April update

Councillors Report – April 2013




2014 Elections



The government is consulting on whether to move the council and European elections due in the spring and summer of 2014. It looks likely that both will be on 22nd May.



Parkwood School



Two candidates have now been shortlisted for Head following a second round of advertising. Interviews are scheduled for 17th April.



Kings Crescent regeneration



Residents discussed the detailed design of the north side of the estate in late March. This will see the conversion of the rows of garages along the northside to flats, addressing one of the original design flaws. Plans are now available.



We hope to get it to a planning committee in the summer, and to start work in the late autumn. It will achieve 101 refurbished flats for current residents, 107 new affordable units (79 for rent, 28 for shared ownership), and 155 new units for private sale



The second stage of the refurbishment is almost complete. New windows are also being installed at Therfield Court, with Datchworth and Theobalds to follow shortly. Teething problems with the fob and door entry systems are being sorted out.



We successfully bid for £30k with £78k of council funding, from a GLA initiative to create “pocket parks” in the green spaces along Queens Drive.



Manor House Area Action Plan



We have met with residents affected by the proposal to redevelop the UNITE /T&GWU building on Green Lanes.



Finsbury Park

As previously reported Hackney, Islington and Haringey council have agreed a programme of joint working around Finsbury Park town centre including producing a supplementary planning document for it to guide future development. (Pictured)



Staff from around the council joined colleagues from Islington to spruce up Blackstock Road as part of this year's Capital Spring Clean Week. This year the team tackled a variety of issues to help improve highstreets and chose to work on a road on Hackney's border as part of a new partnership with Islington Council. We've recently signed new agreements with both Islington and Haringey to make sure that we provide more consistent services in neighbourhoods which border with other authorities.



As well as carrying out street cleansing activities, officers cleared tagging on a resident's wall, removed some fly-tipped builders' waste from a garden and scraped off more than 300 stickers which had been plastered on shopfronts.



Officers also answered questions from residents and businesses about time banded collections and trade waste agreements. The commercial waste team spoke to 25 businesses who were not signed up to have their trade waste collected by the council. By law all businesses must have an agreement with an authorised carrier for the safe disposal of their waste. Businesses do not have to use the council's service, but those without a trade waste agreement at all can face unlimited fines.



At an EGM on 25th March, Finfuture agreed to change it’s name to the Finsbury Park Trust to try to better reflect it’s aims and activities, first proposed by Brian.



Woodberry Down regeneration



Construction is now up to 4 storeys on the “3 Ps” site. This will be 100% social housing.



We are investigating reports from residents on the Old School Site of problems with the new heating systems and higher than expected bills.



The new Woodberry Grove North Park is to be formally opened at 12.30pm on Saturday 6th April, with the youth club hopefully to follow at 4pm - see here.



Transfer of public health



On 1st April responsibility for public health returned to local authorities. This includes -

• School medical inspections, and children’s public health (initially 5–19)

• Sexual health advice and clinics

• Seasonal mortality initiatives

• Drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse prevention

• Community obesity programmes

Funding of approx £29m is initially provided but may quickly reduce.



Community safety/policing



The most recent CAP meeting saw the introduction of yet another new sergeant, Richard Berns. The local priorities remained much the same.



Benefit changes



The 1st April sees the introduction of significant changes. Anybody except pensioners will now pay at least 15% of their council tax. Housing benefit will be capped, and reduced if residents are judged to be “underoccupying”. Approx 1000 to 1500 households are estimated affected by the former and 4000 households by the latter. While the council is

 publicising the changes

 co-ordinating with advice agencies and other partners

 helping those who wish to move where we can

 using our (very limited) discretionary hardship funding

there can be no doubt that these will have a major detrimental impact.





Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

New 103 bed hostel application - 350-356 Seven Sisters Road

Application Number: 2013/0807
Applicant: Topclass Investments Limited


Date Received: 05/03/2013
Validation Date: 12/03/2013
Comment by 2nd April 2013

Agent: Nicholas Taylor and Associates Tel: 02079288955

Development Case Officer: Marie Joseph

Description: Demolition of central hostel building at 352 and 354 Seven Sisters Road and erection of part 5, part 3 and part 2 storey building (plus basement) to accomodate a 103 room hostel with 24 hour opening, associated landscaping works to front and rear, car and cycle parking, together with the refurbishment of 350 and 356 Seven Sisters Road.

http://apps.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=192521&XSLT=/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Hackney/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Hackney/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Our March report

Councillors Report – March 2013


Council Budget 2013/14


At the meeting on 27th of February, we set the budget for the year ahead. Despite substantial reductions in government grant, we were able to freeze the council tax for a record 8th year. The figures show how unequal this has been with Hackney losing £318 per head of grant while Dorset loses £39 and Surrey £41.


Despite every thing we were still able to free up resources for new/additional services

 £0.250million towards policing the night time economy

 an additional £1.4m for Looked After Children

 £900k extra to the waste disposal authority

 £150k towards a new service for children of “overstayers”

 £1.8m more towards adult social care

In addition we maintained an extra £2.1m in cleansing and post Olympics cultural development, on a one-off basis.

The council’s revenue spending for the previous year came in at 0.2% under budget.

Bizarrely and apparently without irony the main Tory proposal was to cut spending on infrastructure and cleansing, to add to “the hardship fund to assist those residents losing council tax and other benefits as a result of the introduction of the government’s welfare reforms”. The Liberal Democrat proposal was a more limited version of this.


Parkwood School

A second advert for a new Headteacher should appear on the 8th March. The governors hope to interview and appoint in mid April. However there is a severe national shortage of suitable candidates so the timetable allows for a further round.

Kings Crescent regeneration

With the masterplan having been approved in September, the detailed design of the north side of the estate has been worked up. It will see the estate rebuilt in phases, each consisting of new build and refurbishment of existing stock so that the eventual design is tenure-blind. One interesting feature will see the conversion of the rows of garages along much of the northside to flats. This was one of the original design flaws leaving substantial areas with no natural surveillance or sense of ownership.

