Thomas Fairchild School Update

Hoxton Councillors have recently met with the Learning Trust to ensure that the voices of all local residents are heard when considering the re-provision of Thomas Fairchild School, which was destroyed in a fire in July 2009.

We have not underestimated the vital importance of a school that generations of Hoxton residents have attended and that is why we have worked hard to ensure the concerns of local residents about the re-provisions of the school have been heard at the highest levels. We have asked the Learning Trust go further than consulting with teachers, parents and school children. We want to ensure that all local residents have an opportunity to have their say.

We expect the school to reopen in September 2012 and it will become an important local resource for the entire community and we believe that the entire community must have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Consultation on the re-provision of the school will start soon and we will keep you posted of developments on our blog, on our twitter account as well as via our newsletter.

Facebook Page

We have used social media for some time now to tell Hoxton residents about the work that we have been doing both locally and on the council itself.

Now, instead of having a Facebook group which needs to be administered through a personal Facebook account, we have set up a Facebook page which you can join to get all up to date information, links to our blog, news and views.

If you're already on Facebook, why not join here.

Controlled Parking Zone F Review

Hackney Parking Services will be reviewing Controlled Parking Zone F which is bounded by the canal, New North Road, Hackney Road, Goldsmiths Row, Teale Street and Pritchard Road. The Zone crosses three wards in Hackney South and Shoreditch, Hoxton, Haggerston and Queensbridge.

The current hours of operation for parking restrictions are:

• Monday to Friday 7:30am - 6:30pm and
• Saturday 7:30am - 1:30pm

Parking Services are proposing changes to the number of bays in the zone. There are also proposals install double yellow lines on sections of narrow road to increase access and visibility.

If you own a business or if you live within Zone F, you will have received a consultation pack so that you can feed back your comment and concerns as parking controls will affect you whether you drive or not and it will also affect your visitors.

If you want a say on how traffic should be managed, how road safety is improved, long term commuter parking, even non-essential traffic or even parking space allocation, complete the consultation questionnaire and return it in the envelope that accompanies your questionnaire.

Alternatively, you can complete the questionnaire online.

Two drop in sessions will also be held where you can speak to a member of the parking team. The dates and times are:

• Monday 7 June 5pm - 7pm
• Tuesday 8 June 5pm - 7pm

Both sessions will be held at St Mary's Community Hall, Kent Street, E2 8NU.

You can also send your comments by email.

If you have not received a questionnaire or know anyone who has not, you can call 020 835 8877 and request one. Alternatively, you can visit the parking service's website.

Council AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the council was held on Wednesday 26 May. It was the first meeting since the elections on 6 May 2010 and was more a time for celebration as well as business.

Hackney Speaker

Sally Mulready, Councillor in Chatham Ward, was unanimously elected as the Speaker of Hackney for the 2010/11 municipal year. Not only will Sally be the 110th first citizen of the borough, she will also preside over meetings of the council. You can read more about Sally here.

Hackney Cabinet Members

The Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, also announced his choice of Councillors to work with him on the Cabinet to deliver his manifesto for the next year. They are:

Cllr Karen Alcock, Deputy Mayor

Clr Feryal Dermici, Neighbourhoods

Cllr Rita Krishna, Children's Services

Cllr Sophie Linden, Crime, Sustainability and Customer Services

Cllr Samantha Lloyd, Finance

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Community Services

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Regeneration and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Hackney Scrutiny Commissions

Scrutiny Commissions were also established and the chairs and vice chairs agreed.

Scrutiny ensures that the executive (made up of the Mayor and his cabinet) and its partners does their jobs and improve the services for the people of Hackney. Scrutiny does this by investigating policy areas and making recommendations to the Mayor and his executive for changes.

The Council agreed the following commissions along with their chairs and vice chairs:

Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission

Chair - Cllr Luke Akehurst

Vice Chair - Daniel Kemp

Community Safety and Social Inclusion

Chair - Cllr Carole Williams

Vice Chair - Cllr Angus Mulready-Jones

Governance and Resources Scrutiny Commission

Chair - Cllr Rob Chapman

Living in Hackney

Chair - Cllr Phil Glanville

Vice Chair - Cllr Ian Rathbone

Children and Young People

Chair - Cllr Gulay Icoz

Vice Chair - Geoff Taylor

Overview and Scrutiny

Chair - Simche Steinberger

Vice Chair - Cllr Dan Kemp

Each Commission will determine their individual work programme at their first meeting. We will post further information on our blog as these details emerge.

Team Hackney Community Grant

There is still time to submit and application for a Team Hackney's Community Grant before the deadline of 28 May 2010.

Each grant is worth either £1,000-£5,000; £6,000-£15,000 or £16,000-£30,000.

If you run a community group and offer services to vulnerable people, you may be eligible. For more information and to apply for a grant, contact HCVS on 020 7923 1962 or email elizabeth@hcvs.org.uk or download a pack from their website.

Travel for Free on the New East London LIne

The East London Line has been running trains between Dalston and New Cross/New Cross Gate five days a week from 7am to 8pm since 24 May 2010.

From this weekend, the service will run seven days a week from 5:40am to 11:40pm and will run between Dalston and West Croydon/Crystal Palace. To celebrate, London Rail are giving away 10,000 free tickets for the first customers that turn up to any of the 21 stations along the route. All you have to do is to ask a member of the station staff (terms and conditions apply).

If you take a ride, why not upload your pictures of your first ride on twitter using the hashtag #eastlondonline?

Hoxton Election Results

We'd like to thank everyone who came out to vote on Thursday 6 May to vote for us to continue representing them as  all Labour councillors.  More of you came than did in previous elections and in record numbers.


We are also proud that you voted to re-elected Jules Pipe as Labour Mayor of Hackney. The result of the mayoral election can be found here.  You also voted to return Meg Hillier as your MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch.  Her results are available here. 

