Reassuring Lancaster Gate residents about fire safety
We have all been shocked and appalled at the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. Following the fire, Westminster City Council has played a key role as part of the pan-London Government efforts to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy and help the community to rebuild. Westminster's housing team are continuing to play an important role in helping to find new homes for victims of the fire.
We have also prioritised reassuring our residents living in Westminster City Council’s housing blocks about fire safety. The tower blocks in Lancaster Gate are all constructed in very different ways to blocks that have been identified as potentially dangerous. Each block has had annual fire inspections and Fire Risk Assessments are fully up-to-date.
The City Council is continuing to work alongside the London Fire Brigade and other agencies to ensure the safety of local authority housing across the city and that fire precautions are robust. All tower block residents have been sent letters to advise about safety and fire safety procedures have been updated
Councillors Andrew Smith and Susie Burbridge hosted a drop-in surgery for residents of CityWest Homes properties in Lancaster Gate on 28th June. It was very useful to hear residents’ views about fire safety and to hear some good ideas for us to consider for the future.
If any local people have concerns about fire safety in their blocks, please get in contact with us.
Family fun at the Hyde Park Fayre
For the third year running, we have supported the Hyde Park Fayre on Craven Terrace from our ward budget.
The event, which Cllr Smith attended, is a great way to bring the local community together and is organised by the Hyde Park Nursery and the Lancaster Hall Hotel both based on Craven Terrace.
Thank you to the range of local business and community organisations, including St James and St John’s Primary School and the South East Bayswater Residents Association whose support made it such as success.
Reassurance is needed for EU Citizens
The Leader of Westminster City Council has made it clear to the Government that certainty for EU nationals living in the city needs to be a priority for the UK’s Brexit negotiations.
Westminster is home to over 30,000 EU nationals, one in seven of the city's population. EU citizens play a vital role in the economy of our city. 44 per cent of those working in the food and hospitality sector are EU nationals and 14 per cent of those working in the financial services sector.
Lancaster Gate is one of the areas of the city with the highest concentrations of EU nationals and all your councillors are keen to hear from EU citizens living in the ward about their concerns and what the City Council can do to help them.
Action to address illegal dumping in Queensborough Terrace
There has been a persistent problem of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour on Queensborough Terrace.
We have been working over the past couple or so years to deliver an improved environment which addresses the issue. This has included collecting evidence to fine those who are dumping but also making changes to the area to deter it.
As we write we should have completed the rebuild part of the wall by the entrance to Queensborough Passage, which was in poor repair. We are also planning to introduce new planting to the area to improve its appearance and help stop the area being use for rubbish dumping and anti-social behaviour.
Councillors support residents against embassy plans
Your Lancaster Gate Councillors backed residents’ opposition to the conversation of a house on Porchester Terrace into the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Westminster is home to many embassies and international organisations and we are keen support these organisations to locate in our city, but locations need to be appropriate.
We share the concerns of local people about the possible impact of turning a small terrace house on a residential street into an embassy building. The planning application for the change of use has been recently rejected.
Taking action against delivery nuisance
There has been an ongoing problem of delivery scooters congregating in Kensington Gardens Square causing nuisance to residents and traffic chaos. Most of the scooters are working for delivery apps collecting orders from restaurants such as the Nando's on the corner of Kensington Gardens Square and Westbourne Terrace.
Local people have asked for help to deal with the problem and we are currently working with our planning team to take action to reduce the nuisance being caused by the increases in takeaway business and scooters collecting orders.
Always here to help
Your Lancaster Gate Councillors team want to hear from the local people we represent. We are contactable via email, or phone and hold regular surgery sessions, usually on the last Saturday of the month 10am-11am in the Residents’ Hall in Pickering House on the Hallfield Estate.
There will be no surgery at the end of August as it is a bank holiday weekend, but we are happy to meet up at different times if you get in touch.
Aiken takes action on Affordable Homes
Conservative Leader of Westminster City Council, Councillor Nickie Aiken, signalled a change in the Council’s policy on affordable housing at a keynote speech to the London Real Estate Forum, where she called upon developers to ‘build more homes that people from all backgrounds can afford’.
Councillor Aiken spoke about the fundamental change needed to build a Westminster of aspiration for future generations. She indicated that she wants to partner with developers to ensure more affordable and intermediate housing – with a target of 60% intermediate built in future years. In a stark warning to property developers who have previously relied on contributions and viability assessments,
Councillor Aiken said: 'Being friendly to business does not mean engaging in some cosy cabal and we will not allow our residents to be short-changed' adding ‘there’s no time for on-going pleasant and cosy chats, glossy plans or brochures that don’t reflect people’s lives. My view is that too many times we have not always pushed back enough'.
Working with her Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Realm, Councillor Daniel Astaire, Councillor Aiken announced that the City Plan is to be fully redrawn to reflect this new priority and, citing the immediate need for action, revealed that an interim statement on planning policies to support housing delivery will be released shortly.
She also cited a number of achievements under her Conservative administration, including: 197 affordable homes in the new Dudley House development, 86 affordable homes as part of the regeneration of the Tollgate Gardens estate, a new, state-of-the-art 84 bed care home at Beechcroft and a brand new 840 pupil school in Marylebone.
Councillor Aiken said: “If you are a developer who wants to invest in, and be invested in, the future of our city, you are welcome. However, if you are just a speculator who wants to make a fast buck by building properties that only oligarchs and absent overseas investors can afford, you are in the wrong borough! We will never be a borough whose stock in trade is simply to sell its golden post codes to the highest bidder".
Ex Labour Councillor joins Westminster Conservative
A former local Labour councillor has joined the Conservative Party as he believes it better represents residents’ concerns and interests.
Murad Gassanly, Councillor for Churchill Ward in Pimlico, will now sit on the Westminster Conservative benches. His move comes after discussions over recent months with Westminster Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Nickie Aiken and representatives of the Cities of London & Westminster Conservative Association.
His application was fully endorsed at a meeting of the Westminster City Council Conservative Group on 5th July. He has officially informed the local authority’s chief executive of his wish to represent the Conservative Party.
Commenting on becoming a Conservative Councillor, Gassanly said: “I am proud to live in the community I represent and have seen first hand the positive difference the Conservative Council has made to local peole’s lives. I want to ensure my ward secures the best services and new homes to safeguard our truly unique neighbourhood, which I have been proud to represent since 2014.
“I have been on a political journey over the last few years and have come to the conclusion that it is only the Conservatives who want to support people and help them no matter what their background.”
Said Cllr Nickie Aiken: “I am delighted that Murad has decided to join us on the Conservative benches. He will make an outstanding contribution to both our Group and Council, ensuring his residents are well served. I believe he has a very bright future.
