You can now save £10 by renewing your residents parking permit online. The new streamlined online parking permit system is live and we're keen to encourage people to use it.
The changes to our parking permits system also bring a saving of £300,000 to the local taxpayer. The new system is also simplified with fewer permit lengths and types on offer.
Residents who want to apply or renew their parking permits in person or pay in cash can still come in to the St Pancras Way Environment Local or visit the Town Hall cashiers. They can also contact the Council by telephone, post or fax.
Residents can now also apply for "permission to park permits" fully online. There is no longer the need to provide any proof of work, so now you just complete the application, making payment and printing off the permit when it’s needed.
As part of these changes, and following quite a fall in visitor numbers, The "Environment Local" offices in Kilburn and Hampstead will be closing on 26 June. We are always looking at how to improve value for money for residents, and this means being ready to respond to changing needs. Camden first introduced an internet self service option for permit renewals in 2007 and since then it has been improved and expanded. Many more residents are now using the internet or telephone when contacting Camden, and of course PCs with internet access are available free of charge at all Camden libraries, with staff are available to help customers get online.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Douglas & Olive Waite houses, 77-79 Priory Rd planning application
A new planning application has been lodged for the redevelopment of this site and Camden have started their consultation. If for any reason Camden have not consulted you and you want to comment, go to the Camden website www.camden.gov.uk, click on planning and follow the links for this application. The number is 2009/1534/P and you need to comment by the 6th May. Alternatively email Andrew Marshall at andrew.marshall@camden.gov.uk and he will email you the link. We have this week urged further notices to be put up by Camden planners in Woodchurch Rd, which had been missed out.
Based on an initial review of the planning documents, both Andrew Marshall and Don Williams continue to consider the bulk and size of the new application to be inappropriate for this site and are planning to work alongside local residents to oppose it. If this application is reccomended by Camden's Planning Officers, this will go to the Development Control Committee for decision making. The previous application was of course not recommended for approval by Camden's Planning Officers, and so did not go to this Committee.
While the proposal has some improvements on the previous scheme, the proposal to our thinking is still inappropriate for a conservation area. For me, the key issue is that while the current building has some limited five storey element, the proposed design is consistently taller looking from Woodchurch than the present building, while looking from Priory the evelation with the attic storey (which is only marginally set back) is higher than the adjoining buildings. This is all no doubt partly because the proposal includes a bedroom increase from 86 to 104, so roughly 20%. increase. In addition there is some slight sunlight loss, particularly affecting West End Court on the Priory corner. Looking from Woodchurch, there is also the point that the building is much closer than the present one to the road - we would lose the 'front garden' which for many people is what makes a modernist building acceptable in a Victorian conservation area.
We do recognise that residents in the houses themselves have divided views on the scheme and on the approach social landlord Octavia should be adopting. Clearly there have been some changes from the previous scheme that was rightly turned down by Camden, but it doesn't seem to Don Williams and I as councillors (Roger Freeman needs to reserve his position for now as chair of the Development Control Committee) that this has gone far enough. Please let us know what you think, and we look forward to working with residents and amenity groups to oppose this when it comes to full committee in a few weeks (probably late June/July).
Based on an initial review of the planning documents, both Andrew Marshall and Don Williams continue to consider the bulk and size of the new application to be inappropriate for this site and are planning to work alongside local residents to oppose it. If this application is reccomended by Camden's Planning Officers, this will go to the Development Control Committee for decision making. The previous application was of course not recommended for approval by Camden's Planning Officers, and so did not go to this Committee.
While the proposal has some improvements on the previous scheme, the proposal to our thinking is still inappropriate for a conservation area. For me, the key issue is that while the current building has some limited five storey element, the proposed design is consistently taller looking from Woodchurch than the present building, while looking from Priory the evelation with the attic storey (which is only marginally set back) is higher than the adjoining buildings. This is all no doubt partly because the proposal includes a bedroom increase from 86 to 104, so roughly 20%. increase. In addition there is some slight sunlight loss, particularly affecting West End Court on the Priory corner. Looking from Woodchurch, there is also the point that the building is much closer than the present one to the road - we would lose the 'front garden' which for many people is what makes a modernist building acceptable in a Victorian conservation area.
