Welcome to the latest South Acton councillor update
It’s been another busy month and Josh, Yvonne and I have all been out and about following our reselection last month. I’d just like to thank all the members that came out to the shortlisting and selection meetings last month and say on behalf of all of us we recognise the privilege it is to be given the chance to speak up for South Acton amidst all the changes both across the ward and the borough. We’ve already been getting the #SaveOurNHS services message across, and I hope that you have signed the Ealing council petition, if not you can do it online here: https://www.ealing.gov.uk/SOH. Every signature counts so please get your family and friends, and work colleagues and more to add their names too.
Remembrance Sunday services
November is always notable for the annual Remembrance Sunday services that are held across the borough. The chief executive and leader of the council; were both at the Southall service, while Yvonne and I joined the mayor Simon Woodroofe and Rupa Huq MP (and many other councillors and more) at the Ealing Green service. It was extra chilly this year, but even so there was one of the largest turnouts we had seen for many years and it is important that we mark all those that have sacrificed their lives so that we may live in peace. It is always heartening to see so many young people attend, and the culmination of the service sees a march past by young and old, united in their respect for those that gave their lives. We will remember them.
Keeping an eye on council policy
In my role as chair of Ealing’s Overview & Scrutiny committee, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all aspects of the council’s operations. This month we took a thorough review of the annual adults and children’s services complaints. There has been good work and progress in both areas, and the overall downward trend in children services’ complaints was welcomed, but there is an issue with the ‘icase’ work system which looks like it may need an upgrade. This was something I touched on in the audit committee meeting this week when we were looking at the strategic risk register and the need to tie up IT. It is worth noting that the council’s digital strategy – the subject of a scrutiny panel last year – has strengthened, but there is more to do. The next meeting of OSC will be on Thursday 9 December and will look at the Local Strategic Partnership, we’ll hear from council leader Julian Bell on the overall strategy as well as Garry Phillips from West London College and Bally Janagal from the DWP on specific work streams. January will see the latest update on the housing report (including checks following Grenfell) provided information is up to date, and we’ll also touch on the boundaries review which should make for an interesting session. February will see Yvonne up before the committee as we look to set the budget for the coming year, with yet more cuts the situation is dire, but we are trying our best to defend out key services while dealing with the rising pressures – particularly in adult social care. We’ll keep you posted of budget developments and the cuts of £188 million to our funding, but any questions just ask.
Ward developments
The South Acton regeneration project has really expanded in the past couple of months, moving closer to the high street in terms of demolitions (the Church Road block opposite Ragley Close is gone) while houses and flats have risen over the other end near the sorting office which has seen a whole range of people starting to move in (as well as transfers of residents from across the estate). On the area near South Acton station I am pleased to say that the CPZ has finally been implemented, although residents need to check to see if they are allowed to apply as there are certain restrictions depending on the blocks. Just north of this area where Hardy Court used to be is a major block going up which will include almost 150 homes as well as a new community centre, youth club, supermarket, café and more. Demolition of Charles Hocking House is also planned to start and this means that the Oak Tree Community Centre has shifted down the road to near the Youth Centre. If you are interested in developments on the estate why not pop along to the new Community Centre in Hanbury Road on Monday 4 December where Acton Gardens will be holding its AGM, the board – on which Josh, Yvonne and I all sit – meets every three months to look at phasing, design, construction updates and more. Also remember that all the latest updates on what is happening and the different phases can be seen on the www.yoursouthacton.co.uk website.
Campaigning across the ward
And while all that remains to say is that we will continue to be campaigning across the ward in December, judging by the weather in the last few days we’ll need to wrap up warm. Our focus remains getting more signatures for the petition, so if you can’t join us out on the streets at least push the message online, please share this link far and wide and encourage as many as possible to sign it: https://www.ealing.gov.uk/SOH.
As ever if there are any other questions then just drop us a line, or if there is something is more complex I will be at the Ruskin surgery at Church Road on Saturday 16 December, so do feel free to email, otherwise, a list of this month’s meetings and what’s coming up is below, any questions you know what to do.
Warm regards
Mik
Mik Sabiers – mik.sabiers@ealing.gov.uk – 020 8992 5014/updates on twitter: @miksabiers
Chair, Ealing Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Labour councillor for South Acton
e: mik.sabiers@ealing.gov.uk MS 2017/11/30
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Meetings attended
9 November – Chaired Overview & Scrutiny on children’s/adult services complaints, Ealing Town Hall
11 November – Ruskin surgery, Ruskin Hall, Acton W3
12 November – Remembrance Service, Ealing Green
20 November – Berrymede Infants – school governor meeting
21 November – Training on the introduction of Universal Credit, Ealing Town Hall
22 November – Overview & Scrutiny Committee pre-agenda meeting, Perceval House, Ealing
22 November – Pension Fund Panel, Ealing Town Hall
25 November – Canvassing session across Acton, South Acton
27 November – L&Q/Acton Gardens update on South Acton regeneration plans, Acton Gardens office
27 November – LGCC, Ealing Town Hall
29 November – Audit Committee, Ealing Town Hall
Scheduled December meetings
4 December – Acton Gardens, AGM, Hanbury Road Community Centre
7 December – Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Ealing Town Hall
9 December – South Acton canvassing session, meetings Ruskin Hall, Acton
11 December – Council update on PSPO, Ealing Town Hall
11 December – Labour group – Ealing Town Hall
16 December – Ruskin surgery, Ruskin Hall, Acton
18 December – LGCC, , Ealing Town Hall
18 December – Labour group meeting, Ealing Town Hall
19 December – Overview & Scrutiny Committee pre-agenda meeting, Perceval House, Ealing
19 December – Full council, Ealing Town Hall