BAYSWATER & LANCASTER GATE LABOUR ACTION REPORT – late March 2022
News from Councillor Maggie Carman, James Edwards and Max Sullivan, your Labour Candidates in Bayswater, and
Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby, your Lancaster Gate Labour Candidates
YOUR LABOUR CANDIDATES
Your three Bayswater Labour candidates are:
- Maggie Carman was first elected in 2018 and has worked tirelessly for residents ever since, from getting families out of bad housing to stopping the Royal Oak coach station. She’s working for safer neighbourhoods.
- James Edwards was born and bred here, and has supported the community by working at a local food bank and being a vaccine marshall. He’s championing better housing, cleaner streets and a green future for Bayswater.
- Max Sullivan has lived in the area since 2013. He is appalled at Tory waste in Westminster including £6m on the Mound, and is campaigning for cleaner air and to rebuild services for young people in Westminster.
Your three Lancaster Gate Labour candidates are:
- Dario Goodwin has campaigned to save local pubs, reduce food waste, and stop cuts. He’s written on cities and inequality and wants to stop our future being outsourced to developers.
- Ryan Jude is a green finance expert and spent the pandemic delivering essentials to residents. He’s got dozens of ideas for improving Lancaster Gate and making us a carbon-free Council.
- Ellie Ormsby is already working for you, helping neighbours sort problems on their streets and campaigning for a cleaner, greener and safer ward. She’s fighting for housing for all and protection for renters.
Read our Manifesto – Labour’s Plan for a Fairer Westminster
We have just launched our manifesto for the May 5th local election, setting out our plan to deliver a council that puts residents first. Our key pledges are below, and you can read the full manifesto here. A Labour Council will be on your side:
- Freezing Westminster’s Council Tax until 2024 to help with the cost of living crisis.
- Putting the needs of residents before developers in the planning system,
- Keeping our area safe with more police to tackle knife crime and Council action on Anti-social behaviour and rubbish dumping.
- Standing up for better NHS services against cuts and sell-offs.
We are keen to hear from you! Let us know if you have any thoughts at lg@westminsterlabour.org and Bayswater@westminsterlabour.org.
WARD NEWS AND ACTION
Air pollution
Under a recent Freedom of Information request, Bayswater Labour Candidate Max Sullivan has uncovered that Westminster Council has issued just 1 fine for every 1,112 reports of unnecessary engine idling since 2017. Over the 5-year period, over 70,000 incidents were reported to the Council, but a mere 63 fines were handed out. In the Bayswater area the Council has issued just 2 fines for engine idling from 2017 to now – and neither of these were paid. Max Sullivan says”
“Westminster Conservatives talk a good talk on air quality, but this discovery shows that their words are empty. The lack of tough action on engine idling by the Council is appalling and will be disappointing news to residents who are worried about air pollution. This data shows that instead of cracking down on unnecessary engine idling resulting in toxic fumes, the Council has created a free-for-all, issuing just 63 fines, only 34 of which were paid, in response to 70,000 reported incidents.”
‘Clean Air Bayswater’ programme
The ‘Clean Air Bayswater’ programme has announced the following news:
“The Bayswater Ward is pleased to have received funding for two air pollution monitors, which are co-funded by the Ward budget and the London Breathe Network. The monitors will be installed at St Stephen CofE Primary School and on Porchester Road and will enable us to monitor pollution levels in Bayswater.
They will be complemented by a 12-month local community campaign Clean Air Bayswater, aimed at improving the air we breathe. Please feel free to email the campaign team on info@clean-air-bayswater.co.ukto receive updates on the campaign, which is due to go live this Spring.”
Chepstow Road
We are continuing to press the Council to fix the roadway in Chepstow Road following the very poor reinstatement done by GNet. Residents say:
“All the ‘trenches’ that were dug are now collapsing, some more than others, to a state where you can see slabs of tarmac moving up and down as a bus passes over. The noise (and vibrations) created by the buses, especially those driving very fast, is intolerable, especially in the evening when we have to sit and listen to a constant series of ‘booms’ as they career past.”