We hope to get it to a planning committee in the summer, and to start work in the late autumn. It will achieve

• 101 refurbished flats for current residents

• 107 new affordable units (79 for rent, 28 for shared ownership)

• 155 new units for private sale

The second stage of the refurbishment which included replacement of the electrical mains, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford, is almost complete. New windows are also being installed at Therfield Court, with Datchworth and Theobalds to follow shortly.

We have bid for £30k – and £78k of council funding - from a GLA initiative to create “pocket parks” from the current green spaces along Queens Drive.

Manor House Area Action Plan

We are meeting with residents affected by the proposal to redevelop the UNITE /T&GWU building on Green Lanes..

Finfuture/ the Finsbury Park Trust

At an EGM on 25th March, Finfuture is due to change it’s name to the Finsbury Park Trust to try to better reflect it’s aims and activities, first proposed by Brian.

As previously reported Hackney, Islington and Haringey council have agreed to work together on a joint supplementary planning document for Finsbury Park town centre which includes parts of Blackstock and Seven Sisters Roads. The aim is to guide future development of the area to support economic, social and physical regeneration.

Joint work has already taken place between the 3 boroughs on the removal of estate agent boards, auditing street clutter on borough and TfL roads, and engaging business and other stake holders. “Capital Clean Up” on 11-17th March will see further work but the area is already cleansed to a high level so any ideas would be welcome. The Accord is also exploring the idea of re-launching a Blackstock road festival. Hackney Council is leading on this and would welcome resident involvement.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Construction has begun on the “3 Ps” site. This will be 100% social housing.

The new youth club is to formally launched on the 6th April, with the adjacent Woodberry Grove North Park hopefully to follow on 25th April.

Secondary school admissions

1 March was national offer day, for pupils applying to secondary school this September. 67% of those who opted for a Hackney school have been offered a place at their first choice school. 84.5% have been offered either their first or second choice.

Community safety/policing

The March full council passed a Labour motion criticising the Mayor of London’s policing plan which will see officers in Hackney reduced from 770 in 2010 to 685 in 2015. It will also reduce the fixed element of SNTs to 1 sergeant, 1 PC and 1 PCSO.

Locally we continue to work closely with the police. For example “Operation Haka” is a joint long-term operation aimed at targeting gang-related criminality in Hackney. A total of 25 search warrants were executed and 14 people arrested, during dawn raids on the 27th of February 2013. These were predominantly in the Hoxton area of Hackney but with other addresses in Hackney and surrounding boroughs involved.



Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

January/February update

Councillors Report – January 2013




Ward boundaries



The Local Government Boundary Commission have announced a third round of consultation on boundaries within Hackney. Although their proposals for Brownswood and Woodberry Down wards remain the same, it will cause a further delay to reorganisations and selections. Details can be found here -

http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/greater-london/hackney-fer



Parkwood School



The advert for a new Headteacher appeared on the 18th January. The governors hope to interview and appoint in mid February. However there is a severe national shortage of suitable candidates so the timetable allows for further rounds if necessary.



Kings Crescent regeneration



The second stage of the refurbishment which includes replacement of the electrical mains, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford, is almost complete.



Although all the door entry systems are now installed, the state of the electrical mains was worse than expected and has delayed some being turned on. All should be operative within the month. In addition new windows are currently being installed at Therfield Court, with Datchworth and Theobalds to follow shortly.



With the masterplan having been approved in September, work has started on the detailed design of the north side of the estate. It will see the estate rebuilt in phases, each consisting of new build and refurbishment of the existing stock so that the eventual design is tenure-blind.



An apple orchard is being created in one of the triangular spaces on Queens Drive. Planting is from 9am on Thursday 31st January .



Manor House Area Action Plan



We’ve been approached by developers looking at two key sites. The first is the UNITE /T&GWU building on Green Lanes. There they propose a 6/7 storey mainly residential development on the northern two thirds of the site. The southern third will be landscaped as a small park offering access through to the New River and reservoirs.



The second is 420-424 Seven Sisters Road, the south western corner of the Manor House junction. There they’re proposing a 7 storey and basement 200 room hotel. This also accords with the vision in the AAP which is due for adoption this month.



Alexandra National House



The scheme is finally almost complete with council tenants due to move back in January and February. Private sale units will also be occupied from February.



It is well behind schedule and we are pursuing the developer for substantial compensation.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Work on the Old School Site is almost complete with the first shops transferring from the old parade to the base of the tower. Enabling works to allow us to begin building Phase 2 on the ‘3Ps’ site are well advanced.



The first residents have moved into brand new homes in Woodberry Down North and feedback has been very positive. Future arrangements for street naming, and the provision of school places, are among issues being raised by residents.



Community safety/policing



The new borough commander proposes a different approach to neighbouring policing. He has stated that fixed SNT membership will be reduced to 1 sergeant and 2 PCs. All other PCs and PCSOs will be allocated by a Neighbourhood Inspector to wherever they judge is most needed. He argues that by the elimination of some specialist teams and the reallocation of admin, more overall resources will go into community policing.



At the recent CAP meeting however, the outgoing Inspector thought that PCSOs would remain with SNTs. This needs to be clarified. Local priorities continue to ASB, prostitution and burglary.



A consultation on the wider Mayor of London’s policing plan was arranged for 6pm on 24 January at Hackney Assembly Halls.



Woodberry Down Youth Hub

The new hub is finally open and invites to tours of the facility were circulated, with a formal launch in February. A long-term name for the facility still needs to be found. The youth service have also committed to continuing provision on Myddleton Grange.



GCSE results



Provisional results have been released for GCSE performance and Hackney schools are again above the national average. Despite the much publicised fiasco over marking 59.6% of children in Hackney schools achieved 5 A*-C including English and Maths last year (the national average was 58.4%). In Ofsted terms 7 out of our 12 schools are now good or outstanding with no schools inadequate. More information can be found through the hackney website which has published our annual review of schools: http://mginternet.hackney.gov.uk/documents/s27575/standardsdatadec12.pdf



Finsbury Park railway bridges



The bridges at Finsbury Park have been an eyesore for many years. The recent treatment of the Hackney Central bridge shows how they can be transformed.

