Westminster City Council have installed new commemorative street signs to recognise the birthplace of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II London and spent her first year at the address To mark this important connection to Westminster the council commissioned eight street signs featuring special designs to pay tribute to her late Queen.  The design was approved by the Royal Household ensuring a fitting tribute to Her Late Majesty's birthplace The new signs also incorporate one of the late Queen’s favourite flowers which featured in her Coronation Bouquet.  "We are proud to unveil these new signs in Bruton Street to commemorate the birthplace of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The tribute marks the late Queen’s connection to our city and highlights the rich heritage we have in Westminster The official unveiling ceremony was attended by local dignitaries including Stuart Shilson LVO DL Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for the City of Westminster plus Westminster City Council Councillors including the Leader Welcome to IPE Real Assets. 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Read our policy By 2025-04-23T10:21:00+01:00 The local authority for the City of Westminster in Greater London has secured £235m (€274m) in financing from Macquarie Asset Management to acquire over 350 temporary accommodation properties from A2Dominion Westminster City Council (WCC) has obtained the 42-year inflation-linked loan for the acquisition of the properties within the borough said: “The City of Westminster faces a significant demand on temporary accommodation as it continues to address homelessness in the City This transaction enables the transfer of a considerable number of properties from a leading social landlord to WCC who has become the first London local authority to achieve the strongest customer rating of C1 from the social housing regulator “We are pleased to support WCC through this financing solution that will secure longer-term tenancies for vulnerable individuals in a cost-effective manner and at the same time providing Phoenix with a long-term inflation linked stable cashflow.” senior investment manager at Phoenix Group said: “Tackling systemic social issues like affordable housing is fundamental to our investment philosophy as not only does it provide robust financial returns for our customers but it also drives to the heart of our social purpose low-cost public-private financing initiative will provide stability to Westminster residents impacted by either unaffordable and grows our social and affording housing investment portfolio to £1.5bn.” executive director of finance resources at Westminster City Council Westminster is experiencing significant increases in homelessness demand and costs This acquisition helps to protect much needed quality temporary accommodation supply within the City “This innovative financing structure will help the council secure and improve these housing assets for the long-term benefit of our residents.” To read the latest IPE Real Assets magazine click here Copyright © 1997–2025 IPE International Publishers Limited Site powered by Webvision Cloud Dragonmeet Call to Adventure saw 30 providers from across the UK host gaming campaigns The event was open to all ages with a particular focus on first time and budding gamers who wanted to take their first step into the exciting world of strategy and imagination-gaming.  Tabletop gaming is being increasingly recognised as a valuable tool for young people to build confidence aide problem solving skills and encourage creativity with real world applications.  It also gets young people off their mobile phones and devices  Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Councils joint Library and Archives service worked closely with Dragonmeet to make this event a reality It comes following investment from the service into games libraries across the two central London boroughs The Councils have over 400 board games for loan and have allocated space and time in their library timetables for people to come and enjoy tabletop gaming for free in a welcoming setting.  Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection at Westminster City Council said: We really support imagination-gaming initiatives and events such as Dragonmeet as it enables people living in Westminster to improve their problem solving and strategy skills think creatively and socialise with others face to face away from screens and wider technology pressures we face in our daily lives It has been great to see so many people at this event today and just shows how increasingly popular tabletop gaming has become Dungeons and Dragons is a globally popular game which sees players assume the role of different characters in a fantasy board game world Westminster City Council is embarking on a £4m project to implement a major new data system to support its ambitions to use artificial intelligence and personalised services The central London authority has published a commercial notice outlining its intent “to develop its next generation The document reveals that the platform’s “core data warehouse” will be constructed from technology from specialist vendor Snowflake whose platform will “likely supported by a range of other products and services” The notice adds: “The programme of work will involve consolidation of a range of existing data platforms through migration activities as well as identifying and processing new datasets to fuel new data products.” Westminster intends to implement the new platform via a programme of work to be delivered in several phases beginning with an initial stage “covering delivery items related to the data hub and data deliverable”.“The initial phase will be to design the new data warehouse environment then migrate and refactor the existing corporate data warehouse (CDW),” the notice says “It will involve discovery and analysis around the data sets privacy considerations [and other issues]  of the data held in the existing Microsoft SQL Server environment These datasets and their data pipelines will need to be migrated onto the Snowflake environment.” The procurement document goes on to outline the technical complexities involved with the programme “Downstream dependencies such as Power BI dashboards will need to be repointed and if necessary ingestion may move from SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) to Azure Data Factory (ADF) and the overall architectural pattern will move from ETL to ELT The migration is therefore not a ‘lift and shift’ migration the scope will be limited to datasets currently processed into the existing CDW.” Spending across all stages of delivery is estimated to add up to about £3.9m up to £850,000 of which will be spent during the first phase “Further phases and additional expenditure will be confirmed as the programme progresses and are discretionary, subject to both budgetary approval and the requirements of the council, therefore not guaranteed to the supplier,” the notice adds Westminster is conducted the procurement process via the Spark Dynamic Purchasing System – a buying vehicle created by the Crown Commercial Service to help public sector buyers invest in emerging technologies Providers interested in bidding for the contract need to register for a spot on the DPS before 5pm tomorrow The council will then draw up its own shortlist on suppliers from those that feature on the agreement by 7 May and these firms will be provided with further documentation Based in the heart of London – and covering the area surrounding parliament and the city’s West End including Oxford Street – Westminster is one of London’s 32 boroughs A little over 200,000 people live in the borough Read More PublicTechnology Live 2025: London,12 May – your free ticket to discover the digital future of public services Read More Ministry of Justice seeks new group CTO Read More NHS providing ‘tailored support’ for 19 trusts yet to adopt EPR Read More ‘Dinosaur’ – MPs’ report calls for urgent HMRC modernisation Read More DWP restores full service for disabled drivers after six-week issue for some users Read More NHS signs £12m deal for ‘next generation cyber’ tune-up Copyright © 2024 Political Holdings Limited Registered in England & Wales under No students and staff at St Joseph’s Primary School in Maida Vale discussed free school lunches with top London leader The Deputy London Mayor for Children and Families heard from the school population about the positive impact of universal free school lunches on attendance Westminster City Council was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its free lunch offer in primary schools to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.  the Mayor of London funded a free lunch offer for all primary aged students across London.   This allowed the council to extend its own funding to provide free school lunches to all nursery aged children and Westminster secondary school children in years 7 8 and 9 - which is still in place now.   Free school lunches have offered a lifeline to struggling families during a time of soaring food and energy prices We want all children in Westminster to have the best start in life and it was great to see the children at St Joseph’s enjoying their time at school today by combining our funding with the Mayor of London’s we’ve enabled every Westminster child aged between 3 and 14 to receive a free nutritious lunch supporting families who need it and meaning children can focus on their learning at school so they can thrive and improve their overall health and wellbeing Despite the introduction of universal free school lunches during term time it is still incredibly important for eligible families to sign up for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM) as this enables families to access further support during the school holidays.  The council provides supermarket vouchers for all FSM families during the holidays.  FSM families can access free activities and a meal offer through the HAF (Holiday Activity and Food) programme funded by the Department of Education The council then funds an equivalent of the HAF programme during all half term holidays to ensure families have continuous access to enriching activities and healthy meals.  the council also provides funding for school uniforms for FSM eligible families A parent can get £150 towards the cost of a secondary school uniform for a child starting Year 7 and £31 for a child due to start in Reception from September.  Victoria Embankment is the first of eight West End public toilets to be refurbished by the City of Westminster featuring new public artworks entitled Westminster Notes The refurbishment of the facilities in the area is being delivered by Westminster's Delivery Partner FM Conway in collaboration with Hugh Broughton Architects for the design and with support from the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy which is leading the development of the artworks We have taken considerable care over the design and installation to provide modern and inclusive facilities for the local community James Lambert has been selected to develop a series of artworks for the project taking inspiration from Victoria Embankment Park We plan to unveil additional artworks by James Lambert in several locations over the coming months We hope you continue to visit our public toilets and enjoy the artwork.   please send them to WestminsterNotes@Westminster.gov.uk The Council is increasing its presence and investing more money to further tackle antisocial behaviour in Westminster This includes a new cleaning van with a generator and water tank to dedicated to cleaning graffiti and deep cleaning of pavements Graffiti and other forms of antisocial behaviour cause real problems for local residents and visitors and the Council is committed to tackling it seven days a week to tackle graffiti in the city.  Any offensive graffiti is always removed within 12 hours from the moment it’s reported and other types of graffiti are cleaned within three days Around 80-100 cleaning jobs are undertaken weekly This form of antisocial behaviour has been on the rise across London in recent years There were a reported 4,141 graffiti cases within Westminster St James’s and the West End areas seeing the most cases That is why the Council is investing £2 million in measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, which is at the heart of Westminster City Council’s proposed budget. This comes shortly after the Council announced a new front-line team to tackle antisocial behaviour The six-person unit consists of officers with experience in city management and can be deployed wherever antisocial behaviour is reported Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Streets “At Westminster Council we’re committed to keeping our streets clean and safe Adding another deep cleaning vehicle to our arsenal means we’ll be able to remove graffiti even more quickly “Help us by reporting graffiti on public property or street furniture to us and we will make sure it’s gone within 3 days Please report unsightly markings on public property or street furniture so it can be inspected and removed We are proud to celebrate  Black History Month – an annual celebration of the lives and achievements of Black people in Britain The theme for this year is Reclaiming Narratives and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black History and culture.   spotlight the untold stories and celebrate the diverse experiences of our Black communities here in Westminster This video celebrates Black history and the diverse communities of Westminster while posing challenging questions about representation It showcases the contributions of Black individuals and other groups that have shaped the area inviting viewers to reflect on how the past continues to influence the present The video pays tribute to the unity and resilience of these communities while encouraging meaningful conversations on how we can move forward toward a more inclusive future A new exhibition featuring diverse visual and digital art from various artists   When: October through to December   Exciting workshops are taking place across the borough featuring a Dominos for beginners’ session of all ages and mini-tournaments for seasoned players.   Interactive workshops with Black History Makers Mia Morris and Maureen Roberts.   Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to learn more about Black History Month in Westminster.     If you have any questions about reserving your space, please contact communities@westminster.gov.uk Westminster City Council has reopened the newly upgraded public conveniences on the Victoria Embankment essential for the health and wellbeing of our local communities and visitors The upgrade is part of a wider transformation programme across Westminster that reflects the council’s commitment to improved public toilet provision across the city Through this investment the council is seeking to incorporate the highest standards of modern design and showcase new public artwork inspired by the local area The transformed site now includes refitted women’s and men’s facilities as well as disabled access and a Changing Places toilet Changing Places toilets go beyond standard accessible toilets; they are larger facilities equipped with a changing bench and a hoist to support disabled people who need assistance The inclusion of these essential facilities ensures a fairer Westminster for residents and visitors alike enhancing the value of these important upgrade works the City of Westminster requires a strong infrastructure of services to support its multitude of outdoor spaces and public attractions The overhaul of this key site supports wider initiatives to enhance public amenities and encourage more people to enjoy the Thames Riverside Coinciding with the 150-year anniversary of the opening of Victoria Embankment Gardens the City of Westminster had a bold creative vision for the refurbishments in Victoria Embankment aiming to strike a suitable balance of form and function The City of Westminster appointed FM Conway FM Conway was supported by the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy and M&M Moran for their specialist expertise on different phases of the works Artist James Lambert was commissioned to creatively integrate artwork throughout each distinct site The Victoria Embankment facility welcomes visitors with a large artwork inspired by the nearby sphinx statues as well as reference to the London Underground and Victoria Embankment Gardens complemented by ‘Westminster Blue’ tiles and offset by lighter tones on the floor and ceiling From the three-in-one integrated sinks through to the anti-fingerprint linen and platin finish on the metal cubicle doors the facilities have been designed and built to be robust and long lasting The Embankment site is part of a wider refurbishment programme covering eight public conveniences across Westminster The next site to be delivered is one of the City of Westminster’s busiest public conveniences situated beneath Parliament Street and linked via the subway to Westminster Underground Station It will feature artwork that draws on the high energy of the area and includes the iconic Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben “I am thrilled to officially reopen the Victoria Embankment public toilets which now features stunning public artwork celebrating the vibrant character of our city “As part of our £12.7 million investment across eight public toilets in the West End accessible facilities that not only serve the community’s needs but also contribute to the cultural landscape of Westminster “This exciting development is part of our broader commitment to enhance public spaces for residents and visitors alike.” “I was delighted that the City of Westminster turned to FM Conway when they needed a trusted partner to deliver this important programme of works After months of rigorous consultation and design development I’m happy to see the first of these facilities being completed and brought into public use I would like to acknowledge the outstanding and valuable contributions made by our professional delivery partners including the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy The ActiveWestminster Strategy sets out our plan to help everyone in Westminster live more active wellbeing and quality of life - we want to make it easier for everyone to get moving.  This strategy runs for the next 4 years in our aim to help residents become more physically active, and supports our Fairer Westminster goals of improving health reducing inequalities and strengthening communities.  We’re working towards a more active city through three main areas:  Read the strategy health providers and communities to:  Visit the ActiveWestminster website to find activities near you, or contact us at active@westminster.gov.uk to share your ideas or get support.  is proud to announce its continued commitment to delivering sustainable logistics solutions by supporting the development of a low-emission micro logistics hub in the City of Westminster A micro logistics hub is a small site that couriers use for their day-to-day deliveries to receive sort and then send deliveries to their final destinations by cargo bikes or walking porters micro logistics hubs can reduce the number of polluting vehicle trips and congestion The proposed micro logistics hub will optimise last-mile deliveries through innovative consolidation practices and the promotion of zero-tailpipe emission transport modes such as e-cargo bikes With a supported 6-month trial for a low-emission courier in Westminster this initiative delivered by CRP will enable significant reductions in carbon emissions The project will also create new green jobs CRP will monitor the hub’s impact throughout its implementation and operation The project will measure reductions in freight vehicle numbers At an estimated value-for-money rate of £39.75 per kilogram of CO2 saved the project demonstrates the cost-effective nature of the initiative This micro logistics hub aligns with Westminster City Council’s strategies including the draft Sustainable Transport Strategy Servicing and Deliveries Strategy and Action Plan The project also supports the city’s broader vision for fairer communities and a decarbonised urban transport network by 2040 Building on previous successful CRP micro logistics hub trials in Pimlico and Wandsworth this hub will continue to explore new approaches to logistics in underutilised spaces enhancing Westminster’s capacity for green growth CRP will work closely with the central London local authority and community stakeholders to ensure the hub’s long-term viability and operational success This low-emission micro logistics hub trial is made possible by the council's Carbon Offset Fund which supports projects designed to reduce carbon emissions across the city The fund is open to a wide range of applicants the council is hoping to empower local initiatives to take meaningful action on climate change contributing to Westminster’s goal of becoming a net-zero city Ecology and Culture at Westminster City Council Reducing emissions and improving air quality are top priorities for Westminster in achieving our aim of making the city net zero by 2040 The new hub will play a vital role in supporting more efficient low-emission deliveries across the city helping to reduce pollution create new green jobs and support local businesses contributing to a fairer and more sustainable Westminster We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Cross River Partnership on this important project.” We are excited to collaborate with Westminster City Council on the next steps of this project advancing sustainable freight solutions and supporting the delivery of a greener we blend strategic innovation with a strong collaborative approach to sustainability ensuring that initiatives like this micro logistics hub not only drive environmental improvements but also enhance the health Freehold company HAAB Development Limited and company director Sheikh Behaeddin Adil have pleaded guilty for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice for a property in the Queen’s Park Estate Conservation Area in the North Paddington area of Westminster At the sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday 10th September HAAB Development Limited and the director of the company for particular criminal conduct under the Proceeds of Crime Act Westminster City Council sought an inspection of the property in Harrow Road after receiving a complaint about a first-floor extension In May 2015 Officers