Labour in Haggerston

Common Goes for 2am

2011-09-22T10:39:00.001Z

Common

323 Old Street

London, EC1V 9LE

Application for plays, films, live music,recorded music, performance of dance, anything of similar description, makingmusic, facilities for dance, entertainment of similar description and supply ofalcohol from 09:00 to 02:00am daily, and late night refreshment from 23:00 to02:00am daily.

Closing date for representations: 7/10/2011

Great Eastern Goes for 3am

2011-09-22T10:35:00.001Z

Great Eastern Dining Room

54/56 Great Eastern Street

London, EC2A 3QR

Application for a premises licence for recordedmusic, making music and supply of alcohol 10:00 to 01:00am Monday and Tuesday,10:00 to 03:00am Wednesday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 23:30 Sunday inbasement and 10:00 to 01:00am Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 23:30 Sundayin ground floor and late night refreshment 23:00 to 01:00am Monday and Tuesday,23:00 to 03:00am Wednesday to Saturday and from 23:00 to 23:30 Sunday in basementand 23:00 to 01:00am Monday to Saturday and from 23:00 to 23:30 Sunday inground floor.

Closing date for representations: 31/10/2011

5.00am Application on Paul Street

2011-09-07T15:19:00.000Z

Blueberry

2/4 Paul Street

London, EC2A 4JH

Deadline for responses: 27 September

Application for a premises licence for plays from 20:00 to 00:00 Monday to Wednesday, 20:00 to 02:00am Thursday, 18:00 to 05:00am Friday and Saturday and from 18:00 to 03:00am Sunday, live music and facilities for dance from 21:00 to 00:00 Monday to Wednesday, 21:00 to 02:00am Thursday, 21:00 to 05:00am Friday and Saturday and from 21:00 to 03:00am Sunday, making music from 20:00 to 00:00 Monday to Wednesday, 20:00 to 02:00am Thursday, 20:00 to 05:00am Friday and Saturday and from 18:00 to 03:00am Sunday, entertainment of similar description from 07:00 to 00:00 Monday to Wednesday, 07:00 to 02:00am Thursday, 07:00 to 05:00am Friday, 12:00 to 05:00am Saturday and from 12:00 to 03:00am Sunday, supply of alcohol from 12:00 to 02:00am Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 to 04:00am Thursday, 12:00 to 05:00am Friday and Saturday and from 12:00 to 03:00am Sunday and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00am Monday to Wednesday, 23:00 to 04:00am Thursday, 23:00 to 05:00am Friday and Saturday and from 23:00 to 03:00am Sunday.

2 licence applications and a review

2011-08-16T11:32:00.000Z

First up a review of Korsan Bar which is directly in front of the Geffrye Estate. This is a review proposed by the council on the grounds of nuisance. Closing date for representations is 5 September.

Next Favela Chic on Great Eastern Street wants an extension til 2.00am Monday to Thursday and 3.00am Friday and Saturday. Closing date for representations is 9 September.

Finally Zigfrid on Hoxton Square wants 2.00am Sunday to Thursday and 3.00am Friday and Saturday. Closing date for representations is 7 September.

Review for Bluu bar on Hoxton Square

2011-06-22T10:19:00.000Z

Bluu

1 Hoxton Square

London, N1 6NU

Application form the Hackney pollution team to review the premises on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance.

Closing date for representations: 11/07/2011

Regent's Canal Cycle Improvements

2011-02-02T17:29:00.001Z

Hackney Council is about to carry out works to improve conditions for cyclists along Regents Row. These works are aimed at making Regents Row easier to use for cyclists and improving the connection with the Regents Canal Towpath and Queensbridge Road Canal Bridge.

The towpath often gets very busy and space is limited. These proposals are aimed at providing better access for cyclists to use alternative routes and so help relieve pressure and reduce conflict between cyclists and pedestrians using the towpath.

The plans include:

Extending the pavement at the western end of Regents Row by the entrance to the towpath and building a ramp for cyclists.
Removing the existing barrier gate at the intersection of Regents Row and Marlborough Avenue.
Painting double yellow lines along Regents Row between Marlborough Avenue and Queensbridge Road bridge to prevent vehicles obstructing the road and to maintain accessibility. These measures will not reduce or impact on current parking provision in the area.

Licensing Applications Week Ending 21 January

2011-01-25T16:37:00.000Z

Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old Street
London EC1V 9LT

Application for time limited premises licence for plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, making music and facilities for dance from 19:00 to 00:00 Thursday and 00:00 to 02:00am Friday and supply of alcohol from 23:00 to 00:00 Thursday and 00:00 to 01:30am Friday.

The Pulpit
63 Worship Street
London EC2A 2DU

Application for variation of premises licence for recorded music, making music and supply of alcohol from 11:00 to 01:00am from Sunday to Thursday and from 11:00 to 02:00am Friday and Saturday and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00am from Sunday to Thursday and from 23:00 to 02:00am Friday and Saturday. 16/02/2011

Comedy Cafe/Bedroom Bar goes for 3.00am

2011-01-10T20:00:00.000Z

The Comedy Cafe and Bedroom Bar on Rivington Street have applied for a licence til 3.00am in Fridays and Saturdays.

The closing date for comments is:4 February 2011.

Redistribution - Tory style

2010-12-13T22:29:00.000Z

Eric Pickles, the Local Government Secretary, today announced the settlement for councils across England. It would appear the Tories have finally embraced the concept of redistribution of wealth....

Highest cuts to "revenue spending power" :

LB Hackney 8.9%
LB Tower Hamlets 8.9%
LB Newham 8.9%
Manchester MBC 8.9%
Rochdale MBC 8.9%

Lowest cuts to "revenue spending power":

Wokingham 0.63%
Richmond-upon-Thames 0.61%
Buckinghamshire 0.60%
Surrey 0.31%
Dorset +0.25% (an increase not a cut)

Book Club Goes for 4am Licence

2010-12-02T09:43:00.000Z

The Book Club
100/106 Leonard Street
London EC2A 4RH

Application for premises licence for films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, anything of similar description, making music, facilities for dance, entertainment of similar description and supply of alcohol from 09:00 to 02:00am Monday to Thursday and from 09:00 to 04:00am Friday to Saturday and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00am Monday to Thursday and from 23:00 to 04:00am Friday to Saturday.

Closing date for representations is 21 December. Get in touch if you want to discuss.

Geffrye Museum Under Threat

2010-11-17T21:23:00.000Z

The coalition government plan to axe the funding to the Geffrye Museum on Kingsland Road putting its future in real doubt. Funding from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport accounts for 75% of the Geffrye's income and will end in 2015. A number of other museums across the country will be similarly affected.

The Geffrye Museum details the history of homes and interiors through a series of rooms showing what home life was like from the 1600s to the present day.

A DCMS spokesman said the department was "exploring whether these museums may be more effectively sponsored through other bodies or programmes in the longer term. We aim to identify alternative sponsors for these museums by April 2011. "

With Pepsi writing our public health policy maybe they have IKEA in mind.

Howl at the Moon goes for 4.00am licence

2010-11-02T18:30:00.000Z

Howl at the Moon

178 Hoxton Street

London N1 5LH

Application for premises licence for films, recorded music and supply of alcohol from 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Wednesday and from 11:00 to 04:00am Thursday to Sunday, indoor sporting events and making music from 11:00 to 23:00 daily, live music from 15:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 18:00 to 23:00 Friday to Saturday.

Closing date for representations: 25/11/2010

Proposal for 20mph Zone in Shoreditch

2010-09-08T21:41:00.001Z

The Council has launched a consultation on a proposed 20mph zone for Shoreditch. If you want to read more about the proposals click here.

As well as reducing the speed limit to 20mph, the proposals include:

Raised crossing at Great Eastern Street and Garden Walk junction
Raising Charlotte Road between Rivington Street and Old Street to make it a pedestrian environment in the evenings
Planting some trees at suitable locations in Rivington Street, Garden Walk, New Inn Broadway and Charlotte Road
Some footway widening in Rivington Street and north of New Inn Broadway to create shared surface and improve pedestrian walking experience

Some residents have already been in touch to share their concerns about the pedestrianising of streets in the evenings leading to more problems from night time drinkers. What do you think?

Bar Prague Goes for 3am Licence

2010-09-07T17:14:00.000Z

Bar Prague
6 Kingsland Road
London E2 8DA

Application for variation of premises licence to extend plays, live music, recorded music, making music, facilities for dance, supply of alcohol and late night refreshment from 00:00 to 03:00am daily.

Closing date for representations: 25 September 2010

Licensing Applicaitons w/e 27 August

2010-09-06T12:53:00.000Z

Korsan Bar

165 Kingsland Road

London E2 8AL

PC Amanda Griggs (Metropolitan Police) Application for summary licence review on prevention of serious crime and disorder basis.

Cocomo
323 Old Street

London EC1V 9LE

Carl & Dave Ltd
Application for minor variation to change the layout of the premises.

Four Vintners

5 Kingsland Road

London E2 8AA

Mr Aroun

Application for premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 10:00 to 18:30 daily.

LETTER FROM TFL RE SQUEALING TRAINS

2010-08-17T13:44:00.002Z

Dear Stakeholder,

I am writing to you as someone who has previously contacted London Overground about the disruption experienced from the noise of trains passing through curves, which is commonly known as curving noise.

I hope to be able to keep all stakeholders updated with regular information about the issue. This initial update is to explain the background to curving noise and to detail the steps TfL is taking to alleviate the issue. In future updates I hope to be able to explain the actions taken.

INTRODUCTION

TfL is aware that curving noise has given rise to a number of complaints since the London Overground service commenced. TfL is taking this matter very seriously and is in the process of trying to find a solution. This note is to inform residents about the causes of curving noise and to provide an update on what steps TfL is implementing to address this issue.

CAUSES OF CURVING NOISE

Curving noise is not a straightforward issue. Whilst it is caused by the rubbing/slipping of the train’s wheel on the rail as it moves through a curve, the actual elements rubbing/slipping can vary on different curves. To be able to address the problem, it is first necessary to understand which elements are involved.

There are three main causes of curving noise.

