Proposed Changes to Recycling Service in Camden

Camden Council plans to change its recycling service to enable residents to place all their dry recycling (glass, cans, plastics and paper etc.) into one container, rather than multiple boxes and bags and, where appropriate, offer wheelie bins to residents.

Evidence from authorities that have introduced wheelie bins shows that recycling significantly increases. Similar schemes across the country, from a wide variety of authorities, have resulted in significant increases in recycling rates. Through these service changes Camden hopes to drive recycling rates up to 40% and beyond by 2020, reducing both the cost and the carbon impact of the service
As part of these changes, an assessment of properties suitable for wheelie bins was undertaken earlier this year with approximately 20,000 households regarded as having enough space for the wheelie bins which consists of most street properties north of Euston Road. The residents of these households will receive a questionnaire this week asking them for their preferences as well as more general information about recycling. This information will help the Council when ordering the containers and the way to provide communication and engagement work in the future.

The introduction of wheelie bins is a key tool for Camden to increase the amount that is recycled and reduce rising waste disposal costs. As well as the questionnaire there will also be a number of roadshows where residents will be able to see the wheelie bins for themselves and ask officers any questions about the recycling service changes.

The roadshow is coming to West Hampstead Library on 2nd November from 11.30am to 2pm.

The questionnaire, FAQ’s and other relevant information is available at https://consultations.wearecamden.org/communications-strategy-improvement/recyclingchanges/consult_view.

If residents have any concerns about the new arrangements, please contact your local Ward Councillors.

Farmers Market hailed a great success

After four sunny Saturday's, the West Hampstead Farmers' Market has proved a great addition to the area.  Launched on 22nd September 2012 and open every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, the market offers a wide range of produce that is not normally available in a city.  Meat, fish, pies, game, eggs, vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread and cakes, pasta and flowers all tempt shoppers.  London Farmers' Markets say it was their most successful launch to date and well worth the three year wait to fnally come to West Hampstead.  Their survey of shows that most of the shoppers are local residents.  But it is wise to shop early, as many stalls sell out well before closing time.

Shops and cafes in West End Lane and in the local streets have said that the market has boosted their trade and some are planning their own promotions linked into the market.  Good to have a positive business story in these harsh economic times.

Photo taken 13th October, 2012

Letter about performance of Camden Council to local press

This is the full text of my letter about declining standards in Camden's performance recently published in both our local newspapers, the Ham & High and the Camden New Journal:

Dear Sir,

Camden residents are increasingly telling me that the Council is a very different authority to the one that was rated top in the country just four years ago. Here are a few examples of a serious decline in standards:

-          Complaints made by residents online are disappearing into a black hole and going unanswered – Camden have said it may take up to six months to sort this out;

-          There have been numerous cases of car owners not receiving reminders to renew their parking permits and still being harshly punished when they don’t renew on time;

-          The opening of the new Academy and special school on Adelaide Road has been severely delayed, as has that of Emmanuel School in West Hampstead;

-          Camden forgot to post letters to tenants and leaseholders who use the housing office at 156 West End Lane that the office is due to close this month – resulting in a last-moment and wasteful rush to get letters out by first class post.

These are just a few cases of Camden letting down residents – who pay a very high Council tax.

Yes, this is a tough time for local councils who are having to find savings. I understand that this is bound to have an impact on staff morale, so this is a time for strong leadership in Camden.

Instead, the ruling Labour party seems to be more obsessed with its internal power struggles than in running Camden as its residents deserve. It’s not surprising that there are so many failings in services when there has been so much squabbling at the top. In the last two years we’ve seen a change of leader, a new chief executive, four different people responsible for schools and young people’s services and three different councillors in charge of waste collection and recycling.

At national level, Labour have the luxury of criticising the government at every turn without saying what they would do instead. When they are in charge, as here in Camden, they seem to be making a hash of it.