New art work breathes life into Hackney Central Bridge
Eastlondonlines

Public Consultation - Green Lanes Road Safety Scheme

The Council are proposing changes to the junction of Gloucester Drive and Portland Rise with Green Lanes that will provide a safer, accessible, more user-friendly and attractive street environment for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.


The proposals include:

• The removal of the segregated turning lane between Portland Rise and Gloucester Drive.
Recent traffic surveys have shown only a very small number of vehicles use this facility
• Making Portland Rise two-way at the junction with Green Lanes to improve access options for local residents and cyclists
• Allowing contra-flow cycling on Gloucester
Drive to improve access for cyclists
• Providing an extended area of pavement at the junction with new street trees. This will result in the loss of one parking space along the northern side of Portland Rise, nears its junction with Green Lanes.
• The construction of speed tables at the junction of Green Lanes with both Gloucester Drive and Portland Rise. This will improve road safety by reducing vehicle speeds and also allow easier pedestrian access.
• Road marking changes on Green Lanes to encourage lane discipline.

The public consultation on these proposals is open until 14th December.

If you would like to contribute your views on the changes, all the details are available here.

The consultation document and questionnaire for return are here.

November update

Parkwood School


Pat Cardis the Headteacher has finally decided to retire after an extraordinary 43 years of service at the school. Pat started at the school as a newly qualified teacher on its opening day in 1969, became deputy head in the 1990’s and head in 2000. The governors which include Brian and Oli, now have the task of finding a successor.

Under her leadership the school has become the best in Hackney and nationally outstanding. Last year 100% of 11 years olds reached the required standard in English and 95% in maths. This year it was 100% in maths and 96% for English. Parkwood’s intake tends to be more deprived than even the Hackney average with one of the highest level of special educational needs. One of the most encouraging developments this year is the more than doubling of the level of development during the early years stage.

With the reopening of the Alexandra National House and the regeneration of Kings Crescent moving forward, we need to begin a debate about how best to provide new primary places in the area. -

October report

Kings crescent masterplan approved
The masterplan for the regeneration of the estate was approved unanimously at the planning committee on 12th September - Planning applications . It will see the estate rebuilt in probably 4 phases, each consisting of new build and refurbishment of the existing stock so that the eventual design is tenure-blind. The architects for the first two phases and the landscapers for the whole of the development have now been appointed. At the conclusion it will provide 274 (36%) units for social rent, 117 (15%) for shared ownership and 374 (49%) for private sale. Respectively 26%, 39%, 23% and 11% will consist of one to four bedrooms. A new community centre, play facilities, shops and café are proposed. The next stage in engagement is via a street party from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday 13th October. Consultation is now much wider then the estate. The second stage of the refurbishment which includes replacement of the electrical mains, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford, is almost complete. All the new doors are installed but delays with the electrics meant some are only now being activated.

Hackney Play Streets

A groundbreaking scheme has just started in Hackney that will close selected streets to through traffic, turning them into “play streets”.

Hackney has become the first London

borough to introduce Temporary Play Street Orders (TPSOs) as a one-year pilot project.
TPSOs which allows parents to apply to close their street for a few hours per week or month for children to play safely outside.

The scheme was initiated following an approach to the council by resident and mum of three Claudia Draper who said 'hopefully playing out in the street will now be a normal part of kids' lives as well as being something that brings the community closer together'.

Oldfied Road

in Stoke Newington closed for the first time on 9th September allowing 70 children to play together and older residents to meet and chat.
Residents of play streets can still drive on closing days and are guided by volunteer stewards stationed at the ends of the street.

The scheme is open to any residential road where there is sufficient support for the idea.
If you wish to apply for a TPSO you will first need to consult with neighbours before submitting an application. Major routes or streets with a bus route are unlikely to be suitable.

To find out more about this innovative project contact Gavin Best at Hackney Council or call 020 8356 3023.
The scheme has the support of the Hackney Play Association who has more information on children's play in the borough on their website.

August Update

GCSE results- You’ll have heard that nationally results are down for the first time, but Hackney bucked the trend big time. This year, 60.5% of students achieved five good GCSEs including English and Maths – a 3.5% increase on last year and our best ever results. Ten years ago the number of pupils getting five good GCSEs was 31 per cent.

New Ward Boundaries?

New ward boundaries? The Local Government Boundary Commission have now published their draft proposals. Follow this link http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/greater-london/hackney-fer to see them and comment. Consultation closes on 24th September Essentially they propose a two member Brownswood consisting of parts to the west of Green Lanes and Portland Rise. And a two member Woodberry Down ward consisting of that estate with Portland Rise and Amwell Court.

July update

Councillors Report – July 2012 Hackney’s changing … ... at an unprecedented rate. Shoreditch as well as being host to a vibrant night life, is the biggest hub in the country for IT and creative industries. New clubs and housing have spread up through Hoxton and Haggerston towards Dalston, which is now becoming fashionable in itself. The far east of the borough has been changed completely by the Olympic park and development at Stratford. Locally the completion of Woodberry Down and Kings Crescent estates will transform large parts of the ward. But reputation tends to lag behind reality. The Radio 1 Hackney Weekend on 23rd and 24th June was organised by the BBC and the council, to help transform some of those attitudes. It was the BBC’s biggest event of the summer of 2012, and Hackney’s biggest event ever. About a third of the free 100,000 tickets went to local residents. The legacy of the event goes beyond this weekend and the performances. The Radio 1 Academy ran from 1-22nd June at the Hackney Picturehouse offering workshops and practical experience on fashion, music, film, radio, digital communications, journalism, comedy and business. More than 7,000 young people have been though the Academy, more than half of them from Hackney.

