Late summer local round-up

Heres a round-up of (mostly) local issues that Ive been involved with over the summer. Your comments and
feedback are always welcome!
1. #fighttheflytippers
2. Another year of great school results
3. What you have been writing to me about this month
4. My response to Westminsters Housing Strategy-a missed opportunity
5. Basement controls planned-but will they stick?
6. Policing and crime
7. Soaring rents may threaten the future of the Church Street antique sector
8. Safer streets-demands for greater road safety emerging all over the constituency
9. Latest on the Jubilee/Moberly Centre
10. Whats happening to our pubs?
11. Maida Hill Market area and the Prince of Wales
12. Big plans for Bayswater
13. Problems with money/debt? Some places to turn to
14. Leasehold Event invite

1. #fighttheflytippers

Ive been pressing Westminster for months, so Im pleased after national figures suggest a rise of 30% in just
one year that they have now launched a campaign aimed at tackling the growing problem of fly-tipping and rubbish dumping,

Westminster CouncilVerified account @CityWestminster

If you see someone fly-tipping, tweet us immediately and we will investigate #FightTheFlytippers

Were all getting out phones out! Heres how to report it.
Or tweet details/picture using #fighttheflytippers
Nationally, fly-tipping and dumping had surged in the last year or two, with campaign group Keep Britain Tidy
estimating the problem is costing local councils 1 billion a year. At a time when youth services and social care
are being stripped away, we cant afford this sort of spending-nor do we want our streets to be an eyesore. So
please help with the campaign if you can.

2. We should be so proud of our schools (and college!)

Huge congratulations (again) to local schools turning in magnificent results - 79% of pupils achieved A*- C
grades, and more students were awarded A* and A grades than last year. Westminster Academy got their best
results ever, which is great news.
Paddington Academy were rated the 2nd best school in West London in the latest Real Schools Guide, with
King Solomon in at 10th - but all our local secondary schools (St Augustines, St Georges, Quintin Kynaston, as
well as Paddington, Westminster and King Solomon Academies, and City of Westminster College) rated very
well. You can have a look here.
All credit should go to the students and their dedicated teachers - but we should be proud too, of the huge investment made in local schools, which transformed the education landscape. Heres a great analysis by Cllr
Dimoldenberg: part 1 and 2.

3. Westminsters Housing strategy

In the face of the deepening housing crisis, Westminsters housing strategy falls far short of what is needed with plans for only half the number of affordable homes required (and that is on a pretty tenuous definition of
what is affordable).
You can read my response to Westminster Councils housing strategy here.

4. What you have been writing to me about this month

Violence against women and girls

Illegal logging
Rob Marris MPs Private Members Bill

5. Basements-controls planned, but will they stick?

On September 16th, I will re-introduce my 10 minute rule bill in Parliament, calling for the suspension of Permitted Development regulations in respect of basement excavations, to strengthen the legal position of councils
wanting to restrict their size and impact.
Westminster Council are formally consulting on tighter planning rules in relation to basements (welcome though
not before time):
New Article 4 directions: Office to Residential and Basements
Westminster City Council has today (July 31st) given notice of the making of two non-immediate Article 4 directions intended to remove the permitted development rights for change of use from office to residential in the
CAZ, and for basement development throughout the City of Westminster.
What is an Article 4 Direction?
Some forms of development are called permitted development. This means that certain building works and
changes of use can be carried out without having to make a planning application. At present some limited types
of basement extension are permitted development. Upon the expiry of the City of Westminsters CAZ exemption, changes of use from office to residential will also become permitted development. An Article 4 direction is a
direction under Article 4 of the General Permitted Development Order which enables the local planning authority
to withdraw specified permitted development rights across a defined area. This would bring these types of development within the control of the planning process. The directions would come into force, subject to representations received, in July 2016.
Does an Article 4 direction mean that development is not allowed?
An Article 4 direction only means that a particular development cannot be carried out under permitted development and therefore needs a planning application. This gives the local planning authority the opportunity to consider a proposal in more detail. It does not necessarily mean that permission will be refused.
How can I make representations on the proposed Article 4 directions?
A period of six weeks has been allowed for representations on the Article 4 directions, beginning today. If you
wish to make representations, the Council would prefer to receive your comments by email sent to planningpolicy@westminster.gov.uk. Alternatively, you may wish to send representations by post addressed to the Policy
and Strategy, 19th Floor, City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP. Whether using email or post please
put the following reference on your representation namely: 'Representation for the Non- immediate Article 4Basement Direction' or: 'Representation for the Non- immediate Article 4- Office to residential. Any representation must be received by the Council by 11 September 2015 and should include your name, postal address and,
if desired, an e-mail address.
A copy of the Direction and of the Plan defining the area to which it relates may be seen at the offices of the
Council at Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP during normal office hours or can be
viewed on the Council's website at www.westminster.gov.uk
Westminster City Council intends, subject to the representations received during the consultation period, to confirm both Article 4 directions on or after the 31 July 2016.
For further information please email ldf@westminster.gov.uk or telephone 020 7641 2503.
Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council
and Cabinet Member for Built Environment

