New data from Camden Labour suggests that council neglect and anti-social behaviour are the main concerns of residents in the Haverstock area of Camden, from Chalk Farm to West Kentish Town.

Queens Crescent community activist, Joynal Uddin (pictured left), is making a stand for local people, saying “The residents of places like Denton, Southfleet, Malden Road and Maitland Park have had enough of the Tory/Lib Dem Council’s neglect.  The Tories and Lib Dems are happy to churn out leaflets but it counts for nothing when they refuse to deal with the problems of antisocial behaviour I see every day on the streets.  Many of our local problems can be traced back to poor and overcrowded housing conditions – problems only made worse by the Council’s policy of selling off homes to private developers despite the 18,000 housing waiting list.”

Joynal has pledged, if elected by local people, to join Camden Labour colleagues in opposing any further housing sell offs and to support tough action against crime in Haverstock ward.

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As the Camden New Journal reports on private developers making vast sums through the auctioning of homes by Camden’s Lib Dems and Tories, Camden Labour has reaffirmed its commitment to stopping the sell-off of desperately needed local housing.

Cantelowes ward campaigner, Phil Jones, said “This ‘flipping’ of publicly owned housing to generate hundreds of thousands of pounds for private developers will shock and appall Camden’s taxpayers.  It’s also a daily tragedy for the thousands of local families that languish on the growing housing waiting list.  The choice at the next election is between Lib Dem/Tory support for sell-offs and Camden Labour’s promise to immediately halt privatisation of desperately needed housing.”

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Regent’s Park councillors and Action Team members are taking a firm stance on the Northern Line closures. It has been reported that the Northern Line will be closed for 82 weekends. Last week Action Team member Tulip Siddiq wrote a letter to the CNJ demanding that Camden Council start to lobby Transport for London properly about these closures. It will severely impact the lives of Regent’s Park residents who regularly use Mornington Crescent tube for their main method of transportation.

Councillor and Leader of the Labour Group Nasim Ali has also voiced his concerns about this closure. Regent’s Park will be exerting more pressure on Camden Council to take action on this inconvenient proposal.

Right: local campaigner, Tulip Siddiq

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The local Kilburn Labour team welcomed Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP to Kilburn to celebrate the contribution Bangladeshi people have made to this country.  Speaking at the Tricycle theatre, the minister said: “Bangladesh and the UK have deep historic and cultural ties.  With many British people of Bangladeshi origin living in the UK, we enjoy a vibrant partnership.”  

Kilburn Labour camapigner Maryam Eslamdoust added: “Bangladeshi people have made a huge contribution to the local area, both culturally and economically.  We’re very proud that they play such a vital role in our community”.

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The Lib Dems running Camden have announced one of their largest cuts to date – an eye-watering 82.5% slash to Camden’s UK Online Centres budget.

These vital centres help people use computers and get online – essential as more and more everyday activity relies on accessing the internet, from applying for housing to filling in tax forms and applying for jobs and benefits.

The axe has fallen particularly hard in Kilburn, as there are a number of centres in our area: at Kingsgate Resource Centre on Webheath, at Kilburn Library and in the Youth Centre on the High Road; the South Hampstead Education and Lifelong Learning Centre on Boundary Road and the Latin American Association on Kingsgate Place.

Labour campaigner Mike Katz said: “Camden’s Lib Dems are really making good on the promise of ‘savage cuts’ their party leader gave a few months ago.

“And as with other Lib Dem/Tory cuts, it will be the most disadvantaged, the elderly and poorer children who will be hit the worst, who either don’t have access at home or need help to get online.

“This will really hurt Kilburn, as we have five centres here – and a great demand for the service.

“So much for a council willing to help people improve their skills and access benefits – especially during a recession.

He added that Labour would be campaigning with the centres across the borough to fight the cut and help keep them open.

Tags: Kilburn.

The Kilburn Town Centre Management scheme was started by Labour to join up efforts by both Brent and Camden Councils to support Kilburn High Road. It aimed to support local businesses, tackle litter and pollution and enhance the overall shopping and leisure experience on the High Road.

When the Lib Dems, with Tory support, took control of both boroughs following the local elections back in 2006 the scheme got kicked into touch and both councils have now axed the funding altogether.

Labour campaigner Mike Katz said “Kilburn High Road is the heartbeat of our community and local businesses are the foundation. It’s vital the High Road is maintained as a vibrant place to meet, shop and socialise. Your local Labour team is 100% committed to fighting for a  High Road that we can all take pride in.”

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Camden Labour have been backing the campaign to save the Whittington A&E from closure.  There will be a public meeting about the planned closure on Monday 25th January, 7pm at Archway Methodist Church, N19.  We hope you can join us there to protest against this terrible decision by NHS executives.

Closing the Whittington A&E would force some people to travel further in an emergency.  It would also put an extra strain on other hospitals, such as the Royal Free, and potentially lead to the closure of other services at the Whittington.

More than 1,000 people have signed the petition against the closure.  You can add your name here: http://www.savethewhittington.org.uk/tag/petition/

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Local Labour campaigners are keeping a careful eye on the future of Kilburn Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), following cuts by the Lib Dems to advice services across the borough.

Labour MP Glenda Jackson uses the CAB on the High Road for her regular advice surgery in Kilburn (11am on the 3^rd Saturday every month – no appointment needed).

Labour campaigner Maryam Eslamdoust, whose job involves giving legal advice to charities, said: “The Kilburn CAB is really important to the local community – especially in the midst of a recession, when people need support and to know their rights more than ever.

“There have been cuts to advice services across Camden. We want to make sure that services at the Kilburn CAB don’t suffer as a consequence.

“It’s important to defend local services like this. Labour will fight any cuts to council support for the CAB.”

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Lib Dem led Camden Council has backed down from plans to replace the unique internal heating system on the Alexandra & Ainsworth estate with radiators, following a high profile campaign led by the Tenant’s & Resident’s Association – supported by Kilburn’s Labour Team.

Over 90% of residents surveyed by the TRA opposed the radiator plans, which many residents feared would be unsightly and could potentially lead to structural problems with the eye-catching grade II listed estate.

Labour campaigner Thomas Gardiner said: “Thanks to the TRA campaign, the Lib Dems have seen sense and backed down on their plans to impose radiators on the Alex & Ainsworth. We’re pleased the council has seen sense and will get on with replacing electrical wiring in new risers on A block, while looking again at sustainable longer term solutions for the estate.”

Tags: Kilburn, Radiators Row, Rowley Way.

Progress has been made but much more needs to be done – that was the message from young people in the local Somali community as they met with Frank Dobson MP and Camden Labour campaigners last night. Frank heard from volunteers and community workers at the Somali Youth Development Resource Centre, in Kentish Town, about the impressive educational achievements of many in the Somali community, and the help and support that is being provided to local residents at the centre. However, serious concerns were also raised about overcrowded housing, youth unemployment, the danger of young people falling into crime and
drug abuse, and the threat of Islamophobic racism locally.

Local Labour campaigner, Phil Jones, said “I was impressed by the commitment and knowledge of the staff and volunteers from SYDRC and the London Somali Youth Forum. Some excellent ideas were proposed about supporting children from a Somali background in our local schools, and the need to oppose the Town Hall’s cuts to local youth clubs.

“British Somalis are an important part of the diversity that makes Camden such a special place to live. Camden Labour is 100% committed to ensuring all local communities of whatever background are given a chance to have their say on the issues that matter in our Borough.”

Frank Dobson committed to working further with staff at the centre, particularly over promoting training and employment opportunities locally.

Frank Dobson at the Somali Youth Development Resource Centre

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