Aaah, there must be an election coming ...

Ken has his hand in your pocket again

Our useless Mayor published his budget proposals today and he is yet again trying to take more of your money - his share of the council tax in 08/09 will rise by 2.4% to £311.17 for an average Band D property. That's another £7.29 being taken from the pockets of hard-working Westminster taxpayers by a Mayor who just doesn't seem to get that people are being taxed too much.

Since Ken took office in 2000 the Mayoral precept has increased by 253%.

Still, at least it's lower than his 5.3% rise last year (or the 13.3% rise the year before that). Of course that couldn't possibly be a cynical ploy just three months before an election he might just lose ...

Time's up Ken.

Lee

Oak Tree House Security Improvements

Last night I attended a meeting at the Maida Centre for residents of Oak Tree House to discuss improvements to security in the property.

Starting on Monday the old (and insecure) entrance door to the property will be replaced with a self-closing and much sturdier new system. In addition, as part of the upgrade, new intercoms will be fitted to all properties with extended features highlighting when the door is open and with the option to disable calls (for nightime or shiftworkers, for example).

Oak Tree House is a lovely property just off Shirland Road which has suffered from incidents of anti-social behaviour. We have raised this issue a number of times in recent years with CityWest Homes and we are very glad that they have listened to residents regarding the need to improve security.

The works are due to complete by 16th February.

Lee

Improvements to parking in Westminster

This week Westminster Council is announcing a number of changes to parking enforcement, following consultation with local residents. As everyone agrees, parking is often a difficult area - and getting the balance right on the issue is often challenging. As a result, the Council is implementing a number of common sense measures from 31 January onwards. They are:

• that no penalty notice will be issued to vehicles displaying a permit in a suspended bay during the first two days of suspension - we know that it is often not easy for residents to check their car everyday, particularly if they don't use it during the week or go away for a few days. As a result, no penalty notices will be issued during the first 2 days of a suspension - instead the Council will attempt to contact residents by phone or relocate the vehicle.
• 5 minutes grace period for resident permit holders in their own zone to unload or pick up passengers
• introducing a suspensions hotline (7 823 4567) - where residents can report instances where suspension signs are in place but no activity is taking place
• returning suspended bays back to use as soon as the activity has completed

Each of these changes will, it is hoped, make a real difference for local residents.

If you have an issue with parking - or have been issued with a ticket which you think unfair - please let us know. We would be very happy to help.

Lee

Grimebusters: 21 January

In the last couple of weeks we have reported:

• Elgin Avenue: graffiti on the parking meters opposite to Wymering Road
• Lauderdale Road: graffiti and flyposting on the parking meters near to the Spanish & Portuguese synagogue
• Lanark Road: an abandoned car in the car park opposite Dundee House and the dumping of a fridge and other items close by
• Randolph Gardens: rubbish dumped closed to Torridon House

If you spot any graffiti or dumping, please do let us know and we will get it sorted.

Grimebusters: Making Maida Vale a cleaner and nicer place!

Lee

Update from Maida Vale Police Team

The Maida Vale Safer Neighbourhoods Team have provided another update on their current activities:

• Motor Vehicle Crime: operation was conducted at the end of 2007 where a decoy car was placed in strategic areas under surveillance. Officers continue to be proactive in crime prevention advice, placing advice cards on windscreens and seeking out the names and addresses of people who leave obvious valuables on display within their vehicles.
• Paddington Rec: A welcome and noticeable reduction in direct low-level anti-social behaviour has been noted in recent months. Police wait to see whether this is seasonal or a permanent improvement. Impact statements continue to be gathered from the public in the meantime.
• Westminster College: Police attended an open day at the college to discuss behaviour with students - but the college remains relatively quiet and there have been no incidents of note since the beginning of the new academic year.
• St. Augustine's Car Boot fair: Police are currently undertaking an operation to address some illegal trading in the streets and to prevent any illegal activities taking place. Warnings have been issued and incidents are being photographed and filmed.

Lee

REJOICE

According to the latest works schedule, THAMES WATER HAVE ONLY ONE ROAD LEFT TO INCONVENIENCE IN MAIDA VALE!

Soon we will be free!

Lee

Satellite TV Works

CityWest Homes have sent us the text of a letter which will be going out in the next few weeks and months to all tenants and leaseholders in Maida Vale. The letter gives introductory information about the switchover to digital TV, in readiness for the switching off of the current analogue signal in four years time.

The new system will allow residents to choose to purchase either Sky or Freeview, and will also offer access to Astra 2 and Hotbird satellites.

A programme of installation is being worked up in conjunction with the Estate Office to ensure that all tenants and leaseholders in Maida Vale have access to digital television before the 2012 switch-off.

At a CityWest area committee meeting a few months ago I asked for assurances that the new digital tv structures would ensure that unsightly satellite dishes could be progressively removed from Maida Vale estates. The Estate Office continues to try to enforce in blocks (such as Torridon House) where communal satellite facilities already exist.

If you'd like further information on the switch-over, or to discuss what these works mean for you, please don't hesitate to get in touch (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com)

Lee

Alastair's Surgery Next Tuesday

Alastair will be holding his surgery next Tuesday (15 January) between 7 and 8pm in the Maida Centre, Lanark Road.

Please do come along if we can be of any help.

Alastair