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. -


Kings crescent masterplan approved
The masterplan for the regeneration of the estate was approved at the planning committee in September. 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. 

The consultation event on 13th October was attended both by residents from and surrounding the estate. Key concerns with the masterplan related to scepticism regarding project delivery, the impact of proposed buildings and availability of parking on the regenerated estate. Specific issues that residents responded to included:

o Extending existing deck access areas to allow the creation of defensible space for upper level units and improve acoustic separation between decks and dwellings.

o Creating defined front gardens for existing ground floor accessed homes.

o Improving triangular green spaces along the southern edge of the estate

o Improving the rear edge condition of ground floor gardens along the southern edge of the estate.

o Continuing the spirit of the existing community garden

o Providing better community facilities

At the next consultation event initial ideas for the public realm, land use and built massing will be developed to a level where residents can give feedback to proposals. 

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.  -

New ward boundaries? 

The Local Government Boundary Commission have published their draft proposals. http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/greater-london/hackney-fer. Essentially they proposed 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. The branch felt that Green Lanes formed a more natural boundary and that the Portland Rise estate should stay in Brownswood. We expect a final decision towards the end of the year.

Separate proposals to reorganise parliamentary constituencies have recently been published which put us into a new “Stamford Hill and South Tottenham” constituency. Progress towards implementing these appears to have stalled for the moment. -

Woodberry Down regeneration

Work on the Old School Site is almost complete. The demolition of the 3 large houses on Woodberry Down itself should be completed shortly, to allow us to begin building Phase 2 on the 3Ps site. -

Street drinking ban

The council brought in an order establishing the power to instruct people to desist from street drinking and to seize alcohol, two years ago. Rather than just select individual areas, we took the innovative decision to designate the whole borough. Whilst it will never of course completely resolve the problem, complaints fell by 38% over the first six months, by 44% over the first year, and by almost 90% over the full period.  -


Brownswood ward forum meeting 29.10.12


The second ward forum held on 29th October highlighted the positive aspects of living in Brownswood including parks, transport links and the vibrancy. Areas of concern included drainage, some of the issues around Blackstock Road and prostitution (and associated anti-social behaviour). The group also discussed ways in which the community could come together including opportunities to close local streets so children can play out (which is being planned for Finsbury Park Road in the new year). -


Parkside Youth Club 

It’s hoped the council will take possession of the building by the week of 19th November. The steering group has decided to postpone a formal launch to the New Year in order to have the maximum impact. -


Fire station provision

It was recently revealed that Boris Johnson’s administration was planning to close up to 17 fire stations to save money. These include Kingsland Road, one of the three stations serving Hackney, as well as one in Islington and two in Tower Hamlets. The council meeting last Wednesday adopted a motion opposing any such plans. Sign up to support our campaign http://hackney-labour.org.uk/save-kingsland-fire-station


Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci