WEST END WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2025
News from Councillor Patrick Lilley and the West End Labour Action Team
Dear Resident,
We are delighted to report back to you on another very busy month for the West End Labour Action Team right across the West End.
40 new CCTV cameras are being deployed by the Council in Soho, Mayfair and Leicester Square. The increase in Westminster’s CCTV network is a part of a series of measures to further strengthen your Labour Council’s response to crime and anti-social behaviour. Click here for more details.
Here are more details of the Council’s budget for next year and confirmation of the second lowest Council tax in the UK
For an update on the Oxford Street situation, please see here. To let the Mayor have your views on his Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans please email haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk
The Council has produced ‘Westminster After Dark’ – a blueprint for managing the city after 6pm. You can give your views at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-after-dark
We are working with the Soho Society, Marylebone Association and Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum, alongside Rachel Blake MP, on pedicab regulation. We propose that licensed pedicabs should not use amplified music, which would simplify enforcement.
We have been supporting residents facing eviction and homelessness. Losing one’s home is terrifying, and navigating council systems can feel overwhelming. We are committed to guiding affected individuals through the process and advocating on their behalf.
We hold a regular advice surgery on the second Saturday of each month at 68 Dean Street W1D 4QJ in Soho (10-11am) and Mayfair Library, 23 South Audley Street W1K 2PB, Mayfair (11.30-12.30pm).
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues. Contact Councillor Patrick Lilley at plilley@westminster.gov.uk or call 020 7641 5377 and leave a message.
NEWS AND ACTION
SOHO
New CCTV cameras
New CCTV cameras are now operational in Berwick Street, Broadwick Street, Hollen Street, Ingestre Court, Peter Street, Dean Street and Brewer Street. The cameras have already proved effective, contributing to arrests for:
- Commercial burglary – Broadwick Street
- Robbery with a knife – Old Compton Street
- Assault on security staff – Broadwick/Berwick Street
Councillor Patrick Lilley said:
“I have visited the CCTV control room and was very impressed with the team monitoring cameras 24/7 across the borough. CCTV can not only help catch criminals, but the intelligence can help police to disrupt and prevent crimes.”
Hopkins Street
Residents reported missed bin collections caused by UK Power Network roadworks. We have urgently flagged these with Soho’s dedicated Waste Officer.
Berwick Street
Traders have raised concerns about street cleanliness in the mornings. Revellers from the night before often leave behind unsanitary waste. Westminster Officers will now monitor the area more closely to ensure it is clean and trade-ready each day.
Ingestre Court
Residents voiced concerns about severe anti-social behaviour from a tenant. Following legal proceedings, the tenant has been removed. We continue to support affected residents to ensure their safety and peace of mind.
William Blake House, Dufour’s Place
Residents have reported blocked drains which have led to foul smells and flies. After visiting the block with pest control officers, we requested urgent drain cleaning and pest mitigation to restore liveable conditions and called for regular cleaning to prevent the issue happening again.
St Anne’s Gardens
With so few green spaces in Soho, it’s vital that they are accessible to everyone. Westminster Council has agreed to invest in making St Anne’s Gardens fully accessible. The Gardens are open daily and host major community events. It’s long overdue that these Gardens become inclusive for all. Archaeologists, arboriculturists, and structural engineers will soon begin exploring how best to deliver this upgrade.
Prince Charles Cinema
The Council has agreed to the Soho Society’s nomination of the Prince Charles Cinema to be added to its register of Assets of Community Value. The eight-week decision period concludes on 1 May 2025.
The Prince Charles Cinema is potentially under threat from its landlord, Criterion Capital who want to introduce a, ‘new redevelopment break clause’ to their lease for the purpose of redeveloping the site. This would mean the Prince Charles Cinema would need to close and leave the premises within six months once notice has been given.
The ACV nomination gives local groups time to come up with a bid for the asset if it is put up for sale. It also makes it possible to object to a change of use in the planning system.