The Highways Team say:
“I can only agree that the surface of the carriageway since GNet worked there is totally unacceptable. I informed GNet Management that we expect them to fund the resurfacing of the whole carriageway. This is our top priority and totally understand the speed this needs to be resolved.”
Further update – The Highways Team say:
“GNet have agreed to fund the carriageway resurfacing in Chepstow Road between Westbourne Grove and Talbot Road. We are looking to do this additional works in connection with the crossing upgrades at the junction of Talbot Road that are already due to be completed soon.”
Cellbridge Mews
We are working closely with residents and the police following incidents of anti-social behaviour in Cellbridge Mews.
Queensborough Terrace
We successfully helped a resident in Queensborough Terrace with their residents parking permit application.
Hereford Road
We are helping a family in Hereford Road after their ceiling collapsed in a Notting Hill Genesis flat in Hereford Road. The family, which includes three children, has been placed in a hotel with no drinking water, fridge, or cooking facilities. We are urging NHG to find temporary housing closer to the children’s schools.
Bark Place
We have again asked for an update from the Council on when Bark Place residents can expect to be connected to high-speed fibre broadband.
Council rent demands sent in serious error
Councillor Maggie Carman has been contacted by Council tenants who have been sent letters informing them they are in rent arrears when they are not. One resident says:
“I received a letter from the council demanding immediate payment of arrears. Instead of me owing them £562.17 as they claim, they actually owe me £7.47. I have spoken to the debt collection department and, while agreeing the debt is wrong, they could not explain the figure. The phone agent reckoned quite a few of these outrageous demands are being reported by concerned, not to say shocked, tenants.”
Maggie is taking this up with the Cabinet Member for Housing.
St Stephen’s C of E Primary School, Westbourne Park Road
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate a problem with the school drains which are blocked and sewage is piling up in the basement wells just outside the school entrance on Westbourne Park Road. The Highways Team say, “I have asked for the drains at the front of the school to be looked and also liaised with Thames Water to see if they can disinfect the sewers”.
Bayswater Road
We have asked the Council when the closed public toilets on Bayswater Road, near Queensway, will be re-opened.
Newton Road
We have contacted Notting Hill Genesis about providing a rubbish bin for one of their tenants.
Queensway
Following the closure of Barclays Bank on Queensway last year, there is no bank in the area. Ellie Ormsby, Lancaster Gate candidate says; “Our local high street lost its bank last year and it still stands empty, with the next nearest now a 20+ minute walk away. Without action we run the risk of local people being left behind without access to vital financial services and to cash.”
Westbourne Terrace/Craven Road
We have asked the Council to remove a large paint spill on the road at the junction of Westbourne Terrace and Craven Road. The paint is all over the road and makes the local area very unsightly.
Eco-friendly delivery vehicles
We are supporting the Green Bayswater Community Group’s initiative to persuade Waitrose and Deliveroo, who have announced a joint partnership, to use eco-friendly delivery vehicles. The Group says:
“Our current green initiative focuses on reducing takeaway delivery noise and emissions in our area by encouraging delivery companies such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats to embrace zero emission takeaway deliveries by using eco-friendly and quiet e-bikes, e-scooters and bicycles rather than noisy and polluting petrol scooters and motor bikes.”
Notting Hill Genesis service charge increase
NHG tenants continue to contact us about the increase in NHG service charges.
“For my flat in Hereford Road, and the service charge is being increased from £53.66/month to £112.35/month. For my parents also in Hereford Road the charge is increasing to £162/month! The flats are about the same size and NHG doesn’t seem to do anything in particular that would justify it.”
School Streets
We met with parents at St James & St John Primary school on Craven Terrace. Parents were concerned about the end of the school street trial on Craven Terrace. There is huge demand for a permanent School Street, to increase safety and reduce air pollution. We will work with residents to make this a reality.
Ryan Jude, Lancaster Gate candidate, says: “The Council’s own research shows that over 50% of schools in Westminster have air pollution levels that exceed the UK’s legal limit. We also know the majority of the dangerous NOx emissions come from road transport. This is unacceptable – we must protect our local children and introduce permanent School Streets wherever possible, including at St James and St John.”
