Getting the city back to nature

[MyWestminster Updates]

The latest news from Westminster City Council

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/westminster.gov.uk/22oct2021?e=7e37558eca)
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/


** Friday 22 October 2021
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** Public Health Updates
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https://www.westminster.gov.uk/covid-19-testing
STAYING SAFE DURING HALF TERM: As we head into half term, it’s important that we all remember to be cautious when meeting up with friends and family to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Be cautious now for a safer winter:
* Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer.
* Wear a face covering in crowded or enclosed settings.
* Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly.
* Get tested (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/covid-19-testing) and self-isolate if required.
* Get vaccinated (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/vaccinations) if you haven’t already and take the booster if you’re offered it.

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/walk-vaccination-service-now-available-westminster
12 to 15-YEAR-OLD COVID-19 VACCINATIONS DURING HALF TERM: Are you aged 12 to 15 or have children aged 12 to 15 who are yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine? You can book people in this age group to attend a pop-up vaccination centre in Westminster (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/walk-vaccination-service-now-available-westminster) during half term so that they can be vaccinated outside of school.

A walk-in pop-up clinic is also taking place at Harris Academy St John’s Wood, Marlborough Hill, NW8 0NL on Wednesday 27 October, from 9am to 5pm. You don’t need to book a slot at this clinic. Parents/guardians are asked to complete and bring the NHS consent form (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk%2Fcoronavirus%2Fnhs-covid-19-vaccination-programme%2Fcovid-19-vaccinations-resources-12-15-year-olds&data=04%7C01%7CJenny.Solomons%40harrow.gov.uk%7C96257eabe73e4f4e812208d992c64d00%7Cd2c39953a8db4c3c97f2d2dc76fb3e2c%7C1%7C1%7C637702202661889542%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=BNgWJuZbAtQDFoXz%2FSfdv6ceFlfcVAmIp1DKxa6iFEw%3D&reserved=0) with them, even if you have already previously done so. If you are unable to print the consent form in advance a copy will be available at the clinic. You’re also asked to ensure that your child is accompanied to the clinic.

In addition to the clinics running during half term, 12 to 15-year-olds can now also book their COVID-19 vaccination on the NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-to-15/) . You may also be invited by your GP to vaccination clinics they are running.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
TRAVELLING TO ENGLAND FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY: As of Sunday 24 October, the rules for travel to England change. What you must do depends on whether you are fully vaccinated. From 24 October, fully vaccinated passengers and most under-18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a lateral flow test on or before the second day of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from today (22 October). Lateral flow tests for international travel must be purchased from a private provider as NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel. Read the guidance on the GOV.UK website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19) .


** Council Updates
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http://www.westminster.gov.uk/housing/your-community/estate-services
MORE GREEN FLAG AWARDS FOR WESTMINSTER ESTATES: Three of our housing estates, Churchill Gardens and Lillington and Longmoore Garden Estate in Pimlico and Lisson Green in Marylebone, have once again received Green Flag awards in recognition of their quality, green spaces.
Darlene, a resident of Lillington and Longmoore Garden Estate (pictured above with the award banner), said: “I think it’s amazing to have retained the Green Flag. It’s particularly great for the children who have been able to do some pond dipping and see different wildlife in the gardens.”

A huge amount of work is constantly carried out by our housing and estate services teams (http://www.westminster.gov.uk/housing/your-community/estate-services) to maintain the spaces and to continue to provide beautiful, green spaces for our communities. Westminster also has another 26 Green Flag accredited public spaces and quality parks across the city. Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, said: “Quality green spaces are vital to the wellbeing of our residents and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly to maintain them during such a challenging time.”
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/recycling-and-rubbish-collections
STAR RECYCLING: Westminster has a new celebrity recycler – film, theatre and TV star Olivia Williams. Olivia, who has appeared in films including Emma and The Sixth Sense and next year portrays Camilla Parker Bowles in season five of The Crown, is to be found up early making sure her recycling is correctly bagged (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/recycling-and-rubbish-collections) and even admits to ensuring people living nearby are recycling properly.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s The Confessional, Westminster resident Olivia said: “I feel pride every Wednesday morning at about 6.50am when I put out my beautifully rinsed and sorted recycling. I also go on a small tour of the immediate neighbourhood rectifying other people’s wrongly presented recycling. If people are putting out stuff that isn’t recycling on recycling day, I have been known to deposit it off the street and back on their doorstep!”

The actress said she took guidance from our leaflet ‘Recycle... it’s easy! (https://mcusercontent.com/a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca/files/49551052-4f94-0187-417d-28031efcc727/Recycle_It_s_Easy_.pdf) ’ adding that she appreciated people in her street recycling properly. “I thank them from the bottom of my heart for following this simple, little leaflet!” Olivia told the BBC.
YOUR VIEW: In last week’s MyWestminster (https://mailchi.mp/westminster.gov.uk/15oct2021?e=df04244d0d) , we asked what actions you were taking to improve air quality in your local area. You told us that you were…
* Walking or cycling wherever possible – 85%
* Taking quieter routes such as through parks – 63%
* Reducing engine idling – 23%
* Getting alerts from airTEXT service – 8% (Respondents could select multiple answers, percentages are of the total number that took part.)