We're honoured by the responsibility and confidence that you have shown in so convincingly re-electing us.  Carole has been returned for a third term and Phil and Clayeon have been returned for a second term. There has been so much progress made since we became councillors for the ward in 2002 and 2006 and there's lots more still to do.


You can see the full results for Hoxton here.

The result for the election of MP for Hackney South & Shoreditch can be found here.

5 Reasons to Vote Labour on 6 May 2010

• Hackney's Labour Council has frozen the council tax for FIVE years running - the only council in the country to do so.
• Crime in Hackney has fallen by 39% over the last six years under labour - the biggest drop in London.
• £225 million unlocked fro Decent Homes works providing new windows, roofs, kitchens or bathrooms for 14,000 residents so far.
• 27% of Hackney's rubbish is now recycled, collecting an average of FIFTY tonnes a day.
• FIVE brand new secondary schools have been built and last year Hackney's pupils got the best GCSE results EVER in the borough.

Our Pledges for Hoxton

Yesterday we wrote about Hackney Labour's election manifesto. Today, we want to let you know about the 5 elections pledges that we are making to our electors Hoxton. They are:

• To invest in green spaces in Hoxton - the next phase of Shoreditch Park's renewal, more allotments and growing spaces on estates.
• Ensure Thomas Fairchild School is rebuilt
• Tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Hoxton, particularly street drinking and dog fouling
• Support the local economy, including local shops, the market and re-opening Murray Grove Post Office
• Continue to improve estates in Hoxton with residents' priorities at the heart of our housing service

We believe that our pledges build on the work that we've been doing in Hoxton over the last council term and we want to build on them.

Thomas Fairchild School

On 30 July 2009 a fire ripped through Thomas Fairchild school.  Over 100 fire fighters using 20 fire engines fought to bring the fire under control.  Sadly, however, the school could not be saved.  


Since then Hoxton Councillors pushed the Mayor of Hackney and the Learning Trust  to ensure that the school is re-provided on the same site because it is our priority to have a school where pupils in Hoxton and De Beauvoir can continue their education.  
The Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe has assured us that his will happen.  


We have learned that the building has only recently been released back to the Council from the insurance company and, due to the size of the site and nature of the damage to the building, the site will need to be cleared by hand.  The rebuilding work will therefore be a time consuming task but it will ensure the safety of the Children's Centre that was undamaged during the fire, local residents and properties that are in close proximity to the site as well as the safety of those working on the site.

The re-building should be completed by the summer 2012.

Hackney Labour's Election Manifesto

The election manifesto for the 2010 local elections has been launched by Hackney labour.

Highlights of our commitments are:

• make it easier for people to report anti social behaviour and noise nuisance
• launch a campaign for responsible dog ownership
• commit to further support for victims of domestic violence
• increase drug and alcohol treatment places by 10%
• we will plant at least another 1,000 street trees
• we will look to expand our recycling service further
• all residential streets will be covered by a 20mph speed limit by 2014
• we will look to support those residents who want to grow more of their own food
• continue to provide free swimming for children and the elderly
• continue to work with the Hackney Empire to ensure it reopens
• we will complete the rebuilding or refurbishment of all our secondary schools
• six primary schools will be rebuilt or refurbished to the highest standards
• we will open five new youth centres
• we will complete Decent Homes on our estates by 2013
• we will use all our powers to bring empty properties back into use
• by 2013 - we will have created 100 council apprenticeships
• we'll increase the number of council services available online

You can read the full document here.

Your labour team for the 2010 local elections on 6 May 2010 are:

• Cllr Phil Glanville
• Cllr Clayeon McKenzie and
• Cllr Carole Williams

If you have any questions about our work for Hoxton please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can keep in touch with us throughout the election period by visiting this blog.

Register to Vote in the 2010 Elections

On 6 May 2010 you will have your chance to have your say in council elections, a Mayoral election and the parliamentary elections.

If you have not yet registered to vote, you still have time to do so.  Click here for details.

You will have five votes on 6 May: 3 for your local ward councillors, 1 for the Mayor of Hackney and one for your Member of Parliament.



We will be asking you to vote for:

• Carole Williams, Philip Glanville and Clayeon McKenzie as your ward councillors
• Jules Pipe for Mayor of Hackney
• Meg Hillier as your Member of Parliament.

2010 Local Elections

Local Elections will be held on 6 May and if you haven't yet registered to vote, you can do so here. You have until Tuesday 20 April 2010.

Hoxton Safer Neighourhood Team

The next meeting of Hoxton Ward's Safer Neighbourhoods Panel will take place on 22 March at 6.30pm in the Carol Young Community Hall on Cranston Estate.

The Safer Neighbourhoods Panel is made up of local Hoxton representatives, councillors, and the Hoxton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team. It mets three months to discuss local policing issues that matter local residents and, with the help of residents, it sets the policing targets.

The Hoxton Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team are all based at the Safer Neighbourhood Office on Orsman Road and the team leader is Sergeant Matt Devereau.

The Team is a permanent fixture in Hoxton, not a 'quick fix' brought in to respond to local changes in crime and disorder. They have been working in Hoxton since 2006 and resident's voices are important on the panel.

The three current priorities for the Team - set at the last meeting are:

• Anti social behaviour - drugs
• Dangerous cycling 
• Theft of pedal cycles

You can read the current Hoxton Safer Neighbourhood Team newsletter there.

Hackney Homes Newsletter

The latest edition of the Hackney Homes newsletter is now available.  In it, yo can find information on the upcoming Hackney Homes open day; ways to pay bills; how to get involved in the review of the Tenants Levy; what to do if you are affected by antisocial behaviour and more.

You can download the newsletter here.

