News from Maida Vale Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
And the Little Venice Labour Action Team – Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
MAIDA VALE
Geoff, Nafsika, Rita and Iman have been working hard over the last month on the following issues:
BBC Maida Vale Studios
The BBC has lost its appeal against Historic England’s decision to protect the Studios with a Grade 2 listing. Separately, the BBC has confirmed that it will move out in 2025. We have written to the BBC’s director of property asking for consultation with local residents before deciding the future of the buildings.
Lower Kilburn High Road
Camden has finally begun work on a series of upgrades to the highways, pavement and pedestrian crossings at Lower Kilburn High Road. These include extensions to bus lanes and easier ways for people to cross the main roads.
Foxes
Residents have been in touch about the large number of very noisy foxes congregating at the rear of the houses on Kilburn Park Road. If this is affecting you, please get in touch.
Storm Franklin
Maida Vale was hit hard by Storm Franklin. A tree fell on a car on Castellain Road and the roofs blew off five houses on Kilburn Park Road. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in either incident, but the houses will need structural repairs. We are told that residents are being looked after by their landlords and/or insurance companies.
Islamic Centre Video
We have written to the Borough Commander asking for tougher police action following sexist abuse outside the Islamic Centre on Maida Vale. A video circulating on social media showed a man shouting sexual profanities at a woman while a police officer is standing by not intervening.
Yasmin Chkaifi
We were shocked to learn of the appalling murder Yasmin Chkaifi by her ex-partner on Chippenham Road. Yasmin was much loved by all who knew her and this sad loss will be felt by many in Maida Vale.
Along with Karen Buck MP, we met with the Metropolitan Police Borough Commander to press for swifter action on domestic violence. We were disappointed to hear that a warrant had been issued for the perpetrator’s arrest for weeks prior to the murder but that he hadn’t been arrested. Yasmin Chkaifi murder: Councillors’ domestic abuse concerns | Hampstead Highgate Express (hamhigh.co.uk)
We know that the incidence of Domestic Abuse has become worse since the pandemic and the police confirmed that over 2000 incidents are reported to the police every year just in Westminster. It is also paramount that the agencies that support people suffering from domestic abuse are sufficiently resourced and we urge Westminster council to do more in this area.
Flooding
Karen Buck MP hosted an online meeting with the Chair of the Independent Inquiry into the 12 July London floods. If you were affected by the floods and are not receiving regular communication from us, please get in touch.
Flood Insurance
We are calling for urgent Government action to ensure that all residents can obtain insurance against flooding. Following the devasting local floods of 12th July 2021, many residents in Maida Vale ward and elsewhere are finding insurers refusing to cover their properties against flood damage or only doing with prohibitive increase in premiums. More than 300 properties in Westminster were badly damaged by the floods, the vast majority of them being the basement apartments in houses converted into multiple flats.
Shirland Road resurfacing
Contractors will be moving into resurface Shirland Road next week. This work was delayed so that it followed the telecoms company which has been digging trenches all over the area. Hopefully, this will mean that Shirland Road will be smooth and shiny for some time to come.
Carlton Vale
We are pleased that work has finally restarted on the new council houses being built on former garages behind these Helmsdale, Keith and Melrose Houses on Carlton Vale. You might have seen them from the nature area in Paddington Rec. After a long gap following the bankruptcy of the original contractor during the first lockdown, the new homes are now expected to be completed by the end of this year. They will be available at social rent with priority to eligible local families.
Carlton Dene
We are in contact with the council about Carlton Dene which continues to be in poor condition since it was closed. The council tell us that that they are paying for a company to maintain the property in good condition, but we see no evidence of that and the development is an eyesore. Carlton Dene is due to be demolished in the next 4 months and for a new development to be build that will provide housing with extra support for vulnerable residents.
Peebles House
We are calling on Westminster Council to use the vacant Peebles House on Carlton Vale for temporary accommodation. This block of nine flats has been empty for over two years and is attracting graffiti and fly tipping. The former lodge house of Paddington Recreation Ground opposite Peebles House also sits empty.
Advice Surgeries
The Maida Vale councillor surgeries have started again after an enforced break due to Covid. You can come and meet us at the Café in Paddington Rec:
- First Saturday of the month at 10am
- Third Sunday of the month at 11am
No appointment needed
Councillor Rita Begum says farewell
LITTLE VENICE
Sara, Murad and Rosie have been very busy over the last month:
Crompton Street
We have asked the Housing Department to let us know what is happening with the vacant, former housing estate office at 6-9 Crompton Street. The Housing Team say:
“The property was vacated in July 2021 and identified by Corporate Property as a surplus property. Authorisation for the demolition of the current building and redevelopment of the site for private and affordable housing mix was agreed.”