from the council’s Planning Enforcement team found that the property was converted from a shop with three residential flats to a shop with seven inadequately sized studio or one-bed flats This involved rear extensions to the ground floor and first floor as well as many internal rearrangements The local authority issued an enforcement notice in April 2016 which was required to be complied with by 18th November 2016 The notice required the removal of unauthorised works and internal rearrangements to convert the property back to how it was the requirements of the notice were still not complied with and Westminster City Council decided it was in the public interest to prosecute the freehold company and its director The enforcement notice was finally complied with in February 2023 with the company and director contesting the prosecution claiming that they were not aware of the central London authority's concerns about the breach of planning control despite employing a planning agent to respond to the council’s concerns as early as October 2015 Following the sentencing hearing on 10th September 2024 both were required to pay fines of £9,750 each and contributions towards the City Council’s prosecution costs in the sum of £50,000 (£25,000 each) within 3 months This is in addition to the proceeds of crime order The Council understands that planning enforcement can be challenging due to the time it requires but we are pleased to have reached a resolution after a lengthy process Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development said: Planning Enforcement is there to protect and prevent harm to our historic built environment such as the much loved Queens Park Conservation Area.” “We are clear that enforcement notices will be served and must be complied with if a building owner goes ahead with development without  getting planning permission first.” as a warning to others and a reminder that Westminster Council is committed to protecting our City from unscrupulous property developers Westminster City Council recognised its local heroes this week at an inspiring Community Awards ceremony held in Soho.   The awards were a chance to celebrate and highlight people in the community who make a real difference recognising the wide range of contributions that our residents make.  One of the winners was The Mosaic Community Trust who took home the Neighbourhood Centre of the Year award It means a lot to us to be recognised by Westminster City Council for our hard work runner up of the Active Citizen of the Year and the Building Social Cohesion Award It’s brought so many people together for the first time since the pandemic and it shows that we’ve all kept on fighting for our community and Westminster - despite the difficult times that we have faced.”   I am so proud that we have relaunched Westminster City Council’s Community Awards Our voluntary and community sector organisations their staff and incredible volunteers go above and beyond to serve our communities we recognise and value all of these contributions.  generosity of spirit and incredible energy that individuals and organisations bring to their work across the city A huge thank you to all those who took the time to make a nomination and congratulations to all our runners up and the winners!”  Outstanding work with children and young people: James Balloqui  Wellbeing and Health Equity: Angela Singhate - Tell It Parents Network Contribution to Older People: Sarah Beshir – Right at Home Central  Contribution to People with Disabilities: Hend Rahman- Make It Happen  Contribution to Arts and Culture: Margaret Wimble- Handel Hendrix  Contribution to Environment/Green Hero: Maya Erdem & Zara Erdem  Building Social Cohesion Award: Deujean Bernard- Harrow Road Soup Kitchen  Young Volunteer of the Year: Myra Soni  Active Citizen of the Year: Jacqui Haynes - The Maida Hill Project  Volunteering Project of the Year: Abdul Mageed Educational Trust  Neighbourhood Centre of the Year: The Mosaic Community Trust  Corporate Social Responsibility Impact Award: Morgan Sindall Property Services  Lifetime Achievement Award: Tessa Jelen  Outstanding work with children and young people: Maria Ingles – Greenhouse Sports  Wellbeing and Health Equity: Essa Rashan – Pro Touch CIC  Contribution to Older People: Telma Asemota – Penfold Community Hub  Contribution to People with Disabilities: Deujean Bernard - Harrow Road Soup Kitchen  Contribution to Arts and Culture: Antonio Capelao – Architecture for Kids CIC  Building Social Cohesion Award: Mike Smith  Young Volunteer of the Year: Maya and Zara Erdem  Active Citizen of the Year: Mike Smith - Mary Smith Pantry  Volunteering Project of the Year: Treasure Boxing Club  Neighbourhood Centre of the Year: Mary Smith Pantry  Corporate Social Responsibility Impact Award: Hold Storage  Westminster City Council is encouraging residents to host a street party to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.  VE Day commemorates the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945 and celebrations will be taking place across the country from 8 to 11 May 2025 It’s a time to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who secured our freedom.   street parties are a fantastic way to bring people together and enjoy the unity that defined VE Day.  Westminster has always played a vital role in our nation’s history we celebrate not only the past but also the strength and diversity that continue to make our community great.   Westminster City Council’s Armed Forces Champion It’s always wonderful to come together in Westminster VE Day is a chance for communities to celebrate together and remember the heroes who sacrificed themselves for our tomorrow.”   To host a street party, an application for road closure needs to be submitted to the council by Monday, 7 April 2025. Submit your application or find out more information here.  Events and activities planned for the occasion will be revealed soon. More information can be found on the Gov website.   Westminster Abbey is proud to be the latest organisation to join Westminster City Council’s Sustainable City Charter The Charter is aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the capital from Westminster’s commercial and public buildings It is estimated these premises are responsible for nearly 60% of the borough’s total carbon emissions is delighted to lend its weight to the Sustainable City Charter The Abbey has made several key commitments in signing up Its commitments form part of the Abbey’s own detailed carbon reduction plan –as it works to achieve carbon neutrality implementing a variety of energy efficiency measures These include fitting low energy LED lighting and smart building management and heating systems across the estate whilst the clergy residences on site will undergo air tightness testing and retrofit improvements to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions The Abbey is also hoping to connect to the South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) – a major net zero heat network infrastructure project that will fulfil their heating needs Development is underway with Westminster City Council and London Head Quarters working to implement the network with an expected connection date around 2034 The Charter has now been signed by over 80 Westminster based organisations ranging from renowned institutions such as the National Gallery to small independent companies Charter signatories occupy almost 40 million sq ft a fifth (19%) of Westminster’s total commercial floorspace The Charter was launched as a joint initiative between the Council and Westminster Property Association in November 2022 as part of the City Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan It is central to the Council’s goal to be a net-zero city by 2040 The Charter sets out guidance for Westminster’s businesses and property owners to reduce operational carbon across their premises including measures to reduce energy consumption and waste ensure greener deliveries through the use of local suppliers and shared collection points and adopt ‘green leases’ that mandate data-sharing on energy performance We are under no illusions that our target of being a net-zero city by 2040 is a bold one So having the support and buy-in from an iconic landmark such as Westminster Abbey shows not only how serious we are but no matter what size Recent years have been pretty challenging in Westminster Abbey.  We have been busy and we have needed to make plans.   We know that concern for the environment is a pressing issue for us all and it is now a priority in our strategic thinking.  We are already taking urgent steps to reduce our carbon emissions and we are delighted to stand alongside Westminster City Council in a shared commitment to sustainability.” the council will pay respect and reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women Cllr Robert Rigby joined volunteers from the Royal British Legion at Marylebone Station to support their 2024 Poppy Appeal ''It is my great privilege to represent the people of Westminster at the traditional Remembrance Service at Westminster Abbey on Sunday Across the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday I have attended a number of events from Covent Garden to railway stations to Lancaster Gate and I was moved on each occasion by the feeling of everyone there From a 96-year-old veteran to young cadets there is a shared sense of thanks and obligation to those who gave their lives in past conflicts to preserve our freedoms we will lay a wreath outside Westminster City Hall just before 11am to mark the moment the guns fell silent While we pause to think about historic conflicts and those former servicemen and women who may suffer in private long after the conflict is over this is a powerful and public way to show our thanks.” “On Remembrance Sunday we pause to remember those killed and injured in past wars We know that many ex-service people go on fighting their own war through physical or mental trauma and this special day is a way to show our support “Westminster has always had a special association with armed forces as home to defence buildings and famous regiments We wear our poppies with pride because we can never say too many times that it is the sacrifice of servicemen and women that gives us the freedoms we enjoy today.” For more details about the Royal British Legion's 2024 Poppy Appeal: Royal British Legion website Further information and advice for armed forces in Westminster Landmark estate will deliver the highest number of new council homes in South Westminster for decades Ebury Bridge is one of Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration projects rejuvenating an existing 1930s estate and transforming it into a sustainable modern neighbourhood With phase one completion to be achieved this month and 100 new council homes for social rent completed Ebury Bridge has delivered the largest number of new council homes for five decades – in one of the most exclusive postcodes in the City The scheme has already been recognised as a leading example of modern receiving top prize at the Planning Awards 2023 and the Best Community Engagement Outcomes and the Mayor’s Prize for Good Growth at the Building London Planning awards officers from Westminster City Council will support more than 90 families to