The New
Neighbourhoods Programme &
Ward BudgetsCouncillor Daniel Astaire
Cabinet Member for Customer and Community Services
Westminster City Council
Your Ward Councillors
Councillor Michael Brahams
Councillor BrianConnell
Councillor SuhailRahuja
Bayswater
Lancaster Gate
Councillor Susie Burbridge
Councillor Sir Simon Milton
Councillor Robert Davis
Westbourne
Councillor PapyaQureshi
Councillor DavidBoothroyd
Councillor RupertD’Cruz
Councillor Colin Barrow
Councillor PamelaBatty
Councillor Jean-PaulFloru
Hyde Park
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council wants to see:
• Strong communities supported by excellent services
So we have committed to:
• Strengthening neighbourhoods
• Promoting active communities
Westminster City Council
What are Ward Budgets?
• Annual ward budget of £100k per ward
• 2 year programme initially
• New money from the One City Fund
• Dedicated resource for councillors to tackle local issues
• Will be used to commission new or additional projects, services or facilities in your ward
Westminster City Council
How will Councillors decide how to spend the
ward budget?
• Their own knowledge, personal experience of the ward
and contacts
• Expanded City Survey for ward-level consultation
• Ward Profiles
• MyWard Debates
• Online feedback
Westminster City Council
How can you have your say?
You can also contact your councillor at any time through:
• Individual ward email address:• [email protected]
• The 24 hour hotline: 020 7641 3916
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council
How can you have your say?
MyWard Debates - Introduction
• Will be held as part of the new “MyWestminster Forums”
• “MyWestminster Forum – Bayswater” is on 8th May 2008 at Westminster Academy
• Covers the same wards as this forum
• Open to anyone who lives, works or learns in the ward
• Round-table discussion style format
Westminster City Council
How can you have your say?
MyWard Debates - Format
• Councillors will introduce the profile of their ward to highlight potential areas for discussion
• Councillors will lead a discussion on ward priorities
• You will be able to talk about your issues face-to-face with your councillor
Aim
• For you to highlight your priorities and issues for your Councillors to consider
Westminster City Council
FAQ
When will Ward Councillors make their decisions on spending?
• Proposals can be made throughout the year
• Three main phases – June, September, December
Westminster City Council
FAQ
Can wards share budgets?
• Yes - to fund joint projects between two or more wards
But:
• Each ward must have identified the same issue
• There must clear benefits for the residents in each ward
Westminster City Council
FAQ
Who will monitor spending?
• Public Money = usual safeguards apply
• Signed off by Cabinet Member
Westminster City Council
How will it work in practice?
March ‘08 • Ward profile highlights fear of crime as an area of
dissatisfaction for residents in the ward
• Ward profile shows that crime figures are in fact falling in the ward
May ‘08• Discussion at MyWard Debate reveals that it is a specific
area within the ward where residents feel unsafe walking at night time
Westminster City Council
May ’08
• Ward Councillors discuss various issues taking into account all evidence
• Ward Councillors decide to include “Fear of Crime” as a Ward Member Priority
Westminster City Council
May ’08
Councillors research options for tackling the issue, including:
• Buy extra time from a City Guardian to patrol the area causing concern
• Collaborate with local police and CivicWatch to run an event providing information on crimes levels and prevention techniques
• Install improved lighting in the area
Westminster City Council
June ’08
• Ward Members check with council officers what is already planned for the area
• They learn that improved lighting in the area is already planned in the coming year
• Based on this they decide to buy extra hours from a City Guardian to patrol the area at night time only
Westminster City Council
June ’08
• The proposal is costed and a basic project plan produced
• Ward Members submit proposal to Cabinet Member for sign off
July ’08
• Extra hours are commissioned for a City Guardian to patrol the area at night
Westminster City Council
Your Councillors want to know your views
Come to your:
MyWestminster Forum – Bayswater
6.30 - 8.30pm on Thursday May 8th 2008
Westminster Academy, 259-265 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