HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – September 2022
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors – Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
We hope that all is well. It has been another few weeks of activity right across the ward.
St John’s Church has kindly agreed that we can hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. The next advice surgery will be on Thursday 6th October, 6pm-7pm.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Connaught Street
A new tree will be planted in Connaught Street following our enquiries on behalf of a resident wo asked why a tree outside the Bombay Palace had been chopped down.
The Tree Officer told us, “This tree was picked up on a recent ward survey as having a decay fungal fruiting body at the base indicating an extent of decay within the main stem. The crown was also displaying signs of dieback and poor vigour. The tree was removed on health and safety grounds. I will add this site to our replacement planting list.”
Connaught Court
Residents have contacted us about the stagnant water and rubbish in the basement at the former Maroush premises on Edgware Road beneath Connaught Court. We share residents’ concerns and we have urged the Church Commissioners and the liquidators to take urgent action.
We have also asked the Council and BID City Inspectors to take whatever action they can to resolve this very unsatisfactory situation as soon as possible.
Norfolk Crescent
We have asked the Council’s Enforcement Team and the Police to investigate a house in Norfolk Crescent which residents say is being used as an illegal short-term letting where drug dealing and drug use takes place.
In addition, we are concerned about repeated antisocial activity on Norfolk Crescent outside The Quadrangle and the Heron pub (not related to the pub). Every night for over a month a group of men gather, smoke, talk unreasonably loudly and race their motorcycles while revving them up. This goes on till the early hours of the morning. We have spoken to the Council’s Street team and registered a report with the police.
Portsea Place
Following our enquiries, pruning work to the tree outside Portsea House and the tree at the Kendal Street junction has been undertaken.
Titchborne Row
Residents say there is a problem with some Titchborne Row residents leaving rubbish out in the street at all times of the day. We have asked the City Inspectors to investigate and take the appropriate action. Following our enquiries, residents told us, “I passed by earlier, and saw that the rubbish had been cleared. Thank you very much. We are hugely lucky to have you as Councillors in our Ward.”
Connaught Place
We have again asked the Waste Team and Veolia to take action against the dumping of rubbish in Connaught Place.
Sussex Gardens
We have asked the City Inspectors to investigate hotels in Sussex Gardens which are suspected of dumping mattresses on the pavement on Sussex Gardens. Those responsible for this illegal rubbish dumping should be given the maximum fines.
Kendal Street
We have asked the Highways Team to reinstate a Car Club sign on Kendal Street which was knocked over following a vehicle collision. The Highways Team say, “I will ask one of the team to attend and action as required.”
Cambridge Square
We have asked the City Inspector to arrange for a dumped ironing board in Cambridge square to removed.
Sussex Square
We have asked the police to increase their patrols in Sussex Square after we received reports from residents about regular drug dealing.
Westbourne Street
We have asked the City Inspectors to take action against those responsible for the regular rubbish dumping in Westbourne Street. We believe that those responsible for the dumping are short-term tenants from unauthorised Airbnb lettings and we have asked the Council’s Enforcement Team to investigate 20 and 21 Westbourne Street. As resident told us:
“I am sorry to report that on the way back tonight I noticed that the same huge mound of rubbish had been dumped in exactly the same place — literally within hours of having it cleared away. I am pretty sure it is coming from number 20/21 as I have seen them do it.”
Southacre and Castleacre, Hyde Park Crescent
Planning Applications have been submitted to the Council for Southacre and Castleacre, Hyde Park Crescent, for the erection of four additional storeys at roof level for four additional residential flats.
The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 22/04644/FULL for Southacre and 22/04642/FULL for Castleacre.
Hyde Park Street
We asked the City Inspector to arrange for rubbish dumped outside 47 Hyde Park Street to be removed.
Sussex Place
We have asked the Enforcement Team to investigate an Airbnb short-term letting in Sussex Place.
Hyde Park Corner
You might be interested in this newsreel item from the past https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBC9XN1NJMM
Farmers’ Market – what you say
“I would support farmers market as well in Connaught Village”
“Just to say that I would support the farmer’s market proposal in the Hyde Park area. The one at Notting Hill is a little too far for me.”
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Star Street
We continue to press the Highways Team to renew the pavements on Star Street.
We have also reported dumped household items by the bins on the corner of Star Street and Sale Place and asked the City Inspectors to issues fines to those responsible.
