Speak with your Lancaster West estate community representatives, monthly meeting 17th Feb 2021. Details here
Speak with your Community representatives , share your views and ask them questions. Full details here
Join Bikeminded for this exciting ride to visit a selection of public art displays installed as part of Kensington + Chelsea Art Week. From murals to art installations, the ride will take us to different locations in the borough where the festival’s curator will tell us about the behind the scenes stories of the art pieces.
We will ride as a group at a leisurely pace, mostly through quiet roads. There will also be marshals who will stop the traffic as we ride along. Bring your own bike or hire a Santander bike.
Sunday 20 October at 10am start
Meeting point – Museum of Brands 111-117 Lancaster Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 1QT
Duration of the ride – 3 hours
Finishing at 1pm
Length – about 7 miles
Minimum age 16 – Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
The ride is free, but booking in advance is required. Click here to book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-art-bike-tour-kensington-chelsea-art-week-tickets-72661272823
Feel free to email cycling@rbkc.gov.uk or phone 020 7361 4259 if you have any questions
Have you always wanted to meet new people and develop your cycle skills in a small group? Then our social cycle groups are for you. You might be a complete beginner, want to brush up your skills, learn to cycle on the road or join exciting themed rides – everyone is welcome. It’s simply about cycling, being active and having fun.
Small social cycling groups
Comprehensive programme of drop-in sessions and led rides throughout the week, including Saturdays
Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours
Training is free, but it is essential to book your place
Two location to take part
Westway Sports Centre – 1 Crowthorne Rd, W10 6RP
Chelsea Theatre – World’s End Place, 7 King’s Rd, SW10 0DR
To find out more or to book a place, please email cycling@rbkc.gov.uk
Come along to the Pop Up Bike Market and buy a second hand bike or bring your own unused bike to sell. The market trades in adult and children bikes.
You can also pre-order a bike with no obligation of buying. Please check the Market Order Form: https://www.peddlemywheels.com/market-order-form
Friday 4 October
Exhibition Rd, between the Natural History and Science Museums
12pm to 6pm
Strictly limited places for young people aged from 16-24 run by Queens Park Rangers FC Community Trust.
If you are interested or know a young person who would be interested in this programme please download the referral forms and return them.
They’re available here:
Premier League Inspires Traineeship Medical Questionnaire
Premier League Inspires Traineeship Photo and Travel Consent Form
If you were unable to attend the meeting please find below the information pack with all the latest updates and contacts.
The Procurement Workshop was held 9th May and was attended by 29 residents. We have been sent the following report by James Caspell, Neighbourhood Director of the W11 team. The documents are below:
Dear all,
Thanks again to 29 residents who were able to attend the Procurement Steering Workshop on 9th May 2019. Together, we explored a number of issues, agreed a clear way forward, and generated some fantastic ideas about how we can provide residents with the assurances and oversight you are looking for throughout the procurement process.
Attached is 1) Summary report, 2) Workshop slides, and 3) Workshop exercise results on slides - which capture the issues discussed and raised, and how we will take these forwards.
We will publish these documents online, however please feel free to forwards to residents in your block if you think this would be helpful.
We will now work with the four project areas of the estate in the weeks ahead to develop a local programme based on the existing budget. We will of course be in touch with a range of suppliers and engagement opportunities to ensure we maximise choice and engagement for each type of supplier, particularly for those who will be undertaking health and safety works, and also undertaking works in your homes and blocks.
n.b. In relation to the concerns raised at the beginning of the workshop concerning soil and air quality, we are developing a short document which will set out which public agencies are leading on the various issues affecting the estate, from repairs and refurbishment, to soil and air testing, and the removal of the bagged material from under the Walkways. I’m pleased to confirm that the removal of the bagged material is now complete. The LWRA will be inspecting the garages to confirm this. RBKC will put in place a written agreement with the government that no further debris from Grenfell Tower will be stored underneath residential properties moving forwards.
Kind regards,
James
Please see below and attached update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding the environmental checks to be carried out on the estate.
In brief:
• AECOM has started work on delivering Stage 1 of the environmental checks – we expect this stage to take about three months from start to finish.
