Action Report for Church Street Ward from Westminster Labour Party
Church Street Action Report - January 2026
News from your Church Street Labour Action Team - Fiona Parker & Councillors Matt Noble, Aicha Less & Aziz Toki
It’s been a busy start to 2026 across the ward, but we wanted to begin by sharing some news from December.
Councillor Aziz Toki, Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, and Labour candidate Fiona Parker were delighted to attend the Bangladeshi Victory Day celebrations at Greenside Community Centre hosted by the Community Health and Wellbeing Project and Healthcare Central London. It was a heart-warming occasion, bringing together music, speeches and food, with a strong and welcome focus on health and wellbeing.
We're Here To Help Get in touch if there's something in your street or block that needs action or an issue that we can assist with. We will always do our best to help.
Or drop-in to one of our regular advice surgeries - every Tuesday from 5.30 – 6.30pm at Church Street Library, 67 Church Street, London NW8 8EU.
Please note that Councillors attend the surgery on a rota basis so if you have already contacted a Councillor about an issue, or if you would like to speak to a particular Councillor, please email them directly.
Report It Do you have an issue inChurch Street you want to report, whether illegal waste dumping, abandoned e-bikes or vehicles, pet fouling, street cleaning or anything else? Following the recent cyber attack on the Council's website, use this link to make reports: https://report-it-assistant.westminster.gov.uk/
NEWS, CASEWORK AND ACTION
Westminster’s Labour Council is Taking Tough Action on Anti-Social Behaviour Under Labour, Westminster City Council is taking firm action in Church Street and beyond to tackle street crime and persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) and make our neighbourhoods safer.
For the first time, we are planning to expand the use of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) beyond Victoria to crime hot spots across the borough. These new powers give the Police and City Inspectors greater powers to act quickly where ASB is causing harm and disruption for residents, tackling issues such as aggressive behaviour, public urination and open drug use.
Councillor Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, who’s also Councillor for Church Street said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected where they live. We’re taking decisive action to tackle the behaviours that blight our communities.”
Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and can lead to an on-the-spot fine of £100 or prosecution.
These measures build on our wider investment in safer streets. We have doubled the number of CCTV cameras to more than 200 after the previous Conservative administration switched off the entire networkand invested £3 million in a dedicated team of nine police officers to work alongside our strengthened team of City Inspectors.
Together, these actions are helping to create safer, cleaner and more welcoming public spaces for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Don't Miss Out - Make Sure Of Your Vote! With the Council elections coming up this year on Thursday 7 May, make sure you are registered to vote - especially if you have moved recently or if you'll be having your 18th birthday soon.
Registering to vote only takes five minutes online here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You'll need your National Insurance Number to hand. You can also apply for a postal voteat the same time as you register. Postal votes are great if there's any chance you won't be able to vote in person due to work, away at college, caring responsibilities etc.
If you are already registered and would like to apply for a postal vote, just go to:https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote Again, you'll need your National Insurance Number to hand.
If you have any queries about registering to vote or postal votes contact Electoral Services at the Council. Email: electoralservices@westminster.gov.uk Telephone: 020 7641 2730 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
New Creative Studios in Lisson Grove
We had an exciting preview of the Labour Council’s new mixed-use Creative Hub at Lisson Grove due to open at the end of this month. Designed by the award-winning Brown Urbanism and operated by Arbeit Studios (who also run the Triangle Studios)the space comprises 38 studios for creatives ranging from designers to fine artists, to fashion designers and IT start-ups.
It will also include 30 fully accessible desks for wheelchair-users, an art gallery, cafe, community kiln and dance and yoga studio.
New Green Skills Innovation Centre at WAES Westminster Labour is backing the new Green Skills Innovation Centre at WAES (Westminster Adult Education Services)to help Church Street residents gain the skills and confidence they need for the green jobs of the future.
Labour candidate Fiona Parker visited the Centre’s new facilities at the Lisson Grove site, where students can train in solar installation, domestic retrofit, and digital and green technologies, using industry-standard tools such as AutoCAD and BIM.
At a time when Conservatives are back-tracking on support for green jobs and climate action, Labour is investing in real opportunities for local people. New national funding will deliver accredited PAS 2035 retrofit qualifications - supporting secure work, lower energy bills and a greener Westminster.
New London Tigers’ Radio Control Car Club The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, officially launched London Tigers’ new Radio Control Car Club at Fourth Feathers Youth Club. Funded through the Church Street Ward Budget, the club gives young people hands-on experience of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in action - exploring energy, motion and speed by building and racing RC cars.
