News from the St John’s Wood Labour Action Team
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.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Circus Road
Following our enquiries about an ‘advertising bike’ outside 4 Circus Road, the Council tells us:
“It is deemed unauthorised advertising and is currently going through the enforcement process from colleagues in the Planning Enforcement Team. Previously when these adverts on bikes appeared, they were all removed upon contact made with the offender. A stern warning was also issued hence the reappearance of these bikes are now subject to enforcement action”.
Cochrane Street
We asked the Parking Team to investigate reports of delivery vehicles blocking Cochrane Street.
Reynolds House
We asked the Housing Department to take urgent action to deal with a water leak in Reynolds House.
Queen’s Grove
We contacted the Housing Department about this issue:
“Morgan Sindall broke the thermostat valve on my mum’s radiators and stuck it back on and just left. She’s been ringing them for two weeks and they keep fobbing her off. She has one setting now, full blast, so her home is like an oven. She has to get up and switch it on and off at the source and seeing as she has mobility problems I’m worried about her hurting herself, and then there’s the bills.”
A few hours later we received this message from residents, “Someone has phoned her already and made two appointments for Monday. Morgan Sindall are awful and just tried to tell my mum they were having problems with their system and that’s why nobody got back to her. I wonder how many others are getting treated like this. Once again thanks for helping.”
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/
You can read a report of a recent North Paddington Foodbank customer survey here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J6jKmGhJB_0vDiG2jZLdZahLm7jqCSCK/view
Blood Donors
The NHS Blood and Transplant service is appealing for donations from people who have recovered from coronavirus to help save lives as London moves from “medium” to “high” alert. Donating blood plasma is a simple procedure and very similar to giving a normal blood donation but the red blood cells are returned to the patient and the process takes a little longer.
The nearest donor centre is at 26 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia. W1. Anyone who has had coronavirus, either a test result or the symptoms, can offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visitinghttps://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk to arrange an appointment to donate.
Warm Homes Discount Scheme
You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2020 to 2021 will open on 12 October 2020. The money is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March. See here for more details https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Jobs and Skills
Microsoft and LinkedIn have produced a free programme to help those looking for a job and learn new skills
Cycle Mechanics
If you’re between 18-24 and looking at building a new skill that is in high demand, Westminster Wheels offers a paid six-month programme in cycle mechanics. By joining the project, you will be able to (1) learn how to refurbish unwanted bikes and provide affordable high-quality bikes for Westminster residents and (2) get a training and employment experience to help prepare you for a career in the growing cycle industry. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-wheels-programme
Housing
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg has written a new book, Building the New Jerusalem: How Attlee’s Government Built 1 Million New Homes.
The book explains how Labour went about its task of building homes and fulfilling post-war housing aspirations; how it dealt with the post-war scarcity of materials and labour and how it dealt with the dire economic situation and other ‘events’. The book also includes suggestions as to how a future Labour Government might go about the task of rebuilding Britain’s housing infrastructure following the next General Election.
The book is available in paperback and Kindle format
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08N1H3PYL
All royalties from sales of the book will be donated to Foodbanks in Westminster.
‘Early Voting’ – Voting by post
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting. Millions of people in the USA voted early by using a postal vote. You can, too. You can use this form to apply to vote by post
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
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, potholes, uneven pavements and other hazards to the Council’s ‘Report It’ service 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 the option).
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Test and Trace Support Payments
You may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 if you are self-isolating because of COVID-19 and you are either employed or self-employed. The payment is to support people on low incomes who are unable to work from home if they are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and lose income as a result. Get full details on how to claim a Test and Trace Support Payment
Health advice
https://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
Help and Advice for businesses
You can get the latest information here https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-businesses
Beware the Coronavirus scammers
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/westminster-news/2020/03/27/beware-the-coronavirus-scammers/
Maida Vale Barclay’s Bank closure – what you say
“With the closure of so many bank branches, NatWest in particular, and the fact that more often than not the cash dispensers at Barclay’s Wellington Rd are out of order, the proposed closure of the branch at Elgin Avenue is a major inconvenience. I use it frequently. That leaves the independent dispenser inside St Johns Wood tube station which also frequently does not work.”
“The Barclays in Elgin Avenue was shut for some time now it is open but only certain days and times. I noted that a queue had formed when it was open so I would suggest it is a needed branch. Not everyone wants or is able to walk to the branch on Circus Road.”
What you say
“Thanks, as ever for this useful information”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Hussain Ahmed, Janet Seale and Liam Taggart,
Your St John’s Wood Labour Action Team