1. Wheel squeal - this results when the part of the wheel which rests on the rail slips small amounts repeatedly across the top of the rail

2. Flanging – this is when the wheel flange (the overhung side of wheel which prevents the wheel from coming off the rail) rubs against the side of the rail.

3. Flange contact - where the back of the wheel flange makes contact with an additional rail (the check rail) which helps ensure that the train does not de-rail on a corner.

Curving noise most commonly occurs on sharp curves, places where tracks crossover or in locations where there is ineffective lubrication of rails on curves. However, other factors that can influence the occurrence of curving noise include:

· undulating (up and down) track

· rough wheel and/or rail surfaces

· out of shape wheels

· weather conditions (particularly the presence / absence of rain or the level of humidity)

· variations in train speed.

CONSIDERATIONS IN SOLUTIONS – SAFETY, PERFORMANCE, WEAR, NOISE

The primary method of controlling curving noise is to control the amount of friction between the wheel and the running rail. On the East London Line, a number of flange lubricators have been installed to lessen the friction between the wheel flange and the rail – thus reducing flanging noise. In addition, top of rail friction modifiers have been installed to control the levels of friction on the top of the rail and thus limit the noise associated with wheel squeal.

The East London Line is believed to be the first railway in the UK to open with top of rail friction modifiers in place from opening. These units are relatively new pieces of equipment, and they do not currently have full approval to be used on National Rail network – currently they are only be used on National Rail network at selected sites under a trial approval certificate.

However, as TfL considers that top of rail friction modifiers can be effective in reducing curving noise, approval has been given to the use of these items on the East London Line on a trial basis. However, given the new nature of the equipment, there will inevitably be a period of time required to adjust the set-up such that the units work to their maximum effectiveness.

As you will appreciate, the operations on a railway are safety critical, and all activities and adjustments need to be undertaken in a controlled manner such that no need new safety risks are introduced.

As such, the use of lubricators and friction modifiers on the railway needs to be carefully controlled as over application of these materials can result in the following problems:

· increased stopping distances due to the reduced braking efficiency

· potential collision risk caused by a train overrunning the signal and colliding with another train or hitting the buffers

· the generation of wheel and rail defects

· delays caused by the train overrunning the station and the doors not opening

· the potential fire hazard and environmental impact of excessive grease and oil spatter

· potential for fatigue cracking on the rail

Given the above, a number of safety and performance issues need to be taken into account when determining the optimum solution to reduce curving noise by the use of lubrication and friction modification systems. As such, any adjustments that are made need to be made in a controlled and systematic manner. This obviously takes time. Time is also needed after any adjustments to determine whether the adjustment has been beneficial or not in reducing curving noise.

Please be assured, however, that TfL is taking all reasonable measures to solve this problem and to make any adjustments to the existing systems in a controlled and systematic manner that does not result in any unacceptable safety risks being imported into the operation of the railway.

ACTIVITIES PLANNED/ACTIONS TAKEN

TfL has undertaken visual observations and noise monitoring to identify the curves giving rise to the curving noise. Three initial priority sites have been identified to target at present (two in Lewisham and one in Hackney). These comprise:

· The ‘Back Road’ at the New Cross Gate Depot (i.e. the tracks that go beneath the flyover to the maintenance shed),

· The Flyover that carries the tracks over the New Cross Gate Depot, and

· The Holywell Curve (just north of the new Shoreditch High Street Station towards Hoxton station).

Further assessments on the Back Road are currently being undertaken to ascertain the exact cause of the noise and thus assist in determining what further can be done to mitigate it. The lessons learnt from this exercise will be used as a basis to progress solutions at other locations.

In addition, the data from the visual observations and noise monitoring is being used to develop proposals for longer term unattended monitoring systems.

TfL has also met with a number of industry experts (including acoustic experts) from London Underground, Arup and Network Rail and the University of Southampton to discuss approaches to controlling curving noise.

Currently, TfL’s maintenance team is working with the suppliers of the lubricators and top of rail friction modifiers to adjust the equipment so that it is working at its optimum.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN / PLANNED

The following provides a brief summary the actions that TfL has already taken, or is in the process of undertaking, to address the curving noise issue:

· a detailed record of the exact location of each lubricator system has been established to ensure there are accurate records

· multiple visits have been made to check that the existing systems are working correctly and to make adjustments to improve their performance

· a dedicated database has been developed to capture and manage complaints about curving noise. This will assist in undertaking trend analysis etc

· Back Road at NXG Depot:

o additional maintenance has been carried out on the existing flange lubricators, and the settings have been optimised to improve the spread of lubricant around curve

o an additional lubricator has been installed on the check rail,

o specialist noise monitoring on board a moving train is to be undertaken to understand the impact of the above modifications - it is hoped the monitoring will help identify whether there is a need to relocate the existing lubricators or use top of rail friction modifiers.

· Holywell Curve/NXG Flyover:

o fixed noise monitoring kit is being specified. Once any appropriate system has been defined, this will be installed to enable easier access to data on the occurrence of wheel squeal events – thus enabling TfL to assess the effectiveness of adjustments made to the existing lubrication systems.

Whilst we appreciate the disruption can be difficult for those living and working nearby please be assured Transport for London is taking the issues seriously and working hard to alleviate the disruption caused by curving noise.

We hope to be able to keep all stakeholders regularly updated with progress via an email bulletin. If you do not wish to receive further email updates please let me know.

Regards

Julie Dixon

Head of Marketing & Communications

Bar Music Hall Goes for Extension

2010-08-11T20:58:00.000Z

Bar Music Hall on Curtain Road is applying for a licence til 2.00am Monday to Thursday and 3.00am on Friday and Saturday.Currently they are open til midnight Monday to Thursday and 1.00am at weekends.

Closing date for representations is 30 August. This bar falls within the Special Policy Area so they will have to demonstrate these hours do not add to the cumulative impact on Shoreditch.

Bar Music Hall
134/136 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3AR

Licensing Applications week ending 16 July 2010

2010-07-21T15:12:00.000Z

This is the old Legion pub.

Be At One

348 Old Street

London EC1V 9NQ

Haggerston

Be At One Ltd

Application for variation of premises licence for recorded music, performance of dance, anything of similar description, making music, facilities for dance, entertainment of similar description, supply of alcohol and late night refreshment from 10:00 to 01:00am Sunday to Thursday and from 10:00 to 03:00am Friday and Saturday.

12/08/2010

Free Swimming to Continue in Hackney

2010-07-15T00:14:00.002Z

You may have read that the coalition government has cut funding for free swimming. It is, according to Tory Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson "a luxury we can't afford".

However, there's good news in Hackney following an announcement from the Mayor, Jules Pipe, that thousands of residents can continue to swim for free at Hackney’s leisure centres. The free swimming programme is for all under 18s and over 60s and has been very popular in Hackney.

Despite the Government cutting their part of the funding, Hackney Council will keep the programme going.

There will also be a consultation later this year to find out more about local people’s priorities for use of facilities in Hackney, and work out the best ways to promote and encourage swimming activities for residents.

The Tory Government used a piece of research by PriceWaterhouse Coopers to justify their decision. However, according to today's Guardian, the report in fact concluded that "Overall the impact has been positive." They suggested the scheme be built on to "ensure the free swimming programme delivers the desired outcomes to an even greater degree, including enhanced value for money". They recommended local authorities work harder to market the free entry to attract non-swimmers, and "make facilities more attractive to lapsed swimmers through capital improvement projects".

for more information go to the GLL website here.

Election Result

2010-05-08T10:33:00.002Z

Yesterday the local election results in Hackney were announced. It was a great set of results for Labour - holding all our seats with big majorities and winning seats from the Greens and the Tories. Jules Pipe was re-elected Mayor with 58% of the vote.

A big thank you to all the people who helped in the campaign in Haggerston and to all the residents who have placed their trust in Labour Councillors for another four years.Results for Haggerston below:

ARROWSMITH	Christian	Liberal Democrats	1,272
BEATTIE	Geoffrey	Conservatives	764
BUITEKANT	Barry	Labour	2,237
BULLOCK	Doreen	Conservatives	785
FONTAINE	Samantha Veronica	Conservatives	756
MCSHANE	Jonathan Dominic	Labour	2,380
MUNN	Ann Elizabeth	Labour	2,198
PAYNE	Geoffrey	Liberal Democrats	1,121
RAE	Ben	The Liberal Party	135
SLOBODA	John	Liberal Democrats	808
SOMMERS	Lucy	Green	706

Turnout: 54%
Total votes cast: 5,006

This is the age - of the train

2010-04-28T10:37:00.002Z

The opening of the East London line made me think of an advert from my childhood.

For Haggerston residents this really is the age of the train.

3 Sided Football Match in Haggerston Park

2010-04-27T20:31:00.000Z

SUNDAY 2 MAY Haggerston Park, London E2

As the election becomes set for a three way ‘photo finish’ teams representing the three main political parties will compete to win a 3-sided football match played on a hexagonal pitch at 3pm on Sunday 2 May in Haggerston Park, London E2.

Representing the Labour Party are Philosophy Football FC; Conservative Futures and the University of the Arts form the Conservative team; while the liberal leaning graphic designers play for the Liberal Democrats.

With 3 teams, 2 referees and the side conceding the least goals winning the match, this promises to be a very different angle on the beautiful game.

The match is organised by the Whitechapel Gallery’s new writer-in-residence, Sally O’Reilly. She wants the game to echo the alliances, competition and connivances of the political machine.

Geoff Andrews, Manager of Philosophy Football FC, said: ‘The General Election has turned into a three-sided affair and so a three-sided football match seemed apt. We can expect some sharp tactics from Mandelson and co though nothing to compare with what will be on display at Haggerston Park.’

• Origins of 3 Sided Football. Devised by artist Asger Jorn (1914–1973), his idea for 3 sided football was for it to deconstruct the confrontational, bi-polar nature of party politics. So instead of winning by scoring goals, a team wins by conceding the fewest goals.
• 5 Rules of 3 Sided Football as proposed by Philosophy Football FC:
o SCORING : A team does not count the goals it scores, only the goals it concedes. The winner is the team that concedes the fewest goals.
o THROW-INS / CORNERS : On the hexagonal pitch, each team has two sides of the six-sided pitch: the side with the goal (the 'backside') and the side opposite to your goal (the 'frontside'). If the ball goes out on one of your two sides, you get the throw-in / goal-kick. If it went out off a player, the throw-in or corner goes to the team whose own goal is nearest to where the ball went out.
o REFEREES : There will be two referees.
o LENGTH OF TIME : Ideally, teams will play until people get bored, start to wander off, fall asleep etc: however, three thirty minute 'halves' with teams rotating goals should work well.
o NO OFFSIDES : There will be rolling subs, rush goalies etc.