Many of you also wrote to tell us that you were “giving up cars entirely”, switching to electric vehicles or “only using green cabs” to get around. We are encouraging the switch to electric vehicles throughout Westminster, having installed more than 1,000 new EV charging points (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/parking/electric-vehicles) to date in the city and are well on course to have a further 500 in place before April 2022.
https://twitter.com/leader_wcc/status/1450420058254159874
OPENING BELGRAVIA SQUARE TO SCHOOLS: The Belgravia Forest School in Belgrave Square has begun to welcome local schools and community groups to an outdoor classroom. One of London’s most famous gardens, the square is less well known as a home to its wildlife habitats, beehive, pond and a bug hotel known as ‘Bugingham Palace’, all encouraging insects and increasing local biodiversity.

Cllr Rachael Robathan, Leader of Westminster City Council, pictured here attending the Forest School’s opening (https://twitter.com/leader_wcc/status/1450420058254159874) , said: “This is a green oasis in the heart of the capital. I am very excited to see such a positive local initiative where local children can immerse themselves in nature. It’s for these future generations that we are pressing so hard on the green agenda.”

The Forest School opens up outdoor learning opportunities to groups who are amongst the least likely in the UK to have access to their own green spaces. Each element of the school has been built from sustainable, natural and reclaimed materials by Grosvenor’s Landscape Management team who care for 25 acres of green space in Mayfair and Belgravia.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/smart-city-for-all
CREATING A SMART CITY FOR ALL: We’re creating an inclusive Smart City (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/smart-city-for-all) by encouraging innovation, harnessing technology and building partnerships that will make Westminster an even better place to live, work and visit. For us, a Smart City opens up opportunities and empowers all its people to take advantage of them. Smart technology can improve how we serve you, from social care and education to arts and culture. Connectivity means opportunity and we plan to support digital inclusion and talent so everyone has the opportunities that being online affords. With the right tech, we can make sure every citizen of Westminster can make their voice heard, to shape the city’s future. Read all about our exciting new plans here (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/smart-city-for-all) .
HAVE YOUR SAY: Making sure we’re all part of a connected society is a key component of our Smart City initiative. We’ll be working with the community to make Westminster an even more attractive, exciting and unique destination, as we trial fresh ideas such as interactive street furniture. Click below to let us know what you think would help make Westminster a Smart City for the future and we’ll feature the best ideas in next week’s edition!

Take part in this week’s Reader Survey (https://us1.list-manage.com/survey?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=fe18ba313a&e=7e37558eca)
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reporter
NEW ISSUE OF WESTMINSTER REPORTER: In the latest edition of the Reporter (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reporter) , we look at the many ways we’ve been working to cut emissions and tackle the climate emergency in Westminster. We also highlight the ways we’ve provided wraparound support for Westminster’s young people throughout the pandemic and beyond, we look at the Green Spine project in Church Street, Westminster Wheels’ recent successes, the cultural highlights returning to the West End, our City Lions enjoying some amazing events and the dementia-friendly housing that’s changing people’s lives. The new issue is currently making its way to your doorsteps, but you can read it online or download it as a PDF document right now (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reporter) !


** What’s on in Westminster
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https://www.westminster.gov.uk/climate-emergency/events
CLIMATE ACTION COMMUNITY OPEN DAYS: This November, the UK is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and during that time we’ll be running two community open days for residents to find out more about how to reduce their carbon emissions. We’ll be showcasing community projects, advice and services, including cooking, recycling, energy saving, sustainable transport and much more.
* South Westminster: Saturday 6 November, 2pm to 5pm
* North Westminster: Saturday 13 November, 2pm to 5pm
* How to attend: Find more details here (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/climate-emergency/events)

https://cwc.ac.uk/about-us/register-for-open-days
CITY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGE OPEN DAY: Whether you know exactly what you want to study or need to find out a little more before you decide, this campus open event is the perfect opportunity to explore your options and find out what the City of Westminster College has to offer.
* When: Saturday 6 November, 10am to 2pm
* Where: Paddington Green Campus, 25 Paddington Green, W2 1NB
* How to attend: Register here (https://cwc.ac.uk/about-us/register-for-open-days)

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/event/inside-out-art-series
INSIDE OUT FESTIVAL: From Covent Garden to Connaught Village, Villier’s Street and Leicester Square, locations across the West End are hosting their own art pieces that residents can enjoy for free. Inspire the entire family as the National Portrait Gallery exhibits its ‘Pioneering Women’ exhibition, highlighting the often-overlooked stories of women who have shaped British culture.
* When: Ends Sunday 31 October
* Where: Throughout the West End
* How to attend: Get more details of what’s on here (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/event/inside-out-art-series)

https://www.facebook.com/mychurchstreet
CHURCH STREET YOUTH MARKET: Come and join the fun at any of the upcoming Youth Markets taking place at Church Street during the next few weeks. We’re engaging with the local community to promote zero carbon awareness and you can find out all about how to work with nature, be a better recycler and much more.
* When: 23 October, 27 November and 5 December
* Where: Church Street Market, NW8
* How to attend: Find more details here (https://www.facebook.com/mychurchstreet)

These are just some of the events taking place around Westminster during the next few weeks. For a full list of things to do, check out our Events pages (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/events) .


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https://www.westminster.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus-helping-hand-residents

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/businesses/coronavirus-helping-hand-businesses

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-how-you-can-help

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-vulnerable-residents

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