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