Haggerston Joins the Tube

2010-04-27T08:45:00.000Z

After a long campaign by Hackney’s Mayor, Jules Pipe, Hackney is finally joining the Tube.

The huge £1.4bn infrastructure investment by Labour means Haggerston residents can use their Oyster card on new, fast and direct trains to the City, New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon from the new Hoxton & Haggerston stations.

Later, the service will be extended to Highbury & Islington, Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction, opening up wider job opportunities for Hackney people.

Labour celebrated the completion of the East London Line investment with an event at the new Dalston Junction station with Jules Pipe and Meg Hillier.

Picture: Jules Pipe and Meg Hillier in cafe after event

Hackney Labour Manifesto Launched

2010-04-15T10:43:00.002Z

With the general and local elections only a few weeks away, Hackney Labour has launched our manifesto for the local elections and for Hackney Mayor.

The manifesto is a detailed and costed set of proposals which set out a clear vision for the borough for the next four years and which looks back on our record since the last election.

Highlights of some of our commitments are:

make it easier for people to report anti social behaviour and noise nuisance
launch a campaign for responsible dog ownership
commit to further support for victims of domestic violence
increase drug and alcohol treatment places by 10%
we will plant at least another 1,000 street trees
we will look to expand our recycling service further
all residential streets will be covered by a 20mph speed limit by 2014
we will look to support those residents who want to grow more of their own food
continue to provide free swimming for children and the elderly
continue to work with the Hackney Empire to ensure it reopens
we will complete the rebuilding or refurbishment of all our secondary schools
six primary schools will be rebuilt or refurbished to the highest standards
we will open five new youth centres
we will complete Decent Homes on our estates by 2013
we will use all our powers to bring empty properties back into use
by 2013 - we will have created 100 council apprenticeships
we'll increase the number of council services available online

You can download a copy of it here.

Shoreditch Power Cuts

2010-04-07T21:39:00.000Z

(Coat of arms used by Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch 1900-1965)

Shoreditch residents and businesses have been plagued by power cuts recently - often with little or no warning.

Local people have set up an online action group here.

I've written to the CEO of EDF, Vincent de Rivaz, asking for a plan to sort out the technical issues causing so many power cuts and to improve communication with residents and businesses.

God knows what the good people of the old Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch would have made of all this.

Your Labour Action Team for Haggerston

2010-04-02T20:59:00.002Z

Contact the team on haggerston@hackney-labour.org.uk or 07921 870908 

More about the team:

Cllr Jonathan McShane
Jonathan McShane has been a Labour Councillor for five years, representing Haggerston Ward since 2006.  Aged 36, he lives in the ward on Laburnum Street and has lived in Hackney for thirteen years. A member of the Unite trade union, Jonathan works for the NHS in Southwark.  

Jonathan has run three marathons in recent years raising thousands of pounds for Laburnum Boat Club.   As Chair of the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission he convinced the local NHS and the Council to sign up to a dignity charter for older people which aims to ensure all older people are treated with dignity and respect.

As a Member of the Board of Hackney Homes he helped them secure two stars from the Audit Commission, releasing £225 million to improve people’s homes.  

He is a Member of the Management Committee of the VLC Centre for refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and was a school governor at Randall Cremer School.

If re-elected Jonathan’s priorities are the council’s role in improving people’s health, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and raising the aspirations of young people in the area.  

Ann Munn
Ann Munn has been chosen by local Labour members to stand to be a Councillor for Haggerston Ward.  

Aged 48, she has lived in Hackney for twenty years. She works in Information Technology at the University of Westminster. Ann enjoys living in Hackney and has swum regularly in the 50m pool at London Fields Lido since it re-opened, shops in the local markets at Ridley Road and Broadway Market, and enjoys visiting all the cultural facilities such as Hackney Library, Hackney Museum and the Hackney Empire.  

Previously the Women’s Officer of the local Labour Party, Ann is a member of Unison, the public sector trade union, and a supporter of Amnesty International and SERA (Labour’s Environment Campaign). She is a member of the London Cycling Campaign.  

If elected, Ann wants to:  
1. Work hard for the residents of Haggerston; she has worked in customer service for 20 years and would use this experience to fight for the needs of residents. 
2. Be accessible by providing a contact phone number and e-mail; and reply promptly to residents’ concerns. 
3. Encourage all children and young people in Haggerston to use their talents and to make the best of their lives.  

Cllr Barry Buitekant
Barry Buitekant has been a Labour Councillor for Haggerston Ward since 2006.

Barry has lived in Hackney almost his entire life and was educated locally at Edith Cavell Secondary Modern School on Queensbridge and Enfield Roads. He enjoys using local parks and libraries. Barry is a member of the Haggerston, Millfields and Springfield Park User Groups. He is a member of the USDAW trade union and of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Barry has worked with all the local Tenants and Residents Associations for the last four years and with Canalside and London & Quadrant Housing Associations.   Barry is proud of having helped to push through the regeneration of the Haggerston West and Kingsland estates.  

Barry’s priorities are improving services on Hackney Homes estates, improving local parks and improving bus services.

Nappuccino at Hackney City Farm

2010-03-24T21:48:00.000Z

The Hackney Real Nappy Network (HRNN) is a group of parents living in Hackney, London, UK, who use and promote real nappies.

They are holding a 'Nappuccino' social event on Friday at Hackney City Farm where you can find out more about the benefits of using real nappies. You can also claim a £54 real nappy voucher and spend it at the event.

Nappuccino, Hackney City Farm, Friday 26th March from 10.30-12pm.

Register with Leo on 020 8356 7930 or leonor.barricartebulnes@hackney.gov.uk

Lapdancing Consultation

2010-03-24T21:40:00.000Z

Last night at Licensing Committee, councillors unanimously agreed to go out to consult residents and businesses in Hackney on the proposed new policy regarding "Sex Establishments".

The government has recently passed new legislation that will come into force later this year that allow local councils to licence lap dancing clubs, sex shops and sex cinemas using a different set of powers.

These include setting a maximum number of premises within a locality. Last night, the committee decided to consult on a "nil" policy across all of Hackney. It means that the five premises that currently have a sex encounter licence - which will then seek a "sexual entertainment" licence - would have to argue forcefully why they should be the exception to the policy.

Potentially, this could see all of the venues shut when they seek their licence renewal next spring.

The consultation will begin in the summer and we expect the policy to be adopted, subject to the outcome of the consultation, this autumn.

You can read the policy proposals here.

Photos from East London Line

2010-03-23T15:45:00.003Z

Not long to go now...

Hoxton station is, like most good things, actually in Haggerston.

You can see one of the Fellows Court towers in the background.

More information on the line can be found here.

New powers to target street drinkers

2010-03-22T20:37:00.007Z

The Council has today approved a Designated Public Place Order which gives police the power to confiscate alcohol being drunk in public places or require people to stop drinking. Failure to comply can result in arrest or a fixed penalty notice being issued.

This is not going to stop people enjoying a drink in the park - it’s for the persistent drinkers who’re shouting and intimidating people, and giving police the power to deal with them.

Tory mayoral candidate Andrew Boff does not approve. He told the Hackney Post:

“I think it would work in isolated problem areas but a blanket ban is just another example of the nanny state."

He's wrong. First of all it's not a ban on drinking - it's a power to prevent anti-social drinking in public places that makes decent people's lives a misery. Second, the trouble with tackling 'isolated problem areas' is that street drinkers simply move on a few hundred yards and cause misery to a new group of people. That's why Haggerston Councillors and others argued for a Hackney wide approach.

Latest news from Haggerston Safer Neighbourhoods Team

2010-03-21T21:46:00.003Z

The latest Haggerston Safer Neighbourhoods team newsletter is out and can be found here.

It includes information about the "Hackney Says Relax" campaign run in Shoreditch over the festive period.

It also outlines the latest policing priorities set by local people at their recent CAP Panel meeting:

• Anti-social behaviour - drugs • Anti-social behaviour - youths • Squatters

On this last priority there has been recent action to evict 17 squatters from the Haggerston Estate which is being redeveloped to provide new homes for residents.

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Alan Laing, said: “These squatters spoilt the quality of life for tenants who were still in the block and those living close by. Due to the premises closure order, they are finally out of the block and vital improvement works can now carry on for the estate.”

Making Recycling Easy

2010-03-12T11:47:00.000Z

An earlier post mentioned our record level of recycling - we're all helping to get our recycling rate up even more and have reached 27% earlier this year.

As part of our ongoing attempts to make it easier and better for everyone to recycle, the council is going to trial recycling bins in busy areas of Hackney as 60 new bins are put on the streets. The new bins, which collect recyclables at one end and litter at the other, allow passers-by to recycle their newspapers, drinks cans, cartons, glass and plastic bottles, at the same time as disposing of general waste.

New Contract on Anti Social Behaviour for Hackney Homes Residents

2010-03-10T17:51:00.003Z

Hackney Homes have published a contract in their latest magazine to residents about how they respond to anti social behaviour.

From the complaints we receive from residents, we know that anti social behaviour can have a massive impact on people's lives and that it can be frustrating and slow getting effective action to be taken.

Please do let us know you have any problems with anti social behaviour on your estate and we can help to take this up with Hackney Homes. You can also report ASB through the local housing office; online at www.hackneyhomes.org.uk, texting 07527 385603 or calling the out of hours helpline on 020 8356 3310.

When you report ASB, you can expect:

An acknowledgment letter within three working days
An invitation for an interview within five working days
An action plan for resolving the complaint within 12 working days
Monthly reviews of your case and regular contact updating you on progress

For more serious acts of ASB, you can expect:

An acknowledgment within 24 hours
An invitation to an interview with 24 hours
An action plan within 12 working days
Regular monthly reviews and contact.

More information online here.

Grow Your Own Food

2010-03-07T20:06:00.005Z

Hackney Homes has teamed up with Capital Growth to help residents grow their own food.

Residents can apply for between £200 and £1500 from the Capital Growth Scheme to use spare pieces of land on estates for food growing. Hackney Homes gardeners can also help provide seeds, plants, and advice for residents intersted in growing.More info here. Fellows Court TRA is already looking into options for growing food on their estate.

Council Tax Frozen for Fifth Year Running

2010-03-07T19:57:00.002Z

On Wednesday at the Town Hall, Labour's Budget for 2010/11 was agreed by the Council.

The good news is that council tax will be frozen for the fifth year in a row. Hackney's council tax is now below the London average and is the only council in the country to have five years in a row with no rise in council tax.

By running the Council more efficiently Hackney has made savings of more than £40 million during the past five years, the highest amount in London according to recent Government figures, and the third highest in the country. This has allowed consistent investment in those services that matter most to residents - with no cuts to frontline services.

During a lively Full Council meeting where the budget was debated, we also confirmed that there will be investment in the following areas:

£66m on keeping our streets clean, waste and recycling services - including specific investment in improving recycling on estates with new containers which will allow residents to recycle a wider range of materials and extra investment into graffiti removal, and weekday litter picking
£25m on safer neighbourhoods - working with partners to reduce crime and anti social behaviour across the borough
£5.2m on parks and green spaces - to build on our record of 9 green flag parks across Hackney. We will also be refurbishing toilets in all our parks.
£72m on children and young people's services - as well as £5m from the Myplace project which will bring new state of the art youth centres across the borough
£186.7m on education - with £170m over the next five years going into the next phases of the Building Schools for the Future programme
Investment in adult social care to provide an additional 5000 hours of homecare to support vulnerable residents in Hackney in their own homes
£500k into a new library in Dalston
Further investment in cycle training programmes, road safety improvements, car clubs, electric charging points and street decluttering

All the budget documents are publicly available here.

Conservative Proposals:

There weren't any. For the first time ever, the main opposition group didn't propose their own budget. In a truly remarkable and shocking move, they simply didn't do anything to propose their own budget, nor query any major part of the Labour budget. They have shown how unprepared they are and how little effort they have made in offering the people of Hackney an alternative.

Green Party Proposals:

This was to tax car owners and small local shops, by massively increasing the cost of parking your private car outside your house. They also proposed increasing pay and display costs (vital for customers to local shops) by 12%, when Labour in Hackney has decided to freeze them, given the recession, to help our local shops and town centres. They also proposed a massive cut in the budget to keep our streets clean and cutting the budget to replace old street lighting and dealing with pot-holes on our roads and broken pavements - which would affect about 300 roads in the borough.

Lib Dem Proposals:

These were to cut £170,000 from street cleaning and invest it in a bike club. They also proposed cuts to the planning service which is so vital in ensuring that illegal development doesn't happen.

It's Hackney Labour that offer Hackney residents a clear and costed approach to running the council.

New Recycling High

2010-03-07T19:53:00.002Z

We're recycling more than ever in Hackney - the figures from January show that over 27% of rubbish in the borough was collected for recycling.

This shows the commitment local residents have to recycling. Since the end of last year, you can now recycle plastic packaging and cartons in green box collections.

However, there's still more to do - over 60% of household waste can be recycled so we need to do even more to get all residents in Hackney recycling.

More information on recycling can be found here.

Show your love

2010-02-25T15:55:00.001Z

If you love Haggerston and want the world to know - drop me a line and I'll send you a badge.

Have your say

2010-02-12T09:12:00.001Z

Each year, the Council asks residents what their priorities are for Hackney.

These are fed into the Council's scrutiny process - where backbench councillors across party political lines investigate issues of local concern and help to hold the Council, and other outside agencies like the police and health bodies to account.

Last year, residents told us that crime was one of their main concerns, and as a result two of the scrutiny commissions looked at anti-social behaviour on estates and how Hackney Homes, housing associations and the Council can improve their responses to residents.

Have your say on what work scrutiny councillors should do this year - this can be anything from prevention of crime, to housing, to health and education.

The survey is online here.

Licensing Applications w/e 5 February

2010-02-08T16:23:00.003Z

On the Rocks at 24 Kingsland Road is looking for a 5.00am licence.

"Application for variation of premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 08:00-02:00am Monday to Wednesday and from 08:00-05:00am Thursday to Sunday."

Closing date for representations is 5th March.

Two other applications for late night refreshment:

9 Great Eastern Street

London EC2A 3EJ

"Application for premises licence for late night refreshment from 23:00-05:00am daily."

Closing date for representations is 1st March.

Café Nibz

147 Shoreditch High Street

London E1 6JE

"Application for premises licence for late night refreshment from 23:00-02:00am Sunday to Thursday and from 23:00-05:0am Friday and Saturday."

Closing date for representations is 4th March.

Licensing Applications w/e 8 January

2010-01-11T20:20:00.005Z

This week's applications include a 24 hour application from The Griffin on Leonard Street and an application til 2.00am from the Reliance on Old Street.

Please get in touch if you want to discuss any of these applications.

The Griffin
93 Leonard Street
London EC2A 4RD

Leonard Trading Ltd

Application for variation of premises licence for recorded music, late night refreshment and supply of alcohol 24 hours from Sunday to Friday and from 10:00-01:00am Saturday and making music 24 hours from Monday to Friday,10:00-01:00am Saturday and from 12:00-01:00am Sunday.

Deadline for representations: 28/01/2010

The Reliance
336 Old Street
London EC1V 9DR

Remarkable Restaurants Ltd

Application for a premises licence for films, anything of similar description from 11:00-00:00 daily, recorded music, late night refreshment and supply of alcohol from 11:00-02:00am Monday to Saturday and from 11:00-00:00 Sunday.

Deadline for representations: 4/2/2010

109 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JN

Mr Shaban

Application for a premises licence for late night refreshment from 23:00-02:00am Sunday to Wednesday and from 23:00-05:00am Thursday to Saturday.

Deadline for representations: 3/2/2010

Halk Supermarket
180 Hoxton Street
London N1 5LH

Mr.Gunes

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 08:00-01:00am Monday to Thursday and from 08:00-03:00am Friday to Sunday.

Deadline for representations: 4/2/2010

Snow

2010-01-06T11:59:00.004Z

With more snow last night and more expected today along with freezing temperatures, I thought it would be helpful to explain what the council's approach is to clearing roads and gritting during this weather.

First, I've received assurances that there is enough grit to see us through the worst of the weather over the next few days.

The approach the council takes is to grade roads into three categories. Category one and two roads are prioritised for gritting. These are the main roads, bus routes, town centre roads and those roads around hospitals.

This work can be slow and street cleaning staff are taken off their normal work and are tasked with distributing grit and sweeping snow. The council does try to do as many streets as possible, but the priority is to keep traffic and public transport moving. February last year showed what happened if the main roads weren't cleared often enough. Having a decent amount of traffic is critical to ensure that the salt put out on the road actually works in removing the snow and ice.

If you have particular concerns about places that you think need griting please do get in touch or contact the council directly.

The main advice is to refer to the news and to heed the advice being given during this weather. Wrap up, take care and don't risk injuring yourself.

If you have vulnerable neighbours, try to take a few minutes to check they're OK.

Licensing applications w/e 4 December

2009-12-14T10:14:00.003Z

Two licensing applications in the area this month.

First up, what looked like a lovely little coffee shop wants to sell drink til 2am and food til 4am....

The Bridge

15 Kingsland Road

London E2 8AA

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 09:00 to 02:00 Mon to Sat and 09:00 to 00:00 Sun, recorded music from 07:30 to 04:00 Mon to Sat and 07:30 to 00:00 Sun and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 04:00 Mon to Sat and 23:00 to 00:00 Sun.

Closing date for representaitons: 29/12/2009

Second it's our old friends at One Shop Food and Wine. They'd like to serve drink til 4am - every day!

One Shop Food & Wine

149-150 Shoreditch High St

London E1 6HU

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 07:00 to 04:00 daily.

Closing date for representations: 30/12/2009

Hosts Borough

2009-12-08T13:18:00.001Z

Hackney Hosts are a new initiative designed to help night time visitors get around Shoreditch safely and to try to ensure they do not disturb local residents.

They will be a feature in Shoreditch in the run up to Christmas handing out maps, taxi information and on the spot help for those who have overdone it.

The maps they are handing out include special offers on food and soft drinks in a bid to encourage people to eat and drink more sensibly.

The hosts will travel around Shoreditch on scooters handing out lollipops which have previously been used in the area to keep people quiet when they leave pubs and clubs.

It's a small step but a practical and imaginative one that should be welcomed. As Shoreditch gears up for one of the busiest times of the year it will hopefully remind people who visit the area that an increasing number of people live here too.

Tackling mini cab mayhem

2009-12-04T11:10:00.002Z

From tonight there will be a new marshaled taxi rank outside 333 nightclub to make sure people can get home safely after a night out and to try and stop mini cabs and their customers upsetting local residents trying to get to sleep.

The rank will be marshaled between 10pm and 3am on Fiday and Saturday nights.

This is a joint initiative set up by Hackney Council, Transport for London and the police as part of the Safer Travel at Night campaign.

Remember the cabwise scheme can also find you a cab at night. Text CAB to 60835 and TFL will use GPS to text your two nearest minicab numbers and one taxi (black cab) number.

Campaign against road safety cuts

2009-11-30T11:27:00.000Z

The London Cycling Campaign in Hackney and Hackney Living Streets came to the Full Council meeting at Hackney Town Hall last week to ask for urgent action following the Mayor of London’s decision to cut funding for the Commercial Vehicles Education Unit.

The unit played a vital role in helping to reduce collisions between large vehicles and cyclists or pedestrians. It also had the power to investigate unsafe lorry operators and make sure they were meeting health and safety standards. As a result of Boris Johnson’s funding cuts, the unit will be disbanded.

Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, responded to the deputation, stressed that Hackney Council has already called on Boris Johnson to reinstate funding for the unit, He said: “This is another cut by the London Mayor. Despite this we continue to work with the police and cyclists to reduce the number of cyclists being injured on our roads. We have a number of initiatives in place including education events along the A10, improving signage on the Council's own lorries and continuing to improve our road surfaces.”

The campaigners also secured a commitment that the Lorry Safety Working Group which brings together user groups, the Police, freight operators and the Olympic Delivery Authority, will meet quarterly and work throughout the year to tackle the hazards and threats associated with lorries.

Another year another marathon

2009-11-27T19:39:00.002Z

On March 7, in no doubt baking Catalonian heat, I'll be running the Barcelona Marathon to raise money for Laburnum Boat Club.

The club, which celebrated its 25th birthday recently, is a vital and much love part of the local community.

It's Co-ordinator, Jim Armstrong, has devoted a quarter of a century to giving children who face real challenges in their life a place to come and make friends as well as learning canoeing and sailing skills.

If you don't know about them check out their website at www.laburnum.org.uk

I'm proud to be associated with them in even this small way.

This will be the fourth marathon I have run for Laburnum in as many years and we hope to raise £1,500 this time. Every penny raised will go to the club and I know it will be well spent.

If you are able to donate please go to www.everyclick.com/jonathanmcshane or contact me direct.

Thanks in advance.

Plastic People licensing application

2009-11-25T17:23:00.002Z

147/149 Curtain Road

London EC2A 3QF

Application for variation of premises licence for live music, recorded music, anything of similar description, facilities for dance, entertainment of similar description and supply of alcohol from 10:00-01:30am on Sunday.

Closing date for representations:

10/12/2009

Have your say on housing

2009-11-25T17:22:00.003Z

Hackney Homes is currently carrying out a tenant satisfaction survey.

A selection of Hackney Homes tenants have been sent the postal survey which is used to assess how well Hackney Homes are doing and look for ways to improve housing services based on tenants' feedback.

If you complete the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw and could win a digital TV, pay as you go phone or an iPod shuffle.

The responses are kept anonymous and it will not be possible for any person or address to be identified from the survey findings. For more details see here.

Street Trees in Scawfell Street

2009-11-17T07:49:00.004Z

After a long wait, street trees were finally planted in and around Scawfell Street near Haggerston School.

If you would like to see street trees in your area then get in touch.

Be 'Fare' to Hackney

2009-11-17T07:37:00.007Z

At the last meeting of the council, a motion was passed condemning the decision of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to increase bus fares by 20%.

As a result, the council yesterdaylaunched a "Boris - be "Fare" to Hackney" campaign, asking the Mayor to reverse his decision.

Johnson's decision is unneccesary. The extra revenue that we all accept is needed in public transport could have been raised by retaining the western extension of the congestion charge area and by keeping the decision to increase the charge to those vehicles that are the most polluting.

Instead, the London Mayor has decided to increase bus fares. He is cynically punishing areas and groups that did not vote for him.

It means that for the average Hackney family where both adults take the bus to work they will pay £263 more every year in additional bus fares. That is the equivalent of increasing council tax by 27% - something that is unthinkable, or Boris Johnson increasing his share of the tax by almost 100%.

His decision means that the hard working ordinary residents of Hackney and London will pay more and suffer directly for the choice that he has made. Boris has been shown to prefer the richest car owners in London, over hard working Londoners. 82% of Hackney residents use the bus at least once a week and we have the lowest level of car ownership in London - we rely most heavily on buses.

Join the council's campaign to ask Boris to reverse his decision. Send him an ecard directly, telling him exactly what you think here.

Labour Freezes Council Tax in Hackney for 5th Year in a Row

2009-11-12T15:37:00.003Z

It's now official! Hackney will now be freezing the council tax for the 5th year running, whilst still investing in key frontline services - the first council in Britain to achieve this.

At Cabinet last week, Mayor Pipe announced his early budget plans for 2010/11, which included a record-breaking fifth year of freezing council tax.

Mayor Pipe said:"Hackney Council is on the side of residents in difficult times – we are the only authority in the country to be freezing our Council Tax for the fifth year running, while continuing to invest in what matters most to residents and providing better value for money. Hackney residents rightly expect their local authority to be efficient, well run, and provide high quality services. I am committed to improving Council services, while at the same time ensuring Hackney residents receive better value for money from their Council Tax.”

Since 2002, Hackney has set the third lowest Council Tax rise of all the 33 London boroughs, meaning that Hackney’s Council Tax is now below the London average.

By running the Council more effectively Hackney has made savings of more than £40 million during the past five years, the highest amount in London according to recent Government figures, and the third highest in the country. This has allowed consistent investment in those services that matter most to residents and a proposed fifth year of frozen Council Tax.

Cameron Links up with Undesirable Europeans

2009-11-05T09:57:00.002Z

David Cameron's judgment has again been called into question after he confirmed that he is supporting John and Edward in this year's X Factor.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/6498923/X-Factor-twins-Jedward-win-David-Camerons-vote.html

Hackney kitten saved after two day ordeal

2009-11-03T10:25:00.001Z

On Sunday, Hackney Fire Brigade braved the wind and rain to rescue Mushy the cat from high up in a local tree.

Called out by the RSPCA, the local fire team spent half an hour coaxing the 18 month old cat down from the upper branches of the huge poplar tree. Mushy's owners said their cat had been too frightened to make its way down the tree by itself, having chased a squirrel up the tree two days before.

Ravey Street Licensing Application

2009-11-03T09:33:00.004Z

Basement

5 Ravey Street
London EC2A 4QW

http://www.3blindmicebar.com/index.php?action=contact

Mr Hallam
Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol and recorded music from 11:00 to 23:00 Mon to Thurs, 11:00 to 00:00 Fri and Sat and 11:00 to 22:30 Sun and live music from 11: to 22:30 Mon to Sat and 11:00 to 22:00 Sun.

If you want to object you have until 17/11/2009 to do so.

Community Payback

2009-11-02T17:17:00.002Z

Local residents and community groups are being invited to suggest outdoor spaces, streets or buildings in Hackney that could potentially benefit from a facelift through the Community Payback Scheme.

The London Probation Service and Hackney Council will consider all requests for jobs, so long as the work visibly benefits the community. The first Community Payback project - the Lea Bridge Tow Path - was suggested by local residents back in April and is now complete after 1000 hours of work.

The team has also completed work on 30 Hackney Homes gardens where residents had been unable to maintain these themselves. Do you have a favourite place in Haggerston Ward that could benefit from the project? Let us know or fill in the online form here.

How can we improve recycling in Hackney?

2009-11-02T12:30:00.002Z

Recycling performance in Hackney has really improved over the past few years.

But we have a huge challenge facing us. Central government has set us a target of 50% recycling by 2020 and in an inner-city borough like Hackney, that is a significant hill to climb.

So the council is asking how we can best improve our recycling service and asks what is stopping you recycling more. Are we collecting food waste in the best way? Do we need to collect recycling more often? What improvements can be made to how we collect garden waste?

The consultation is available here and we'd be grateful to hear your views.

Public Drinking Ban for Hackney?

2009-10-29T12:39:00.003Z

Residents and businesses across Hackney have been raising their concerns about the increase in anti social behaviour relating to alcohol. The problem is particularly acute in and around Shoreditch including parks such as Hoxton Square.

As a result, Hackney Council is considering introducing a borough-wide Controlled Drinking Area (CDA). A borough-wide CDA will give police powers to confiscate alcohol or issue fixed penalty fines to those drinking and causing disorder or threatening behaviour in streets, parks and open spaces.

A CDA is not a ban and does not make it illegal to drink alcohol responsibly in a public place.There have been designated areas in Hackney where CDAs have been in operation and these have been successful in reducing drunkenness and rowdy behaviour in public. However, this can mean that the problem is then moved to a new area, so a borough wide CDA is now being consulted on.

The public consultation runs until 24th December 2009. You can fill in your views online here or download more information about the proposed CDA here.

Tories Fail to Stand up for Hackney Residents

2009-10-29T09:20:00.004Z

As you will know, London Mayor Boris Johnson (front row, 3rd from left) recently announced plans for massive increases in fares for Londoners.

Some highlights of his proposals include:

- raise the cost of a single bus fare by 20%, from £1 to £1.20

- raise the cost of a weekly bus pass by over 20%, from £13.80 to £16.60

- raise the cost of an off-peak tube journey from Hackney into central London by 12.5%, from £1.60 to £1.80

This is all to ensure he can look after wealthy voters by abolishing the Western Congestion Charge, at an estimated cost to TfL of £70m, and by abolishing the £25 gas guzzler charge at an estimated cost to TfL of £50m.

As a borough with low car ownership and heavy reliance on buses, these rises hit Hackney people harder than most.

It was incredibly disappointing to see Hackney Tory councillors at last night's full council refuse to stand up for the people they represent. During a debate on the fare rises,they queued up to praise Boris's plans, completely ignoring the impact it will have on Hackney people.

Slowly people are waking up to the fact that underneath the cuddly manner and the messy hair, Boris is a far right Tory who wants to use his adminstration as a test bed for any future Conservative government's approach to investment in public services.

As my colleague Cllr Rob Chapman said last night: "He's not so funny now."

Safer Neighbourhood Teams Celebrate Fourth Birthday

2009-10-29T09:10:00.004Z

It was back in October 2005 that the council, working with the local police, accelerated the investment into community policing and brought forward the borough-wide roll out of Safer Neighbourhood police teams.

Hackney became the 2nd local authority in the country to have a complete deployment of the teams. Each team is responsible for policing in one of Hackney's 19 wards and is headed up by a police sergeant and is comprised of PCs and PCSOs.

In Haggerston there is an additional team dedicated to the Shoreditch Triangle and the night time economy.

The result has been the second fastest drop in crime in London. Crime has reduced so that there are 10,000 fewer crimes each year, with overall crime down over 35%. Confidence in the police has increased massively and the police now sit down with residents in each ward to discuss and agree policing priorities in each community. This is not the police paying lip service to local people - residents who attend the meeting really do get to set the priorities for local police - in recent meetings in Haggerston this has ranged form drug dealing to cycle theft to peiing in the street.

To find out more about our local Sergeant, Jeremy Hinde, and his team click here.

Baby Dennis Born on 394

2009-10-28T17:20:00.003Z

A Haggerston resident was one of the heroes as Emiloju Fatima Lawal went into Labour early on the 394 bus.