AudoBoo with Cllr Phil Glanville on Drinking Exclusion Zone

Councillor Philip Glanville has recently recorded an AudioBoo on the outcome of the council's consultation on a borough-wide drinking exclusion zone and what it means for Hoxton.  You can listen in here.

East London Line Update

The new East London Line' Hoxton station, may not be in the ward but, its close geographical proximity will mean that anyone living in the east of the ward will benefit from this new transport link.

There will be three new stations in Hackney, Dalston Junction, Haggerston, Hoxton.

Currently there are daily test runs of trans, the station forecourt has been prepared and planted with trees, the announcment system is being tested and when completed, Hackney south will have direct transport links to north to Highbury and Islington, south to West Croydon and Crystal Palace.

The line is due to open in May and, as we approach that date, we will provide more information.

Local Planning Applications

There are a number of planning applicaitons have been submitted to the local planning authority.

6 storey building to provide 4 residential units comprising 3 x 1 bed flats and 1 x 2 bed flat on Bevenden Street.  The Consultation ends on 26 February 2010.

Conversion of existing single dwelling to create 1 x 3 bed (in basement) and 1 x 5 bed self contained residential units. The Consultation ends on 24 February 2010

Variation of condition 3 (hours of use) attached to planning permission ref: 2009/0513.  Consultation ends on 22 February 2010.

Click the links for details of officers to contact if yo would like to make representations.

Have Your Say: Parking Enforcement

Parking has always been important to Hoxton residents because of its close geographical proximity to the City, the night time economy and transport links.  Councillors are told of concerns about the different parking arrangements that exists between estates and surrounding streets.  We are also aware of the difficulties that family members have when visiting elderly and disabled relatives.

Now you have an opportunity have your say and change parking and enforcement arrangements.  Hackney Council are conducting a review of policies, looking at:

• Parking permits and vouchers for residents, businesses and visitors
• How we enforce parking penalties
• How we prioritise different types of vehicle and motorist
• What we can do to free up parking space
• How we manage parking for motorcycles
• How we consult on controlled parking zones (CPZs)
• How we match the hours of a CPZ to the local area.

All information is available on the council's consultation website and you can have your say here.

Shoreditch Park to Host English Beach Soccer Tournament

Shoreditch Park will host England Beach Soccer Association 3 day Euro Cup Tournament in 2010.
A full sized beach soccer pitch complete with 1000 tons of sand and 4,000 seats will be in place between 7th and 22nd June.

The fixtures will be scheduled to coincide with a number of England's World Cup fixture and will be broadcast on a 30sq metre big screen.

A number of other programmes will also be scheduled to take place during the same period. There will be grass roots beach soccer programmes including coaching and competitions for all. And the England Beach Soccer Squad will be on hand to give tips and advice.

This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for Shoreditch Park to host a FIFA accredited event and to provide residents with a world class facility over the World Cup.

We will provide you with further detail on the event as we receive them.

How to Have Your Say on Planning

As councillors we are often contacted by local residents who want to object to a planning applications.
This is a short guide and steps that you might want to take.  For complete information, please see the council website.

Meetings of the Planning Sub-Committee are held in public at Hackney Town Hall.

Planning Committee members will keep and open mind on applications and it is advised that you don't contact them before the meeting.

There is strict guidance for making decisions and they can only be based on:

• National Planning policy, London Plan 2008, set out by the Greater London Authority
• 'Saved' Hackney Unitary Development policies
• Council's policies outlined in the Hackney's emerging Local Development Framework
• Other 'material considerations' such as the planning history of a site and other development nearby the site

If you want to speak either for or against a particular planning application, can write to the council within 21 days of being notified of the application so your representations can be included in the planning agenda.  Include:

• The details of how the development will impact you and your community
• Why you support or object to a planning application

If you make representations or have asked to be notified, you will be informed of the date of the committee meeting relevant to that application.

Plan to arrive at the meeting at least 15 minutes before the start as the agenda can sometimes change.

If you have made written representations, you can also register to speak at the meeting.  Contact the committee officer on 020 8356 3338 or email by 4pm on the working day before the meeting.

If you register to speak, you will be given 5 minutes to get your points across.  If there are other residents who also want to make the same or similar points to you, you will need to divide the five minutes between you or nominate a spokesperson.

You can find further information on how to have your say at a planning sub-committee here, here and here.

New Ways of keeping in Touch

Hoxton Councillors started blogging in 2006 to keep local residents up to date with the work that we have been doing.  Then, in July 2009 we added the micro-blogging site, Twitter, to our list of communications too as well as a Facebook group.

At the start of a new year, we want to add a further option for local residents to keep up with news and developments so, if you would like to join our mailing list for regular news letters, why not send us an email, typing "subscribe" in the subject box and we'll add you to our list.

Severe Weather Update

Following our pre-Christmas post on preparations for severe weather, the country has been hit by freezing temperatures and heavy snow fall. After a thaw in the past few days, snow has again fallen throughout the night here in London.

On their website the council has issued a severe weather update, detailing the impact on services as well as progress on gritting the borough roads. The council had been well prepared for the cold weather, having ordered additional grit and salt. However, due to the extreme conditions nationally, the government made a statement to parliament announcing that councils will be asked to reduce their grit use by 25 per cent to ensure there would be enough to go round nationally. Hackney will continue to press for additional supplies.

More information is available on the council website and Hoxton Councillors have asked for an statement to be given at the next full Council meeting on 27 January 2010.

Reporting on Hoxton's Safer Neighbourhood Team

Residents at the last meeting of the Hoxton Community Action Panel, set the priorities for policing. Click here for information. Since then, the Metropolitan Police's have reported their statistics for Hoxton. These show that crime (total notifiable offences) is down on figures for last month and also for this time last year. All details are here on the Met website.

