January update

from the Brownswood Councillors

Woodberry Down

The regeneration of Woodberry Down has taken another major step forward with the December Cabinet meeting agreeing to support the residents preferred option for the future. This (“Option 2”) would see a single housing association and development consortium selected to lead the process. They would be expected to establish an unique ‘Community Based Housing Association’ for Woodberry Down, and assist the campaign to win a stock transfer ballot.

As stated, this was the option strongly supported by the residents through their Estate Development Committee. “Option 3” which was chosen as the backup, sees ownership and management transferring incrementally. Just a reminder that the advantages include

· 4,316 new homes
· investment of approx 653 million
· new health centre and children’s centre
· new primary school and secondary school
· resident control of the social housing through the CBHA

There is a further meeting with the Woodberry Grove retailers scheduled for 16th January.

Kings Crescent

A report is now due to go to the February Cabinet recommending development partners for Kings Crescent, following a process including technical evaluation and interview of the housing associations and builders forming each of the partnerships by residents and officers. Once they have been chosen and the legal agreements completed, they will be expected to begin detailed consultation with residents on the regeneration plans. As previously mentioned this is likely to involve clearance of the Green Lanes frontage for redevelopment, and refurbishment of the blocks along Brownswood Road and Queens Drive for possible retention by the council.

However there is even better news. While most of the overall regeneration will be funded through the new partnership, we also put in a bid for a special London-wide fund for 2.5million to make an early start to some of that. The Government and London Mayor announced at the end of November, that this bid has been successful. This means that we can begin the refurbishment a year earlier than otherwise.

The intention is to make a start on the blocks along Brownswood Road as soon as a contract can be let. Demolition works on the further areas to be cleared should also commence in the new year.

Alexandra National House/ “Six estates”

Similarly the next couple of months should see a development partnership appointed for the package of six estates which includes Alexandra National. Because it covers six estates spread throughout Hackney, it difficult for anyone of have the same sense of ownership of these proposals and therefore possible the schemes will be developer-led.

For example one of those for Alexandra National involves new retail units at ground floor level, while another has a 20 storey tower block on the north-west corner, ie taller than the existing one.

Police Community Advisory Panel for Brownswood

The Police Community Advisory Panel meets every two months to give our safer neighbourhoods team and the wider police force, some direction as to what their priorities should be. It currently meets at 6.30pm on a Wednesday in a local school; the next one being on Wednesday 10th January.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat attended the estate committee on 16th November.

Licensing

The Spring Park Hotel sex encounter premises application is now scheduled for 7pm on Thursday 11th January. It was previously due to be heard at a daytime hearing in December but the councillors had this delayed to a more suitable time.

School results

Hackney’s results overall have continued to improve markedly year on year. But for the second time in three years, our local school Parkwood is in the top 2% nationally based on the scores below:

English Maths Science
Hackney average 71% 65% 76%
National average 79% 76% 87%
Parkwood primary 90% 87% 90%
(achieving Level 4 at age 11-12)

It should also be stressed that this extraordinary achievement was still based on a class which was significantly more deprived than even the Hackney average. Congratulations to all the pupils, families and staff.