ST JOHN’S WOOD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – February 2022
News from the St John’s Wood Labour Action Teams in Abbey Road and Regent’s Park Wards
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Wharncliffe Gardens
At the request of residents, we have asked the local police for an update on a recent crime matter which resulted in house-to-house enquiries.
Also, there is a story in the local press about what has been called “the UK’s dullest playground”.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/parents-baffled-uks-dullest-playground-23130149
Reynolds House
We have asked the Housing Department to regularly clean the bird droppings from the paved area in front of Reynolds House. It is a disgusting mess and possible a health hazard.
The Housing Department has agreed to take action, “We have agreed with the cleaning contractor to have a section of walkway washed once a week. As for the copping stone area, that will be done once a year as per cleaning specifications. The section under the tree is an ongoing issue for the pest/birds Environmental team.”
Hamilton Terrace
We have asked the Council to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“Every night the mobile security guards sit in their cars with the engine running. I’ve mentioned it to them, but it makes no difference. They mostly park outside 150 Hamilton Terrace. This is noisy and causes excess air pollution. The security companies should provide them with electric vehicles.”
Hamilton Terrace/Abercorn Place
We have asked the Parking Team to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“A motorcoach has been parked on a yellow line for nearly a month now. It is right up near the traffic lights at the junction of Hamilton Terrace and Abercorn Place. Because it is near the lights it prevents cars taking up 2 spaces while they wait for the lights. It is also a hazard for pedestrians trying to cross as they have to peer round the coach to see if the coast is clear. It has 3 parking tickets and takes up the space of 2.5 cars.”
The Parking Team say:
“Due to its size the vehicle cannot be relocated by the Council. As it also has a valid Road Tax and MOT in place, we are also unable to pursue it as being abandoned by the owner. Penalty Charge Notice (PCNs) have already been issued to the vehicle for parking on the Single Yellow Lines and owner is currently being pursued for payment of these charges under parking legislation.
Steps will be taken to try and contact the vehicle owner, directly, asking that they make alternative parking arrangements. In addition, we will liaise with the Police with regards to motorhome’s proximity to the pedestrian crossing and traffic lights, to see if they can also take any additional enforcement action.”
Dorset Square
We have asked the Council and TfL to request the National Express coaches to turn off their loud indicator announcements during the night when they stop at the Dorset Square coach pick-up point. Residents say:
“The coaches have started playing the indicators sounds (both the left indicator one which they shouldn’t and the side locker sound) at night/in the early morning. Would you be able to reach back out to the relevant folk to send out a reminder to not play these indicator sounds at night/early morning please?”
Harewood Row
We reported a large pile of dumped rubbish on Harewood Row and asked the Council to remove it. The Council said: “Arrangements have been made to clear this waste. There was also some evidence found within the bags and so further follow up enforcement action will be taken.”
Jubilee Line – update
Following our enquiries about the noise from the Jubilee Line, TfL say:
“Plans to improve the condition of the rails and reduce noise between Baker Street and St John’s Wood were delayed due to safety concerns with the specialist train we use. These have been resolved and we propose to grind these sections of the line in Spring. We are currently grinding sections of Victoria line track in the vicinity of Victoria station.”
Alma Square – what you say
“I wanted to draw to your attention to the alarming policy u-turn of Westminster Council planners in granting consent for owner-developers to excavate sub-basement floors for purely recreational space (gym cinema etc). As a resident of Alma Square, we have the same thing about to happen on both sides! This Council consent has been given despite SJW Society and Alma Square Gardens committee objections. At a stretch it would be possible to understand the Council’s decision if the excavations were for accommodation purposes but it’s not: the purpose is merely to put value on the existing properties prices, undertaken by owners who are also developers!”
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The £6 million Marble Arch Mound is finally being dismantled after just six months, after it was branded the ‘capital’s worst tourist attraction’. The Westminster Council official in charge of the Marble Arch mound debacle was paid more than the authority’s Chief Executive with a £220,000 salary making him the authority’s highest-paid employee. You can read the latest in this Westminster Conservative Council fiasco here:
MVRDV, the architects of the £6m Marble Arch Mound have blasted Westminster Conservatives for their failures in controlling costs, poor construction and ignoring warnings.
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.
Labour Councillors 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.
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
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 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
Recycling small electrical appliances
Any household electrical and electronic item that operates on a battery or has a plug and is smaller than 60cm in length and under 30cm in width and height, can be put in an on-street small electrical appliances recycling bin. For details of locations see https://www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/reusing-and-other-recycling-services/how-recycle-electrical-appliances/small-electrical-appliances
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
“Thank goodness the hideous so-called green mound at Marble Arch is coming down. It was an eyesore and never should have been put up at such expense.”
“I am glad that the little public space with benches at corner of Wellington Road and Circus Road has been given back to the public. The Sushi restaurant Maiden had taken the area over with lots of tables and chairs, thus preventing any member of the public accessing the benches which were always very much used.”
“As a long term resident of St Johns Wood since 1994 and I thank you for your informative newsletter”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
If you know of anyone else who might like to receive this report, please send them this sign-up link https://bit.ly/labour-news
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