December 2010 Archives

The last twelve months have proved to be some of the most challenging that the council has faced in recent times.

The next twelve months will be even tougher.

Just over two weeks ago, the government set out in detail how much money the council would receive for the coming year.

Mark Field, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, discusses the long road ahead for politics in 2011, in his monthly column for the Westminster Chronicle.

It has been a momentous year in British politics.

We now have a coalition government and one that is struggling to reduce the nation's huge budget deficit while encouraging growth.

Karen Buck, MP for Westminster North, here discusses the 2011 census in her monthly column for the Westminster Chronicle.

2010 years after a botched census led to an impromptu birth in a stable, we prepare once again for the task of a national head count- due to take place at the end of March.

It may well be the last such exercise of its kind, but that should be no excuse for a repeat of the errors that plagued the UK Census last time.

MARYLEBONE: A solo show of work by artist David Heathcote goes on display at GV Art gallery, in Chiltern Street, from February 8 to April 21.

The Beyond Horizons exhibition includes paintings, sculptures and drawings from his career which spans 60 years, with landscapes inspired by his memories of Africa and rural Kent.

MARYLEBONE: Marylebone Library and the Marylebone Information Service, in Marylebone Road, will both be closed on January 16 for essential electrical work.

Nearby libraries in Circus Road, St John's Wood, and Porchester Road, Bayswater, will be open as usual.

A school in St John's Wood which was described as 'failing' 18 months ago has now significantly improved.

George Eliot Infants' School, in Marlborough Hill, was placed in 'special measures' following an visit by the government's Ofsted inspectors.

The report criticised the school for not fully realising the potential of its pupils and the low standards achieved.

A Maida Vale pensioner who went missing on Christmas Day has now been found.

Ivan William, 83, of Lanark Road, said he was going out for drinks to celebrate his birthday, which falls on December 25, but did not return.

He was found safe and well yesterday.

Queen's Park residents have learned how to beat the economic crisis after completing a six-week course on managing their money.

Organised by Westminster Council's housing arm CityWest Homes, the course teaches about managing budgets, avoiding getting into debt and making the most of a household's income.

WESTMINSTER: An innovative book recycling scheme has seen more than 6,000 books being donated to charity in just 12 weeks.

Residents are able to take unwanted books to dedicated sites across the borough along with other recycling, or take them to a new mobile recycling unit at weekend car boot sales, with all books donated to charity READ International which then distributes them to good causes in the UK and the third world.

WESTMINSTER: The number of people in the borough aged 65 and over is expected to leap by two per cent in the next 20 years, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

This year, 10.3 per cent of people in Westminster have lived past their 65th birthday, against a predicted 12.3 per cent in 2033.