Brownswood Ward Forum: Your ward, your say

The Music Room, Parkwood School

Queens Drive

London N4 2HQ

7 pm on Monday 2nd July 2012

  

Meet your local councillors, raise local issues and explore opportunities to improve our area!

Your local Ward Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci warmly invite you to the first Brownswood Ward Forum.

At this first meeting we will be discussing:

§        

Kings Crescent

redevelopment plans

§         Environmental projects in our ward

We’d also like to hear from you about some of the small things we could do together to help improve our local area and the best way of shaping future forum meetings.  Brownswood Ward residents are all welcome, we would be grateful if you could also publicise this in your community and your organisation

Email us on Brownswood@hackney.gov.uk

Your ward, your say!

Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

Our May/June report

Councillors Report – June 2012 Local Government Boundary Commission Review
The boundary commission have now accepted our arguments for the overall number of councillors to remain the same. However our latest proposals for wards and boundaries have had to take into account population change and projections in Woodberry Down and elsewhere. The LGBC will review the proposed ward schemes and publish their final proposals by 17th July 2012. There will then be a 10 week consultation phase. Final decisions will be made in October/November 2012.

Education Next month the Learning Trust will pass back into the direct control of the council after a successful 10 year contract. The aim is to retain the excellent practice that has seen Hackney's schools improving year on year, and the transition plans have emphasised stability in terms of staffing and approach.

Kings Crescent masterplan out for consultation/refurbishment continues The masterplan for the future estate is now out for consultation until the 11th of June. Link here - . If that doesn't work go to the planning part of the council website and search for application no 2012/0676. The second stage of the refurbishment includes replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. The first of the new doors has been installed at Lemsford. It is anticipated that all blocks will have had new windows installed, where deemed necessary, by the end of this year. External cladding of existing blocks will be carried out in conjunction with each phase of the new build, to ensure integration of new and existing buildings. At this stage, it is anticipated that the new build will be carried out in four phases, starting next Spring, with the programme continuing for 5-6 years. The installation of new digital television aerials has been a major cause for concern.

Policing and community safety Our safer neighbour team was recently down to one PC, one PCSO and a half-time sergeant rather than the six members it was originally meant to provide. Although all some of the turnover may have been bad luck, the fact that replacements weren’t being recruited is down to Boris Johnson’s cuts to the MPS. We have raised this with the borough commander.

Woodberry Down regeneration Construction on “the old school site” is now almost complete. Riverside Apartments is the final private block at the eastern end of the West Reservoir and was occupied from the end of March 2012. “The Residence” tower (175 units) is being fitted out with residents moving in between July and October 2012. Both blocks at 268 Green Lanes are now complete, and have been handed over to Genesis HA who will allocate tenants. The April planning committee reluctantly approved a 2nd tower block immediately to the north east of the current one. Berkeley Homes argued they needed this further income stream to allow them to proceed with Phase 2 (which includes the rest of Brownswood). As well as tying it in to a review of the masterplan which would bring forward further community benefits, Brian and the chair of planning argued for an overage or claw-back clause which would allow us to get further social housing or a financial contribution, if Berkeley’s make a higher than forecast profit from this tower. The local labour target of 20% has now been achieved.

Finsbury Park Accord On Friday 1st June, the Leaders of Haringey, Islington and Hackney signed the Finsbury Park Accord at the Park Theatre. It is designed to co-ordinate planning of and improve services in, the area which is split between three boroughs. Aims include more social housing, enhanced economic activity, and safer and cleaner streets.

Alexandra National site Construction of the framework is now complete, with the cladding having begun.

London Elections Sadly Ken Livingstone was beaten by Boris Johnson, but by a much smaller margin than predicted in all the polls. Labour in London had a great result winning 4 more seats on the assembly. Jennette Arnold substantially increased her majority getting over 100,000 votes in N E London. Hackney got the second best % vote for Ken in London, after Newham. In Hackney Labour “won” every ward, and Ben Hayhurst is the new councillor for Hackney Central winning the byelection with a 1,893 majority. In Brownswood we had a good result with Labour Green Tory Lib Dem Mayor 1314 254 448 97 Constituency 1285 511 252 153 List 1257 449 273 158 Our next roving surgery and canvassing session is on Saturday 16th June starting from the Brownswood Tavern on the corner of Brownswood Road and Green Lanes. These events are becoming more and more focused on the need to build the campaign towards the elections in 2014 & 2015. Please come if you can.

Councillors Brian Bell, Feryal Demirci and Oli de Botton

Our April update

Councillors Report – April 2012

Parkwood School

Pat Cardis, headteacher at Parkwood received a well deserved lifetime achievement award at the Educators Awards in March – photo attached. Pat is an extraordinarily talented, hardworking and committed teacher who has been at Parkwood since it’s opening day in 1969. It is Hackney’s most successful primary despite have an intake more deprived than the borough average.

Local Government Boundary Commission Review

The boundary commission have now accepted our arguments for the overall number of councillors to remain the same. However our latest proposals for wards and boundaries have had to take into account population change and projections in Woodberry Down and elsewhere.

£11.5m refurbishment of Kings Crescent continues

The second stage of the refurbishment includes replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. The style of the new roofs to these two have now been agreed with residents. Window replacement works have been completed at Lemsford and moved on to Weston. The first of the new doors has been installed at Lemsford.

Following the installation of the new roofs on Weston and Lemsford, it is intended to replace windows in the remaining blocks and it is anticipated that all blocks will have had new windows installed, where deemed necessary, by the end of this year.

Officers expect the masterplan application shortly to go forward for a 13 week plus consultation period. Estate residents and those in neighbouring streets will be invited to comments on the proposals.

External cladding of existing blocks will be carried out in conjunction with each phase of the new build, to ensure integration of new and existing buildings. At this stage, it is anticipated that the new build will be carried out in four phases, starting next Spring, with the programme continuing for 5-6 years.