You can also read the latest edition of the Police and Council's Safer Neighbourhood newsletter for Hoxton here.

Volunteering with Crisis

This year Councillor Carole Williams will be volunteering with Crisis, the homelessness charity and has set up a fundraising webpage on the Crisis site. Click here.

As well as helping out over the Christmas period, she has also set herself a fund raising target to help with the work that Crisis is doing to end homelessness. If you would like to help Councillor Williams achieve her target why don't you think about clicking the link and making a donation? All funds go directly to Crisis.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Hoxton Councillors, Carole Williams, Phil Glanville and Clayeon McKenzie would like to take this opportunity to wish all Hoxton residents a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.


We'll be back working hard for Hoxton in 2010, in the meantime remember that Christmas is a time of giving and recieving and the result is usually a lot of wrapping paper so remember to recycle!

I'm sure that you'll catch a glimpse of us around the ward otherwise, we'll see you in the new year.

Hackney Prepared for a Sudden Cold Snap

It’s that time of year when we all start getting out our woolies and wrapping up warm in preparation for lashings of snow as another cold snap hits London.


The bookmakers have slashed their odds on a white Christmas and, after much of London came to a stand in February, residents across Hoxton want guarantees that the council are ready for another sudden and heavy downfall of snow. 

Though we have had only a light dusting of snow so far, Hoxton Councillors have been told that adequate preparations have been put in place to keep Hackney roads clear and safe for drivers as well as pedestrians.

We have asked for and received confirmation of the following facts and figures:

• Partners have been instructed to increase salt stocks from 100 tonnes to 170 tonnes.
• A review was held with contract partners in October to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for a sudden freeze
  
• The Met Office forecast a milder and wetter season than last year, although much of the country has already seen freezing temperatures.
  

Hoxton Councillor, Carole Williams said, "The council's quick response to the heavy snowfall last year was made apparent as I walked through Hoxton in February.  The main roads as well as the side roads were well gritted. This year, I am pleased to see that the council  have an increased supply of salt and grit and that preparations have been put in place just in case the Met Office have it wrong and London is hit by a prolonged cold snap."

 If you are interested in facts and figures, here are some more:

• Over an average winter, salting lorries will be deployed about 40 times in Hackney, usually overnight.
• On every trip over 40% of Hackney’s entire road network are treated – about 102km
• Hackney's Red routes are treated by Transport for London and colleagues at Waste Services deal with treating footways
• The Council  commenced its winter standby service on 8 November and it will run for 18 weeks up to mid-March. This will be reviewed in late February and consideration will be given to extending it if necessary.

Tackling Hate Crime

Hoxton Councillors have met with local police for a second time to discuss hate crime. On Friday 4 December we met with the local Member of Parliament, Meg Hillier, Council Officers, Councillor Julius Nkafu, Chair of Hackney's Hate Crime Forum, LGBT Hackney Domestic Violence and Hate Crime Officer form Hackney Police as well as Police Officers from Tower Hamlets and Councillor from Weaver's Ward in Tower Hamlets.

Weavers and Haggerston Safer Neighbourhood Teams have recorded a number of attacks on members of the public and they have been working together to reduce incidents, to help the public stay safe while out and to speak to local community leaders to address the root causes.

Hoxton Councillors will continue to work with Councillors in Haggerston Ward as well as police and the council to address community concerns and fears.

CouncillorPhilip Glanville said, "Residents from across wards and boroughs have raised their concerns about attacks that have taken place on both sides of the borough boundary. The majority appear to have taken place across in Tower Hamlets. We are committed to working with Hackney Council to ensure that, working in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council, Tower Hamlets Police and local community the streets are made safe for all."

Councillor Carole Williams said, "This was a good opportunity for councillors to meet with partners and the owner of a local bar about tackling hate crime. We commend the work that has been done so far and welcome news that there will be another public meeting in the New Year to discuss the public's concerns."

Council Meetings for November 2009

Details and agendas for Council meetings scheduled for November 2009 are now available on the council website.

Meetings Hoxton Councillors will be attending include:

• Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commisson
• Community Safety and Social Inclusion Commission
• Overview and scrutiny Board

Click here for full details.

In addition councillors will also be attending neighbourhood and estate committee meetings.

Consulting on a Controlled Drinking Area

You may have heard that Hackney Council and partners are considering making Hackney a controlled drinking area to allow police the powers to seize alcohol from people causing a nuisance.

Hackney already has controlled areas or Designated Public Protection Orders but these are not borough-wide so problems can just move around the borough.

Hackney Council are seeking residents views and we would encourage you to respond if you feel strongly for the proposal or against the proposal.  You can read the further information and respond here.  The deadline for responses is 28 December 2009.

You can view all other consultations here.

Great news for Local People

We have passed another hurdle in our campaign to have Murray Grove Post Office reopened. Click here to read story in Hackney Gazette

Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change comes to Hackney

From 7-18 December 2009 in Copenhagen, delegates from 192 countries will meet to discuss and come to an agreement on:

• a new treaty to follow the Kyoto protocol which expires in 2012; 
• new targets for industrialised nations to reduce carbon emissions; 
• new targets for poorer nations to limit greenhouse gases; 

In preparation for that Ed Milliband, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change held a rally here in Hackney to discuss the impact that climate change is already having in the world. A live link to Kenya was arranged and Abdi spoke powerfully about how climate change is affecting the community there. He told us how the cycle of droughts used to last about 11 years but that this has been reducing. Now Kenya experiences droughts every 2 years. These are swiftly followed by floods and as a result, Kenya has lost up to 80% of their live stock, making it increasingly difficult for families to find food.

Kenya might seem like a long way away and what is happening there may seem to have no consequence for our lives but, Hackney is a very diverse community. The chances are that you will know someone who who is suffering as a direct result of this kind of environmental impact.