Flooding
Residents 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.
If you are affected please 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.
Regulating Airbnb premises
To help residents in Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and elsewhere who are plagued with problems associated with unauthorised short-term lets, Labour MP Karen Buck introduced a Bill in Parliament calling for a national register of short and holiday-let accommodation. This is another move in her long campaign to regulate AirBnB and similar companies to control the impact on neighbours and neighbourhoods.
Unfortunately, Karen’s Bill was blocked by a Conservative MP.
There have been a number of parties in flats let out as short lets. A number of residents have experienced massive disruption as a result and it’s unacceptable. As soon as parties begin it’s crucial to both contact the Council’s Noise Team and the police so they can turn up to break up the party. Both need to be there to intervene effectively and preferably they should be called out as soon as possible.
- Contact the Council’s noise team: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it or 0207 641 2000
- Contact the police on 101 or tag them on twitter on @MetCC
Other Issues
Ukraine Appeal
We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. You can support them in their struggle against Putin’s invasion here
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Council Tax
We voted for No Increase in Council Tax at last week’s Council meeting. We are 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 called on the Council to freeze Council rents. The Council budget included 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 and works out an average increase of £5 a week.
Energy bills
We have called for local action to help with energy bills.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
If you are thinking of organising a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, these links might of interest
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee/apply-street-party
Handyperson service
Westminster residents aged over 60, or in receipt of disability benefit, can request free help from a handyperson. The service covers minor works to a home such as replacing light bulbs and other small DIY jobs. It does not cover gardening, plumbing or decorating, and it is not an emergency service. Please see the following link for details https://www.westminster.gov.uk/handyperson
Supporting Leaseholders
Local leaseholders have given us details of two organisations which are able to help leaseholders in battles against freeholders:
The Leasehold Partnership (run by leaseholders and solicitors)
https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com
The National Leasehold Campaign (set up leaseholders)
https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The scale of Boris Johnson’s Westminster Conservatives’ £6m Marble Arch Mound financial mismanagement has now come into sharp focus as Westminster Council has set its budget for the next financial year. As a result of the Conservatives’ financial blunders:
- Council rents are going up £5 a week, bringing in £3m extra income.
- Parking charges are going up, too, raising £1m extra income.
- Adult Social Services are being cut by £500,000 and
- Mayfair Library is under threat of closure to save £200,000 a year in rent.
The real cost of the £6m Marble Arch Mound – read more here
Voting by post
It is much easier, quicker and safer to vote by post. You have two weeks in which to cast your vote and you 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.
Policing
For the latest local police statistics see https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/bayswater/ and https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/lancaster-gate/
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.
Bike Hangars
Please let us know if you would like to suggest locations for additional bike hangars where bikes can be stored safely and securely.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ onlinehttps://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
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 tell the Council about dumped rubbish, broken street lights, graffiti and more by using Report It https://www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest Covid data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
What you say
“Thanks Maggie, for keeping up with the dramas surrounding our little mews.
“We are all so impressed with your ongoing interest. You definitely have my vote!!”
“Thanks for your terrific work. Much appreciated.”
“Many thanks, and for all your work”
“Thank you so much, I really appreciate you following through on this.”
“I received the March Action Report email and read what you reported about having supported the need for cycle hangars in Alexander Street. Thank you! Your support must really help in pressing home this point with the council. It is certainly very much appreciated by me and others in the ward.”
“I wanted to say thank you for your help in getting this sorted out: the fire alarm has been fixed and my parents are much less stressed!”
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 yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Councillor Maggie Carman, James Edwards and Max Sullivan
Your Bayswater Labour Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round
Bayswater@westminsterlabour.org
Tweet @bayswaterLabour
Dario Goodwin, Ryan Jude and Ellie Ormsby
Your Lancaster Gate Labour Candidates – Here to Help, All Year Round
Tweet @LancGateLabour
Email: lg@westminsterlabour.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancGateLabour/