• There will be a variety of ways for the community to be involved, starting with consultation workshops on Thursday 25th and Saturday 27th April immediately after the upcoming school holidays.
• Further drop-in sessions are available over the coming weeks if you have any concerns or questions.
AECOM
Following their appointment, AECOM – the independent specialist contracted to undertake Stage 1 of the environmental checks – has now started their work.
You may see them – as well as other experts - in the local area as they start the surveying and testing. If you have any concerns about their presence, please contact us (details below).
Consultation Workshops
We committed that residents would be able to influence the design and implementation of the investigation, in particular to inform the scope and locations of the soil sampling.
We will be holding two identical workshops on different days to enable as many people as possible to attend. Please note these are drop in events and it will be the same information at both, so you only need to attend one.
These will be on:
Thursday 25th April - drop in anytime between 2.30pm and 7pm at Bay 20, 71 St Mark’s Road, London W10 6JG, and
Saturday 27th April - drop in anytime between 11am and 2pm, at Kensington Leisure Centre, Silchester Rd, London W10 6EX.
Please look out for the invitation with more details, which will be coming soon.
Members of the Science Advisory Group – providing independent scientific assurance - will also be attending the community workshops. This will give you the opportunity to speak to them about the science behind the environmental checks programme.
What happens next?
Stage 1 involves collating all relevant background information to identify the areas where the main stage of sampling should be undertaken. It will include background research, and also:
• Exploratory sampling in priority areas to test where to carry out the main investigation and informed by the consultation workshops.
• A walkover of the site, to survey the area. We have a limited number of spaces for residents to be able to observe this survey and will be asking community organisations to nominate attendees.
• Further community workshops at the end of Stage 1 to share the initial findings and seek views on the approach to Stage 2.
We will film the site walkover and exploratory sampling so that, if you are interested, you can watch it taking place on the Nextdoor website and app.
Further information
If you would like to speak to a member of the Government Project Team or NHS, we are continuing our weekly drop-in sessions at The Curve, Bard Road, every Tuesday afternoon.
During the school holidays, we will also be available at:
• Thursday 11th April - Bay 20, 71 St Mark's Road, W10 6JG between 2 – 6pm (joined by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser after 4pm).
• Saturday 13th April - Voices of Inspiration Easter Street Party, Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2BN.
• Thursday 18th April - Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, 244 Acklam Rd, London W10 5YG between 11am – 1pm.
Contact us
You can contact us by:
Email – environmental-checks@communities.gov.uk
Telephone – 0303 444 0078
For the most up-to-date information, you can download the Nextdoor app on iOS and Android devices or visit www.nextdoor.co.uk and search for Grenfell Community Updates - HM Government.
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
9 April 2019
Dear Resident,
Reopening of entrances to the 300s via Grenfell Walk
I’m writing to let you know that as of Monday 1 April 2019, we will be reopening the entrances to the 300s properties of Hurstway Walk, Testerton Walk and Barandon Walk, via Station Walk and Grenfell Walk.
Existing access via respective 400s and 500s entrances will remain for all residents, to provide maximum choice when accessing your home.
Regular security patrols will take place 24 hours per day, and CCTV has been installed to ensure everyone can safely get to and from their home.
The reopening follows agreement with residents at a workshop held on Thursday 21st March 2019. The workshop gave all residents of the 300s and Grenfell Walk the opportunity to discuss longer term ideas for the hoarding, lighting and other features to be installed along Grenfell Walk and the approach to it.
To enable the reopening of these entrances, we have:
Undertaken three walkabouts with residents to decide how to make the approach as safe and welcoming as possible
Repaired the intercoms for the 300s, fixed outdoor lighting and CCTV
Installed hoarding to secure the site and protect Grenfell Walk homes from intrusion
Cleaned the drains and removed the tarpaulin from within the three Walkways
Friday 29 March 2019
Jet washed Station Walk and the approaching ramp By the end of April 2019, we will also have:
Moved the fire wardens into an empty property in the 300s (from 501 Hurstway Walk)
Placed olive trees by each entrance, modernised the lighting, and provided tree surrounds to improve the environment
Replaced boarded portholes with frosted glass
Installed refuse bins to reduce likelihood of littering
Installed signage asking visitors to respect the local community and their right to privacy
Repainted door entrances, doors frames, handrails, stairs and renewal of lighting
Repaved path from Station Walk where uneven, adjacent to the bus stop
Finally, we have agreed to support a cross-community arts project – led by residents – which will take place to ensure the hoarding is welcoming, inviting and reflects the diversity and resilience of the local community. If you would be interested in taking part in this cross-community project, please contact the Lancaster West Residents’ Association at arts@lancwestra.com.