The messages were strong and clear. For those of us in the west reducing our carbon emissions is a lifestyle choice. But for people like Abdi in Kenya and other developing countries, it is a matter of life and death.

The plea was for all of us to reduce our carbon emissions.

You can read here what steps have taken to reduce emissions when Hackney Council signed up to the 10:10 campaign.

Full Council Meeting, Wednesday 28 October 2009

This month's council meeting will take place on Wednesday 28 October at Hackney Town Hall. The agenda is available on the website here.

Items of note on this months agenda include a question from Councillor Carole Williams on steps the council will be taking to improve response times of Safer Neighbourhood Teams when responding to reports of crime taking place on council estates.

Other questions will also be asked on Council Tax Levels for next year; the council's efficiency savings as well as Hackney Empire.

The council will also consider a motion to condemn the Mayor of London's recent announcement that he will increase bus and tubes fares, disproportionately affect Hackney residents.

No armed police patrols in Hackney

Hackney Central Councillors are now blogging here.  Their most recent post confirms Hackney's borough commander has announced that there will be no armed patrols in Hackney.  You can read the post here.

Should a Wind Turbine be Built on Hackney Marshes

This week Hackney Council launched a consultation on whether or not to use part of Hackney Marshes for the construction of a wind turbine. 

If this massive project goes ahead, it will make a considerable contribution toward reducing Hackney’s carbon emissions.  It will also provide green energy for the borough for the next 25 years and, rent from the for the land the turbine would sit on could be invested in sports and playing facilities on the Marshes.

Anyone can respond to the consultation so if want to have your say on whether this project should go ahead, click here.

Tackling Homophobic Crime

You may have heard recent news reports on homophobic crime. Hoxton Councillors have been concerned about these reports and have sought guarantees from Hackney's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Neighbourhoods that the Council are working with Hackney Police to reassure Hackney residents and tackle hate crime.  We have received the following response to a question that was raised at last month's full council meeting:

From Cllr Williams to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods: 'I welcome news in the most recent Safer Neighbourhoods Team newsletter in which information is given on the work being done by dedicated police teams to tackle hate crime against Hackney's LGBT community. Would the Cabinet Member highlight how the police are working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs to address the problem of homophobic crime?'

Each Borough Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has a LGBT Police Liaison Officer who link into the Community Safety Unit; this is coordinated through New Scotland Yard.

Hackney Metropolitan Police Authority has 8 LGBT Police Liaison Officers and a coordinator who work in these roles voluntarily to support victims of homophobic crime. There is an East London Out Project (ELOP) based in Walthamstow that co-ordinate a 3 monthly meeting that brings all the LGBT Police Liaison Officers across the Borough's to tackle homophobic crime by sharing cross Borough intelligence. There is a further monthly networking meeting of LGBT Police Liaison Officers across the East London Borough's where they discuss and share ideas.

Recently Councillors Philip Glanville and Carole Williams also spent an evening with Hackney Police's LGBT Liaision Officer to get a first hand view of what the police are doing to work with local licence holders and club goers to keep residents safe while out.

We don't want anyone to be the victim of crime so would urge you to speak to the LGBT Liaison Officer for advice and information.  The number is 020 7275 3183 or you can email by clicking here.

Twitter

Hoxton Councillors are now all on Twitter.  We can be followed at Hoxton Labour tweeting about everything from council meetings, consultations, local news and views and diary engagements.

If you can also follow us here:

• Philip Glanville
• Clayeon McKenzie
• Carole Williams

Hackney One Carnival 27th September

The Hackney One Carnival, Hackney's main Cultural Olympiad activity, will take place on Sunday and will celebrate the diverse cultures that make Hackney so special.

The Route
The Carnival procession will start from the Town Hall at 11.30am, going north along Mare Street, Amhurst Road, Pembury Road and Hackney Downs Park. Arriving at Downs Park at approximately 12.30pm.

Sixteen Carnival groups will be taking part and the majority are a mixture of local community and voluntary sector groups and small enterprises. Each carnival group will contain 20 – 40 carnival participants. The groups' participants would consist of a wide range of Hackneys residents from all age groups, cultures and inclusive of disabled persons. With in Hackney there are some organisations that are not able to fully participate in the Carnival procession, so there is the opportunity for them to make a cultural offering at the park. They will be able to showcase their heritage/culture through their preferred medium such as dance, song poetry or theatre.

Volunteers and stewards
The event is providing volunteering opportunities for up to 50 individuals who have been drawn from the graduates from the Hackney 2012 Personal Best volunteering programme and it will give them invaluable work experience and form part of their accreditation assessment. The event will also be assisted by 30 professional stewards who will ensure safety measures along the the route.

Hackney 2012 Youth Ambassadors who are all young Hackney residents and have been part of a programme of peer to peer education and advocacy for the 2012 games and the opportunities available will also be actively involved in the day's events. They will support many of the activities will be taking place in the park.

Activities at Downs Park
Sporting activities for all abilities

All of the activities listed below will be available for Hackney's resident to participate in. There will be traditional sporting games that are intergenerational and fun. This will be delivered by the 2012 Unit and the 2012 Sports Coaches and school children that have taken part in the "2012 Personal Best" programme across Hackney.

Activities will include:

• Hackney's fastest man/woman
• Personal Bests
• Olympic sports – Discus, Shot putt, Javelin, Sprints
• Traditional sports events
• Egg and spoon race
• Sack race
• Wheelbarrow race
• Bean bag race
• Obstacle race
• Adults and Children's races
• Children's play/ activity area.