If estate roads are built to adequate standards and they are subsequently adopted as public highway, they become part of the surrounding controlled parking zone and residents will have to buy parking permits. In this case, roads would be maintained at public expense. At some stage, residents will need to decide whether this is their preferred option. The alternative is to not have roads adopted, and maintenance and any parking scheme deficit costs would be met through rents and service charges.

Big Lottery Fund win for Manor House and Woodberry Down

A consortium led by the Manor House Development Trust, has won the first stage of a project to explore ideas to address the consequences of climate change. £10k is available to work up a detailed bid for up to £1million for a fuller implementation. The consortium comprises the MHDT, Berkeleys, Groundwork London, LB Hackney, LB Haringey, London Sustainability Exchange (LSx), and Transition Finsbury Park.

Policing and community safety

Our safer neighbour team is now down to two police constables and a half-time sergeant rather than the six members it was originally meant to provide. Although all the PCSO’s leaving at once was co-incidental, the fact that replacements weren’t being recruited is down to Boris Johnson’s cuts to the MPS budget. We have had this raised with the borough commander.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Construction on “the old school site” is now almost complete. Riverside Apartments is the final private block at the eastern end of the West Reservoir and is scheduled to be occupied from the end of March 2012. “The Residence” tower (175 units) is being fitted out with residents moving in between July and October 2012. Photos attached.

Both blocks at 268 Green Lanes are now complete, and being handed over to Genesis HA who will allocate tenants. Photos also attached.

The planning committee last month reluctantly approved a 2nd tower block immediately to the north east of the current one. Berkeley Homes argued they needed this further income stream to allow them to proceed with Phase 2 (which includes the rest of Brownswood). As well as tying it in to a review of the masterplan which would bring forward further community benefits, Brian and the chair of planning argued for an overage or claw-back clause which would allow us to get further social housing or a financial contribution, if Berkeley’s make a higher than forecast profit from this tower.

The local labour target of 20% has now been achieved.

Hostel application

As a result of pressure from local residents and councillors, the large hostel extension planned for 350-356 Seven Sisters road was rejected at the first stage. We are also pushing to ensure that the new development management development plan currently being discussed, makes appropriate provision for hostel development. For further details go here and search for 2011/2395.

Alexandra National site

Construction of the framework is now complete, with the cladding of the northern blocks having begun.

And finally

Feryal is running the London Marathon on 22nd April in support of the Anthony Nolan Trust. To support her, go here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FeryalDemirci


Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

Our March update

Councillors Report – March 2012


Local Government Boundary Commission Review

The boundary commission appear to have now accepted our arguments for the number of councillors to remain the same. However they will still have to make changes to bring the ratio of residents to councillors back into line, so the threat of boundary changes and two member wards still exists. We have provided full details of projected population growth in Brownswood and elsewhere as part of our case.

£11.5m refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate continues

The second stage of the refurbishment (which includes replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts) is progressing well though inevitably causing some disruption. The installation of entryphone systems starts on 4 March. The current programme is being reviewed to move Bramfield Court forward, in view of the ASB problems being experienced there, and to condense the programme to bring the completion date forward from the end of August.

Works to prepare for the digital TV switchover should be completed by 4 April.

The window replacement works have been completed at Lemsford Court and the contractor has now moved on to Weston Court.

Officers have had initial meetings with the planners and expect the masterplan application to go forward once one final document is supplied. There will then be a 13 week plus period for the outline application to be considered. Estate residents and those in neighbouring streets will be invited to comments on the proposals.

A major issue remaining is whether the remaining blocks to be refurbished will get flat or pitched roofs. Residents are generally opposed to flat roofs because of their experience of leaks over the years. The Design Code, which forms part of the planning application, makes no pre-emption on the design of roofs and states that “roofs may be pitched or flat”. In the meantime, Weston and Lemsford are to be given shallow pitched roofs which will be concealed by parapets. It is intended to arrange visits to schemes elsewhere where “green” roofs have been installed to allow residents to see if modern ones work better.

Finsbury Park Accord

A draft Finsbury Park Accord has been drawn up between Haringey, Hackney and Islington to deliver further regeneration of the Finsbury Park Area. The draft document, which is being finalised, highlights the need for more co-operation amongst the boroughs, a focus on town-centre improvements including on Blackstock Road, and a drive to improve the local economy. The accord may also highlight recent steps forward on the Hackney side, including the building of additional housing. The next step is to draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for the area.

Hostel expansion

Oli and Feryal have been active in supporting residents raising concerns about the expansion of one of the hostel at 350-356 Seven Sisters Road. Their worries are based on the perceived proliferation of such establishments in the area.

Woodberry Down regeneration

The first five KSS1 blocks are now complete and fully occupied. Riverside Apartments is the final private block at the eastern end of the West Reservoir and is on schedule to be occupied towards the end of March 2012. “The Residence” Tower (175 units) is being fitted out and residents will be moving in between July and October 2012.

Basic construction of both blocks at 268 Green Lanes is now complete, with fit out and landscaping to the external areas due to be finished soon.

Berkley Homes are continuing to pursue a further tower block at Woodberry Down. The TRA, WDCO, will only accept this in the context of a review of the overall masterplan which brings additional benefits to residents.

A new health centre will be built as part of the Phase 2A development on the former Pewsham site. The site is cleared, with the exception of three detached properties on Woodberry Down. Work was originally due to begin in March 2012 and be complete by March 2014. However there has been a delay in purchasing leasehold properties as Berkeley Homes, the developer, has not been able to agree terms with some of the leaseholders. Berkeley Homes have put negotiations on hold until more progress has been made with obtaining a Compulsory Purchase Order for all of Phase 2. Berkeley Homes anticipate being on site in October 2012 with a completion date in late 2014.

The council is still in negotiations with the PCT to take a lease on the property. The PCT will then sub-lease some of the building to local GP practices. If the council is unable to reach an agreement with the PCT or GPs, it could directly market the health centre to other providers. These would include GP practices, dentists and pharmacies.