If you have a problem with fob access, please pop in to Unit 7, Baseline Studios between 9am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Thank you for your patience during the time the entrances could not be used, and if you have any immediate ideas or concerns please email me at james.caspell@rbkc.gov.uk
Kind regards,
James Caspell Neighbourhood Director
Unit 3, Baseline Studios, Whitchurch Road, London
W11 4AT
A brief update from MHCLG:
"In February we sent leaflets to Lancaster West estate residents setting out our proposal for how the Memorial Commission’s community representatives will be chosen, and seeking views from residents. We also wrote to bereaved families and former residents of Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk setting out the same.
We received a number of comments in feedback which we are currently working through, and we hope to be able to confirm the next steps as soon as we can. We apologise for any frustration or uncertainty caused by the delay (given that the leaflet said we hoped to start voting from 4th March) and please do refer any questions to [the Secretariat]. We hope to be able to update the Committee and all LW residents soon."
See below and attached correspondence from MHCLG:
Dear all,
ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKS: CONFIRMATION OF INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR
We wrote to you earlier this week to update you on the progress we are making in conducting environmental checks within the North Kensington area, following the commitment we gave you.
We are pleased to confirm that we have now appointed an independent specialist contractor, AECOM, to undertake the first stage of checks.
The first stage involves an investigation of the local area and gathering all relevant background information, including a site survey and any potential historical sources of pollution. An ‘initial risk assessment’ report setting out the findings from this stage will be produced and published. We expect this stage to take about three months from start to finish.
AECOM is a large global company, with proven expertise in land contamination investigations. The company was involved in environmental work following 9/11 and worked on the remediation and construction of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
You can find out more about AECOM in the UK on their website – www.aecom.com/uk. The Government is managing and overseeing AECOM’s work, which is being administered by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This ensures the results of these checks are managed in accordance with relevant legislation (Part 2A of the Environment Protection Act).
On top of this, the work is also being overseen by a group of independent scientific advisers known as the Science Advisory Group. This group is made up of thirteen science professionals and chaired by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.
It includes Professor Anna Stec, who completed local soil sampling work. The Science Advisory Group will also consider Professor Stec’s initial findings as part of their work.
AECOM has now started designing the process for undertaking this work. We want to ensure local representatives are as involved in this process as possible so have ensured AECOM arrange to meet and hear directly from you by hosting community workshops. You will be invited to these in the coming weeks.
Alongside these opportunities, we will also write to you regularly, and our teams leading this work can be contacted directly by email: environmental-checks@communities.gov.uk. For the most up-to-date information, you can download the Nextdoor app on iOS and Android devices, or visit www.nextdoor.co.uk and search for Grenfell Community Updates - HM Government.
See below and attached correspondence from MHCLG:
Dear All,
The Minister for Grenfell Survivors has today written to members of the local community as he understands that Professor Stec’s research is due to be published in a technical journal and therefore could be reported on by more mainstream media outlets over the coming weeks. We intended to share this with you by email at the same time as the letter arrived with recipients.
However, we have been made aware that the research may be featured in one of this Sunday’s newspapers and were keen to advise you of this in advance. Unfortunately, we have no further details but appreciate the frustration and anxiety this may cause, so would be grateful if you could share this information.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in contact via environmental-checks@communities.gov.uk or 0303 444 0078.
Please see attached a letter from the Secretary of State and the Minister for Grenfell Victims.
Please see below an updated message from Kensington and Chelsea Council on concerns about soil contamination.
