Development Description:
Full Planning Permission for Erection of a single storey
front/side extension at ground floor level to provide a secure
entrance, cycle store and lifts; installation of a new metal pitched
roof ; installation of new UPVC windows and doors and a new
glazing to walkways on the north elevation.
Applicant: London Borough of Hackney
App No: 2009/2729
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 02/12/2009
Agent: ZEDfactory
Agent Tel: 02084041380
Lemsford Court Brownswood Road
London N4 2XN
Case Officer: Yousef Bahadur, Hackney Planning
If you require further info, or wish to make a comment, first look at the details via the Hackney website, using the application number given above.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
November 2009 update
Council Tax and finances
In the last report I revealed that it was our intention to again freeze the council tax.
I can now confirm that the Cabinet meeting last Monday agreed a budget strategy which would achieve this. This would be the fifth year in a row that we have done this, and we are the only council in the country with such a record.
Despite that, the draft budget contains new provision for –
reopening Stoke Newington Town Hall and Assembly Halls
completing the refurbishment of Clapton Library, and outfitting the new Dalston Central library
substantial additional expenditure on both children and adults social care
running costs for the extra £5m capital investment in the Youth Service
increased estate and general waste recycling and reduction
allowance for reduced fee income during the economic downturn
Council performance
The Audit Commission continues to recognise the improved performance across the council. Its draft organisational assessment for this year rates us 2nd best in London and 4th nationally at achieving efficiencies.
They said “Hackney Council continues to build on its good track record and delivers good outcomes for local people. Satisfaction with the way the council runs things continues to improve and is similar to the London average. 7 out of 10 people are satisfied with Hackney as a place to live. More than 62% say that they get fair treatment from local services. 4 in 10 say that they can influence local decisions, which is better than average.
Good improvements have been made in services that local people say matter most including adult social care, the environment, housing, improving leisure services and in reducing crime. This builds on improvements in previous years.
The Council is working well with other public services, voluntary organisations and businesses to improve the quality of life for local people. In partnership, the Council has helped local people to find jobs and has improved the area through regeneration.”
Secondary school results
One of our major manifesto commitments in 2006 was that Hackney’s GCSE results would exceed the national average by the end of this term – from being up to 20 points behind 8 years ago.
The results for this year have now been confirmed. The national average for pupils getting five or more A*-C grades is 49.7%, and the Hackney one is 52%.
Kings Crescent
Refurbishments are now largely complete in Kelshall and Therfield, and ongoing in Bramfield with other blocks as below. Tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements. On some of the southern side, new balconies are to be constructed and flats extended. We are pushing to find funding to extend this, and to bring the CCTV system back into use.
1-24 Theobalds 4/11/9
25-47 Theobalds 25/11/9
20-42 Datchworth 7/1/10
1-19 Datchworth 1/2/10
1-31 Lemsford 15/2/10
Weston Date tbc, Spring 2010
Highways scheme – junction of Brownswood Road and Queens Drive
Streets in the ward are to form parts of a new cycle route linking Finsbury Park Gate to the Olympic site. Part of this is a proposal for a raised table junction at Brownswood Road and Queens Drive. The crossing at this point could also be moved a little westwards to align with the edge of the junction.
Please respond to the consultation either via the booklet shortly to be distributed or on the web.
Manor ETRA
We were asked to again take up the issue of the location of the polling station for CD district, i.e. Myddleton Grange and Amwell Court. My preferred solution would be to see a portakabin placed at the entrance to Myddleton, as voters from surrounding streets are sometimes put off by the current journey. The Chief Executive has promised to look at this.
Woodberry Down Estate
We are still seeking to complete the regeneration on an incremental basis. In the meantime an interim repairs package has been agreed. And we have been negotiating to ensure that residents from Spring Park Drive and from Peak and Petherton, are among the first to be moved into the new flats.
Building work on the Old School Site is progressing well with the cores of both Block F (33 homes) and Block G (84) almost complete. Construction of the new secondary school is on schedule.
Councillor Brian Bell
In the last report I revealed that it was our intention to again freeze the council tax.
I can now confirm that the Cabinet meeting last Monday agreed a budget strategy which would achieve this. This would be the fifth year in a row that we have done this, and we are the only council in the country with such a record.
Despite that, the draft budget contains new provision for –
reopening Stoke Newington Town Hall and Assembly Halls
completing the refurbishment of Clapton Library, and outfitting the new Dalston Central library
substantial additional expenditure on both children and adults social care
running costs for the extra £5m capital investment in the Youth Service
increased estate and general waste recycling and reduction
allowance for reduced fee income during the economic downturn
Council performance
The Audit Commission continues to recognise the improved performance across the council. Its draft organisational assessment for this year rates us 2nd best in London and 4th nationally at achieving efficiencies.
They said “Hackney Council continues to build on its good track record and delivers good outcomes for local people. Satisfaction with the way the council runs things continues to improve and is similar to the London average. 7 out of 10 people are satisfied with Hackney as a place to live. More than 62% say that they get fair treatment from local services. 4 in 10 say that they can influence local decisions, which is better than average.
Good improvements have been made in services that local people say matter most including adult social care, the environment, housing, improving leisure services and in reducing crime. This builds on improvements in previous years.
The Council is working well with other public services, voluntary organisations and businesses to improve the quality of life for local people. In partnership, the Council has helped local people to find jobs and has improved the area through regeneration.”
Secondary school results
One of our major manifesto commitments in 2006 was that Hackney’s GCSE results would exceed the national average by the end of this term – from being up to 20 points behind 8 years ago.
The results for this year have now been confirmed. The national average for pupils getting five or more A*-C grades is 49.7%, and the Hackney one is 52%.
Kings Crescent
Refurbishments are now largely complete in Kelshall and Therfield, and ongoing in Bramfield with other blocks as below. Tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements. On some of the southern side, new balconies are to be constructed and flats extended. We are pushing to find funding to extend this, and to bring the CCTV system back into use.
1-24 Theobalds 4/11/9
25-47 Theobalds 25/11/9
20-42 Datchworth 7/1/10
1-19 Datchworth 1/2/10
1-31 Lemsford 15/2/10
Weston Date tbc, Spring 2010
Highways scheme – junction of Brownswood Road and Queens Drive
Streets in the ward are to form parts of a new cycle route linking Finsbury Park Gate to the Olympic site. Part of this is a proposal for a raised table junction at Brownswood Road and Queens Drive. The crossing at this point could also be moved a little westwards to align with the edge of the junction.
Please respond to the consultation either via the booklet shortly to be distributed or on the web.
Manor ETRA
We were asked to again take up the issue of the location of the polling station for CD district, i.e. Myddleton Grange and Amwell Court. My preferred solution would be to see a portakabin placed at the entrance to Myddleton, as voters from surrounding streets are sometimes put off by the current journey. The Chief Executive has promised to look at this.
