June 2007

Local Issues

I have spent much of May and June learning more about Social Services and our day care provision for those with special educational needs. It is always very difficult to get a choice of things to do in Central London, as space, logistics and opportunities are limited. The annual meeting of the Borough Community Relations group also focussed on Social Services this year, so that we can listen to local resident's views as users.

Congestion charge

Many of us joined the West London Residents Association and marched in Abingdon Ward against the Congestion Charge extension. This has had a devastating effect on our local shops, particularly specialist shops and splits local communities. This is just another unnecessary tax on Londoners and restricts our freedom to travel.

Devonshire Pub

We had a very interesting local residents meeting, courtesy of Fait Maison, where we discussed issues regarding the number of dogs that can be walked by one person on our narrow streets - the by-law says 2 dogs, but so many representations have been made to the Leader of the Council Merrick Cockell, that this will be reviewed. We also discussed rubbish collection times, and foxes breaking into the bags of litter. There has been particular concern by residents close to the Devonshire Pub in Marloes Road about the rubbish collection times, noisy departures and street drinking. It is hoped that the new management will seek to address these issues and develop a more harmonious relationship with their neighbours.

Planning

Tesco Towers will again come to the Planning Committee shortly, and we are still hoping that this whole scheme will be reviewed. If you wish to make representation, please write to David Prout (the new Director of Planning) at the Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX.

The Odeon Cinema is also due to come to the Planning Committee, and the developers have had several consultations with local residents to modify the scheme to make it more acceptable. However there is still a fierce lobby against losing our local cinema to the alternatives proposed by the developers.

The Council are proceeding with their plans to rebuild Holland Park School, so in due course work will start to construct the new campus. Inevitably this will take several years causing great disruption, but in the end the pupils will get a modern new school.

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