We do recognise that residents in the houses themselves have divided views on the scheme and on the approach social landlord Octavia should be adopting. Clearly there have been some changes from the previous scheme that was rightly turned down by Camden, but it doesn't seem to Don Williams and I as councillors (Roger Freeman needs to reserve his position for now as chair of the Development Control Committee) that this has gone far enough. Please let us know what you think, and we look forward to working with residents and amenity groups to oppose this when it comes to full committee in a few weeks (probably late June/July).
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Guinness Court, St Edmunds Terrace redevelopment
Camden's Planning Officers have recommended the plans submitted for the redevelopment of Guinness Court for approval as per the plans submitted, ie the Officers have not requested/suggested any modifications. Cllr Don Williams and I consider this application serious overdevelopment and will be opposing it. The building is too dense, too big and too close to neighbouring buildings. Moreover the parking places proposed are inadequate given the distance from public transport and the local parking pressures in Broxwood Way.
This will be coming to the Development Control Committee on Thursday May 14. This is held at Camden Town Hall, Judd St and starts at 7pm; at this time there is no way of knowing at what stage of the meeting it will be heard. The agenda for the meeting with the Officer's report will be on Camden's website as of Wednesday evening May 6. To access it go to www.camden.gov.uk then go to the following links:
council and democracy
Decision Making
Diary of Council Meetings
Scroll to May 14 and press A and the report will be at the bottom.
We know that residents will want to make representations to the Committee with comments on the Officer's Report. You will find when you download the Agenda at the top very clear instructions as to how to do this and also the format of the meeting which you may find useful.
In a nutshell if you want to send in a written comment this has to be received by the Clerk to the Committee by noon on Wednesday May 13th. The email is DC@camden.gov.uk.If you want to speak to the Committee you need to so inform the Clerk by noon on Tuesday May 12 with a detailed statement of the issues to be raised. It is important to note that the total time allocated to all people objecting to the Officer's recommendations is five minutes - different groups are encouraged to work together.
I am aware already that Avenue Close residents have got a professional advisor on board to help put the strongest case, and there will be a meeting on Sunday 10th May which he and Cllr Andrew Marshall will be attending - if you would like to know more, please contact Andrew who will put you in touch. As your Ward Councillor Andrew has the separate right to address the committee with his concerns and will be doing this.
Also note that Roger Freeman chairs this Committee; given his quasi judicial position he can't discuss the merits or otherwise of this application in advance and needs to vote on his interpretation of the planning issues.
This will be coming to the Development Control Committee on Thursday May 14. This is held at Camden Town Hall, Judd St and starts at 7pm; at this time there is no way of knowing at what stage of the meeting it will be heard. The agenda for the meeting with the Officer's report will be on Camden's website as of Wednesday evening May 6. To access it go to www.camden.gov.uk then go to the following links:
council and democracy
Decision Making
Diary of Council Meetings
Scroll to May 14 and press A and the report will be at the bottom.
We know that residents will want to make representations to the Committee with comments on the Officer's Report. You will find when you download the Agenda at the top very clear instructions as to how to do this and also the format of the meeting which you may find useful.
In a nutshell if you want to send in a written comment this has to be received by the Clerk to the Committee by noon on Wednesday May 13th. The email is DC@camden.gov.uk.If you want to speak to the Committee you need to so inform the Clerk by noon on Tuesday May 12 with a detailed statement of the issues to be raised. It is important to note that the total time allocated to all people objecting to the Officer's recommendations is five minutes - different groups are encouraged to work together.
I am aware already that Avenue Close residents have got a professional advisor on board to help put the strongest case, and there will be a meeting on Sunday 10th May which he and Cllr Andrew Marshall will be attending - if you would like to know more, please contact Andrew who will put you in touch. As your Ward Councillor Andrew has the separate right to address the committee with his concerns and will be doing this.