The Castle

The Castle climbing centre on Green Lanes has applied inter alia, to expand their cafeteria space and add a conservatory to the eastern side and a greenhouse to the southern elevation. For further details go the planning section of hackney.gov.uk and search for 2012/0162.

Alexandra National site

Construction of the framework is now complete, with all the new council housing already allocated to returning tenants.

Council budget

The council is due to set its budget and council tax at the meeting on 29th February. We are proposing to freeze the council tax for a 7th year.


Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes - planning and listed building consent applications

Please comment by 26th March via the Planning section of the LBHackney website.

Application Number: 2012/0199

Date Received: 16/01/2012
Validation Date: 08/02/2012
for Listed Building Consent

Agent: Cook Townsend Architects
Agent Tel: 02084440330
on behalf of The Castle Climbing Centre Green
Lanes London N4 2HA

Development Case Officer: Evie Learman

Description:
Internal alterations to the existing building
comprising new escape provision; additional
cafeteria space; relocation of existing utility
space and refurbishment of existing internal
building fabric. External works comprising
new lean-to conservatory on the eastern
elevation and new greenhouse on the
southern elevation; alterations to external
building fabric; provision of new external
sports activity space and modifications to
existing road and pedestrian access including
new access door on western elevation facing
Green Lanes.

All this work is in connection
with an associated planning application
reference 2012/0162.

February Councillors Report

Clissold Park and House refurbishment complete

The £9m project funded by Hackney and the lottery, to improve the park and bring the house fully back into use, was completed on time and budget. Feedback has been very positive. http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/park-wide-masterplan.pdf This month also saw the opening of the new Dalston CLR James Library.

Finsbury Park Regeneration Conference

We were pleased to support FinFuture’s Your Finsbury Park conference, on Saturday 28th January. The next stage is the development of the “Finsbury Park Accord”, an agreement how the three councils will work jointly to regenerate and promote the area.

Local Government Boundary Commission Review

As previously reported the commission are carrying out a review which may change the number of councillors, number of wards and ward boundaries. The council’s position is to maintain the overall number as broadly what we have now, maximise 3 member wards, and oppose 1 member wards. The other local parties generally agree.

£11.5m refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate underway

The second stage of the refurbishment has begun including replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. Works are progressing well though inevitably causing some disruption.

Following a series of consultation and amendments, there was broad support from residents for the final proposed masterplan. Officers are working on submitting an outline planning application which they hope to have validated next month. The issue of flat roofs on the remaining blocks to be refurbished remains to be resolved. We also remain concerned that they have not properly addressed the GLA’s reservations.

Amongst management issues, letters to some residents requiring them to remove gates which blocked access to their flats in the blocks affected by prostitution and associated ASB had caused concern. We got Hackney Homes Chief Executive Charlotte Graves to personally visit them and agree a compromise. The late planning for the installation of new digital TV aerials has also led to some confusion and stress.
Woodberry Down regeneration

The first four KSS1 blocks which were for social rent or shared ownership, are now complete and fully occupied. “Waterside Apartments” (67 for private sale plus 8 shared ownership) are now complete and the first resident moved in on Friday the 20th January 2012 which is another key milestone reached. All units here have been sold. The hoarding line has now been moved back and “Goodchild Road” which allows access to the basement parking, created. Some photos are available.

Riverside Apartments is the final private block at the eastern end of the West Reservoir and is on schedule to be occupied towards the end of March 2012. “The Residence” Tower (175 private units) is being fitted out and residents will be moving in from July 2012 with the remainder by the end of October 2012.

Basic construction of both blocks at 268 Green Lanes is now complete, with fit out and landscaping to the external areas due to be finished by the end of February 2012.

Demolition works at Pewsham, Peak & Petherton are now complete with all materials crushed and stockpiled to be used later in the development. Construction works will begin on the first 180 affordable units as soon as the 3 houses have been vacated.
Berkley Homes are continuing to pursue a further tower block at Woodberry Down.

Alexandra National site

Construction is back on schedule with all the new council housing already allocated to returning tenants.

Community safety and policing

We attended the CAP meeting at the Redmond Centre on Woodberry Down on 12th January where we met new members of our police team. This saw increased concern about vice and burglaries. We pressed to ensure that policing would be maintained during the Olympic period. After the meeting we received data about local vice operations. Last month there were 21 prostitute cautions in total. The police now have 12 prostitutes who are on two cautions and can be arrested on the next occasion. As before, we want to ensure there is also appropriate support available for the women.

Manor TRA

Issues raised included parking on Amwell Court and youth engagement. There was a positive response to some of the work done by the new SNT team on Amwell.

St Johns Court TRA

The inaugural AGM was held this month and there were a number of issues raised. In particular we were keen to ensure that the Decent Homes funding secured for half of the estate is delivered in this financial year. We have also pushed to ensure flats not included in this round are at the very least surveyed in the near future. Other issues related to general tidiness of the estate and we will continue to monitor this.

Hackney school success

A new report from the Centre Forum think tank highlighted that Hackney was now one of higher achieving authorities in the country. On measures related to closing the achievement gap and overall attainment, we were in the top ten in London. London LEAs overall were found to be out-performing those in the rest of the country.

Planning application for new 108 bed hostel at Royal Park Hotel, 350 - 356 Seven Sisters Road

Details here - http://apps.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=160003&XSLT=/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Hackney/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Hackney/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Cut and paste the web address into your viewer if necessary.

http://apps.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/PLComments.aspx?pk=160003

Comments are invited until 30th January 2012.

December update

Councillors Report – December 2011
Local Government Boundary Commission Review

As previously reported the commission are carrying out a review of Hackney which may change the number of councillors, number of wards and ward boundaries. The Labour Group’s position is to A) maintain the overall number of councillors to as close as what we have now as possible (with some flexibility); B) maximise the number of 3 member wards; C) oppose 1 member wards.

