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