Your councillors' report

Councillors Report for January 09



Council performance and budget 2009/10

We intend to freeze the Hackney element of the council tax again, for the fourth year in a row. As far as we know, we are the only council in the country to be able to do this. Residents are on average £256 better off.

Despite this, through better use of resources we plan to
* Invest a further £0.5m in recycling
* Put an additional £0.5m into cleansing
* Recruit more environmental health officers, including ones specialising in noise pollution and food standards
* Offer free swimming to children and seniors all year round

The council commissions annual research from MORI into levels of satisfaction with public services in the borough. In 2000, overall satisfaction with the council was under 20%. It is now over 70%.

Brian currently chairs the council’s Audit Committee. At it’s last meeting, our District Auditor confirmed that we would be a three star (on a 0-4 scale) authority again this year. More impressively yet, they stated -

“The council’s performance demonstrates continued and significant improvement in a range of key lines of enquiry. This is particularly commendable on the back of an `improving strongly’ assessment in the previous Direction of Travel Assessment in March 2008.

Whilst the overall score for the council has remained as a 3(performing well), this is a much stronger performance than our previous assessment. In overall terms four individual elements have improved compared with last year and none have reduced.”

Olympic success

On the 23rd of January, the government and other members of the Funders Committee agreed to release an additional £135 million to build both the Main Press Centre and the International Broadcast Centre. These are the biggest elements of the Olympic Park which fall in Hackney, with £355 million to be invested in total.

The intention was that these should be built to the highest specifications for adaptable office and work space, accommodating the most up-to-date technology and to the highest fit out standards. After the games are over, they should attract media, creative and allied industries as the permanent tenants, hopefully bringing high paid jobs to the borough.

The council fought a long campaign to ensure these were built as originally planned, and not just as shells which might eventually end up as warehousing.

Hackney Children’s Services

Children’s services in Hackney have been given a three star (out of four) rating by OFSTED. They were impressed by improvements in all the included service areas over the last year.

Kings Crescent Estate

We previously reported that residents’ disenchantment with the prolonged tendering process for regeneration partners, and the delays to the start of interim works, has been building. They have had to endure 11 years of lengthy negotiations and false starts, while the fabric of the estate has sometimes been allowed to decline.

On our first day back on the 5th of January, all three councillors met with Hackney Homes and council officers to urge them to make rapid progress.

At the latest Steering Group, the TRA notified us that they no longer sought a comprehensive regeneration, but wanted the estate refurbished and retained by the council.

On a happier note, two KC residents Jill and Vince Walker-Murrain won Hackneys active resident of the year award for their work running the youth club and in the TRA. Brian and Feryat were amongst those pleased to nominate them.

Community Safety

Darren and Feryat attended the Community Advisory Panel meeting on the 14th of January. The meeting agreed to keep Blackstock Road, anti-social behaviour on estates and prostitution as the priorities for the Brownswood SNT for the next two months. A further anti-kerb crawling operation is planned for 1st week of February.

The top three crime allegations in the ward are; burglary 19 cases in last two months; ABH 15 cases; and theft from motor vehicles 14 cases. Overall crime allegation figures have further reduced by 3 % from previous two months.

The Brownswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be moving in to a shared office with the Highbury team on the Islington side of Blackstock Road later this year.

Brian attended a meeting called by the police on 12th January to discuss prostitution in the area. Unfortunately few other residents did, which was generally felt to be a reflection of the reduction of the scale and impact of the problem. However clearly this can change as the weather improves, and a follow-up meeting has been called for 16th February.

Woodberry Down

Darren will update verbally.

Hackney Homes

Feryat is one of the council representatives on the Hackney Homes board. HH has recently undergone it’s second Audit Commission inspection of the year. Obtaining at least a two star rating is a requirement of £225m additional decent homes funding being released.

The executive team met with the commission in early January to discuss the report and thoroughly check it ahead of its release. HH are obliged to follow the commission’s protocol and wait until the report is officially released to let everyone know the result. This is likely to be towards the end of February or early March.

The current year decent homes programme is well on track to meet its targets. The target % of homes without decent homes works at 1st April 2009 is 31.7%. Some 7,842 homes remain to be made decent between 1st April 2009 and 2012.

Manor TRA - Portland Rise, Amwell Court and Lakeside Court

At the latest meeting on 15th January, the residents complained that the fast turn over of estate managers on Portland Rise (PR) and Lakeside Court (LC) was causing major delays in all reported repairs. In the past 2 years, PR and LC have had 4 different managers. Most requests made at previous ETRA’s are still outstanding. (Feryal to follow them up)

Alexandra National

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

Stoke Newington Central Bye-election

There was a bye-election in Stoke Newington Central ward on Thursday 29th January, following the retirement of former Deputy Mayor Jamie Carswell. The candidate was former Brownswood Secretary Louisa Thompson. Thanks to all the branch members who helped out.

And congratulation to Louisa who won with 48% of the vote – up 2.5% from the last borough elections. The Greens came second with 32% despite bringing in activists from across London. The Lib Dems only got 12% while the Tories were on a humiliating 7%.

New planning application for the Brownswood Library

App No: 2008/3185
Applicant: Genesis Housing Group
App Received Date: 29/12/2008
Agent: Savills Tel: 0203 320 8276

Former Brownswood Library
Brownswood Road
London N4 2ST
Address:
Case Officer: Rokos Frangos
Total Applications 3

Description:
Full Planning Permission FOR Demolition of existing building and
erection of a five-storey building containing seventeen residential
units and one disabled parking space, together with associated
outdoor amenity space and landscaping.

Check it out on the Planning section of www.hackney.gov.uk

Follow the shadow cabinet's meetings

Application for new hostel at 420 Seven Sisters Road

Happy New year to our small but dedicated group of readers!

The council has received a new application for a hostel which local residents may want to comment on.

Application no - 2008/2018

Address - 420 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2LX

Description - demolition of existing building on the site and the erection of a six storey building for use as a hostel with associated parking and refuse storage (Class C1)

Please see the planning section of the website Hackney.gov.uk
for further details.

November update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

We crushed them.

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!

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

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