£11.5m refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate gets underway

Following a series of consultation and amendments, there was broad support from residents for the final proposed masterplan. Officers now hope to submit an outline planning application early next year.

The second stage of the refurbishment has begun including replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. The third stage works include energy efficiency and related works to all blocks. However this has given rise to practical issues which we are now following up -

1) as the lifts are taken out of order to be replaced, the sealed off walkways between blocks should be opened up so the elderly etc, could get to another lift.

2) concerns about the safety of the scaffolding

3) it was reported that an officer had suggested that some repairs would not be done where refurbishment was intended in the longer term. We emphasised that this was wrong and reactive repairs would continue to be done as needed.

4) we had a detailed programme for most works but not the door entry systems or Lemsford and Weston roofs.

5) to what standard were contractors required to repair any damage they cause while doing the works?

6) digital TV aerial installation.


Blackstock/Seven Sisters Roads

We have, thru Finfuture, supported the establishment of a Blackstock Road Traders Association which held it’s formal launch on 28th November (advert attached). It’s been reported that the first meeting went well. They have elected an executive, adopted a constitution and opened a bank account. A press release is being issued.

Hackney and Islington have also bid to the Mayor’s Outer London Fund to improve pavements, shop fronts and junctions on both Blackstock and Seven Sisters Roads.

20 mph zones implementation

Temporary diversions were put in place as needed to allow the works to commence on the 7th November for approx 6 weeks, specifically -

o New entry and exit 20/30mph signs in the area bounded by Blackstock, Seven Sisters and Brownswood Roads and Green Lanes; and also in the area bounded by Green Lanes, Mountgrove, Brownswood and Blackstock Roads.

o New speed humps in Queen’s and Gloucester Drives, Wilberforce Road, and Portland Rise.

o New raised entry treatments at the junctions of Queen’s Drive/Seven Sisters Road, Alexandra Grove/Seven Sisters Road and Somerfield/Blackstock Roads.

o 20mph roundel road markings will be provided at all entrances to the new 20mph zones.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Construction is on schedule on all blocks, with the fourth one due to be handed over at the end of November. The “three P’s” site is being cleared to allow work to start.

Berkleys are continuing to pursue a further tower block on the site.

Cycling training

'Excellence through Sport' is a small sports company which has delivered clubs on Woodberry Down for several years. They won a London Community Cycling Fund grant of about £5,000 in June to set up a cycling club. They will be running this project from the grounds of the Reservoir Sailing Centre mainly for residents of Woodberry Down Estate and plan to have a container brought in and fitted out, with GLL’s permission. The council’s streetscene team will be supporting the project by helping to deliver cycle training as we have expertise in this area and have in-house trainers.

Community safety and policing

We attended the CAP’s AGM on 10th November where Gary Jones, the new Sergeant, set out his desire to engage with a wider section of the population. He noted the lack of representation from Woodberry Down and suggested meetings alternate between Parkwood School and the new Redmond Centre. He also highlighted his ambition to:

· Work with Highbury West SNT (Islington) to tackle issues on Blackstock Road

. Focus on burglaries in the area (which have spiked in recent months)
. Maintain efforts to tackle prostitution in the ward.

St Johns Court TRA

We are pleased that a new TRA has recently been set up to represent St Johns Court. Hopefully this will allow us to engage better with residents there.

Budget

The Labour Group meeting on 15th November was able to agree next year's budget. Details will be reported. We faced a budget gap of approx £25 million for 2012/13, made up of £8m of predicted inflationary pressures and £17m of further reductions in government grants.

We will be able to freeze the council tax for a record 7th year.

Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

November report

Councillors Report – November 2011

Alexandra National

Lovells report that good progress is being made and almost all areas of the site are back on schedule. “Residents choice” items have been put together for agreement by their steering group and site visits will be arranged.

A schedule of names based on indigenous flowering plants has been agreed -
Villa 1 (for sale units) - Clover Court
Villa 2 (for sale units) - Sunflower Court
Villa 3 (social rented units) - Foxglove Court
Block on Queens Drive / Gloucester Drive (social rented units) - Azalea Court
Internal cul-de-sac - Alexandra Mews
Block on internal cul-de-sac (social rented units) - Marigold Court

£11.5m refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate underway

Following approval at July cabinet, the second stage of the refurbishment has begun including replacement of the electrical mains and lighting, all lifts, the installation of two tier door entry systems, and new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. The third stage works include energy efficiency and related works to all blocks.

Final consultation on the amended masterplan takes place on 1st and 2nd November. Officers then hope to submit an outline planning application later this year.

Blackstock/Seven Sisters Roads

Hackney and Islington are bidding to the Mayor’s Outer London Fund for funds to improve public realm and boost the economic regeneration of the area. The proposal is to de-clutter these roads, and improve pavements, shop fronts and junctions.

20 mph zones implementation

The 20 mph works notifications have been sent out to residents and the works will commence on the 7th November and will last approx 6 weeks. The works will include -
o New entry and exit 20/30mph signs in the area bounded by Blackstock, Seven Sisters and Brownswood Roads and Green Lanes; and also in the area bounded by Green Lanes, Mountgrove, Brownswood and Blackstock Roads.
o New speed humps in Queen’s and Gloucester Drives, Wilberforce Road, and Portland Rise.
o New raised entry treatments at the junctions of Queen’s Drive/Seven Sisters Road, Alexandra Grove/Seven Sisters Road and Somerfield/Blackstock Roads.
o 20mph roundel road markings will be provided at all entrances to the new 20mph zones.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Construction is on schedule on all blocks, with the next one to be handed over at the end of November. Berkleys are continuing to pursue a further tower block on the site.

Peak & Petherton have been demolished and the site is being cleared.

Community safety and policing

We will be attending the CAP meeting next Thursday. As a result of Mayor Johnson's cuts to policing, there is a reduction in sergeant posts in SNTs and ten wards, including Brownswood, will now have one covering two teams.

