William and Kate to tie the knot in Westminster Saving you money Council tax frozen again New council houses Regenerating communities WIN! What’s on this spring? Volunteer Join the Big Society Opera tickets Car club subscription and much more… see inside for details Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP 020 7641 6000 westminster.gov.uk SPRING EDITION reporter T H E W E S T M I N S T E R ISSUE 103 SPRING 2011 Westminster City Council magazine FREE
Transcript
William and Kate to tie the knot in Westminster
Saving you moneyCouncil tax frozen again
New council housesRegenerating communities
WIN!
What’s on this spring?
Volunteer Join the
Big Society
Opera ticketsCar club subscription
and much more…see inside for details
Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP
020 7641 6000 westminster.gov.uk
SPRINGEDITION
reporterT H E W E S T M I N S T E R
ISSuE 103SPRING 2011 Westminster City Council magazine
FREE
2 The Westminster Reporter
Community Reassurance
Homeownership Westminster is delivered byCatalyst Housing Group, a charitable housing association
Unlock the door to homeownership in WestminsterDo you live or work in Westminster? Homeownership Westminster is a council service that prioritises those currently living or working in the City of Westminster for homeownership and rental opportunities through a number of different options.
The editorial team: Sam Kelly, Oliver Finegold and Clym Sutcliffe.
Reference copies of The Westminster Reporter are available in large print and audiotape format. To have a free copy sent to your home call 020 7641 2259.
Published by Westminster City Council, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP
Printed by Service Point UK Ltd, 161-165 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3AL
Printed on FSC/PEFC certified recycled material using vegetable based inks.
Please recycle The Westminster Reporter.
For more information on recycling call the Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000.
ISSuE 103SPRING 2011 Westminster City Council magazine
contents
WIN!WIN!
Ikon
Pic
ture
s Lt
d. /
Rex
Feat
ures
Head to your local leisure centre on 21st-22nd May for a weekend of free activities including taster and gym sessions for first timers.
It’s the ideal time to try out a new activity or sport. The first ActiveWestminster Weekend was in October and nearly 1,000 people took advantage of free activities across the city. Some activities require booking and for others you can just turn up on the day.
If you’ve been meaning to try out your local leisure centre but haven’t got round to it, the ActiveWestminster Weekend is the perfect time to do it.
The six winners of Westminster City Council’s Living City Awards beat competition from over 100 other
nominees. They each received £500 to help them to continue and develop their work.
Dolly Cuthbert, who runs an over 50s club, won the category for ‘bringing the community together’.
Jacqui Haynes, from Maida Hill, was recognised for running a free lunch club for local residents.
Abdul Quyium won the category for ‘making us healthier’, for the work he has done to devise training programmes for young people and members of London Tigers sports teams.
Jacqueline Crooks, who runs ‘Befriend a Family’, a charity which arranges for more than 100 volunteers to help and visit local families who need support, was also recognised.
Edna Powell was honoured for the work she does to run a drop-in centre in Vincent Square, which enables older people to remain independent and offers the chance for them to socialise.
Rolana Moleviciute, a Met Police volunteer, was awarded for the work she does to build partnerships between the deaf community and the Police.
The annual awards ceremony was held at Paddington Academy and attended by nominees and community leaders.
.
4 The Westminster Reporter
Local heroes honoured Inspirational residents have been honoured for the outstanding contribution they make to their local community.
For more information and the list of other winners visit www.westminster.gov.uk/services/livingcity/living-city-awards
Free sports weekend
News in brief
For more information call 020 7641 2012 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/activeweekend
“I will use the money from this award to take our members away for the day.” Dolly Cuthbert, winner of the ‘bringing the community together’ award
Dolly Cuthbert (first left)
Community Reassurance
Community Reassurance
Last year we made a promise to our residents to deliver 10 major pledges.
Council tax was frozen for the fourth consecutive year; major improvements
have started or have been completed on key thoroughfares including Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square; our schools recorded across the board increases in attainment; our streets were kept clean whilst our other services resulted in marked improvements to the quality of life for our residents.
The coming year will be even more challenging. We are now dealing with the realities of the government’s deficit reduction programme. The council’s budget for this year alone has been reduced by over £20 million or some 10% of our total budget.
We are in a strong position to deal with these challenges through careful planning. We have already saved £14 million and this work will continue in the coming year.
We will also change how we work to share more services and reduce our operating costs. However, we have had to make some difficult decisions in setting this year’s budget. We are now in an era of public service where ‘cost effective’ is the test for everything and where we can no longer afford the ‘nice to have’.
But we remain absolutely committed to delivering what’s important to you.
First, we are committed to a policy of low taxation. We will never take more than we need to from the people
of Westminster.Second, we believe that clean streets
are the primary duty of the council.Third, we will utilise our resources to
protect the most vulnerable, to help those who are less able to help themselves.
These priorities will be reflected in the coming year, including once again freezing council tax. We will also encourage citizens to play a greater role in shaping their neighbourhoods and local services, delivering a Big Society in Westminster.
We want to go further. However, we can only do this if there is a fundamental reform of how the council is funded, where our ability to address the priorities of our communities is no longer dependent on handouts and control from Whitehall.
That is why a clear goal for this year will be to move the council to a position where it is increasingly self-sufficient.
The coming year will undoubtedly be tough. Further difficult decisions will have to be taken about the levels of service that we are able to afford. However, the council is committed to delivering on what’s important to you.
Cllr Colin Barrow cbe, Leader of Westminster City Council.
The Westminster Reporter 5
Traffic lights removed
Traffic lights will be removed at busy junctions and some
one-way streets will become two-way in an attempt to cut traffic jams in Westminster.
The council will consult charities the RNIB and Guide Dogs before the plans go ahead.
For more information call 020 7641 6633 or email environmental [email protected]
Leader’s Column
Business Advice
People looking to set-up or expand their companies can now access the
latest market research and business information with a new service launched at Pimlico and Paddington Libraries.
Westminster City Council’s Business Information Points provide a dedicated suite with free computers and publications covering all aspects of business.
