October E-Newsletter

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Your issues: heres what you have been writing to me about, and some of my responses
Syria and the refugee crisis
Junior Doctors
Trade rules and TTIP
Tax credits - an attack on low-earning working people
Why the Governments housing policy wont work in Westminster
Westminster held back by slow broadband
Basement excavations - I bring the problem back to Parliament
1000 Police Community Support Officers face axe in Met police budget cuts
Managing the Impact of the short-let economy
Dont be one of the missing millions
Local Round up
CityWest Homes close all their youth clubs
Prince of Wales pub and our campaign against another betting shop
Church Street loses pensioners drop in centre centre
Street drinking at the Prince of Wales junction and other local ASB issues
Planning more leasehold advice sessions after Bayswater meeting shows the need
'Operation Shield, gangs and serious youth violence
Latest on pub campaigns:
Prince of Wales Pub and our campaign against another betting shop
The Carlton, Maida Vale
The Chippenham
The Star
The Flora
North Paddington Food Bank latest
Road safety and pedestrian crossing campaigns
West End Green site may finally be developed- but will there be affordable housing?
West End Extra reports on the latest stage in the Save the Jubilee Sports Centre campaign
Elmfield way parking- resolved at last!
Latest on the antiques corner in Church Street
Barrow Hill Walkabout
Wharncliffe Gardens
Where to go to get advise locally

Syria and the refugee crisis

Junior Doctors
Trade rules and TTIP
Tax credits - an attack on low-earning working people

Government throws petrol on an already blazing housing crisis

Government plans to extend the Right to Buy' scheme to housing association tenants across the UK could
force the sell-off of nearly 113,000 council homes, according to findings from the homelessness charity Shelter.
In Westminster 9,213 council homes (76.2 per cent) would be affected. Not replacing properties sold to Housing
Association tenants, combined with the forced sales of council properties, means far fewer homes- in Inner London especially - for people waiting in over-crowded or unsuitable homes, or expensive temporary accommodation.
In an even more recent announcement, the Government intends to allow developers to avoid building affordable
homes to rent at all in favour of more Starter Homes, priced up to 450,000 in London. Locally, where 1- bed
new builds sell for 500,000 or more, this will further reduce the availability of homes for lower and middle earners, with Shelter estimating that only those with incomes of 77,000 or more could afford them.

Westminster held back by slow broadband speeds

Small businesses make up two-thirds of the estimated 50,000 businesses in Westminster and many cannot afford premium-grade business services. Their development- and the wider economy- are being held back by
painfully slow internet access- even though Londons is Europes leading tech city, according to the Council
less than half the city (47%), has access to super-fast broadband. I've taken this up with the Minister responsible and BT and will continue to do so on behalf of anyone who wants to contact me about it.

Basement excavations - the battle goes on

As Westminster Council prepares to bring in tighter rules on basement excavations (and Kensington Council
find themselves in court over theirs), I brought the issue back to Parliament again. You can read my speech
here.

Westminster Safer Neighbourhood teams and police stations at further risk as up to 1000 Police
Community Support Officers face axe in Met police budget cuts

We are bracing ourselves for a further round of police cuts after this autumns Spending Review. Neighbourhood Police Teams have already been reduced and the Metropolitan Police Management Board has now delayed till the year end a decision on axing most or all of Londons 1000 PCSOs. The Met faces a budget cut of
around 800 million and this cannot be achieved without staff cuts and further police station closures. Following
the closure of Harrow Road and St Johns Wood stations 2 years ago, I am very anxious to ensure that we dont
lose Paddington Green station - especially as there will be pressure to include the station site in the redevelopment of that corner of Edgware Road. It is absolutely essential that we keep a police base in the north of
the borough!