return to their new homes on the estate after they moved temporarily to allow the building work to take place This will be the culmination of a long journey for some who have waited over five years to move back The remaining families and individuals have chosen to move back to a later phase in buildings that will be in similar positions to their previous homes Westminster City Council aimed to set a new standard for mixed tenure neighbourhoods with a single estate management service across all buildings Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council “This is the start of a new chapter for Ebury Bridge The completion of the first phase of this scheme showcases our commitment to building more truly affordable homes that are high-quality and fit for purpose in our community and demonstrates that we’re delivering on our Fairer Housing commitments for the residents of Westminster The completion of the first phase of Ebury is culmination of our efforts to achieve a Fairer Westminster This phase not only sees the first residents move back into their new homes I’m delighted for our residents who have waited for their new homes to be ready The mixture of the original community and the new families and individuals moving to the neighbourhood will make Ebury a thriving We’re proud of what has been achieved at Ebury and it sets a high bar for regeneration schemes across the country.” "We are thrilled to have completed the first phase of the largest delivery of new affordable homes in south Westminster in partnership with Westminster City Council I am also incredibly proud of the team who has worked with the community of Ebury Bridge Estate to bring sustainable benefits to everyone who lives and works here They have underscored our unwavering commitment to social value." Recognised for high levels of energy efficiency and recognised as BREEAM Outstanding all homes will be heated and cooled by a ground source heat pump using warm water from 100 metres underground greywater recycling and blue roofs will support high performing homes in a low carbon neighbourhood Phase two will commence in 2025 and deliver 334 homes a total of 781 high quality and sustainable homes will be built with 370 of these set to be new or replacement council homes for social rent Ebury Bridge will provide facilities and spaces supporting the health and wellbeing of residents and four attractive public squares and pocket parks approval has also been granted for an extended high street comprising new local shops and cafés The project fulfils a key pledge in the Fairer Westminster strategy which commits to maximising the number and quality of affordable homes and ensuring the housing needs of everyone in the city are met This comes at a time when central London faces an acute need for a range of new housing of all tenure types About Westminster City Council Regeneration Lead contractor Bouygues UK has donated around £120,000 to local community projects and contributed over 1,000 volunteer hours to projects such as the Abbey Centre The site team has supported career sessions provided educational support for residents and schools and welcomed five apprentices from nearby London boroughs They have provided 85 weeks of work placements offered over 50 hours of expert support to small businesses and organisations in the borough as well as providing sponsorship to assist parents with childcare from landholders to grassroots community groups joined together last week for the first time to discuss different ecological challenges in the city and discussed how they can work better together to tackle them The meeting- hosted by Westminster City Council- provided a platform to collaborate network and share ideas with the goal of enhancing biodiversity and greening across Westminster the first meeting marks the beginning of a long-term commitment by the council to address the ecological emergency Regular collaboration between members will help to continue the discussion and develop the biodiversity and greening action plan outside the group bi-annual meetings The aim for future meetings is to continue collaborating to ensure greening efforts are coordinated and impactful and that nature is supported to recover and thrive Westminster is home to exceptional green spaces owned and managed by a variety of stakeholders including Royal Parks and BIDS (Business Improvement Districts) and community and third sector organisations so there was an emphasis on partnership building calling on everyone to take collective responsibility for creating a greener and more nature-rich environment The working group also touched on issues such as strategy and purpose and case studies of good greening practices including recent improvements to Cardinal Place in Victoria by Landsec Westminster City Council is hopeful that this new partnership will play a key role in shaping a greener future for central London It was great to see different organisations come together in one space to focus on how we can work better together to be more environmentally sustainable in recognition of the ecological emergency and to help deliver a net zero city by 2040.” “We all recognise that we can’t do this alone and there is still a lot to be done but by making sure our efforts are coordinated we can bring about meaningful and lasting change in Westminster.” Today’s funding commitment allows Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to accelerate planning and design work for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital This will really boost efforts to explore and secure additional funding sources to cover the main construction costs unlocking economic potential and speeding up delivery  The council is proud to be working with the Trust on a joint taskforce to include our MPs and a range of other stakeholders and experts to make this redevelopment a reality as soon as possible This is a huge step towards replacing the current Victorian era buildings and great news for Westminster where residents will benefit from new improved facilities at London's busiest major trauma centre which treats over a million patients each year We’re looking forward to working with Imperial College Healthcare to deliver a new 850 bed hospital and world leading research centre - securing the best care and new jobs for our city To read the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's statement visit: Statement on next steps for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital. Stuart Love – Chief Executive of Westminster City Council Tim Orchard – Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Rachel Blake – Member of Parliament for Cities of London and Westminster Adam Hug – Leader of Westminster City Council Joe Powell MP – MP for Kensington and Bayswater Nafsika Butler-Thalassis –WCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health Westminster City Council has celebrated the official launch of the refurbished Forest School at Paddington Recreation Ground The Forest School provides children of inner-city schools the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning something they would otherwise have very limited experience of The facility has proved so popular that an extension was required and the Forest Gardens currently offers a mix of education and intrigue with its information boards The facilities have been used by nearly 3,000 children from 11 Westminster schools this year so far A key feature of the expansion is the new sustainable classroom located near the Forest Garden and Bluebell Glade Constructed using recycled materials repurposed from an old cycle storage unit from Queen Mother Sports Centre this innovative structure significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint while providing a dedicated learning space for children to engage with nature in more extreme weather conditions Other improvements at Paddington Recreation Ground include an £80k refurbishment of the gym a community suite upgrade featuring new equipment Following the successful refurbishment of the astroturf tennis courts the synthetic surface tennis courts were also due a full refurbishment this is because it became worn and with water not draining properly anymore These investment has ensured the council can continue to provide world class facilities for residents and local communities Works have also undertaken to the main pathways around the grounds to improve accessibility for those with disabilities and increase permeability to reduce ponding the council continue to make improvements and repairs as needed such as the new self-closing gates in the playground £20k in new playground equipment and repairs and additional bike racks to promote greener transport to the grounds Paddington Recreation Ground is an award winning leisure facility and a Quest Excellent award in the past year “Paddington Recreation Ground is a fantastic I hope these upgrades not only encourage more residents to take advantage of what’s available but also enhance the experience for those who already use their local facilities I'm so pleased that our new expanded forest school will means that local children will be able to explore learning outdoors We all have a part to play in creating a Fairer Environment for Westminster and reaching our target of becoming a net-zero city by 2040.    all of the information you need to understand the causes and impacts of the climate and ecological emergency and how it relates to your life in Westminster is right here at your fingertips.   you can also find opportunities to participate in shaping fair and inclusive local climate policies and projects and ways in which you or your organisation can start taking environmental action.  You can also sign up to our environment e-newsletter to hear about the latest projects that will help us reach net-zero View and download our Greening and Biodiversity Strategy What is the climate and ecological emergency What action do residents need to take?  What we are trying to do Ways you can take part in shaping fair and inclusive climate action policies and projects in Westminster How you can take part Find out all the ways you can start taking environmental action as a resident What you can do as a resident What action do businesses and organisations need to take?  Find more information about all the ways you can take environmental action as an organisation What you can do as an organisation Our Fairer Environment commitments means we are tackling the Climate Emergency head-on We are aiming to be a net zero council by 2030 and a net zero city by 2040 Our Climate Emergency Action Plan is the foundation for our transition to net zero and we’re pushing ahead faster than the national target of reaching net zero by 2050 We’re committed to making Westminster resilient to climate change Read about how we're meeting our commitments so far Nick Abbot is Leading Britain's Conversation Westminster council has urged the Government to relax rules and allow local authorities to confiscate properties that have been vacant from two years to six months The council claims that at least 11,000 properties are sitting empty This would make it easier to issue Empty Management Dwelling Orders and bring vacant homes under control But the plan has sparked criticism as it would be difficult to enforce an attack on people's homes and is a 'distraction' by the local authority to compensate for their failure to build enough housing over the last 40 years Read more: Watch as Boris Johnson swears loudly as he is attacked by ostrich Read more: Trump blames 'abusive' China as stock market plunges after tariffs - and bank warns of looming recession Westminster City Council's empty property enforcement officer said: "What we want to try to do is engage with the owner to bring the property back into use." The central London council claims to have spent £140m over the last two years on temporary accommodation despite 11,000 properties in the area sitting empty said: “Legally it’s difficult to imagine that actually being enforced without huge objections It would be a further attack on wealth and international investment in our cities He said Labour's tax raid on non-doms had already soured Britain’s appeal with wealthy foreign investors “At a time when we are already in a challenging market given the legislation around non-doms and geopolitical volatility it’s the last thing London’s market needs that has not seen the kind of capital growth we had come to expect in the past “There are probably quite a lot of properties that are in foreign ownership that have been locked up and left for many years,” he said adding that they were unlikely to be appropriate for housing as they are “ordinarily in quite poor condition” editorial director at the Institute of Economic Affairs said: "The issue is that we haven't been building enough houses for more than 40 years."Westminster Council is just trying to distract from that." A spokesman for the MHCLG said they would support councils to tackle empty homes by strengthening their powers to take over the management of vacant residential premises They added that the government would publish more details on the matter soon See more Latest News See more World News See more More Topics approximately 32,000 households are particularly vulnerable to rises in living costs Westminster City Council is committing an additional £1.56million to continue its free school lunches programme including nurseries and secondary schools The funding will be combined with the Mayor of London’s school lunch initiative to ensure every Westminster child aged between 3 and 14 will receive a free The guarantee that children will have access to have at least one meal a day is expected to improve the health and wellbeing for those currently experiencing food insecurity This will bring benefits for children’s development as well as mental health benefits for their families Westminster City Council was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its school lunch offer in primary schools in January 2023 to help families struggling with inflated food prices and soaring energy bills the Greater London Authority took the decision to fund a free meal offer for all primary aged pupils in London attending state schools This allowed the council to extend funding for free school meals for all nursery school children and secondary school pupils in Years 7 It was initially proposed to run until Summer 2024 but will now continue on a permanent basis for as long as the Mayor of London’s offer is in place It is estimated that funding school lunches will save a family £550 per child per year We want children in Westminster to have the best start in life Extending our free school lunch offer is an important step in supporting families and ensuring children can focus on their learning We’ve heard heartbreaking stories of children being sent to school with just a couple of biscuits in their lunchbox Research shows that a nutritious lunch has enormous benefits for a child’s concentration in the classroom and maximising their learning potential The council has also announced a further £1.9 million for our Household Support Fund which goes towards helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities That brings our total Cost of Living support package to more than £23 million." Leader of Westminster City Council; Liz Hillyard Headteacher at Tachbrook Nursery; Cllr Aicha Less Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council meeting at Tachbrook Nursery  Headteacher at Tachbrook Nursery in Westminster said: I am so pleased that Tachbrook Nursery is part of this fantastic initiative by Westminster City Council to provide free school meals for under 5s It is something we have campaigned about for many years Receiving funding for a free school meal makes an enormous difference for all our families particularly those of which are facing the increasing challenges around the cost of living Having a free school meal means we can ensure all our children have daily access to food This is absolutely life changing for some of the children we teach learn and develop in the manner we hope every child under five should.” The council has also announced a £1.9million Household Support Fund which will cover meals in the school holidays for low-income families as well as supporting vulnerable young people including care leavers and additional support for disabled households This includes £100k over this year’s Summer school holidays to ensure the Government funded Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme reaches even more disadvantaged young people The Council has also committed £250K to funding activities and food for children in the half term school holidays Despite the introduction of free school lunches during term time it is still important for families to sign up to the FSM scheme Families eligible for FSM will receive supermarket vouchers at £3.50 a day per child and benefit from free activities during the holiday period The school also receives funding for provision for vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils The council has implemented a new auto-enrolment initiative to ensure that families who do not know they are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) are automatically enrolled this has resulted in an additional 243 pupils being included in the FSM scheme the council will be monitoring schools in Westminster and exploring solutions that ensure best uptake of the Free School Meals scheme Recognising an increase in demand for services for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) Westminster City Council has expanded its extensive current offer by investing nearly £4 million in dedicated SEND facilities for young residents and their families.   A brand-new SEND facility has opened in the south of Westminster - known as Tresham South and a major refurbishment and expansion of our facility in the north of Westminster – known as Tresham North has taken place to greatly improve our SEND provision right across the city.  £1.8 million has been spent on our brand-new Tresham South site in Pimlico in response to parents and carer feedback This site includes our Short Breaks service – a place for children with SEND to experience unforgettable activities and develop vital skills while giving their families time away from their caring responsibilities as well as a new council-funded campus for College Park Special School.  The new Short Breaks centre contains two main activity rooms that cater for lots of different types of free flow play: one for older children and one for younger children It also features arts and craft spaces and a main hall for larger group activities The school’s facilities include a sensory room occupational therapy suites and seven classrooms to provide an additional 50 school spaces for SEN children College Park School and the Short Breaks service also share several state-of-the-art facilities - these include a sensory room with a number of exciting elements and a large playground space with an outdoor play area £1.9 million of council funding has gone towards significant refurbishment and expansion to our existing popular Tresham North Short Breaks centre near Edgware Road This provides cutting edge and expanded facilities youth zone and facilities for children with complex health needs Our expanded Short Breaks service addresses the council’s desire to increase SEND provision in the south of the city It offers eligible children a local place where they can socialise enjoy activities and learn in a safe and nurturing environment The development of all SEND provision across Westminster happens in collaboration with Make it Happen a parents’ forum for those with children and young people who have special needs and disabilities At our opening event for our new Short Breaks Facility in the South of Westminster Having this centre will really help my son socially Nothing like this exists to include children with learning disabilities in the community and have a safe space to play as part of a community Headteacher at College Park Special School Westminster City Council have been instrumental in making this place work making it the best it can be and has been really supportive in everything we do It’s been amazing having local councillors and a great education department that are willing to invest in our children with special needs our Short Breaks Service manager said:    The additional provision in the south of the city is something we’ve been really looking forward to We cannot wait to welcome more of our families so they can access this new free that I know will be really enjoyed by all the children who attend here Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children at Westminster City Council said:    The council remains committed to a forward-thinking approach for special educational needs and disabilities provision By actively consulting with local communities we aim to understand their needs and identify the best way to provide comprehensive support Our goal is to ensure that every child and young person with SEND receives the care and these brilliant new facilities will help us to make that a reality in Westminster Our Short Breaks service provides a number of different types of activity for children with SEND up to the age of 18 who have a package to attend the centres with a school holiday scheme Saturday provision and after school activities The aim is to provide valuable respite for parents and carers as well as fantastic play and leisure activities for the children who attend We have two centres within the city – Tresham North and Tresham South To find out more about our Short Breaks service you can visit: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/shortbreaks.  College Park Special School is a local authority school in Westminster for children with autism and complex learning difficulties Our Greening and Biodiversity Strategy highlights our vision for a Fairer Environment for Westminster to improve the sustainability and resilience of the city and enhance the natural environment for the benefit of all our communities We’re excited to share our Greening and Biodiversity Strategy with you developed in response to the council's declaration of an ecological emergency in 2023 Our strategy highlights the important work we’ve already begun we can create a place where everyone - residents Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for City Management has announced that he is standing down as a Cabinet Member The decision comes ahead of Cllr Dimoldenberg’s retirement next year - he is not seeking re-election at the local elections due to take place in May 2026 Paul will continue in his role as a ward councillor for Hyde Park Having first been elected to the council in 1982 for Harrow Road Ward, Paul has also served as a councillor in Queens Park from 1997 to 2022 as well as Leader of the Opposition group between 1987 - 1990 and again between 2004-2015 Cllr Dimoldenberg will be replaced on the cabinet by Cllr Max Sullivan who has been appointed to the role of Cabinet Member for Streets by council Leader “’I’d like to thank Paul for all of the incredible work he has done in our city championing the interests of people in Hyde Park ward and across Westminster While we wish him well for his upcoming retirement I’m certain Paul will remain a very active member of his community “I’m also pleased to welcome Max to the Cabinet where he will take on the role of Cabinet Member for Streets with responsibility for public realm I know he will bring hard work and dedication to the job and as a keen supporter of cycling and active travel continue Paul’s commitment to clean streets and green transport.” The changes will take effect on Thursday 23rd January For further comment contact mediateam@westminster.gov.uk   Councillor Aicha Less will assume responsibility for the Mayoralty Councillor Ryan Jude will assume responsibility for Air Quality Councillor Geoff Barraclough will assume responsibility for flooding Councillor Adam Hug will assume responsibility for Opening up about mental health is losing its stigma and has been given a fresh look by Westminster City Council thanks to new funding and initiatives Trim Talk provides free mental health training for barbers so their shops will become safe spaces for young men to talk about their feelings and emotions there are a number of shops who have already completed the training and know how to spot the signs of someone struggling with their mental health Thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) barbers have been trained to facilitate conversations about mental health and make customers feel comfortable about speaking up and tackling issues such as loneliness or feeling as if they are suffering in silence The training offers a thorough understanding of the factors affecting mental health and equips participants with the skills to identify and direct someone experiencing mental health issues It also enhances conversation and listening skills building confidence to offer support even in crisis situations Westminster City Council is further strengthening its support for mental health services with an easy to access wellbeing hub that offers a simpler experience with all the council’s resources available in one place With one in four adults in Westminster admitting to feeling anxious and with services reporting an increase in demand for support since the pandemic the wellbeing hub gives residents free or low-cost mental health and emotional wellbeing support in Westminster alongside some UK-wide services owner of Raisa's Barbers on Harrow Road is proud to pioneer the trim talk scheme: customers and communities deserve a psychological safe space where they can ‘open up' and we are proud to champion this mental health campaign with Westminster City Council Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities added: I hope customers who use the service will find it beneficial and use it is as an opportunity to start the change dial on misconceptions around men’s mental health I would also encourage other shops or owners in the North Paddington area to get involved so we can create a real community of men taking positive action towards their mental health.” On the council’s new approach to mental health Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Public Health and Voluntary Sector said: There is a lot of stigma attached to sharing personal difficulties or being open about your mental health This project supports the view that mental health is everyone’s business and that we can all be trained to provide support We want to create a community where people can seek help easily and where they know they will be treated with sympathy and kindness wherever they seek help.” Communities are at the heart of  everything we do As part of delivering our Fairer Westminster commitments we want to make Westminster a place where everyone can connect with others and access the support they need Our new community hubs programme helps us to deliver a Fairer Westminster by tackling inequalities and improving outcomes by: one in Victoria Library and one in Charing Cross Library ensuring our residents have easy access to a wide range of community-led activities and support that meet their needs Our first full community hub located at Ernest Harriss House in North Paddington will be launching in spring 2025 with additional hubs currently being identified across the borough.  Visit the hub pages below to find out about opening times and the events running in each space We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals to join our vibrant community you’ll have the opportunity to connect with others If you’re interested in getting involved by volunteering providing feedback or hosting your own activity We’d love to hear your ideas and help you bring them to life Email: communityhubs@westminster.gov.uk Westminster City Council’s Children’s Services have been rated outstanding by Ofsted for the third time in a row The service received an outstanding grade across all five judgements This is reflective of the council’s continued commitment to deliver quality child-centred and family focused services The council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea who Westminster jointly delivers Children’s Services with have become the first two Local Authorities to receive an outstanding judgement for three consecutive inspections Ofsted carried out their inspection in November 2024 seeking children and young people’s experiences of help protection and care given to them by council staff and evaluating the actions of council leaders to improve these services The inspection report outlines several strengths of Children’s Services in Westminster including the dedication from social workers to inform their practice with children’s views and aspirations and their tireless efforts to help children remain with their families Social workers were specifically commended in the report for their highly skilled responses to risk for children particularly how they and other council staff support children and families who have experienced domestic abuse the report finds that they receive excellent support from caring social workers who understand the child’s needs and work collaboratively with them to ensure they have the best chances to progress The report also highlights the high quality of care provided by the council for disabled children including timely assessments of their needs followed by comprehensive support packages tailored to meet those needs with consideration for cultural diversity and other influencing factors staff were praised for their efforts to assist disabled children and their families in accessing advocacy services Ofsted note that the excellent and thoughtful services delivered on the ground by practitioners are backed by meaningful political and corporate support with politicians and senior leaders regularly engaging with children families and partners to ensure their views are reflected in services Senior managers and social workers show genuine understanding of Westminster’s culturally rich community having worked in the City for many years Ofsted also highlighted the positive impact sustained investment has had on improving the council’s services since the last inspection impressive early help services in turn providing many families with essential support without escalation into statutory social work In light of the ongoing pressures families face following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis there has been an increasing demand for social care support Social workers are often working with children and parents to address a range of complex issues Tragic incidents also remind us of the profound challenges that our communities face and the critical response and care the council must provide While the council is proud that Ofsted has recognised the dedication and hard work of staff in improving outcomes for children it acknowledges that there is always room for improvement The council remains committed to continuously enhancing the services it provides and learning how it can do more to support Westminster’s children and families ensuring that services are best equipped to meet their evolving needs Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Children and Public Protection Cllr Aicha Less said: “I am immensely proud of the outcome of this inspection which reflects the inspiring dedication and commitment of our staff who show up every day to support children and families in Westminster It is especially motivating to see the positive impact of our services across a range of areas from early help programmes and strong referral connections with partner agencies to the comprehensive and culturally sensitive assessment support provided for disabled children Receiving an ‘Outstanding’ result for the third consecutive time is an incredible achievement for the council although we recognise that pressures on social care services have increased significantly in recent years due to the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis We can't do what we do by working in isolation so it’s important to recognise the collaboration and contribution of other services; our fantastic schools and the voluntary and community sector We understand the importance of adapting to evolving needs and challenges and can assure you that we will continue to work with the community and local partners to identify how we can improve and achieve better outcomes for children and families in Westminster We remain deeply committed to delivering family-focused services that are not only responsive to the needs of children and young people but are also informed by their voices and experiences.” To apply please click the Apply Now link below Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our terms and conditions and privacy policy apply to this service and you can unsubscribe at any time your email address will be shared with the employer On World Toilet Day (Tuesday 19th November) Westminster City Council announces plans to refurbish eight central London public toilets ensuring that visitors to the borough have access to new and improved facilities engineering and art to deliver a holistic vision for equitable space in the heart of the capital This project is part of a wider strategy to rethink the provision of toilets across Westminster There is a clear demand for public toilets across London and many councils struggle with the costs surrounding maintenance and issues around antisocial behaviour the council will create a series of inclusive facilities that demonstrate high-quality design and enshrine as much civic pride as the Victorians displayed when they first started looking at a proper sanitation system for the general public in the 19th century The council has invested more than £6.5 million this year to upgrade its public toilet facilities in the West End with a further £6.2 million proposed for the next financial year Piccadilly Circus and Green Park will all receive an extensive refurbishment in 2024/2025 with Carnaby Street Covent Garden and Leicester Square due to be upgraded the following year the council has invested £285k this year to refresh its neighbourhood public toilets and is planning to upgrade its Automatic Public Toilets (APC's) at a cost of £1.8m Westminster City Council’s Infrastructure partner FM Conway were appointed to manage and coordinate the overall project with the individual locations opening as part of a challenging phased delivery programme over 2025-2026 To support in the delivery of these transformational works FM Conway have commissioned Hugh Broughton Architects Healthmatic and the Contemporary Arts Society to assist in the complexities of working with aging and listed infrastructure A shared material palette will be used throughout to provide new modern facilities which will be kept consistent across the sites and the utmost care and attention applied to the spaces created within them While materials will be common across multiple sites the artist James Lambert has been commissioned for his playful and energetic approach using patterned-motifs that respond to each local area He will distil the unique London character of its location through the playful juxtaposition of location specific histories the overlooked or previously under-represented The first project to open will be the toilets on Victoria Embankment and Lambert’s artwork incorporates ‘lines of energy’ echoing Bazelgette’s complex feat of engineering alongside an Embankment ‘guardian’ sphinx the ‘superintending architect’ to the Metropolitan Board of Works There are design references to the London Underground and the sights of Victoria Embankment Gardens as well as the Thames as seen in a stylised Tattershall Castle Steamer and abstracted anchors and palm trees echoing the historical importance of the river Thames in shaping global sea trade routes The second site to be delivered is one of Westminster’s busiest public conveniences located beneath Parliament Street and linked via underpass to Westminster underground station featuring artwork that draws on the high energy of the area and features the iconic Elizabeth Tower The third project set to reopen to the public is located within the Grade II Listed underground station at Piccadilly Circus with a creative response inspired by the area’s opulent and theatrical history “Public art has the power to uplift and inspire turning everyday places into unique experiences We’re delighted to have chosen James Lambert to not only beautify our public spaces but also to create a visual story that resonates with everyone who visits and lives in our city This is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to enhance our public realm and enrich the cultural experience of residents and visitors which will tell a story of Westminster’s diversity and vibrancy “The project demonstrates Westminster’s commitment to their public realm It will create high quality public conveniences in some of the most significant sites in central London James Lambert’s engaging art will give each its own character The design will also reduce water use and ensure a low energy solution which matches Westminster’s commitment to the environment.” The hub explores free or low-cost mental health and emotional wellbeing support in Westminster and some UK wide service and apps.  Local support is offered to everyone living our support services cover a wide range of issues and concerns.   Struggling and need urgent help? Call 999  or go directly to A&E.  Samaritans offer 24-hour support by phone (116 123) or email Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential Visit our FAQs page for answers to common questions about mental health and emotional wellbeing and navigating this Wellbeing Hub.  Answer three questions to get a list of services tailored to you Get started The Wellbeing Hub is your new online directory for finding the right wellbeing support for whatever you or someone you are close to is going through If you are a service and would like to update your details or if your information is not yet on the Wellbeing Hub, please complete this form. Westminster City Council has awarded £2.7 million to Paddington Arts to fund a major redevelopment of its building.  allowing the charity to support 50% more young people each year.  The investment is part of the council’s North Paddington Programme designated as a Creative Enterprise Zone.  has secured £2.7 million from Westminster City Council to redevelop and expand its building The investment forms part of the council’s North Paddington Programme and Cultural Strategy The project supports with the council’s Fairer Westminster ambitions and its approach to supporting voluntary and community organisations The project will create 545 square metres of additional space New facilities will include a dance studio Match funding includes £1.419 million from the North Paddington Capital Budget £1.25 million from the Paddington Arts Capital Budget The council’s support unlocks £830,000 raised by Paddington Arts from external funders including the Garfield Weston and London Marathon Foundations The redevelopment will allow Paddington Arts to increase the number of young people it supports by 50% the charity runs creative programmes for children and young people The expanded building will offer long-term financial resilience through workspace rental and venue hire Paddington Arts has signed up to the council’s Sustainable City Charter with plans including a green roof and energy-efficient systems Match funding conditions include a 100-year charge on the building and a requirement to develop a new partnership strategy with local organisations A senior council officer will join the charity’s board The redevelopment is expected to complete within three years North Paddington is now home to one of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones — part of a city-wide initiative to make space for artists and creative businesses to put down roots and grow The designation brings new investment into skills helping local people access careers in one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors Paddington Arts is a key part of this creative infrastructure Its expansion supports the wider ambition to make North Paddington a place where culture and opportunity go hand in hand I'm pleased that Westminster City Council is supporting the redevelopment of Paddington Arts with this match funding Paddington Arts is a long-standing local organisation that has played a big role in the lives of generations of children and young people in North Paddington since 1988 This investment will enable Paddington Arts to provide more opportunities to access the arts - from drama to dance and playing steel pan - in an area with high levels of deprivation and to expand their valuable services the Director of Paddington Arts says:  Paddington Arts has been working with children and young people in our community for over thirty-five years We came up with a scheme to build an extension to our building We are delighted that the Council has agreed to provide us with the necessary funding to complete our extension and we look forward to working together to provide much needed facilities and creative activities for our young people and for the community This  new space will also allow us to strengthen our support and collaboration with other local organisations The Cabinet’s decision is to subject to the council’s usual call-in procedures Read the full Cabinet papers here Westminster City Council has opened a new housing estate office on Broadwick Street in Soho.   residents joined the Leader of Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Services to mark the opening of the office.   This is the fourth location to open in the past 18 months following the opening of housing centres in Queens Park Pimlico and Bayswater that the council committed to.  The Soho Housing Centre will make it easier for residents to receive advice on specific issues give feedback directly to staff and understand what support services are available to them.  "Today has marked a new beginning for us where everything is going to be on the doorstep for us It has really made us as residents feel like we matter I’m sure we’ll be in their office all the time bugging them." Cabinet Member for Housing Services at Westminster City Council “I am delighted to be able to mark the opening of this office for Soho residents This office is the eighth now established in the borough and allows us to bring our services closer to residents – something residents have repeatedly asked for.”   The council’s Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan commits to giving tenants better face-to-face contact with housing staff by increasing the locations officers can work from across the city.  Find out more about housing centre opening times.   Westminster City Council is inviting tenants property agents and anyone with experience or an interest in the private rented housing sector to have their say on the council’s proposals to introduce a new property licensing scheme in parts of the city would extend licensing to all private rented properties in fifteen wards across the borough The purpose of the scheme is to ensure all homes in Westminster are safe helping to create a fairer private rented housing sector According to the council over 1,600 preliminary improvement notices 1,369 formal notices served and 49 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued in 2023/04 which resulted in serious (category 1) hazards being removed from 278 private rented homes Five landlords have also been prosecuted for various housing offences Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters “The private rented housing sector continues to grow we have the largest private rented sector in the country.  an increased shortage of social housing and home ownership unobtainable for many private rented housing is often the only viable option “We want to ensure that all private rented properties are operating legally and we need the views of everyone in the borough especially those that live in a private rented home.” Westminster’s proposed selective licensing scheme could come into force later this year the council must consider the feedback received through the consultation process the council have received hundreds of responses but they are keen to hear from more people Learning about the experiences and views of people living working or studying near private rented homes is important to find out where change is needed The council are also keen to hear from organisations that regularly work with anyone living in private rented housing who have knowledge of the conditions that families and individuals living in the sector are experiencing The consultation runs until 19 January 2025, and everyone can share their views by visiting www.westminster.gov.uk/prs Paper copies are available at libraries throughout the city and can be requested by emailing propertylicensing@westminster.gov.uk or calling 020 7641 6161 Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restriction in Westminster is available here For all the latest news and events, you can sign up for the free London Property Licensing newsletter here Westminster City Council has today (20th September) launched its Greening and Biodiversity Strategy one year since the declaration of an Ecological Emergency in the city.  we are lucky that Westminster contains some of London’s most well-loved green spaces and a rich variety of wildlife But we cannot stand still and continue to see biodiversity levels threatened across our city.  and visitors all have a responsibility to champion a more sustainable way of living ensuring these spaces are available to be enjoyed by future generations The importance of a city with a rich biodiversity must not be underestimated.  