6. Policing and crime issues

Westminster police numbers - still falling
Police numbers have continued to decline, with fears of more reductions still to come. There are currently 1327
police (officers, staff and Police Community Support Officers) in the borough, around a quarter of whom are
dedicated to the West End impact zone. This compares with a total police strength of 1661 in 2012 and 1384 in
April 2014.
Burglary on the up in some areas
Ive been liaising with the police and Westminster in response to reports of increased burglary levels and some
other offences in Maida Vale/Little Venice and Bayswater/Lancaster Gate in particular. A number of requests
have been made for CCTV, and I thought it would be helpful to set out what Westminster say on this:
There is a well-established process and protocol for dealing with CCTV requests. This was established jointly
with the MPS in order to deal with the large number of requests that we receive and to ensure a fair and sustainable approach. CCTV should only be requested when all other interventions have been tried and failed and
any request would need to be accompanied by supporting evidence / data.
In practice this means ensuring that every camera operated by the Council meets the jointly agreed Test of Appropriateness. This test requires that public realm CCTV cameras are deployed only when there is an identified
and evidenced operational need in that location and the use of CCTV is considered to be the most effective and
appropriate intervention to meet that need.
Mopeds and related anti-social behaviour
Ward councillors are continuing to press for effective enforcement in response to complaints about irresponsible
mopeds/motorbike riding by groups of young people, especially in the Queens Park area. Not only can these be
a real noise nuisance - especially late at night - reckless riding makes them dangers to their owners and the
public.

7. High rents threatening antique sector in Church Street

I spent an afternoon visiting some of the traders who have for many years made this corner of Church Street a
recognised antiques sector. Some have already been forced to leave and many others are threatened by massive rent rises imposed by the Councils Corporate Property commercial partner. Church Street has long benefited from the mix of activities, ranging from the market to the antiques shops and few people want to upset that
balance. Ive made representations to the Council.
Heres the story from the Kilburn Times and a response from Westminster Council.

