New Pavements Smarten up Queensway and Bishops Bridge Road
Many of you will have noticed that work is being completed on a new section of high quality paving on the corner of Bishops Bridge Road and Queensway, matching the paving completed at the other side of the road. This is just another part of the redevelopment of the Queens Cinema and is the start of our major plans to up-grade the whole of Queensway over the next few years.
Work will begin at the north end of the street shortly and will continue in stages over the next few years, significantly improving the appearance of the street.
Action on rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour
We have been working with the local Police Safer Neighbourhoods team to deal with a problem of rough sleeping on the Hallfield Estate.
A joint exercise, including CityWest Homes, the police and the UK borders authority and Westminster’s City Inspector removed a group of rough sleepers earlier this year. There has been a re-occurrence of the problem, but swift joined-up action between the agencies involved led to the rough sleepers removed.
The police and Westminster’s City Inspectors have also had some success in taking action against persistent beggars on Queensway. Begging is illegal and it is often undertaken by organised criminal gangs. There is still a problem and we are determined to reduce it further.
Joined up working between your Councillors CityWest Homes and the police has led to the successful resolution of an ongoing problem of anti-social behaviour on the Hallfield Estate. Reducing anti-social behaviour is one of our top priorities across the ward, so if you have any problems in your area let us know.
Afternoon tea and music hall for Lancaster Gate’s older people
Older people in Lancaster Gate and Bayswater will get to enjoy a grand afternoon tea and a music hall show by the players company.
The event is supported by your councillors out of the Lancaster Gate and Bayswater ward budgets. The ballot for tickets is open to all those over 65 living in the Lancaster Gate or Bayswater Wards. Flyers have been made available at Paddington Library, local doctors’ surgeries and CityWest Homes Estate office. Get in contact if you want more information about the event.
Loneliness is a real problem amongst older people in Westminster which has a huge impact on health and wellbeing, this is why activities for older people along with activities for the young remains at the top of our priorities for our local ward budget spending.
If you want to come along please print and send in this flyer.
Westminster Makes History With ‘Outstanding’ Children’s Services
Conservative-run Westminster City Council has made history as the first authority in the country to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating from OFSTED for its Children’s Services.
OFSTED said that Westminster’s Children’s Services Department showed ‘exemplary application’ of the ‘focus on practice’ model and praised the Council for its leadership, innovation and expertise in this area.
Inspectors commented that some of the innovative work they saw at Westminster will be used as an exemplar for other authorities to drive up standards across the country.
Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Danny Chalkley, said: ‘I am very proud that Westminster is leading the way on Children’s Services and I think that OFSTED’s rating is testament to the excellent team we have in place and the exceptional work that they do for our children and young people across the Borough’.
Deputy Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Church, said: ‘Westminster’s outstanding OFSTED for our Children’s Services shows that this Council doesn’t only make history, it makes futures, too, for all of the children and young people that we serve right across the Borough’.
Prioritising Cleaner, Safer Streets
Conservatives in Westminster have welcomed a 16% reduction in litter on Westminster streets and 85 new schemes of work to be carried out on carriageways and footways. The Council has also allocated specific funds for repairing gulleys and potholes in the city.
Residents have noticed a positive difference with litter complaints down by 27%. The results have also been endorsed by the Independent Group 'Keep Britain Tidy' which shows Westminster compares very favourably as compared to other council's in London.
The Council has managed to increase efficiencies by improving back office functions and moving toward a ‘digital city’ model, with 75% of services now available online. Bulky waste collection saw a 25% increase since going digital and webforms now make up 45% of reports to the council.
Westminster introduces its Community Infrastructure Levy
Westminster City Council implemented its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) on 1 May 2016 to supplement s106 agreements. This is a fixed charge on development to help fund infrastructure such as transport schemes and schools which the council, local community and neighbourhoods require to help accommodate new growth from development.
The CIL is to be charged on a square metre rate of net additional floor space created if the development creates 100 square metres or more of net additional floorspace.
The key drivers of the CIL charge for a development are:
- If the development is in an area deemed prime, core or fringe
- the rates within the tariff adopted and
- the use of the property
Mindful of the ever changing nature of Westminster, the Council will review its CIL biennially with the first review in 2018. This simple, straight forward policy would allow developers greater clarity as to the receipts due to the council. A specified portion of proceeds generated by development in each neighbourhood will be spent on priorities agreed with the local community. Specifically 15% of funds will be directed within neighbourhoods without a neighbourhood plan, rising to 25% uncapped in neighbourhoods with a neighbourhood plan. Westminster has set out a draft list (known as a ‘Regulation 123 list') of infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure that CIL receipts will be used to fund. This list will therefore be a key driver in the development of necessary infrastructure within Westminster and includes crime and anti-social behaviour; education facilities; health facilities and public realm improvements amongst others.