Sale Place
The new hanging baskets have now been installed following residents’ request.
Southwick Street
We have asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike in Southwick Street.
St Michael’s Street
We have again asked the City Inspectors to arrange for dumped rubbish in St Michael’s Street to be removed. The City Inspectors says:
“St Michael’s Street waste has been reported for collection. This location is monitored on a regular basis as the dumping is not only from residents of number 1 but also from some business on Edgware Road. No evidence has been found yet, but we do continue to check the waste.”
Eastbourne Terrace
We have asked the Parking Team to remove a motorbike that has been left in a dangerous position and blocking the pavement on Eastbourne Terrace. The Parking Team say, “The relocation truck operates between 8:30am and 2pm and we are presently looking at the possibility of moving the motorcycle to an appropriate parking place tomorrow.”
Update – The Parking Team say, “The Motorcycle has now been moved by the relocation vehicle to an alternative parking place, nearby.”
Edgware Road area
Late night café incident
We have asked the Licensing Team to investigate a late-night shisha café on Edgware Road where recently there was a serious incident where “there was a knife attack. It was quarrel between two employees”. The police were called to investigate the incident. The Licensing Team say:
“City Inspectors and the Police Licensing Team undertook a joint visit to the premises and discussed the events with the Licence Holder. They have suggested that they had a new employee and that it was two acquaintances of his that came into the premises to confront him about an issue and this resulted in the altercation.
However, the officers have viewed the CCTV footage and have found this to be very poor quality. The business has also confirmed that they do stay open past their terminal hours on the licence but state they are only serving shisha outside (not hot food or refreshment – which is the licensable activity). The licence name also requires updating and a few other issues.
The Police Licensing Team will be requiring the business to put in an application to vary their licence to take into account of the actions that are required and we will be following up to ensure this matter is progressed promptly.”
Organised begging
We share residents’ concern at the organised begging situation along Edgware Road and Marble Arch. Part of the problem is that the begging activity is controlled by organised crime gangs and we are pressing the Police and Government to take the necessary action under the Modern Slavery legislation. We are currently compiling a report to back up our call to Government to take action.
On a day-to-day basis, our City Inspectors are doing all they can, alongside the Marble Arch BID team of street inspectors, to move the beggars along from their usual locations at Burwood Place and Marble Arch and disrupt their activities. We will keep on taking action wherever we can.
Edgware Road phone box
We asked the City Inspectors to clear bedding from the BT phone booth by the pharmacy next to Go Puff. This BT phone booth is regularly filled with mattresses and bedding. We have also called on BT to remove this phone box as it is never used – because it is always full of rubbish!
Update – The City Inspector tells us, “I have been on site with Veolia teams and just had the phone box emptied of all bags and mattresses.”
Edgware Road post boxes
We asked Adam Davis our Edgware Road (Marble Arch BID) Neighbourhood Coordinator to contact Royal Mail to ask if two Edgware Road Post boxes could be re-painted as they were very dirty and covered with pollution. Adam says,
“I am extremely pleased to report that the two dirtiest Royal Mail post boxes along Edgware Road, have now been fully re-painted and the ground areas around them also cleaned. They now look almost brand new again.”
Edgware Road table and chairs licences
We have asked the Licensing Team to check whether restaurants Shishawi and Nawras have the necessary licences to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside adjacent premises which do not belong to them. We are concerned that late night street activities are increasing in an unregulated manner which is causing problems for residents living in the flats above.
The Licensing Team say, “a formal warning letter will be written to the premises this week regarding the unlicensed tables and chairs situation.”
Edgware Road – Garfield House
The Portman Estate has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Garfield and Bernard House site on 86-110 Edgware Road to Westminster City Council. The planning application is available to view on the Westminster City Council’s planning portal by searching the reference number 22/05268/FULL.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Oxford & Cambridge Mansions, Cabbell Street
We liaised with the Council and managing agents, Freshwater, after a large chunk of original masonry fell from the front façade of Oxford & Cambridge Mansions Block 10 on Cabbell Street. Luckily most of it was “caught” on the balcony below but some fell all the way down onto the street. Following our enquiries, Freshwater was able to arrange a parking suspension so that a ‘cherry picker’ could make the area safe.
We are also helping a number of residents living in Block 6 with individual housing issues.
Hyde Park Mansions, Chapel Street
We have asked the managing agents to remove seven key boxes on the Chapel Street railings of Hyde Park Mansions as a matter of urgency. Their continued presence advertises the fact that Airbnb lettings are tolerated despite them being in breach of tenancy agreements. The managing agents say:
“We have sent a letter out to all owners and residents of the properties at Hyde Park Mansions. We have requested that these key safes are removed ASAP. If these have not been removed within the next couple of weeks, then we are going to appoint our contractor to remove them from site.”
Residents say, “Thank you for actioning so decisively.”
Transept Street
We have asked the Council to remove an abandoned bike from outside Block 9 on Transept Street.
We have also repeated our request to the Council to remove rubbish from outside 38-47a Chapel Street, at the top of Transept Street.
Old Marylebone Road
We asked the City Inspector to investigate a café on Old Marylebone Road where tables and chairs are blocking part of the pavement. The City Inspector says:
“They have been advised to not use their tables & chairs on the highway. In the meantime, they have been sent the link to apply for a pavement licence or tables and chairs licence.”
Old Marylebone Road/Edgware Road
We noticed that pallets had been left by the Noor supermarket on the corner of Old Marylebone Road and Edgware Road. We politely requested the owner to move the pallets away from the public footpath and told them that if it still continued we will take action for their removal. After we spoke to the management they apologised and corrected their mistake by removing the pallets.
The Chapel public house, 48 Chapel Street
The Chapel public house is for sale – for £10 million! – following the grant of planning permission for a 50-bed hotel by the former Council’s Planning Committee. You can read more here https://www.thelandsite.co.uk/properties/19024-development-opportunity-for-sale-in-marylebone
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Montgomery House
Residents of Montgomery House have suffered another power cut and flooding and we have called on Peabody to take urgent action. Residents told us:
“It initially started after midnight. Again, we had to sweep human faeces/sewage and water to try to avoid it getting into our flats. It took over an hour to get through to out of hours. I eventually spoke to someone who I informed of the urgency only for him to advise me of the 4hour emergency waiting time. Till now no one has turned up. Again 3rd floor flats had no choice but to sweep water down the staircase which could affect the electrics like last time.”
We have urged Peabody to clean up the stairs and corridors after the flooding. Residents say, “we are still waiting for someone to come and clean this sewage up. The smell has become worse as the weather is hot!”
We are also pressing Peabody to provide residents with the promised compensation in the form of food vouchers, following the recent power cut when the food in residents’ freezers had to be thrown away.
North Wharf Road
We have asked the Parking Team to investigate a car in North Wharf Road. Residents say, “This car has been there for a week and a half now, and the council have confirmed that it does not have a resident permit. Can some action be taken? It’s taking up valuable space and I have no idea why the traffic wardens aren’t doing anything about it.”
We have again asked the City Inspectors to investigate the large structure outside Paddington Works which has been there for a very long time.
Dudley House
Following our enquiries into suspected illegal sub-letting at Dudley House, Pinnacle say:
“We have two potential cases of sub-letting currently in Dudley House which our team are dealing with. We are engaged in legal action against one of these tenants to end the tenancy and are investigating a second suspected case currently which we will not hesitate to take against should we find the flat is being sub-let.”
Brunel building
We have been contacted by Dudley House residents about the noise from the sprinkler testing system at the Brunel building which sounds off in the middle of the day and night. Residents say, “Last year I started hearing a very loud buzzing noise coming from their rooftop. The noise is unbearable and it makes my apartment vibrate, even with the windows closed. I contacted the Dudley House building manager but he said this was an issue with Brunel building’s sprinkler pump.”
We have written to the building owners and the Council to ask that the system be fixed so that the noise nuisance is resolved.
Sheldon Square
A planning application has been submitted to the Council for the installation of public artwork, comprising an art wall on the southern side of the upper walkway adjacent to the Sheldon Square amphitheatre. The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning, where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 22/05412/FULL
Also, there is a new Brompton Bike hire dock station at Sheldon Square. The dock is located in Sheldon Square, above the amphitheatre and on the right-hand side of the elevator. The dock was launched in partnership with British Land. https://www.bromptonbikehire.com/docks/3160-london:-paddington-central
Harrow Road
We have asked the Highways Team to let us know when the pavement on Harrow Road outside the Premier Inn will be reinstated. “It is currently in a terrible state”, say residents.