“We know people are worried about possible air pollution and soil contamination. We aim to protect people’s health and safeguard them from harm. Recent media reports of an unpublished study by Professor Anna Stec suggest there may be toxic contaminants in soil near Grenfell Tower and across a wider area. This needs to be thoroughly investigated. We will take advice from both Public Health England and the Environment Agency to agree the nature and scope of any testing on this site, and elsewhere. Work on this is already under way. Crucially, we will also ensure community input into any testing. We will also take into account views expressed at the public meeting, to be held on 29 October 2018.
Health advice to the public remains unchanged:
- Public Health England’s advice is that contaminated land is generally considered a very low risk to health because people would need to be exposed to the soil over long periods of time,
- If you are concerned about your health, you should contact your GP. Further information is available here: https://www.grenfell.nhs.uk/physical-health
- The air quality around the Grenfell Tower will continue to be monitored and the findings published by Public Health England. Results and general health advice is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-health-advice-following-the-grenfell-tower-fire
- Advice about the preparation and eating of locally grown fruit and vegetables remains unchanged: they should be washed and peeled thoroughly before being eaten; also, anyone working or playing in soil should wash their hands well afterwards. This advice has not changed since before the Grenfell tragedy.
From Kensington Aldridge Academy:
“We wanted to get in touch to inform you that the school will be holding a planned emergency evacuation drill on Wednesday 17th October.
KAA parents have been informed of this by letter and text message today.
It goes without saying that while we will want to do everything in our power to minimise any trauma and upset caused by the drill, we have a duty to carry it out robustly and in-line with national guidelines. The safety of our students will always be of paramount importance above all else.
If any residents have further questions please direct them to contact me on 0207 313 5800 ext 2 or via email address v.turner@kaa.org.uk.”
Lizzie McCulloch is a Researcher who has been commissioned by the charity Hestia to examine how effectively the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is meeting the mental wellbeing needs of the bereaved, survivors and residents. The research is asking what is being done well, what could be done better and what is missing from the Inquiry, with the findings and recommendations presented to the Inquiry team at the end of this year.
You can participate by taking part in an interview or submitting feedback via survey/email/letter/anonymous online link. Interviews can take place over the phone or in person and she is happy to travel to wherever is convenient for you. All contributions will be anonymised.
If you would like to take part or receive more information, please give her a ring on 07724561098 or email her on liz.research@outlook.com
The council has shared some feedback on the Street Entertainment consultation which took place over the Summer, see link below for the full findings.
As developing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was supported by nearly 70 per cent of the respondents the Council will now carefully review the complaints data in order to draft a PSPO. The PSPO will promote and encourage responsible busking, whilst discouraging irresponsible anti-social busking and street entertainment. They will restrict busking and street entertainment in certain locations at certain times and may consider busking free areas. Their goal is not to limit artistic creativity, but to enhance the quality of life for residents and provide opportunity for entertainers.
Terry Oliver, Interim Director for Cleaner, Greener and Cultural Services is now working with colleagues in Legal, Noise and Nuisance, Street Enforcement and Community Safety to produce this PSPO, this will then require an additional statutory consultation which is anticipated to take place in late November.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has contributed to a new Grenfell Young People’s fund which opened for applications this week.
The fund seeks to improve the lives of young people affected by the Grenfell tragedy and the young people themselves get to decide how the money will be used to help their community.
Organisations looking for funding to improve the lives of young people will now have to go before a panel, 80 per cent of which will be made up of young people from the local area.
Groups can now apply for grants of up to £45,000, paid out in installments of £15,000 per year over three years.
The Council donated £431,000 to the £1.27 million fund. The rest of the money comprises £574,000 donated by readers to the Evening Standard Grenfell Appeal, as well as £269,000 from Artists for Grenfell.
Priority will be given to organisations based in North Kensington with annual turnover less than £500,000. To be eligible, groups will seek to improve young lives in at least one of three areas:
1) Wellbeing mental health support, trauma therapy, sport, music and dance
2) Empowerment youth leadership, violence reduction, community cohesion
3) Work ready offering work experience, training, skills or qualifications
Applications for round one of funding should be made by noon on Wednesday 31 October 2018 to The London Community Foundation, the charity that manages the Dispossessed Fund, at: www.londoncf.org.uk/grants/grenfell-ypf
Please contact The Programmes Team at The London Community Foundation if you have any queries about the Fund at applications@londoncf.org.uk or 020 7582 5117.