Carole Allen, from Whiston Road, along with driver Pauline Jacobs form Hoxton helped delvier the baby at the back of the bus before an ambulance took the lady and her new son to the Homerton.

Mum and baby are well and she has given her son the middle name Dennis after the manufacturer of the bus.

Yelo Licence Application

2009-10-28T17:03:00.002Z

Yelo
8-9 Hoxton StreetLondon N1 6NU

Application for variation of premises licence within basement for live music and recorded music from 10:00-23:00 Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 22:30 Sunday and Good Friday.

Closing date to have your say: 12/11/2009

If you need advice on licensing matters including making representaitons contact me on jonathan.mcshane@hackney.gov.uk or 07921 870908

Green power for Hackney?

2009-10-26T11:58:00.003Z

As you may have read in Hackney Today and the Hackney Gazette last week, there are proposals from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to build a wind turbine on Hackney Marshes.

If the 120 metre high turbine goes ahead, it will offer Hackney the opportunity to buy green energy for up to 25 years, cutting carbon emissions significantly. The ODA is already going ahead with one wind turbine on Eton Manor in the neighbouring borough of Waltham Forest. If a turbine was built on East Marsh, the two together could generate enough green electricity to power Hackney's street lighting at night and all the main Council buildings by day.

I wholeheartedly support the proposals and think this is an excellent opportunity to help Hackney meet carbon reduction targets, support the Council's commitment to sustainability, and ensure that more green energy could be produced in Hackney than in any other London borough.

The Council is aware that there are strong feelings about Hackney Marshes which is why there is a public consultation on the wind turbine proposal - you can fill this in online here or find out more about the proposals here.

No armed police patrols in Hackney

2009-10-26T09:59:00.003Z

Thanks to Alan Laing, my fellow Councillor and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods for clearing things up regarding armed police patrols in London and how this might affect Hackney.

Alan says on his blog:

Some people may have seen press reports about the Met Police deciding to allow armed officers to patrol some of London's "worst" estates and neighbourhoods as a way of tackling gun and gang crime.We've received confirmation from Hackney borough commander that this will not happen in our borough.To quote Detective Chief Superintendent Bending:"On no occasion has there been the deployment of armed officers on foot patrol in Hackney."I am proud that all of the officers stationed within this borough are unarmed and that will continue to be the case."

Bringing theatre home

2009-10-25T13:26:00.003Z

The proposed new theatre in New Inn Yard on the site where historians believe Romeo and Juliet was first performed moved a step closer last week. The council's planning committee approved the plans and the Tower Theatre company can now step up their fundraising efforts and bring theatre home to Shoreditch.

Britain's best hotel

2009-10-25T13:03:00.004Z

The Hoxton Hotel on Great Eastern Street has been named the best hotel in the UK in the 2009 Guardian/Observer travel awards.

Living in the ward, I've never had the need to stay in the hotel but friends who've stayed rave about it. The management have also pioneered the use of budget airline style pricing with prices falling and rising with demand and regular £1 a night deals. Not so long ago, the idea of Britain's best hotel being in Hackney would have been laughable.

Not every hotel development will be right for the area but if we want to see Shoreditch develop a more balanced economy and less reliance on late bars and strip clubs then imaginative, high quality hotels like this have to be welcomed.

Why Beth is an inspiration and Jenson isn't

2009-10-22T08:54:00.006Z

Why Beth Tweddle is an inspiration for young people in Hackney and Jenson Button isn't

Two British World Champion in a week. Both considered possibilities for the coveted Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Beth Tweddle is a truly World Class gymnast who has performed at the top level for many years now. She is an inspiration to thousands of young gymnasts around the country and kick started a new era in the sport in Britain that has seen the emergence of Olympic medallist Lewis Smith, World All Round silver medallist Daniel Keatings and a clutch of youngsters who could make Britain a real force in the event in 2012.

So Beth has been competing at the top level since 2001 and last year earned around £30,000. She is unlikely to earn much in endorsements so when she retires she will pursue her ambition of becoming a physiotherapist. So she'll continue to earn modest wages and pay her taxes that pay for schools and hospitals.

Jenson Button on the other hand, like Lewis Hamilton, is a tax exile. He earns millions a year and pays no tax in the UK. Happy to drape a union jack around his shoulders after a race. Happy to talk about being proud to be British. Totally unwilling to pay his fair share towards vital public services. What sort of signal does it send to children when we heap praise upon people like this without even mentioning that they decide to live somehwere else just to avoid paying their dues?

Oh and gymnastics is also a real sport.

Flying Scud Demolished

2009-10-22T08:15:00.004Z

In a previous post, I mentioned the new Hackney Road Conservation Area document and the fascinating background it gave on buildings in the area. As visitors to the blog have pointed out, shortly before the Conservation Area came into force, the owners undertook what planners call a "pre-emptive demolition" and what anyone else would call cultural vandalism.

As good an argument as any for the need to develop conservation areas if we want to protect the historic fabric of Shoreditch.

I am here

2009-10-22T07:59:00.008Z

Public art projects, especially those funded by public bodies, are often a bit lame and feel like they are just there as decoration. The 'I am here' project on the Haggerston West & Kinglsand Estates is very different.

When consulted about estate improvements, residents made it clear they wanted the buildings to look more attractive while they wait for the new homes. The new social landlord L&Q has now removed ugly orange boards over the windows of empty flats as they felt they contributed to making the area look derelict.

As a response to this, artists living on the estate have come up with an innovative art project called ‘I am here’. It aims to create a more positive image for the area and interest in the regeneration project as well as masking the empty properties. Sixty-seven high resolution portraits of local residents have been installed to give Samuel House in Haggerston a complete facelift.

A ceremony on 13 October brought residents to gether to celebrate the start of demolition on some of the Kingsland Estate blocks and work on building new homes will start in the new year. The Chief Executive of L&Q and the Deputy Mayor of Hackney rightly praised tenants for their key role in keeping this project moving whilst others stalled. Their involvement will also ensure that the homes that are now being built will meet the needs of Haggerston people for years to come.

Going to see a man about a dog

2009-04-14T15:29:00.005Z

The document outlining the reasons for making Hackney Road a conservation area is well worth a read as it contains some fascinating information about the history of various buildings as well as the origins of the phrase 'Going to see a man about a dog'....

Apparently it is first recorded in a melodrama from the early 1900s about a racehorse called The Flying Scud. See below.

The Flying Scud at No. 137 Hackney Road is a mid-Victorian public house with rooms above. It is highly visible, sitting on a corner site, and is a good example of a handsome, single-bar pub, typical of mid 19th-Century East end pubs. It dates from c.1860’s, and stands a very tall three storeys, making the most of this narrow site. The ground floor has a period shopfront with brick piers, a double-height timber fascia with traces of its original pub signs still surviving.

The frontage was overlaid with white tiling, probably c.1910 when the ‘beer house’ was re-modelled for Messrs. Truman, Hanbury and Buxton. The upper floors are faced in London stock brick and still retain their original 4-over-4 timber sash windows, which are set into fine, red-brick, rubbedsurrounds with ‘gauged’ arches over.

The original Flying Scud was a sailing-ship of the 1850’s. It was also the name of a successful race horse of the 1870s. In 1901, there was a major West End hit called “The Flying Scud,” a racing drama, featuring a live horse on stage. [The play coined the phrase ‘going to see a man about a dog’.]

Formerly run by Truman’s, this pub closed in 1994.

Conservation Area for Hackney Road?

2009-04-14T13:57:00.003Z

Hackney Council is proposing to create a Conservation Area in Hackney Road. The proposed area runs from Waterson Street in the south, takes in the area around Haggerston Park, and then runs along Goldsmith’s Row, up to Whiston Road on the northern boundary.

Full details can be found here:

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-road.htm

What does Conservation Area staus mean?

Conservation Area Consent is required in order to demolish a building in a conservation area. Hackney Council will seek to keep all buildings that make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of a conservation area.
Six weeks notice must be given in writing before any work is carried out to lop, top or fell a tree in a conservation area.
New development proposals must “preserve or enhance” the character or appearance of a conservation Area. Hackney has greater control over building work in conservation areas, including materials and detailed design.
Planning permission may be required for alterations or extensions that would not normally need permission, such as minor roof alterations, dormer windows or a satellite dish. (Advice should be sought at an early stage.)
Hackney also has greater control over the erection of advertisements and signs. For instance, Hackney has the power to control shop signs, posters or estate agents boards that would not normally need permission

Licensing Applications received w/e 20/3/09

2009-03-30T11:36:00.003Z

Troy Café Bistro

124 Kingsland Road

London E2 8DP

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 07:00 to 23:30 daily.

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol from 07:00 until 23:30 Mon to Weds, from 07:00 until 00:30 Thurs, from 07:00 to 01:30 Fri and Sat and 07:00 to 22:30 Sun and recorded music from 07:00 until 00:00 Mon to Weds, from 07:00 until 01:00 Thurs, from 07:00 to 02:00 Fri and Sat and 07:00 to 23:00 Sun.

Mr Pisiren

Closing date fro representaitons: 14/04/2009

132 Curtain Road (formerly the Gourmet Oriental Restaurant)

London EC2A 3AR

Application for to vary existing premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 11:30 to 02:00 daily and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00 daily.

Magneto in Shoreditch

2009-03-19T12:12:00.005Z

Sir Ian McKellen paid a visit to Shoreditch today to examine the remains of the 16th Century theatre where historians believe Romeo and Juliet was first performed. The Tower Theatre Company who have taken over the site in New Inn Broadway intend to build a modern theatre space on the site whilst preserving the remains of the old theatre in a way that will allow people to view them.

By sheer chance the building is one of the few in this part of London where no basement was ever built so archaeologists form the Museum of London have been able to excavate sections of the theatre wall. Sadly in the neighbouring buildings basementing works hundreds of years ago will have destroyed any historic remains.

Tower Theatre company is now preparing a planning application for the new theatre space and setting about raisng the money needed to finish the project, hopefully by 2012.