We have also received an update on the parking situation on Harrow Road outside Montgomery House. The Parking Team say, “these are shared use bays and new signs were being ordered to be installed to allow proper enforcement.”
Aster House
Following a resident’s enquiry about Lime dockless bikes being dumped outside Aster House, the Highways Team say, “Lime have added a new geofencing area to Aster House. The City Council are continuing discussions on how dockless bike operators will work together to manage the scheme.”
The resident says, “Great news, thanks so much for this”.
In addition, the City Council has begun seizing dockless bicycles left strewn dangerously on roads and pavements across Westminster.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/council-seizes-dockless-bikes-blocking-pavements
Residents say, “Very glad to see some action on the bikes that litter the pavements and make it difficult for able and disabled pedestrians.”
Other Issues
Active Westminster Weekend
This weekend, the Active Westminster Weekend is back with a whole host of FREE activities at all of our Leisure Centres in Westminster. A full list of all activities is available to view on the Active Westminster website here.
First 100 days of the first Labour Council
You can read about the actions the new Council has taken in its first 100 days here https://www.westminster.gov.uk/100-days
Introducing Rachel Blake
Rachel Blake has been selected as the Labour Candidate for Cities of London and Westminster at the next General Election. You can read more about her here
Cost of Living Crisis
Around a quarter of households across Westminster (approximately 31,000 households) are particularly vulnerable to rises in living costs, with some people facing extreme hardship. We can help you get the support you need, from showing you how to access government financial aid to finding local advice services. Whatever hardships you’re facing, we’re here to help.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support
Making your windows more energy efficient
The Council has produced a guide on how to make your windows more energy efficient
Walking
A new edition of an illustrated walking map has been released by Footways, plotting hundreds of kilometres of scenic, safe and pedestrian-friendly walking routes in central London. The map, which is also available as a digital copy with geolocation – encourages Londoners to choose walking to get around their city.
https://footways.london/digital-map
The Ramblers’ Association has organised Wellbeing Walks in central London. They say, “Almost all of us can manage a stroll, and Ramblers Wellbeing Walks make it easier to start walking and stay active. And you’ll certainly never be short of good company.” You can read more at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/ramblers-wellbeing-walks.aspx
Service charges
At a time of rising bills, it is important to be as clear as possible about what rights you have because it can be complicated. There is a useful page on the LEASE website covering many of the key issues (what you can ask for, how to challenge bills). Service Charges – The Leasehold Advisory Service (lease-advice.org)
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
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 area.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/request-vehicle-charging-point
Local Police
The Hyde Park Ward Safer Neighbourhood Police Team of Sgt Martin Noon, PCs Adam Oddy and Harminder Purewal have been joined by PC Lewis Best and PCSO Lina Pandi.
You can contact them at AWMailbox.SNTCWHydePark@met.police.uk
You might like to complete Hyde Park police survey here
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/F77VDY/
You can keep an eye on the latest local crime information through the Met Police website:
https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/westminster/hyde-park/
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
Bulky Waste collections – notice to landlords and managing agents
If you are a landlord or managing agent and you are disposing of unwanted furniture or building material, please do not dump it in the street! If you do, you will be fined.
Please contact the Council’s bulky waste collection service, and we will take it away quickly and efficiently.
https://cleanstreets.westminster.gov.uk/services/bulky-waste-collections/
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
Light bulb recycling
Any retailer selling light bulbs is required to take them back. Please check https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator under ‘energy saving light bulbs’.
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
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.
‘Westminster Extra’
You can read the ‘Westminster Extra’ online
Coronavirus (Covid-19) UPDATE
Interactive Map
You can see the latest data for your area here
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
What you say
“Thanks for all the hard work.”
“Communication and Action!”
“Thank you for the updates and the ongoing work on Transept, Chapel and Cabbell Street, much appreciated.”
“Thank you for the update on your recent local work. It is impressive and appreciated.”
“I would just like to thank you for your support in this matter. It is really appreciated, and I appreciate you taking the time to help. Many thanks.”
“Many thanks for your good work.”
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
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Please keep safe, stay well and look after yourself and your neighbours.
Regards
Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Your Hyde Park Ward Labour Councillors – Here to Help, All Year Round – We Get Things Done!
You can contact us at hplabour@gmail.com
You can read our latest news on https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
You can read our manifesto here, setting out what Labour wants to achieve over the next four years: www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/manifesto-labours-plan-for-a-fairer-westminster/
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