The club is part of the Tigers’ weekly STEM programme, running every Wednesday from 6–8pm at Lilestone Community Hub.
Westminster Council - 5th Biggest Council House-Builder in the UK Westminster’s Labour Council has been recognised by Inside Housing as the 5th biggest council house-builder in the country, delivering social rent homes in one of the most expensive and complex places to build in the UK.
Since gaining control of the Council in 2022, Labour has prioritised genuinely affordable housing, switching 353 homes to social rent and securing £120 million from the Mayor of London to build more. This progress stands in stark contrast to the previous Conservative administration which prioritised private sale, letting developers dodge obligations and turning down funding for affordable homes.
New Community Equality Strategy Labour-run Westminster Council has launched its new Community Equality Strategy, shaped directly by the people who live here. More than 1,000 residents helped co-produce the strategy, sharing lived experience to make sure it reflects real life, not abstract policy.
It sets out clear actions to improve access to services, remove barriers, strengthen accountability and build trust across communities. This is about putting people at the heart of decision-making, listening to residents and building a fairer, more inclusive Westminster together.
REGENERATION NEWS The need for more council homes in Westminster grows ever more urgent. There are more than 7,000 households on the waiting list for council homes in the borough, including around 600 in Church Street. Many families are currently living in overcrowded and unsuitable temporary accommodation.
To help meet this demand, Labour-led Westminster City Council is working with the Lisson Green and Church Street community on the Lisson Grove Programme. The programme will deliver 300 new homes, new green spaces, and a Health and Wellbeing Hub on Lilestone and Orchardson Street.
More than 300 residents and local organisations have already shared their views, with 79% supporting the plans for more affordable homes. We’ve listened carefully to feedback - reducing the height of some buildings, spreading homes more evenly across the site, and protecting and improving green spaces and play areas.
Final plans will be presented soon, but there is still time to have your say.
The demolition of Site A is now complete, with construction now starting on 430 new homes, a new library, improved facilities for market traders, and a vibrant new public space.
Planning for Sites B and C continues, with Church Street residents of all ages taking part in a detailed co-design process. This has already led to improvements including better daylight and sunlight, more space between buildings, and new community spaces.
The Church Street Westminster Employment Team is based there Monday to Thursday, 9am–5pm.
Cleaning Up Green Spaces in Church Street Residents have raised concerns about persistent littering in Broadley Street Gardens and along the green spine, including discarded nitrous oxide canisters and drink cans. Further issues have been reported around the Lisson Green estateand the park outside the Greenside Community Centre.
We have asked for these well-used green areas to be cleaned as a matter of priority and will continue to press for regular maintenance to keep the Church Street neighbourhood clean and welcoming.
Parking in Bedlow Close A resident in Bedlow Close reported difficulties with parking outside their home after parking control was transferred directly to Westminster City Council. We are supporting the resident with a petition to restore a parking system that works for residents.
Broken Lift in Hunstanton House A resident at Hunstanton House reported that a lift had been out of order since before Christmas. We escalated the issue with council officers, and the lift has now been repaired.
Safer Neighbourhood Team Working with stakeholders, including the police, local businesses and residents, Church Street’s Safer Neighbourhood Team meet every quarter to discuss the area’s most pressing concerns. It represents a great opportunity to raise issues with the local police and council officers. If you are interested and would like to join please contact the chair, Glenys Arthur atglenysarthur616@gmail.com
Lilestone Street Community Hub at 4 Lilestone Street The Hub offers a full programme of health and wellbeing services, advice sessions and cultural activities ranging from the Arabic Community Choir to a Men’s Musical Jam. Click here to find out more.
Church Street Library Our local library also has plenty of regular activities for children and young people, including Chess Club, Lego Club and a Games Club. Click here to to find out more.
The Cockpit Theatre The Theatre alsohas a full programme of events including theatre, jazz and opera, while also serving as a creative hub for the community. For more information go towww.thecockpit.org.uk/
FREE yoga classes
Free yoga for men and women Mondays 7.30pm-8.45pm
FreeYoga for women only on Tuesday's, 10.30am-11.45am
Studio 1, Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH. Classes funded by Westminster Community Priorities Programme
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USEFUL INFORMATION
Pension Credit If you’re over State Pension Age and on a low income you may be entitled to Pension Credit to help with living costs. It is separate from the State Pension. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as service charges and you may get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. You may be able to get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Rent Help For Council Tenants To help Council tenants who do not qualify for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, the Council is continuing the Rent Support Fund to help those in financial difficulties. Click here.
Refuse and Recycling Collection Click the links below for more information about refuse and recycling services.
