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.