Licensing applications received w/e 6 March

2009-03-17T12:23:00.002Z

Open Kitchen Restaurant and Bar
40 Hoxton Street
London N1 6LR

Hackney Community College

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow hours for the supply of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:30 Mon to Weds and allow use of outdoor patio area.

Closing date for representations: 01/04/2009

The Breakfast Club (formerly Cru)
2-4 Rufus Street
London N1 6PE

Catsteps LLP

Application to vary the premises licence to allow supply of alcohol and recorded music from 08:00 to 00:00 Mon to Weds and 08:00 to 01:00 Thurs to Sun, live music from 11:00 to 17:00 Sat and Sun and facilities for dancing during non-standard times.

Closing date for representations: 02/04/2009

Hoxton's
311 Old Street
London EC1V 9LA

Mr Manzi

Application for a premises licence to allow the provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 to 05:00 daily.

Closing date for representations: 02/04/2009

Labour's budget for Hackney

2009-03-08T15:36:00.002Z

Last Wednesday, Labour’s budget for 2009/10 was agreed by the Council. For the fourth year in the row, the Labour administration on Hackney Council was able to freeze council tax. Four years of council tax freezes means that on average local residents will have saved £256. Council tax in Hackney is now lower than the London average. The Budget set out how we are planning to invest in a number of key services. Many other councils have been cutting frontline services, but in Hackney through our better use of resources, we are in a position to:

* Invest £0.5m in keeping Hackney clean – increasing street sweeping, graffiti and fly-poster removal, and weekend litter picking
* Invest £0.576m in recycling – particularly expanding it on estates
* Increase schools spending by 3.9% per pupil
* Expand the Youth Service
* Open one new library (Dalston) with 20,000 new books and refurbish and extend another (Clapton)
* Provide free swimming for all under 18s and over 60s at local pools
* Re-open the Stoke Newington Assembly Halls and offices
* Recruit more environmental health officers – particularly specialising in noise pollution and food standards
* Invest in local cycling scheme
* Launch a Climate Change Strategy for the Borough
* Allocate over a £1m more to adult social services.

All the budget documents are publicly available here.

The annual survey of resident satisfaction with council services also showed that there has been a 12% increase in the last year – and is now at 72%.

And now the Audit Commission announced that Hackney has achieved a 3* (out of a possible 4) rating for a second year in a row. Several priority areas for the council were singled out for praise – community safety, children and young people and adult social care.

The assessment reads:

What progress has the authority made in the last year?
Hackney Council is improving strongly. Hackney is delivering significant improvement in priority areas such as community safety, children and young people and adult social care. The pace of improvement is higher than the national average with three quarters of performance indicators improving in 2007/08. Overall resident satisfaction has improved with 60 percent of residents feeling their views are taken into account. This is supported by the Service First programme. Challenges remain in the planning service and tackling childhood obesity The Council works well with partners to deliver wider community outcomes such as health inequalities, addressing worklessness and tackling crime. Infant mortality and teenage pregnancy rates have decreased. Apprenticeships are used to deliver more local job opportunities. Crime overall has decreased. The Council provides improved value for money and financial standing is good. Leadership, planning and prioritisation are strong. Consultation is used well to shape services to meet the needs of diverse communities. The Council continues to improve performance management and is making good use of joint appointments to increase capacity. The Council is well placed to sustain and deliver future improvements."

Licensing applications received w/e 27 February

2009-03-06T12:01:00.004Z

Bar Music Hall
134-136 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3AR

Belgabar UK Ltd

Application to vary existing premises licence to remove conditions 4, 5, 14, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30 and 32, amend conditions 7 and 29 and replace conditions 6 and 22 with revised conditions.

CONDITIONS TO BE REMOVED

Condition 4:
Each individual who is to carry out a security activity at the premises must be licensed by the Security Industry Authority.

Condition 5:
Where regulated entertainment is carried out, the premises existing arragements, as set out in the Rules of Management for Places of Public Entertainment and relevant technical regulations will be maintained.

Condition 14:
Patrons exiting the premises will be directed to leave the area quietly and suitable notices to that effect will be displayed inside and outside the premises

Condition 17:
A taxi ordering point shall be positioned at a suitable location within the premises.

Condition 23:
There will be a policy of not admitting persons under the age of 23 after 20:00.

Condition 24:
The total number of persons accomodated at any one time shall not exceed 350, and provision should be made for 50 percent of the floor area for seating.

Condition 26:
The fire alarm change over switch shall be in the "FIRE ALARM LIGHTS AND BUZZERS" position during the whole time that the premises are in use under the licence.

Condition 27:
The fire alarm installation shall be under teh supervision of a competent person who shall arrange for regular maintenance and testing to be carried out. The results of the tests shall be recorded in a logbook which shall be readily available for inspection by officers of the Council or LFEPA.

Condition 28:
Any alterations or additions to the existing electrical installation (including those which may be found necessary as a result of any Electrical inspections) shall be carried out using a system of wiring approved by the Council (eg cables enclosed in a screwed metal conduit or metal trunking, or mineral insulated metal-sheathed cables. (NOTE FP.200 or similar cables would not be acceptable for this purpose).

Condition 30:
All windows and doors to the area(s) in which music is to be played shall be kept closed at all times.

Condition 32:
The applicant shall ensure that mechanical plant noise levels do not increase existing background levels (ie equipment noise levels should be -10dB (A) below existing LA90 background levels).

CONDITIONS TO BE AMENDED

Condition 7:
Substantial food and non-intoxicants shall be equally available in all parts of the premises at all times

Condition 29:
Signs shall be placed at all exits requesting that all patrons leave the area quietly.

CONDITIONS TO BE REPLACED WITH AMENDED CONDITIONS

Condition 6:
In the area cross hatched black on the deposited plan, intoxicating liquor shall only be sold or supplied to persons taking a table meal there as an ancillary to such a meal

Condition 22:
The courtyard area as marked on the plan will not be part of the licensed area and will not be used except by customers or staff

Closing date for representations: 24/03/2009

Shakespeare in Haggerston

2009-02-26T14:52:00.004Z

When Shakespeare first came to London he worked at “The Theatre”, the capital’s earliest purpose built playhouse. It was constructed by James Burbage in 1576 and almost certainly saw the premiere of Romeo and Juliet. Until recently the exact location was unknown, but a local charity has commissioned archaeologists from the Museum of London to examine the site and they have now discovered traces of the building under a warehouse in Shoreditch.

The charity now aims to bring London theatre back to its roots by transforming the warehouse into a twenty-first century theatre within which the remains of the original will be preserved. Until then they will be covered in order to protect them.

They are not aiming to reproduce an Elizabethan theatre, but to create a 21^st century equivalent of the original; a no-frills, full-time, hardworking place of entertainment that will be a versatile and accessible resource for Hackney and provide valuable rehearsal, performance and exhibition space for the smaller scale arts in central London.

Watch this space for further developments.

Licesning applications 20 February

2009-02-26T14:40:00.001Z

Nisa, 343 Old Street

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 06:00 to 00:00 Mon to Weds, 06:00 to 03:00 Thurs, 06:00 to 04:00 Fri and Sat and 06:00 to 01:00 Sun.

Closing date for representations: 19/3/09

Licencing Applications w/c 6 February

2009-02-20T15:58:00.003Z

Cantaloupe
35-42 Charlotte Road
London EC2A 3PD

Application to review a premises licence on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance made by the Council's Pollution Team.

Deadline for representations 5th March

Hackney Community College on the Small Screen

2009-02-13T12:44:00.005Z

This morning I met with Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College to talk about how the college can be an even better neighbour to Haggerston residents. The college is another jewel in Haggerston's crown. Over 10,000 learners go through its gates every year.

They have recently invested the best part of £1 million on state of the art training kitchens and a restaurant that will be run by students and open to the public.

These new facilities and the motor vehicle workshop can be seen on the government's new advert for apprenticeships fronted by Hackney old boy Sir Alan Sugar.

Jonathan McShane

Haggerston West & Kinglsand

2008-10-20T12:12:00.005Z

Then Housing Minister Yvette Cooper meets Barry and Jonathan to discuss funding for the redevelopment

Residents on two estates in Hackney joined L&Q on Monday September 22 after voting overwhelmingly in favour of transferring their homes to the housing association from the council.

Some residents of the Haggerston West and Kingsland estates have been campaigning for the complete regeneration of their estates since the late 1980s.

L&Q has been working towards this transfer of homes since 2003 and now the transfer documents have been signed they can press ahead with their plans to demolish the existing 480 flats, over two phases, and build 761 new quality homes.

These will include homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and some for outright sale. There will also be plenty of community facilities and green space on the redeveloped estates and all of the current residents will be able to return to the area if they wish

L&Q have worked closely with the residents on these proposals over the last five years and as a result 71.5 per cent of secure tenants turned out to vote last October and nearly 82 per cent of these said they wanted to transfer their homes from Hackney Council to L&Q.

L&Q will now be working with local residents, LB Hackney and Taylor Wimpey to deliver this huge regeneration project.

Lorna Meade, chairwoman of the Haggerston West and Kingsland Estates Development Committee, said: "The overwhelming 'yes' vote is a great result and is testament to the years of hard work put in by tenants, residents, London & Quadrant Housing Trust, the Council, and Independent Tenants and Leaseholders Adviser, to make the development's proposals work.

"I'm pleased that there are now firm plans for a brighter future for everyone who lives on the estates."

New Licence Applications

2008-06-12T07:52:00.003Z

Central Food and Wine
149-150 Shoreditch High StreetLondon E1 6HU

See map

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises until 04:00 daily.

Deadline for comments 17/6/08

Shish Restaurant
313-319 Old StreetLondon EC1V 9LE

See map

Application to vary existing premises licence to extend hours for supply of alcohol to 00:00 Sun to Weds and to 03:00 Thurs to Sat, allow regulated entertainment comprising of recorded music and any entertainment of a similar description from 10:00 to 03:00 Thurs to Sat and allow late night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00 Sun to Weds and 23:00 to 03:00 Thurs to Sat.

Deadline for comments 4/7/08

For guidance on making representations about this or any application click here or contact us.

New Licence Application

2008-06-05T09:10:00.003Z

On the Rocks
25 Kingsland Road
London E2 8AA

For map click here

Application to vary the premises licence to allow supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment comprising of live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music/dancing until 06:00 Fri and Sat and until 02:00 on Sun and allow late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:30 on Thurs and Sun and from 23:30 to 05:00 Fri and Sat.