For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/special/business
Recycling thefts
Westminster City Council is cracking down on thieves
taking clothes from recycling bins.The clothing bins are emptied three
times a week but this will be increased to five times a week so that they will be less full, making it more difficult to reach for anyone wishing to steal their contents.
Items deposited are given to the cerebral palsy charity Scope.
Tough Times – Delivering on your priorities
For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling or call 020 7641 2000.
Beauty Therapist Ava Wang from Pimlico said:
“I think Westminster Council provides good
value for money, particularly in education. My children go to the local school and they love it.
“I like to exercise outside and there are some perfect places in Westminster to do
this like St James’s Park and Hyde Park. I also know that the council provides one of the lowest council taxes around, which makes my life easier.”
6 The Westminster Reporter
Providing value for money in tough timesWestminster City Council has frozen council tax for the fourth year running with a band D council tax of £687.62 – the second lowest rate in the country.
Value for Money £60m
Four Westminster residents tell The Reporter how the council gives them value for money:
Efficiency savings made in the last two years.£14m
Hospitality worker Kristine Sumane from Pimlico said:
“I have a young daughter and I think that the
council provides great support for mothers in the area. I go to a mothers group here and I find it very supportive. I like the green spaces in the area such as St James’s Park – I sometimes take my daughter for a walk through there. I also like how the area is kept nice and clean.”
How do we spend your money?
Ava Wang
Licensing and Community Protection: £17.28
Children’s Services and Schools: £54.77
Housing: £32.07
Libraries and Leisure: £18.21
Environmental Services: £22.73
Planning, Highways and Transport: £54.09
Adult Social Care: £139.43
Other services, levies and contingency: £39.22
GLA precept (covering the Mayor of London’s office, police and fire brigade):
£309.82
Total £687.62
How do we compare to other neighbouring councils?
Wandsworth £681.64
Westminster £687.62
Hammersmith & Fulham £1,121.60
Kensington and Chelsea £1,079.12
Camden £1,331.35
Brent £1,368.76
SPRINGEDITION
Kristine Sumane
Providing value for money in tough times
The Westminster Reporter 7
The savings Westminster City Council is aiming to make.£60m
Builder Paul Boynton, 53, from Lillington Gardens, Pimlico said:
“I think that the council provides unbelievable value
for money. From my own experience the adult social care is excellent. I feel so looked after and all of the staff who provide me with care are so friendly and helpful. I have many friends in the area who also receive care and they also think it’s a superb service. Our streets are also kept clean and well maintained. I give Westminster Council full marks.”
Our plans for 2011/12In the next two years, Westminster Council is set to make £60 million worth of savings.
Following big falls in central government funding, we will need to reduce our
expenditure over the next two years by £60 million.
The council will generate £23 million in efficiency savings including £12 million from customer service efficiencies and by reducing the number of back office staff, £7 million from the reorganisation of street management and cleansing services and £4 million from management costs.
The council has vowed to protect those services which residents have said are the most important to them, including clean streets, a thriving business community and looking after the most vulnerable.
Cllr Melvyn Caplan, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “No one wants to cut services, but previous levels of spending are simply unsustainable.
“We will, however, continue to provide the core services that keep Westminster clean and safe and protect the vulnerable and we’ll have an absolute focus on value for money.”
“No one wants to cut services, but previous levels of
spending are simply unsustainable.” Cllr Melvyn Caplan, Cabinet Member for finance
Pensioner Priscilla Sanis, 82, from Marylebone High Street, said:“I have no complaints with Westminster City Council at all – in fact I think that we have the most wonderful facilities especially for older residents. I use the Age uK Covent Garden Community Hub and I go there to play bridge, sing, especially songs from the shows and dance. I love dancing and had a wonderful time last year at the council’s tea dance.”
For more information on council tax call the Council Tax Office on 0845 302 3400
Paul Boynton
Priscilla Sanis
www.westminster.gov.uk 1
How to find services online and information
on how your council tax is spent
Did you
know......you can pay
your council tax online at
westminster.gov.uk/payct
@-zYour
directory
2011/12
www.westminster.gov.uk 1
How to find services online and information on how your council tax is spent
Did you know...
...you can pay
your council tax online at
westminster.gov.uk/payct
@-zYour
directory
2011/12
www.westminster.gov.uk 1
How to find services online and information
on how your council tax is spent
Did you know...
...you can pay your council tax online at westminster.gov.uk/payct
@-zYour
directory
2011/12
www.westminster.gov.uk 1
How to find services online and information
on how your council tax is spent
Did you know......you can pay your council tax online at westminster.gov.uk/payct@-z
Your
directory
2011/12
www.westminster.gov.uk 1
How to find services online and information
on how your council tax is spent
Did you know......you can pay your council tax online at westminster.gov.uk/payct@-z
Your
directory
2011/12
8 The Westminster Reporter
Across the city, residents will be holding traditional British street
parties to celebrate the big day on April 29th and over the long bank holiday weekend.
The first person to submit an application to Westminster City Council for a street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding was Nicki Hookings, 46, from Marylebone.
Ms Hookings, the head of human resources for Thomas Cook, said she had decided to hold the party as a way of bringing her neighbours together.
She expects around 200 people to come together – after following the wedding procession and ceremony on their own television sets – for food, children’s entertainment and live music.
Ms Hookings said: “We recently set up a social committee to help people get to know each other and thought this was a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages. We live in a quite closed off street so we thought it might work well. We hope that for the young children the day will be a happy memory for the rest of their lives.”
Other residents said they would also be holding a street party or watching the wedding on TV.
Linda Childs from Marylebone said: “I’ll definitely be watching the Royal Wedding. It’s a chance to see how the other half live, and you’ve got to see what the dress looks like.”
Marjane Moghimi from Church Street said: “I’m looking forward to it. We need something to cheer us
up and it would be lovely to have a street party to celebrate the day.”
Renee Pettifer from Church Street added: “We might have a street party, but it’s more likely that we’ll watch it on TV.”