8. Safer Streets

Maida Vale/Harrow Road

Having received complaints from a number of residents regarding road crossings and traffic speeds in Sutherland Avenue, Edbrooke, Goldney Road and the Warwick Avenue/Blomfield junction, I have been asking Westminster to examine ways of improving road safety in all these areas.
St Johns Wood
Lots of issues in St Johns Wood along the same lines. I am pleased to say that Westminster have now just
agreed to a speed survey in Marlborough Place due to the incidence of high speeding vehicles, following my
request on behalf of constituents.
Luton Street Re-development
A number of residents have raised concerns with me about the proposal to use Capland Street as a main access point for the project. This is of serious concern to many due to the number of school children walking along
Capland Street who attend Gateway Academy. I have raised these concerns with the developers, Bouygues,
who have responded stating:
Our preferred option is to use Stamford or Luton Streets, butfor the site set up, elements of the demolition
and potentially some of the mews house build the only feasible access may be via Capland Street. Where the
only option is via Capland Street we will of course establish a safe and practical route for students entering and
exiting the school. We discussed fencing around the crossing, controlled delivery hours during the school drop
off and pick up times, vehicle trips being controlled via a dedicated logistics controller and many other ideas.
They explain that no final decisions have been made and that they have good relationships with schools and so
are confident a solution can be found. I understand that further planning consultations are planned for the autumn, before a planning application is submitted to the Council. Those of you who are concerned are encouraged to submit your objections/ comments during the consultation periods.
Saltram Crescent traffic calming
I am deeply disappointed by the Councils decision to effectively re-start the process of monitoring traffic around
Saltram, having decided not to go ahead with the options for traffic calming. This is after months of discussion, a
well-attended public meeting and a great deal of work by the residents steering group.
The residents working party has just submitted new comments emphasising the need for swift action, highlighting a number of recent incidents and near misses. Ward councillors and I have again urged Westminster to get
on with introducing trial measures.
This follows Westminster Councils report last month which stated:
Following the public meeting on 26 November 2014 on Saltram Crescent, we have recently completed a consultation exercise regarding the proposed traffic calming measures. The measures selected by the working party for consultation, were those that it considered would have the minimal impact on all roads in the Saltram
Crescent area, including the side roads.
The Working Party considered a number of different options including road humps and road closures, but has
opted for the one-way solutions at either end of Saltram Crescent. This solution would allow traffic to exit Saltram Crescent and resolve the rat running traffic issue, without pushing the through traffic onto the side roads.
The Working Party have accepted that this solution may require some traffic from Saltram Crescent to use the
side roads, but they considered that it would be unlikely that the through traffic would divert on to the side roads,
as there would be no advantage in doing so over going the direct route. The Working Party hoped that the
scheme they proposed would encourage through traffic to use the main roads as it should be using.
A number of residents from Fordingley Road and surrounding roads have sent in their concerns following the
consultation exercise. Their concerns and comments have been collated and included in a Cabinet Member Report on this project, which will be submitted shortly for consideration.
Baker Street two-way scheme
Opinions are mixed regarding the proposed changes to traffic flows around Baker Street, but there was a
packed public meeting in July and some residents are very concerned indeed. Westminster Living Streets campaign, initially accepting of the scheme, have now raised the issue of already existing poor air quality
As the changes affect parts of the borough outside my constituency, my councillor colleagues have also picked
the issue up, and their position is here
Kilburn Lane/Ladbroke Grove
I am told by the Council that, as of mid-July:
Westminster City CounciI are currently progressing the scheme through the initial / preliminary design stage.
Once that stage has been completed the funding arrangements for the scheme can be finalised and a delivery
programme for the construction of the scheme produced. However, in a manner of speaking, the current activities are being done at risk as agreement is still awaited from RBKC on their acceptance that the scheme can go
ahead. As youre aware the junction is at the boundary of three Highway Authorities and so far only Westminster and Brent have confirmed their agreement. At the moment therefore I am unable to set a date for the construction works to begin."
I have contacted RBKC again today requesting that they advise us on their position in respect of the scheme.

9. Jubilee and Moberly sports centre development

Heres the latest brief from the Council on the proposed closure of the Jubilee sports centre and the redevelopment of the Moberly Centre. Still not happy with moving the pool, losing the basketball court, no affordable housing...
Latest figures I have got show Westminster 11 year olds have the 4 th highest obesity level in the whole of Britain
- with a risk rate 5 times higher than in the areas with the lowest obesity levels. The absolute last thing we
should be doing is losing free/open air activity, or making exercise in any way less attractive.