Also note that Roger Freeman chairs this Committee; given his quasi judicial position he can't discuss the merits or otherwise of this application in advance and needs to vote on his interpretation of the planning issues.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Car clubs continue to grow
This week Camden agreed 18 more car clubs spaces around the borough, including one in Swiss Cottage on Boundary Rd (this used to be a single yellow area). Overall there are now over 4,000 people using car clubs in Camden, up from only 2,000 two years ago. It really does fulfil a need and the flexibility is proving very attractive. The Council plans to keep increasing car clubs bays - essentially we respond when the three operators we have in the borough identify an area with a gap.Obviously there are issues around parking spaces, which is why we consult carefully and we want to use single yellow lines, or P&D, rather than residents bays wherever possible. Car club bays remain a tiny fraction of total residents bays - what is important is we listen to residents and keep a balance.
Here is more council information on car clubs
and here is a searchable map on local car club bays, displayed above to show the coverage we've got in the immediate Swiss Cottage area.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Barrow Hill reservoir development refused by Camden
Excellent news, this terrible application which would have scarred Primrose Hill has been refused by Camden. Well done to the Friends of Regents Park and Primrose Hill who organised a highly effective campaign to stimulate objections. Of course, there may be an appeal, but good news for today at least.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
New Roadworks code of conduct
Boris's new streetworks code of conduct is hugely to be welcomed - with the utility companies promising to label roadworks clearly with anticipated end dates, and a new website for the public to report on roadworks with no apparent activity going on. In London there are 300,000 streetworks each year, with some roads being dug up hundreds of times. The utilities have very considerable leeway under legislation, so let's hope this code of conduct does make a difference. If anyone wants to complain about unattended streetworks in this area, they can also drop a line to us as ward councillors and we'll take it up.
Friday, 17 April 2009
New scheme for helping council tenants into home ownership
Camden is taking part in a Social Homebuy scheme which provides new opportunities for council tenants who cannot afford to buy their property outright.
Council tenants will be able to buy a share – as little as 25% - of their home and pay rent on the share they don’t own. They can then buy more as and when they can. A key point is that unlike other shared ownership schemes tenants can receive a discount of up to £16,000 off the price of their home.
This has got to be good news in Swiss Cottage and across Camden - we are one of the most socially polarised boroughs in the country, thanks to very high property prices. Creating more mixed communities where more people have some ownership in their homes is a really important priority, and this is a small but useful step on the way. Let's see how this works over the next year or two.
Council tenants will be able to buy a share – as little as 25% - of their home and pay rent on the share they don’t own. They can then buy more as and when they can. A key point is that unlike other shared ownership schemes tenants can receive a discount of up to £16,000 off the price of their home.
This has got to be good news in Swiss Cottage and across Camden - we are one of the most socially polarised boroughs in the country, thanks to very high property prices. Creating more mixed communities where more people have some ownership in their homes is a really important priority, and this is a small but useful step on the way. Let's see how this works over the next year or two.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
New crime figures for Swiss Cottage ward
Met Police crime figures for Swiss Cottage ward are now available here. They compare rolling 12 month crimes per 1,000 population for the year to March 2009, compared with the year to March 2008.
What do they tell us?
The most telling trend is in burglaries: 17.4 per 1,000 population in the last year (bang on the Camden average). This is however up from 12.8 in the previous year (Camden was 19.3). So burglaries have got up in Swiss Cottage, while down in Camden. The London average is around 13.
So this shows that our Safer Neighbourhoods partnership is absolutely right to get our hardworking Police team to focus on burglaries, as well as motor crime and ASB in the Finchley Rd area.
On theft and handling, Swiss Cottage is at 48.5 compared with 73.4 for Camden as a whole, but again the trend is up slightly in our ward compared with a slight downward trend in Camden.
Drugs offences are much much lower in Swiss Cottage than the Camden average - 4.6 compared with 20.6. The Camden figure is noticeably up on 13.3 in the previous year, Swiss Cottage is very slightly upwards. Camden figures are double the London average, which won't be a great surprise. London average crime figures are of little direct interest to our concerns as they include outer London suburbs with very different characteristics.