Cllr Keith Moffitt

Leader of the Opposition and of Camden Liberal Democrat Group

Goodbye 156 West End Lane

Your West Hampstead and Fortune Green councillors were told before the summer holidays that the Council offices at West End Lane, home to the Hampstead housing service or "District Housing Office", was scheduled to close on 28 September. We've been holding our advice surgeries there for several years, so we had to look for a new home, and you can now find us at West Hampstead library every Friday evening between 6 and 7.
So I was curious when various Camden Council tenants I mentioned the closure of 156 West End Lane to expressed great surprise and said it was the first they had heard of it. I asked the Council what was going on and got a nasty surprise...
It turns out that back in July Camden's housing department was supposed to be writing to all their tenants in the Hampstead district (which includes West Hampstead and Kilburn) to tell them about the closure and new arrangments.
I queried whether the letters had actually been sent. The housing department has written to me confessing that "it now appears that due to an administrative error the letters were not posted. We will now arrange for the letters to be sent out first class tomorrow."
What a mess! And what a waste of money! There's even talk of postponing the closure as the users have had such little notice.
Again and again, I get the distinct impression that standards in Camden are on the slide, and this is yet another example of that.

Pop-Up Cinema on Kilburn Grange Park

A Pop-Up Cinema will be held on Kilburn Grange Park on 7th - 9th September.  The films to be shown are:

Friday 7th September          Dazed and Confused
Saturday 8th September      Gross Pointe Blank
Sunday 9th August              Top Gun

Doors open at 7pm and films start at 8.30pm.

Tickets are £8 each or a Weekend ticket £20.

Hot food and a bar will be available but you need to bring something to sit on.

Further details and booking at popupscreens.co.uk

The Paralympic Flame is coming to Camden

The Flame will enter the borough at 10.06am on Wednesday 29 August, as it travels from Outer Circle at the northern end of Regent’s Park via the St. Mark's Gate.

It then makes its way south along the Broadwalk, past the Ready Money Drinking Fountain before moving onto Chester Road and rejoining the Outer Circle.

Camden will be welcoming the Paralympic Torch Relay with an activity morning showcasing some of the great accessible sporting activities on offer in the borough.

Residents of all ages and abilities can watch demonstrations and join in with activities including football, volley ball and athletics. Activities will take place from 9-11.30am on Gloucester Green at the northern end of Regent’s Park, between St. Mark's Gate and the Ready Money Drinking Fountain.

Local groups include

• West Euston Partnership – providing adaptable bikes

• I Can Dance – provide dance and percussion performance around fountain during flame exchange

• Highgate Harriers – providing a range of athletics activities

• Two Touch Football – providing football demonstrations and participation

• Camden Sports and development team – providing a range of games and dance/movement activities.


For further information on the Paralympic Torch Relay in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/torchrelay

Farmers' Market coming to West Hampstead

For the past 2 years, since I was elected as a LibDem Councillor for West Hampstead, I have been searching for a site for a regular market in West Hampstead.  We managed to organise a one-day Christmas Market on West End Green for the past two years, but nothing on a regular weekly basis.

When I saw the forecourt outside the new Thameslink station I thought it would be an ideal site and so I approached the train company's executives at the opening ceremony last December.  After several months of discussions and with the support of the new West Hampstead Business Association we finally secured agreement in principle.

We then asked local people what type of market they would like and the overwhelming response was a "real food market". Other options were  arts/crafts and antiques but fresh food not available in supermarkets was the winner.

Although some members of the WHBA explored the option of running it as a community venture to support local entrepreneurs, it was soon apparent that the level of investment, time and resources required was just not feasible.  London Farmers' Markets, that run markets across London was therefore approached and they were enthusiastic about running a market in West Hampstead on the Thameslink site.  It was agreed that it would not be viable to launch a new market over the summer or during the Olympics so September was agreed and so marketing has begun to launch on Saturday 22nd September from 10am to 2pm and every Saturday thereafter.

Details of the produce to be offered will be confirmed nearer the time.  If local entrepreneurs want to participate in the market, they should contact www.lfm.org.uk.

I am really excited about the market coming to West Hampstead and have even rearranged my holiday to ensure that I am there at the opening on the 22nd.  I hope it will really contribute to the community of West Hampstead, boost local trade and encourage further retail investment in the area.