10. Whats happening to our pubs?

Cities change all the time and pubs, shops and other familiar landmarks wont always last the course - but more
and more pubs are vanishing into (usually luxury) residential developments. Communities are fighting back
(The Star, The Carlton, The Clifton) - but developers are fighting their own corner too. Heres the latest on a
couple:
Star, St Johns Wood Terrace
The Star closed suddenly in April, just before it was to be designated as an Asset of Community Value. The
premises re-opened as an estate agents, without authority. The Council wrote to all parties with an interest in
the land requesting that the unauthorised use cease within 28 days. That timescale passed and the unauthorised use did not cease. An enforcement notice report is currently being checked by the Legal Services department. Once agreed, Legal Services will be instructed to serve the notice requiring the unauthorised use to
cease. It is not possible for the notice to require the public house use to re open. However, There will be a
right of appeal against the notice, and we expect the freeholder and/or tenant to challenge the notice. As of the
time of writing, Planning are still waiting for Legal Services to confirm the details of the enforcement notice.
Carlton Tavern
Residents were rightly shocked by the underhand demolition of the Carlton Tavern this spring. The owners,
CLTX, were refused planning permission but knocked the building down anyway - just before the building was
due to be listed by Historic England.
CLTX appealed the refusal of planning permission. In June, Westminster Council issued an enforcement order
requiring that the pub be rebuilt brick by brick. This decision was also appealed, with a request that the appeal
be heard in secret! However, after much cross-party and community pressure, the Planning Inspectorate decided they will hear the appeals in public session, which is very welcome.
Unfortunately, the Health and safety Executive decided not to prosecute CLTX over the demolition though the
HSE have taken other measures against the company, including a Notification of Contravention listing a range
of breaches of health and safety, as well as an Improvement Notice.
Plenty more to run on this one
The Clifton
Westminster Council refused a planning application to convert The Clifton to residential use this month: Westminsters agents argue that sufficient effort was not made to market the building as a pub.
The Chippenham
With the same owners as the Carlton, the Chippenham pub also closed earlier this year. Now the upstairs floors
are on sale for 2.3 million (!!) as a back-backer hostel - their former use. The ground floor - the former pubhas been operating as a shop.

11. Maida Hill Market area and the Prince of Wales

Betfred and the Prince of Wales pub
Thanks to the strong community campaign in opposition to yet another betting shop in the area, Westminster
Council has now refused a licence to Betfred on this site. A planning application has also been submitted and
this will be considered separately. This is welcome news, although Betfred may still appeal, so there is still
some way to go before declaring victory.
Late night anti-social behavior in the market square
Ward councilors and I have been raising this regularly - heres the latest report to me:
In response to your recent email regarding resident concerns in and around the Maida Hill/piazza area, please
find below an update on the work currently being undertaken across this department to address these issues.
We have a number of local teams working jointly to respond to concerns raised, including local City Inspectors,
response teams working outside of core hours, Market City Inspectors, and the local Neighbourhood Problem
solving Coordinator, Debbie Heath. These teams are in regular contact with the local Police teams and waste
services.
Street drinkers:
Activities are controlled during market hours through :
Controlled drinking signage and communication with street drinkers to encourage them to move away from
the area voluntarily

Market traders warned about using street drinkers for cheap labour

Police intervention through verbal warnings, de-canning and Community Protection Notices

Whilst this has assisted with reducing daytime numbers, after the market closes it becomes an open space with
seating which makes the location desirable for groups to congregate and drink. In terms of a forward strategy
the removal of benches would assist, but it is recognised that this would disadvantage other residents.
Future actions:
I have now asked for a problem solving plan to be prepared and implemented, which will include a series of proactive measures to supplement what is already underway.
The local police team will look to increase resources to facilitate more regular patrols to deal specifically with
street drinking and associated behaviours.
The City Inspectors will carry out ad-hoc inspections to disrupt activity, enforce litter offences if observed and
monitor any anti-social behaviour reported during day, evening and night time shifts.
A letter will be distributed to local off-licences regarding the sale of high strength alcohol to those who are
already intoxicated or known street drinkers. This will also include education and follow up work in respect of
their licences where there has been a failure to comply.
Contact will be established with outreach services to ensure that those who are vulnerable or have mental
health issues are receiving the correct levels of support.
All City Inspectors are being trained to issue Community Protection Notices (under the new ASB legislation) , and are being encouraged to issue formal warnings and notices for ASB linked to street drinking.
Waste and cleansing:
Waste and cleansing for the market traders has been reviewed already, and enforcement monitoring has been
carried out frequently through the various teams. Enforcement action will continue where evidence can be
found that links waste to a particular business or individual.
Action taken so far:
The City Inspector for the market regularly monitors waste throughout the trading day. Enforcement action
has been taken against a couple of local businesses found to be in breach of their duty of care. This has resulted in subsequent compliance and sign up to authorised waste carriers for legitimate waste disposal.
The market waste bin has been changed to a lockable bin that can only be used by the market traders. Traders have also been reminded of their duty of care.
A specific collection point is used for market traders waste in line with the Harrow Road collection time
band. During monitoring, a City Inspector from the 24 hour team observed a local business dumping raw meat
and cardboard with the market waste, the business has been reported for the offence and prosecution action is
being pursued.
City Inspectors (Residential) have been carrying out early morning sweeps over the past month in the Harrow Road area to tackle waste related breaches.
City Inspectors (Residential) have been visiting local businesses to request evidence of waste transfer
notes. Failure to provide the documentation will result in notices issued which can be followed up through penalties and/or prosecution action.
Future actions:
City Inspectors (City Co-ordination) will carry out ad hoc enforcement operations to tackle any waste issues
in the evening and during the night time (including Goldney Road)
City Inspector (Markets) to continue daily monitoring/review of traders waste and others during market
hours. Market recycling requirements will also be reviewed.
Extension of the market cleansing requirements will be reviewed in line with any increase in trader numbers.
Food safety
The Environmental Health team carry out a number of checks before food traders are permitted to operate. The
checks include the following:
Trader operates in accordance with a written food safety policy (as required under The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013)

