WHO RUNS? Kensington & Chelsea

1 More information is available online at www.whorunslondon.org.uk

Operation Black Vote 18 Victoria Park Square E2 9PB T 020 8983 5430 www.obv.org.uk Contents

Introduction p4 Overview p6 Mission statement p8 Local government in Kensington and Chelsea p10 What do Councillors do? p13 How do I make a change to a Council-run service? p18 (GLA) p20 Your representatives p22

Copyright © October 2010 Operation Black Vote 4 Introduction

The governance of How can ordinary residents effectively interact with and influence the our local authorities kaleidoscope of public bodies and and cities has become institutions that make decisions on a daily basis on our lives? increasingly complex: where does power lie? Central to Operation Black Vote’s (OBV) work has been the empowerment Who, at a local level of Black and minority ethnic (BME) has responsibility for communities so that they can play a full and positive role in civic society our education, litter and thereby have greater control over collection or indeed day to day decisions. A key aspect of empowerment is to have an increased representing our views understanding of key public decision- and concerns on the making bodies such as the local authority, national health trust, and Council? many others.

Operation Black Vote (OBV) in a unique and ground breaking partnership with the London Empowerment Partnership Targeted Support Programme, managed by the London Civic Forum are bringing you a unique set of materials - this booklet and a website - to unlock the decision making process in your local area: Kensington and Chelsea.

5 Overview

180,300 people 4.69 sq miles 61 % registered voters

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea covers 4.69 square miles and has a resident population of 180,300 (Office of Kensington and Chelsea is most densely National Statistics populated local authority in the United 2008). Kensington and Kingdom (2001 census). It contains some of the most expensive residential Chelsea is presently one districts in the country. Its population has of two Royal Boroughs the longest period of life expectancy at birth, out of all the local authorities in the in Greater London, country (ONS 2006-08). For men this is the other is the Royal 84.3 years and for women 88.9 years. In each case more than ten years longer Borough of Kingston than for people in local authorities with upon Thames. the lowest period of life expectancy.

6 One in three people in London describe themselves as Black Minority Ethnic.

Kensington and Chelsea is ranked 101 As of May 2010 it has 110,038 registered out of 354 local authorities in in voters; the Council is led by the terms of average deprivation. (Where 1 Conservatives and the official opposition is most deprived). There are 103 Super is Labour. Elections were held in May Output Areas (SOAs) in The Royal 2010 and take place every four years. Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and 9 of those are in the top 10% most During the course of this booklet we deprived. will try to explain how the powers and responsibilities that affect the borough are distributed; how democratic structures work, how these can be accessed and also provide you with other useful information.

7 Mission Statement

Operation Black OBV recognise that building a future Britain in which African, Asian, Caribbean Vote (OBV) is the first and other minority ethnic communities initiative to focus have a voice is a long term project. There is an entrenched cynicism about politics exclusively on the within the Black community, especially Black democratic amongst young people, which cannot be addressed easily, or overnight. deficit in the UK. We believe that without a In addition, overcoming stereotypical attitudes and institutional racism strong political voice for African, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities, the ideal of equality of opportunity regardless of race and colour - will remain a dream.

8 Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign, supported by a broad coalition of mainly Black organisations. within the dominant cultural and OBV is a non-party political campaign, political establishment will require a supported by a broad coalition of mainly new willingness to communicate and Black organisations. cooperate from both Black and White. Our main objectives are to: OBV has a comprehensive programme —— urge Black people to register to vote that includes political education, —— enable the Black community to claim participation and representation. Our its place in British democracy goal is for a fair, just and inclusive —— demonstrate a collective community democracy, one that allows our creativity, potential that could significantly energy and talent to fulfil it’s potential and influence the outcome in many seats enhance British society. at the General Election —— confront politicians with the reality of what it means to be Black in Britain and force them to address the inequality of opportunity faced by Black people —— encourage them to recognise our unique perspective and positively promote the cultural diversity of British society in the best interests of society as a whole

9 Local Government in Kensington & Chelsea

The London Borough The Council’s responsibilities include: social services; many arts and leisure of Kensington and services; street cleaning; roads; and local Chelsea is one of 32 planning. boroughs in Greater Education London. Kensington Each London Borough acts as the Local Education Authority for its area. Each and Chealsea Council LEA has certain legal responsibilities and run most of the day- functions which include the provision of suitable education for each child, the to-day services in the improvement of local education, special borough. needs assessment and recruitment of school governors. They also provide services such as educational psychology, school meals, maintenance and out-of- hours facilities. Each LEA is headed by a councillor with political responsibility for education and learning, and a Chief Education Officer with legal and administrative responsibilities. Each borough has a scrutiny committee which monitors the work of the LEA.