William and Kate tie the knot in WestminsterThe eyes of the world will soon be on Westminster when Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot at Westminster Abbey.
“ We hope that for the young children the day will be a happy memory for the rest of their lives.” Nicki Hookings, 46, Marylebone
For more information on the royal wedding visit www.officialroyalwedding2011.org
29th April 2011 – the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.29th
Breaking with tradition, Kate will travel to Westminster Abbey in a car rather than a carriage.
Departing from Buckingham Palace and travelling along The Mall, the car will turn into Horse Guards Parade and along Whitehall.
And finally, before reaching the Abbey, the car will approach Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
After the service, as husband and wife, they will ride back to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage with an escort from the Household Cavalry in full ceremonial dress.
The Royal Route
SPRINGEDITION
Nicki Hookings
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history.
Benedictine monks first worshipped at the site in the middle of the 10th century.
The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs.
William and Kate tie the knot in Westminster
Superintendent RegistrarAlison Cathcart has been Westminster’s Superintendent Registrar for almost 20 years and has married celebrities including Sylvester Stallone, Joan Collins, Barbara Windsor and more recently David Walliams.
She told the Reporter about the wide variety of locations available to get married in across Westminster.
“Westminster City Council offers over 120 locations for couples to tie the knot across central London.
“One of the most well known is the Old Marylebone Town Hall, which has seen numerous stars get hitched including Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman, Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton, Nicole Farhi and David Hare, and Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, not all of them by me I might add.
“We also offer a wide range of more unusual places to get married including the Houses of Parliament, London Zoo, Fortnum and Mason, London Palladium, and an ice bar called Below Zero.
“Or you could get married in an up-market hotel such as Claridge’s, The Ritz or The Savoy, an historic venue such as Banqueting House or Somerset House or indeed a stately home such as Spencer House.
“My team conducts about 2,400 marriages and civil partnerships a year and we work hard to ensure everything is just right on what is one of the most important days of the couple’s lives.”
A group of offenders is helping to get the capital ready for the Royal Wedding by clearing up a major subway
which had become increasingly grubby due to years of built up grime.
The people, who were convicted of minor offences, are completing the Community Payback scheme, after Westminster City Council identified it as an innovative way to tackle complaints about the state of Hyde Park Corner subway.
The Community Payback scheme will see offenders scouring all five of the subway’s tunnels with detergent and heavy wire brushes.
They will work every Wednesday for four or five weeks, sectioning off one side of a tunnel at a time to allow pedestrians to continue to use the subway.
It is expected that the subway and entrance to the station will be transformed for the thousands of people that are expected to use it on the weekend of 29th April when Prince William will marry Kate Middleton.
Offenders to clean up subway in preparation for the Royal Wedding
Westminster City Council offers over 120 locations for couples to tie the knot.120
The Westminster Reporter 9
Alison Cathcart
To nominate a project for the Community Payback scheme call 020 7641 1085.
SPRINGEDITION
Kofi Burke, with his daughter Tulsileel, 3, from Victoria, said:
“As a dad, I’m a bit worried about how the sharing of services will affect
libraries and children’s centres. I don’t want to lose essential staff but then I do think we
need to cut bureaucracy and save money.”
Scott Thwaytes, 39, a retail manager from Churchill Gardens, said:
“I think shared services are a long time coming. I reckon that by working with other councils we will be able to get a better deal when we bid for tenders and the council can
incorporate commercial nous to save money. Sharing services also means that councils can pick up best practice but I do worry that there might be a loss of identity. That’s my only fear.”
10 The Westminster Reporter
In challenging times our priority is to protect high quality front-line public services, while preserving the democratic sovereignty of local authorities.
Sharing services in tough times
Ensuring we can provide a high standard of local services in today’s tough economic climate means
thinking differently about how we operate, concentrating on what’s important to the people we serve and ensuring we continue to care for the most vulnerable in our communities.
That is why Westminster has drawn up a series of proposals to share a number of key services with Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea councils.
By combining back office and management costs across our three boroughs we can save £35 million a year by 2014/15 at a time when councils across the uK face major budget reductions.
This should make a significant contribution to future savings with around 500 posts expected to go across the three organisations, 175 being senior managers.
The Reporter spoke to local Westminster residents for their views on proposals to share services.
Simona Tempestini, 34, a full time mother from Harrow Road, said:
“I think that shared services could be a good thing, as I live very close to a Kensington and Chelsea children’s centre and
I love the fact that I could just pop over to them if needs be.”
Other services under consideration for sharing include customer services, parks management and the parking back office.
The first of these proposals will be implememented from October 2011.
Residents will see no difference to their services.
Residents should not and will not notice any difference except in some areas
where we believe there will be tangible improvements. This type of reform may be seen as radical now but in years to come it will be seen as the norm.
The three councils have signed a ‘Sovereignty Guarantee’ to safeguard local autonomy, responsiveness and identity. Each of the councils will retain their own councillors and decision making processes. Services will only be shared if it makes financial sense to do so. Departments such as housing management, licensing and planning will not be be combined.
For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/services/councilgovernmentanddemocracy
How will this affect you?
What exactly is being proposed?
Insurance £0.3m 1%
Education services £1m 3%
Parking back office £0.3m 1%
Children’s services £9.5m 27%
Adult social care £9.9m 29%
HR £2.7m 8%
Parks management £0.1m 0%
ICT £4m 11%
Highways £0.4m 1%
Corporate and other management overheads £2.5m 7%
Libraries £1.6m 5%
Building control £0.1m 0%
Facilities management £2m 6%
Chief Executive leadership £0.2m 1%
Estimated saving for three councils (millions)
Tri-borough services by 2011/12 by 2014/15
Education Services 0.7 1.0
Children’s Services 0.8 9.5
Adult Social Care 0.9 9.9
Libraries 1.6
Insurance 0.3
Facilities management 2.0
ICT 0.4 4.0
Chief Executive leadership 0.1 0.2
Building control 0.1
Corporate & other management overheads 2.5
Human Resources 2.7
Total 2.9 33.8
Scott Thwaytes
How much we will save you?