Trends in ward-level crime figures needed to be treated carefully, as we're talking about a relatively small area and relatively small numbers of incidents can skew the figures. But there is some cause for concern here, and it shows the importance of keeping fighting to ensure relatively "low crime" areas like Swiss Cottage get a decent share of policing resources. Food for thought for the next meeting of the Swiss Cottage SNP meeting on the 15th June (7pm at the Crossfield Centre).
What do they tell us?
The most telling trend is in burglaries: 17.4 per 1,000 population in the last year (bang on the Camden average). This is however up from 12.8 in the previous year (Camden was 19.3). So burglaries have got up in Swiss Cottage, while down in Camden. The London average is around 13.
So this shows that our Safer Neighbourhoods partnership is absolutely right to get our hardworking Police team to focus on burglaries, as well as motor crime and ASB in the Finchley Rd area.
On theft and handling, Swiss Cottage is at 48.5 compared with 73.4 for Camden as a whole, but again the trend is up slightly in our ward compared with a slight downward trend in Camden.
Drugs offences are much much lower in Swiss Cottage than the Camden average - 4.6 compared with 20.6. The Camden figure is noticeably up on 13.3 in the previous year, Swiss Cottage is very slightly upwards. Camden figures are double the London average, which won't be a great surprise. London average crime figures are of little direct interest to our concerns as they include outer London suburbs with very different characteristics.
Trends in ward-level crime figures needed to be treated carefully, as we're talking about a relatively small area and relatively small numbers of incidents can skew the figures. But there is some cause for concern here, and it shows the importance of keeping fighting to ensure relatively "low crime" areas like Swiss Cottage get a decent share of policing resources. Food for thought for the next meeting of the Swiss Cottage SNP meeting on the 15th June (7pm at the Crossfield Centre).
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Red light left turns for cyclists? - I'm not yet convinced
I'm seeing Boris Johnson on Thursday - a formal meeting with a Camden delegation where we'll be talking about things we can work together on, particularly in terms of improving the urban realm and streetscapes in the borough, improving safety and stimulating the economy.
I've been impressed, as many people have, by Boris's ability to work with local boroughs regardless of party - this is such a change from the previous mayor.
I am not however convinced yet by Boris's proposal today the cyclists should be allowed to turn left on a red light. I do realise that there have been some horrific deaths involving cyclists and lorries recently. But I also see some cyclists every day endangering pedestrians by racing across junctions while the lights are still red. I suspect if a left turn was allowed, it would make it even more difficult to enforce the other rules of the road on cyclists, including not jumping red lights to go straight ahead.
This change would need primary legislation, so it won't happen soon. I am open to persuasion on this, but I do think we need to hear from a wide range of views, including for example the elderly who are often most harassed by aggressive speedy cyclists.
I'll let you how we get on with Boris this week.
I've been impressed, as many people have, by Boris's ability to work with local boroughs regardless of party - this is such a change from the previous mayor.
I am not however convinced yet by Boris's proposal today the cyclists should be allowed to turn left on a red light. I do realise that there have been some horrific deaths involving cyclists and lorries recently. But I also see some cyclists every day endangering pedestrians by racing across junctions while the lights are still red. I suspect if a left turn was allowed, it would make it even more difficult to enforce the other rules of the road on cyclists, including not jumping red lights to go straight ahead.
This change would need primary legislation, so it won't happen soon. I am open to persuasion on this, but I do think we need to hear from a wide range of views, including for example the elderly who are often most harassed by aggressive speedy cyclists.
I'll let you how we get on with Boris this week.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Business being conducted on Fairfax Rd?
A couple of people have asked me who are the people - mostly East European - who sit outside every evening with a table and chairs on Fairfax Road, often on their mobiles.
Well, it seems they are simply the delivery riders for the Chinese restaurant. Nobody has complained to us about them so far, but we'd be interested to hear from anyone living in the street. Technically of course no business should be sticking a table and chairs out on the pavement each night without a license, but the question is really whether it's doing anyone any harm. Particularly in the current climate, we don't want to be harassing local businesses without good reason. But we'll be interested to hear other views on this.