Audio Interview with Hackney's 2012 Olympic Champion, Dervish Konuralp

Dervish Konuralp is Hackney's Ambassador for the 2012 Olympics. He is also a Hackney resident and on 16 September he attended the full council meeting in Hackney Town Hall and agreed to be first interviewee on the newly launched Hoxton Labour audioBoo, which is a new online recording facility.

Dervish answered questions about being an Ambassador, volunteering for the 2012 Olympics and sporting facilities in the borough. You can listen to his interview below or by clicking here.

Following last months Million Moms March, Hackney is also preparing for another annual London Week of Peach March.

London Week of Peace march has been taking place since 2001 in Haringey and now takes place in thirteen London boroughs.  Hackney has been holding a peace march for a number of years now and, this years march will be starting the Community College on Falkirk Street at 11:30am.

If you are coming along, you can register here.  If you are coming along and are a tweeter, tweet Hoxton Councillors here.

Current Consultation

Do you want to have your say on council services.  Hackney is currently consulting on a review of the gambling policy.  Your views on how gambling affects the borough could help shape future council policy so get involved, click on the link.  Gambling Policy Review

Did you know?

Did you know that agendas for all council meetings are available on the council website. Click the link for access.

Overview and Scrutiny Commission meetings
Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission
Shoreditch Neighbourhood Meeting
Full Council Meeting

How to Contact Us

Hoxton Councillors are Clayeon Mckenzie, Philip Glanville and Carole Williams. We can be contacted in a number of ways.

By email

• philip.glanville@hackney.gov.uk
• clayeon.mckenzie@hackney.gov.uk
• carole.williams@hackney.gov.uk

By phone

• At the Town Hall 020 8356 3207

At one of our surgeries:

• Cllr Philip Glanville will hold his surgeries on the 3rdWednesday of the month between 6 pm 7 pm at Provost Community Hall Murray Grove, London N1 and 3rd Saturday of the month between 11am and 12pm at The Bell Club on Bowling Green Walk, Pitfield Street

• Cllr Clayeon McKenzie will hold his surgeries on the 2nd Tuesday of every month between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm atThe Bell Club on Bowling Green Walk, Pitfield Street

• Cllr Carole Williams will hold her surgeries on the 2nd Monday of each month between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm at 16a Malcolm House on the Arden Estate

Or, you can contact us by writing to us at the Town Hall
By Post:
London Borough of Hackney
Town Hall
Mare Street
London

Do it Online

Did you know that you can report noise nuisance online here.  You can also request removal of bulky waste here, or the removal of garden waste here.

It's also possible to report flytipping, graffiti and litter here.

for a list of all online forms, click here.

Murray Grove Post Office Consultation

The consultation on the reopening of Murray Grove Post Office is coming to a close. If you have yet completed the online questionnaire, you can do so now by clicking here.

Supporting Thomas Fairchild School after the fire.

Short update from all of us on the fire.

“Thomas Fairchild School was at the heart of the community; as local councillors and residents we are committed to seeing it rebuilt and to making sure the necessary temporary arrangements are in place for the start of the autumn term.”

“Watching the fire last Thursday was a dreadful experience for everyone involved, especially given the many generations of local children who attended the school - as well as the many memories bound up in this wonderful historic building.”

“We would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for their efforts to save the school and our express our relief that no one was injured. While the school maybe badly damaged its spirit lives on and we are thankful the children’s centre was saved.

“The community and the school family are now coming together with the Learning Trust and the Council to ensure the future of their school, and they have our full support.”

Re-open Murray Grove Post Office

Residents have previously shown their concerns when Royal Mail proposal to close Murray Grove Post Office. And, Hoxton Councillors have been campaigning for it to be re-opened. The Mayor of Hackney has supported the campaign and, earlier this year announced that he would set aside resources for its reopening.

But before the project to go any further, Royal Mail want proof that residents really do want the post office to be reopened. That is way Hackney Council is in partnership with Shoreditch Trust asking for views to put together a case that will be presented to Royal Mail. Only when they are satisfied that there is a demand will they give the go ahead for it to be reopened.

Some residents will have already received a questionnaire asking for views. Others may have been visited by community interviewers. We are asking for as many people as possible to respond to make the strongest possible for Royal Mail to reopen the post office. We are also asking residents to attend the consultation event that will take place at Provost Community Hall on Murray Grove on Tuesday 4 July at 6pm.

Surveys are available from the following locations

• Shoreditch Library,
• Shoreditch Trust shop in Hoxton Street; or
• Murray’s Chemist in Murray Grove
• Businesses:
• online (click here to complete)

For more informationCall Ben Smith on: 020 7033 8521; or email:ben@shoreditchtrust.org.uk

"Backing Young Britain" Launched in Hackney

Hoxton was chosen for the place to launch "Backing Young Britain", a programme which brings together business, public and voluntary sector to create more opportunities for young people. The event was held at the Hoxton Apprentice on Hoxton Square and invited guests included Yvette Cooper MP, John Denham MP, Peter Mandelson and Jim Knight MP as well as the CBI, Dame Kelly Holmes and a host of young people. They include apprentices working at the Hoxton Apprentice, recent university graduates and graduates from the Prince's Trust.

It was an opportunity for leading members of the media, the CBI, charities and the government to learn how young people want to be supported into work, training and apprenticeships.

The message from young people was clear. They wanted more access to information, more support in getting a job and training and they did not want to be overlooked during the current economic climate.

Here are just a few of the comments I heard.

"We need more accessible support for young people."

On information about apprenticeships and internships

"There are quite a few programmes for young poeple to get into work. They just don't know about it."

On getting experience in economically difficult times.

"Professionals are dropping back down the ladder into the areas we need to get experience in."

On getting retail experience

"There's a lot of stigma attached to young people and some retail shops want CRB checks."

On applying for an unpaid internship

"There were 150 applicants for an eight week internship."

and

"Internships have become a necessary part of getting a job."

