Stop the merger of our local police services
Westminster Conservatives have launched a campaign to stop the proposed police merger with two other boroughs. We are urging residents and businesses to support the campaign to call on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to rethink his plans to merge the Westminster police teams with Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham as it will drain our neighbourhoods of local officers.
The Mayor is currently piloting Borough Command Units in two areas of London: Camden and Islington as well as Barking, Redbridge and Havering. Results so far report worrying increases in police response times. Recent reports show that the most urgent 999 calls took nearly 40 minutes on average to answer, compared to a target of 15 minutes.
It’s more important than ever for us to keep our Police Services local. Although Tachbrook Ward is the lowest crime ward in Westminster, we’ve been seeing reports in the growth of anti-social behaviour. Many thanks to our residents who when out walking their dogs spotted some drug-related activities taking place in Pimlico Gardens and contacted Cllr Angela Harvey who was able to bring in help from both the Council and our local neighbourhood police, who brought in the Westminster Police Gangs Unit to help too. The police made a number of arrests for dealing, possessing, and other offences. The Council did its part too by quickly cutting back shrubbery where some of the dealing was occurring, and we’re looking to see how we can improve Pimlico Gardens in this regard. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further.
The Safer Neighbourhood Panel comprising residents, Councillors, Police and Council problem solvers, came together to try to do more to address the causes of this blight. If you have any questions or issues you want to raise please do let us know.
The police message is to report all criminal or antisocial behaviour to the police as soon as possible, by calling 101 or by going on their website www.met.police.uk so that they may build the full picture across Pimlico and know how best to use their resources. Of course, if you see a crime actually happening then please call 999 immediately.
Dolphin Square
Dolphin Square first opened its doors in 1937, and the current owners Westbrook are in the early stages of applying for planning permission to make a number of changes to the Square. First, relocate the spa, pool, beauty areas, second to improve the water, electrical and other necessary services, and further add about another 150 flats to the estate, plus some mews houses in the western carriageway.
The council has asked them to consult widely, and they are holding a drop-in public exhibition in their offices on the Chichester Street entrance.
On Saturday 21st and 28th October from 10am-2pm, and on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th October from 3-7pm.
Your local Councillors have met several times with Westbrook to defend residents’ interest and we will work to ensure that our residents’ hopes and concerns are listened to by Westbrook and that their plans take into account the needs of all residents.
Photograph: Cllr Angela Harvey checking out the exhibition with Dolphin Square’s General Manager Neil Miller-Chalk
Stop the Nine Elms Bridge
Tireless campaigning by your local Conservative team continues to Stop the Nine Elms Bridge, a threat to the peace and tranquillity of St George’s Square, Pimlico Gardens and Westminster Boating Base. Not to mention the potential of many thousands of commuters being directed through Tachbrook’s residential streets. Thanks to everyone who has signed the petition. Westminster council has opposed this application since 2012.
Lillington and Longmore Gardens Estate
At our regular surgeries some of our residents have brought up concerns about maintenance work carried out on the Lillington & Longmoore Gardens Estate. Working with residents, CityWest Homes has recently replaced the old repairs contract with a new one to improve response times and repairs. If you have any problems in the first instance please call or email the new contact centre on (Freephone) 0800 358 3783 or email them on [email protected].
CityWest Homes offer a free service to tenants to help fight condensation and mould, for details visit their website www.cwh.org.uk/condensation.