LGBT+
Safety concerns raised by LGBT+ venues, visitors, and staff are being taken seriously. We arranged meetings between Council Night Safety Officers and venue managers to ensure better protection for everyone in Soho.
PRIDE
Councillor Lilley arranged a meeting between Pride, Heart of London BID, and Westminster Council’s Economic Development Officers to expand the promotion of Pride Month nationally and internationally. This year’s Pride Parade takes place on Saturday, 5th July, drawing over a million participants and spectators.
Soho Fete
The Soho Fete takes place in St Anne’s Gardens from 12 noon on Sunday 20 July, with six hours of live entertainment, the French House Bar, snail racing, the Human Fruit Machine, stalls, Soho Police v Soho Fire Tug of War and the iconic Soho Waiters race. For further details email fete@thesohosociety.org.uk
MAYFAIR
Piccadilly
Residents have reported that contractors are unnecessarily blocking roads and pavements in the Piccadilly area. Although urgent utility works don’t require council approval, we expect them to be carried out professionally and respectfully. Officers have been asked to investigate.
Grosvenor Chapel
We are supporting significant investment in upgrades to Grosvenor Chapel’s Community Rooms, which serve as a vital space for diverse community groups, charities, and public events.
Mount Street
Residents in Mount Street have reported persistent disturbances from supercars, scooters, and motorbikes revving engines late at night. In response, Council Officers, Parking Marshals and Police conducted an enforcement operation targeting anti-social idling and illegal parking.
We are lobbying for a Public Space Protection Order, backed by noise cameras, to deter this behaviour and record offenders’ number plates automatically.
Regent Street
We have been briefed about the preliminary plans for public realm enhancements along Regent Street, Haymarket, and Beak Street. These modifications aim to facilitate north-south traffic flow and improve essential access points to Soho. The temporary pavement widening implemented during the pandemic has resulted in slowdowns and congestion.
Park Lane
After we urged TfL to clear the previous encampments on Park Lane central reservation, we have seen tents return to the area. We are continuing to press TfL on residents’ behalf for the area to be cleared and managed more effectively. We called for the ‘Design Out Crime’ team to address this urgent issue. Teams of litter pickers from the Council have also been out clearing the rubbish from the area.
FITZROVIA
All Souls Primary School
Education standards authority Ofsted has awarded All Souls Church of England Primary School in Foley Street a grade of “outstanding” — the highest possible rating for its teaching.
Inspectors praised the quality of its work saying that pupils are “rightly proud to attend this aspirational and supportive school”. According to the Ofsted report, staff at the school encourage pupils to “persevere to be the very best they can be”. Inspectors commended the school’s “broad and rich curriculum”, and the variety of sports and social activities on offer.
https://fitzrovianews.com/2025/02/14/all-souls-school-celebrates-outstanding-ofsted-grade/
Great Portland Street Post Office
We are continuing our campaign to save Great Portland Street Post Office from closure. Rachel Blake MP has asked for a meeting with the Post Office as nine other Post Offices in the constituency are also on the list, including the one on Baker Street. Rachel has also started a petition which we hope you will sign to show your support for saving our local post offices. You can sign here https://www.rachelblake.org.uk/campaigns
MARYLEBONE
Cavendish Square
A new Westminster Council CCTV camera has been installed in Cavendish Square to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour.
Weymouth Street
Residents reported a crashed vehicle on Weymouth Street that remains unattended. We called for the police and the council to urgently resolve this hazardous situation.
Other Issues
Food Waste Recycling
Residents living in Soho, Fitzrovia and Mayfair can sign up for Westminster Council’s on-demand food waste recycling service. Residents living in suitable properties can book a two-hour collection slot for their food waste to be collected directly from their property’s main communal front door. This service is ideal for residents that have limited space to store food waste recycling bins.
