Westbourne Park Footbridge closed for improvement works, including disabled access
Crossrail have begun improvement works to the Westbourne Park pedestrian footbridge, spanning the Great Western Railway line between Westbourne Park Villas and Alfred Road. This work is a result of the great response to petitions by Westminster City Council, SEBRA and the residents of Westbourne Park Villas to improve the poor environment of the existing footbridge and the lack of step free access at the Westbourne Park Villas end of the footbridge.
The works will include:
- The removal of the existing southern (Westbourne Park Villas) footbridge span and staircase;
- The installation of a new southern footbridge span and staircase;
- The installation of a new disability compliant ramp to the new southern footbridge span
In order to allow the delivery and removal of materials and construction of the footbridge, some weekend road closures will be required in Westbourne Park Villas between June and September 2016.
The footbridge is proposed to be totally closed to pedestrians between Saturday 23 July and Thursday 25 August 2016. This closure period coincides with the school holiday period as the footbridge is heavily used by students at the Westminster Academy. The footbridge will be open before the August Bank Holiday weekend 2016 when the Notting Hill Carnival takes place and pedestrian numbers in the area are higher than usual.
The works are expected to be fully completed and the worksite cleared by Thursday 8 September 2016.
Board fixed on Westbourne Park Villas
The blue hoarding related to Crossrail’s works on Lord’s Hill Bridge had a panel broken and passers-by had left waste inside the box, which was growing by the day. City Inspector John Moorhead contacted the Crossrail liaison manager for Westminster who had the board fixed and the waste removed.
Leinster Gardens Brothel removed
Following complaints from residents concerned about persistent loitering, antisocial behaviour and noise in Leinster Gardens a brothel was shut down through a combined operation from with the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Council. Residents have expressed their appreciation for the peace this has since brought to the area. Necessary welfare checks on the premises for potential victims of trafficking and referrals were carried out as part of the operation.
Action on basement enforcement
For any basement enforcement issues please contact Aidan Marshall, our Basement enforcement officer, paid for by your councillors out of ward funds to protect residents’ quality of life. [email protected] 020 7641 1936
Out of hours work on Moorhouse Road
There have been continued complaints around hours of work on a basement construction at 9 Moorhouse Road, especially on Saturdays. An our of hours inspection is being arranged and a verbal final warning has been given to the site manager. A final warning letter will be sent upon the next instance of out of hours works.
Incorrect hoarding on Hereford Road
With works now underway on 1 Hereford Road, residents reported that the hoarding was not adequately labelled, with the project manager, site manager, planning permission and other important details not displayed on the hoardings. The developer has been informed and a visit will take place soon to ensure the hoarding is properly signed.
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.
