ST JOHN’S WOOD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – September 2021
News from the St John’s Wood Labour Action Teams in Abbey Road and Regent’s Park Wards
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Flooding
Some good news. We’ve heard from Westminster Council that people whose homes are not habitable due to flooding may not be obliged to pay Council Tax. This would apply for the period you are not living in the property.
Unhelpfully, Westminster hasn’t published this on their website or sent us a form for you to complete. Instead, we’ve been informed that affected residents should email Rehana Hannan at the council rhannan@westminster.gov.uk with details of your property, reasons it is not habitable and some indication of how long it will be vacant.
We are assured that Westminster will treat the flooding victims fairly but please let us know if you have any problems claiming this exemption.
Jubilee Line
We have raised this issue with Transport for London on behalf of a resident:
“Who do I approach at TfL re the terrible noise mainly the section of the tube from St. John’s Wood to Baker Street and vice versa. Is it the tracks, do they need replacing or lubricatin? Many of us put our fingers in our ears. I worry that long term we will all have hearing problems! Some time ago an article appeared in the paper re the noisiest tube lines and the Jubilee was highlighted. What can be done?”
Transport for London say:
“The Noise and Vibration team are aware of the issue and will be taking noise measurements from within the Jubilee line trains. They believe there are a combination of elements that are contributing to the high noise levels in this area. The main issue is corrugation which is a pattern of roughness on surface of the rails. The grinding train has been requested to smooth the surface of the rails which should reduce the noise in this area. We do aim to smooth down the top surface of the rails once or twice per year to even out the roughness which contributes to the noise, but on occasion additional grinding is required. I will be in contact to update you once the grinding is booked, and afterwards to check whether the residents have experienced any improvement.”
Food Waste
We have asked the Food Waste Team to respond to this enquiry:
“I am part of the food waste recycle trial and our road has the caddies for this. I have tried on several occasions to order the food waste bags. When I went to the library they said they only had the regular recycle bags, when I rang they said they could only issue these regular bags and that I had to go online. I have twice gone online there is no section for ordering the food waste bags which fit into the black caddies that we put on the street for the Thursday collection. In the comment box I stipulate I want the food waste bags but they deliver the normal recycle bags now I can open a small shop! I have given up and will have to waylay the man who empties the caddies to see if he has any food bags on his lorry. Help!”
The Food Waste Team say:
“Food waste liners can only be ordered via foodwaste@westminster.gov.uk. Please allow 5 working days for delivery. Information about food waste liners can be found here: How do I use my kitchen bin? | Westminster City Council”
Maida Vale/Elgin Avenue
We have asked the Housing Department to offer assistance to a homeless couple after residents reported the following:
“This morning noticed a couple of people sleeping under a duvet with belongings around them on the grassy area in front of a large block of flats corner of Elgin Avenue and Maida Vale. I tried to get through to Housing the queue was long I also tried online “report it” could not find a suitable box for homeless.”
139 and 159 bus routes
We have asked Transport for London to respond to this enquiry from residents:
“Please will you look into why the 139 and 189 bus route incorporating the Marlborough Place and Carlton Hill bus stops keeps being shut down without any of the following:
- Without any advance notice through our letterboxes
- Without any bus stop closure notices at the relevant bus stops
- Without any temporary replacement buses serving the affected bus stops.
This is about the 4th time this year that our bus route has been cut off in this manner. I’ve complained of the same problems occurring each time, and nothing seems to change.”
Transport for London say:
“I have spoken to the bus team who have advised this is an emergency closure. As a result they did not have sufficient time to place notices in the closed stops surrounded by traffic management. When closures are planned, it is possible to place notices at stops in advance, but this is of course more difficult in emergencies.
Abbey Road is currently closed in both direction due to a void being found. This closure is being managed by WCC highways department. Where stops are cordoned off, it is not possible for passengers to board. Whilst we aim to put a dolly stop in place, this can only occur if there is a suitable location safe for buses to serve.”
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
We have called on the Council to remove the £6 million Marble Arch Mound as soon as possible. The Mound project has been a major embarrassment to Westminster Council who have lost £6 million of taxpayers’ money. It highlights the incompetence and arrogance of a Conservative administration that has been in power for far too long.
The Marble Arch Mound fiasco continues with this article highlighting the Council’s failures
Westminster residents’ groups have issued a scathing response to the Council’s £6 million Mound fiasco and the lack of meaningful consultation on major projects.
http://westendextra.com/article/marble-arch-mound-anger-at-top-down-tories
We have identified many ways in which the £6 million could have been better spent to benefit local residents
North Paddington Foodbank
If you are in need of emergency support, please contact your support worker or Westminster CAB for a referral, you will then be contacted by the food bank to arrange a delivery or collection. If you are struggling to access a referral or are concerned for someone you know, please call the food bank directly on 07932 623443.
The Foodbank is on the frontline helping more people than ever before in a very difficult situation. Please donate here
The Food Bank is in need of volunteers of all ages across all roles. From lunch hour delivery drivers to evening packers and daytime support. If you would like to find out more please get in touch at volunteers@npfoodbank.org.uk
E-Scooter hire trial
Transport for London is holding an e-scooter hire trial over the coming months. If you have any comments on the trial, please contact TfL by email at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk.
Free NHS Health Check
If you are between the ages of 40-74, you might be at risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, stroke, or dementia. A FREE NHS Health Check can lower your risk and make sure that you stay healthy for longer.
The NHS Health Check is your chance to get personalised health advice and access specialist support. The health check-up is FREE of charge and is designed to spot the early signs of high-risk conditions. You will be invited by your local GP surgery if you are eligible for this health check. Act now and enjoy a healthier life for longer. For more information, please visit oneyou.westminster.gov.uk/check-yourself
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.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can 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
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
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 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/
What you say
“Very good as usual. I had noted the increased frequency of the gutter/drain cleaning in Abercorn Place. I am grateful for this as I have a half basement with a street drain in front. I check it regularly to ensure leaves do not block the drainage.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
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Keep well, take care and look after yourselves and your neighbours.
Regards
Your St John’s Wood Labour Action Team – Here to Help, All Year Round