 objections to the proposals submitted by Unite Students and Travis Perkins for the Baltic Wharf site at the junction of Harrow Road and Bishop’s Bridge Road. A few minimal changes have been made from the original proposals:
- The building is now stepped from 6 – 20 storeys, as opposed to the original proposal, which was 7 – 22 storeys.
- The number of student beds has been reduced from 843 to 768 – just 75 fewer
You can object to the revised proposals on-line at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/planning-building-and-environmental-regulations/find-appeal-or-comment-planning-application/search-and-comment-planning-applications reference 21/04536/FULL
We will continue to support residents’ objections to the revised proposals and have submitted another objection letter to the Council.
Residents say, “Thank you so much for keeping up the pressure on this.”
2 Hermitage Street
At the request of residents of 2 Hermitage Street, we have contacted Octavia Housing about the continuing anti-social behaviour. Residents say: “For the past four years, 2 Hermitage Street has been plagued by ASB. This has typically involved groups of youths taking drugs in communal areas. This has been persistent and is continuing on a regular basis.”
Residents also raised the issue of service charge increases and say: “Before we moved into the block – in November 2017 – we were quoted a monthly service charge of £136 a month (£1,632 a year). Our current service charge is £385.41 a month (£4,624 a year). That is an absolutely massive increase to the amount we were quoted before we moved in.”
We have called on Octavia to investigate both these serious issues and asked what action they propose to take.
Harbet Road
We have again asked the Council to take action to require the Hilton hotel to sweep every day the private section of Harbet Road for which they are responsible. The City Inspector told us, “I have been to the Hilton and informed them of the need to keep the area clean. I will of course check the location myself throughout the week when on various site visits.
Gloucester Mews
We have asked the Street Lighting Team if there has been any progress in assessing the need for additional street lighting in Gloucester Mews. Residents tell us that they feel unsafe, particularly in the middle of the Mews, where drug dealing is a regular issue. We have also asked the local police to continue their regular patrols to disrupt the activities of drug dealers at one of the mews houses.
Residents say: “Thanks once again, Paul, for getting the police to finally take some action.”
Eastbourne Terrace
We have asked the Council to investigate this suggestion from a resident:
“Over the past year, a few bins have been installed on Eastbourne Terrace, and I have observed that they have made a real positive difference. Unfortunately, none are present at the main bus stop (bus stop E), where most users are. As a result, the area is unfortunately covered with litter of all sorts. This is likely to only be exacerbated by the introduction of Crossrail services. I was hoping that a bin could be put at the stop I really think it would help the entire street.”
The local City Inspector has told us:
“I have forwarded your email to cleansing to see if it is possible to move a litter bin to the location suggested by the resident.”
Update – a bin has now been located near bus stop E.
WESTMINSTER WIDE
Council Tax
We have called for No Rise in Council Tax until at least 2024. As residents face a challenging winter with rising prices and energy bills, they want to know that they aren’t going to have any nasty surprises in the spring in when it comes to Council Tax.
Labour Councillors will vote 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 are also calling on the Council to freeze Council rents. We have been told that the upcoming Council budget in March will include 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.
Energy bills
We have called for local action to help with energy bills.
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.
Westminster Foodbank
The Westminster Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network of Foodbanks. The foodbank provides nutritionally balanced non-perishable food to residents in Westminster experiencing financial crisis through a referral system. The foodbank is currently operating an Appointment Only Collection Service. Clients can be referred by one of the following agencies:
- Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau: 0300 330 1191 (freephone – 0808 278 7834)
- The Cardinal Hume Centre, (Pimlico): Tel: 020 7227 1673
- Local Support Payments: Tel: 020 7745 6464.
www.westminsterchapel.org.uk/ministries/foodbank/
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. You can use this form to apply for a postal vote
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/postal-vote-application-form.pdf
You can email your completed form to electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk or post it to Electoral Services, Westminster City Council, 14th Floor City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.
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
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, broken pavements, defective streetlights and more on the Report It service. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
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
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ on-line
What you say
“Thank you for all you do for us.”
“I should also like to add my thanks for this very comprehensive newsletter and to thank those who put it all together. Not a five minute task either!”
“We are happy to see Liza is looking after the needs of our residents in Churchill ward and she is a most welcome addition to our efforts in caring for the area at large.”
“I don’t know what any of us would do without the Labour Team and I am so grateful for all your hard work and kindness.”
“Yesterday on the news I heard words that brought a big smile to my face and a cheer from my friends who were visiting, those words were The Mound is No More, brilliant news.”
“Again, thank you for everything you are doing, if it wasn’t for you we would be getting nowhere.”
“Thanks for an excellent report as always.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Please feel free to pass this report to your neighbours. 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
Please keep safe, stay well and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg
Labour City Management spokesperson
Westminster City Council
Your Labour Councillors can be contacted as follows
Churchill Ward – For details of ways to contact Councillor Liza Begum and Councillor Shamim Talukder, please see the Churchill Labour website
West End Ward – You can contact Councillor Pancho Lewis by email or telephone.