Construction works continue on the £5.5 million regeneration project at Northala Fields, the former Kensington and Chelsea Playing Fields. Works started on site in August 2004 and are expected to finish in winter 2007.

For the lastest on the project then please click on the picture of the December 2005 newsletter.

Ealing Council is turning around its performance after the Audit Commission gave it 3 out of 4 stars in the method it uses to score how local councils are doing (CPA ratings).

Last year, under the old ratings, the council received a “weak” score – roughly the equivelent of 1 star. Its jump to 3 stars in twelve months shows a tremendous achievement, especially considering the assessments that are carried out have been made harder this year.

Cllr Leo Thomson, Leader of Ealing Council, wrote in a letter to local Councillors, “It represents a tremendous achievement for the council and is a fitting tribute to the hard work and commitment of our staff. The council’s journey from last year’s rating of ‘weak’ (broadly equivalent to one star) has been tough for everyone.

We also need to recognise that a three star rating has been delivered as a result of a collective effort. This can be best highlighted by the fact that we scored three (out of four) for Benefits, Children and Young People and Culture. We scored a two for Environment, Housing and Social Care (Adults).”

For more details of the Report visit the official CPA website.

Northolt West End’s local police team recently moved into their new offices just above Northolt Library.

The team had been working out of Northolt police station in Eastcote Lane since February 2005 when they were established, but can now work from an office in the middle of Northolt West End ward itself. The team will be moving in gradually and the office will be fully operational from early January.

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz said, “This is a very welcome move. The team has been working hard over the past few months and have made a real impact, but having a truly local base will mean they can spend more time on the patch tackling crime.”

If you would like the telephone numbers for the local police team then please e-mail Cllr Bassam Mahfouz.

Friday saw community leaders and many Northolt residents come together to celebrate the achievement made at the White Hart Roundabout.

London Assembly Member Richard Barnes and Northolt West End Councillor Dave Bond officially unveiled a plaque to “Ali”, an 81 year old Northolt resident who was brutally murdered in April last year returning home one night through the White Hart underpass.

Steve Pound MP, Ealing Borough Commander Colette Paul, other local Councillors and the Safer Neighbourhood Police Team joined local residents and children from the local West London Academy to celebrate the fact that £1/2 million has been invested in security as a direct consequence of the tragic murder of “Ali”.

Following a visit from the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, arranged by local resident Linda Koupparis, the mayor committed the investment needed to bring about new lighting, CCTV and panic buttons into the White Hart – transforming it from one of the unsafest to the safest places in Northolt.

(pictures) – (1) Ealing Mayor Mike Elliott, Richard Barnes AM, Cllr Dave Bond with Ali’s daughter unveiling the plaque in the underpass. (2) Residents and other dignaturies come together to remember Ali and celebrate the improvements made to the underpass.

There will be an official re-opening of the White Hart Underpass with new CCTV cameras and light columns in order to make the underpass safer for local residents.

Since installing the CCTV and extra lighting, only one incident has occured, soon after they were installed. Thankfully since then – no crimes have been reported.

We all remember the story of Mr Ali who was tragically killed in the underpass by youths who have since been convicted. Because of his death, and work by local Councillor Dave Bond and local resident Linda Koupparis the Mayor of London awarded the project £1/2million in order to improve safety at the White Hart underpass.

An official event will be held on Friday 9th December at 11am in the underpass – if you are around at the time then please come along.

FLYER

Local Achievements

• A new Safer Neighbourhood Police Team of seven, led by a police sergeant. This team started their work in March 2005 and will provide a permanent police presence on the streets of Northolt West End. Their mobile telephone numbers are available to the public and their top priorities will be the top priorities of local people, including tackling the scourge of anti-social behaviour on local estates.

• £½ million to make the White Hart underpass safer for local people. The money is already being used to pay for CCTV and extra lighting in the underpass. Northolt people deserve to feel safe on their own streets, these are commitments from a Labour Council together with a Labour Mayor and Labour Government to make Northolt a safer place to live.

• A brand new Downe Manor School (opened by Gordon Brown) and West London Academy complex. Government funding for new schools locally means that Labour is putting money behind its slogan: education, education, education. Totally new buildings that local children and school staff deserve. Now instead of worrying about the state of the buildings, we can start building a better future for our youngsters.

• St. Raphael’s RC Primary School has been helped in building a nursery for local children and expand on their success as one of the top primary schools in Ealing. Viking Primary is next on the list for improvements.

• A SureStart project in south Northolt. The project launched in 1998 has worked to help young parents deal with the pressures of life with young children and make sure those children get the right start in life. SureStart South Northolt has been such a success that similar new children’s centres are planned for every ward in the borough.

• There are plans for a new swimming pool for Northolt. We all know that the Swimarama is past its “use by” date. The people of Northolt deserve better. That is why Ealing Council have begun consulting local residents on what they would like to see in a new swimming pool for Northolt. Leisure centres are important for the health and enjoyment of local people. That is why Labour wants to make sure whatever proposals are made for the new pool, the people of Northolt get the best deal available.

• More youth facilities across south Northolt. We have seen in the past few years multi-purpose games areas spring up in Northolt where traditionally youngsters have only had the streets to play on. There are more football pitches, and better facilities thanks to the newly rebuilt West London Academy. This is an important part of making sure that local children have something to keep them active, giving them a healthy alternative to standing outside shops or on street corners.

• New and improved street lighting for Northolt West End. The Council has already got new and improved street lighting for many streets across Northolt West End . This Labour Council has committed itself to a programme of renewing the streetlights in every road with new, improved and more lampposts.

• The new Northolt & Greenford Countryside Park. Northolt is better known for its housing estates, but Ealing Council wants to make sure that Northolt’s many green spaces are kept green and improved so that local people can have better use of their land. Plans for the Park include a fishing pond, a new bridge and it is hoped that it will be a major attraction for wildlife.