Westminster Matters: An update from Cllr Nickie Aiken, Leader of Westminster City Council

It has been an incredibly busy time since I last updated you on the work of Conservative-run Westminster City Council.

Sadly we continue to see an increase in the number of rough sleepers on our streets. Westminster attracts more than the next four boroughs combined. Being the “capital of the capital” has always meant more people bedding down on our streets.

The City of Westminster is set to have its first ever Labour Lord Mayor after an agreement by the council’s Conservative and Labour Groups.

As many residents will be aware, the UK Government have plans to install a national Holocaust memorial and learning centre in Victoria Tower Gardens adjacent to the Palace of Westminster. The plans can be seen online here and there was also a public exhibition in September.

As your Councillors, we are delighted to be supporting the St James’s ward Christmas tree this year. The tree will be at its usual place in Strutton Ground (close to the junction with Old Pye Street). Once again, we will be joined by the choir of St.

You may have noticed that our trees have started to shed their leaves. From 5th November, Westminster City County began implementing its ‘Leafing Plan’.

Conservative led Westminster City Council will insist going forward that six in every ten new affordable homes built in the City are suitable for middle-income families. The policy will apply to the ambitious 1495 new homes the Council has committed to building.

The weekend of 9th – 11th November saw Westminster Council commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. As a Council, we work very closely with the Armed Forces supporting a number of initiatives.

Following its introduction in March this year, Westminster Conservatives confirmed earlier this week that its community contribution fund has raised almost £400,000.

I am delighted that Westminster City Council's Cabinet has formally approved a major shake-up of the planning system in our City. This decision shows we are listening to the concerns of local people who have told us that they did not feel as involved under the current system.