Paddington Street Gardens Christmas Tree!
Your Councillors helped organise sponsorship from Ridgeford Properties, who purchased the tree from Paddington Youth Enterprises Ltd. Paddington Youth Enterprises Ltd provides employment for young people during the Christmas period, delivering and collecting Christmas Trees.
Ridgeford Properties also provided goody bags for the children, Druce Estate Agents provided mulled wine and mince pies, St. Vincent's School children's choir provided the beautiful singing, and the Mayor of Westminster kindly switched on the lights. This made for a very merry Wednesday afternoon before Christmas, to many in Paddington Street Gardens.
Review of the Bok Bar Licence
Following many complaints by residents and in spite of your Councillors working to resolve issues with the Environmental Noise Team and the management of the Bok Bar at Westminster, there is to be a Review of their Licence.
Lighting
Following complaints about thefts from cars and the wider problems caused by the poor lighting in Manchester Square, your Councillors have succeeded in obtaining 10 new LED lamps, and the better placement of two existing ones.
Fly Tipping Issues
We are constantly battling to keep our streets clean and tidy and are frequently reporting fly tipping issues on behalf of residents. This can also be done by residents, very simply online on Westminster’s website.
Rough Sleepers
Your Councillors seek help in reporting any sightings of rough sleepers to a rough sleeping team at www.streetlink.org.uk. This will allow the contact and assessment team to do the initial assessment. If the individuals are not eligible or refuse any assistance and they continue to cause negative environmental impact/ASB, the area can be monitored by a Hotspot Team (if there are more than 4 in one location) or Local Police Team.
Update on the Library
The Library will move from its temporary location to another temporary location in New Cavendish Street, before moving to its permanent home at the Seymour Leisure Centre. We have been involved in discussions to ensure that the most frequently used services will be retained in New Cavendish Street and although the building is smaller it is more centrally located in proximity to the High Street.
Fly Tipping Fines Increase as Westminster Conservatives Crack Down on Unsightly Litter
People who leave their rubbish on the street, ignore waste collection times and dump items around big black bins are now likely to receive £200 fines.
Fixed penalty notices for household waste will include a £200 fine for a first offence, rising to £400 for a second offence. For trade and business waste a £400 fine can be levied followed by prosecution for continued dumping.
Councillor Nickie Aiken, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said: “We have one of the best cleaning services in the country and we hope that these new fines send a strong message to the minority who think it is acceptable to fly tip and ignore our bins and refuse collections that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Westminster City Council offers various ways old items can be safely and easily disposed of, ranging from ‘Restart’ events for electronics to mobile recycling centres and big black bins. For bulkier items a bulk waste collection service is available, with the option to take large household items to the waste recycling centre at Smuggler’s Way.
During a three-day operation in the autumn of 2016 over 71 fines were issued, with offenders having to pay £80 for illegally dumping their rubbish.
Councillor Aiken said: “Our residents regularly complain about others who choose to illegally dump their rubbish. The vast majority of our residents and businesses are determined to keep their streets and neighbourhoods clean and we are working with them to create a cleaner greener city for all.”
More Charging Points as Greener City Action Plan Aims to Improve Westminster’s Air Quality
This January 60 on-street electric vehicle charging points will be upgraded and 20 additional charging points will be introduced as part of Westminster Conservatives’ continuing work to improve air quality in the capital.
The move forms part of the Greener City Action Plan, a council initiative to make the city a more sustainable and liveable place to call home. Alongside the electric vehicle chargers, the plan includes encouraging car club use as an alternative to a private car use, reducing freight and waste vehicle movement, promoting more cycling and walking, eliminating vehicle engine idling and reducing emissions from buildings.
Councillor Heather Acton, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Parking, said: “Poor air quality is a continuing problem for us in Westminster, but we’re doing all we can to help improve our environment through our Greener City Action Plan.”
A Marylebone Low Emission Neighborhood has been established to trial new measures and help make real improvements to air quality in central London.