Well, it seems they are simply the delivery riders for the Chinese restaurant. Nobody has complained to us about them so far, but we'd be interested to hear from anyone living in the street. Technically of course no business should be sticking a table and chairs out on the pavement each night without a license, but the question is really whether it's doing anyone any harm. Particularly in the current climate, we don't want to be harassing local businesses without good reason. But we'll be interested to hear other views on this.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Tackling littering around SC tube station
I'm delighted to see some effective action recently by council staff on littering around Swiss Cottage tube station, especially in relation to cigarette butts.
The council team handed out portable cigarette butt pouches and pointed out where smokers can bin their butts and empty packets responsibly. Over two days (30-31) in March they also issued 41 warning letters and one fixed penalty notice for littering. In addition, advice and guidance was given to businesses who placed waste out before the collection times, creating a mess and blocking pavements.
Generally when I looked the other day, the area at the top of Belsize Road by the tube station is tidier than for some time, after we asked street environment officers to really focus on it. The blue structure that relates to tube contractors is not something the council has much control over, but there does seem to be progress on litter and street cleaning in this spot.
The council team handed out portable cigarette butt pouches and pointed out where smokers can bin their butts and empty packets responsibly. Over two days (30-31) in March they also issued 41 warning letters and one fixed penalty notice for littering. In addition, advice and guidance was given to businesses who placed waste out before the collection times, creating a mess and blocking pavements.
Generally when I looked the other day, the area at the top of Belsize Road by the tube station is tidier than for some time, after we asked street environment officers to really focus on it. The blue structure that relates to tube contractors is not something the council has much control over, but there does seem to be progress on litter and street cleaning in this spot.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Recession help for council leaseholders
Camden Council’s Executive has agreed financial help for Council leaseholders, those who bought their home under ‘right to buy’ and are facing financial difficulties as a result of the recession. When the Council carries out major capital works on its properties, leaseholders have to cover the costs under the terms of their lease, and these can be very substantial bills. Leaseholders will now be able to borrow money from the Council at reduced interest rates to help pay their service charges for capital works. The interest rate charged will be 3.93%, a reduction from the previous rate of 6.36%.
We also agreed that leaseholders owing more than £10,000 in charges for capital works could seek to defer payment for up to 12 months, interest free if they have experienced a significant change in their financial circumstances.
The Council is also exploring incentives for leaseholders to put savings aside for future major capital works bills, even though a formal sinking fund is not permitted by legislation in this situation.
We also agreed that leaseholders owing more than £10,000 in charges for capital works could seek to defer payment for up to 12 months, interest free if they have experienced a significant change in their financial circumstances.
The Council is also exploring incentives for leaseholders to put savings aside for future major capital works bills, even though a formal sinking fund is not permitted by legislation in this situation.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Action on dog fouling
Some good news on this issue after we raised it some weeks ago. Senior street environment officers surveyed Swiss Cottage ward on Wednesday 25 March, and identified locations for additional dog bins. Some extra bins have been ordered and the council expects delivery and installation of these within the next two weeks.
In addition, some new larger "no dog fouling" signs have been installed this week, which are much more prominent than previous signs (see comparison above).
Council officers have already delivered a number of dog control leaflets to problem areas around the ward, including residents in Belsize Road and Aberdare Gardens.
In terms of follow up enforcement action, council officers will be targeting problem areas and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to any irresponsible dog owners failing to clear up after their dog. The patrols will be carried out early evening and early morning with council teams accompanied by police officers from the local SNT. The council will continue to target dog fouling hotspots across the borough throughout the spring and into early summer.
This is no doubt not an easy issue as it must rely on education and the responsibility of dog owners - enforcement certainly can't sort this on its own. Please continue to let your councillors know how bad the problem is in your street.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Jubilee lines closures this summer
I've just grasped the extent of this summer's weekend closures on the Jubilee line. The line will be closed from Stanmore to Waterloo most weekends from June.
I must say that TfL hasn't done a great job of informing me as a local councillor about these closures. I suspect there was some information hidden in the middle of a monthly TfL newsletter we get as councillors, but as far as I recall no clearly labelled email specifically about these closures.
Anyway, the issue now is to mitigate as far as we can the impact of these closures, both on residents and on businesses in and near the tube stations. I am going to ask a public question at the next full council meeting on the 20th to cover the following:
- what is the planned frequency and proposed timetable for the bus replacement service? (which are never terribly effective)
- what is the position about compensation from TfL for any businesses within the tube station? (such as the newsagents in Swiss Cottage station?
- what other advice or support can Camden Council give these businesses?
- at Swiss Cottage station, which doubles as an underpass, there will be less pedestrian activity in the station - are the police involved in ensuring extra safety measures during these weekends?
Finchley Road tube station and the businesses around it will be less affected, given the fact it's also got the Metropolitan line. But businesses around Kilburn, West Hampstead and Swiss Cottage, and St Johns Wood, will certainly be affected.
I must say that TfL hasn't done a great job of informing me as a local councillor about these closures. I suspect there was some information hidden in the middle of a monthly TfL newsletter we get as councillors, but as far as I recall no clearly labelled email specifically about these closures.
Anyway, the issue now is to mitigate as far as we can the impact of these closures, both on residents and on businesses in and near the tube stations. I am going to ask a public question at the next full council meeting on the 20th to cover the following:
- what is the planned frequency and proposed timetable for the bus replacement service? (which are never terribly effective)
- what is the position about compensation from TfL for any businesses within the tube station? (such as the newsagents in Swiss Cottage station?
- what other advice or support can Camden Council give these businesses?
- at Swiss Cottage station, which doubles as an underpass, there will be less pedestrian activity in the station - are the police involved in ensuring extra safety measures during these weekends?
Finchley Road tube station and the businesses around it will be less affected, given the fact it's also got the Metropolitan line. But businesses around Kilburn, West Hampstead and Swiss Cottage, and St Johns Wood, will certainly be affected.
UPDATE 6/4 - I've just spoken to the station supervisor at Swiss Cottage. The subway will almost certainly remain open throughout the closures, with staff onsite to sell tickets and supervise the station. The newsagent apparently receives some retrospective reduction in rent for days the tube line isn't running. The gain from the works this summer will be an increase in Jubilee line frequency from 24 to 36 trains an hour, which should make a major impact on the service and comfort passengers receive. I'll keep people posted on further info on this.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Tesco Belsize Road flags
We've taken this up with Camden planning officers. The Council granted advert consent to Tesco in August 2008 for the standard fascia and projecting signs, but it has not granted advert consent for flags. Use of the Union Flag or other national flags don't need consent, but Tesco's flags do. Officers have therefore opened an enforcement case; we will keep people informed of progress.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Supersave, Fairfax Road License Review
My two ward councillor colleagues and I have reiterated our deep concerns about the activities of Supersave.
After concerns were expressed to us by local residents about whether or not Supersave was acting in accordance with the terms and conditions of the license, we arranged last September for a visit by Licensing Enforcement Officers, who found infractions on two occasions.
Furthermore, as has been well explained by the Managing Agents for the flats upstairs, there has long been considerable disturbance from drinkers in the immediate vicinity of Supersave. We three councillors are anxious to have a resolution of this issue before the summer.
After concerns were expressed to us by local residents about whether or not Supersave was acting in accordance with the terms and conditions of the license, we arranged last September for a visit by Licensing Enforcement Officers, who found infractions on two occasions.
Furthermore, as has been well explained by the Managing Agents for the flats upstairs, there has long been considerable disturbance from drinkers in the immediate vicinity of Supersave. We three councillors are anxious to have a resolution of this issue before the summer.
Unemployed to get half price local travel
A very sensible move from Transport for London - half price travel on buses for those who have been on Jobseeker's Allowance for 13 weeks or more. It should be really helpful to people going to job interviews with very limited income. I guess not extending this to the tubes may be because of the capacity constraints on the tube system.
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