News from your Westbourne Labour Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug and Papya Qureshi
Dear Resident,
We are living in very difficult times and, along with Karen Buck MP, we are doing all we can to help the local community and individual residents and their families.
Below are some of the Westbourne ward issues we have been taking up recently, many as a result of residents’ responses to our regular newsletters. Let us know if we can take up a local issue in your area.
You can read our latest news on http://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
Please let us know if we can be of any help or assistance.
Westmead
We have been continuing to help residents to raise their concerns and request improvements on the plans for the development. As a result of our lobbying the proposed new green space will be made open to the public as part of a plan to join with and improve the neighbouring park. The plans have also been changed to include more and better replacement trees, though the loss of mature trees is still a concern for local residents. We will continue to push for the development to be made car free to reduce the impact on local parking and meet the council’s environmental goals. There will be further opportunities for residents to comment on the proposals as part of the planning application process. To find out more and have your say on the proposals please visit https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/and enter the code: 20/05708/COFUL
Anti-Social Behaviour
Across the ward we have raised residents worries about a range of anti-social behaviour across the ward. This includes incidents of excessive noise, parties drug dealing and theft. It is essential residents report these issues to the council and the police where appropriate. We have been raising residents’ concerns about ASB in included Woodfield Place, Woodfield Road, Wessex Gardens Estate, Amberley Estate, Lapworth Court, Oldbury House and Great Western Road.
We are pushing for the council to improve security at the affected sites. At Lapworth Court, adaptations need to be made to the playground to make it less attractive for inappropriate use.
Windsor Castle pub
After a resident complained about early morning noise, the council wrote to the Windsor Castle development site on Harrow Road, we understand the problem has now ceased.
Repairs and cleaning
We are still pushing to improve conditions for residents of Network Homes blocks at Langley House and Brindley House after long term problems with infestation and incomplete roof and communal area repairs. We are continuing to monitor works carried out and ask for further updates on the action plans produced. This will be ongoing.
Residents have complained to us about a lack of regular communal area cleaning at several Notting Hill Genesis blocks on the Harrow Road. The blocks have now been cleaned and we will continue to ask for a proper schedule to be in place.
The bike stand at Gaydon House has been painted after residents complained about its scruffy appearance.
Rubbish and fly tipping
The council has cleaned up rubbish and dumped items on Lord Hills Bridge. We have asked for this area to be monitored and the council are investigating if bins can be safely installed nearby.
We attended a meeting to feedback resident frustration on the council website Report It page. Please do let us know if you have any suggestions/further feedback on this.
Westbourne Green
Like residents of the Warwick Estate and others, we were shocked by the tragic discovery of a body last Sunday morning. One neighbour alerted us to the presence of what may have been blood near one of the benches. The parks team were unaware and have arranged for the area to be thoroughly cleaned.
Westbourne Green – Sundial Update
The tiles for the replacement Sundial on Westbourne Green Open Space have now been installed and are looking good. We are still hoping that the students from City of Westminster College who designed the tiles will still be able to attend a small opening ceremony COVID19 permitting.
Rough sleepers
We have been talking to stakeholders about further support for rough sleepers they can provide as we are concerned about conditions for vulnerable individuals in the ward.
Ark Academy
We supported Ark Academy school to get more help from the council to enable parents to social distance. There will now be clearer areas for residents to wait whilst picking up and dropping off. We are now working with them on other initiatives to increase the space available for children and staff at this difficult time.
Brunel Estate gardens
We are pleased that the garden and slide structure on the Brunel Estate have now been registered as Grade II listed.
https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/best-post-war-parks-gardens-and-landscapes-protected/#housing
Highway maintenance
The council is consulting on its highway maintenance programme for 2021-22. Please do nominate using the below link or let us know about roads, pavements, drainage and lighting in particular need of repair in the ward. Visit https://www.westminster.gov.uk/highways-nominations
5 Kingdom Street
See here for Westminster Labour Group’s response on the planning situation at Paddington Central which would overlook several parts of Westbourne Ward https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2020/09/02/westminster-labour-urge-the-mayor-of-london-to-reject-british-lands-proposals-for-a-20-storey-office-block-at-paddington/
Oversley House
Following our pressure, the contractors have installed a wide ramp so people with mobility difficulties, using wheelchairs or pushing shopping trolleys can get in and out while the scaffolding for the insulation work is up.
E-Scooters
The Government and Transport for London are allowing boroughs to have trials of allowing rental e-scooters – driven by electric motors – to be driven on public roads. Some residents contacted us on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind to urge consultation with disabled people, allocate space and make streets safe before going ahead with the trial. We contacted the council’s transport team, to express our concerns about potential impact. who reassured us that the scooters would not be allowed to use pavements and the council will allocate them road space, with the Police responsible for enforcing the law.
North Paddington Foodbank
If you can help the foodbank or are in need of emergency support please see the information here: https://www.npfoodbank.org.uk/
Eat Out to Help Out
The Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme government ended on 31 August. However, some Westminster restaurants, cafes and bars have opted to extend it throughout September. The scheme offers diners the chance to get up to 50% off their food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person, when they eat or drink in on specific days during the week.
You can see a full list of restaurants and venues that have opted to extend the scheme here https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=37f33b5340&e=49e8db8b98
Bus and Tube fares
We have started a petition to call for the reinstatement of free travel for under 18s https://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/keep-free-travel
Transport for London Travel App
Transport for London has launched a new travel app, TfL Go, to help everyone get around London. The app is now available to download for Apple devices and can help you to plan your journeys and follow the safer travel guidance. An Android version will be released in Autumn 2020 and TfL continue sharing data with other travel apps.
For every station TfL is sharing real-time train times, plus peak travel times for the busiest stations, to help you travel during quieter times. As well as the fastest public transport routes, the app offers alternative routes to give you more travel options and provides walking and cycling routes to consider for all or part of your journey.
TfL Go features the latest service status for all Tube, Tram, London Overground and TfL Rail lines. Real time bus arrivals will also be added later. With step free mode you can customise the map to show step free access to train and platform, and plan journeys accordingly. New information on toilet availability, platform access and lift status will also be added in the coming months.
If you have an Apple device, you can download the app from the Apple App store. If you need larger type, use your phone in landscape mode, or make use of iOS’s VoiceOver capability. You can send your feedback about the app to tflappfeedback@tfl.gov.uk
What is the future for Westminster?
We believe the current economic situation has placed the West End in a very precarious position which, if decisive action is not taken urgently, could threaten its survival as an economic engine for London and the rest of the UK, as well as create serious problems for the local economy.
We have set out a series of Emergency Actions that we believe need to be taken by the City Council in order to attract more families to the West End to replace the missing office workers and overseas tourists. We have also set out a series of Actions for the City Council, the Mayor and Government to take.
Finally, our document also looks at issues which the City Council should consider if office workers, tourists and shoppers do not return to the West End in the numbers necessary to sustain the area’s economy in its current form.
There is a need for wide debate and we have organised a ‘virtual conference’ on 30th September to discuss these issues. If you would like to attend please let us know at pdimoldenberg@hotmail.co.uk
You can read our paper here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/08/21/what-is-the-future-for-westminster/
Voting by post
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. You can use this form to apply to 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.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can now read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=09649383-4dbb-4a3d-b164-9d26398578f3
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 48 hours of order.
You can check when refuse and recycling is collected from your street here http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/env/streetsearch.aspx
The doorstep recycling service concentrates on the recyclable materials most commonly produced by houses so that these can be easily separated into the different material types. The link below summarises what can be put in recycling bags
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/what-can-i-recycle-home#can-recycle
Lots of other materials can be recycled but not through the doorstep collection service. The A-Z list below gives details of what and where items can be recycled or re-used:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/a-z-recycling
Also, here are details of 9 companies that reward you for donating unwanted things, from H&M to M&S https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/g15049323/brands-reward-throwing-things-away/
Report It
You can report dumped rubbish, graffiti, broken street lights and more at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
You can register here https://www.fixmystreet.com/alert for alerts of everything reported in your area (just use your post code and it will offer you options).
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Volunteer to help find the vaccine for COVID-19
You can be part of the fightback against the virus by volunteering to be contacted by researchers to take part in COVID-19 vaccine research. There are a number of vaccines being identified and safety-tested at the moment, but only large-scale studies can give researchers the information needed about how effective they are.
The NIHR is working with the NHS and aims to recruit half a million people onto the registry by October, which will allow people to be put in touch with the vaccine studies in the coming months. Researchers are looking for people from all backgrounds, ages and parts of the UK – including both people with or without existing health conditions – to take part in vaccine studies, to make sure that any vaccines developed will work for everyone.
The service is available to anyone aged 18 or over, living in the UK. There is no obligation to join in any study, if you are contacted. But by taking part, you could help researchers find vaccines to protect us all more quickly – which in turn could help the NHS and save lives. You can sign up here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/research/coronavirus-vaccine-research/
Health advicehttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Westminster Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
Westminster Connects COVID-19 phone line – 020 7641 1222
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Keep well, take care and look after yourself and your neighbours in these difficult times.
Regards
Councillors David Boothroyd, Adam Hug and Papya Qureshi
Your Westbourne Labour Councillors
pqureshi1@westminster.gov.uk