Westminster City Council wants to make sure that benefits go to the people who need them. The fraud team works with other departments in the council, such as the benefits service, the council tax department and housing as well as the Metropolitan Police to prevent and investigate fraud.
For more information or to report suspected fraud, visit www.visit www.westminster.gov.uk/fraud or call the fraud hotline on 0800 028 9888
12 The Westminster Reporter
The number of people Westminster prosecuted in the last financial year 119
How Westminster cracks down on fraud
At the start of many investigations we also
compare computer records held by one body against another to see
how far they match. By doing this we can spot any potentially fraudulent claims.
Where a match is found it indicates that there is an
inconsistency that requires further examination. To crack down on social housing fraud, the council also works with CityWest Homes to carry out tenancy checks.
In other investigations, fraud officers may pay a visit to the address, or invite the person alleged to have broken the rules for an interview. The matter may be taken to court.
Did you know...
Westminster has a
dedicated social housing
fraud investigator.
52 investigations have delivered savings of £86,000£86,000
Whether you think someone is fraudulently claiming housing benefit or has wrongly
obtained a resident parking permit or disabled badge or is unlawfully subletting their council house, any information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence.
You do not even have to give us your name. The fraud investigation team will then carry out an investigation. Members of the public are asked to provide as much information about the fraud as possible to help us with the investigation.
If you are concerned about fraud and want to make us aware of your suspicions you can do so by calling the fraud hotline on 0800 028 9888.
How to report fraud Tonia Rivett
SPRINGEDITION
The Westminster Reporter 13
How Westminster cracks down on fraud
The amount of money the council recovered from benefit cheats in 2010£320,000
Tonia Rivett works for the disability campaigning charity Mobilise and has had a blue badge since she passed her test
three years ago. The 20-year-old told the Reporter how disabled badge fraud affects thousands of people like her.
“I have cystic fibrosis which means I find it difficult to breathe, even when walking short distances, so having no disabled bay available to use can be a real problem for me.
“That’s why blue badge fraud is such a problem. It means able bodied people are using spaces they don’t need and probably costing the local taxpayer money. If someone is able to use a regular car parking space, is it right to park in a disabled bay just for convenience or to save money on parking costs?
“But it’s not just blue badge fraud that’s the issue – misuse of the badges is just as much of a problem. People seem to believe it is okay to use a family member’s badge, as long as they are carrying out jobs for that person, like collecting their shopping. But it’s not, and can mean you are unnecessarily taking up a space that a disabled person really needs to use. Imagine your disabled family member was unable to park.
“It’s really important to think about the parking needs of other people who are disabled. For them it is about not being able to park somewhere that is more convenient. It is a necessity and a case of being able to get your shopping that day or not.“
‘Imagine a disabled relative was unable to park’Blue and white badge parking exists to help disabled residents get out and about. However, those who cheat the system are restricting the availability of parking spaces for people with a disability and in genuine need of a parking place.
To find out how to apply for a disabled parking badge, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/disabledparking or call 020 7823 4567.
Tonia Rivett
Former Python and cult film-maker Terry Gilliam makes his opera directing debut with ‘The Damnation of Faust’ at English National Opera this May, and we’re inviting you and your family to share the experience.
To celebrate Opera Tots, ENO’s free childcare initiative for parents who
live in Westminster, we’re giving away two tickets for the matinee performance, alongside space in the crèche for two children aged from 6 months to 4 years.
For your chance to win answer the following question: Who is directing ‘The Damnation of Faust’? Email your answers to [email protected] with your name, contact details and the ages of your children. Deadline for entry is 1st May.
Terms and conditions apply.
For further information about Opera Tots, or ENO, visit www.eno.org/explore/operatots.php
WIN!Tickets and childcare for Terry Gilliam’s ‘The Damnation of Faust’ at English National Opera this spring.
The 10 new and four refurbished flats have been built utilising
redundant ground floor space located under four blocks in Westbourne Green.
The properties mark a milestone in the council’s multi-million pound house building programme which will see hundreds of new affordable homes in Westminster.
A number of residents told the Reporter how the new homes have improved the area.
Student Najat Elmabtoul, who has lived in the area for four years, said: “I really love the new flats. Before, when the space under the blocks was empty, it was not attractive, very dirty and smelly. The new flats are a really big improvement and they make the whole building look and feel much better and safer.”
Local resident, Father Henry Everett, 50, said: “This project has undoubtedly improved the public space around the blocks, which has been a long running problem. It’s great to be able to see the high standard of accommodation that these flats offer. They are very attractive and spacious new homes that enhance the whole area.”
Sensei Stewart, who has lived for 10 years in one of the blocks where the flats have been built said: “It’s great to see the new homes complete and the high standard of facilities for the new occupiers. The flats look really nice and it’s definitely an improvement on what was there before.”
Health trainer Mary Amayo, 63, said: “I’ve always supported these
The number new and refurbished homes the council is aiming to deliver in the next 10 years.2,500
14 The Westminster Reporter
The first new council homes to be built in central London for almost 30 years have been completed.
First new council homes built in Westminster in a generation unveiled
“ It’s great to see the new homes complete.” Sensei Stewart, resident for 10 years
SPRINGEDITION
The year the last estate was built in Westminster. 1982
“It’s great to be able to see the high standard of accommodation that these flats offer.” Father Henry Everett, 50, Local resident.
“The real reward will be seeing the families using and enjoying the new facilities that these flats
offer” Mary Amayo, 63, Health trainer.
New ground floor flats in Westbourne Green
The Westminster Reporter 15
new flats and I’m really pleased that they are now complete. They have vastly improved the look of the buildings and solved some problems with antisocial behaviour in the area. The real reward will be seeing the families using and enjoying the new facilities that these flats offer.”
The council also has plans to regenerate a number of neighbourhoods including Church Street, Paddington Green, Lisson Grove and Westbourne Green as well as the Tollgate Gardens Estate in Maida Vale, the Ebury Bridge Estate in Pimlico and the Brunel Estate in Westbourne Park.