Planning The boroughs are responsible for dealing with all non-strategic planning applications in their area and applicants have the right to appeal against refusals to the Secretary of State. However, the

10 must be consulted on Health planning applications that are considered The Councils have a range of health to be of potential strategic importance and social care responsibilities covering to London. He can comment on and services for older people, mental support these applications or, if he health, occupational therapy, public considers it necessary on strategic and environmental health, often working planning grounds, he can direct the in partnership with NHS bodies. The borough to refuse planning permission. Council has an elected councillor The Mayor is not able to direct approval with executive responsibility for health of applications. If a direction to refuse services. an application is issued, the Mayor must set out his reasons for the decision and the borough will inform the applicant of Waste disposal and the these reasons. environment In collecting and disposing of waste, Each borough must produce a Unitary they must take into account the Mayor’s Development plan that addresses these municipal waste management strategy. issues as well as wider planning points. They are also responsible for promoting and co-ordinating local environmental Benefits initiatives, in partnership with the Mayor Although they operate within strict and on their own. national guidelines from the Department Contact the Council for Work and Pensions, Housing Benefit The Town Hall, Hornton Street and Council Tax Benefit are paid for and London W8 7NX administered by local authorities. T 020 7361 3000 F 020 7938 1445 www.rbkc.gov.uk

11 Local Democracy —— Queen’s Gate —— Redcliffe The Royal Borough of Kensington and —— Royal Hospital Chelsea has 54 councillors all elected —— Saint Charles for a four year term. Elections were —— Stanley held in May 2010 and take place every four years. These are ‘all out’ elections, Each of these wards elects three when all the seats in each Council are councillors. contested. In addition by-elections may be called in a ward during this four year Understanding which ward you live in, term, to replace representatives who is the first step to contacting your local have resigned or who have died. councillors. If you don’t know the ward in which you live, contact the Council The Royal Borough of Kensington and they will help you find out. You can and Chelsea is divided into 18 smaller also use their website and fill in the areas called local wards. My councillor module on the Council’s These are: homepage at: —— Abingdon —— Brompton www.rbkc.gov.uk —— Campden —— Colville —— Courtfield —— Cremorne —— Earl’s Court —— Golborne —— Hans Town —— Holland —— Norland —— Notting Barns —— Pembridge

12 What do Councillors do?

It is a councillor’s role They hold regular advice ‘surgeries where you can meet with them privately to help individuals in and discuss your specific issues the local area. They make sure that the How do I vote for a councillor? Council is delivering If you are over 18, live in Kensington good services, decide and Chelsea and are a British, Commonwealth, or a European Union on priority areas that Citizen, then you are eligible to vote in all the Council should elections, local, regional, parliamentary, be working on, sit on and European. committees which The next local elections are due to take make these decisions, place in May 2014. as well as perform a To be able to vote you must register with the local Council. You can register to scrutiny role. vote from the age of 17, although you cannot vote until you are 18. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm for all UK elections. You can now take your children with you when you go to vote. If you’re unable to get to the polling station you can apply for a postal vote or arrange for someone else to cast your vote for you (a proxy).