Deadline for comments: 27/06/2008

For guidance on making representations about this or any application click here or contact us.

Recent Licence Applications

2007-12-20T14:36:00.000Z

Jades Pool, Health and Spa Club
141-143 Shoreditch High StreetLondon E1 6JE

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment comprising of films, and any entertainment of a similar description to live/recorded music or performances of dance from 12:00 to 02:00 daily and provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00 daily.

Mr Qi

Deadline for representations: 28/12/07

Casita
5a Ravey StreetLondon EC2A 4QW

Application to review premises licence on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance.

Jean Reeve (Pollution Team)

Deadline for representations: 28/12/07

104-108 Curtain RoadLondon EC2A 3AH

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow alterations to layout.

Calabrese House Ltd

Deadline for representations: 28/12/07

Three Blind Mice (formerly Smersh)
5 Ravey StreetLondon EC2A 4QW

Application to vary premises licence to extend hours for supply of alcohol until 00:00 Mon to Thu and until 02:00 Fri and Sat and until 23:00 on Sun, and allow live/recorded music from 11:00 to 00:00 Mon to Thu, from 11:00 to 02:00 Fri and Sat and from 11:00 to 23:00 on Sun.

Smersh Ltd

Deadline for representations: 03/01/2008

Licencing applications w/e 9 November 2007

2007-11-16T13:28:00.000Z

Power League
115 Worship StreetLondon EC2A 2BA

Power League Fives City Ltd

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol, live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for dancing/making music and any entertainment of a similar description from 09:00 to 23:30 Mon to Thurs, 09:00 to 01:00 Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 23:30 on Sun.

Closing date for representations: 06/12/2007

Getting Tough on Flyposters

2007-11-08T08:21:00.000Z

Flyposting across Shoreditch has been a problem for years - mainly a result of the activities of promoters vandalising our streets so they can get free advertising for their clubs.

The good news is the hard work of council staff, the police and wardens is starting to pay off. Recently it was agreed the following steps would be taken:

Anti graffiti and fly posting signs erected on the main walls on Kingsland Road and Old Street underneath the bridge .

Effective monitoring of the area provided through consistent patrols by the community wardens and coordinated monitoring of the area through the central CCTV networks

Deep cleaning of the walls by the Cleaning Team at Hackney Waste Management

The results so far are really impressive:

Old Street before:

Old Street now:

Licencing Applications w/e 14 September

2007-09-27T11:55:00.000Z

Monsieur M Restaurant
A3 Unit
Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old StreetLondon EC1V 9LT

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol and provision of recorded music from 12:00 to 00:00 daily and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00 daily.

Closing date for representations: 12/10/2007

Licensing applications received w/e 07/09/07

2007-09-13T13:06:00.000Z

Cru
2-4 Rufus StreetLondon N1 6PE

Application to vary licence to allow supply of alcohol from 12:00 to 01:00 daily (off sales from 12:00 to 23:00 daily) and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 daily.

Closing date for representations:
01/10/2007

Licensing applications received w/e 31/8/07

2007-09-06T13:01:00.000Z

Lucky Voice (formerly Medicine)
89 Great Eastern StreetLondon EC2A 3HY

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment comprising of films, live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music, dancing, and any entertainment/entertainment facilities of a similar description from 10:00 to 02:30 Sun to Weds and 10:00 to 03:30 Thurs to Sat and the provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 to 03:00 Sun to Weds and 23:00 to 04:00 Thurs to Sat.

Closing date for representations: 26/09/2007

This is the second karaoke bar (already one in Soho) from Martha Lane Fox of lastminute.com fame.

Licencing Applications Received w/e 17 August

2007-08-23T15:07:00.000Z

Subway
50 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3EP

Healthy Eateries Ltd

Application for a premises licence to allow late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 Thurs and 23:00 to 03:00 Fri, Sat and New Yrs Eve.

Closing date for representations: 10/09/2007

Licensing Applications w/e 27 July

2007-08-01T11:17:00.000Z

Lati-Ri
Rivington PlaceLondon EC2A 3BE

Click here for map

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol from 07:00 to 00:30 Sun to Weds and 07:00 to 01:00 Fri, Sat, St Patrick’s Day and during Easter, Bank holidays, Xmas period, films, live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music/dancing from 07:00 to 00:45 Sun to Weds and 07:00 to 01:15 Fri, Sat, St Patrick’s Day and during Easter, Bank holidays, Xmas period and late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 Sun to Weds and 23:00 to 01:30 Thurs to Sat.

Closing date fro representations: 20/8/07

Art Centre and Bar
Rivington PlaceLondon EC2A 3BE

Same location

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol in the cafe bar from 07:00 to 00:30 Sun to Weds and 07:00 to 01:00 Fri, Sat, St Patrick’s Day and during Easter, Bank holidays, Xmas period, plays, films, live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music/dancing from 09:00 to 23: daily.

Closing date for representations 20/8/07

Licensing Applications w/c 20 July

2007-07-24T12:38:00.000Z

Tesco Stores
179 Shoreditch High StLondon E1 6HP

for map of your new Tesco store click here

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 08:00 until 00:00 Mon to Sat and 10:00 to 18:00 Sun

Deadline for comments 16/08/2007

Let's hope they have included a free cash machine. Not sure why they want a midnight licence here when they only have 11.00pm further up Kingsland Rd.

Village Underground
54 Holywell LaneLondon EC2A 3PQ

for map click here

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol, live/recorded music and facilities for dancing from 09:00 to 02:00 daily and 09:00 to 06:00 on New Years Eve, and plays, films, and any entertainment of a similar description from 09:00 to 02:00 daily.

Deadline for comments 17/08/2007

Licensing Applications w/e 29 June

2007-07-12T11:05:00.000Z

Herbal
10-14 Kingsland RoadLondon E2 8DA

Zalkind Real Estate

Application for a premises licence to allow supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment comprising of live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music, facilities for dancing, and any entertainment of a similar description, and late night refreshment from 11:00 to 02:00 Mon to Thurs and 11:00 to 03:00 Fri to Sat.

Basically they forgot to fill in the right forms at the right time so are applying for their old licence.

Closing date for representations 24/7/07

Anda de Bridge
42-44 Kingsland Road London E2 8DA

Mr Foster

Application to vary existing premises licence to extend hours for the supply of alcohol, recorded music and late night refreshment and allow regulated entertainment comprising of plays, films, live/recorded music, performances of dance, facilities for making music/dancing and any entertainment/entertainment facilities of a similar description from 10:00 until 00:00 Sun to Tues and 10:00 to 02:00 Weds to Sat.

Closing date for representations: 27/7/07

An End to Revellers Taking the P***?

2007-07-10T10:01:00.000Z

Thanks to a long campaign by Haggerston Councillors and the hard work of Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Alan Laing, we now have portable urinals strategically located around the Shoreditch Triangle.

The units are delivered at the beginning of the evening and collected in the small hours meaning they have minimal impact on residents.

Drunk people relieving themselves in doorways has been an increasing problem - particularly on the estates that surround Hoxton Square and hopefully this will make some difference.

Maybe we can move from this:

to this:

Licensing Applications w/e 8 June 2007

2007-06-13T07:41:00.000Z

Cube and Star
39a Hoxton SquareLondon N1 6NN

Barworks (Electric) Ltd

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow alterations to layout including installation of a disabled toilet.

Closing date for representations: 02/07/2007

Licensing Applications w/e 25 May

2007-05-31T15:11:00.000Z

Herbal
10-14 Kingsland RoadLondon E2 8DA

Application to review a premises licence on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance.

Closing date for representations: 21/06/2007

Somerfield
168-175 Shoreditch High StreetLondon E1 6HU

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 08:00 until 23:00 daily and the provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 until 05:00 daily.

Closing date for representations 19/6/07

The Somerfield application is for a new small supermarket in the Texaco garage at the bottom of Shoreditch High Street.

Licencing Applications w/e 20 April

2007-04-25T07:43:00.000Z

Bluu
1 Hoxton SquareLondon N1 6NU

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow the provision of live music during existing hours and to permit changes to area permitted for sale/supply of alcohol.

Closing date for representations:
15/05/2007

T Bar Shut Down

2007-04-18T11:41:00.000Z

The police have asked the owners of the T Bar in Shoreditch to close down for two weeks to get their act together on drugs. An undercover officer was offered class A drugs minutes after entering the club. The manging director Jaime Ritchie was told the police would apply to have its licence revoked if they didn't offer to shut the place down and put in place measures to keep drugs out of their club.

Good to see the police taking tough action and good to see the T Bar management taking the right decision and having some time out to get the right procedures in place.

Licencing Applications w/c 13 April

2007-04-17T12:56:00.000Z

Jam
123 Shoreditch High StLondon E1 6JE

Application to vary an existing premises licence to allow supply of alcohol and recorded music from 10:00 until 23:00 Mon to Sat and from 12:00 to 22:30 Sun.

Claosing date for representations: 08/05/2007

Licensing Applications w/e 6 April

2007-04-11T09:32:00.000Z

One Shop Food & Wine
149 - 150 Shoreditch StLondon E1 6HU

Mr Suppiah

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises up to 24 hours a day.

Closing date for representations: 30/4/07

Hoxton Library
40 Pitfield StreetLondon N1 6EU

Mr Gill and Ms Abbott

Application for a premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment comprising of plays, films, live/recorded music, facilities for making music/dancing and the provision of late night refreshment from 10:00 until 02:00 Mon to Sat and from 12:00 until 00:00 Sun.

Licensing Applications w/e 30 March

2007-04-11T09:30:00.000Z

Maxwells
138-139 Shoreditch High StreetLondon E1 6JE

Application to vary existing licence to permit regulated entertainment comprising of live/recorded music, late night refreshment and sale/supply of alcohol until 02:30 Tuesday to Sat.

Closing date for representations: 24/4/07

Urban Village Store
131 Curtain RoadLondon EC2A 3BX

Mr Dogan

Application to vary existing premises licence to allow the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises up to 24 hours a day.