“The new flats are a really big improvement and they make the whole building look and feel
much safer.” Najat Elmabtoul, student.
Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services
Healthy vitamins – FREE
Healthy start is an NHS programme offering pregnant women and
new mums on low incomes vitamins, food vouchers and advice on how to stay fit and healthy. Healthy Start vitamins contain the recommended daily allowance of vitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children from six months old. The vitamins are available in C, D and folic acid tablets for mums and mums-to-be, and vitamins A, C and D drops for children. You must be eligible and apply to receive Healthy Start vitamins.
To find out how to apply, visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call 0845 607 6823.
For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/services/housing
For more news and information for parents and carers of children aged 0-19 in Westminster, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/childrenfirst or email childrenfirst @westminster.gov.uk with your name and address to sign up for our magazine.
If you are interested in joining call Andy Durrant on 020 7641 5885 or email [email protected]
Join the School Sports Club Programme
A new initiative to enable children and young people to take part in
more sport outside school has been launched at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The first project is already underway with the indoor cricket school pledging at least two hours a week of access to local school children. Teachers across Westminster are also being trained to deliver high quality cricket coaching. The council now wants to expand the programme and is looking for local sports clubs, corporate sponsors, venues and volunteers, which it will match with local schools to develop and provide sport for children and young people.
Easter events at Westminster libraries
There’s something for everyone this Easter with crafts, face painting and
Easter egg hunts across the city. Design your own Easter egg and enter our competition at Victoria Library, or enjoy spring crafts and face painting in Pimlico. Plus go on a hunt for delicious eggs in Pimlico and Marylebone libraries.
For more information, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/librariesnews Visit www.londonpioneers.com
What’s on this spring
If you’re feeling a little more active, why not head to Paddington Rec or
Little Venice Sports Centre for some basketball training for just £1 per day. Dribble, dodge and slam dunk your way to fitness until 25th April.
The year the last estate was built in Westminster.
Artist’s impressions of the Church Street proposals.
16 The Westminster Reporter
Since it began two years ago, there has been a major fall in anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, poor parenting and truancy among families who have multiple problems.
under this scheme – the first of its kind in the country – professionals from different organisations come together to form a ‘team around the family’. In turn for the support offered, these families adhere to strict ‘contracts with
consequences’, knowing that they could face a raft of measures if they do not use the help on offer to make the changes they need.The Reporter spoke to a health visitor, a domestic violence worker, an intensive outreach
worker and a substance misuse worker about their roles and the scheme’s positive impact.
Saving you money by helping families in crisis The Family Recovery Programme is a ground breaking
scheme to tackle social breakdown.
average cost avoided for each family £41,000 reduction in average number of
‘suspected offences’ every month 83%
Did you know...123 families have gone
through the The Family
Recovery Programme
48%
Health visitor Faye Mitchinson, who works for NHS Westminster, said:
“My role is to look after the health of the whole family. This is vital, as if a mum has an issue
such as depression, this could have a knock-on effect on her children.
“Some families, unfortunately, simply don’t have the skills to register with a GP or get their children immunised but I can show them what to do so they can do it themselves.
“Before this programme, when I visited a family and they would often talk about other problems such as debt and housing, steering away the focus
from health. But now I have other specialists in my team and these problems can
be sorted quickly so I can focus on what I am there to do.”
Intensive outreach worker, Sally Bevan, said:
“My role is to coordinate all the services we provide to families and to ensure we have
clear goals. “The big advantage this programme offers is that it
is intensive. We used to see a family every other week or once a month but by visiting them two or three times a week, you will get positive results more quickly.
“Each team will avoid overloading the family with a multitude of faces and too much information at any one time. The aim is to keep the team around the family small and uncomplicated to enable them to form good relationships.”
For more information on social services visit www.westminster.gov.uk/ services/healthandsocialcare or call 020 7641 7560.
Faye Mitchinson
SPRINGEDITION
Sally Bevan
The Westminster Reporter 17
For more information visit www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery
Senior substance misuse worker, Kelly McSherry, from charity Westminster Drugs Project, works with adults within the families who have drug and alcohol issues.
“The people I work with generally have had problems for many years and may not be the first generation in their family
to have had these issues.“We offer them one-to-one support, group sessions and ongoing
treatment. The families I work with have massively benefited from the programme and found getting their lives
back on track achievable.”
Saving you money by helping families in crisis The programme has saved taxpayers £2 million over the last two years. The council’s ultimate aim is to wean these families off public services and to enable them to stand on their own two feet.
Within the first week, the family is visited to obtain consent and the ‘information desk’ begins to pull together data from the agencies that have been involved with the family.
Within a fortnight, a care plan is written with input from the family, a small team around the family is established, and the lead professionals are appointed.
How much money does it save?
of neighbours reported reductions in anti-social behaviour since families registered with the programme 48%
Sharon Waugh is the senior domestic violence worker on the programme.
“My job is to support women who have
experienced domestic violence. “We have a range of skills
under the same team and when a family needs help they have immediate access to that. As is often the case, if people ask for help and then have to wait, they very often change their minds or are less determined to tackle the issues. With domestic violence it is better to take action as soon as you can.”
Life, Legend, Landscape: Victorian Drawings and WatercoloursRuns until15th May 2011
With many works being shown for the first time, the collection has
brought together world famous portraits and scenes from literature, revealing the Victorian preoccupation with nature and myth, including work by J.M.W. Turner, Rossetti, Millais and Burne-Jones.
Westminster City Council recently undertook the largest survey of views on parking our city has seen for a decade.
Westminster’s residential population of 240,000 swells to more than 1 million people every day as workers, visitors and tourists pour into the city.1 million
Asking you about parking
A day with a parking warden
Our streets and roads are changing and as we continue into the new decade, facing new and
growing pressures, we need to check whether our current policies are still working.
As part of the review we asked our residents, businesses and visitors to have their say on shaping the future of parking provision in the capital.
More than 1,000 responses were received and when these have been analysed we will work up a number of
specific parking policy options, which we will test further before they become detailed proposals.
These will ultimately set out how the council will deal with the increasing pressures and demands on central London’s already congested streets and roads for the next 10 to 15 years and ensure we continue to provide world class roads fit for the future.
Cherelle Lander, 45, has been a parking attendant in Westminster for three years and regularly walks the streets of the West End. She talked to the Reporter about the challenges of her job.
“I love my job. I know the general public don’t like what we do but I think that’s because there’s a misunderstanding about what the
job really is.“Traffic wardens don’t spend their time trying to issue as many tickets as
possible, in fact on average we probably issue one ticket an hour.“I spend the rest of the time talking to residents and motorists, giving
advice on where to park, and quite often giving directions to tourists. “Of course, there are some downsides. I’ve suffered abuse, both verbal
and physical, from members of the public who are angry at getting a ticket. “But I know it’s not me they hate - it’s the uniform.”
For more information on the council’s parking policy review visit www.westminster.gov.uk/parkingpolicyreview
Cherelle Lander
SPRINGEDITION
For more information on car parks in Westminster visit www.q-park.co.uk or call 0113 238 4238.
The Westminster Reporter 19
Asking you about parking
To find out more information about Westminster Car Club visit www.westminster.gov.uk/carclub
Westminster’s Car Club gives its members access to over 100 pay as-you-go vehicles, conveniently parked across the city.
Each on-street Car Club location is within a 10 minute walk of where residents live or work, and Westminster’s Car Club even covers the cost of petrol, insurance, congestion charge and parking. So if you need a car for an hour at a time or up to four days, simply log in online, book the vehicle you want and drive away.
Westminster car parksWestminster’s car parks are being leased out by a private operator, saving taxpayers more than £3 million a year.
A total of 14 council car parks will be leased to and operated by Q-Park Ltd. The new operator will carry out £10 million
improvement works across the sites which include locations at Oxford Street, Park Lane, Knightsbridge, China Town and
St John’s Wood.Arrangements for existing resident parking permits will
remain for the duration of the leases. The current arrangements for existing electric vehicle parking and free motorcycle parking will also be retained.
“I think that parking is okay although you can find four parking bays suspended at the same time so when you try to park you find yourself unable to find a space. This can be really annoying. Also, it would be good if the residents’ permits reflected the fact that we also have to pay the congestion charge.” Mohammed Rahman, 40, restauranteur, Great Titchfield Street.
“I work as an independent retailer and deliver luxury carpets to hotels and boutiques. Parking should be free for the first hour so that local businesses don’t suffer. I need to unload goods and have to pay for a full hour each time even though I may only be
there for a short while.” Robert Matthews, 64, independent retailer, Marylebone High Street.
“I work as a plumber and that means that I have to get very close to the pavement outside people’s houses. If someone has parked there and left a huge gap I can’t get in close enough which makes my job difficult. It’s good that the council can make sure that people follow
the rules.” Craig Denton, 21, plumber, Church Street.
Join the Club
WIN!Want to get away for
the weekend or simply get out and about?
Westminster Car Club is giving away 1 year’s
FREE membership and the chance to experience
a Mini for a weekend for FREE!
To enter email ‘car club mini’ in the subject line to
Schemes being pioneered by Westminster include a volunteer park management scheme, a volunteer
library management scheme and a network of volunteer workers to carry out home visits and advise on parenting.
The council already has an army of around 100 volunteers who work in the council’s libraries and archives, and are instrumental in keeping the service running on behalf of local people.
The Reporter spoke to a group of volunteers who helped to save a community renewal project by running a pet shop from its offices.
When the Paddington Development Trust’s Church Street Neighbourhood Management (CSNM) project saw a drop
in its funding following nationwide cuts last year, it faced an uncertain future.
But rather than rest on their laurels, they set up their own Big Society project, recruiting volunteers to open a pet shop on site to help meet costs.
“We held a vote amongst the local community to find out what type of shop they would like us to run”, explains staff member Elena Grbcic.
“A pet shop came out top, so here we are. We opened in January and provide a whole range of food and accessories. We are also working with The Dog Trust to provide free health checks.”
The shop has a broader aim too – to help reduce irresponsible dog ownership in the area. “This has been a particular problem for residents. By providing more help to owners we hope to help cut down on fouling and untrained animals”, Elena says.
The team also hopes that when people drop into the shop they can make use of the other services that are provided on site, such as advice about debt, housing and legal support.
The shop wouldn’t operate without the support of the 20 volunteers who give up their time for free. Among the team is Brian Whittaker, a retired butcher from Church Street. “I pop in most days to see what I can do. I’ve been involved in the community for a long time, and this is a good way of continuing to help.
“As a dog owner myself, I can recommend it, and when people come in they can also find out about the other support we provide.”
Pet project boosts the Big SocietyAcross Westminster people are giving up their free time and doing their bit for their community by volunteering for a whole manner of worthwhile projects.
The Pet Society is at 88 Church Street. It is open 10am-4pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.
CHRISTMAS
SPECIAL
“ We held a vote amongst the local community to find out what type of shop they would like us to run.” Elena Grbcic
Brian Whittaker
Contact Volunteer Centre Westminster on 020 7402 8076.020 7402 8076
The Westminster Reporter 21
Pet project boosts the Big SocietyJennifer Tovar, 33, from Edgware Road, helps out twice a week at the Pet Society. She said:
“Volunteering here has real benefits. It provides a valuable
service to the community. It is also great for me personally. It gets me meeting new people and helping them out.
“The work helps me develop new skills too. I have been without a job for a while, but the admin and marketing skills I am picking up here can all go on my CV. I also volunteer as a book keeper in another shop down the road and it all adds to my experience.”
Alice Bailey, 63, lives in Harrow Road ward. She volunteers by taking people with mental health problems on day trips around the city.
“I’ve been volunteering for three years and first became involved because mental health
is something close to my heart. “Many of the people I work with feel isolated
or are lacking in confidence, so providing an opportunity for them to have fun out in the community is really important.
“The reward I get is seeing the smiles on the faces of the people I help.”
‘The reward I get is seeing the smiles’
Whether it’s supporting vulnerable people, helping the environment or working at the Olympics – there is a huge range of voluntary opportunities in Westminster.
For more information and to get involved visit www.westminster.gov.uk/volunteering.
Alternatively contact Volunteer Centre Westminster on 020 7402 8076 or visit www.volunteer.co.uk
Get volunteering
Alice Bailey (second from right)
Jennifer Tovar
Last year more than 1,300 items of counterfeit Olympic merchandise were seized by Westminster’s trading standards team.1,300
22 The Westminster Reporter
Trading standards seize £100k of fake Olympic goods As London gears up for the Olympics, Westminster Council’s trading standards will be working hard to ensure that the city is kept free of counterfeit Olympic and sporting clothing.
About 6,500 counterfeit items of clothing, including T-shirts supposedly bearing the Olympic logo, were
seized from a shop in Oxford Street last month by the council’s trading standards team and the Met Police.
The haul was one of the largest collections of counterfeit merchandise ever recovered from a retail premises by the council. The raid followed information from HM Revenues and Customs that there were two containers of suspected counterfeit goods being held at Southampton docks which
were originally bound for Oxford Street. While last year more than 1,300 items of counterfeit
Olympic merchandise were seized by Westminster’s trading standards team.
Officers discovered thousands of pounds worth of T-shirts and baseball caps bearing the 2012 Olympic logo when they raided a souvenir shop in Buckingham Palace Road in Victoria.
The London Olympic trademark, and the symbol of the Olympic Rings, are protected trademarks.
To contact Westminster Trading Standards visit www.westminster.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call 020 7641 1111.
SPRINGEDITION
1. Look out for the London 2012 hologram on the swing tag which flickers between the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic emblems
2. Official products are available through the London 2012 online store at www.london 2012.com
3. There are also a number of official stores you can visit – including one at Paddington station
4. Be suspicious of extremely low prices or items which seem of poor quality
5. If you suspect a trader of selling counterfeit Olympic goods in Westminster, call Westminster Trading Standards on 0207 641 1111
How to not get scammed by Olympic fakes:
•Thetradingstandardsteamadviseslocalresidents and businesses
•Offersfreeadviceandinformationonconsumerstatutory rights to Westminster residents
consumer protection matters and other agenciesThey also enforce and advise on a wide range of legislation covering: safety of goods, misleading prices and false claims on goods and services.
How can Westminster’s trading standards help you?
Counterfeit shirts
The Westminster Reporter 23
For information on accessing the service, please speak with your GP in the first instance or contact 020 3312 6452 for information.
Those who experience issues such as high blood pressure, palpitations,
chest pain, heart arrhythmia, angina, or more serious conditions like stroke, heart attacks or heart failure, are now able to receive treatment at the South Westminster Centre and the Westminster Diabetes and Cardiac Centre.
Patricia Albert has been coming to the cardiac service at the Diabetes Centre to help with her chest pains. She has been on a programme of treatment and has been visiting the centre on a weekly basis.
“The personal one-to-one care and support I receive at the centre is wonderful,” she said. “I have been given a course of medication, and guidance to look after my diet and wellbeing.
“I live nearby so having the service
in the community makes it incredibly convenient for appointments. The nurses are always on the end of the phone if I have a question or need advice.”
Cardiac nurse, Cate West, who has been handling Patricia’s care at the centre, said:
“We work with patients to develop a programme of treatment, for example if you suffer from palpitations or chest pains. It is a quicker, more accessible process and patients can expect to be given an appointment within 48 hours of referral from their GP.“
‘One-to-one care and support is wonderful’ A new community cardiac service to help people who suffer from heart problems has been launched to enable residents to receive treatment closer to their homes, rather than having to go to hospital.
Call to access non-emergency NHS healthcare, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.020 8969 7777
The South Westminster Centre
St Georges House, 82 Vincent Square London SW1P 2PF Tel: 020 7963 2444
Diabetes and Cardiac Centre
4B Maida Vale London W9 1SP Tel: 020 7316 1200
The centres are open between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and run by a multi- disciplinary group of health professionals.
Following a referral from your GP, the cardiac service will assess your condition and develop a programme of treatment. All information will be fed back to your GP so they are kept up-to-date with your progress.
The community cardiac services are offered at:
If you are currently receiving treatment for a heart-related condition in hospital, you will soon be redirected to one of the new centres for treatment.
useful tips on keeping your heart healthy can be found on the British Heart Foundation website: www.bhf.org.uk or speak with your GP for help and advice.
•Eatahealthy,well-balanceddietrichwith protein, wholegrain foods and fruit and vegetables (five portions a day).
•Stayactive–physicalexerciseisgoodforyour heart. It helps control your weight, lowers your blood pressure, cholesterol and improves your mental health.
•Avoidsmokingandlimithowmuchalcohol you drink.
•Stress–puttingyourselfunderstresscan have an impact on your heart. Find ways to relax such as physical activity, yoga and reading.
Keep your heart healthy
Patricia Albert
24 The Westminster Reporter
SPRINGEDITION
Westminster Adult Education ServiceWestminster Adult Education Service (WAES) has successfully helped individuals from Westminster and beyond to improve their English, launch a new career, boost their skills for work or pursue a personal interest.
If you want to be part of our success, apply now for courses starting in May.
We offer a range of courses in more than 80 venues across Westminster at days,
times and levels to suit the needs of our learners. Our tutors are dedicated professionals with years of experience in industry and the adult education sector. Whether you want to improve your English, retrain for a new career, pursue a personal interest or build on your existing skills, we can
help. We recognise that learning can be challenging and that’s why we make sure you get all the personal support you need to help you fulfil your ambitions. Whether you’re interested in graphic design, fashion, video, make-up, business or health and social care there is no need to wait until September. Courses will be running in May, but hurry as places are filling fast so apply now.