13 Contact the Electoral Registration and Elections Office: The Executive or Cabinet T 020 7361 3444 E [email protected] The Executive is a group of councilors www.rbkc.gov.uk including the Leader that take most of the decisions on what the Council does. Opening hours Each member of the Cabinet takes Monday–Friday (9am–5pm) responsibility for a policy portfolio and a department which delivers these policies The Royal Borough of and the relevant local services. Kensington and Chelsea They are the formal link between Council’s structure councillors and officers in terms of the London boroughs are now all run under a overall direction in which the Council is cabinet system, in which the Executive is working and performance management. drawn from the majority group or coalition in the full Council, which elects a leader, The Executive is the body which gives who then appoints a number of councillors direction to the Chief Executive and the to hold portfolios responsible for individual Corporate Management Team, and holds departments and functions. Other those employees to account for their councillors, known as ‘back benchers’, performance, and is also responsible for scrutinise the work of the Executive. ensuring appropriate links with external partners. The Executive pays particular attention to the effective and appropriate use of the Council’s resources (workforce, finances and assets).

For example it is responsible for: —— developing policy, budget and Council Tax proposals for agreement by the Assembly —— making important decisions about the day-to-day work of the Council based on the policies and priorities set by the Assembly —— ensuring the Council works effectively with its partners on behalf of the community

14 Forward Plan The current Executive members are: The Forward Plan is a document that —— Councillor Sir Merrick Cockell sets out the decisions that the Executive, The Council Leader individual Members and sub-groups of —— Cllr Daniel Moylan the Executive are expected to take over Deputy Leader the next four months, together with key —— Cllr Nicholas Paget-Brown decisions taken by officers. Transportation, Environment and Leisure The plan is published monthly. A printed —— Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Campbell copy is available from libraries in the Education and Libraries Borough. —— Cllr Warwick Lightfoot You can view the forward plans at: Finance and IT www.rbkc.gov.uk —— Cllr Julie Mills Adult Social Care, Public Health and Contact Environmental Health Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX —— Cllr Tim Ahern T 020 7361 3444 Cabinet Portfolio - Civil Society E [email protected] E [email protected] —— Cllr the Baroness Ritchie E [email protected] Family and Children’s Services —— Cllr Timothy Coleridge Housing and Property

15 How are The Royal Ms Jean Daintith Executive Director of Housing, Health & Adult Borough of Kensington Social Care and Chelsea Council’s The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX T 020 7361 2401 services structured? F 020 7361 3041 Each Department of The Royal Borough E [email protected] of Kensington and Chelsea Council is managed by a non- elected Council This Directorate are responsible for employee, known as a Director. The most commissioning housing to meet the senior employee of the Council is called needs of those in housing need and for the Chief Executive and Town Clerk, and the personal social services to children is currently Derek Myers. and adults.

The Chief Executive is responsible for Peter Lerner the paid staff of the Council. His contact Executive Director of the Planning & Borough details are: Development The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX

Derek Myers T 020 7361 2079/2080 F 020 7361 3463 Chief Executive E [email protected] The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX T 020 7361 2299 This Directorate is responsible for F 020 7361 2764 E [email protected] protecting the Borough’s built and open environment. They produce the following documents, which are all available Corporate Management Team from all publications available from the Anne Marie Carrie Planning Information Office: Executive Director for Family and Children’s Services —— Unitary Development Plan The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX —— Conservation Area Proposals T 020 7361 3009 – Education line Statements T 020 7361 3303 – General F 020 7361 3481 —— Planning and Conservation E [email protected] – Education line Handbook

The purpose of this Directorate is to Tot Brill promote learning, employability and Executive Director of Transport, Environment and personal development within the Royal Leisure Services Council Offices Borough 37 Pembroke Road, London W8 6PW T 020 7341 5101 F 020 7341 5155 E [email protected]

16 This Directorate’s purpose is to make the Councillors from all political parties Royal Borough cleaner, safer, healthier currently represented on the Council sit and more attractive as a place in which on Scrutiny Committees. to live and work. For information on Scrutiny, contact:

Scrutiny The Scrutiny Development Manager The Council has five Scrutiny Policy and Partnerships Unit, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Room 248, Kensington Committees (Scs), which consist Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX of non-executive, or ‘back bench’ T 020 7361 3494 councillors, they hold Cabinet E [email protected] Members to account and challenge their decisions when necessary and carry out investigations into matters of interest. They usually take evidence in writing and in public from members of the Cabinet, officials, residents, interested groups and experts. They also assist with policy development and make recommendations to the Council´s Executive - the body ultimately responsible for decision- making within the Council.