Woodberry Down Estate
We are still seeking to complete the regeneration on an incremental basis. In the meantime an interim repairs package has been agreed. And we have been negotiating to ensure that residents from Spring Park Drive and from Peak and Petherton, are among the first to be moved into the new flats.
Building work on the Old School Site is progressing well with the cores of both Block F (33 homes) and Block G (84) almost complete. Construction of the new secondary school is on schedule.
Councillor Brian Bell
Monday, September 28, 2009
Council Tax and finances
We intend to again freeze the council tax for the coming year – the fifth year we have done so, and the only council in the country to be able to do that.
The council’s medium term financial plan, i.e. for the next 5 years, assumes no increase in resources during that period. But that unavoidable expenditure will continue to grow by approx £15m a year. Keeping a balanced budget will require costs to continue to be reduced by that much.
A new government of any colour may of course wish to make more major changes to the local government finance system. Most start out intending to but give up because of it’s complexity.
Council performance
At the Audit Committee last Wednesday, the Audit Commission announced that we would again be 3 star council this year, including 3 for Use of Resources and Value for Money. This is especially encouraging as the tests were made significantly harder this year. Just a reminder that council’s are scored 0-4, not 1-5.
They said “The administration of the borough has had a difficult history and in 2000 the Council was a failing authority. Much of the Council's capacity over recent years has been devoted to improving the quality of its basic services and developing its partnership arrangements. This focus has proved very successful with most services demonstrating significant improvement in levels of satisfaction. Local people, businesses, partners and staff recognise significant improvement in the look and feel of Hackney. Resident satisfaction is also rising. Service improvement has been supported by physical developments, such as the refurbishment of schools and the construction of new Academies and children's centres.”
Secondary school results
And the investment in schools has paid off. One of our major manifesto commitments in 2006 was that Hackney’s GCSE results would exceed the national average.
In 2002 and 2005, we were about 20 and 10 points respectively behind. The 2009 provisional results show 70% of pupils getting at least 5 A to Cs (with 93% at Mossbourne) which has almost certainly exceeded the average for England.
Kings Crescent
I chaired the estate steering group again on the 7th of September. The strategy which was approved by Cabinet in July, envisages the demolition of two further blocks and the retention and refurbishment of the rest of the estate. This maximises the amount of land available for redevelopment providing 316 new homes, for a reasonable further cost. The remaining residents will primarily be rehoused in the refurbished frontage of Weston with views over the park.
Refurbishments have started in Kelshall and Therfield, with other blocks as below. Tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements. On some of the southern side, new balconies are to be constructed and flats extended. We need to push to find funding to extend this. So far reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
23-43 Bramfield 5/10/9
1-22 Bramfield 21/10/9
1-24 Theobalds 4/11/9
25-47 Theobalds 25/11/9
20-42 Datchworth 7/1/10
1-19 Datchworth 1/2/10
1-31 Lemsford 15/2/10
Weston Date tbc, Spring 2010.
Campaigning
We had a very successful canvass on 6th September. One whole ward leaflet is at the printers and two estate specific ones are in preparation. We need to revive the road steward system to assist with deliveries.
Woodberry Down Children’s Centre
We have been campaigning against the proposal to move nursery provision from the Woodberry Down to the Hillside Children’s Centre.
We have ensured that this has been stopped for the moment, and that there will be a proper and full appraisal of real demand before any further measures are considered. In the meantime, the waiting list will be reopened. Feryal has been instrumental in making sure this happened.
Woodberry Down Estate
Hackney has been successful in bidding to government for two schemes to build over 100 brand new council houses in two parts of the borough.
Consequently on Woodberry Down, we are proceeding on an incremental basis. This does at least mean that the stock transfer ballot is no longer an issue. We have been negotiating to ensure that residents from Peak and Petherton are among the first to be moved into the new flats.
Building work on the Old School Site is progressing with the core of Block F (33 homes) completed and Block G (84) almost done. 12 Town Court Path has been demolished to allow the community centre to be provided there.
Construction of the new secondary school is on schedule.
Councillor Brian Bell
Monday, September 07, 2009
new planning application for Alcock, Barcham and Fox houses
There appears to be a new application to build an additional storey on top of Alcock, Fox and Barcham Houses - which are at the very south end of Queens Drive, next to Clissold Park.
Telephone enquiries: Please contact the Planning Register Officers on 020 8356 3000
Ward Application Address Application Details Applicant/ Agent & Officer Details
Brownswood (D)
Applicant: Mr Chaskel Rand
Applicant Tel: 0208 800 1572
App No: 2009/1708
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 31/07/2009
Agent: Jay Ashall Associates
Agent Tel: 01477 534897
Alcock House, Barcham House &
Richard Fox House Queens Drive
London N4 2TB
Address:
Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 1
Development Description:Full Planning Permission FOR Erection of an additional floor at roof level to provide 6 self contained flats ( 1x2 bed and 5 x 1 bed);
erection of 2 x cycle stores and 2 x bin stores.
More detail should be available thru the planning section of the council's website. Please note the application no above.
Telephone enquiries: Please contact the Planning Register Officers on 020 8356 3000
Ward Application Address Application Details Applicant/ Agent & Officer Details
Brownswood (D)
Applicant: Mr Chaskel Rand
Applicant Tel: 0208 800 1572
App No: 2009/1708
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 31/07/2009
Agent: Jay Ashall Associates
Agent Tel: 01477 534897
Alcock House, Barcham House &
Richard Fox House Queens Drive
London N4 2TB
Address:
Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 1
Development Description:Full Planning Permission FOR Erection of an additional floor at roof level to provide 6 self contained flats ( 1x2 bed and 5 x 1 bed);
erection of 2 x cycle stores and 2 x bin stores.
More detail should be available thru the planning section of the council's website. Please note the application no above.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
September (&August) report
Alexandra National
The council continues to negotiate with Countryside Properties and Southern Housing Association on the future of the site as part of the Six Estates package. A bid for “gap funding” has been submitted to the government’s HCA (Homes & Communities Agency).
The latest proposal consists of 3 six storey “villas” along the Seven Sisters Road, with four storey maisonettes on the Queens Drive and Adolphus frontages. After accommodating those with a right to return to a view over the park, most of the villa units would be for sale, with the family units on the other frontages being social housing. A community centre is provided at the corner of Seven Sisters and Queens Drive.
There was an accelerated consultation process with representatives of decanted residents over the summer. If the bid to the HCA is successful, a planning application and public consultation thereon will follow in the autumn.
Safer Brownswood newsletter
The third edition of the newsletter went round with the August edition of Hackney Today. It can also be found here http://www.hackney.gov.uk/text/brownswood-news-august09.pdf
Portland Rise
I bid for funding as part of the Play Pathfinder scheme, and Portland Rise was allocated £41k.
It should be emphasised that this is for installing small play features for younger kids on 4-6 locations throughout the estate. It’s not putting in a large new or prefabricated playground. We were conscious of the concerns of older residents with regard to disruption and noise.
There was consultation with the Estate Committee on 16th July, and I had a site visit with the designer and a community safety officer on 24th July. An event to involve parents and kids was scheduled for 20th and 21st August.
Kings Crescent
I chaired the estate steering group again on the 23rd of July. The main business was to allow residents to comment on the report due to go to Cabinet on the following Monday.
The strategy which was eventually approved by Cabinet, envisages the demolition of two further blocks and the retention and refurbishment of the rest of the estate.
Although those residents most directly affected were inevitably concerned, the Steering Group as a whole, and the majority of the TRA, accepted the strategy as the best way forward.
It was agreed that the front part of Lemsford and the east-west leg of Weston will be cleared. This maximises the amount of land available for redevelopment providing 316 new homes, for a reasonable further cost. The remaining residents will primarily be rehoused in the refurbished frontage of Weston with views over the park.
The next stage is to devise a new masterplan for the estate, and funding applications and strategies to achieve it. Officers had proposed putting in an immediate application for the part of Kelshall above the shops, but I felt it better to confirm the overall approach first.
In the meantime, the refurbishments have finally started in Kelshall, Therfield and Bramfield, with other blocks to follow. Tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements. So far reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
There will remain issues as to how leaseholders meet their share of the costs.
Local Government Finance Conference
As the newly elected Chair of Audit, I’m the Hackney delegate to this conference on Friday 11th September.
Woodberry Down Children’s Centre
We were approached by parents concerned at the proposal to move nursery provision from the Woodberry Down to the Hillside Children’s Centre.
We had a very useful meeting on 27th August with the Cabinet Member and the Director and Assistant Director for Children and Young People. They appeared to accept that the earlier consultation had been significantly flawed and needed to be redone. They also promised that any relocation would be phased, and would not happen this year.
Woodberry Down Estate
We all attended the fun day back in July, meeting with residents, officers and other agencies.
Building work on the Old School Site is on schedule with the core of Block F (33 homes) completed and Block G (84) underway. 12 Town Court Path has been demolished to allow the community facility to be provided there.
The major new issue is the transfer ballot which is currently scheduled to take place later this year.
Councillor Brian Bell
The council continues to negotiate with Countryside Properties and Southern Housing Association on the future of the site as part of the Six Estates package. A bid for “gap funding” has been submitted to the government’s HCA (Homes & Communities Agency).
The latest proposal consists of 3 six storey “villas” along the Seven Sisters Road, with four storey maisonettes on the Queens Drive and Adolphus frontages. After accommodating those with a right to return to a view over the park, most of the villa units would be for sale, with the family units on the other frontages being social housing. A community centre is provided at the corner of Seven Sisters and Queens Drive.
There was an accelerated consultation process with representatives of decanted residents over the summer. If the bid to the HCA is successful, a planning application and public consultation thereon will follow in the autumn.
Safer Brownswood newsletter
The third edition of the newsletter went round with the August edition of Hackney Today. It can also be found here http://www.hackney.gov.uk/text/brownswood-news-august09.pdf
Portland Rise
I bid for funding as part of the Play Pathfinder scheme, and Portland Rise was allocated £41k.
It should be emphasised that this is for installing small play features for younger kids on 4-6 locations throughout the estate. It’s not putting in a large new or prefabricated playground. We were conscious of the concerns of older residents with regard to disruption and noise.
There was consultation with the Estate Committee on 16th July, and I had a site visit with the designer and a community safety officer on 24th July. An event to involve parents and kids was scheduled for 20th and 21st August.
Kings Crescent
I chaired the estate steering group again on the 23rd of July. The main business was to allow residents to comment on the report due to go to Cabinet on the following Monday.
The strategy which was eventually approved by Cabinet, envisages the demolition of two further blocks and the retention and refurbishment of the rest of the estate.
Although those residents most directly affected were inevitably concerned, the Steering Group as a whole, and the majority of the TRA, accepted the strategy as the best way forward.
It was agreed that the front part of Lemsford and the east-west leg of Weston will be cleared. This maximises the amount of land available for redevelopment providing 316 new homes, for a reasonable further cost. The remaining residents will primarily be rehoused in the refurbished frontage of Weston with views over the park.
The next stage is to devise a new masterplan for the estate, and funding applications and strategies to achieve it. Officers had proposed putting in an immediate application for the part of Kelshall above the shops, but I felt it better to confirm the overall approach first.
In the meantime, the refurbishments have finally started in Kelshall, Therfield and Bramfield, with other blocks to follow. Tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements. So far reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
There will remain issues as to how leaseholders meet their share of the costs.
Local Government Finance Conference
As the newly elected Chair of Audit, I’m the Hackney delegate to this conference on Friday 11th September.
Woodberry Down Children’s Centre
We were approached by parents concerned at the proposal to move nursery provision from the Woodberry Down to the Hillside Children’s Centre.
We had a very useful meeting on 27th August with the Cabinet Member and the Director and Assistant Director for Children and Young People. They appeared to accept that the earlier consultation had been significantly flawed and needed to be redone. They also promised that any relocation would be phased, and would not happen this year.
Woodberry Down Estate
We all attended the fun day back in July, meeting with residents, officers and other agencies.
Building work on the Old School Site is on schedule with the core of Block F (33 homes) completed and Block G (84) underway. 12 Town Court Path has been demolished to allow the community facility to be provided there.
The major new issue is the transfer ballot which is currently scheduled to take place later this year.
Councillor Brian Bell
Monday, July 20, 2009
New planning application - Wolfson House, 313-315 Green Lanes
Application No: 2009/1531
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 08/07/2009
Agent: Mr Charles Mills
Agent Tel: 0207 861 5127
Wolfson House
313-315 Green Lanes
London N4 2ES
Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 2
Development Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Erection of a single storey ground
floor extension to the southern elevation; erection of a single storey,
first floor extension to the northern elevation; erection of a 4m high
fence, construction of a new storage facility, replacement of canopy
at the front entrance, replacement windows and minor external
works.
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 08/07/2009
Agent: Mr Charles Mills
Agent Tel: 0207 861 5127
Wolfson House
313-315 Green Lanes
London N4 2ES
Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 2
Development Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Erection of a single storey ground
floor extension to the southern elevation; erection of a single storey,
first floor extension to the northern elevation; erection of a 4m high
fence, construction of a new storage facility, replacement of canopy
at the front entrance, replacement windows and minor external
works.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
July update
Audit Committee
Brian has recently taken over as the permanent Chair of Audit – which really is more interesting than it sounds. It’s responsibilities include
o Managing our relationship with the Audit Commission, who inspect us and give us our star rating
o Approving the accounts, at our late June meeting
o Directing audit and anti-fraud activity
o Promoting risk management throughout the council
This year for the first time, we are a billion pound organisation, spending a total of £1,090,395,000 on providing services. The end of year position showed an underspend of 0.69% against gross budgeted expenditure.
The council’s assets are valued at over £1,560 million, while the pension fund is worth over £542 million. Both have been adjusted downwards significantly this year to reflect economic circumstances. This should correct itself in future years.
Safer Brownswood newsletter
The second edition of the newsletter went round with the last edition of Hackney Today.
Amwell Court
The estate hall refurbishment is almost complete. The stepped access is improved with a disabled lift to be installed.
One of Hackney Homes’ maintenance contractors, Crispin & Borst, will now have it local headquarters in the basement of the hall.
Kings Crescent
We all attended the estate steering group again last Wednesday with the Deputy Mayor Karen Alcock.
Our aim is to conclude the strategy for the regeneration in a report to cabinet end July or early September.
We considered a number of options in relation to the future of the largely decanted blocks – Lemsford and Weston. The preferred one maximises the amount of land available for redevelopment providing 316 new homes, for a reasonable further cost. It seems almost certain that the front part of Lemsford and the east-west leg of Weston will be cleared. The remaining residents will primarily be rehoused in the refurbished frontage of Weston with views over the park.
The start of building new homes will be dependant on the outcome of our bids to the government’s Homes & Communities Agency. The announcement this week of additional resources to kickstart the construction industry can only be good news. They are actively looking for cleared sites with existing plans and permissions which can begin as soon as possible.
Clissold Leisure Centre
The reopened leisure centre was recently inspected for it QUEST accreditation. It achieved an excellent rating; the only one in London and among the top 30 in the country. Long-term residents will remember when this was black mark on Hackney’s record.
Parkwood School
Parkwood recently celebrated it 40th anniversary with a concert and parade through the local streets.
Each class picked a year from that period, and made a papier mache figure to represent it. Year 6 made a giant Barack Obama.
The school has benefited throughout all that period from the extraordinary dedication of Pat Cardis first as a teacher, then Deputy and now Head. She has made an outstanding contribution to this ward and area over that period.
Look out for the photos of the parade in the next edition of Hackney Today.
Brian has recently taken over as the permanent Chair of Audit – which really is more interesting than it sounds. It’s responsibilities include
o Managing our relationship with the Audit Commission, who inspect us and give us our star rating
o Approving the accounts, at our late June meeting
o Directing audit and anti-fraud activity
o Promoting risk management throughout the council
This year for the first time, we are a billion pound organisation, spending a total of £1,090,395,000 on providing services. The end of year position showed an underspend of 0.69% against gross budgeted expenditure.
The council’s assets are valued at over £1,560 million, while the pension fund is worth over £542 million. Both have been adjusted downwards significantly this year to reflect economic circumstances. This should correct itself in future years.
Safer Brownswood newsletter
The second edition of the newsletter went round with the last edition of Hackney Today.
Amwell Court
The estate hall refurbishment is almost complete. The stepped access is improved with a disabled lift to be installed.
One of Hackney Homes’ maintenance contractors, Crispin & Borst, will now have it local headquarters in the basement of the hall.
Kings Crescent
We all attended the estate steering group again last Wednesday with the Deputy Mayor Karen Alcock.
Our aim is to conclude the strategy for the regeneration in a report to cabinet end July or early September.
We considered a number of options in relation to the future of the largely decanted blocks – Lemsford and Weston. The preferred one maximises the amount of land available for redevelopment providing 316 new homes, for a reasonable further cost. It seems almost certain that the front part of Lemsford and the east-west leg of Weston will be cleared. The remaining residents will primarily be rehoused in the refurbished frontage of Weston with views over the park.
The start of building new homes will be dependant on the outcome of our bids to the government’s Homes & Communities Agency. The announcement this week of additional resources to kickstart the construction industry can only be good news. They are actively looking for cleared sites with existing plans and permissions which can begin as soon as possible.
Clissold Leisure Centre
The reopened leisure centre was recently inspected for it QUEST accreditation. It achieved an excellent rating; the only one in London and among the top 30 in the country. Long-term residents will remember when this was black mark on Hackney’s record.
Parkwood School
Parkwood recently celebrated it 40th anniversary with a concert and parade through the local streets.
Each class picked a year from that period, and made a papier mache figure to represent it. Year 6 made a giant Barack Obama.
The school has benefited throughout all that period from the extraordinary dedication of Pat Cardis first as a teacher, then Deputy and now Head. She has made an outstanding contribution to this ward and area over that period.
Look out for the photos of the parade in the next edition of Hackney Today.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Councillors report for May/June 09
Council performance
The Audit Commission have found that “Hackney Council has continued to 'improve strongly' and remains a 'three star' council.
Hackney is delivering significant improvement in priority areas such as community safety, children and young people and adult social care. The pace of improvement is higher than the national average with three quarters of performance indicators improving in 2007/08. Overall resident satisfaction has improved with 60 per cent of residents feeling their views are taken into account. This is supported by the Service First programme. Challenges remain in the planning service and tackling childhood obesity.
2 The Council works well with partners to deliver wider community outcomes such as health inequalities, addressing worklessness and tackling crime. Infant mortality and teenage pregnancy rates have decreased. Apprenticeships are used to deliver more local job opportunities. Crime overall has decreased.
3 The annual performance assessment of the Council's children's services by the Office for Standards in Education found that the Council makes a good contribution to improving outcomes for children and young people.
4 The Adult Social Care performance judgements delivered by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate showed that the service is delivering good outcomes with promising capacity to improve. Managerial and political leadership and the LAA were noted as strengths.
5 The services provided by Hackney Homes were recently rated as good with promising prospects for improvement.
6 The Council provides improved value for money and financial standing is good. Leadership, planning and prioritisation are strong. Consultation is used well to shape services to meet the needs of diverse communities. The Council continues to improve performance management and is making good use of joint appointments to increase capacity. The Council is well placed to sustain and deliver future improvements.
7 The appointed auditor has reported separately to the Audit Sub-Committee on the issues arising from our 2007/08 audit of the financial statements. He has issued his audit report, providing an unqualified opinion on your accounts and a conclusion on your value for money arrangements to say that these arrangements are adequate. The Council has continued to improve it final accounts processes including the quality of working papers provided and responding to audit requests.
8 The Council's performance on Use of Resources demonstrates continued and significant improvement in a range of key lines of enquiry. Whilst the overall score for the Council has remained as a three (performing well), this is a much stronger performance than our previous assessment. In overall terms four individual scores have improved compared with last year and none have reduced.”
There is a major change in the way assessment operates next year as we move from CPA to CAA. This is much more outcome based and examines the joint contribution of all the partners in an area rather than just the local authority.
Kings Crescent Estate
The interim works are now well advanced with much of the painting complete, and lighting repairs and upgrades beginning. The start of resurfacing has been delayed by the disruption to adjacent roads by Thames Water.
The refurbishments are now finally scheduled as follows –
21-37 Kelshall Court 27th July 2009
Therfield Court 10th August
Bramfield Court 31st August
Theobalds Court 21st September
Datchworth Court 20th October
Decisions are urgently required as to the futures of Weston, Lemsford and the part of Kelshall above the shops.
The recent discovery of asbestos in some of the elements of the old heating system has understandably alarmed residents. The Deputy Mayor, Karen Alcock is due to attend the next Steering Group meeting at the end of June.
Community Safety
A second joint police and council community safety newsletter is in preparation. The first appears to have been well received.
Overall crime in the borough is down 16% December 07 to 08. Crime calls in Brownswood are the 2nd lowest of all wards in Hackney. We will be represented at the CAP meeting in July.
Woodberry Down
The Old School site continues to be prepared for construction – unfortunately a section of the reservoir path will be closed for at least 6 months while drainage and foundation work are undertaken. On a positive note, the new planning application for the site will be decided by the planning committee this week – it is a big improvement on the outline planning permission as the new community centre and shops are much better situated.
Genesis Housing, the new social landlord for the estate, are promising to support new estate wardens, a community chest programme to help local people set up projects, and a series of small environmental Improvements. We are very pleased to be working with them as partners in delivering the regeneration that is needed.
The building of the new Skinners Academy is ongoing. Unfortunately the discovery of an unexpected electric main under the site may mean that it has to continue on its existing site for an extra term.
Six Estates
The residents of the ‘Six estates’ regeneration programme – which includes the site of Alexandra National House, are unhappy with the latest bid made by the relevant consortium – a partnership between a housing developer and a housing association. We are encouraging the council to negotiate hard to improve the bid but are aware that unless the consortium can meet residents’ demands, the council will have to look at other options to deliver new affordable housing for our empty site.
Finfuture
Finfuture continues to face financial difficulties with the collapse of it’s biggest tenant.
Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court
The community hall on Amwell Court is having disability access put in; hence the access to the hall is blocked. The location of the recent ETRA was changed and Feryal was not able to attend.
Transition Towns
We continue to liaise with the Transition Towns Finsbury Park group, who have recently set up in Brownswood. http://www.transitiontowns.org/
Myddleton Grange
Although the fun day on the 6th April was well supported and there seemed to be a lot of interest in the TRA, the AGM itself was not well attended. The handful of members who turned up decided to select the TRA officers provisionally to kick start the whole process, hence a chair, secretary and treasurer were elected with 3 other residents as committee members. The next meeting is on the 23rd of June, when they will start discussing issues on the estate.
Street trees
One of the most specific commitments in our manifesto was to plant 1000 new street trees by the end of the term. This was achieved in March, over a year ahead of schedule. We are seeking extra funding to continue this initiative.
Labour Group and Council AGMs
We were pleased to welcome branch members and ward guests to the Council AGM. Councillor Muttalip Unluer of Stoke Newington Central was elected Speaker for the coming year, with Clayeon McKenzie from Hoxton as his deputy.
At the Labour Group AGM, Feryal was elected Chair of the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Commission. Brian was elected Chair of Audit, and remains Vice-chair of Licensing and Assistant Chief Whip.
Stoke Newington to Sadlers Wells tunnel
The Thames Water tunnelling project which links the Stoke Newington Reservoirs (and thereby the East London Ring Main) to the Inner London Ring Main at New River Head (next to the Sadlers Wells Theatre) had an important breakthrough last month - see photo below.
We have continued to receive complaints of disturbance being caused by the tunnelling, and have taken them up as necessary.
The Audit Commission have found that “Hackney Council has continued to 'improve strongly' and remains a 'three star' council.
Hackney is delivering significant improvement in priority areas such as community safety, children and young people and adult social care. The pace of improvement is higher than the national average with three quarters of performance indicators improving in 2007/08. Overall resident satisfaction has improved with 60 per cent of residents feeling their views are taken into account. This is supported by the Service First programme. Challenges remain in the planning service and tackling childhood obesity.
2 The Council works well with partners to deliver wider community outcomes such as health inequalities, addressing worklessness and tackling crime. Infant mortality and teenage pregnancy rates have decreased. Apprenticeships are used to deliver more local job opportunities. Crime overall has decreased.
3 The annual performance assessment of the Council's children's services by the Office for Standards in Education found that the Council makes a good contribution to improving outcomes for children and young people.
4 The Adult Social Care performance judgements delivered by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate showed that the service is delivering good outcomes with promising capacity to improve. Managerial and political leadership and the LAA were noted as strengths.
5 The services provided by Hackney Homes were recently rated as good with promising prospects for improvement.
6 The Council provides improved value for money and financial standing is good. Leadership, planning and prioritisation are strong. Consultation is used well to shape services to meet the needs of diverse communities. The Council continues to improve performance management and is making good use of joint appointments to increase capacity. The Council is well placed to sustain and deliver future improvements.
7 The appointed auditor has reported separately to the Audit Sub-Committee on the issues arising from our 2007/08 audit of the financial statements. He has issued his audit report, providing an unqualified opinion on your accounts and a conclusion on your value for money arrangements to say that these arrangements are adequate. The Council has continued to improve it final accounts processes including the quality of working papers provided and responding to audit requests.
8 The Council's performance on Use of Resources demonstrates continued and significant improvement in a range of key lines of enquiry. Whilst the overall score for the Council has remained as a three (performing well), this is a much stronger performance than our previous assessment. In overall terms four individual scores have improved compared with last year and none have reduced.”
There is a major change in the way assessment operates next year as we move from CPA to CAA. This is much more outcome based and examines the joint contribution of all the partners in an area rather than just the local authority.
Kings Crescent Estate
The interim works are now well advanced with much of the painting complete, and lighting repairs and upgrades beginning. The start of resurfacing has been delayed by the disruption to adjacent roads by Thames Water.
The refurbishments are now finally scheduled as follows –
21-37 Kelshall Court 27th July 2009
Therfield Court 10th August
Bramfield Court 31st August
Theobalds Court 21st September
Datchworth Court 20th October
Decisions are urgently required as to the futures of Weston, Lemsford and the part of Kelshall above the shops.
The recent discovery of asbestos in some of the elements of the old heating system has understandably alarmed residents. The Deputy Mayor, Karen Alcock is due to attend the next Steering Group meeting at the end of June.
Community Safety
A second joint police and council community safety newsletter is in preparation. The first appears to have been well received.
Overall crime in the borough is down 16% December 07 to 08. Crime calls in Brownswood are the 2nd lowest of all wards in Hackney. We will be represented at the CAP meeting in July.
Woodberry Down
The Old School site continues to be prepared for construction – unfortunately a section of the reservoir path will be closed for at least 6 months while drainage and foundation work are undertaken. On a positive note, the new planning application for the site will be decided by the planning committee this week – it is a big improvement on the outline planning permission as the new community centre and shops are much better situated.
Genesis Housing, the new social landlord for the estate, are promising to support new estate wardens, a community chest programme to help local people set up projects, and a series of small environmental Improvements. We are very pleased to be working with them as partners in delivering the regeneration that is needed.
The building of the new Skinners Academy is ongoing. Unfortunately the discovery of an unexpected electric main under the site may mean that it has to continue on its existing site for an extra term.
Six Estates
The residents of the ‘Six estates’ regeneration programme – which includes the site of Alexandra National House, are unhappy with the latest bid made by the relevant consortium – a partnership between a housing developer and a housing association. We are encouraging the council to negotiate hard to improve the bid but are aware that unless the consortium can meet residents’ demands, the council will have to look at other options to deliver new affordable housing for our empty site.
Finfuture
Finfuture continues to face financial difficulties with the collapse of it’s biggest tenant.
Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court
The community hall on Amwell Court is having disability access put in; hence the access to the hall is blocked. The location of the recent ETRA was changed and Feryal was not able to attend.
Transition Towns
We continue to liaise with the Transition Towns Finsbury Park group, who have recently set up in Brownswood. http://www.transitiontowns.org/
Myddleton Grange
Although the fun day on the 6th April was well supported and there seemed to be a lot of interest in the TRA, the AGM itself was not well attended. The handful of members who turned up decided to select the TRA officers provisionally to kick start the whole process, hence a chair, secretary and treasurer were elected with 3 other residents as committee members. The next meeting is on the 23rd of June, when they will start discussing issues on the estate.
Street trees
One of the most specific commitments in our manifesto was to plant 1000 new street trees by the end of the term. This was achieved in March, over a year ahead of schedule. We are seeking extra funding to continue this initiative.
Labour Group and Council AGMs
We were pleased to welcome branch members and ward guests to the Council AGM. Councillor Muttalip Unluer of Stoke Newington Central was elected Speaker for the coming year, with Clayeon McKenzie from Hoxton as his deputy.
At the Labour Group AGM, Feryal was elected Chair of the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Commission. Brian was elected Chair of Audit, and remains Vice-chair of Licensing and Assistant Chief Whip.
Stoke Newington to Sadlers Wells tunnel
The Thames Water tunnelling project which links the Stoke Newington Reservoirs (and thereby the East London Ring Main) to the Inner London Ring Main at New River Head (next to the Sadlers Wells Theatre) had an important breakthrough last month - see photo below.
We have continued to receive complaints of disturbance being caused by the tunnelling, and have taken them up as necessary.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Stoke Newington to Sadlers Wells tunnel!
The tunnel linking the pipes under the Stoke Newington Reservoirs, to the inner London ring water main, had a breakthru this week.
More here - http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2009/05/12/67718/morgan-est-breaks-through-on-thames-tunnelling-job-photos.html
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Planning application for new storey on top of Alcock, Barcham and Richard Fox Houses
These buildings form the south east corner of the ward, at the bottom of Queens Drive, adjacent to Clissold Park and near the White House PH.
App No: 2009/0260
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 30/01/2009
Agent: Jay Ashall Associates
Agent Tel: 01477 534897
Alcock House Barcham House &
Richard Fox House
Queens Drive London N4 2TB
Case Officer: Caroline Ozor
Total Applications 1
Development Description:
Full Planning Permission for erection of part fourth storey
extension to existing building to provide 7 x 1 bed flats with
additional refuse bin storage.
UPDATE
The application for the former Brownswood Library site was approved at the Planning Committee last week, with detailed approval of the materials to be used, reserved.
App No: 2009/0260
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 30/01/2009
Agent: Jay Ashall Associates
Agent Tel: 01477 534897
Alcock House Barcham House &
Richard Fox House
Queens Drive London N4 2TB
Case Officer: Caroline Ozor
Total Applications 1
Development Description:
Full Planning Permission for erection of part fourth storey
extension to existing building to provide 7 x 1 bed flats with
additional refuse bin storage.
UPDATE
The application for the former Brownswood Library site was approved at the Planning Committee last week, with detailed approval of the materials to be used, reserved.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Parkwood Primary - 2nd best in the whole country!
The primary school league tables were published last week. Parkwood Primary in Queens Drive was listed as the 2nd best in the whole country for the value it adds to it's pupils' education.
Congratulations to the Head and staff, and the pupils and parents!
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7974656.stm
Congratulations to the Head and staff, and the pupils and parents!
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7974656.stm
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
April update - MORE AWARDS!
Most improved council
Last Wednesday Hackney was recognised as the most improved council at the Local Government Chronicle awards.
The work of our local strategic partnership Team Hackney was also highly commended.
Beacon Awards
A fortnight previously, we had been awarded beacon status in two categories. This is the first time Hackney has been acknowledged in this way.
The two areas in which we were recognised as beacons of good practice were –
Strategic commissioning of services from partners and the commercial and voluntary sectors
promoting more active communities in the lead up to the 2012 Games
Transport
Hackney has also been crowned the best borough in London for transport.
The council won the top prize at the London Transport Awards in recognition of its work to boost green travel through investment in cycling, walking, public transport and road safety.
A judging panel of industry experts felt Hackney was now leading the rest of London in sustainable transport. The award comes after six years of investment by the council to improve transport links and traffic flow, upgrade road surfaces, and promote safe and eco-friendly travel.
As a result, the borough is ranked number one in the UK for growth in cycling. Hackney also now has over 70 schools with a travel plan to help reduce school run congestion, and has seen a 75 per cent increase in the number of council staff walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work.
On the important issue of road safety, the authority met all its 2010 accident reduction targets, three years ahead of schedule in 2007, and has a policy of adopting a 20mph limit on all its roads.
It has also secured better transport links – the culmination of a four year campaign – with improvements to the East and North London lines underway, including building four new stations in Dalston, Haggerston, Hoxton and Shoreditch and more frequent trains by 2012.
The council was also commended in the Cycling Improvements category at the awards ceremony on 17 March.
Kings Crescent Estate
Officers are in the process of concluding matters with the previous potential developers. In the meantime we are working on the assumption that the council will refurbish and retain the remaining blocks.
The contractors for the interim works are now on site and beginning preparatory works. One major issue which will arise is displaced parking when the highways repairs are being undertaken. With the major water pipe maintenance already underway, this may contribute to temporary congestion in lower Queens Drive if not managed properly.
The rest of the interim works and associated repairs are programmed between now and the autumn. They will include -
Creation of a gardening space for residents
Lighting replacement and upgrading
Roof repairs where necessary, especially to staircases
Safety and access improvements, including some repainting
The first set of refurbishments could then begin as soon as July. It has been confirmed that we are able to use existing framework contractors including those for Decent Homes. We have asked officers to properly consult residents on the materials and design to be used.
The new Deputy Mayor, Karen Alcock is due to attend the next Steering Group meeting.
Community Safety
A new sergeant Keith McMaster, has been appointed to head up the Brownswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team, in place of David Bounds who moves on within the Met.
The March CAP meeting again confirmed the local policing priorities as –
Blackstock Road
Anti social behaviour on estates
prostitution
Overall crime in the borough is down 16% December 07 to 08. Crime calls in Brownswood are the 2nd lowest of all wards in Hackney.
A joint police and council community safety newsletter went out to all parts of the ward in the last week.
The Brownswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be moving in to a shared office with the Highbury team in the former plant hire/carpet warehouse on Blackstock Road later this year. This may also be the base for a new dedicated Blackstock Road/Nags Head SNT.
Woodberry Down
Construction on the first new social housing has now begun. The Labour Government, through the Homes and Communities Agency, has made £16 million available to ensure the social housing on the Old School Site is built as planned. A ground breaking ceremony was held on 12th March. These homes will be 10% bigger than the nationally recognised Parker Morris standard, which itself is regarded as unusually generous these days.
Bids for the rest of the “Kickstart” sites totalling £50m have been submitted. Again if agreed these would allow the building of the social housing to start before any private units.
We have a briefing on the implications of the revised PDA for these sites this Thursday.
Genesis Housing Association (which previously operated in Hackney as the Pathmeads and Paddington Churches HAs) has been appointed as the RSL to take forward the regeneration of the rest of the estate – ie non Kickstart sites. The accompanying private developer for the rest will be appointed in June if it goes according to schedule.
Interim works are being put on hold pending greater clarity of the phasing of future development.
The building of the new Skinners Academy started on programme.
Finfuture
With the end of its funding from the LDA this month, Finfuture faces a major shortfall. Brian is taking it’s CE to meet with the council’s Director of Partnership on 9th April to see if this is a potential source.
Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court
We are continuing to support the TRA in raising complaints about the noise nuisance from the adjoining Thames Water site.
Transition Towns
Feryat met with the Transition Towns Finsbury Park group, who have recently set up in Brownswood. They are well established in other parts of the borough and their aim is to make Finsbury Park/Brownswood “more sustainable and resilient in response to the challenges, and opportunities, of Peak Oil and Climate Change”. Feryat has been asked for help in reaching out to the Turkish/Kurdish communities in Hackney. http://www.transitiontowns.org/
Alexandra National
We are still seeking new development partners to help regenerate the site. One of the original four tenderers has been shortlisted. Their bid is currently being evaluated. We expect an update next Wednesday.
Myddleton Grange
Darren attended the meeting on 18th March and helped to review the community action plan to deliver a regular youth club and holiday activities. A community open evening is being held on April 6th to bring residents together and promote the new TRA.
Street trees
One of the most specific commitments in our last manifesto was to plant 1000 new street trees by the end of the term. This was achieved last month, over a year ahead of schedule.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Our report to March
Councillors Report for March 09
Budget and council tax 2009/10
The council meeting to set the budget took place last night. As intended, we were able to freeze the Hackney element of the council tax again, for the fourth year in a row. Hackney is the only major council in the country to be able to do this. Residents are on average £256 better off. In addition the GLA/Mayor of London are intending to freeze their element this year.
Despite this, through better use of resources we plan to
* Increase schools spending 3.9% per pupil
* Reopen Stoke Newington Assembly Hall and offices
* Invest a further £0.576m in recycling
* Open 1 new and 1 completely refurbished library
* Put an additional £0.5m into cleansing
* Further expand statutory youth services by £0.38m
* Recruit more environmental health officers, including ones specialising in noise pollution and food standards
* Allocate over £1m more towards adult social services
* Offer free swimming to children and seniors all year round
The Audit Commission will announce tomorrow that Hackney is again a 3 Star (out of 0-4) council, and continues to improve strongly. We also commission annual research from MORI into levels of satisfaction with public services in the borough. In 2000, overall satisfaction with the council was under 20%. It is now over 70%. In addition, 48% agree their council is getting better – 12% higher than any other.
Kings Crescent Estate
We previously reported residents’ disenchantment with the prolonged tendering process for regeneration partners, and the delays to the start of interim works. They have had to endure 11 years of lengthy negotiations and false starts, while the fabric of the estate has sometimes been allowed to decline. At the previous Steering Group, the TRA notified us that they no longer sought a comprehensive regeneration, but wanted the estate refurbished and retained by the council.
Whilst we have been advised that legally we cannot arbitrarily terminate the current process, we have made clear to officers our view that the current developers should either sign up to Heads of Terms, or be regarded as no longer credible. The crucial meeting with them is due this week.
The interim works which we have been campaigning for during the last year have finally begun. The entrance to Kelshall Court on Brownswood Road (opposite the Poundstretcher) which attracted prostitution has been converted to a door entry system. The residents there are delighted.
The rest of the interim works and associated repairs are programmed between now and the autumn. They will include -
Highway repair and replacement
Lighting replacement and upgrading
Roof repairs where necessary, especially to staircases
Safety and access improvements, including some repainting
The first set of refurbishments which the council has funding set aside for, could then begin as soon as June if we are able to use existing framework contractors including those for Decent Homes. We have asked officers to properly consult residents on the materials and design to be used.
Assuming negotiations with the current potential development partnership are unsuccessful, the future programme of refurbishments will be subject to adequate provision being made in the capital programme. We have met with the new Deputy Mayor several times to try to ensure she makes Kings Crescent a top priority.
Community Safety
The Brownswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be moving in to a shared office with the Highbury team in the former plant hire/carpet warehouse on Blackstock Road later this year. This may also be the base for a new dedicated Blackstock Road/Nags Head SNT.
Woodberry Down
The Labour Government, through the Homes and Communities Agency, has made £16 million available to ensure the social housing on the Old School Site is built as planned. A ground breaking ceremony is now planned for 12th March.
Bids for the rest of the “Kickstart” sites totalling £50m have been submitted. Again if agreed these would allow the building of the social housing to start before any private units.
A revised PDA for these sites is being put to cabinet members on 2nd March.
It remains the intention to select a housing association to take forward the regeneration of the rest of the estate – ie non Kickstart sites - by 3rd March. The accompanying private developer for the rest will be appointed in June if it goes according to schedule.
Interim works are being put on hold pending greater clarity of the phasing of future development.
WDCO (the Woodberry Down Community Organisation) is the body meant to represent all tenants and residents, but sadly is frequently poorly attended and unrepresentative. It feels that priority for the first new homes should be given to residents already moved elsewhere within the estate. If this was agreed rather than priority for those in the Spingpark Drive part of Phase 2, it would seriously compromise the overall programme and mean a “double decant” for future waves.
The building of the new Skinners Academy has started on programme. A ground breaking ceremony there had to be abandoned because of the bad weather last month.
Hackney Homes
Feryat is one of the council representatives on the Hackney Homes board. HH has recently undergone it’s second Audit Commission inspection of the year. It’s success in obtaining at a two star rating means that £225m additional decent homes funding has been released.
Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court
The TRA have raised issues including noise nuisance from the adjoining Thames Water site which we are following up.
Alexandra National
We are still seeking new development partners to help regenerate the site and provide rented, intermediate, private, and possibly retail, accommodation. One of the original four tenderers has been shortlisted. Their bid is currently being evaluated.
Myddleton Grange
Brian and Feryat attended the residents meeting on 25th February to support them in establishing a permanent TRA. Further meetings are planned for 18th March and 22nd April.
May 2010
Brian and Feryat were delighted to have been chosen to represent Labour again in 2010.
There was a very successful voter ID session on Sunday 25th February when 25 members from the ward and beyond turned out. In a single day we spoke to 3% of residents in the ward, and got 100 new Labour promises.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Your councillors' report
Councillors Report for January 09
Council performance and budget 2009/10
We intend to freeze the Hackney element of the council tax again, for the fourth year in a row. As far as we know, we are the only council in the country to be able to do this. Residents are on average £256 better off.
Despite this, through better use of resources we plan to
* Invest a further £0.5m in recycling
* Put an additional £0.5m into cleansing
* Recruit more environmental health officers, including ones specialising in noise pollution and food standards
* Offer free swimming to children and seniors all year round
The council commissions annual research from MORI into levels of satisfaction with public services in the borough. In 2000, overall satisfaction with the council was under 20%. It is now over 70%.
Brian currently chairs the council’s Audit Committee. At it’s last meeting, our District Auditor confirmed that we would be a three star (on a 0-4 scale) authority again this year. More impressively yet, they stated -
“The council’s performance demonstrates continued and significant improvement in a range of key lines of enquiry. This is particularly commendable on the back of an `improving strongly’ assessment in the previous Direction of Travel Assessment in March 2008.
Whilst the overall score for the council has remained as a 3(performing well), this is a much stronger performance than our previous assessment. In overall terms four individual elements have improved compared with last year and none have reduced.”
Olympic success
On the 23rd of January, the government and other members of the Funders Committee agreed to release an additional £135 million to build both the Main Press Centre and the International Broadcast Centre. These are the biggest elements of the Olympic Park which fall in Hackney, with £355 million to be invested in total.
The intention was that these should be built to the highest specifications for adaptable office and work space, accommodating the most up-to-date technology and to the highest fit out standards. After the games are over, they should attract media, creative and allied industries as the permanent tenants, hopefully bringing high paid jobs to the borough.
The council fought a long campaign to ensure these were built as originally planned, and not just as shells which might eventually end up as warehousing.
Hackney Children’s Services
Children’s services in Hackney have been given a three star (out of four) rating by OFSTED. They were impressed by improvements in all the included service areas over the last year.
Kings Crescent Estate
We previously reported that residents’ disenchantment with the prolonged tendering process for regeneration partners, and the delays to the start of interim works, has been building. They have had to endure 11 years of lengthy negotiations and false starts, while the fabric of the estate has sometimes been allowed to decline.
On our first day back on the 5th of January, all three councillors met with Hackney Homes and council officers to urge them to make rapid progress.
At the latest Steering Group, the TRA notified us that they no longer sought a comprehensive regeneration, but wanted the estate refurbished and retained by the council.
On a happier note, two KC residents Jill and Vince Walker-Murrain won Hackneys active resident of the year award for their work running the youth club and in the TRA. Brian and Feryat were amongst those pleased to nominate them.
Community Safety
Darren and Feryat attended the Community Advisory Panel meeting on the 14th of January. The meeting agreed to keep Blackstock Road, anti-social behaviour on estates and prostitution as the priorities for the Brownswood SNT for the next two months. A further anti-kerb crawling operation is planned for 1st week of February.
The top three crime allegations in the ward are; burglary 19 cases in last two months; ABH 15 cases; and theft from motor vehicles 14 cases. Overall crime allegation figures have further reduced by 3 % from previous two months.
The Brownswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be moving in to a shared office with the Highbury team on the Islington side of Blackstock Road later this year.
Brian attended a meeting called by the police on 12th January to discuss prostitution in the area. Unfortunately few other residents did, which was generally felt to be a reflection of the reduction of the scale and impact of the problem. However clearly this can change as the weather improves, and a follow-up meeting has been called for 16th February.
Woodberry Down
Darren will update verbally.
Hackney Homes
Feryat is one of the council representatives on the Hackney Homes board. HH has recently undergone it’s second Audit Commission inspection of the year. Obtaining at least a two star rating is a requirement of £225m additional decent homes funding being released.
The executive team met with the commission in early January to discuss the report and thoroughly check it ahead of its release. HH are obliged to follow the commission’s protocol and wait until the report is officially released to let everyone know the result. This is likely to be towards the end of February or early March.
The current year decent homes programme is well on track to meet its targets. The target % of homes without decent homes works at 1st April 2009 is 31.7%. Some 7,842 homes remain to be made decent between 1st April 2009 and 2012.
Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court
At the latest meeting on 15th January, the residents complained that the fast turn over of estate managers on Portland Rise (PR) and Lakeside Court (LC) was causing major delays in all reported repairs. In the past 2 years, PR and LC have had 4 different managers. Most requests made at previous ETRA’s are still outstanding. (Feryal to follow them up)
Alexandra National
We are still seeking new development partners to help regenerate the site and provide rented, intermediate, private, and possibly retail, accommodation.
Stoke Newington Central Bye-election
There was a bye-election in Stoke Newington Central ward on Thursday 29th January, following the retirement of former Deputy Mayor Jamie Carswell. The candidate was former Brownswood Secretary Louisa Thompson. Thanks to all the branch members who helped out.
And congratulation to Louisa who won with 48% of the vote – up 2.5% from the last borough elections. The Greens came second with 32% despite bringing in activists from across London. The Lib Dems only got 12% while the Tories were on a humiliating 7%.
Friday, January 23, 2009
New planning application for the Brownswood Library
App No: 2008/3185
Applicant: Genesis Housing Group
App Received Date: 29/12/2008
Agent: Savills Tel: 0203 320 8276
Former Brownswood Library
Brownswood Road
London N4 2ST
Address:
Case Officer: Rokos Frangos
Total Applications 3
Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Demolition of existing building and
erection of a five-storey building containing seventeen residential
units and one disabled parking space, together with associated
outdoor amenity space and landscaping.
Check it out on the Planning section of www.hackney.gov.uk
Applicant: Genesis Housing Group
App Received Date: 29/12/2008
Agent: Savills Tel: 0203 320 8276
Former Brownswood Library
Brownswood Road
London N4 2ST
Address:
Case Officer: Rokos Frangos
Total Applications 3
Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Demolition of existing building and
erection of a five-storey building containing seventeen residential
units and one disabled parking space, together with associated
outdoor amenity space and landscaping.
Check it out on the Planning section of www.hackney.gov.uk
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Application for new hostel at 420 Seven Sisters Road
Happy New year to our small but dedicated group of readers!
The council has received a new application for a hostel which local residents may want to comment on.
Application no - 2008/2018
Address - 420 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2LX
Description - demolition of existing building on the site and the erection of a six storey building for use as a hostel with associated parking and refuse storage (Class C1)
Please see the planning section of the website Hackney.gov.uk
for further details.
The council has received a new application for a hostel which local residents may want to comment on.
Application no - 2008/2018
Address - 420 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2LX
Description - demolition of existing building on the site and the erection of a six storey building for use as a hostel with associated parking and refuse storage (Class C1)
Please see the planning section of the website Hackney.gov.uk
for further details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)