More information is available on the Backing Young Britain website.

London Marathon

A local Shoreditch resident has been in training to run the London Marathon which will take place in 3 weeks time. He is hoping to raise £1,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, a registered charity. So far he has raised £460 on the Just Giving website so is short a bob or two.

Why not help him reach his goal and sponsor him here.

Hoxton Councillors Now on Twitter

Councillors traditionally keep in contact with local residents through regular public advice surgeries and letters. With the advent of emails, local residents have been able to have almost 24 hour access to councillors - well, as long as we are logged onto our accounts.

To that list we can now add Facebook, Blogger and Twitter, making us even more accountable to you and Hoxton Councillors have not shied away from any of them. If you are reading this blog post, you have already found us on blogger. Now you can access regular updates here.

If you are not on Twitter yourself but would still like to follow our posts, we will also be putting up an rss feed in the sidebar of this blog for quick and easy access.

changes to parking restrictions

The council will be holding a consultation meeting on Tuesday 10 March at Provost Community Hall.

This will be an opportunity for local residents to help determine parking restrictions. Over the past year Ward Councillors have been lobbying the council to ensure that changes do not result in the loss of parking spaces particularly at weekends, when family are more likely to visit. We have lobbied hard to ensure that roads remain safe while giving residents the maximum opportunity to park legally and a minimal costs. We have also lobbied hard to ensure that your voices and your choices are heard.

In total 200 additional parking spaces will be provided but there will also be a significant loss of spaces. We will continue to fight for more parking but hope that you will add your voice to ours at the upcoming meeting.

Murray Grove Post Office Victory

Last night the Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, announced that the London Borough of Hackney will be working with partners to re-open the Murray Grove Post Office as a social enterprise. More news will be posted on this blog as it emerges.

A big thank you to everyone who joined our campaign and who signed our petition. Victory is ours!

A Night Less Ordinary

Even more opportunities for young people! Go to A Night Less Ordinary website for more information

Council Scrutiny Survey

If you would like to help shape the council's scrutiny commissions agenda for next year, please take the time to fill out our questionnaire here.

Hackney Homes Receives Two Stars

The Audit Commission has awarded Hackney Homes two star rating and so will benefit
a £225m funding injection to continue the Decent Homes programme and the renewal of windows kitchens and bathrooms in properties across Hoxton. It will continue the extensive programme of the last few years so that even more homes will be improved.

Year 3 Decent Homes External Works Programme have also been announced. Consultation will shortly begin for estates across Hoxton including:

1. 1-20 & 41-82 Shaftesbury Court, 121-136 & 157-172 Bracklyn Court
Wednesday 18 February 3pm - 6.30pm Napier Grove Community Hall

2. 200-242 Crondall Street, Arden Estate,
Wednesday 11 February, 4.30pm-7.30pm, Regen Way Community Hall, Regan Way

3. 1-50 Marshall House, 1-24 Daniel House, 1-20 Kinder House, Cranston Estate
Tuesday 24 February, 4.00pm - 6.30pm, Carole Young Community Centre, Cranston Estate

4. 1-12 & 29-52 Micawber Court, Windsor Terrace
Wednesday 18 February 3pm - 6.30pm Napier Grove Community Hall

For more information on the Decent Home programme please see the Hackney Homes website.

Enhanced TRA

There will be an ETRA conference on 9 and 10 June to review progress and to discuss issues to ensure continued improvements of the stucture. All TRA Chairs have been invited as have Service providers from Hackney Homes, neighbourhood partners and Resident Participation Officers who will provide their feedback on what they think of the process so far.

The conference will take place at Morley Hall, Mare Street. London E8 but each night will be limited to a maximum of 50 people.

East London Line Extension

Anyone travelling down Shoreditch High Street today will notice a marked difference. There is a new bridge in place that was not there yesterday. The road was closed at 4am when the country's largest mobile crane dropped into place this new section of the East London Line Extension. The work will go on until 5am on 31 March. The action can be viewed live on the Transport for London webcam here.

Murray Grove Post Office

Many local residents have received our latest news letter detailing how they can become involved in the campaign opposing the closure of Murray Grove Post Office and we would like to say thank you to the hundreds of residents who have already signed out petition.

We were out on Murray Grove last Saturday getting more signatures and passing out flyers and stickers and will be marching against the closure later this week. If you would like to take part, you can contact us via the Town Hall or by emailing one of us. Our email addresses are on the top right hand side of this blog.

Save Murray Grove Post Office

Following the announcment from the Post Office announced of the proposed closure of the Murray Grove Post Office as part of its London Area Plan, ward Councillors have started an online petition. We will continue to fight vigorously against the closure and we believe that six weeks isn't long enough to have a meaningful dialogue with the community about these changes.

The alternative post offices in Old Street and on Hoxton High Street are too far away for many elderly and vulnerable residents who value having this community resource on their door step. Post offices also play an important part in local social and economic life. In Hoxton where the levels of deprivation and poor access to financial services can be particularly high we need them more than most.

If you would like to support our campaign to keep the post office open, please sign our online petition by clicking here.

Online petition - Save Murray Grove Post Office

Youth Crime in Hackney

The Children and Young People's Scrutiny Commission of Hackney Council has been reviewing issues surrounding youth crime in Hackney and are continuing to take evidence from on what youth crime means to community groups.