One year on from declaring an Ecological Emergency this strategy provides a framework for a joint response in upholding good environmental practice and empowering the actions of all We have made great strides so far in protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the city since declaring the Ecological Emergency We now have an exciting opportunity to continue to deliver a truly Fairer Environment.  I am confident we can improve biodiversity throughout Westminster   At the global scale it’s vital if we want to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change healthier spaces to all Westminster’s residents.”  The Wild West End Partnership added:  The near 10-year collaboration of the Wild West End partners has assisted in raising the bar for the delivery of green space and biodiversity in the West End through the initiatives sharing of best practice The connectivity between the Royal Parks as well as public and privately owned gardens has increased significantly in a way which wouldn’t have been possible without the combined and cumulative effort of all those involved.  to have a coordinated approach across the West End to delivering the highest quality most biodiverse green space possible to the benefit of bats bees alongside creating spaces that people want to dwell in.”  Read the full Greening and Biodiversity Strategy. It was a big day for young people in Westminster Sixth Forms and Colleges as they received their much-anticipated exam results T Level and Vocational Technical Qualifications.  Westminster's A Level Results are significantly above national averages for each of the grade ranges 82% of students in Westminster received an A* to C in comparison to the national average of 76%.  Westminster's A Level performance in 2024 exceeds or matches 2023 performance for each grade range. The latest exam results success comes as all eleven sixth forms and colleges in Westminster are currently rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted Some notable achievements within Westminster: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities Children and Public Protection said:  I am sending massive congratulations to the borough’s hard-working students receiving their A Level T Level and Vocational Technical Qualifications We are very proud of what they have achieved and wish pupils the best of luck in their next chapter None of the success would be possible without the tireless support of teachers Among the students collecting their grades at Paddington Academy we met Tasmiyah Rahman who said: I achieved three D* in my BTEC applied science I am going on to study Diagnostic Radiography at St George's University which I'm super excited about I wish the best of luck for everyone opening their results Even if you didn't get the results you hoped for it's important to remember everyone has their own pace in life." Nothing makes a difference to students' futures like a set of excellent exam results: it opens doors for them and lends lifelong benefits But each of our students are also accomplished individuals beyond their academic learning and have all contributed significantly to our academy community As our Year 13 leavers mover forward with knowledge I would like to thank them for what they have added to Paddington Academy and wish them the very best in their next steps We look forward to seeing them continue to succeed and lead happy and fulfilled lives." Getting your results can be a stressful experience and it is okay if you are feeling disappointed or down. Remember there are so many different pathways available to you. We also have a space with lots of support for your mental health and wellbeing  We Got U. For those still unsure of their next steps, there is a lot of information available about post-16 educational and training options at our Family Information Hub | Youth Hub (westminster.gov.uk) You can find information, advice and guidance on your next steps on the UCAS website https://www.ucas.com/ Harris Academy St Johns Wood; King Solomon Academy; Marylebone Boys School; Paddington Academy ; Pimlico Academy; St Augustine’s CE High School ; St George’s Catholic School ; St Marylebone CE School; The Grey Coat Hospital C of E School; Westminster Academy - IB; Westminster City School; Harris Academy Westminster Sixth Form Westminster City Council has launched the 10 by 10 programme designed to give children the opportunity to take part in 10 enriching activities by the time they turn 10-years-old The 10 by 10 programme aims to offer all children free and low-cost opportunities to explore new talents and experience everything on offer across Westminster 10 by 10 represents one of many council initiatives that is intended to reduce inequalities in the City – an objective which sits at the heart of our Fairer Westminster strategy In partnership with schools and local organisations we have curated a wide-ranging offer to empower children to complete the 10 activities before they turn 10-years-old and heritage sites in Westminster that include the National Portrait Gallery (and sites in nearby local authorities – like Natural History Museum Take part in camping trips and overnight residentials Learn to ride a bike to improve children’s confidence Register with a library and use it at least 5 times per year 10 by 10 is an exciting addition to the council's children's services department which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in January 2025 The programme joins other vital family support services such as our Family Hubs which are located across Westminster and specialised support for children with disabilities This campaign is part of the council’s effort to create further awareness of free and low-cost activities in the borough with specific consideration for affordability for residents By ensuring that all children have access to these experiences we are taking important steps toward creating a fairer and more inclusive city for all Cabinet Member for Children's Services; Cllr Hug Executive Headteacher of London Community Education Federation; Iraklis Kolokotronis All children deserve equal access to enriching activities and the ‘10 by 10’ campaign offers a way to remove barriers that often deny access to these life-changing opportunities Throughout the process we have kept affordability for families in mind – with all activities being offered for free or at a low cost so no child misses out carers and guardians to get their children involved to empower them with new knowledge attended in Civic State by the Lord Mayor of Westminster was held at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 2nd July 2023 The annual service celebrates the historic links between the Abbey and the City of Westminster welcomed the Lord Mayor and Councillors of the City of Westminster to the service The sermon was preached by the Lord Mayor's Chaplain read Deuteronomy 15: 1–11; and the Lord Mayor read Matthew 5: 1-16 Prayers were led by the Reverend Robert Latham The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by the Organist and Master of the Choristers Music before the service was played by Matthew Jorysz The bell is inscribed with the words: ‘May the City flourish: May Parliament flourish’ A collection was taken for the Lord Mayor's nominated charities, the Carers Network and The Passage Order of Service for Matins attended in Civic State by The Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Patricia McAllister (PDF Choir’s new CD celebrates established favourites and new works It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history Westminster has some of the highest carbon emissions and worst air pollution in the UK. In response we have set an emissions target for the city to reach net zero by 2040 Our Climate Emergency Action Plan sets out comprehensive actions for reducing carbon emissions across the city We are in the process of updating our Climate Emergency Action Plan to reflect our progress and evolving understanding of how best to tackle the climate emergency This includes recognising the interconnected social causes impacts and solutions to environmental action Our most recent progress report reflects achievements made during 2021 and 2022 We are now preparing a second progress report to capture achievements from 2022 to 2024 This report will be published later this year.   here are some of our latest accomplishments: We will continue to refine our approach and work with residents communities and businesses to co-produce solutions to address the climate emergency Stay tuned for the release of our updated Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2025.  Our Climate Emergency Action Plan is primarily focused on actions to reduce Greenhouse Gases but links closely with a range of other council policies on connected areas New powers to regulate the e-bike trade across London – bringing an end to the “scourge” of bikes strewn across pavements - have been welcomed by Westminster City Council The move has been set out in a White Paper on devolution just published by the Ministry of Housing It paves the way for organisations like TfL to impose a London-wide system of regulation The White Paper states: “Local Transport Authorities will be empowered to regulate on-street micromobility schemes (like hire bikes) so local areas can shape these schemes around their needs and tackle the scourge of badly parked cycles and e-cycles.” Westminster City Council has consistently called for regulation of the industry and agreed local arrangements with e-bike providers over parking and tidying up stray machines “The e-bike and scooter phenomenon exploded over recent years to the point where Westminster has the most e-bike journeys in the world with over 2,800 bikes per hour peddling around our streets per hour at peak times we all know our pavements are at points a dumping ground for abandoned bikes which can make getting around the City a problem for the visually impaired wheelchair users and others with special needs “Westminster City Council has championed the cause of e-bike regulation and lobbied the Government to act after the failure of the previous transport bill to deliver That void left us with a patchwork quilt of different schemes across the capital and e-bikes don’t navigate by local authority boundaries “It took ten years to win the argument to devolve the power to regulate pedicabs so I am glad this White Paper paves the way for Mayors and transport authorities to get the powers they need to implement a sensible scheme for e-bikes rather sooner.” There are currently around 630,000 bike trips around Westminster made every month and the City Council has installed 360 parking bays to cope with burgeoning demand