Managing the short-let economy

Constituents are bringing more and more examples of local properties being turned over to short-lets, often
bringing all kinds of problems with them. One wrote:
"We are having major problems with short term lets in the flat above, it has turned our home into a hotel with
people partying, banging, coming and going at all times of the day and night, filling our bins, the stairwell has
become a mess, our mail has gone missing, aggressive behaviour. Ringing our door bell, it has been going on
for a month now, we own our flat so it's not like we can go and find somewhere else to rent? The guy that owns
the flat above has put it on booking.com and is making a fortune compared with rental so we can't see this situation changing. We have made him aware of all these issues. What can we do?"
Another said:
"We have a rather noticeable problem on Queensborough Terrace, where I currently live, with short term lets.
Most notably number x where we've had horrible problems with garbage left on the pavement, drunken behaviour, etc. I understand from some of the residents that the noise and behaviour from the short let has been really
disruptive in the building.
Number x (where they built +1million flats) are now being let out for short term lets as well.
This has been going on for some time despite complaints we've made to the council. The decline I've noticed
over the past 6-7 years is staggering."
Im working with Westminster over specific complaints and still looking at the scope for how councils can be
helped to manage large numbers of short lets through notification. Westminster Council are currently in discussions about the possible scope for exempting specific areas from the 'Freedom To Let' without notifying them an exemption which would greatly assist the Council with enforcement where necessary. I have indicated that I
would like to see high risk areas (in Bayswater and Lancaster Gate particularly) included in any such area.
Heres a story I helped with in the Evening Standard.
As with Uber and Black Cabs, the issue is not about resisting technology driven change, which can bring huge
opportunities - it is about managing change to get a fair deal for communities, customers and workers.

Dont be one of the missing millions

One million people disappeared from the voting register last year as new rules came into force. It is likely that
another 1 million will lose the right to vote when the new register is published on December 1st.
Not being on the electoral register doesn't just mean you lose the right to vote - the register is used for lots of
other purposes. Not being on can make it harder to get a mobile phone contract, or a credit card. You can be
fined for not being on it, as well.
So dont lose out.
It is quick and easy - register to vote in three minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Just remember to have your National Insurance number with you when you start.

Local round up
CityWest Homes close all their youth clubs
Hot on the heels of huge cuts to Westminsters Childrens Centres and youth clubs, CityWest Homes, Westminsters housing arm, has announced the closure of three youth centres on the Brunel Estate in Westbourne Park,
Lydford Estate in Queens Park, and Ebury Bridge in Pimlico. In an email sent to councillors it was revealed that
the youth projects were increasingly dependent on CityWest Homes because of reduced funding directly from
Westminster Council.
Church Street loses pensioners drop in centre centre

Sadly the much-loved 'Pensioners drop in' in Church Street has now closed, despite the best efforts of local Labour councillors to negotiate more time with Shepherds Bush Housing Association, who have been running it
recently. This is a sad loss to the community.
Planning more leasehold advice sessions after Bayswater meeting shows the need
With leaseholders from both private and council blocks continuing to have problems ranging from poor quality
works to lack of information about service charges and major works bills, Im delighted that LEASE, the legal
advice service for leaseholders, is still willing to come and run free sessions locally. I held the third one in Westminster North in Bayswaters last months and am looking to do a fourth in the New Year.
Latest on:
Prince of Wales pub and our campaign against another betting shop
After Westminster Council refused Betfreds licensing for the former Prince of Wales pub- on the back of a
strong local campaign - Betfred have appealed and a date for the hearing has been set for next April - the hearing is pencilled in to last for 9 days!. We will be looking for further community backing at this stage, in order to
confirm the strength of local feeling. Local people have made clear their views that we dont want an 8th betting
shop within a few hundred yards, and especially one on this important site. Those views should be respected.
Street drinking at the Prince of Wales junction and other local ASB issues
After witnessing very large groups of street drinkers gathering on the piazza, and hearing reports from local residents, I and ward councillors have been pressing for a plan of action from the police and council- including action to find out where these drinkers are coming from and why they are gathering in larger numbers than before
in this area.
Heres the latest from Westminster:
"Following the refusal of an application for a licence by Bet Fred for a shop in the area, a review has also been
called of the William Hill licence. This follows allegations of alcohol and drugs on the premises, clearly in contravention of the licence. I understand that further evidence gathering is underway and that the case is likely to
be heard in mid to late November.
In the meantime, in response to our application for review, William Hill has barred a group of about 10 people as
they were drinking on the premises.
Yesterday we visited Costcutters in the area as we had heard rumours that the shop was providing alcohol to
the street drinkers. The shop does not have a premises licence and our investigation found no alcohol on the
premises. In addition to this, we have identified four other shops with Premises Licences within walking distance of Maida Hill Place. We will check their conditions and then visit to see what is for sale.
As per previous emails, we are working both with the community and the drinkers to understand more about
why they are gathering in this location and what can be done to move them. We are working closely with the
police to resolve this situation as soon as possible"
One local resident wrote in to say:
When we had the police station on Harrow Road, we had police officers walking to and from the station, creating a natural and understated police presence. Of course that is no longer. We have an excellent Harrow Rd
Dedicated Ward Officer in PC Iain Armstrong, but Im not sure what additional support he has. We were once
offered a community police officer to be present on the market, at least on a Saturday. But cuts have knocked
that one on the head.
Operation Shield, gangs and serious youth violence
Westminster was one of the pilot areas chosen for the Met Police gangs initiative Operation Shield, and some
very useful work is being done to reduce the problem is our hotspot areas. There were also a number of arrests made locally following a major police operation at the end of September. After a worrying incident near Little Venice sports centre last week, additional effort is being put into this area too. All these issues highlight the
importance of the work done by local Safer Neighbourhood Police teams and the Councils Gangs Unit, and I
am very anxious to ensure they are protected from further budget cuts later this year.
Latest on pub campaigns:
The Carlton, Maida Vale
Westminster Council took a very welcome strong line against the company that own- and partially demolishedthe Carlton pub this spring. Having insisted on the pub being re-built, 2 appeals have been made to the Secretary of State. Heres the detail:
The appeals have been made following:
The refusal by Westminster City Council on 13th January 2015 to grant planning permission to demolish The
Carlton Tavern and to erect a new building consisting of a public house at ground floor level with residential flats
above it, and the decision by Westminster City Council to issue an Enforcement Notice dated 19th June 2015.
The Enforcement Notice alleges that the demolition of The Carlton Tavern, which occurred on 8th April 2015,
was unauthorised - and it requires the public house to be re-built in materials matching those used in the original building, both inside and out.
Appeal 1 follows the service of an Enforcement Notice by the City Council. The reasons given by Westminster
City Council for issuing the Notice are as follows:
The unauthorised demolition of the building resulted in the loss of a building of architectural and historic significance and interest. At the time of demolition the building was the subject of assessment by Historic England
who have subsequently confirmed that the building would very likely have been recommended for listing had it
not been unlawfully demolished. The demolition of the building has resulted in the loss of a community facility
capable of designation under the Localism Act 2011 as an Asset of Community Value.
The decision of Westminster City Council, as local planning authority, that it is reasonable, proportionate and in
all respects expedient to issue the Notice is made having regard to the Statement made to the House of Commons on 26th January 2015 by Kris Hopkins MP (who was at the time Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for the Department of Communities and Local Government) in relation to the protection of public houses from
changes of use and from demolition, and to the amendments subsequently introduced to the Town & Country
Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 by virtue. Regard has also been had to the National
Planning Policy Framework, to the Planning Practice Guidance, to the London Plan (Policy 7.8 Heritage Assets
and Archaeology), to Westminster City Council's Strategic Policies 'S25 Heritage' and 'S34 Social and Community Infrastructure' and to Westminster City Council's Unitary Development Plan (Design Policy DES 10 'Listed
Buildings').
Appeal 2 follows the refusal of planning permission on 13th January 2015 for the following proposal:
Demolition of existing public house and redevelopment to provide a building comprising of basement, ground
and four upper floors to provide a public house (Class A4) at ground floor and basement level and 10 residential
units from basement to fourth floor levels; associated landscaping works and cycle parking.
A number of submissions have been made in support of the Councils decision (and in favour of re-building the
pub), including mine.
The Chippenham Pub
Status as of the end of September: A Planning Contravention Notice has been served on the owners of The
Chippenham (who are, of course, also the people who own the Carlton) to establish the history of the site, how
it has been used, how it is now being used and when the changes occurred, so that the Council can determine
whether a material change of use has occurred.
The Star Pub, St Johns Wood
Ive made enquiries into the situation regarding the Star pub, which closed at Easter just before Asset of Community Value status kicked in. This is the latest:
The City Council is considering the expediency of taking formal enforcement action, and as part of that process
legal advice is being sought.
Flora in Harrow Road up for sale
We have just been informed that the Flora pub in Harrow Road is also due to be sold. Councillor Paul
Dimoldenberg has already asked the Council to look into whether it should be listed or designated as an asset
of community value so we are prepared in good time.
North Paddington Food Bank

Just to remind you that the North Paddington Food Bank is still going, providing food for over 30 people a session , a significant number who have now reached the end of their entitlement to vouchers. The Food Bank is
open on Wednesday mornings from 9.30 to 12.30 at the WECH community hall, off Elgin Avenue W9
If you would like to help, Tara is the main contact: Tara@wech.org.uk She works Wednesdays and Thursdays
for the Food Bank and is contactable during those hours. For urgent queries on other days please continue to
contact Gina or Phyllis on 0207 266 3347 or by email at npfoodbank@wech.org.uk.
Road safety

The City of Westminster had the highest number of road collisions in London boroughs in 2014, according to an
interactive map that displays where accidents have taken place since 2005.The map produced by Transport for
London and the Mayor of London as part of a scheme to improve road safety awareness and reduce the number of casualties in the capital, shows that there were 1,597 road collisions in the City of Westminster in
2014.The map has been produced according to data given by the Metropolitan Police and TfL.
http://www.collisionmap.london/
These are the areas where my council colleagues and I are focusing on - after having concerns raised by residents:
Carlton Vale- where a petition is up on the Westminster Council website
Shirland Road/ Sutherland Avenue- where we await a response from the Council to a first petition, but where we
are still gathering support, especially from local parents.
Saltram Crescent We are continuing to push the council to iron out possible problems in a road safety scheme
for Saltram Crescent and implement traffic calming measures as soon as possible.
Maida Vale St Georges school have long had concerns about pedestrian safety on Maida Vale, especially on
behalf of students who walk in from St Johns Wood and Church Street. The council and TfL have now agreed
to upgrade the traffic signals at the junction to include an all red pedestrian phase. This will turn all pedestrian
crossings green to enable pedestrians to cross and will include countdown timers to advise users how long is
left to cross.
Westminster Council believes there is insufficient evidence to act in these areas, where residents have also
been in touch with concerns.The Edbrooks/Goldney/Oakington streets.
Elmfield Way parking - resolved at last!

Before

After

Residents living near Elmfield Way have been complaining all summer about a chaotic and dangerous parking
situation with vehicles triple parked on bad days.
After raising the issue with the road's private owners, a new parking contractor, Euro Car Parks, have now been
appointed and their impact has been remarkable, with the street now mostly clear and accessible.
I am continuing to speak to the council and the private owners of Elmfield Way to push forward with the adoption of the road, which would provide a long-term solution and the provision of normal council services.
West End Green site may finally be developed
Berkeley Group has bought the 2.59 acre site fronting the long-empty Edgware Road (behind Paddington Green
Police Station). They plan to develop it for residential use, including a 22-storey residential tower, to deliver
over 600 new homes.
My council colleagues and I are pushing for a reasonable proportion of new homes to be genuinely affordable,
for rent and sale- at least the 30% contained in the Councils policy, although we believe that this is not yet on
offer.
West End Extra reports on the latest stage in the Save the Jubilee Sports Centre campaign
http://www.westendextra.com/sportscentre
Latest on the antiques corner in Church Street
I visited some of the shop-keepers worried about huge rent rises, and wrote to Westminster Council about it stressing the importance of trying to keep this important specialist trade corner of Church Street.
Ham & High news story about the Church Street shops.
Barrow Hill Walkabout
Many of you have contacted me to express your concerns about the ongoing major works programme on Barrow Hill Estate. In order to better understand residents concerns I sent out a survey recently to all of the residents asking for your thoughts and comments on the project. So far Ive received 30+ responses which have
been very useful, so I thank you all very much.
I have arranged to meet with the new Chief Executive of CityWest Homes, Jonathan Cowie, next month to discuss this matter further when he will join me for a walkabout on the estate. This will be an excellent opportunity
for residents to put their concerns directly to the Chief Executive and physically show him and other senior staff
members where their concerns lie.
The walkabout will be in the afternoon on Thursday 5th November from about 3pm onwards. I look forward
to meeting as many of you as possible!
Wharncliffe Gardens
After what seems like a very long battle, it has now been confirmed that the residents on Wharncliffe Gardens
estate will be having new windows fitted as part of their major works programme. Many of you have written to
me to thank me for my efforts in trying to make this happen. I am very glad that so many of you are very happy
with this outcome.

Get advice in Westminster - advicelocal.org.uk

Find local help and information. A free service from Lasa charity:
http://advicelocal.org.uk/advicefinder/westminster//

Thanks to the children from Christchurch Bentinck School and the Liberal Jewish Synagogue for designing my
cards this year. Now looking forward to the Christmas Card competition...
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.
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