Trained to at least CIEH Level 2: Food Safety in Catering or equivalent

Unit structurally suitable, e.g. preparation surfaces, facilities for hand washing, canopy made of fire retardant
material etc.

Suitable storage facilities and refrigeration if required (cool boxes often sufficient)

Gas and electrical inspection certificates if using electricity and/or gas equipment

Operators are also advised that the amount and type of cooking carried out on site must be such that it does
not cause odour, smoke or fume nuisance to local residents, other traders or commercial premises in the area.
Once a trading licence is granted the traders are subject to regular inspections based on the Code of Practice
under the Food Safety Act 1990. Inspections are also carried out following specific enquiries regarding a pitch
or complaints.
Public conveniences
Whilst owned by the City Council, the public conveniences are managed through a contractor. An inspection of
the facilities has already been carried out and a report submitted to the contractor for immediate improvement.
I hope this goes some way to reassure you that regular operations are underway, and we are continuing to look
at other approaches to manage the communitys concerns in relation to the market area
Westminster are also reviewing the licence for the William Hill branch in Harrow Road near the junction, following complaints, and I put in a message of support for this review. We need to consider the whole area as one, if
we are to maintain the progress made in recent years.

12. Big plans for Bayswater

I caught up with the team planning the re-development of Whiteleys last month, and was impressed by the elegance of their proposals - but Im concerned (as always) about affordable housing, and the impact on the surrounding area.
Heres a piece on the wider scheme from the Evening Standard

13. Problems with money/debt? Some places to turn to

Recently I was approached by the London Plus Credit Union about promoting there services. Credit Union's
play a vital part in committees as they offer people much needed financial advise and financing at fair rates. I
would advise anyone with money/debt issues to contact them. All information on there website.
Furthermore, as winter is approaching there is a Big Energy Saving Event: Hosted by Genesis and CityWest
Homes. Please go along and find out if there is more you could be doing to save on your energy bills.
The event will be held on Wednesday 28th October between 2.00 and 4.30pm at:
Warwick Community Hall
Little Venice Estate Office
300 Harrow Road
W2 5HG

14. Leasehold Event

I will be holding another leasehold event next month - with the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) in attendance - those of you who are residential leaseholders and would like some free advice are most welcome to attend. The event will be held next month on 12th September at the Westbourne Park Baptist Church (Porchester
Road, London W2 5DX) and will commence at 2pm. There will be an open Q&A session where residents can
put questions to advisors and a limited number of one-to-one appointments. If youd like to attend, please e-mail
my office to book a place (buckk@parliament.uk).

Thank you for reading and I welcome your comments.

Karen Buck MP
Website: www.karenbuck.org.uk
Twitter: KarenPBuckMP
Promoted by Robert Atkinson on behalf of Karen Buck MP at 4G Shirland Mews, Maida Hill, London, W9 3DY.
The information used to supply this email is for the use of Karen Buck and will not be passed on to any third
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