Labour-led Westminster Council has started to reopen the Housing Service Centres on its estates that were closed by the old Conservative-run council in 2016/17.
The first Housing Service Centre on Bruckner Street on the Mozart Estate was opened on Monday, June 5th. This new facility will enable residents to drop-in and speak face-to-face with the housing team about issues, including repairs and maintenance, advice and support.
This initial reopening is part of Labour’s manifesto commitment to reverse the old Conservative-run council’s regrettable decision to close seven of the much-used local housing estate offices in Church Street, St John’s Wood, Warwick and Brindley, Westbourne Park, Paddington Green, Soho & Covent Garden, Longmore & Lillington. This short-sighted cost-cutting measure inflicted long-lasting damage to the quality of housing services in Westminster.
It is anticipated that three further offices will be opened in coming months at locations in Pimlico, Bayswater and Soho under the Labour council’s Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan. The council has listened to residents who told of the importance and value that the facilities offer, especially the one-to-one interaction with dedicated housing officers.
Labour MP for Westminster North, Karen Buck said:
“Housing services need a local presence to be properly responsive to residents and to pick up all the many issues which affect peoples quality of life. I’m so pleased the new Labour council has started reopening local offices and especially pleased that Queen’s Park and the Mozart estate is on the list first!”
Westminster Council Leader, Cllr Adam Hug, said:
“The council is committed to improving its housing services so that problems are dealt with quickly and efficiently. Over the past year, we’ve been listening to residents’ concerns and making changes to our services and Bruckner Street is just one way of bringing our housing officers closer to the residents they are here to support.”
Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Cllr Liza Begum, said:
“The council plans to open more local offices like this one, to make it easier for residents to speak face-to-face with our housing staff so that we are making it easier for residents to discuss any queries or concerns.”