You can sign up here https://www.westminster.gov.uk/on-demand-food-waste/on-demand-food-waste-service. If you have any issues booking a collection slot, please contact the Recycling Team at foodwaste@westminster.gov.uk or contact the Call Centre on 020 7641 2000.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as service charges. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
See also the Warm Home Discount scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Apply for a Postal Vote
You can choose to vote by post if it would be more convenient for you or because your work schedule means you can’t get to the polling station. You can apply for a Postal Vote at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Free Cycling Lessons
Free cycle training is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Westminster. Over 4,000 people have benefitted from this over the past two years. https://www.cycleconfident.com/sponsors/city-of-westminster
Social Supermarket
The Social Supermarket at St. Mary’s Church, Wyndham Place, off Crawford Street, W1 runs a weekly Social Supermarket on Wednesdays from 9.30 -10.30am and provides basic groceries and household goods to anyone in Westminster in need of help. For further information https://www.stmaryslondon.com/love-marylebone
Street works
For an update on street works in the area please go to https://one.network/public
Rachel Blake MP
For details for Rachel Blake, Member of Parliament for Cities of London & Westminster, visit https://www.rachelblake.org.uk/. You can contact Rachel at rachel.blake.mp@parliament.uk
Walking
Discover a whole new side of Westminster with Footways. The new interactive walking map reveals quiet streets for walking, with intriguing features to discover on the way.
https://footways.london/westminster
Trade Parking permits
If you are having work to your home or business requiring a visit from tradespeople with a vehicle you can apply for a trade parking permit. See the link below
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/parking/trade-parking-businesses/apply-trade-parking-permit
E-bikes
If you see e-bikes parked badly, please report this to
Lime: london-ops@li.me
Forest/River: cs@humanforest.co.uk
Voi scooters: support@voiapp.io
Santander bikes can be reported at https://streetcare.tfl.gov.uk
Air Quality
The Council has developed a range of air quality data monitoring online tools which allow you to view and analyse air quality data in Westminster from multiple sources.
Cost of living support for families
You can get the support you need, from how to access government financial aid to finding local advice services.
To help Council tenants who do not qualify for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, we are continuing the Rent Support Fund to help those in financial difficulties.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/ps1m-fund-offers-tenants-lifeline-rent-payments
Children aged 3 to 14 in Westminster now receive a free school lunch https://www.westminster.gov.uk/news/westminster-rolls-out-free-school-meals-14000-children-huge-expansion-lunch-scheme
Help getting your shopping or prescriptions delivered
If you are vulnerable and cannot get to the shops, Westminster Connects volunteers can collect your shopping and prescriptions and deliver it to your home.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/advice-vulnerable-residents/food-delivery
Environmental Justice
The Council has produced an ‘Environmental Justice’ map which shows the distribution of environmental conditions, climate impacts and access to green, sustainable resources across Westminster.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3f7bf2a160e047748e2526b3f2536902
Animal Welfare
The Council’s Animal Welfare Team addresses animal cruelty cases and offers support and advice. You can contact the Team at animalwelfare@westminster.gov.uk
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 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. https://www.westminster.gov.uk/handyperson
Bike Hangars
Residents interested in renting a cycle hangar storage space should Register an Interest via our website.
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
You can book a bulky waste collection service with the Council for £36 for up to 6 items for collection within 3 working days. If you do not have 6 items for collection, why not ask your neighbours if they have any and then share the cost.
If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, the service is free. This is limited to one collection of up to 6 items, every 90 days.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/collections/how-dispose-bulky-waste
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.
https://cleanstreets.westminster.gov.uk/services/bulky-waste-collections/
Report It
Please tell the Council about dumped rubbish, broken streetlights, dumped bikes, 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 https://thestreetlink.org.uk/
Please feel free to pass this report to your neighbours. 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
If you do not want to receive this report, you can unsubscribe below.
Regards
Councillor Patrick Lilley and the West End Labour Action Team
Here to Help, All Year Round – We Get Things Done!
Contact us at plilley@westminster.gov.uk
Read our latest news at https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
Read our manifesto here, setting out Labour’s pledges www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/manifesto-labours-plan-for-a-fairer-westminster/