Sutherland Avenue
We have asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate a property in Sutherland Avenue where iron shutter windows have been installed at ground floor level.
Bristol Gardens
Following our enquiries to Royal Mail a closed post box in Bristol Gardens has been unblocked.
Warwick Avenue
Graffiti on a tree that we reported has now been removed along Warwick Avenue.
Blomfield Road/Formosa Street
We are supporting residents who say, “The most dangerous corner on Blomfield Road is that where it intersects with Formosa Street where drivers cut the corner at speed, taxis and hire cars wait for patrons from The Waterway and pedestrians are constantly at risk.”
Residents say the Council should “alter the road layout at the corner of Blomfield Road and Formosa Street that would stop people cutting the corner AND would allow proper access to Blomfield Road by the Emergency services. There have been several instances where illegal parking at this corner have prevented the Fire Brigade getting access to Blomfield Road.”
Travis Perkins site, Harrow Road
There are now over 150 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
We will continue to support residents’ objections to the revised proposals.
UPDATE
The Travis Perkins planning application will be considered at the Planning Committee on 8th March.
The recommendation is ‘Refuse permission – on residential amenity and highways grounds”
This is a great step forward and is the result of all the hard work put in by so many residents and by the Labour Action Team.
Other Issues
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.
We 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.
£6 Million Marble Arch Mound
MVRDV, the architects of the £6m Marble Arch Mound have blasted Westminster Conservatives for their failures in controlling costs, poor construction and ignoring warnings.
Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society
If you’re interested in the local area, please join PWMV. It publishes a regular newsletter and it’s free to join. https://w9w2.co.uk
Street Link
If you see anyone sleeping rough, please contact Street Link who are able offer help and assistance. You can contact Street Link 24 hours a day at www.streetlink.org.uk.
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. With a postal vote you have two weeks to cast your vote and can vote at home.
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 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 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
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, broken streetlights, graffiti and more using 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
Cargo bikes survey
The Council is asking Westminster businesses and residents to complete a 10-minute survey about using cargo bike services, such as deliveries, and household cargo bike use such as bringing home the weekly food shopping or moving large items (furniture etc). There’s a prize draw and responses will help shape future cargo bike projects.
Resident Survey:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CargoBikeRes
Business Survey:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CargoBikeBiz
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 Council’s advice and response website:
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
What you say
“Goodness you have been busy!! Thank you so much for keeping an eye on so many issues in Maida Vale.”
“I can see that the improvement to positioning of the bike hangers at the Sutherland Avenue/Castellain Road junction was a direct result of your collating resident’s input. Sometimes, as individuals, we perhaps don’t have the necessary “clout” to get things done. Your gathering of our thoughts and concerns helps presents a stronger collective voice. Thank you!”
“I am very pleased to hear that we have been heard on the dangerous nature of the current cycle sheds by the zebra crossing by Castellain Road/Sutherland Avenue. Can you try to encourage them to rearrange both of them so it looks neat? Could they also replace the solid ends with the metal panels with holes in them – these should improve the appearance. More broadly speaking, these very large sheds are really ugly and are ruining what is a delightful conservation area. Can we not start to replace these with the other, smaller curved ones which are not an eyesore in the same way?”
“Thank you for your bulletin which I read with interest every time it comes out.”
“Thank you for continuing to pressure Westminster Council to consult residents on Lauderdale Road traffic. Having lived on the road for over 30 years I can attest to a massive increase in speeding and its use as a rat-run to Edgware Road. There are over 250 flats on this road as well as a busy shopping parade which means there are pedestrians about at all hours, not to mention the dozens of builders, workmen/women, delivery drivers, maintenance workers etc. criss-crossing the road at all times. Chevron parking reduces visibility for drivers making observation of the 20 mph speed limit a necessity for safety.”
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
Councillors Geoff Barraclough, Rita Begum and Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and Iman Less
Your Maida Vale Labour Councillors
Tweet @MaidaValeLabour
https://www.facebook.com/MVLabour/
gbarraclough@westminster.gov.uk
nbutler-thalassis@westminster.gov.uk
You can read our news here
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/maida-vale/
Sara Hassan, Murad Qureshi and Rosie Wrighting
Your Little Venice Labour Action Team
Facebook @labourforlittlevenice
Tweet @labourforlv
You can read our news here https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/your-ward/little-venice/
You can read Murad Qureshi’s blog here https://muradqureshi.com
