Pavement Improvements
As previously reported we continue to push to ensure that roads and pavements in the area are properly maintained and any problems quickly rectified.
We have identified a number of problems in a stretch of Sutherland Avenue that has resulted in some ponding when there have been major rain showers.
Your local councillors have pushed to get this stretch of pavement realigned and relaid to repair this issue and we are pleased to confirm that the works are underway to get this fixed. If you spot any issue with pavements in your street, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Little Venice councillor Melvyn Caplan said “Maintaining and protecting the roads and pavements in our area is a key priority for us and we will continue to push to make sure that any problems are quickly resolved.”
Heart of Little Venice
Your Councillors take pride in the area around the canal, the best known feature in Little Venice. We maintain contact with the relevant agencies:
- The Canal and River Trust cares for 2,000 miles of canals and rivers which include infrastructure such as bridges, embankments and towpaths. Your Councillors liaise with the Trust over matters such as improving towpaths for pedestrians and cyclists, pruning trees, lighting, creating new wildlife habitats and facilities for new moorings. The Trust also offers education opportunities to the three primary schools in our Ward. See links https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/original/30122-london-waterway-flyer.pdf and https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
- The Inland Waterways Association is a charity working for the betterment of canals nationally. The Association organises an annual event in Little Venice, the Canalway Cavalcade. This will take place in 2017 between 29th April - 1st May. About 35,000 visitors attend over three days and require coordination with Westminster City Council over the use of Rembrandt Gardens and facilities associated with large crowds. See link https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/canalway_cavalcade/iwa_canalway_cavalcade. Last year the Association took environmental advice to move the band stand from the central island to avoid disturbing the birds and their chicks.
Councillors are also available to help residents who are concerned about planning applications in the area as we aim to safeguard and protect the neighbourhood.
Councillor Barbara Arzymanow comments, “The Ward Councillors look forward to continuing to work with all those interested in preserving and enhancing all aspects of life in Little Venice.”
College merger widens choice for local students
City of Westminster College and the College of North West London have announced their intention to merge with a vision to deliver the highest quality education and training opportunities for students and employers locally, and across West and Central London.
Subject to formal agreement by both college Governing Bodies, if the merger goes ahead it will offer local students a wider selection of course subjects when enrolling in the future.
Little Venice Councillor Ian Adams, who serves as a Governor at City of Westminster College, said: "The ambition is to create a new college group which provides the highest standard of education and training and gives the broadest choice for students and employers.
"The merger will be one of equals and both colleges will keep their well respected college names and identities."
Westminster’s secondary schools in the top 50 for GCSE grade progress
Three Westminster secondary schools are among the top 50 schools for improved GCSE grades according to a new measure of progress used by the Department for Education.
Westminster’s Ark King Solomon Academy Paddington Academy and Westminster Academy all rank within the top 50 for Progress 8, which captures the GCSE grade progress of the pupil from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school compared to other students with similar prior achievements.
Councillor Richard Holloway, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People said: "It is encouraging to see our schools playing such a leading role and helping young people in Westminster to reach their potential.
"I want to especially congratulate the pupils and teachers at King Solomon on ranking 5th nationwide. Our GCSE results are among the best in inner-London and we are very proud of all the young people, teachers, parents and countless others who combine to make our schools so successful."
Among local authorities in inner London, Westminster is ranked 3rd for Progress 8, while placing 2nd for average student grades (also known as Attainment 8). Nationwide, Westminster ranks 5th and 10th in the same respective categories.
Westminster Conservatives act to prevent rogue landlord from ruining tenants’ lives
A rogue landlord has been banned from managing property in Westminster after being convicted of breaching the Housing Act at a rental flat in Bayswater.
The flat, in Gloucester Terrace, was found by Westminster Council inspectors to have flaws including no mains-connected fire alarm, a lack of fire-proofing in the lobby, an outdated fuse box and no fixed heating. Under the new Criminal Behavior Order the landlord is prohibited from managing any property in Westminster or Haringery - where she also owns property – for a decade.
Councillor Antonia Cox, Hyde Park Ward Councillor and Westminster’s cabinet member for public protection and licensing, said: “This sends a clear message to all landlords that they have responsibilities to their tenants and that bad practice will not be tolerated in Westminster.” The restrictions imposed on Ms Goremsandu are the first time a Criminal Behaviour Order has been issued against a housing offender in London, and only the second such case in Britain, since legislation allowing their use was passed in 2014. She was also fined £3,500 and told to pay £7,645 costs after her conviction,