A recent four day vice operation in our ward and the Shacklwell area of Dalston resulted in 3 arrests, 12 cautions, and two ABAs. 24 kerb crawlers were stopped and questioned resulting in 5 penalty notices.

Mossbourne Extension

One of our manifesto commitments was to provide an additional secondary school in the south of the borough and last month Hackney secured funding for a new 800 pupil one. The school will be an expansion of the highly successful Mossbourne Academy, and is due to open in September 2014. It will be based on the site of the former Cardinal Pole Lower School in Victoria and aim to build on Mossbourne's remarkable achievements, including:
82 per cent of pupils getting five good GCSEs including English and Maths this year.
Ofsted rating it ‘outstanding’ in two consecutive inspections.
11 pupils being offered places at Oxbridge this year.

Success in securing this funding for a local school will extend Hackney's improvements in recent years. In 2010 we were above the national average in terms of GCSE performance for the first time with over 55% of pupils achieving 5A*-C including English and Maths, and making good progress from primary school.

Budget

The Labour Group held it’s recent awayday on Woodberry Down. We faced a budget gap of approx £25 million for 2012/13, made up of £8m of inflationary pressures and £17m of further reductions in government grants. We’ve found over £5m of efficiencies in the General Fund already and will be agreeing other measures at future meetings.

Parkside Youth Club

Building work at the Parkside Youth Centre begins on 9th November. The centre will be closed from this date and a programme of alternative provision is being put on, including youth work at the new Redmond Centre, sports activities and outreach work.

Our October update

Boundary Reviews

There are two reviews going on at the moment which will affect us. The parliamentary review changes the shape of the Hackney North constituency, stretching it east to Hackney Wick and taking in a Haringey ward. Separately the local government boundary commission is undertaking a review of four London authorities which could see the number of councillors, number of wards and ward boundaries changed. They could also revive two member wards.

£11.5 refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate begins

Following approval at cabinet on cabinet 18th July, the second stage of the refurbishment has begun. This includes replacement of the lateral mains and corridor lighting, all lifts and then installation of two tier door entry systems. This stage also includes new roofs and windows for Weston and Lemsford Courts. The second stage works include energy efficiency works to all blocks, and retrofitting parts of Datchworth, Theobalds and Bramfield.

The masterplan for the estate has been amended following a further consultation with residents. Officers still hope to submit an outline planning application this autumn. An interesting last minute proposal from the architects to install a mixture of green roofs and additional flats on top of the current blocks, met with a sceptical response from some residents with experience of flat roofs leaking.

Woodberry Down regeneration – new award

The Woodberry Down development has won “best British social housing development” at the National British Homes Awards ceremony on 24th September. Berkeley Homes also won the overall homebuilder of the year award.

As reported previously, the first tenants moved into brand new homes in “Reservoir Apartments” and Watersreach” from May 2011. The third block (and first for shared ownership) “Aqua Apartments” was handed over in September. And the next “Parkway” is back on schedule for November this year. The tower block is now up to it’s full height and the tower crane was removed during weekend of 24th September. Berkleys are now proposing a further tower block on the site. A consultation is taking place in the Redmond Community Centre on the day of our branch meeting.

At 268 Green Lanes the rear block is almost complete and the front block on schedule. Peak & Petherton have been demolished and the site is being cleared.

The council is still in discussions with the retailers and WDCO, to help explore the best options for the local shops. Genesis Housing are working with Hackney Citizens Advice Bureau to provide a renewed welfare benefits and debt advice on the estate.

Community safety and policing

As a result of Mayor Johnson's cuts to policing, there is to be a reduction in sergeant posts in SNTs across Hackney from 19 to 14. Ten wards, including Brownswood, will now have one covering both. Team strength, underneath sergeant level, should remain the same for the moment with 2 PC’s and 3 PCSO’s for each ward. Brownswood will be partnered with New River. This may have some advantages as it means we can have a co-ordinated approach to Woodberry Down, although of course the reduction in numbers is unwelcome. We queried the wider rationale behind this at the last CAP meeting.

Manor House Area Action Plan

Consultation on the proposed final document has begun and be found at http://www.hackney.gov.uk/manor-house-aap.htm

School results

Hackney’s school results continue to improve at an remarkable rate. Secondary results are above the national average for the second year, and primary results are expected to exceed them for the first time. Locally, Parkwood School outcomes at Key Stage 2 were (figures inside the tables are percentages)
Standards:
Level 4+ English Mathematics Both
2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011
School 84 88 100 100 84 81 95 97 83 81 95 97
National average 81 80 80 79 79 79 72 72 73

Two levels of progress English Mathematics
2008 2009 2010 2011 2008 2009 2010 2011
School 88 96 100 88 92 100
National average 82 82 84 78 81 83

New Youth Club

The application for the new Parkside Youth Centre is going to the planning committee this Wednesday. Over £400K is being invested in the refurbishment. Details here - http://idox.hackney.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do;jsessionid=E652CAA9E012B315E39447CAF2F3279A?action=show&appType=Planning&appNumber=2011/2030

Alexandra National

Construction is on schedule with the frames of the villa blocks fronting SSR almost complete. It should eventually provide -
Tenure 1B 2B 3B 4B Total homes
Council rent 18 26 19 4 67
Private sale/shared ownership 18 11 9 4 42

Budget

We face a budget gap of approx £25 million for 2012/13, made up of £8m of inflationary pressures and £17m of further reductions in government grants. We’ve found over £5m of efficiencies in the General Fund already and will be agreeing other measures at future group meeting. The announcement by the government that they are again offering a grant to freeze the council tax, probably defuses that issue.

The Park Theatre

There hasn't been much publicity on our side of the borough boundary, but there is new theatre opening next year just above the northern entrance/exit to Finsbury Park station. Brian recently toured the site to see the progress being made. More details here - http://www.parktheatre.co.uk/.The Park will be a professional theatre housing an 200 seat main house, a 90 seat studio theatre and all day cafe bar (with weekend late license) as well as ancillary facilities.


Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci