Brownswood Councillors

February Councillors Report

2012-01-30T14:13:00.003Z

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

2012-01-05T12:50:00.005Z

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

2011-11-29T16:28:00.003Z

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

2011-11-07T14:06:00.001Z

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

2011-10-05T14:55:00.001+01:00

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

September report

2011-08-30T15:53:00.007+01:00

Councillors Report – September 2011

£11.5 million for the refurbishment of Kings Crescent Estate

The cabinet meeting on 18th July approved a further £11.5 million to complete the refurbishment of the estate. The first stage includes replacement of 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. We received comments back from the GLA which were broadly supportive but had concerns about the proportion of social housing and mix of unit sizes which we share. Officers still hope to submit an outline planning application in the autumn.

Woodberry Down regeneration – new community centre opens

The new Redmond Community Centre was opened on July 22nd by Sir Bob Kerslake, head of the Department of Communities and Local Government. It’s an impressive facility with stunning views over the New River Path and West Reservoir.

As reported previously, the first residents moved into brand new homes in “Reservoir Apartments” in May 2011. A second block, “Watersreach” has now been fully handed over to Genesis HA and is occupied.

The third, “Aqua Apartments” should be handed over by the end of August. And the next “Parkway” is back on schedule to be handed over in November this year. The tower block is now up to it’s full height and the external cladding almost complete.

At 268 Green Lanes the roof has been installed and carpentry work is now complete to rear block. The front block is on schedule. It is also anticipated that both Peak & Petherton will be completely demolished by end of September.

August 2011 riots

One of the outbreaks in London on 8th August was on and around Clarence Road in central Hackney. The council’s cleansing team did an outstanding job to remove virtually all traces overnight. Councillors and officers met with affected residents and business during the days after. However since then there have been no incidents.

In Brownswood, the SNT team provided us with updates on number of arrests and actions taken. The latest figures across Hackney are –
• 142 suspects arrested
• Over 80 charged - majority to court in custody
• 52 warrants applied for since investigation began
• CCTV and information still being researched

There was an increased police presence around Finsbury Park and Manor House during the period. As far as we are aware there were no riot related disturbances. We spoke to shopkeepers on Blackstock Road who reported business as usual. Across Hackney, local councillors have since played a major role in supporting local businesses and celebrating the many positive developments in the area.

School results

Hackney’s school results continue to improve at an astonishing rate. Every secondary or sixth form for which results have been published, got at least 96% of students getting the basic 5 A to E grades. Stoke Newington School, a state comprehensive, helped 23% of its pupils get all A’s and A’stars as opposed to 9% last year.

Although exact figures aren’t available yet, it is also expected that our primary SATs result will exceed national averages for the first time.

St Johns Court Estate

Despite the substantial reduction in government grant for Decent Homes, we have lobbied successfully for the tower block at St Johns to be prioritised in this years programme. However residents in the two low rise blocks remain dissatisfied.

Alexandra National

The latest update is below, overall the build is about 2 weeks behind:
• Siteworks and cages are complete
• Reduced dig and piling has begun on the villa blocks
• The first 20m of the new road are laid
• Tower cranes were due on site on 28 July
• Concrete frame works should have commenced from 1 August

It should eventually provide -
Tenure 1B 2B 3B 4B Total homes
Council rent 18 26 19 4 67
Private sale 18 11 9 4 42

Traffic calming and 20mph zones

We are currently consulting on the implementation of 3 zones which will eventually cover the entire ward – one south of Brownswood Road; one north of Brownswood Road and west of Green Lanes; and one east of Green Lanes (which includes adjacent parts of Lordship ward).

The 2010 Hackney Labour manifesto included in it a commitment to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads in the borough. This is to make the roads safer for all users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists, hence we have already implemented 20mph across most of the borough. The residential roads in Brownswood ward are next on the list to have 20mph zone implemented on roads where there is speeding.
A seven day speed survey was carried out in Brownswood and indicated that there are speeding issues on some of the roads. As a result, speed humps were proposed for certain locations, including Queen’s Drive. On Queen’s Drive, the speed survey indicated that 85% of traffic had an average speed of 25.3 mph. Police accident records also showed that in the past five years there have been five personal injury accidents involving cars and the most vulnerable road users (two pedestrians, two cyclists and one motorcyclist), two of which resulted in serious injuries.

The existing barriers remain!

Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

Normal Life resumes in Hackney

2011-08-12T16:46:00.009+01:00

The information below aims to provide an update on what the Council, Police and partners have been doing since the incidents on Monday to help Hackney pull together and move forward.

Since the events of Monday evening there have been no significant disturbances in Hackney and the streets have been relatively quiet. Hackney Council services and buildings are open for business as usual and have been for the last two days.

Policing

There will be 16,000 police officers deployed across London and this increased police presence is expected to continue until Monday. However locally in Hackney the Safer Neighbourhood Teams are doing more patrols helping to reassure residents.

The police are currently assessing 30+ hours of CCTV footage, from council CCTV cameras which will provide a fuller picture of the number and scale of incidents around the borough. Importantly, this will also help secure more convictions of those who took part in the events.
Over 50 arrests have been made so far in Hackney and at least 30 people have now been charged.

Cleaning up

Council street cleaners worked as soon as it was safe to clear debris from the streets. Most areas where there had been trouble were clear by 5am on Tuesday morning; streets had been washed down by 7.30am; graffiti on Clarence Roadwas washed off by 7am and burnt cars were removed by lunchtime. Repairs to the carriage way on Clarence Roadwill be completed by tomorrow.

In addition all minor street lighting damage was repaired on Tuesday and 2 burnt lamp columns will be repaired on Monday and reconnected on Wednesday Bins and loose street furniture have temporarily been removed as a precautionary measure.

All bins and loose street furniture removed from Hackney Central, Dalston and the A10 on Tuesday, as a precautionary measure. They will be returned on police advice.

We'd like to pay tribute to the street cleaners and their amazing work in making sure Hackney was cleared up as soon as possible, and all the residents who turned up to volunteer help clean on Tuesday morning at the Town Hall. This reminds us of all that is great about our borough and how much we all care about our local community.

Supporting local businesses

15 businesses were damaged in the Hackney Central area and 5 in Dalston. 7 of these are locally owned ones.

Mayor Jules Pipe, Council Officers and councillors has been visiting businesses in the town centre on a daily basis and distributed advice sheets from the Police, advising on safety measures, and helping with the clear up.

Town Centre managers have also been talking to businesses in their areas to provide additional advice. The Metropolitan Police advice for businesses concerned about the recent disturbances which is available here.

And remember if you have any information for the Police or want to check their latest advice for the public – please look online here.

The Mayor of London and the Government have announced funds to help those areas most affected by the events of earlier this week. The details of this are not yet clear.

Community engagement and reassurance

As detailed above, the Council has been in constant contact with local businesses affected by the public disorder.

The Mayor and Chief Executive visited local residents and businesses affected on Tuesday morning and throughout Wednesday, including meetings with residents, businesses, community and faith leaders on Wednesday afternoon [see further information on the HCVS meeting below]. Cabinet and ward members have also been meeting with local residents and businesses affected.

SNTs are updating CAP Chairs regularly; and providing reassurance through face-to-face contact with residents.

About 150 people turned up at the Town Hall on Tuesday morning as part of the Twitter campaign (#RiotCleanUp) and were thanked but told that the streets had been cleared and they should go elsewhere in London where their help was needed.

Hackney Community Voluntary Sector Community meeting

An emergency meeting to consider a community response to the disorder was organised by Hackney CVS on Wednesday afternoon.

The meeting was chaired by Jake Ferguson (Chief Executive, Hackney CVS) with the Mayor, Chief Executive, Cabinet Adviser for Crime and Community Safety, Police Borough Commander and over 50 community leaders, frontline workers and residents attending.

A set of actions for further community engagement and involvement came out of the meeting and these are outlined below:

1. It was agreed to coordinate with key partners to arrange a community meeting/event to galvanise community support during responses to major incidents.

2. It was agreed to work with relevant partners and agencies to convene a meeting to look at issues around parenting and supporting stronger parenting in the borough.

3. It was agreed to work closely with the Borough Commander to make plans for a community event to bring together the police and communities about police/community relations and community safety.

4. It was agreed to explore with a range of statutory and voluntary services the possibility of a meeting for young people, led by young people, that brings together those involved and those not involved in the incidents – without incriminating those involved, to discuss young peoples perceptions and solutions to what has happened.

5. It was agreed to arrange a young people and borough leadership meeting to enable young people to express their feelings and look towards the future.

6. It was agreed to explore further a T-shirt/positive message campaign

7. It was also agreed to focus on longer term issues of effective police campaigns that will build relationships between police and young people

The CVS, Council and Team Hackney partners will be taking these forward over the coming weeks and months, and further information will be available as these progress.

Please do get in touch with us if you have any suggestions about how we can all work together to rebuild trust.

Statement from Hackney Mayor Jules Pipe

2011-08-12T16:02:00.001+01:00

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: "I am appalled by the events of last night. These were people bent on violence who attacked not just property and local businesses but put residents in fear of their lives. The Council has cleared away all the debris from last night and Hackney is going about its business, but if we are to avoid a repeat of last night, I am urging families across London to make sure they know where their children are and to support the police in identifying perpetrators.

“The Council's cleaners were on the streets throughout the night and had cleared away all the debris, apart from a few burnt out cars, by 7.30am and I would like to pay tribute to them for their hard work. I would also like to thank the several hundred residents and volunteers who turned up at Hackney Town Hall this morning offering to help clean up the borough. This shows overwhelming generosity and community spirit and many were keen to go and help in other parts of London when it was clear the clean up in Hackney was already complete.”

July update

2011-07-18T23:52:00.001+01:00

Councillors Report – July 2011

Woodberry Down regeneration – new community centre opens

The new Redmond Community Centre is due to be opened on July 22nd by Sir Bob Kerslake, head of the Department of Communities and Local Government. Its an impressive facility with stunning views over the New River Path and West Reservoir.

As reported previously, the first residents moved into brand new homes on the 12th of May 2011. The next block is complete and has been handed over to Genesis Homes, who will arrange for tenants to move in during July and August.

The frame of the 26 story tower block has now been completed with the cladding to up to Level 16. The cladding is anticipated to be completed by November this year.
The next block to be handed over will be the “Aqua Apartments”, and this will be handed over in August. Following this, both Parkway and Waterside Apartments are anticipated to be available for residents to move in from December.

Works at 268 Green Lanes are progressing well with the frame to Block B now up to roof level. Block A on Green Lanes commenced this month.

Demolition works at Phase 2 have commenced with asbestos strip, and the close down of all power to both blocks. Full works will commence soon and it is anticipated that both Peak & Petherton will be completely demolished by mid-September.

Parkwood School/Bikes across the borough

The recent Bikes across the Borough initiative was launched at Parkwood, Hackney’s best primary school. It followed our Olympic Cycle Path route from Finsbury Park through Clissold Park, Hackney Downs, and Well Street Common, with other schools joining the ride en route to the Olympic Park “viewtube”. More details here - http://www.successinthemaking.co.uk/news/hackney-schools-gear-up-for-mass-cycle-ride-2/

Kings Crescent Estate

The final round of demolition to the north-south part of Lemsford and the east-west axis of Weston is now complete.

The masterplan for the estate was consulted upon again with residents last month. We received comments back from the GLA which were supportive but queried the proportion of social housing and mix of unit sizes. It’s being amended to take account of both of these, and we hope to submit an outline planning application in the autumn.

The issue of capping leaseholder charges should finally be resolved at the cabinet meeting on 18th July. It’s proposed that the reduced retrofit programme and new windows and roofs will be capped at £10k while the real cost runs as high as £20.8k. The “immediate works” – door entry systems, corridor lighting and lateral mains, and lift replacement – are to be fully recharged.

St Johns Court Estate

Despite the substantial reduction in government grant for Decent Homes, we have lobbied hard and have been successful, in ensuring the tower block at St Johns was prioritised in this years programme.

Policing and community safety

Hackney Police are proposing significant changes to how Safer Neighbourhood Teams are organised. Currently each team is dedicated to policing one ward and is made up of 1 Sergeant, 2 police constables and 3 police community support officers. There will be fewer constables and PCSOs permanently allocated to each ward, while sergeants may manage more than one team. These proposals are a cut of a quarter in the number of experienced officers dedicated to neighbourhood policing.

Hackney provided extra funding originally to be one of the first boroughs to roll out the SNTs. Crime is at its lowest level for 12 years – 11,000 fewer offences committed a year compared to nine years ago, one of the largest falls in any London borough. There has also been an increase in the confidence of Hackney residents in local policing. Safer Neighbourhood Teams have played a crucial role in achieving these successes and Boris Johnson’s administration risks undermining these highly visible and effective teams. A resolution at the next council meeting will reiterate Hackney’s opposition to this reduction in frontline policing.

Our previous sergeant Keith McMaster has been moved to another role, with Louise Gill, previously in Chatham, replacing him. We’d like to record our thanks to Keith.

Alexandra National

Piling and ground-works have now begun. It should eventually provide -

Tenure 1B 2B 3B 4B Total homes
Council rent 18 26 19 4 67
Private sale 18 11 9 4 42

Council Budget

We go into the next year with possibly the strongest budgetary control position ever. The 2010/11 revenue outturn showed a £9.5m underspend as efficiency savings were delivered early. Contingencies and balances in both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account went untouched, and can also be carried forward into future years.

Our capital programme spent £222m representing 98.8% of its budget last year, despite the very harsh winter weather disrupting some schemes.

We are now considering the 2012/13 budget. The next steps are a group awayday in September, and then agreeing an indicative budget at the October group meeting.

Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

Councillors Report – June 2011

2011-06-10T16:38:00.002+01:00

Woodberry Down regeneration – the first new residents move in

It’s taken a long time but the first residents moved into brand new homes on the 12^th of May 2011. The debate about whether to keep on repairing the ageing buildings or attempt a more substantial regeneration began as far back as 1999. After much consultation and negotiation, the first PDA with Berkley Homes was signed in 2006. Building began on the “old school site” in March 2009.

The first 33 homes for rent in “Reservoir Apartments” have been complete for some time now with services being tested and final decorations applied. The next block to complete is the 84 for rent in “Watersreach”. All units there are ready with just the communal areas being finalised.

The new Redmond Community Centre should be handed over at the end of May at the same time that the Watersreach Apartments are occupied. The New River path from the Castle to the new apartments was du

e to reopen on 13^th May following extensive landscaping to make best use of the location and setting.

At 268 Green Lanes, construction is up to 3^rd floor level on the rear block. The decant of Peak & Petherton has been completed and demolition begun. The occupation of the new health centre requires careful negotiation due to the planned abolition of PCTs.

Parkwood School

Parkwood, Hackney’s best primary school has consistently been short of space. A new classroom was finally commissioned by its governors which include Brian and Oli, last year. Construction is now complete and it should open later this month.

Kings Crescent

Estate

The final round of demolition to the north-south part of Lemsford and the east-west axis of Weston began during the month.

The masterplan for the estate was consulted upon again with residents during the month. We received initial comments back from the GLA which were very supportive in principle but queried the proportion of social housing and mix of unit sizes.

Portland Rise

Portland Rise’s new playground is now being used after a rebuild. The issue of the unfinished water features continues, with the Learning Trust putting out their latest plans for consultation. Residents are sceptical and we are pushing for a more imaginative design solution.

St Johns Court Estate

We have lobbied hard and have finally been successful, in ensuring the tower block at St Johns was prioritised in this years Decent Homes programme.

Arsenal Tavern

The Arsenal Tavern began trading as a hostel upstairs last summer without planning permission. The noise and other nuisance from it disturbed other local residents, and we supported them arguing that permission be refused and enforcement begun. However last month the Planning Inspectorate overturned the council’s decision and gave them permission to operate. We will encourage residents to continue to monitor any disturbance caused, and report it to our noise pollution or other teams.

Policing and community safety

At this month's police/community meeting, our local safer neighbourhoods team (SNT) reported ongoing action in the following areas:

o On

Blackstock Road

“Operation Catalina”, a joint operation with Highbury West, designed to patrol outside problem addresses. Another warrant was recently executed on a café dealing in stolen goods. “RESPECT” posters outlining acceptable behaviour on the street, should be on display in shops shortly.

o Vice - the SNT will be conducting two night shifts in May to help tackle the problem. With the summer months quickly approaching, an operation has been planned for June whereby the SNT will work a week of nights.

o Youth engagement - Initial meeting held in regards to “Trading Places”, an event where young people/residents get the chance to swap places with the police and discuss their role. New dates to hold this are being discussed.

o ASB around Finsbury Park, and squatting in

Gloucester Drive

were agreed as new priorities.

The latest Brownswood Community Safety newsletter can be found here - http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/brownswood-web-spring-2011.pdf

Parkside Youth Centre

Our previous aim had been to provide a new youth centre on the St Olave’s Church Hall site. However since this no longer seems likely any time soon, officers in Education propose £400k on refurbishing Parkside instead. The planned works run from October this year to April 2012.

We are pushing to make sure the management of the centre is tight (as there have been problems in the past); there is a clear marketing plan to ensure residents know about the investment and that other local organisations, like the Manor House Development Trust are able to use the space.

Alexandra National site

Building to provide new housing at Alexandra National has finally started, with developers Lovells, having erected facilities for their workers on

Gloucester Drive

. The construction of the social housing properties should be complete in March 2012, and the private sale ones finished by July 2012.

Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

2011-06-08T15:27:00.000+01:00

Pupils and parents from Parkwood Primary School are gearing up to take part in ‘Bike Across the Borough’, a mass cycle ride taking place on 23 June to celebrate Bike Week and the launch of Hackney’s new 2012 walking and cycling route.

The event is just two weeks away; it runs from Parkwood Primary School ( Queens Drive - part of 2012 walking and cycling route) to the viewtube at the Olympic Park. Parents and student at Parkwood Primary School today joined mechanic "Dr Bike" to learn about bike maintenance and safe cycling.

They were all treated to a ‘Biker’s Breakfast’ of healthy and energising food. Hackney cycle training manager Lucy Nandris was on hand to give some pointers, and will be present on the day. The route will pass through Clisold Park, Hackney Downs, and Well Street Common, with more schools joining the ride en route to the Olympic Park.

March Councillors Report

2011-03-25T15:50:00.002Z

Councillors Report – March 2011

Woodberry Down regeneration

The planning application for the next stage of the redevelopment goes to the March planning committee. It consists of a mix of “724 affordable and private residential units, a 2,250 sqm health facility, 980 sqm commercial floorspace, associated amenity space including a new park, underground car parking and cycle parking. The scheme comprises the erection of six blocks ranging in height from 3 storeys to 9 storeys.”

This will see the majority of the Brownswood part of the estate undergoing regeneration, despite the sometimes hostile financial and political climate. As reported last month, Hackney Council has successfully lobbied the HCA for a further £15m to continue building homes on Woodberry Down Estate over the next five years. The funding was secured after the Council agreed to invest over £16m, with our development partner Berkley Homes putting in more than £30m in to the programme.

All 33 units for rent in the block F have now been completed and inspected by Genesis. After snagging, they should be available on schedule in May for residents from Needwood and Nichol to move into. It’s to be named Reservoir Apartments.

The next block to complete is the 84 for rent in “Watersreach” and this is on schedule for early May 2011, with all units now decorated and kitchens and bathrooms installed. The landscaping to the communal courtyard between Watersreach and Reservoir is well advanced as is the fit out of the new Community Centre which will open at the same time as the block is occupied. The remainder of the New River path is on target to open the 1st week in May 2011.

The rear block at 268 Green Lanes is now up to 1st floor level with a tower crane shortly to be installed.

The decant process of Peak & Petherton Houses continues and may be complete as early as the end of March.

Council Budget

We are due to adopt a budget on Wednesday 2nd March, and have explained the basis of this in earlier reports. Mostly by continuing the process of achieving efficiencies in how the council does things, we have been able to protect frontline services this year. This will be despite a mob baying for us to make a gesture and abdicate our responsibilities to officers.

When the Local Government Finance Settlement was finally announced, the Coalition government were reducing Hackney’s formula grant by 11.3% and 7.6% in the years 2011/12 and 2012/13 respectively. Lobbying on behalf of local government forced them to introduce transitional measures which would allow them to claim it was only a maximum of 8.9% this year. We are being careful not to absorb this Transition Grant into the base budget as it is not guaranteed for future years.

A further £17m grant which went to our Local Strategic Partnership, called Team Hackney, was also cut. The Labour Group agreed that the Council should step in financially and continue more than £3M of services that had been commissioned by Team Hackney.
• £2.2M for youth provision
• £860K for community safety, youth crime reduction and gang intervention work
• £200K for domestic violence reduction

Kings Crescent Estate

We are due to have first sight of the new masterplan on Thursday 3rd March.

Policing and community safety

Last September, the police, working with the local community imposed a dispersal zone around the Manor House tube area to prevent ongoing concerns around anti-social behaviour and gang related crime. Since then there has been an 81% reduction in recorded crime offences when comparing to he period immediately prior to the dispersal order. Calls to the police have also reduced by 20% during this period.

We have been attempting to help local residents object to elements of the more disruptive events held in Finsbury Park. However Haringey’s licensing department is being unusually obstructive.

Manor TRA

The group discussed issues related to the three estates (Lakeside Court, Portland Rise and Amwell Court), including:
* Agreement of how to spend this year's Environmental Improvement Budget which is managed by the group. The focus is to be on communual areas of Amwell Court
* The dispersal zone around Manor House, which residents felt had not negatively impacted on the area
* Agreement to use Amwell community centre as a drop centre for census staff to support local residents

Questions for the council included the future of Decent Homes funding and youth intervention strategies. Our census contact came to the meeting. The 2011 census is being held on the 27th March. It is important that we get accurate returns from Hackney as grant funding is linked to our head count. In the past because of poor returns we have been under funded. Our contact for Brownswood is Tony Harms - e-mail H11401@census.gov.uk or anthonyharms@hotmail.com. Phone 020 8800 5735 or 07557134708.

Decent Homes funding

In the October 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review, the government announced reduced funding for Decent Homes. It stated that it would provide £1.6bn over the four-year period, which it thought sufficient to address 50% of the remaining non-decent homes over the next four years.

On 17 February, Hackney received it’s indicative allocation of £61.5m of from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) for the years 2011/12 to 2014/15:

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Total
£15,833,333 £18,250,000 £16,000,000 £11,500,000 £61,583,333

The estimated funding requirement to complete the Decent Homes programme is £89m, leaving a shortfall of approximately £28.5m. There is no indication that central government will provide further resources in future years. In addition, the allocations for 2013/14 & 2014/15 are only provisional and not guaranteed

Council officers are now updating the draft plans for Decent Homes works to reflect the funding allocations, with the aim of presenting a range of options in late March. The plans will include a mix of both internal and external works that look to meet existing commitments which have previously given to residents.

In our ward, we will be urging that both Portland Rise and St Johns Court are prioritised.

Campaigning against the government

Several branch members joined us at Hackney Labour’s rally against the cuts on Tuesday evening at Stoke Newington Town Hall. Hackney’s Mayor and MPs spoke together with Labour’s London Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone.

The next task is to persuade people to support the national TUC demo from 11am on Saturday 26th March. Hackney members are meeting up at Hackney Junction station at 10pm.

Census 2011

2011-03-10T13:56:00.002Z

Most people would have started receiving their Census forms or will receive them by 27^th March the latest.

This Census has enormous implications for Hackney and its people; it takes place every 10 years and is the official count of the population. The official population figures are used to calculate the amount of Government funding to be allocated to local areas for a range of services including health, education, social services, youth services, emergency serves and police.

At the 2001 Census the response rate in Hackney was 73% - second lowest in the country! It’s estimated that Hackney lost out on over £50m. So getting it right this time is critical to ensure that we have fair funding to deliver the services needed in Hackney.

You can fill your form in online, simply visit: www.census.gov.uk

If you need assistance filling in your form, there is plenty of help available. You can call the Census helpline 03000 201 text relay service 1800 1 0300 0201 160.

Our February report

2011-02-18T12:28:00.000Z

Councillors Report – February 2011

Woodberry Down regeneration

Hackney Council has successfully lobbied the HCA for a further £15m to continue building homes on Woodberry Down Estate over the next five years. The funding was secured after the Council agreed to invest over £16m, with our development partner Berkley Homes putting in more than £30m in to the programme.

Planning permission for most of Phase 2 of the Woodberry Down redevelopment , which includes most of the Brownswood part, was granted in January, with a further application due in March. Going forward this means we have secured almost half of the 4,600 homes planned for the 20-year regeneration. This is a major step forward in the current climate when developments across the country have come to a halt.
We are proud that we have got this far in what has been a long fight for local residents. We will continue to work hard to make sure the funding delivers outstanding new homes for people in our community.

The first two social rented blocks on the Old School Site are to be handed over in May 2011. Most of the residents of Peak and Petherton have been decanted or accepted offers, and it has begun in Nichol and Needwood. Work on the 268 Green Lanes site began in October with 27 flats for social rent to be built there. Discussions about the community, health and youth centres continue.

Council Budget

When the Local Government Finance Settlement was finally announced, the Coalition government were reducing Hackney’s formula grant by 11.3% and 7.6% in the years 2011/12 and 2012/13 respectively. Lobbying on behalf of local government forced them to introduce transitional measures which would allow them to claim it was only a maximum of 8.9% this year.

The Labour Group identified an initial £14m of savings in July and a further £6.6m in October. Among the remaining measures which should balance our budget are –
 £3m from reducing pension fund revaluation contributions
 £2.54m from increasing council tax base and collection rate assumptions
 £2m from reduced ”on-costs” and concentrating staff in fewer buildings
 £1.88m from Council Tax Freeze Grant
 £1m from senior management restructure

Of a further £17m grant which went to our Local Strategic Partnership, we will have to decide how much to fund directly. Indications are that we might be able to pick up approx £3m concentrating on youth work, gangs and domestic violence.

Other policies being implemented by the Coalition which will damage Hackney include
- possibly ending security of tenure in social housing
- reductions in police funding
- slashing affordable housing budgets
- knock-on effect on the voluntary sector
- changes to housing and other benefits, including scrapping EMA

Kings Crescent Estate

New CCTV has been installed at the junction of Brownswood Road and Kings Crescent, to help deter the prostitution there.

We are investigating resiting the Woodberry Works construction training programme to Kings Crescent on the basis that it would be opened up to young people from throughout the area.

The next package of works on the estate include
• new lobbies and door entry systems
• lift replacement
• lighting and lateral mains works
• new roofs to Weston and Lemsford

The lift replacement programme is beginning in Therfield Court which is served by up to 3 lifts. However in other blocks where walkways have been closed off, there is only one and this will need careful management to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Policing and community safety

The January CAP meeting started with a consultation survey led by the Inspector who oversees all the Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Hackney North. The meeting expressed strong support for our local team and their continued engagement with the community. Our fear was that this consultation was being used to prepare the ground for cuts to neighbourhood policing. Specifically, suggestions around joining with New River and different shift patterns were unpopular and we will have to keep a close eye on this developing issue over the next few months.

The rest of the meeting discussed local issues as normal (and it was great that members of Hackney's Youth Parliament were there too). We were please to hear that the dispersal zone around Manor House tube has been extended for a further 3 months and that there had been no displacement of gangs or anti-social behaviour to other areas of the ward. Residents, particularly those from the estate expressed their continued support for the zone.

The police team reported on their push on tackling prostitution and the fact that the robbery squad was now looking to support our area to deal with a number of incidents. The priorities for the next two months were agreed as – prostitution; burglaries; youth diversion/better communication.

Councillors Brian Bell, Oli de Botton and Feryal Demirci

Local boost as Council secures more funding for Woodberry Down

2011-01-25T12:21:00.000Z

Hackney Council has successfully lobbied the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) for a further £15m to continue building homes on Woodberry Down Estate over the next five years.

The funding was secured after the Council agreed to invest over £16m, with our development partner Berkley Homes putting in more than £30m in to the programme.

As you may have seen from our previous blog update, planning permission for most of the phase 2 Woodberry Down development was granted in January, with a further application due in March.

Going forward this means we have almost half of the 4,600 homes planned for the 20-year regeneration either under construction or due over the next five years. This is an incredible step forward especially in the current climate when developments across the country have come to a halt.

We are proud that we have got this far in what has been a long fight for local residents. We will continue to work hard to make sure the funding delivers outstanding new homes for people in our community.

New planning applications in Brownswood

2011-01-24T15:25:00.003Z

1. Applicant: Mr Kayode Olaoye

Application Number: 2010/2651

Application Type Full Planning Application

Date Received: 21/10/2010

Validation Date: 06/01/2011

Agent: Mr Ibi Ekineh

Agent Tel:

Address:

35-37 Blackstock Road, London N4 2JF

Development Case Officer: Graham Callam

Description:

Erection of three storey rear extension, front and rear dormer extensions and roof terraces at ground and first floor levels to facilitate change of use of lower ground floor and ground floor (part) from educational facility

(use class D1) to financial and professional services (use class A2) and change of use of ground floor (part) and upper floors from educational facility (use class D1) to residential use (use class C3) comprising 1 x 3 bedroom flat, 1 x 2 bedroom flat and 3 x 1 bedroom flats.

Status: Registered

Case Officer: Graham Callam

2. Applicant: Mr M Friedlander

Application Number: 2010/3088

Application Type Full Planning Application

Date Received: 14/12/2010

Validation Date: 04/01/2011

Agent: Midas Planning

Agent Tel: 07890562875

Address: 323 Green Lanes London N4 2ES

Development Case Officer: Yousef Bahadur

Description:

Erection of a two-storey rear extension to create 2 x 1-bed flats and alterations to existing flat 6 and 7 at rear ground floor level.

Status: Registered

Case Officer: Yousef Bahadur

3. Applicant: Lets Buy Limited

Applicant Tel: 0208 3488411

Application Number: 2010/3099

Application Type Full Planning Application

Date Received: 15/12/2010

Validation Date: 10/01/2011

Agent: Papa Architects Ltd

Agent Tel: 02083488411

Address: Land to the R/O 422 & 424 Seven

Sisters Road London N4 2LX

Development Case Officer: Graham Callam

Description:

Erection of three, three-bedroom two-storey (plus lower ground floor) dwelling houses.

Status: Registered

Case Officer: Graham Callam

4. Applicant: Mr Daniel Cheifetz

Application Number: 2010/3225

Application Type Full Planning Application

Date Received: 29/12/2010

Validation Date: 17/01/2011

Agent: Mr Amin Taha

Agent Tel: 0207 253 9444

Address: 40A

Somerfield Road

London

N4 4JL

Development Case Officer: Graham Callam

Description:

Erection of a three-storey, 3 bedroom house with garden and bin store to the front and provision of 2 off-street car parking spaces

Status: Registered

Case Officer: Graham Callam

5. Applicant: Ms Guin Dimock

Applicant Tel: 0207 739 2020

Application Number: 2011/0080

Application Type Discharge of Conditions

Date Received: 12/01/2011

Validation Date: 12/01/2011

Agent: Ms Guin Dimock

Agent Tel: 0207 739 2020

Address

157-159 Queens Drive

London

N4 2AR

Development Case Officer: Caroline Ozor

Description: Submission of details pursuant to condition 11 (renewable energy measures) of planning permission reference 2009/0928 dated 19/06/2009

Status: Registered

Case Officer: Caroline Ozor

January Update

2011-01-15T14:24:00.003Z

Council Budget

When the Local Government Finance Settlement was finally announced in December, the Coalition government were reducing Hackney’s formula grant by 11.3% and 7.6% in the years 2011/12 and 2012/13 respectively.

We were one of the worst affected authorities in the country, and together with our neighbours Tower Hamlets and Newham, the worst in London. By contrast those hotspots of deprivation Richmond-upon-Thames, Buckinghamshire and Surrey face reductions of 0.61% or less.

Lobbying on behalf of local government by amongst others Jules Pipe in his capacity as Chair of London Councils, forced the government to introduce transitional measures which would allow them to claim it was only a maximum of 8.9% this year.

We intend to again freeze the Council Tax in 2011/12 in order to qualify for a new grant equivalent to the yield that would otherwise be achieved from a 2.5% increase.

In July, we identified an initial £14m of savings and in October a further £6.6m, leaving between £24 and £28m to be found. Of this £17m was funding that Hackney passed on to the health service, police, voluntary sector etc, through our Local Strategic Partnership and we will have decide how much if any, to fund directly.

Other policies being implemented by the Coalition which will damage Hackney include
- possibly ending security of tenure in social housing
- reductions in police funding
- slashing affordable housing budgets
- knock-on effect on the voluntary sector
- changes to housing and other benefits, including scrapping EMA

Woodberry Down regeneration

The first two social rented blocks on the Old School Site are to be handed over in May 2011. Interim arrangements will be established for the new roads, parking and public open space prior to full completion. Landscaping along the New River has begun.

Most of the residents of Peak and Petherton have been decanted or accepted offers, and it has begun in Nichol and Needwood. A preliminary exercise to match residents from these to the new units available on the Old School Site show they are broadly compatible, except for those families requiring 5 bedrooms and above.

A planning application for the Pewsham site has been submitted after discussions between Berkeley Homes, council officers and the resident’s design group.

Work on the 268 Green Lanes site began on 25th October. A crane is shortly to be erected. 27 flats for social rent will be built there.

Discussions about the community, health and youth centres continue.

Kings Crescent Estate

The refurbishment of all retained units and previous voids is now complete.

The next package of works include
• new lobbies and door entry systems
• lift replacement
• lighting and lateral mains works
• new roofs to Weston and Lemsford

We are still awaiting a final decision on whether leaseholder recharges should be capped. However elements are now individually priced and exact amounts known.

The lift replacement programme is beginning in Therfield Court which is served by up to 3 lifts. However in other blocks where walkways have been closed off, there is only one and this will need careful management to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Consultation continues with residents to develop a vision for the future of the estate. It aims to submit a completed masterplan this spring which may be followed by an outline planning application. It will attempt to cost any future rebuild, and provide a design code to integrate new buildings with older.

Policing and community safety

The police and council have extended the dispersal zone around Manor House which appears to have been successful. After some initial arrests, the “gangs” involved got the message and are avoiding the area.

School results

For the second year in a row, Hackney has achieved above the national average with a set of excellent GCSE results. 58% of Hackney pupils achieved 5 GCSEs or more at grades A*-C, compared to 52% last year. In 2003 the figure was only 26%.
The SATs results from our local primary, Parkwood, make it the best in Hackney and again amongst the top 2% in the country.

Campaigning against the cuts

The Labour Party in Hackney will be supporting the TUC campaign which culminates in the national demo on Saturday 26th March. Further details can be found here –
TUC 26 March demo website: http://www.tuc.org.uk/alltogetherfor/march.cfm?theme=alltogether
Flyer: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/MARCH_A5_FLYER_low_res.pdf
Facebook page for the demo: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176812472328977

Alexandra National House

Lovells won the tender to rebuild Alexandra National, and took control of the site in early January.

New planning application for the Woodberry Down Estate

2010-12-14T13:41:00.004Z

This application, particularly Phase 2, falls mostly in Brownswood Ward. Please comment by noting the appllication number and going to the planning portal at the hackney.gov.uk site.

Application Number: 2010/2982
Date Received: 01/12/2010
Validation Date: 08/12/2010

Agent: Rolfe Judd Planning
Agent Tel: 75561500

Phase 1b and 2 Woodberry Down
London London N4 2TG
Development Case Officer: Ron Madell

Description:The redevelopment of the site to provide a
mix of 733 affordable and private residential
units, a 2.263 sqm health facility, 992 sqm
commericial floorspace, associated amenity
space including a new park, underground car
parking and cycle parking. The scheme
comprises the erection of six blocks ranging in
height from 3 storeys to 9 storeys.

Comment by 6th January

Dont miss out on Winter Wonderland in Hackney

2010-12-02T18:22:00.001Z

Hackney Winter Festival 2-5 December, St John-at-Hackney Churchyard E5, 8am-7pm.Hackney Winter Festival 2 - 5 December, 2010, St John-at-Hackney Churchyard, 8am-7pm

Get your skates on at an ice rink, for those aged four and above with tickets at £4 for adults and £2.50 for children, including skate hire. Tickets are available at the rink or from the Hackney Empire box office.

The Hackney Winter Festival is organised by Hackney Council in partnership with St John-at-Hackney Church, and shops and businesses in the Narrow Way.

October Report

2010-10-05T16:18:00.007+01:00

Councillors Report – October 2010

Manor House Area Action Plan

A draft area action plan for the area around the Manor House was approved at Council on 15th September. It tries to provide guidance to the public and private sectors on the type of development we would like to see. And in particular to ensure that it complements the regeneration of the Woodberry Down Estate.

A further public consultation meeting will be held from 6-8pm on 25th October at the West Reservoir Centre. Or the draft can be found here and through the link at the bottom.

Kings Crescent Estate

Work continues to develop a vision for the future of the estate. This consultation with residents began in September and aims to submit a completed masterplan early next year. It will attempt to cost any future rebuild, and provide a design code to integrate new buildings with older.

The refurbishment of all retained units is complete except for some snagging.

Alexander National House

The planning application for the site was made during August with consultation concluding on 13th September. It’s recommended for approval at the October planning committee. Look for Planning Committee report 2010/1760.

It is descibed as a “residential development of 5 blocks ranging between 4 and 6 storeys to provide 109 homes comprising 36 x 1 bed units, 37 x 2 bed units, 28 x 3 bed units and 8 x 4 bed units together with community space, associated landscaping, car parking, cycle and refuse storage.”

If granted work, could begin as early as November and would last for 18 months. 47 of the units are scheduled to be retained by the council, 20 transferred to a RSL and 42 are for private sale. A community facility is reprovided at the western side of the site.

Woodberry Down regeneration

We are meeting officers and the Deputy Mayor on Tuesday 5th October and will update after this.

We are particularly concerned to get the Parkside Youth Club opening more and offering a greater range of provision. We are meeting the Director and Lead Member about this on the 12th October.

Decanting continues from Peak and Petherton and has begun in Nichol and Needwood. A Compulsory Purchase Order for these areas was made in July.

Clearance of the vegetation on the 268 Green Lanes site is almost complete. 27 social rent units will be built there later this year. Landscaping improvements along Woodberry Down and Grove have continued.

Policing and community safety

The police and council have introduced a dispersal zone around Manor House in response to a spate of robberies in the last few months.

At the CAP meeting, the safer neighbourhoods team informed residents about a number of measures they had/were going to take over the coming months; two houses had been raided in St. Johns Court and Portland Rise in relation to drugs; the targeting of car crime in the area would continue; as would the joint action with the Arab Advice Centre to support behaviour change on Blackstock Road.

Priorities agreed for the coming two months were around prostitution, Blackstock Road and car crime. Residents also raised concerns about the number of events in Finsbury Park which were causing disturbance. A member of the council's community safety team, who was present at the meeting, agreed to explore this with Haringey.

Jill Murrain from Kings Crescent was elected the new Chair.

Manor T&RA (covering Portland Rise, Lakeside Court and Amwell Court)

Residents discussed the use of allocation for local environmental works and went for improving the stairs and flooring in Lakeside and Portland, and signage on Amwell. Residents expressed the desire for the community centre on the estate (which we now use as our meeting venue) to be used for youth activities. The Manor House Development Trust (which is looking at improving youth provision in the area) have been invited to attend the next meeting.

Labour Group awayday

The group held it’s awayday at the West Reservoir Centre in Brownswood on the 19th September. We planned how best to implement our manifesto in the circumstances we were likely to face. We also considered our campaign strategy for the period up to the London Mayoral and Assembly election in 2012, and the next borough elections.

School results

For the second year in a row, Hackney has achieved above the national average with a set of excellent GCSE results. 58% of Hackney pupils achieved 5 GCSEs or more at grades A*-C, compared to 52% last year. In 2003 the figure was only 26%. In addition, we have seen improvement at every other age phase including early years foundation stage, KS1, KS2, KS3 and post-16.

The SATs results from our local primary, Parkwood, make it the best in Hackney and again amongst the top 2% in the country.

Governors there voted unanimously to take no further action towards becoming a new Tory style academy at their meeting in June. The school is building a small extension at the rear of the site to allow for more individual and small group tuition. Brian was re-elected Chair of Governors last night. Oli is also a governor there.

Our September update

2010-09-08T11:42:00.002+01:00

Councillors Report – September 2010

Kings Crescent Estate

New master planners have been appointed to work with residents on a vision for the future of the estate. The firm appointed, PCKO http://www.pcko.co.uk/ have an established record in Hackney and elsewhere. This consultation should begin in September and aim to submit a completed plan early next year. It will attempt to cost any future rebuild, and provide a design code to integrate new buildings with older.

The refurbishment of all retained units should be completed by the end of August, though inevitably some snagging will occur. All previously void properties should soon be back in use.

The application for demolition of the north-south half of Lemsford Court was approved during August, and work will start soon.

The retrofit works to the southern blocks are being adjusted to exclude the new balconies which were unpopular with residents. The possibility of a cap on leaseholder recharges now looks unlikely.

Alexander National House

The planning application for the site was made during August with consultation due to conclude on 13th September, and hopefully a decision at the October Planning Committee. (search here Planning Application Search for ref 2010/1760 to comment)

It is descibed as a “residential development of 5 blocks ranging between 4 and 6 storeys to provide 109 homes comprising 36 x 1 bed units, 37 x 2 bed units, 28 x 3 bed units and 8 x 4 bed units together with community space, associated landscaping, car parking, cycle and refuse storage.”

If granted work, could begin as early as November and would last for 18 months. 47 of the units are scheduled to be retained by the council, 20 transferred to a RSL and 42 are for private sale. A community facility is reprovided at the western side of the site.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Brian visited the first of the new rented properties on the Old School Site in early July. They appear to being built to high standards with stunning views across the reservoirs.

Decanting continues from Peak and Petherton and they are on schedule to be demolished later this year. These are to be followed by Nichol and Needwood. A Compulsory Purchase Order was made in July.

Clearance of the vegetation on the 268 Green Lanes site is almost complete. 27 social rent units will be built there later this year. Berkleys have also begun construction of the first of the private sale blocks, as evidenced by the cranes now on site.

Interim repairs to the roofs and windows continue to those of the Apex blocks in the later phases of redevelopment.

Berkley’s have been undertaking landscaping improvement works on the walk from Manor House underground station along Woodberry Down to Woodberry Grove during the month. The new park at Pewsham, in front of the ‘grow bag allotment’, is now complete, and they’re in discussions with St Olaves.

We’ve always argued for more local labour to be used on developments, and we are finally making inroads with Woodberry Works and other initiatives proving successful.

Policing and community safety

The police are currently consulting on the possibility of bringing in a dispersal zone around Manor House in response to a spate of robberies in the last few months. These often produce displacement into nearby areas, and we have been involved in consultation on the extent of the zone.

The SNT are now operating from their new police base on Blackstock Road which is shared with Islington’s Highbury West Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT). This had led to better joint planning and joined up working

The agreed priorities for the local police over the coming months were:
• Prostitution including in the mornings
• Youth engagement and related ASB on estates
• Motor vehicle crime – operations are planned for the current month

New River ward bye-election

There is a bye-election in our neighbouring ward of New River on 16th September. Labour took two out of three seats there in May, and it would be great to capture the third in the early days of the Coalition government. Details have been e-mailed so please come and help whenever you can.

Turnout at the local elections

We now have the turnout figures for our ward –

CA King's Crescent Estate Community Hall 1855 60.27%
CB Parkwood Primary School 1606 56.04%
CC St. Olave's Church Hall 1222 52.29%
CD Amwell Court Estate Community Hall 1479 57.00%

And an impressive 74.9% of postal voters.

Late night off license application on our border

2010-09-07T14:37:00.002+01:00

The Costcutter in the old Manor House, has applied for a license to sell alcohol to 2am. Comment, support or object to Hackney's Licensing Service.

Costcutter (M.H) Ltd
316 Green Lanes
London N4 1BX

Application for variation of premises licence to extend supply of alcohol till 02:00 am daily.

Closing date for comments - 25/09/2010.

Alexandra National House planning application

2010-08-23T14:54:00.002+01:00

The planning application for the new council, housing association and private housing (and community hall) on the Alex Nat site has been submitted. Details are below. Please comment via the planning portal at hackney.gov.uk

App No: 2010/1760
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 14/07/2010

Agent: P C K O Architects
Agent Tel: 0208 864 7330

Address:Alexandra National House
Seven Sisters Road
London N4 2PE

Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 1

Development Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Residential development of 5
blocks ranging between 4 and 6 storeys to provide 109 residential
comprising 36 x 1 bed units, 37 x 2 bed units, 28 x 3 bed units and
8 x 4 bed units together with community space, associated
landscaping, car parking, cycle and refuse storage and alterations to
existing electrical sub-station

33 Blackstock Road, late night off-license application

2010-08-08T16:49:00.004+01:00

Mr Yildiz of 33 Blackstock Road, London N4 2JF, has applied for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 07:00 to 00:00 Monday to Thursday and from 07:00 to 02:00am Friday to Sunday.

Please contact the council's Licensing Service to comment, support or object.

Planning application for demolition of front half of Lemsford Court, Kings Crescent

2010-08-03T16:43:00.002+01:00

Application No: 2010/1878
App Status: Registered
App Received Date: 26/07/2010

Applicant: LBH
Agent: Miss Michelle Pearce
Agent Tel: 0208 356 2971

Site:32-55 Lemsford Court
Kings Crescent Estate
London N4 2XN

Case Officer: Graham Callam
Total Applications 2

Development Description:
Prior Notification - Demolition FOR Prior approval for
demolition of a 6 storey residential block and associated
underground car parking.

Please comment via the Planning part of the council website.

July update

2010-07-12T13:29:00.004+01:00

First reductions by the new government

The Tories and their Lib Dem partners have announced their first cuts in local government funding. Hackney loses £3.8 million immediately as follows –

Grant Loss
Department for Education Area Based Grant £2.072 million
Adult Social Services Area Based Grant £0.241 million
Working Neighbourhoods Fund £1.326 million
Preventing Extremism Grant £0.102 million
Home Office Area Based Grant £0.052 million
TOTAL £3.792 million

These are those they can do without needing budget approval or new legislation. More will follow after the emergency budget shortly.

Manor TRA

Oli attended their AGM on the 17th of June. Residents were pleased with youth activities planned for the area in the summer and felt there had been a recent reduction in ASB. They were exploring ways to make Amwell Court more green with new planting around the community centre.

Woodberry Down regeneration

Decanting has begun from Peak and Petherton and they are still on schedule to be demolished later this year. They are to be followed by Nichol and Needwood. A Compulsory Purchase Order is due to be made in July.

Clearance of the vegetation on the 268 Green Lanes site is beginning. 27 social rent units will be built there later this year.
On the Old School Site, the concrete frame to the first shared ownership block, known as block E, is now complete and scaffolding is around it in preparation for the window and brickwork installation. The fitting out of the first two social rented blocks is well advanced and the first two demonstration units should be complete for the end of June. Berkleys have also begun construction of the first of the private sale blocks, as evidenced by the enormous crane now on site.
Interim repairs to the roofs and windows have begun to those of the Apex blocks in the latest phases of redevelopment.
Berkley’s have been undertaking landscaping improvement works on the walk from Manor House underground station along Woodberry Down to Woodberry Grove during the month. They have cleared and rebuilt brick walls. The next three weeks will see the installation of soft landscaping such as trees, shrubs and grass as well as the ivy clad climbing trellises adjacent to the school wall. The old Pewsham House site, in front of the temporary allotments, has been cleared and new paving completed ready for the turf to be laid. The seating area on the corner of Woodberry Down/Woodberry Grove will be repaired and improved. This work will be complete by mid July.

Kings Crescent Estate

The east-west part of Lemsford is now largely internally demolished. All remaining residents have accepted offers elsewhere on the estate.

Refurbishments are now almost complete in Kelshall, Therfield, Bramfield, Theobalds, and Datchworth, and are underway in Weston. A new pitched roof has been put on the part of Weston to be retained. All the voids there are now refurbished, and decanting of the east-west wing is beginning.

The timing of the retrofit works and those to the retained part of Lemsford are being held up by the request from the TRA for a cap to leaseholder recharges. We’ll update on this once we have a final decision.

Myddleton Grange

Brian attended the TRA’s AGM on Monday 21st June. It was very encouraging to see a number of younger people elected to the committee. However Anne and Ray remain it’s cornerstones. They have a good new website - http://www.mgra.org.uk/

Policing and community safety

The police have now moved into their new police base on Blackstoock Road which is shared with Islington’s Highbury West Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT). This had led to more joint planning and joined up working

The council’s Regulatory Committee which Brian now chairs, introduced a borough-wide street drinking order earlier this year. This makes it an offence to continue drinking once a police officer tells you to stop. We are aware of local street drinkers causing problems, particularly around the top of Wilberforce and Finsbury Park Roads.

The agreed priorities for the local police over the coming months were:
• Youth engagement: residents highlighted that this was particularly important during the summer months when kids were off school. Young people attending the meeting suggested activities should be structured and involve physical activity. The police commended the work of King's Crescent Youth Club and Skyways as good practice and confirmed that there would be more activities over the summer.
• Anti Social Behaviour on estates: This was in response to a recent upswing, particularly around Woodberry Down which had seen some nasty incidents
• Motor Vehicle Crime: There was a slight increase in the ward of motor vehicle crime and officers confirmed they were planning operations for the coming month

Licensing application 308 Seven Sister Road

2010-07-07T13:41:00.002+01:00

Please contact our Licensing Service - details via www.hackney.gov.uk - about this if you wish to comment.

Premises:Food City Express
308 Seven Sisters Road
London N4 2AG

Ward: Brownswood

Applicant(s): Mr.Qureshi

Brief summary of application: Application for premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:00 daily.

Closing date for representations: 19/07/2010

June report

2010-06-02T12:25:00.003+01:00

The election campaign

We fought a hard campaign over many months in the run up to the local elections on the 6th of May. The calling of the 2010 General Election on the same day meant that turnout was almost double the usual. The final results were

Surname Other Names Party Votes
BELL Brian Labour 1,617
COGGINS Stuart Green 505
DE BOTTON Oli Labour 1,448
DEMIRCI Feryal Labour 1,225
KLEINBERG IAN A Conservatives 415
KLEINBERG YVONNE Conservatives 396
LANG Peter Simon Green 534
MARSH Sarah Liberal Democrats 903
PHILLIPS David John Liberal Democrats 825
REDWOOD Rebecca Green 506
SHARER Bella Liberal Democrats 654
WHITE Andrew Conservatives 329

We also won the mayoralty getting over 50% on the first count for the first time. And held both parliamentary seats with increased majorities.

We’d like to thank all those members who turned out to canvas, leaflet or help in any other way. In particular we might not be here if it wasn’t for the outstanding efforts of our Chair and Agent, Peter and Michael.

Labour Group and Council

Congratulations to Feryal who was appointed to the local cabinet. Her responsibilities include waste collection, street cleaning, recycling, enforcement, streetscene, local transportation, markets and parking control.

I was elected to chair the Labour Group, and Oli is Assistant Secretary.

Woodberry Down regeneration

We reported before that the previous government’s Homes and Communities Agency has approved an extra £27m to fund affordable housing on Woodberry Down. It will be a major worry that the new ConDem government may not be committed to this scheme, or indeed a couple of others in our ward.

The phasing plan for the estate has been varied to mean that Peak and Petherton houses are now being decanted and will be demolished later this year. They are to be followed by Nichol and Needwood. Spring Park Drive will remain as it is for the next 4 years. We have made clear to officers that they must minimise the number of double decants, make sure any interim accommodation is of the highest standard, and ensure that the needs of vulnerable residents are carefully taken into account at each stage.

Clearance of the vegetation on the 268 Green Lanes site is beginning.
On the Old School Site, the concrete frame to the first shared ownership block, known as block E, is now complete and scaffolding is around it in preparation for the window and brickwork installation. The fitting out of the first social rented units is well advanced and the first two demonstration units should be complete for the end of June. Berkleys have also begun construction of the first of the private sale blocks.

Kings Crescent Estate

The east-west part of Lemsford is now largely internally demolished. The 4 remaining residents have all accepted offers elsewhere on the estate.

Refurbishments are now almost complete in Kelshall, Therfield, Bramfield, Theobalds, and Datchworth, and have started in Weston. All tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements, and some get new door entry systems.

A new pitched roof has been put on the part of Weston to be retained. All the voids there are now refurbished, and decanting of the east-west wing is beginning.

The plans for the retrofit to the southside are being amended to exclude the idea of hanging new balconies of the blocks which was unpopular with many residents.

The timing of the retrofit works and those to the retained part of Lemsford are being held up by the request from the TRA for a cap to leaseholder recharges. Now the Deputy Mayor has been reappointed, I’ll be pressing for an early resolution of this.

Portland Rise playground

I’m pleased to report that this is finally under construction.

New River Path

The section from the Castle to Woodberry Down has been relaid and recently re-opened. The full length will be completed as part of the Old School Site scheme.

Last word

The Greens whinged – “In both Clissold and Stoke Newington Central our six council candidates got more votes than any Green Party candidate ever has in Hackney. And we lost. By a lot. Frankly, there was simply nothing else we could have done.”

Councillor Brian Bell

We Won!

2010-05-09T16:52:00.002+01:00

Feryal and I are very happy to have been returned to represent Brownswood Ward again, and welcome Oli to the team.

The full results are here http://www.hackney.gov.uk/brownswood-result.htm

We also want to thank Darren Parker for 4 fabulous years.

Brian Bell
Labour Councillor for Brownswood
London Borough of Hackney

Labour's Manifesto for Hackney Council

2010-04-16T12:22:00.001+01:00

Can be found here-
http://www.hackney-labour.org.uk/images/uploads/165713/a1e30789-c8be-5254-41d0-dc0da296c114.pdf

Please read it and get in touch.

Hackney wins big at Local Government C Awards

2010-03-29T15:40:00.002+01:00

Hackney was the big winner at the Local Government Chronicle's annual awards ceremony on 24th March, picking up three of the prestigious industry awards, more than any other Council.

The borough won top prize in the Children's Services, Employee Engagement and Place of the Year categories, as well as being second in the Council of the Year category. The borough was also a finalist in the adult social care category for Personalisation and Choice.

The Council's elected Mayor Jules Pipe and Chief Executive Tim Shields were joined at the awards ceremony by the Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, the Principal of Hackney Community College Ian Ashman and the Chief Executive of the Shoreditch Trust Michael Pyner.

In its write up of the night the LGC said; 'The biggest winner on the night was Hackney LBC who took home 3 awards.

Children's Services for a strategy that demonstrated a scale of ambition underpinned by a clear philosophy and a well structured delivery as well as showing a clear evidence of impact.

Employee Engagement for the strong emotional connection employees have with the borough and its people, both in their strong vision for the future, and in the involvement of staff across the organisation.

And finally Place of the Year for their ability to demonstrate again and again how their focus, partnerships, strategic and political leadership has made a real difference on the ground.'

My report for March

2010-03-01T17:25:00.001Z

Budget 2010/11

At the council meeting on Wednesday 3rd March we expect to freeze the council tax for a record fifth year, the only council in the country to be able to achieve this.
This didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of 8 years hard work by this Labour administration to improve services and deliver them more efficiently. We are ranked as the top London borough for this and are third nationally.

The latest overall financial position is that the General Fund is coming in at £661k underspent, ie within 0.07% of budget. And this includes £3.5m of contingencies which are assumed spent. The next biggest element of our finances, the Housing Revenue Account is £607k underspent – again only a fraction off target.

The current capital programme includes £114m for housing schemes and £152m for other investment of which the biggest element is schools. Results include -
 Refurbishment of Kings Crescent
 Regeneration and interim repairs on Woodberry Down
 New Skinners secondary school and extended WD primary
 Clissold park and house works
 Stoke Newington Town Hall reopened
 New youth club on St Olaves/Apex site
 Decent Homes works on Amwell Court, and next year St Johns Court
 Highways, footways and lighting improvements, and tree planting
 Hackney Service centre opened

At the same time resident perception has changed significantly with a rise in satisfaction of 12% in the last two years alone, distinctly against the national trend.

£27 million extra for Woodberry Down regeneration

We reported last time that the government’s Homes and Communities Agency has approved an extra £27m to fund affordable housing on Woodberry Down. This will see 187 social rented and 60 shared ownership homes built on two sites - Woodberry Grove North and the cleared site just south of the row of shops on Green Lanes. Work is set to begin in March 2010, with completion in 2012.

The phasing plan for the estate has been varied to mean that Peak and Petherton houses will now be the next to be decanted and demolished. They may be followed by Nichol and Needwood. Spring Park Drive will remain as it is for the next 4 years. We have made clear to officers that they must minimise the number of double decants, make sure any interim accommodation is of the highest standard, and ensure that the needs of vulnerable residents are carefully taken into account at each stage.

Despite the cold weather, building work on the Old School Site continue to progress well with the Block F (33 homes for social rent) almost complete and Block G’s (84 for social rent) concrete structure being finished. Foundations for Block E (46 shared ownership) have been laid and the cores are going up. Construction of the new secondary school remains on schedule.

Kings Crescent Estate

The planning application for the refurbishment of the retained part of Lemsford was approved last Wednesday. It provides for the “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”. Works, including the demolition of the other half, should be underway in late May.

Refurbishments are now largely complete in Kelshall, Therfield, Bramfield, Theobalds and soon to start in Datchworth and Weston. All tenants are getting new kitchens and bathrooms, together with rewiring and associated improvements, and some get new balconies, extended flats and door entry systems. A number of improvements to practice have been made as we learned from the process.

The planning application for Weston and Datchworth east went in at the start of February. It proposes “the provision of a new roof to Datchworth Court and Weston Court and replacement of existing windows in Weston Court with new UPVC windows”. Approval is expected by mid March. The amount which can be recharged to leaseholders for all of these works, is as before a major issue.

Neighbourhood housing management

The current contracts all come up for renewal in the next 18 months. This is due to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Portland Rise playground

I had previously bid for funding for new play equipment as part of a pathfinder project. Carefully designed climbing, balancing and water features are proposed. Planning permission was approved on the 3rd of February with work to begin by mid March.

Clapton Library

The successfully refurbished building reopened this month – some information here http://www.hackney.gov.uk/cl-clapton-main.htm. The new main library being provided as part of the Dalston Lane South development is also on schedule.

Alexandra National House

The government have also approved approx £10 million in total funding, to rebuild Alex Nat. This was under the Local Authority New Build programme and will provide 67 units of pure council housing. This will mean detailed planning for the social element and outline planning for the whole of the site, being sought by July 2010, with a start on site by end September 2010 and completion by 31 March 2012. In both Rounds 1 and 2, the council was the most successful in London and second nationally. Hackney secured £16.2 million funding, or 23% of the total in London.

Councillor Brian Bell

February report

2010-02-02T17:43:00.001Z

£27 million extra for Woodberry Down regeneration

The government’s Homes and Communities Agency has approved an extra £27m to fund affordable housing on Woodberry Down. This will see 187 social rented and 60 shared ownership homes built on two sites. One is next to the new secondary school and known as Woodberry Grove North. The other is the cleared site just south of the row of shops on Green Lanes, which is in Brownswood. Work is set to begin in March 2010, with some complete by 2012.

The phasing plan for the estate has been varied to mean that Peak and Petherton houses will now be the next to be decanted and demolished. They may be followed by Nichol and Needwood. Spring Park Drive will remain as it is for the next 4 years.

We need to work to minimise the number of double decants, to make sure any interim accommodation is of the highest standard, and that the needs of vulnerable residents are carefully taken into account at each stage.

Building work on the Old School Site is progressing well with the cores of both Block F (33 homes for social rent) and Block G (84 for social rent) finished and the concrete structure being completed. Foundations for Block E (46 shared ownership) have been laid and the cores are going up. Construction of the new secondary school remains on schedule.

Kings Crescent Estate

Refurbishments are now largely complete in Kelshall, Therfield, Bramfield, Theobalds and soon to start in Datchworth. 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, flats extended and door entry sytems installed.

One major issue was the occupation of the podium at Lemsford Court by squatters during 6th November. We successfully pressed for an eviction as soon as possible, and they were gone again by the start of December. Many residents felt that a Lib Dem leaflet a week before the occupation was one of the things that attracted them to the block. They also got support from the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate.

The planning application for the refurbishment of the retained part of Lemsford went in in December. It provides for the “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”.

The application for Weston and Datchworth east went in this week. It proposes “the provision of a new roof to Datchworth Court and Weston Court and replacement of existing windows in Weston Court with new UPVC windows”.

Neighbourhood housing management

The current contracts all come up for renewal in the next 18 months.

Clissold Park and House

The refurbishment of the park and house has begun with the opening of the temporary café, a ranger’s office and tennis club offices. A contractor’s compound is being created to the west of the paddling pool. Further information is available on - http://www.hackney.gov.uk/clissold-restoration-project.htm

Council meeting

We used our questions at last Wednesday’s council meeting to highlight the new resources for Woodberry Down and Alexandra National, for the home energy saving programme, and to press for enhanced community safety measures on our estates.

Manor House Area Action Plan

The council is preparing a masterplan for the area surrounding the station, to attempt to complement the regeneration of the estate. Initial public consultation events take place at Woodberry Down Primary on 9th February and at the West Reservoir on 11th February (both 6-8pm) - http://www.hackney.gov.uk/manor-house-aap.htm

Portland Rise playground

I had previously bid for funding for new play equipment as part of a government pathfinder project. Carefully designed climbing, balancing and water features are proposed. Planning permission is being considered on the 3rd of February.

Stoke Newington Municipal Buildings

The successfully refurbished Town and Assembly Halls reopened this month – some images here http://www.n16mag.com/news/latest-news/91-assembly-rooms-exclusive.html or http://londonist.com/2010/01/a_tour_of_stoke_newington_town_hall.php

Hackney Service Centre

The new building behind Hackney Town Hall which will now be the main point of call for most council services, also opened this week. It was an investment in public service entirely opposed by the Hackney Tories.

Alexandra National House

The government have also approved approx £10 million in total funding, to rebuild Alex Nat. This was under a programme termed Local Authority New Build and will provide 67 units of council housing.

In both Rounds 1 and 2, the council was the most successful in London and second nationally. Hackney secured £16.2 million funding, or 23% of the total in London.

Councillor Brian Bell

Alexandra National House

2010-01-14T12:09:00.001Z

As most of you know "Alex Nat" at the top of Queens Drive, was demolished two years ago as part of a regeneration programme. However this was affected by the credit crunch and uncertainty in the property market, and the scheme stalled.

We have continued to search for alternative funding sources, and on Tuesday it was announced that we had been successful in bidding to a government scheme called Local Authority New Build 2.

The government are giving us £4.9 million in grant, with Hackney contributing the same.

This will allow us to build 67 brand new council homes.

Consultation on the planning application should begin before the end of the month, with an on site start by April if approved.

It was one or two such schemes approved on Tuesday, which means that together with two approved in Round 1 last autumn, Hackney has been by far the most successful authority in London.

New Year update

2010-01-12T18:45:00.000Z

Kings Crescent Estate

Refurbishments are now largely complete in Kelshall, Therfield and Bramfield, and starting in Theobalds with other blocks programmed as previously advised. 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.

We’re currently tendering for a specialist to develop a masterplan for the cleared areas of the estate. Their brief will include investigating sources of funding, as well as developing a future design based on what residents want.

One major issue was the occupation of the podium at Lemsford Court by squatters during 6th November. We successfully pressed for many actions to contain the damage they were doing, and for an eviction as soon as possible. This was successfully achieved and they were gone again by the start of December.

Many residents felt that a Lib Dem leaflet a week before the occupation was one of the things that attracted them to the block. They also got support from the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate.

The planning application for the refurbishment of the retained part of Lemsford went in in December. It provides for the “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”.

Clissold Park

The refurbishment of the park takes major steps forward this month with the arrival of the temporary cafe which will serve park users until Clissold House reopens in early 2011. Further modular buildings in the bandstand area will provide WCs (complete with baby changing facilities), a rangers office and house the tennis club until the new tennis clubrooms at 3 Queen Elizabeth Walk are ready in summer 2010. Further information is available on - http://www.hackney.gov.uk/clissold-restoration-project.htm

Polling station for District D

I was asked by the Manor ETRA to again take up the issue of the location of the polling station for CD district, i.e. Myddleton Grange, St Johns Court and Amwell Court. I’m pleased to report it has now been relocated to the Amwell Court Estate Hall.

Portland Rise playground

I had previously bid for funding for new play equipment as part of a government pathfinder project. Initially this had been envisaged as a number of small features for pre-teens but following consultation with residents, a more traditional playground for all ages is now proposed between Nottingham and Balmoral Houses. Planning permission was applied for just before Xmas.

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.”

Stoke Newington Municipal Buildings

The successfully refurbished Town and Assembly Halls reopen on the 14th January with a 1940’s themed party.

Woodberry Down Estate

We are still seeking to complete the regeneration on an incremental basis, and in the meantime an interim repairs package has been agreed. 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 for social rent) and Block G (84 for social rent) finished and the concrete structure being completed. Foundation piles for Block E (46 shared ownership) have been laid and the cores are going up. Construction of the new secondary school remains on schedule.

The section of the New River Walk from the Castle to the boundary of the old school site is to be relaid this January, with the rest to follow as part of the wider scheme.

Councillor Brian Bell

Planning application for Lemsford Court, Kings Crescent

2009-12-22T11:52:00.002Z

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.

November 2009 update

2009-11-03T12:59:00.001Z

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

2009-09-28T12:18:00.004+01:00

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

new planning application for Alcock, Barcham and Fox houses

2009-09-07T11:21:00.003+01:00

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.

September (&August) report

2009-09-02T12:55:00.001+01:00

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

New planning application - Wolfson House, 313-315 Green Lanes

2009-07-20T13:19:00.002+01:00

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.

July update

2009-07-01T16:38:00.001+01:00

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.

Councillors report for May/June 09

2009-06-16T15:17:00.002+01:00

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.

Stoke Newington to Sadlers Wells tunnel!

2009-05-21T12:11:00.002+01:00

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

Planning application for new storey on top of Alcock, Barcham and Richard Fox Houses

2009-04-09T12:47:00.003+01:00

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.

Parkwood Primary - 2nd best in the whole country!

2009-04-07T15:59:00.003+01:00

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

April update - MORE AWARDS!

2009-04-01T14:16:00.003+01:00

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.

Our report to March

2009-03-05T15:03:00.003Z

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.

Your councillors' report

2009-02-05T11:00:00.002Z

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%.

New planning application for the Brownswood Library

2009-01-23T13:46:00.003Z

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

Follow the shadow cabinet's meetings

2009-01-21T02:10:00.001Z

Application for new hostel at 420 Seven Sisters Road

2009-01-13T13:47:00.003Z

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.

November update

2008-11-05T16:01:00.003Z

Financial crisis

We are happy to confirm that Hackney did not have any monies in Icleandic or other banks, which have recently collapsed.

The council’s reserves and balances of £344m are spread over 23 institutions, mostly domestic, all of which at the moment seem secure.

Tackling climate change in Hackney

Hackney currently has the lowest per capita CO2 omissions of any London borough, although it should be acknowledged that some of this is due to fuel poverty and deprivation. The challenge will be to stop this growing with increased prosperity.

Measures and achievements so far include –
 Introduction of one of the greenest council vehicle fleets
 Free parking for electric and other green vehicles
 Significantly increased rates of recycling with compulsory recycling from street properties
 Voted best council for cycling
 Free energy advice service for all residents
 Working particularly with council tenants and leaseholders to reduce energy consumption and promote renewable sources
 The council buys it’s own electricity from a hydro-electric provider
 2007 winner of the Mayor of London’s green procurement awards

Councillor Sophie Linden, our cabinet member for environmental sustainability, will be the guest speaker at our November local Labour meeting.

Kings Crescent estate

Residents are growing increasingly concerned at the perceived lack of progress, and are fearful of the implications of the “credit crunch”.

We are pressing for
 An immediate start to the interim repairs
 A firm date for the refurbishment of the southern blocks to begin
 The Heads of Terms of an agreement with the developer and housing association to be signed

Community Safety

Feryat will be attending the next CAP meeting on the 12th of November.

Finfuture are hosting a workshop on making Blackstock road safer for women from 6-7.30pm on Tuesday 11th November at 225-229 Seven Sisters Road. This is open to all women in the area.

Woodberry Down

The planning sub-committee approved the new master plan for the regeneration of Woodberry Down this month. This should allow all those bidding more certainty about what we as an authority are seeking to achieve in the neighbourhood.

Unfortunately, Berkley Homes have not started work yet on the development of the old school site on Woodberry Grove due to issues in the housing market. The council and Hackney Homes are exploring sources of funding to make the project more commercially viable. Our priority is to make sure the amount of affordable homes are maintained and that the new community centre is not delayed.

On a more positive note, the planning application for the new Skinners’ Academy has been received and is open for public consultation. It promises to be an exceptional new facility for the area, and the Head is adamant that it will become a centre for community activity and not just a school.

Darren is continuing to support the Manor House Development Trust as it goes from strength to strength. They have just submitted a bid for additional money to provide new and expanded youth activities. We are also exploring how we can bring the old boys club on Green Lanes back into use.

Living in Hackney

The Living in Hackney scrutiny commission has started a new investigation into the issue of overcrowding in Hackney. We have begun to look at the levels of overcrowding in the borough, and the planning and regeneration directorate’s plans for the provision of new larger affordable homes. Darren would welcome any thoughts or experiences from ward members that he can feed into the commission’s report.

Hackney Homes

Hackney Homes is preparing for a second inspection by the Audit Commission during November. If the inspectors rate the organisation as two stars or above, we will be able to access an additional £225m in credits to complete the Decent Homes programme.

The inspection will cover cross cutting themes, i.e. value for money, access, customer care and equality and diversity, with particular emphasis on value for money. The inspection should last for about 2 weeks with the inspectors returning a verdict at the beginning of February 2009.
Feryat is one of the council representatives on the Hackney Homes board.

Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court

There was a very good turn out compared to previous meetings. General management and maintenance issues dominated discussion, with a number raised by Lakeside residents.

The young people who took part in the summer youth activities funded through the Tenants Levy, will have a certificate ceremony on the 6th of November.

Alexandra National

We are still seeking new development partners to help regenerate the site and provide rented, intermediate, private, and possibly retail, accommodation.

Myddleton Grange estate

We continue to support resident representatives, police and housing associations in establishing a proper T&RA, and providing regular activities for young people. Brian is attending their next meeting on 12th November.

Metric “martyrs”

Members may have seen some recently publicity about this. Surprisingly, the coverage was almost entirely misleading!

The issue in all these cases was short selling, i.e. defrauding people by giving them less than they were paying for. Thirteen traders were cautioned, and all but one either changed their practices or pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court. Most were using old measures in an attempt to make it more difficult for trading standards to enforce against them, rather than for ideological reasons.

There are more serious charges pending against the sole remaining trader, and the council has been abiding by the sub judice rule, unlike this particular individual. It is our belief that she has been using the gullible eurosceptic media to distract attention from these.

Council 29.10.8

One of the major items was to give the freedom of the borough to the Territorial Army in recognition of the individual sacrifices of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Brian was Chief Whip for the evening, and used his own question to emphasise that our support for the Olympics should be based on demanding a lasting legacy for the borough.

Wilberforce Road

We had the derelict phone box at the top of the road removed.

School Results

Our local primary Parkwood, has again had outstanding results –

Year 6 (age 11) Hackney National Parkwood
English 75% 81% 84%
Maths 72% 78% 84%
Science 80% 88% 92%

All this has again been achieved with an intake which is significantly more deprived than the Hackney average, e.g. 60% eligible for free school meals compared to the Hackney average of 41%.

Our September report

2008-09-30T14:55:00.004+01:00

What have we achieved?

Since taking back control in 2002, this administration has achieved -
* Stability and continuous improvement in the council finances and management
* Achieved a three star rating (out of 0-4) for overall performance
* Nearly two thirds of council homes meet the Decent Homes standard compared to a quarter back then
* Introduced compulsory recycling for street properties, and rolling it out further on estates
* The biggest reduction in crime of any London borough
* Extension of the Underground under construction
* Reductions in infant mortality and teenage pregnancies
* Helped more residents into employment
* Gone from the worst to the best at processing benefit claims
* Our streets are the cleanest they’ve ever been, with graffiti removed in under two hours and 1000 new street trees each year
* Seven of our parks have achieved Green Flag status
* Opened London Fields Lido and reopened Clissold Leisure Centre
* Educational standards have increased significantly
* All our secondary schools are being rebuilt, and five new academies opened
* Surestart and the Childrens Centre network being delivered

Major challenges remaining include
 Making sure the Olympics and Paralympics leave the legacy we want
 Delivering major projects such as Woodberry Down, in the changing economic circumstances
 Improving educational standards, outcomes and opportunities further
 Hackney Homes achieving at least two stars
 Reducing the fear of crime to match the real reduction

Kings Crescent estate

The refurbishment of the southern blocks is proceeding, funded directly by the council and government grant. Planning permission was granted on 3rd September. A programme of environmental “catch-up” and improvements works are scheduled and clarification as to whether leaseholders should be recharged is being sought.

The steering group, which Brian chairs and which now includes the potential developer and housing association partners, continues to meet on an approximately monthly business. We hope to be able to report on the signing of the Heads of Agreement within the week.

Community Policing

At the CAP meeting held on the 3rd of September the police reported a dramatic decrease in all crime in Brownswood ward over the summer (July/Aug). In particular, decreases in all three of the main previous concerns - burglary, prostitution and anti social behaviour (ASB). Whilst Brownswood was a burglary hotspot in June, it is now no longer considered so.

Over the summer the police conducted plain clothes patrols of all the estates, as well as deploying a police bus which not only patrolled the estates but also stopped to give young people summer scheme information.

The dispersal zone around Blackstock Road is coming to an end soon. It was reported that whilst there are people still congregating outside cafes on BSR, there has been no trouble. Several residents voiced their disappointment with the summer festival on BSR. They were concerned about the vision /lack of vision for BSR by FinFuture.

Concerns were raised regarding high number of accidents on the junction of Queens Drive and Seven Sisters Road involving motorbikes. Feryat undertook to look in to getting a safety assessment done.

The panel decided that the priorities set at the previous meeting should remain the same ie i) ASB by gangs of youths on WD, KC and Myddleton Grange ii) prostitution iii) Blackstock Road. The next meeting is on Wednesday November 12th.

Woodberry Down

The masterplan for Woodberry Down is due to go to the planning committee during October. This has been resubmitted due to changes that were made as a result of the listing of the primary school and the John Scott health centre.

The council continues the selection process for a developer and RSL to carry out the regeneration for stages 2-5 of the masterplan. This is expected to be concluded early in the new year and will go to cabinet for final approval.

Negotiations with the developer of the old school site (adjacent to the Jewish girls’ school) continue as they have not signed an agreement on planning obligations that would allow them to start building. There are concerns about how this is related to problems in the property market at the moment and the council is considering whether other sources of funding that can be accessed to bring the scheme forward.

Boris Johnson is being lobbied by a conservative councillor from New River and a conservative London Assembly member to drop the plans to narrow the section of Seven Sisters Road as it travels through Woodberry Down. Mayor Johnson has committed to re-consult on the issue and we hope that he does not go back on his word to support this. At the moment, this section of the road severs the community in two and when the regeneration is completed, the new educational campus will be on the north side of the road. We hope that the principals set out in the masterplan to create a ‘whole living environment’, where children can walk around safely, will be maintained.

We ran a stall at the funday back in July.

Blackstock Road

At the same time as increasing enforcement activity, we have always emphasised the need to work with the residents and traders to promote the area positively. Therefore we were please to attend the inaugral Blackstock Road Festival on Sunday 10th August. The street was sealed off for the afternoon, and entertainment and information stalls provided. We had useful discussions with several residents and Jeremy Corbyn MP, and took some good photos.

(photo was meant to go here!)

Although organised at short notice, and acknowledging that it could have been better attended, we felt it was symbolically important that something positive was done. There is an in principle commitment to repeat it next year, with more time to plan and advertise.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Resurfacing works at Portland Rise which we have been pressing for, are about to start.

Alexandra National

We are currently seeking for new development partners to help regenerate the site and provide rented, intermediate, private, and possibly retail, accommodation.

Myddleton Grange estate

We continue to support resident representatives, police and housing associations in establishing a proper T&RA, and planning more activities for young people.

Wilberforce Road

We have had the derelict phone box at the top of the road removed.

Campaigning for May 2010

The next local elections are in May 2010, and although that may seem a long way away, we need to start campaigning now. A borough-wide campaign plan has been adopted, and there should be both local and council-wide leaflets to deliver in the autumn. Canvassing started in September with a push in Brownswood in early November.

It has been a great privilege to be your councillors for the last two years. We are pleased to confirm that we will be seeking renomination in accordance with the Labour Party’s procedures, in the coming months.

Brian Bell, Feryat Demirci and Darren Parker
Labour Councillors for Brownswood
http://brownswoodcouncillors.blogspot.com/

Our latest report

2008-07-08T10:17:00.002+01:00

Kings Crescent estate

We expect to finally introduce the new development partnership – Lovells builders and Family Mosaic Housing Association - to residents at a meeting this Wednesday.

The refurbishment of the southern blocks is proceeding, funded directly by the council and government grant. There was a second open day for residents on Wednesday 14th May, and planning permission is now being sought. A programme of environmental “catch-up” and improvements works are underway.

The subsequent meeting of the steering group, which Brian chairs, is on 30th July.

Match-day parking scheme

The much-delayed scheme is now scheduled for introduction in August, ahead of the new season. It will cover the whole of our ward.

The response to the consultation showed 67% support overall, rising to 77% within a mile of the stadium.

The introduction of similar controls during special events, such as the recent Springsteen concerts, will not be implemented at this time. The situation will be reviewed after the scheme has been in operation for a year.

Council 25th June

We raised two issues. One was the recent situation when building works to a house at the corner of Princess Crescent and Gloucester Drive left it dangerous and eventually requiring demolition. The second was to clarify how we would continue to promote Fairtrade principles.

The Labour Group proposed a motion criticizing Boris Johnson’s intention to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes. We also introduced a deputation from the Hackney branch of the London Cycling Campaign, who were strongly against the proposal.

The debate exposed the usual pro-car, anti-pedestrian, anti-cyclist and anti-public transport views of the local Tories. Most notable were the constant outbursts of Tory councillor Maureen Middleton who shouted “I hate bikes” several times.

The Lib Dems supported us. The “Greens” didn’t turn up!

Woodberry Down

We reported in error last month that the Cabinet meeting at the end of April approved a package of measures to support those shopkeepers on the estate wishing to transfer into new units on the “old school site”. In fact the report was deferred as a few matters still need to be resolved.

The Estate Development Committee which has been main method of resident involvement in the regeneration plans, reconstituted itself as the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, with a wider remit at its most recent meeting.

The revised masterplan will be considered at a future planning committee.

The competitive process to select a RSL and a developer for the remaining sites is continuing.

We are hoping to have a stall at the funday this Saturday.

Blackstock Road

We had been hinting for some time at the major police operation planned against organised crime on Blackstock. It may be worth restating why this was necessary - figures from the police and phone companies show that well over half of all mobile phones stolen in London were later resold there. Increasingly laptops, PDAs and SatNavs also featured. Indeed it was the biggest single hotspot for such crime in the whole country.

With regard to the dispersal zone, the latest info is that the police do now intend to apply for it to continue for another three months. The imposition of the zone was something we strongly supported because as well as the actual crime, one of the main issues raised with us by residents was the intimidating feeling that just having so many people hanging about on the street caused. There were also many reports of actual harassment, particularly of women and girls.

There are also plans to set up a separate Safer Neighbourhoods Team for Blackstock. As far as we know this is the first such cross-boundary team in the Met. We have written to the Mayor pledging our support and requesting his.

At the same time as increasing enforcement activity, we have always emphasised the need to work with the residents and traders to promote the area positively. A new charter attempting to summarise the community’s aspirations for the area was launched on the 29th May.

A Blackstock Road Festival, which will include closing the northernmost part of the road, is scheduled for Sunday 10th August.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat will be attending their next meeting on 17th July.

Alexandra National

We are currently looking for new development partners to help regenerate the site and provide rented, intermediate, private, and possibly retail, accommodation.

Myddleton Grange estate

We recently met with resident representatives, police and housing associations on the estate to discuss establishing a proper T&RA, and getting activities for young people during the summer. We will be following this up with further efforts.

Council Finances

We have been stressing how sound the council’s finances are under the current administration. The accounts for last year were successfully closed on 30th June, the earliest ever deadline. Amongst other things, they show –

§ Last year the council spent £929,508,000 providing services to residents, businesses and visitors
§ We had a surplus of £26,294,000, which has been rolled forward into this year’s budget (most of this was deliberate contingency funding)
§ The authority’s assets have a notional net value of £1,956,660,000
§ Our pension fund is worth £675,910,000

April and May 08 update

2008-06-05T12:09:00.005+01:00

Greater London Authority and Mayoral elections

Labour actually had a good result in London on 1st May, which has largely gone unreported due to the Mayoral contest.

We gained Harrow and Brent from the Tories, and held all of our constituency seats.

We took a London wide seat from the Lib Dems.

Although any presence is worrying, the far-right places on the assembly are down from 2 to 1.

“Respect”, whether the Galloway version or the SWP list, failed to get a seat.

In the North East London constituency – Hackney, Islington & Waltham Forest – Ken Livingstone got over 49% of the vote compared to 29% for Boris Johnson. In the assembly election, Jeanette Arnold got 38% compared to 23% for the Tory.

Congratulations to Jeanette on subsequently being elected the new Chair of the assembly.

Turnout was up significantly throughout North East, and particularly in Hackney. The campaign was largely run by Hackney people.

In Brownswood, 839 people voted for the Labour list as opposed to 443 for the Greens, 291 for the Lib Dems and 280 Conservative. Both Ken and Jeanette did better individually.

It was also pleasing to see the local Lib Dem candidate Meral Ece so badly beaten. She was one of those who caused the split in the Labour Group back in 1996, which subsequently led to 6 years of no overall control and the council almost being closed down. She subsequently stood as a Liberal Democrat councillor in Islington. Expect her to turn up as a Tory next!

In policy terms, the most significant change will be the Tory pledge to reduce the amount of social housing required by the London Plan. We will also need to monitor how Transport for London shifts towards the motorist and if public transport is given less priority.

It’s clear the Tories still see Boris Johnson as a potential liability and are carefully surrounding him with a team of experienced people picked by Central Office. Indeed many of their assembly members are seriously annoyed at the way they been sidelined.

Finally, Brownswood had the highest proportion in Hackney of people using their second preference vote (90%) – proof that we were chosen by a discerning electorate!

Kings Crescent estate

Negotiations with the potential new development partners are proceeding well and it is hoped to conclude Heads of Terms within the month.

The refurbishment of the southern blocks will proceed, funded directly by the council and government grant. There was a second open day on Wednesday 14th May, to consult residents on the design. Planning permission is now being sought.

An extensive programme of environmental works and improvements is also underway.

The next meeting is of the Steering Group, which Brian chairs, is on 2nd July.

Labour Group AGM

Feryat was elected Group Treasurer as well as an assistant whip. Brian remains the deputy chief whip as well as Vice-Chair of Audit, and was elected Vice-Chair of Licensing. Darren was re-elected as a member of Group Executive, and remains Design Champion.

Building Control

One of the councils less celebrated functions – preventing dangerous structures - swung into action recently in the ward. Building works to a house at the corner of Princess Crescent and Gloucester Drive left it dangerous and liable to collapse. It has been temporarily secured whilst permanent remedial measures are instituted. All costs are recoverable from the owners.

Woodberry Down

The Cabinet meeting at the end of April approved a package of measures to support those shopkeepers on the estate wishing to transfer into new units on the “old school site”.

The planning application for this site was approved with conditions and reserved matters, at the March planning committee, and preliminary works have started.

The Estate Development Committee’s plans to transform into the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, were also supported by the Cabinet in April, and are due to be implemented at their forthcoming meeting.

The revised masterplan will be considered at a future planning committee, and we are not expecting the change of leadership at the GLA to have any immediate impact.

The competitive process to select a RSL and a developer for the remaining sites is continuing.

Blackstock Road

We have been hinting for some time at the major police operation planned against organised crime on Blackstock. Figures from the police and phone companies show that well over half of all mobile phones stolen in London were later resold there. Increasingly laptops, PDAs and SatNavs also featured. Indeed it was the biggest single hotspot for such crime in the whole country.

“Operation Mista” involved over a thousand officers in total, with raids in the morning at other locations and searches in Blackstock itself in the afternoon. Nineteen identified premises were searched, with more than 80 individuals arrested altogether. Significant amounts of stolen property, cash, drugs and forged passports were recovered.

As well as the actual crime, one of the main issues raised with us by residents was the intimidating feeling that just having so many people hanging about on the street caused. There were also many reports of actual harassment, particularly of women and girls.

The imposition of the dispersal zone by the two councils and police forces was intended to counter this. It appears to have been so successful that the police feel they may be able to let it lapse at the end of June.

At the same time as increasing enforcement activity, we have always emphasised the need to work with the residents and traders to promote the area positively. A new charter attempting to summarise the community’s aspirations for the area was launched on the 29th May. We continue to explore the possibility of a Blackstock Road Festival, which may include closing the road, in the summer.

Police Community Advisory Panel

All three councillors attended the last CAP meeting on the 21st May. The major discussion was about the Blackstock Road operations, which the group strongly endorsed.

Other issues included continuing ASB on the estates and street properties, burglary and robbery rates, and snatch theft prevention advice.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

The TRA had applied for a grant to the “10 pence tenants levy” fund to run summer activities for the youth on both of the estates. This was successful and a 12 week water works activities program for 20 young people has started at the reservoir.

Annual Council 14th May

Councillor Ian Rathbone from Leabridge was elected Speaker (the ceremonial mayor) for the coming year, with Stoke Newington Central councillor Muttalip Unluer as his deputy.

We were pleased to have former local residents Ellen O’Donoghue and Robin Hewings as our guests.

Fairtrade status

Hackney has been officially recognised as a fairtrade borough. Feryat is vice-chair of the organising committee.

Parkwood School

We reported last time that the latest OFSTED report on the school was about to be published. It was rated outstanding. The full report is available on the OFSTED website or from the school.

The school is also due to be featured on BBC4 this Wednesday at 9pm (with repeats throughout the week), as part of a series called "My new best friend" on the transition between primary and secondary school.

Brian Bell, Feryat Demirci and Darren Parker
Labour Councillors for Brownswood
http://brownswoodcouncillors.blogspot.com/

Spring Park Hotel - Sex encounter license

2008-04-09T14:15:00.002+01:00

We've just received notification that they have applied to renew their sex encounter (pole dancing) license.

The deadline for comments and objections is 21st April. These should be sent to the Licensing Service, via mike.smith@hackney.gov.uk

Blackstock Road - latest info from the police

2008-04-03T12:03:00.002+01:00

Background to the Operation

Officers had been preparing for Operation Mista for more than a year prior to last Thursday's raids. The aim of the operation was to identify those involved in substantial criminal activity - specifically drug dealing, money laundering, handling stolen goods and the production of forged documents. The focus was therefore on serious, organised crime.

Over the course of many months, extensive evidence was gathered regarding the activities of particular criminals - and a number of premises in Blackstock Road were identified as being used regularly by those criminals (for example, to store or sell stolen goods). This significant preparatory work meant that, last week, we were able to target specific criminals who were wanted for specific crimes - with the intention of minimising the inconvenience and disruption to every law abiding member of the local community.

Results of the Operation

Last Thursday afternoon, officers raided 19 specific addresses in Blackstock Road . It should be emphasised that these were not random targets - they had been specifically identified by reliable police intelligence as being concerned in crime;
So far, more than 80 people have been arrested as a consequence of the operation - and there will be further arrests to follow;
36 of those were specific targets - identified in advance of the raids as being involved in significant criminal activity. 30 of them have already been remanded in custody by the court - with the remaining 6 being released on bail in advance of further court proceedings;
Large quantities of cash have been seized, together with drugs and various stolen items;
26 Belgian passports have also been recovered - together with a BB Gun.

Following on from the Operation

The majority of the feedback that we have received since last Thursday has been extremely positive. People are grateful that a set of problems that have existed for such a long time have now been challenged. That said, we do recognise that an operation as large as Mista inevitably has a significant impact on a local community - and that some people will have mixed views about what has taken place. We are committed to listening to every point of view - and to working alongside the local community to ensure that Blackstock Road becomes a safer place for all who live and work in the area.

The ongoing criminal investigation is inevitably complex and the various court proceedings are likely to take some time. As already suggested, further arrests are inevitable. We will be maintaining a consistent visible policing presence in the neighbourhood for some time to come - and are committed to ensuring that criminals no longer have the influence in the area that they once enjoyed.

There is a Dispersal Zone in place for three months - and that will give us additional powers to challenge criminal and anti-social behaviour in the local area. Law-abiding residents and businesses have nothing to fear and everything to gain from this.

Blackstock Road raids

2008-03-27T17:06:00.002Z

Residents arriving home this evening will find Blackstock Road sealed off with over 400 police carrying out raids.

This operation has been carefully planned in response, amongst other things, to issues raised with us by the local community. We have been meeting with the police since last autumn in the build up to it.

In addition to the raids against criminal activity, a dispersal zone is being instituted, which if properly enforced, will mean that residents feel a lot safer on the streets.

We will post more information when we can.

Our report for March 08

2008-03-03T15:08:00.004Z

Councillors Report – March 08

Kings Crescent estate

Negotiations with the potential new development partners are going well. They have inevitably raised a significant number of issues concerning the draft PDA, so will take some time - at least a couple of months - before we know for certain whether we can proceed with them.

The refurbishment of the southern blocks will proceed, funded directly by the council and government grant. There was an open day on Wednesday 27th February, to consult residents on the design. The whole estate was invited as it's intended that these will be used as the template for any other refurbishments. Plans are available.

The next meeting is of the Steering Group, which Brian chairs, is on 26th March.

Labour Group 15th January

The main items were about campaigning against post office closures, the continuing poor performance of Hackney Homes, rent rises, estate recycling and reports back from our Scrutiny chairs.

One of those post offices affected is on Blackstock Road, and the residents may wish to consider how to support the Labour Group’s campaign.

Finfuture

Work to replace the existing shopfront with a more modern one, which should help give it more presence in the area, is scheduled to begin on 3rd March.

Sadly Sgt Paul Gale’s secondment as Safer Town Centre Manager, from the British Transport Police is ending shortly. Paul has put a lot of work in over the last four years and will be missed. An expanded “safer, cleaner, greener” team will take over his role.

Woodberry Down

The detailed planning applications for the Kickstart/Phase1 should be decided at March’s planning committee. EDC representatives have decided to support the applications although they have concerns over the designs, especially with regards to some affordable flats which do not have separate toilet/bathroom facilities nor separate kitchen/diners.

The new CCTV system for Woodberry Down is now operational – with 5 cameras in crime hot spots. The system is linked to the corporate CCTV centre in Stoke Newington.

The first batch of students who are undertaking the Woodberry Works construction-training course will graduate this month. Over 90 applications have been received for the next round of courses, which will also include health/safety and catering.

The new older peoples day centre is due to open in April.

Blackstock Road

“Operation Rockrose”, the police activity on Blackstock, continues. Most of the arrests so far have been in connection with drugs and immigration, and not with handling stolen goods. They are still gathering intelligence on this. The checks on businesses by Environmental Health and LFB had generally gone well.

There is to be a new “North Area Problem Solving Team” (8 officers) and from Mar–Jun 08 this team will focus on the area. CI Jane Johnson said they would bear in mind that a French or Arabic speaking officer would be useful when they recruiting to this team.

The police are considering whether to seek a dispersal zone on BSR – there were some concerns raised that risked merely moving the problem away temporarily and it would come back again. It was also felt it would be better to directly target the individuals who are intimidating women. It was agreed that as a first step, a new a leaflet would be developed between the AAB and the police, to advise young men on the street what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

CI Johnson was working with the councils to draw up formal recommendations detailing environmental improvements which could assist with crime prevention. These recommendations could be used to support requests for funding eg for improved lighting.

At the same time as increasing enforcement activity, we have always emphasised the need to work with the traders and residents to promote the area positively. We are meeting on 17th March to take forward proposals for a BSR festival which may include closing the road.

Police Community Advisory Panel

The next CAP meeting is on the 12th March.

We have had further discussions with the police re tackling anti-social behaviour on the Filterbeds estate. They are supporting the establishment of a neighbourhood watch group, the re-opening of the community centre, and funding for youth activities.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat was at the latest TRA meeting on 21st February. Details of the proposed grant application made for the summer youth project have been clarified and accepted. Elevate who carry out youth projects for Pathmeads, will be running water sports activity with young people from the Amwell Court and Portland Rise estates. This will be over 6 week period for two groups of ten young people and will take place at the east reservoir. Funding of £1400 has been secured from the 10p Tenants Levy.

The residents have requested help from the council to run some activities for adults and the elderly on both Amwell Court and Portland Rise, which Feryal will look in to.

Council 5th March

The main business was to adopt the budget for the coming year.

Hackney’s Council performance

The Audit Commission have now published their full Comprehensive Performance Assessment of the council. They said “Hackney Council is improving strongly. Hackney has a record of improvement in its priority areas and in contributing effectively to wider community outcomes.

Performance indicators for the last year show one of the highest rates of service improvement in London and a top quartile improvement rate nationally. The council still has some indicators within the lower quartiles, for example, satisfaction with sports and leisure facilities. The council has improved its housing services, recycling rates and the time to process benefit claims.

Hackney has also scored well in recent assessments of children’s services and adult social care and has improved its overall resident satisfaction ratings. The way the council uses its resources has improved in the last year. Hackney has strong and effective management and provides good community leadership which is continuing to improve civic pride.

Hackney has the capacity to deliver its robust plans for further improvement. It has a good understanding of where it needs to improve further and the appropriate actions required. There are no weaknesses or failures in corporate governance that would prevent improvement being sustained.”

Tree planting

As part of the 2007/8 programme, eleven new or replacement trees have already been planted in Somerfield Road.

Future plans include 5 additional ones in Wilberforce Road and 10 in Alexandra Grove. The Alexandra Grove planting arises directly out of proposals put to us by local residents.

In addition trees reported to us as damaged or dying, are to be replaced in Gloucester Drive and Portland Rise.

OFSTED Inspection – Parkwood School

The school was subject to a new style short notice inspection during the week of 4th March. The report is due to be published this week.

Brian Bell, Feryat Demirci and Darren Parker
Labour Councillors for Brownswood
http://brownswoodcouncillors.blogspot.com/

Council Tax frozen for third year!

2008-02-05T14:02:00.000Z

Labour Group 15th January

The main business was setting the budget for the coming year. We expect to be able to freeze the Hackney element of the council tax for the third year running, whilst continuing to implement our manifesto commitments, for example doubling the number of teams removing graffiti.

Finfuture

Work should begin shortly to replace the existing shopfront with a more modern one, which should help give it more presence in the area.

Woodberry Down

The detailed planning applications for the Kickstart/Phase1 schemes are due to be determined in the next few months. It has also been established that a revised masterplan will need to be submitted, consequent to the phasing changes and land swap arising from the listing of the primary school and health centre.

Residents and officers continue to assess the two shortlisted consortia to develop the other phases. As previously explained, the appointed RSL will be required to establish a community based housing association for the estate as a dedicated subsidiary.

Thankfully English Heritage declined to list Needwood, Nicholl and two other blocks.

Brownswood Road vice meeting

A meeting was held between the residents of the Brownswood Road and Queen Elizabeth’s Walk areas, Stoke Newington police, representatives from the Open Doors project and the DAT to discuss the problems relating to prostitution in the area.

Action to taken included

1. Crime prevention officer to look at ways to “design out” the problem.
2. Ask for the removal of the phone box at Hexton Court.
3. Increased patrols on Sundays.

Police Community Advisory Panel

The latest CAP meeting held on 9/1/08 discussed the neighbourhood policing priorities over the following 2 months – it was agreed to keep Brownswood Road, Blackstock Road and Woodberry Down as the top three.

Progress has been made in tackling anti-social behaviour on the Filterbeds estate – the police are supporting the establishment of a neighbourhood watch group and the re-opening of the community centre to be used as a base for youth activities. The Hackney youth service ‘purple bus’ has also visited the estate in the winter period to offer diversionary activities in the meantime.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat was at the latest TRA meeting on 17th January where they made a decision on what to use their estate improvement budget for. The TRA have decided to use their EIB to continue to improve the stairwells in Portland Rise. Last year the stairs of Buckingham House were relined with a special material and this year Holyrood House will get their stairs done.

The tenant participation officer for Manor EC had made an application for a grant to run summer activities for the youth on the estate. The application was successful and Manor EC had been granted £1,400. However the TRA members were not aware of this application prior to the meeting, and have asked for everything to be halted until they get more information on how and who will make use of this money.

Council 30th January

At last Wednesday’s meeting, Brian criticised the new Tory Leader for trying to “jump the queue” in respect of an estate in one of their wards which is one of the 8 affected by the developments outlined at the top. He also attacked New River Tory Maureen Middleton for constantly advocating paying more than market value for homes which need to be repurchased on Woodberry Down.

On a happier note, we also confirmed the appointment of Tim Shields as the new Chief Executive. Tim has been the Director of Finance & Resources for the past several years and acting CE since last May, leading on the drive to “get better, faster”.

On an even happier note, we were pleased to welcome Joseph Stauber as the new Labour Councillor for Cazenove. Joe defected from the Liberal Democrats, who are now reduced to two members. It’s incredible to think that eight years ago they were effectively running the council.

Hackney’s Council performance

For the second year running, the council has been rated a 3 star authority – on a scale of 0 to 4 – by the District Auditor for its financial management and use of resources.

Our overall Comprehensive Performance Assessment by the Audit Commission is due at the end of the month. We have been told that it will give us a 3 star rating (also out of 0 to 4) for the first time.

This is an incredible turnaround from the position we inherited when we took back control six years ago, and a tribute to the work of Jules and the previous Labour Group. Give that guy a gong!

Olympic City

On the 29th January, the three of us toured the Olympic park. While it’s still hard to get an idea of what it will look like once finished, the scale of the work is extremely impressive and it seems a good start has been made.

London officially becomes the Olympic city on the 24th August this year.

Brian Bell, Feryat Demirci and Darren Parker
Labour Councillors for Brownswood

Kings Crescent and Alexandra National estates

2008-01-20T16:10:00.000Z

We are writing with some disappointing news regarding the regeneration plans for these estates. Regular readers of our reports may recall that back last March we appointed new partners to take these forward. In both cases the preferred partners were developers Durkan Ltd with the Metropolitan and Community housing associations potentially providing the social housing.

We began to consult residents on the future shape of their estates, while "behind the scenes" our financial and legal teams attempted to negotiate what's termed the Principal Development Agreement. Unfortunately while the consultation with residents went well, it was not possible to agree a PDA.

In our view there two main problems. One was that the consortium wanted to be allowed to make an 18% profit on the social housing alone, while national guidance recommends 10%. The other was that they wanted a significant number of interim review tests. These are points at which they can review the financial viability of the schemes and walk away if they do not forsee sufficient profit. Given the past history of KC in particular, we were not prepared to agree to the number of review points they wished.

The result was that negotiations were formally concluded last week, and that that consortium - MetComm Futures - will no longer be involved.

The reserve consortiums appointed for each estate have now been contacted, and both have confirmed that they remain keen to be involved. New plans will now be worked up for both.

Residents are being informed via the attached letter.

Obviously it is deeply disappointing for us and them that this has occurred. It will result in at least a nine month delay in the planned reconstruction. On the positive side however -
* the centre of Kings Crescent has been cleared with the derelict buildings demolished and the area temporarily available for some extra parking and a football pitch
* everyone on KC now has individual central heating, compared to the previous unreliable communal system
* Alexandra National has been emptied and secured
* a draft PDA is complete which should make negotiations with new consortia quicker and easier

We will do our best to keep you informed as things develop.

Ken's TfL invest a further £4m in Hackney

2007-12-06T14:23:00.000Z

Tfl has announced a £4m of funding package for transport in Hackney.

Here is a breakdown of the funding for Hackney:

Principal road renewals - £198,000
Local safety schemes - £425,000
20mph zones - £300,000
Education, training and publicity - £44,000
Walking - £160,000
Cycling - £250,000
London Cycle Network+ - £867,000
Bus stop accessibility - £147,000
Bus priority - £510,000
School Travel Plans - £806,000
Work travel plans - £17,000
Travel awareness - £32,000
Regeneration area schemes - £80,000
Environment improvements - £50,000
Controlled parking zones - £50,000
Local area accessibility schemes- £60,000

Total £3,996,000

Our December report

2007-12-03T12:55:00.000Z

Tory Leader resigns / Springfield Ward bye-election

We have commented several times recently about how useless the local Tories are. It seems that their own (former) Leader shares that assessment. Eric Ollerenshaw has now resigned but in a particularly cynical act, ensured it was timed to trigger a bye-election on the Thursday before Xmas.

Despite this Labour are fighting hard to win the vacancy in Springfield Ward. It’s one that we never seriously worked in the past, so with some effort, a surprise victory is very possible.

Budget setting 2008/9

Next years budget looks like being the tightest since the early days of the last administration, without as many opportunities for growth as in recent years. The reasons are

* a tight overall Comprehensive Spending Review
* increased spending in certain areas, especially both children’s and adult social services
* changes to the way subsidy works which generally don’t favour London
* the Conservatives using their control of London Councils to make Labour ones pay more

Departments have been told to work up between 5 and 7% efficiency savings so that we have the necessary resources to fund unavoidable growth and some more of our manifesto priorities.

One issue which will be part of the discussion is what to do about the Hackney element of the Council Tax. Although increasing it is an option, it represents a fair amount of pain for relatively little financial gain. We would appreciate resident’s views.

Labour Group 20th November

The main discussions were about next years budget and the residential extensions planning guidance.

Council 28th November

The main business was the adoption of Hackney’s Licensing Policy for the next 3 years. The revised policy contains most of the successful elements of the previous one including

- a presumption that planning, fire and all other necessary consents must be gained first
- a Special Policy Area protecting residents of Shoreditch
- positive initiatives such as Pubwatch and the All Bar One awards to encourage responsible operators
- close co-operation with the police and other agencies

Brian and Feryat are members of the licensing committees. Brian used his question to highlight the number of review requests being dealt with, and that the council were being pro-active in seeking licence reviews and revocations where necessary.

Hackney Homes

Feryat was recently appointed to the board, and will be part of the team ensuring that it’s ready for the re-inspection.

Kings Crescent

Demolition is proceeding well with virtually all of Codicote Terrace and Weston Court now gone. The contractors are still on schedule to hand over a clear site before the end of December.

The Regeneration Steering Group met again on the 14th November to consider revised proposals. The mews/courtyard style developments are gone from the current plans. The residential “green street” forming the reinstated Kings Crescent will now be wider, particularly where it meets the park. The revised plan showed the main shop on the Green Lanes side of this which is unacceptable.

This was intended to be followed by another Open Day to consult residents on18th December, but this may now be postponed until the early New Year.

Woodberry Down

The masterplan application was approved in September. The first of the detailed “Kickstart” (Phase 1) planning applications are due in the next couple of months. The height of the tower block on the corner of Woodberry Down and Woodberry Grove will be one of the most contentious points – it is currently proposed to be up to 26 stories high.

Two housing associations have reached the final stage and are still being considered for providing the social housing in the other phases. As previously explained, the appointed one will be required to establish a community based housing association for the estate as a dedicated subsidiary.

One change that has been agreed is that the main community center (in the base of the tower) will now be run by that CBHA rather than the Manor House Development Trust. In order to ensure it has an ongoing income stream, it will now own the retail units which will run south down that part of Woodberry Grove.

Hackney Homes are proposing to lead a local strategic partnership for Woodberry Down to help pull the work of various voluntary agencies together to provide a more comprehensive socio-economic regeneration programme.

Blackstock

We had a further briefing from the police on the 6th November with another planned for 6th December. They have confirmed their operation will now continue well into next year.

Police Community Advisory Panel

The latest CAP meeting held on 14/11/07 discussed future priorities for the community safety team, and came to the conclusion that Blackstock Road, vice on Brownswood Road and ASB on Woodberry Down estate should remain as the key priorities.

In October three vice enforcement operations were carried out resulting in 34 cautions and one arrest. A further 4 operations in November resulted in 1 PCN for ‘outraging public decency’ and 4 cautions.

A crack house on Lordship Road has been closed down, which might lead to decrease in vice as it was also used by the Brownwood prostitutes. A crack house in Kilpeck House is in the process of being closed down.

ASB problems on Myddleton grange have lead to parents of misbehaving young people being given acceptable behaviour plans, which if not adhered to could risk their tenancy.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

A new estate manager for Portland Rise recently started, and a walkabout is planned for the 12th of December.

Councillors have been invited by Doug Mitchell of Amwell Court TRA to their meeting on the 13th of December, but we are still having problems with the dates for the new enhanced TRA meetings as they clash with other meetings

Youth provision in the ward

We have had discussions with Father Clive Lee from St Thomas Moore Church with regards to his work to bring together local faith groups to offer youth activities in the Manor House area. There will be a meeting between faith groups and TELCO at St Thomas Moore on December 16th.

Seasons Greetings

We would like to wish you all a happy Hanukkah, Eid, Christmas, Winterval and New Year!

De Beauvoir Blog

2007-12-02T15:34:00.000Z

Our colleagues in DeBeauvoir have recently set up a blog. Please visit them using the link on the right.

We crushed them.

2007-10-31T12:12:00.000Z

Councillors Report – November 07

London Overground

In the coming month, Transport for London will take over control of the East and North London Lines, which will be rebranded as London Overground. This is potentially the biggest single improvement in public transport in our part of London for decades.

Among the benefits promised on the North London Line are –
· Tube like train frequencies
· Staff on the platforms whenever they’re open
· New greener train fleet on order
· Oyster card accepted throughout
· Longer trains and more accessible platforms programmed

In the medium term, this will join up with the extended East London Line to form the full London Overground network. There will be local exchanges at Dalston, Canonbury and Highbury & Islington stations. The new East London Line will run south as far as Croydon, and in the longer term have a branch to Clapham Junction.

The investment needed has only been delivered by a Labour Mayor and strong Assembly Labour Group, working with our government.

Labour Group 16th October

The main discussions were about the benefits of Estates Plus scheme, and a senior officer restructuring.

Council 31st October.

Brian highlighted the improvements in our financial standing and systems, while Darren asked that the council is updated on Kings Crescent.

The opposition appeared in advance to have finally got their act together this time. But on the night, we crushed them as usual.

Parkwood School

Our local primary school continues to provide our kids with a great start. The SATs results for last year’s 11 year olds were again outstanding. It’s also important to understand that the intake to the school is significantly more deprived than the even the Hackney average.

Achieving Level 4 English Maths Science
Hackney average 73% 66% 77%
National average 80% 77% 87%
Parkwood School 87% 77% 84%

We are currently seeking a new LEA governor for the school.

Kings Crescent

Demolition is proceeding well with all of Codicote Terrace and most of Weston Court now gone. The contractors should hand over a clear site before the end of December.

The Regeneration Steering Group meets again on the 14th November. The main business will be updates on the proposed phasing, preparing the masterplan application, and future heating systems.

Woodberry Down

The masterplan application was approved on 10th September. The first of the detailed “Kickstart” (Phase 1) planning applications are due in the next couple of months.

The council is promoting objections to the listing of Needwood and Nichol houses. We will report the English Heritage decision once known.

Brain and Darren attended the latest Estate Development Committee on the 18th of October. Two housing associations have reached the final stage and are being considered for providing the social housing in the other phases. EDC representatives have been involved in both the shortlisting and final interviews and assessment. As previously explained, the appointed one will be required to establish a community based housing association for the estate as a dedicated subsidiary.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

We are concerned that the first of the new style enhanced TRA meetings with officers and councillors either appears not to have happened or we weren't invited. Feryat will investigate.

Finfuture

Brian updated the board on our regeneration schemes at it’s meeting on the 17th October. Among the ideas they’re exploring to promote the area, is an ice rink in Finsbury Park over Xmas and New Year!

18 months in!

2007-10-24T17:59:00.000+01:00

Children and Young Persons Scrutiny

The C&YP scrutiny commission, which Brian and Feryat are members of, has launched an important enquiry into the causes of youth crime. A fascinating range of academics and psychologists gave evidence to the first hearing in September, with local practitioners to follow next Monday.

Labour Group 18th September

The main discussion was how we could achieve our commitments on housing modernisation, in the new circumstances.

Council 19th September.

Feryat highlighted the fact that GCSE results in Hackney have improved by a further 3% this year, and congratulated the teachers, families and young people responsible. Brian was acting Chief Whip for the meeting, which appeared to go well.

Audit and accounts

For the first time in living memory, the District Auditor expects to issue an unqualified opinion on the council’s accounts.

We have moved from a 2 star to a 3 star authority (out of 4) for the quality of our data.

The Audit Commission judges value for money against 12 criteria. This year, we met all 12.

Kings Crescent

The Regeneration Steering Group meets again on Wednesday 3rd October. The preliminary results of the door-to-door survey commissioned at the last meeting show almost 2/3rds in residents in those blocks due for demolition supporting that option, with only 9% in favour of refurbishment instead. The surprise result of the survey is that almost half of residents overall wish to remain council tenants or leaseholders.

Woodberry Down

The outline planning application was approved on 10th September. The detailed Phase 1 one is due in November.

The council is promoting objections to the listing of Needwood and Nichol houses. We will report the English Heritage decision once known.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat will report.

Polling station review

Our comments and those of the branch, on the suitability of the Myddleton Grange Village Hall were noted. Improved signage and better quality poll card maps are promised. Accurate ones would be nice!

Campaigning

We continue to have at least one canvassing session per month. We need to continue this, and to begin to focus on GLA and Mayor of London issues as we move towards those elections next spring.

As well as the borough wide leaflets, we have also done three ward ones – one each focussed on Woodberry Down and Kings Crescent issues, and one general one. The three of us are indebted to Louisa and Robin for all their work on these.

We would also like to thank all the branch members who help with deliveries and canvassing.

Report for September and August

2007-10-24T16:37:00.000+01:00

Woodberry Down

As detailed in previous reports, earlier this year English Heritage agreed to list the existing Woodberry Down primary school, meaning that at least it’s shell had to be preserved. The original plan had envisaged the current primary school site being used to build a new secondary, whilst a new primary was constructed to the west of that. Instead the secondary will now be built there but will also need some additional adjoining land.

This resulted in negotiations with Berkley Homes who are the Phase 1 developer, to swap land already granted for sites elsewhere on the estate. The good news is that the new sites to be transferred to Berkley’s include more prominent ones along Seven Sisters Road, including those immediately east of the tube station. This will give a gateway effect to the scheme, and mean these homes will be replaced 8 years earlier than originally scheduled.

We also took the opportunity of these negotiations to make that developer responsible for building the health centre, and business and training centre. In total we estimate this brings an additional £2m contribution from them.

The Cabinet meeting in July approved the land swap and other changes. It also approved the final secure tenant and leaseholder “offer documents”, which had been agreed with resident representatives.

We continue to negotiate with the existing shopkeepers about transferring to new units on the Old School Site.

Planning permission for the overall scheme is due to be considered on the 10th of September. Consultation has already started on the detailed planning application for the original Phase 1 sites.

A further issue has arisen with someone proposing the listing of Needwood and Nichol Houses, together with their twins on the other side of Woodberry Grove. If EH agree this, it would further complicate the scheme, and have particularly unfortunate consequences for the leaseholders in those blocks.

Kings Crescent

Deconstruction and clearance of the centre of the estate began in July. It’s important to understand that this is gradual deconstruction rather than a blowdown, with the aim that as much as possible can be recycled.

Negotiations continue between residents, the council and the development partners – Community Housing Association, Metropolitan Housing Trust, Durkan builders – through a Steering Group chaired by Brian. The meeting in August commissioned a door-to-door survey of the whole estate to establish housing needs in detail. A surprising number of tenants appear to want to stay with the council!

Hackney Homes audit inspection

Hackney Homes are the “arms length management organisation” set up last year to manage council housing. The recent inspection only classed them as a one star organisation, which was unacceptable. Its Chief Executive has departed, and the organisation has been told it must achieve a better result in the reinspection in 18 months.

Being rated a better performer would have given us access to additional credits which could have meant the Decent Homes programme being completed faster. However the council is committed to finding additional funding from within its capital programme.

Blackstock Road – Operation Rockrose

The six-month police operation against crime and ASB on Blackstock continues. The outline for the first two months was as follows –

week commencing 16th July - deploy mobile police station
w/c 23rd July - high visibility policing with at least 14 extra police officers
w/c 30th July - deploy automatic numberplate reader and traffic team
2nd August - London Fire Brigade visits and checks to begin
6th-19th August - anti-robbery initiative, deploying TSG
13th August - deploy mobile police station
28th August - LFB enforcement begins
w/c 1st September - deploy automatic numberplate reader and traffic team
w/c 10th September - deploy mobile police station, and high visibility policing with at least 14 extra police officers
w/c 10th September - environmental health, trading standards and licensing from both boroughs to begins visits, concentrating at first on education and later enforcement

Head of the operation is CI Jane Johnson, Islington Borough. In addition, there will be covert activities which obviously we can't publicise. Obviously also a major incident could lead to resources being temporarily diverted.

The three ward councillors and the Chair of our CAP, together with our equivalents in Islington, have been invited to sit on a community advisory group which will meet monthly throughout.

A meeting to alert traders on the road to the aims of the operation was held on the 16th of August. The traders present were keen to reassure us that those involved in crime were a small minority of themselves and their customers. They felt the Algerian community in particular was getting all the blame for what was a much wider problem. Reporting of criminal activity in the cafes tended to be low because of a lack of faith that the police would back them up effectively. They also wanted a lighter touch on immigration enforcement.

Arsenal matchday parking

A consultation on the possibility of introducing extra parking controls on matchdays has just concluded. We will report on the outcome once we know.

Finfest

Finfest, an event aimed at promoting the area and encouraging our communities to mix, is in Finsbury Park from 1pm on Sunday 16th September. Please come along.

Street Trees

While some other boroughs are cutting back, Hackney is making a substantial to refill vacant pits and plant new ones. Trees make our borough a better place to live and help decrease our carbon footprint. This year alone more than 120 new street trees were planted in Hackney, some of which were in Brownswood. This was made possible with the funding provided in Labour’s 2006/7 budget and we plan to plant more

July report

2007-10-24T16:34:00.001+01:00

Kings Crescent

The regeneration of the estate took a major step forward with the steering group holding two open days to consult residents on the initial proposals. All three councillors attended the opening with Deputy Mayor Jamie Carswell, and stayed for most of Saturday 30th June talking to tenants and leaseholders about their hopes and expectations. We intend to be represented again on Wednesday 4th July.

As previously reported, new development partners for the estate were finally appointed at the Cabinet meeting on 26th of March. The builders are to be Durkan and the RSL are Canalside Housing Association. Canalside is itself a partnership of two established housing associations - Metropolitan and Community – which was formed in the 1990s to take over some Hackney estates along the Regents Canal.

A significant and representative cross-section of both tenants and leaseholders attended. Among the key issues they wanted answers on or expressed opinions on, were-
o which blocks were staying and which going
o what terms would tenants transfer on, and would they retain a right-to-buy
o what about those tenants who wished to remain with the council
o how would leaseholders be treated, and how does “equity share” work
o how would estate management be improved throughout the regenerated estate

Hoardings have already been erected around Westmill, Codicote and the boiler room. Deconstruction is scheduled to begin next month. This was delayed for a further month due to planning permission for the demolition being deemed necessary. The area will be grassed and gravelled over until long-term plans are agreed. Some may be used to provide extra parking.

The regeneration steering group, which Brian chairs, and now involving the three sides – council, residents and development partners - met on the 13th, 18th and 26th of June in preparation for the open days.

The longer-term timetable foresees approximately six months spent in detailed discussions with residents, before a masterplan is completed and the planning application submitted. The planning process will probably take another six months, with major works commencing next summer.

Woodberry Down

Consultation on the Woodberry Down masterplan planning application continued through the first half of June. Darren attended several drop in sessions and wrote on behalf of all three councillors to support the application.

Brian attended the EDC meeting on May 21st, which was also their AGM. Most of the current officers, with whom we have good working relationships, were re-elected. They continued to be concerned about
· possible changes to the phasing, including as a consequence of the listings
· “lack of a people focus” in the planning process
· stability of the Manor House Development Trust, which is to operate the community centre
· crime and disorder, especially drug dealing and abuse

Darren attended a meeting between the council and the Manor House Development Trust on June 5th. The trust raised concerns about leasing arrangements for the new community centre and Darren communicated the local unease about the apparent lack of an economic or social regeneration strategy to complement the physical development. Deputy Mayor Jamie Carswell confirmed that from the council’s point of view, the trust was the best vehicle for locally-controlled regeneration in the area and the council would seek ways of supporting the development of the trust. Darren was elected to the board of the trust on June 19th, and will work with the chair and chief executive over the summer to build the board’s capacity.

Children and Young People

The council’s Children and Young People’s Commission, which Brian and Feryat are members of, intends to concentrate on youth crime reduction for some of the current year, including at its meeting on 2nd July.

Brownswood Road

There has been a further police operation resulting in the arrests of prostitutes and kerb crawlers, although the extent of the problem is less than before.

Policing on Woodberry Down

Feryat attended the meeting on Wednesday 16th May. Key issues were …………………….

Blackstock Road

The police are giving new priority to Blackstock.

Finfuture

Brian made a presentation to the Board on 20th June outlining the range of initiatives being undertaken by the council. They were particularly interested in the plans for Alexandra National House.

He also stressed that attempts to have Finsbury Park acknowledged as a town centre in planning policies, must include Hackney and not just focus on Islington.

Standards Sub-committee hearing

On 20th June, the Standards Sub-committee of the Council met to decide if Darren had a conflict of interest when chairing the Dalston Lane South planning application in July 2006. This was the culmination of a year long process following a complaint made by a member of the public to the Standards Board of England. The sub-committee is independent, and Darren’s case was heard by two local co-optees and one Conservative councillor.

Darren had admitted all along that he failed to declare a personal interest - in that he works for CABE, who were consulted on the design merits of the scheme. This in itself would not have meant that he had to withdraw from voting on the application. The committee rejected the more serious charge of failing to declare a prejudicial interest, which would have meant that Darren should not have voted on the application. As a result, Darren was partially-suspended (i.e. he can’t attend his scrutiny commission) until he undertakes training again on interests.

He is very relieved that this has finally come to an end. He has had to endure 11 months of misleading articles in the Hackney Gazette and a nasty, personal internet campaign against him instigated by those who were against the planning application he chaired. Despite what is contained on these websites, and contrary to what has been in the Hackney Gazette, the planning application did not decide on the fate of the Dalston Theatre. This was a separate application granted before Darren was elected and was subject to a judicial review.

Full Council – 27th June

We raised the thoroughness of the consultation process on the master planning application on Woodberry Down.

The Council also received a deputation of residents from Stamford Hill expressing their views on the proposals for planning “areas of exception”. They had tried to get local Tory councillors to arrange the deputation, but as usual found them disinterested in representing their constituents, and instead were introduced by Labour Clissold (and former Brownswood) councillor Linda Smith.

June 07 update

2007-10-24T16:29:00.000+01:00

Woodberry Down

Darren attended the EDC meeting on May 17th where the planning department of LB Hackney presented the masterplan application for the redevelopment of the estate. Although broadly supportive, there is mixed reaction from residents regarding the narrowing of seven sisters road through the estate, and the amount and arrangement of green space. All local residents are able to view the application and submit comments by several means including via the Hackney website.

Darren also attended an open community meeting on May 30th where residents were able to question planning officers, the masterplanning team and representatives from Hackney Homes.

Brian has attended two further meetings with the retailers. Berkley Homes, who are the developers for the Kickstart Phase, appears to be taking on board their concerns. They are now intending to provide ten retail units of appropriate sizes on the Woodberry Grove side of the “old school site”. We meet with them again on the 5th of June.

There was a double shooting a Woodberry Down over the bank holiday weekend – one victim, who was injured in the leg, was a local resident and innocent bystander. Darren visited his family to offer our ‘get-well wishes’ and discuss issues of community safety on May 30th.

As the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) programme has come to an end, the programme team has vacated its offices in the Robin Redmond centre. Darren has been in discussion with stakeholders to see if the new library facility in the centre can now be expanded to provide a greater number of books, computer facilities and homework space.

Drugs Action Team

Brian and Darren met with officers from the DAT on 25th May. We got some useful information about the range of services they currently offer and those intended for development. We also raised particular concerns about dealing on certain parts of Woodberry Down.

Police Community Advisory Panel

Feryat and Darren attended the CAP meeting on Wednesday 16th May.

Blackstock Road

We have a meeting with Islington police and councillors on 19th June.

Kings Crescent

As previously reported, new development partners for the estate were finally appointed at the Cabinet meeting on 26th of March. The builders are to be Durkan and the RSL are Canalside Housing Association. Canalside is itself a partnership of two established HAs - Metropolitan and Community – which was formed in the 1990s to take over some Hackney estates along the Regents Canal.

Temporary hoardings have already been erected around Westmill, Codicote and the boiler room. Deconstruction is scheduled to begin next month. This area will be grassed and gravelled over until long-term plans are agreed. Some may be used to provide extra parking.

The regeneration steering group, which Brian chairs, now involves the three sides – council, residents and development partners. This met on the 16th May and 30th May, and will again on 13th and 18th June. This is intended to lead up to an open day for all residents on Saturday 30th June.

The long-term timetable foresees approximately six months spent in detailed discussions with residents, before a masterplan is completed and the planning application submitted. The planning process will probably take another six months, with major works commencing next summer or autumn.

Labour Group AGM

At the AGM, Brian was reappointed as Assistant Chief Whip, and Darren and Feryat were re-elected to the Labour Group Executive.

The Cabinet and their responsibilities remain as before, with the exception of the creation of a new post for environmental sustainability. Mayor Pipe appointed Dalston councillor Sophie Linden to this position.

Annual Council – 9th May

At the annual meeting, Councillors Faizullah Khan and Ian Rathbone were elected Speaker (the ceremonial Mayor) and Deputy Speaker for the coming year.

We were pleased to be able to invite a number of residents to join us for the meeting and the reception afterwards. Most behaved well.

Renewal in power

The contract for the council’s electricity supply has just been relet. For the first time, Scottish Hydro-Electric secured the tender meaning that (within the confines of the national grid system) it will all come from renewable sources. It’s important to recognise that this applies not just to office buildings but to all the other infrastructure for which we are responsible including housing estates and street lighting.

Review of polling stations

The council conducts a review of polling stations between each municipal election, and the current one invites comments by the 31st of July. We would suggest replying pointing out the unsatisfactory nature of the Myddleton Grange station for residents living on Queens Drive, etc, given the objections received on polling day. The other stations seemed to operate okay.

CATCH-UP

2007-10-24T16:25:00.000+01:00

Apologies but we've not been able to access the blog for a while. The first few postings will be catch-ups of the past few months!

Early April update

2007-04-04T13:14:00.000+01:00

Back on track!

Woodberry Down

Brian and Darren attended the EDC on 15th March. One of the main issues was an attempt by a few residents to establish a separate black& ethnic minority housing association or tenant management organisation. As far as we can tell the main motivation behind this is personal disagreement between these two people and the rest of the EDC, and not any general dissatisfaction amongst residents. The EDC declined to support their attempt.

We continue to make progress towards selecting a development partnership for the rest of the estate, i.e. excluding the Kickstart sites. Response to the OJEU notice was encouraging, and residents and the council are due to shortlist from the 11th of April. The Kickstart developers Berkeley Homes are due to open their shop on Woodberry Grove this Wednesday 4th April. The Mayor is due to attend and have a separate meeting with local retailers to discuss their concerns.

A CCTV scheme is being introduced on the estate in the next couple of months. Funding was allocated when we agreed the budget.

Police Community Advisory Panel

Feryat and Brian attended the CAP meeting on Wednesday 14th March. We are pleased to report that Peter Dacre was elected as it’s chair for the coming year.

The main concerns we raised were a perceived lack of a visible police presence in certain areas and the ongoing issue of harassment on Blackstock Road. A meeting with the Arab advice centre has been arranged for the 3rd of April to discuss holding a public meeting together in the near future.

Kings Crescent

New development partners for the estate were finally appointed at the Cabinet meeting on 26th of March. The builders are to be Durkan and the RSL are Canalside Housing Association. Canalside is itself a partnership of two established HAs - Metropolitan and Community – which was established in the 1990s to take over some Hackney estates along the Regents Canal.

Demolition works to remove Westmill, Codicote and the boiler room are scheduled to begin in mid May. This area will be grassed and gravelled over until long-term plans are agreed between the development partnership, Council and residents.

The regeneration steering group, which Brian chairs, met again on the 27th March. Representatives were generally pleased with the progress made. We had also asked the police to attend to address worries about gang activity which had been raised at the previous meeting.

Maintenance works to deal with the historic backlog are continuing.

Decanting of residents from Lemsford Court into the refurbished flats in Kelshall and Therfield has begun.

Kings Crescent continues to benefit from an excellent youth club run by residents, which attracts young people from the whole area. We again intend to support the event at the end of their Easter scheme.

Alexandra National

Brian and Darren attended the steering group for the “Six Estates”, which includes Alexandra National, on the 12th March. Resident representatives seemed happy with the reassurances we were able to give them

Durkan and Canalside were subsequently also appointed as the regeneration partnership for these estates.

Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Forum

Feryat is Vice-chair of the forum. The main issues at its 15th March meeting included irresponsible dog owners in Stoke Newington, particularly in Clissold Park who leave their dogs off-lead.

Gill Steward, Corporate Director of Customer and Corporate Services, provided the forum with an update on the Stoke Newington Assembly Halls. The Council is restoring the building in order to put it back to the centre of civic and community life in the borough. A public consultation in November 2006 helped capture residents’ views on future use of the Assembly Halls. The main uses that were identified in the consultation were theatre and music performances, film, dancing, arts and cultural activities, sports and leisure activities and public hire.

Shalini Balakrishnan, Principal Licensing Officer, provided the forum with an update on licensing policy within the Council following its interim review.

Labour Group

The Labour Group’s main business on 20th March was a review of the Scrutiny function in Hackney. Scrutiny commissions were introduced in 2002 alongside the Cabinet system, to hold them accountable in a similar way to Select Committees in Parliament. We also considered plans for the renovation of Stoke Newington and Hackney Town Halls.

Full Council – 28th February

The main business was the adoption of the draft Local Development Framework, and several supplementary planning policies. Most controversial among the latter was the one on domestic extensions which as previously reported, the Tories had been dishonestly claiming would unfairly penalise the Orthodox Jewish community. In the event, when the finally saw the proposed guidance they had to accept that it was fair and rational, and their opposition melted away. It should be noted that Queens Drive is one area included in this policy where such extensions will be more closely policed than elsewhere, due to the number of unsympathetic ones over the years.

Education, children and young people

The Children and Young Person’s Scrutiny Commission, which Brian and Feryat are members of, concluded a review of methods of encouraging young people “not in education, employment or training” back into study or apprenticeships. It’s recommendations were endorsed at the March council meeting. It has just concluded a further review of child protection (safeguarding) in the borough, and those recommendations will be reported to a future meeting.

Overall revenue funding for schools will increase by Á8.4 million next year, which is an extra 7.6% per pupil. Parkwood, our local primary, sees it’s main delegated budget increase by 10.2%.

Recycling

The borough-wide rollout of compulsory recycling, which was piloted in Brownswood, has seen the amount of waste recycled rather than incinerated, rise from 20% to 28% in a single month!

March update

2007-04-03T16:31:00.000+01:00

Sorry it's late - problems with Blogger!

Woodberry Down

Feryat and Brian attended the EDC on 15th February. This saw a significant step forward as the residents agreed to support the options to be put to leaseholders on the estate. They will have six options:
· Outright purchase of a new property
· Shared ownership
· Swap with another leasehold Hackney property
· Swap with another leasehold Hackney property on a shared equity basis
· New property on a shared equity basis
· Return to a tenancy

The associated report also sets out much more clearly than before how the valuation process works, including the rights to appeal within it. This package is due to be agreed at the February Cabinet meeting. It is also accompanied by a recommendation to make a Compulsory Purchase Order covering the Kickstart sites and some of Phase 2, in order to minimise undue delays.

Darren has been attending the internal council steering group for the project. This month the group discussed what the implications for the listing of Woodberry Down School and the John Scott health centre would have on the project, as well as the timetable for the procurement of a development partner for the later phases of the regeneration.

The John Scott Centre and Woodberry Down Primary School have been awarded a Grade II listing by the Secretary of State. The health centre was the first to be built in the country after the creation of the NHS and is a little piece of social history right here in Brownswood. According to English Heritage, the school represents a good example of a post-war 'Scandinavian style' public building, of which few remain. A mural from the Festival of Britain was also relocated from the South Bank to the school in the 50s.

Police Community Advisory Panel

The next meeting with the police is on Wednesday 14th March.

Kings Crescent

A report appointing the new development partnership for the estate is now due to go to the March Cabinet. This was delayed for a month because the timescale being proposed by officers was two years longer than was acceptable to us. Shortening the timetable involved identifying additional funding for next year, which because of the healthy state of the council’s finances was viable, but caused a further short delay while budgets were revised.

The regeneration steering group, which Brian chairs, meets again on the 27th February.

An extensive programme of maintenance works to deal with the historic backlog is ongoing.

The first 10 flats refurbished to the standards to which all the retained units will be, are now complete. Two will be used as show flats for a period, and the others available for decanting.

Kings Crescent continues to benefit from an excellent youth club run by residents, which attracts young people from the whole area. Brian and Feryat attended the end of half-term project show on Friday 23rd, and presented certificate to the winning kids.

Alexandra National

We will be attending the steering group for the “Six Estates”, which includes Alexandra Nat, on the 12th March.

Blackstock Road

A new strategy to revitalise the area was launched at the Library/City and Islington College building on 22nd February. Alan Laing, Hackney’s Cabinet member for environment and community safety spoke at the launch, and generously praised our work for the area.

The strategy puts equal emphasis on promoting the area and encouraging community cohesion, as on enforcement and tackling crime and ASB. It will be co-ordinated by FinFuture. Concerns raised by members of this branch played an important part in ensuring that Blackstock was the first area they prioritised.

Planning

Brian and Darren took part in the planning committee on 19th February which considered two applications from the LDA to rehouse some of the traveller families from the Olympic site. The committee refused one application in Hackney Wick on the grounds that the new site was too industrial for families to live in while granting the other for a currently disused council depot on the edge of Hackney marshes.

FairTrade

Labour manifesto commitment to becoming a FairTrade borough is currently being implemented. At a meeting recently organised by Labour councillors, a Hackney FairTrade Steering Group which includes Feryat, was set up. A large number of Labour Party members and others, including Meg Hillier MP, helped to launch the group.

There will be a FairTrade Fortnight running from February 27 to March 11. During the fortnight we hope to distribute postcards at railway stations for people to hand in to their local retailers, encouraging them to take FairTrade products

The next meeting of the steering group is on March 10 at 3pm at the Halkevi Centre, 92-100 Stoke Newington Road, when a FairTrade mountain fruits producer from Pakistan, will be speaking on the benefits of FairTrade and tackling global injustice.

Labour Group

The Labour Group’s main discussion on 20th February was on how to expand services for young people. Residents should be aware however that this will mean mainly provision targeted at those most at risk, rather than more traditional drop-in youth clubs.

Full Council – 28th February

The main business is to formally adopt the budget and set the council tax for next year.

Margot Sreberny

Finally we are sad to report the recent death of local activist Marget Sreberny. Margot was a tireless campaigner for the area and a founder of both the Finsbury Park Action Group and the Finsbury Park Partnership. She was awarded an MBE for her services to the community. FinFuture have agreed to name their conference suite after her, and we are looking at establishing a permanent memorial within the park.

One of her most famous quotes goes back to the period when we were running a regeneration programme for the Mare Street corridor which was branded as the Heart of Hackney. Margot wrote “it’s alright the council spending all this money on the Heart of Hackney but what about those of us up here in the sweaty armpit?”

Blackstock Road Community Consultation - 3.30-8pm on Thursday 22nd February

2007-02-07T11:56:00.000Z

Find out more about FinFuture's work here.

Blackstock Road Community Consultation Event
Thursday 22nd Feb 3.30pm to 8pm
City & Islington College
28-42 Blackstock Road N4 2DG

"FinFuture would like to invite you to attend a community consultation event to find
out how FinFuture working in partnership with Hackney & Islington Councils,
Safer Neighbourhood Teams and local businesses, plans to improve Blackstock Road.
During the day there will be presentations on our proposals and an
opportunity to find out more about the businesses on Blackstock Road, their
services and cultures. Formal presentations will be from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

We have received a grant from the London Development Agency to develop
Finsbury Park as a Town Centre and Blackstock Road has been selected as our
first high road to work with. The project is called Town Centres for City
Growth and the work we do on Blackstock Road will be delivered on the other
local high roads over the next two years. To find out more, come to our
event, where there will also be information about our Start Up Business
Club, Interpreter Training Courses, Women In Business event plus a lot more.

There will be stalls with samples of dishes and cakes from around the world
and details of where this food originated from and its cultural
significance.

We would like you to attend to see our plans and share your views."

0% local tax rise and boosts for key services

2007-02-01T11:33:00.000Z

Following last night's Council meeting, we can reveal that

Hackney’s part of the council tax is being frozen for the second year in a row - with a 0% rise for 2007/8.

Rising collection rates and efficiency savings at the Town Hall mean Hackney’s ruling Labour group is able to put more money into key services without putting up council tax.

Highlights of the 2007/8 budget were revealed to a meeting of the full council on Wednesday.

For the fifth year running Labour Mayor Jules Pipe will be setting a balanced budget that does not have to deal with overspends in previous years.

This is also the fifth year that there are NO cuts in services in Hackney’s budget – as well as extra money to fund residents’ key priorities.

The council has made almost £4 million in efficiency savings – money which is being ploughed back into key services.

The council tax collection rate is rising and is now at 90% - up 1% on last year – bringing in more money that can be spent on key services for residents.

Hackney’s Labour mayor Jules Pipe said: “Hackney Labour is very pleased we can deliver a 0% rise in local tax for the second year in a row.

“I am committed to keeping council tax down through improving the Council’s efficiency and driving up collection rates.

“Improved council efficiency means we can also put more money into the services that matter to you.”

Labour’s 2007/8 budget means boosts for key services including:

· KIDS SWIM FREE: An extra £295K to fund free access to all residents under 18 to swimming lessons during school holidays – starting this Easter.
· BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE: An extra £80K to extend the opening hours of the Hackney Service Centre from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday to 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday AND Saturday morning. More translating services for customers without English as a first language.
· STREET WARDENS: Investment to secure the future for Hackney’s Street Wardens to help make our borough cleaner and safer.
· MORE RECYCLING: An extra £250K to roll out compulsory recycling across the borough including for plastics and to introduce blue bins for kitchen waste to all kerbside collections.
· MORE TREES: An extra 500 trees on Hackney’s street this year alone – reducing our carbon footprint and making Hackney greener.
· GREENER HACKNEY: An extra £1.3m to improve Hackney’s parks and green spaces

In addition, Hackney’s schools are getting an extra £11 million to continue the improvements in education in Hackney that have seen GCSE results improve from 32% in 2002 to 51% today.

Labour’s 2007/8 budget takes a further step forward and away from the financial mismanagement and instability of a hung council.

Brownswood February update

2007-01-30T17:30:00.000Z

here

Labour Group 16th January

At the last group meeting we set the budget for next year, including the council tax. While details remain confidential, you will be pleased to know that the council’s finances are sound and we were able to free up resources to begin implementation of most of our manifesto.

Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team

There has unfortunately been significant turnover in our police team in the last month. Sergeant Dave Bounds has taken over management of the team from Alison lapper who is on a six month secondment. PC Kelly Wood has left and been replaced.

Feryat and Brian attended the last CAP meeting on 10th January. Amongst key issues –
· an undercover operation on Blackstock Road for the fortnight before Xmas resulted in 15 arrests, mainly for handling stolen goods
· the anti social behaviour closure order on the abandoned parts of Kings Crescent, has been renewed for a further six months
· incoming calls to phoneboxes in Woodberry Grove, have been barred to discourage loitering. They also plan to try out a “mosquito” in the area.
· vice continues to significantly reduced on Brownswood Road

Woodberry Down

Issues recently raised by residents include-
· the narrowing of Seven Sisters Road
· is phasing really based on "worst first", particularly as they believe the Seven Blocks had been agreed as the worst?
· allegations about the values being offered to current leaseholders
· concerns about the possible loss of current shops on Woodberry Grove, and the time taken to provide replacement units in a later phase

All three councillors attended a further meeting with the Woodberry Grove retailers on 16th January. The retailers were presented with the proposed retail redevelopment and a retailers ‘offer’. Although the council have agreed to lower rents for the retail units and revisit some of the leasehold conditions, they are unable to offer more compensation or a first right of refusal on the new properties as they will be owned by the developer.

The retailers have been encouraged to approach the developer to enquire about the take up of the new shops (Berkley Homes have now opened an office in the shopping parade). The councillors are exploring ways in which they can support this communication.

Kings Crescent

The report is now due to go to the February Cabinet recommending development partners for Kings Crescent. This was delayed for a month to allow further work to be done on the financial models put forward by the competing partnerships. This was particularly important given the previous history of this estate.

Once a preferred partnership is selected, they will be expected to begin detailed negotiations with the residents and council on the future shape of the estate. As previously mentioned, the assumptions in the tendering process were that it 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 this may be subject to change during those negotiations.

Following the deputation which we took to the Council in November, there is finally a detailed programme of works underway to tackle the backlog of maintenance. There is a meeting for residents on 30th January to explain what is planned.

The first 10 flats refurbished to the standards to which all the retained units will be, are due to be complete by 23rd February. Two will be used as show flats for a period, and the others available for decanting.

Negotiations towards establishing a permanent police shop on the estate are in the hands of the property services branches of both the MPS and Hackney, but will hopefully be concluded within the next few months.

Finfuture

The Hackney Gazette ran a positive piece on the work being done to regenerate Finsbury Park, which they picked up on from our blog!

Licensing

The Spring Park Hotel sex encounter premises application was heard on Thursday 11th January. All three councillors attended. Darren and a number of residents spoke on behalf of Brownswood ward to oppose the application, while Tory Cllr Maureen Middleton spoke on behalf of New River residents. After long deliberation, the panel decided to grant the application with a number of conditions; an extremely disappointing result. The hotel was not granted an extension to its licence to serve alcohol though, and the sex encounter licence will be reviewed from March this year - giving us the opportunity to object if any of the feared problems connected to the licence do materialise.

Parkwood School

The school’s new playground got a special commendation in the recent Hackney Design Awards.

Kings Crescent and Alexandra National

2007-01-11T13:04:00.000Z

Find previous reports here.

For those who have asked, here is a brief history of these schemes -

1)In March 2006, Cabinet granted approval to proceed to tender for selection of developer partners for the following estates:

Colville Estate
Kings Crescent Estate
Tower Court, Alexander National House, Randlesham, Ottaway Court, Bridge & Marian Courts (the Six Estates)

2) Seven Developer/RSLs were shortlisted and received tender documentations on 4th September. Tenders were returned on 27th November 2006.

3) In October groups of residents representatives and councillors visited development sites/completed schemes of the shortlisted candidates.

4) Tenders have been assessed on the basis of agreed evaluation criteria. The Evaluation Panel assessing the quality of tender submissions comprised resident representatives from each estate supported by their independent tenant and leaseholder advisors (ITLA), and officers with expert knowledge in different areas such as planning and construction training.

5) Financial viability assessment was carried out separately and independently.

6) This was followed by interview of, and presentations by, all bidders which took place on 12th and 13th December 2006.

7) Further meetings with residents’ representatives and their ITLAs are being arranged.

8) The selection process will be finalised shortly and a report will be submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet in February for decision.

January update

2007-01-04T16:07:00.000Z

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.

A very happy New Year from Brian, Darren and Feryat,

2006-12-31T13:53:00.000Z

the Brownswood Ward Councillors.

FinFuture

2006-12-14T15:02:00.000Z

Finsbury Park has always suffered from the fact that it is at the junction of three local authority areas, and therefore also three health and police areas. In addition Transport for London, Network Rail and the British Transport Police are key partners because of the importance of the satation and other transport links.

FinFuture was the organisation set up earlier this year to promote co-operation between the three councils and other agencies. Their own website can be found here. It should be stressed that Finfuture is an emerging organisation with a stricly limited amount of resources and staff, and with no statutory powers. It can however play a very valuable role in co-ordinating the efforts of these bodies, enabling joint working and promoting the area. This was greatly enhanced by it succesfully bidding for an London Development Agency programme called "Town Centres for City Growth". This gives it an additional 1.5 million over 3 years to improve and market the area.

Brian Bell is Hackney's representative on the Finfuture Board. The board also includes representatives from the other boroughs, local businesses and elected residents. It held an awayday at the West Resevoir Centre in Brownswood yesterday, to further develop its role and identify priorities for the future. Additional councillors from Haringey and Islington attended. Among the key issues identifed were -
* promoting FinFuture as an organisation to residents, business and the three councils
* enhancing the appearance of it's HQ at 225-229 Seven Sisters Road
* using demographic research to help ensure we are reaching all the local communities
* continue to be responsive to local traders
* improving the environment, streetscene and public realm
* develop the board as a cohesive and active body

Blackstock Road
Improving Blackstock and dealing with the perception of ASB and intimidation there, remains one of FinFuture's priorities. A further meeting on 22nd November on this issue was very constructive. About 15 traders attended - the majority Algerian, but also a couple from older established firms and a couple from the Ethiopian businesses in Rock Street. Brian represented Hackney, and three Islington councillors (2 Labour, 1 Lib Dem) and Jeremy Corbyn's PA were there. Both police divisions were represented.

The issues they wanted the two boroughs to take up were
* CCTV
* Improved lighting
* Cleanliness and appearance

The issues Finfuture agreed to help co-ordinate were
* Business support and marketing of the area (they have contracted Hackney Business Venture to do the former)
* Facilitating greater police co-operation
* Installing alert boxes and radios in businesses in the area
* Arranging further consultation and holding at least one public meeting

There was also discussion of encouraging a mini-festival some time in the summer, to help encourage the different communities to mix more and try each others food, etc. This would require a temporary closure of part of the road. PLEASE LET US HAVE YOUR OPINIONS ON THIS!

Extra 2.554 million for Kings Crescent Estate

2006-11-24T12:33:00.000Z

Government announcement means refurbishment can begin immediately

The competition to pick development partners for the Kings Crescent Estate
is nearing its conclusion. At the Steering Group (which Brian chairs) on Wednesday night, it was agreed
that exhibitions of the schemes proposed by the remaining partnerships would be
available for residents to view on the 5th of December. A panel of resident
representatives will interview the builders and housing associations forming
each of the partnerships, the following day. This together with the
technical evaluations should mean that a recommendation is ready to go to
Cabinet on 29th January. The detailed regeneration plans will then be worked
through with residents and the council, to allow works to start later next
year.

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 today that this bid has been
successful - see attached letter. 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.

Police Community Advisory Panel for Brownswood needs new members - APPLY HERE

2006-11-20T16:48:00.000Z

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, AND NEEDS NEW MEMBERS. Please contact us with your email address, via the comment function if you're interested.

Issues discussed at the last meeting on 8th November included-
* crime and ASB on Blackstock Road
* vice on Brownswood Road
* police activity at Manor House
* sex encounter premises licence applications

The most recent crime figures for our ward can be accessed here. Many are encouraging especially in relation to the Hackney or London averages, but there remains much to do. Remember however that the sexual offences category will be artifically inflated whenever there is successful anti-vice activity!

Zebra Upgrade - Woodberry Grove

2006-11-06T10:37:00.000Z

The zebra crossing outside the shops on Woodberry Grove is to replaced and upgraded shortly - more details here.

Gloucester Drive fifth most haunted street in the country!

2006-11-02T11:09:00.000Z

According to this piece in the Halloween edition of the Guardian, Gloucester Drive is haunted by "ghostly kids". If you know more, please tell us !

Britain's most haunted roads Special reports Guardian Unlimited

Late October update

2006-11-01T11:05:00.000Z

The Lido's open!

Full Council November 1st 2006

Wednesday’s full council meeting has a lot of Brownswood interest. Brian is introducing a deputation of residents of Kings Crescent concerning the lack of planned maintenance. There is also a deputation from the shopkeepers on Woodberry Grove to protest the effects of the regeneration on their business. Feryat will be asking a question which highlights the excellent value–added results in Hackney primary schools, particularly Parkwood on Queens Drive.

Parking consultation

Although the recent meeting was poorly attended, there was a useful discussion amongst those present. Public response to the idea of Arsenal match day controls within a one mile radius of the new ground, has been positive but there is to be a further round of consultation with all residents before a scheme proceeds.

Woodberry Down

All three councillors attended a meeting with the shopkeepers on 11th October. There is a concern that the council feels unable to guarantee first right of refusal on leases in the new shopping parade for current retailers. Many of the shopkeepers are facing financial problems due to the declining population on the estate and need more support in the short/medium term. A deputation of retailers will go to full council on 1st November to voice their concerns. Brian, Darren and Feryat have also written to the Woodberry Down regeneration manager.

Portland Rise and Amwell Court

Feryat attended the TA on 26th October, and will be at the estate committee on 16th November.

Kings Crescent

Brian accompanied residents to developments showcasing both the builder and housing association parts of the partnerships competing to take part in the regeneration, on Saturdays 7th and 14th October. The shortlist has now been reduced to two. If the rest of the programme stays to schedule, a new development partner could be agreed by the end of December.

And finally London Fields Lido is open

The Lido opened to the public on 26th October. Local residents and potential user groups had been shown around earlier in the week. It’s still packed despite the weather. As far we know, no other public lido has been opened or renovated in decades.

That Nike windfall

2006-10-22T14:23:00.000+01:00

Nike cash to go to grassroots sport

Following its £300,000 windfall from Nike. Hackney Council is setting up a unique community fund for disadvantaged athletes, coaches, the disability sport sector and voluntary sports clubs in the borough.

The Council is putting £220,000 into a Youth Sports Development Fund (YSDF). The fund will support bursaries for financially disadvantaged talented athletes, training for volunteer sports coaches, and the development of the voluntary sports club sector and disability sport sector in Hackney.
The fund also aims to encourage participation among groups that traditionally do not participate in sport and physical activity. It supports the Mayor’s priority to develop sport for young people in Hackney, and will be used to develop Hackney’s role in the London Youth Games.

Sports organisations throughout Hackney will be able to apply for grants from the YSDF, although they will usually be expected to match the Council’s funding to qualify. The fund will be administered by a panel made up of representatives from the Council, the Learning Trust, the Primary Care Trust, Hackney Sports Forum, Disability Hackney and the Council’s leisure partner, Greenwich Leisure Limited.

Other projects are being considered for the remaining £80,000 of the Nike windfall. These include:
· Developing the girls football club programme
· A new football development programme for under 11s
· Rolling out the Sports Coach UK accredited programme
· Coaching for disability swimming
· Taster sessions in a variety of sports
· Equipment to encourage new club development
· Street dance sessions for 8 to 12-year-olds on housing estates
· Gymnastics training for teachers and extracurricular gym clubs

This will be publicised in Hackney Today along with contact/process details.

Recycling

2006-10-19T16:04:00.000+01:00

Successful experiment to be rolled out

Compulsory recycling was introduced in 12,500 homes in four wards in Hackney, including Brownswood, in February. It has been an outstanding success and will now be extended.

1299 homes in the ward, representing 69% of the population, began participating immediately.
589 homes, representing over 30%, began participating later or upon receipt of a reminder letter.
Only 17 homes - less than 1% - needed a second warning.

Three separate pilot schemes are to be trialed on estates to see which works best there.

It's also worth pointing out that all of Hackney's remaining waste goes to be burnt in the incinerator at Edmonton, which produces electricity which is then sold at a premium to the National Grid. Even the clinker remaining at the end of this is used for road surfacing. Virtually nothing goes to landfill!

We're probably not allowed to point out that Brownswood was by far the best at recycling. Up to 10% of people needed two reminders in some other wards we won't mention.