There is one more evidence session scheduled for 21 February and is open for all groups to attend. More information can be obtain from the Scrutiny Commission Officer on 020 8356 3029 or by emailing clair.bantin@hackney.gov.uk

"A Host for 2012 - The London Olympic and Paralympic Games"

Useful Numbers

• 24 hr construction Hotline 080000 722 110
• Hackney 2012 Team 020 8356 3126
• Job Opportunities 020 7241 7080

Web sites

• Boost Job Opportunities
• Hackney Olympic Unit
• 2012 Olympics
• 2012 Blog
• Olympic Delivery Authority

2008 Highlights

• The Olympic Flag will be handed to London and the closing of the Beijing 2008 Games
• Five host boroughs will take centre stage with a new annual summer cultural festival
• Main venue construction will begin and run through to 2011
• Five host boroughs and the Olympic Delivery Authority will engage residents on post-2012 planning

2009 Highlights

• Procurement starts for the delivery of Games services
• New phase of opportunities for residents to work in areas such as construction, culture, tourism and transport
• Work will get underway to improve the Marshes for football and community use

2010 Highlights

• East London Line Extension Line to Dalston Opens
• North London Line Improvements
• Jobs on the Games site reaches its peak at 20,000
• Hackney Marshes improved pitches and new changing rooms will be completed
• Official volunteering programme for the 2012 Games will be launched

2011 Highlights

• East London Line to Highbury will be completed
• Football on East Marsh will transfer to the main Marshes until 2013
• Hackney Schools active in local and national volunteering programme
• Venues for the Games will be completed and test events will be staged

2012 and Beyond

• Olympic and Para Olympic Games in July, August and September
• Host boroughs will celebrate with a Cultural Olympiad open to everyone in East London
• East Marsh will be returned for football in 2013 with a new bridge connecting the Marshes to the Olympic Park and sports facilities
• The Legacy phase begins for Hackney and the Lower Lea Valley including a new Park, new neighbourhood and employment area
• 2012 and beyond - legacy benefits will provide new opportunities for Hackney

Details taken from the Mayor of Hackney's "A Host for 2012"

Fresh Start

What is Fresh Start?
Fresh Start is a scheme for residents wanting a transfer outside of London. The scheme will enable residents to move into council housing, housing associations or private properties.

Who can join the scheme?
Residents on the Council housing register or council and Housing Association tenants can join the scheme.

How do I find out more information?
Contact the Fresh Start team to arrangement and appointment by calling 020 835 5751.

Hackney Mediation Services

One of the many issues that local residents come to see councillors about is disputes with neighbours and we are pleased to announce that there will be three more training sessions on mediating neighbour disputes planned for early 2008. We would encourage TRAs and TMOs to register people to attend.

The dates are:

• 31 January
• 28 February
• 20 March

For further information and to book onto one of the courses please contact the Hackney Mediation Service on 020 8356 4794 or email mediation@hackney.gov.uk

Recent Tranport Announcements

Here is a breakdown of recent transport announcements:

• Since 11 November 2007 passengers have been able to use Oyster and Travelcards on Transport for London's new London Overground service, North London Railway.
• Door-to-door fares for older and disabled Londoners will be abolished making rides free from 1 January 2008 and will benefit around 50,000 Londoners.
• Another six environmentally friendly hybrid buses are being added to Transport for London's (TfL's) bus fleet. By 2012 every new bus entering the fleet will be a hybrid and will help to cut pollutant emissions in London and contribute to the drive to tackle climate change.
• Londoners on income support can get access to reduced bus and tram fares by sending proof of income support to TfL and enclosing a copy of a passport, drivers licence bank card or Post Office Card Account card, birth or marriage certificate, NHS Medical Card and recent utility bill. Forms are available on the TfL website (www.tfl.gov.uk/discountcard ) or from a local post office. The helpline number is 0800 731 4564
• There will be a price freeze on all single Oyster and cash fares for bus and tube Journeys next year. Single cash fares will remain at £2 ; bus journeys paid for using the cashless Oyster cared will remain at 90p; single cash fares for zone 1-4 journey’s will be £4 and Oyster pay-as-you-go passengers will pay £2.50 7am-7pm. Full details of charges are listed on the TfL website.
  
  

Decent Homes Programme Phase 2 - Marie Lloyd House

Works on roof renewal, concrete repairs and window replacement will commence on Marie Lloyd House on 26 November 2007 and will be completed by the end of May 2008.

Any residents with questions can go along to a weekly drop in session which will be held every Wednesday morning between 9.00am and 12.00pm at the Shoreditch Neighbourhood Office, Bletchley Court, 1 Cropley Street, N1.

£4m for transport improvements in Hackney

Tfl has announced a £4m of funding package for transport in Hackney.

Here is a breakdown of the funding for Hackney:

• Principal road renewals - £198,000
• Local safety schemes - £425,00020mph zones - £300,000
• Education, training and publicity - £44,000
• Walking - £160,000
• Cycling - £250,000
• London Cycle Network+ - £867,000
• Bus stop accessibility - £147,000
• Bus priority - £510,000
• School Travel Plans - £806,000
• Work travel plans - £17,000
• Travel awareness - £32,000
• Regeneration area schemes - £80,000
• Environment - £50,000
• Controlled parking zones - £50,000
• Local area accessibility - £60,000
• Total £3,996,000

Plans to Re-vamp Windsor Terrace

Windsor Terrace is in need of a facelift and the council is working with Shoreditch Trust to find a solution and local residents have been consulted on layout, lighting replacement, seating and planting. The trees on this City Road landmark will be retained but the trip hazards caused by the pertruding roots will be recitifed.


Comments can still be submitted to joost.berger@hackney.gov.uk

East London Line Extension

The East London Line Extension, running to Highbury and Islington, New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon, is well underway. Stations at Dalston, Haggerston, Hoxton and Shoreditch High Street are all included in phase 1 of the project.

Phase 2 of the project is still awaiting approval for the funding that will create a direct link between East and South London.

Over the coming months, the government will make announcements which will determine which major transport projects will be delivered.

More Door Entry Systems

Residents on East Road and in Halstead Court, Hoxton, will be benefiting from more door entry system being installed on their estates.

Wach this space for more details!