Save our Soho doctors
Councillor Paul Church, local West End Ward resident and councillor, has launched a petition to save respected local Soho doctors, Drs. Brassey & Cheung. Councillor Church played an integral role in the initial successful campaign to save the surgery when it was under threat three years ago, but the new provider, Living Care, has now indicated that they plan to make a doctor post redundant and bring in a triage system based in Hounslow, despite promising patients when they took over the contract a year-and-a-half ago that both doctors would be safe in their positions.
Paul has created a petition to the local Clinical Commissioning Group, who govern the contract, to step in and protect these doctors who are vital to our diverse West End communities. Please add your support here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-soho-doctors.
At a packed public meeting organised by the Surgery's Patient Participation Group, Councillor Church spoke passionately on behalf of fellow local residents and told representatives present from Living Care that they should honour the promise they made to the local community and keep our two Soho doctors in post.
Councillor Church stated: 'We successfully fought with all of our Soho Spirit to keep the surgery a couple of years ago when it was under threat and our community needs to come together again to save our local doctors. Our NHS is so vital to the lives of so many and I really hope that neighbours across the West End will support my campaign to save our two excellent local doctors'.
Working to ensure plans for Oxford Street do not adversely affect residents
Cllr Jonathan Glanz is working with colleagues and officers to ensure any proposed changes to Oxford Street and the surrounding areas do not adversely affect residents.
Cllr Glanz said: “The plans outlined previously by the Labour Mayor of London will have a significant negative impact on local residents and my colleagues and I are determined to find a workable solution to avoid this.
“While the results of the Transport for London consultation published recently show significant support for the wider transformation plans, residents are concerned about the impact of any changes on them and it is important their views are listened to and acted upon.”
A second consultation is expected to begin in early November 2017.
Cllr Glanz added: “I urge as many local residents as possible to take part in the next consultation.
“If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.”
Planning in the West End
One of the issues that West Enders complain about most is over and non coordinated development. For months it seems developers have had the upper hand in Mayfair, Soho, Fitzrovia. Roads are closed off for weeks on end without explanation, hoardings erected, traffic brought to a standstill. Dust and fumes fill the air. In fact all vital services to the city are interrupted save the developers' goals.
These are not always stated in the original permissions. Planning having been granted for a reasonable proposal, many developers come back again and again piggybacking new and often more outrageous proposals on the original ones. Sadly due to the current state of the law, very often these are granted leading to increasing disruption, loss of light, outlook and prolonged disturbance to the residents robbing them of their lifestyle and all quiet amenity.
Cllr Glenys Roberts has had many heartfelt personal appeals about this process from all over the ward. And none more poignant than from the residents of Farm Street just off Berkeley Square. This charming little street was once a quiet backwater in the heart of the conservation area enhanced by some distinguished listed buildings - one thinks of the Roman Catholic Church, the Georgian gem once lived in by Princess Diana's stepmother and former Westminster Councillor Raine Spencer and the little Punchbowl tavern.
Lately however the street has been beset by proposals to turn the corner site at 8 Chesterfield Hill overlooking these treasures into an oversize development that would scarcely be suitable on the open spaces of Park Lane. Happily the Council were recently successful at appeal with the inspector roundly condemning the proposal on design grounds. Undaunted the developers submitted another similarly sized and ill thought out substitute. Cllr Roberts once again successfully urged the planning committee to reject this too and the design officer and all the committee agreed.
It has been a long route to get to the current position where building has been interrupted pending a more suitable scheme. However the triumph has been eminently worthwhile. Cllr Roberts has a special interest in planning and conservation. If beleaguered West End residents contact her, using the details above, she will do her very best for them. Let's keep London looking like London.
Promoting better mental health
Councillor Paul Church, local West End Ward resident and councillor, is Westminster's Lead Member for Mental Health and has been working with professionals across the sector to promote improving mental health and wellbeing across the Borough.
For World Mental Health Day, Paul attended an event at Westminster Music Library for residents to tackle anxiety and stress through music - one of many activities going on across Westminster to promote better mental health and wellbeing and to help residents overcome pressures and worries. He has also met with organisations across the sector to look at bringing their specialisms to Westminster for the benefit of our local residents.
Councillor Church commented: 'As a West End Ward resident, I know how busy and intense living in the centre of town can be, noise from overdevelopment, late night deliveries and licensed premises can impact greatly upon West End residents' wellbeing, as well as our amenity, and through this lead member role, I am looking at ways to help residents to tackle anxiety and stress. This Council is putting mental health at the top of our agenda and I am proud to be working on this important portfolio'.
Supporting independent businesses across the West End
Councillor Jonathan Glanz has been helping local and independent businesses across the West End take advantage of the business rate support scheme.
Cllr Glanz said: “We want to ensure that local and independent businesses, such as those in Soho and Mayfair, are not adversely affected by business rate changes.
“It is essential that these businesses continue to serve our local communities as they have for, in may cases, decades.”
Alongside officers, Councillor Glanz is also working with businesses affected by major developments to ensure they know their rights and are able to obtain the rate reductions they to which they are entitled.
Cllr Glanz added: “There is a fund available to businesses that qualify for the support. If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact me.”