To contact the Westminster Adult Education Service call 020 7297 7297.020 7297 7297
For more information, visit www.waes.ac.uk or email [email protected] or call 020 7297 7297.
The Westminster Reporter 25
You may not have heard of the Westminster Community Police
Engagement Group, but the work it does has a real impact on the way your local area is policed.
The group is made up of members of the local community, who meet regularly with local police and the police authority to discuss the way the borough is policed and ensure officers are working to tackle the issues that matter to residents.
The group is currently moving from three separate north, south and central Westminster groups into one group focusing on the whole borough and is keen to get involvement from new members.
Jo Weir, Chair of the current Central Westminster Community Police Engagement Group (CPEG), said: “Having one group is the way forward and will be an opportunity for everyone
living in Westminster to come together and have a real impact on the way it is policed.
“We have so much to tell residents and so much on offer. This is the place to make a real difference.
“Come along, have a say and talk to us about the issues that matter to you.”
On the 17th May there will be nominations for a new chair of
the new Westminster CPEG, taking place at 6.30pm at Westminster Council House in Marylebone Road.
Simon Bray, Commander Westminster Borough,
said: “If you have the time, passion
and energy
to make a difference, then you should get involved.
“Our Safer Neighbourhoods Teams work closely with community groups and your involvement is key to making your area safe.”
Shaping the future of policing in WestminsterNow is the time for you to stand up and be counted and have an impact on the future of your community.
There are currently eight safer schools officers dedicated to schools in Westminster. 8
“ Come along, have a say and talk to us about the issues that matter to you.” Jo Weir, Chair of the Central Westminster Community Police Engagement Group
•Influencelocalpolicing•Achancetomakeyour
voice heard•Awaytohelpyour
community
Commander Simon Bray Jo Weir
For further information about the vote on 17th May, contact Julie Etheridge on 020 7641 3258 or email [email protected] or visit www.mpa.gov.uk/partnerships/boroughs/westminster
For more information about your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team visit www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods
What are the benefits of Westminster’s Community Police
Engagement Group?
Bayswater Children’s Centre half-term play scheme
Where: St. Mary of the Angels’ RC School, Shrewsbury Road, W2 5PRWhen: 31st May to 3rd June.Contact: 020 7641 1350Age: 3-7Cost: Please call for details
Cover2cover teen library groupWhat: For anyone interested in talking about books, film or other media.Where: Church Street LibraryWhen: 4th May, 1st June, 6th July. 5pm-6pm.Contact: churchstreetlibrary@ westminster.gov.ukAge: 13-19Cost: Free
Share a book reading groupWhere: Paddington, Maida Vale and Victoria LibrariesWhen: Mondays from 2-3.30pm (Paddington), Wednesdays from 10.30am-12 midday (Maida Vale), Thursdays from 10.30am-12 midday (Victoria).Contact: 020 7641 1300Age: AllCost: Free
BowlingWhat: Keep active and meet new people through bowling. You can hire a set of bowls, no need to bring your own.Where: The Bowling Green at Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale, W9 1PDWhen: The bowling green is open from 8am to 9pm until September.Contact: 020 7641 3642Age: AllCost: £2.40 per hour for non members or £1.50 with a ResCard
Multi-sports campsWhere: St. Augustine’s Sports Centre, Rudolph Road, NW6 5SNWhen: 31st May-3rd June.Contact: 020 7641 3642Age: 5-15Cost: £25 with a Rescard
Adult Education Week open daysWhat: Find out more about Westminster Adult Education Service courses in libraries.Where: Pimlico Library, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT/ Paddington Library, Porchester Road, W2 5DUWhen: 17th May from 2-5pm (Pimlico), 18th May from 1-4pm (Paddington).Contact: 020 7641 1300 or visit westminster.gov.uk/libraries Age: AdultsCost: Free
26 The Westminster Reporter
Athletics track and jumps training including coaching from top athletes
Where: Regent’s Park and Paddington Recreation Ground athletics tracks
When: Mondays from 4.30-6pm (Regent’s Park) and Wednesdays from 4.30-6pm (Pad Rec).
What’s on this spring across WestminsterGet active this spring with lots of free and low-cost activities for all ages from sport
camps to reading groups.
For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/wow or call 020 7641 7929
The Westminster Reporter 27
Get out and aboutwith a car from Westminster Car Club
Join Westminster Car Club and get
£25 FREE drivingJust visit westminster.gov.uk/carclub and quote ‘REPORT25’ to get yours.
You need to be 19+ and meet safe driver standards to join. First year joing fee is £25. Offer not valid in conjunction with other offer or promotion and expires 31/07/2011. * Free parking subject to minimum parking charge and limited to 1 hour per stay. * *See website for details of mileage allowance.
Pay-as-yOu-GO driving
aCCEss to over 100 cars in London and 8,000 worldwide
REsERvE, unLOCk and dRivE any vehicle 24/7/365
FREE Parking in the City of Westminster*
FREE fuel and mileage allowance** per day
CF-67-A
-0211
back pageUseful numbersWestminster City Council
Customer Enquiry Line 020 7641 6000
Website www.westminster.gov.uk
Council tax 0845 302 3400
Environmental Action Line 020 7641 2000 A 24-hour hotline for recycling, refuse collection, street cleansing, abandoned vehicles, noise and other street-related issues such as defects in our roads, pavements and street lighting.
Housing benefit and council tax benefit 0800 072 0042
Housing options 020 7641 1000
Library renewals 020 7641 1400
Parking 020 7823 4567
Planning 020 7641 2513
Registering to vote 020 7641 2730
Senior Passport 020 7641 1444
Social Services 020 7641 7535
PoliceMetropolitan Police non emergency number 0300 123 1212
In an emergency dial 999
To contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods
NHS
NHS Direct 0845 4647
NHS Westminster out-of-hours GP or district nursing 020 8969 7777
NHS Westminster Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) 0800 587 8818
NHS Stop Smoking service 0800 328 8537
Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP
