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
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Councillors Report – June 2011
Woodberry Down regeneration – the first new residents move inIt’s taken a long time but the first residents moved into brand new homes on the 12th 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
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 e to reopen on 13th May following extensive landscaping to make best use of the location and setting.
At 268 Green Lanes, construction is up to 3rd 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.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
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.
Friday, March 25, 2011
March Councillors Report
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.
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.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Census 2011
Most people would have started receiving their Census forms or will receive them by 27th 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.Friday, February 18, 2011
Our February report
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
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
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Local boost as Council secures more funding for Woodberry Down
Monday, January 24, 2011
New planning applications in Brownswood
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
Saturday, January 15, 2011
January Update
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
New planning application for the Woodberry Down Estate
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
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
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Dont miss out on Winter Wonderland in Hackney
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.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
October Report
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Our September update
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)
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)
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Late night off license application on our border
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.
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.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Alexandra National House planning application
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
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
Sunday, August 08, 2010
33 Blackstock Road, late night off-license application
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.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Planning application for demolition of front half of Lemsford Court, Kings Crescent
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.
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.
Monday, July 12, 2010
July update
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Licensing application 308 Seven Sister Road
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
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
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
June report
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 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
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