Scrutiny Committees can:

—— ask the Cabinet to think again about a decision —— put local services (for example the NHS) under the spotlight by undertaking in-depth studies —— summon Cabinet Members and senior Council staff to account for what they have done or plan to do —— make suggestions to the Cabinet or to full Council about alternative ways of delivering services —— involve the public in any of the above activities

17 How do I make a change to a Council- run service

Informal stage If you are complaining about the way in which a particular officer has dealt with If you are already dealing with a Council you, your complaint will be looked into officer or you know which officer to by a third party. Your complaint will be contact, you may wish to raise an issue acknowledged. You should receive a full face-to-face, by telephone, email or in reply within 15 working days. writing. Often, matters can be resolved at this stage. The Comments, Complaints and Compliments online form can be found at: If you are unsure about which part of the Council www.rbkc.gov.uk is responsible: T 020 7361 3000 - Enquiry Line Stage 2 One way to help improve the work of the Council is by making use of its If you are dissatisfied with the response complaints procedure. to your complaint at Stage 1, let the Council know. The head of the relevant Stage 1 section will investigate further and should respond fully within 15 working days. If you are unhappy about the response to your initial complaint, you should Stage 3 tell the officer with whom you have been dealing that you wish to take your If you are still unhappy, the relevant complaint further. Or you might wish to Director or Executive Director will review complete the Comments, Complaints your complaint and respond within 15 and Compliments form and send it to the working days. relevant department.

If, having received a response from the Director or Executive Director, you wish to take the matter further you can

18 take up your complaint with the Local The Royal Borough of Government Ombudsman. Kensington and Chelsea What else can I do? Mayor If you feel you did not receive a Some London Boroughs have directly satisfactory response and there has elected Mayors with particular powers. been maladministration causing injustice Kensington and Chelsea is not one of then you can complain to the Local them. Government Ombudsman.Their service is free. The Mayor is a serving councillor who is elected to the office for one year at the Visit www.lgo.org.uk Council’s AGM, held annually in May.

Alternatively you can complain directly Councillor James Husband is currently to your MP or councillor (see your the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea. representatives section). The Mayor is a civic representative of the Council and has no formal power on decision making. His role is non political.

The Mayor Councillor James Husband c/o The Mayor’s Parlour Town Hall Hornton Street London W8 7NX T 020 7361 2430 E [email protected]

19 Greater London Authority (GLA)

Since 2000 London has had a new and regeneration, culture, and a range system of elected citywide government, of environmental issues including comprising a directly elected Mayor and biodiversity, ambient noise, waste a directly elected Assembly. disposal and air quality.

Mayor These individual plans fit together to help deliver the Mayor’s policies. Between The Mayor’s role as the executive of them, these plans must also contribute to the strategic authority for London is to sustainable development and the health promote economic development and of Londoners. wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor sets the annual budget for: The Mayor also has a number of other duties in relation to culture and tourism, —— the Greater London Authority; including responsibility for Trafalgar —— the Metropolitan Police, who provide Square and Parliament Square. policing in the capital, under the oversight of the Metropolitan Police The Mayor has a range of specific Authority powers and duties, and a general —— Transport for London, who provide power to do anything that will promote buses, river services, London economic and social development, and Underground, and some light environmental improvements ,in London. rail services, maintain London’s Before using many of his powers the main roads and regulate London’s Mayor must consult with Londoners, and licensed taxi service in all cases the Mayor must promote —— the London Development Agency, equality of opportunity. which works with business to sustain and improve London’s role as a The Mayor sets out plans and policies for business centre, while increasing London covering transport, planning and economic opportunity for all development, economic development Londoners

20 —— London Fire Brigade, which public meetings and investigative responds to fires and promotes committees. fire prevention, under the oversight of London Fire and Emergency The ’s scrutiny Planning Authority committees consult with government, a wide range of public and private sector The current Mayor is the Conservative, organisations and members of the public . is the current London The Mayor appoints a member of the Assembly member representing the London Assembly to be Deputy Mayor. constituency of West Central containing The current Deputy Mayor is Richard the City of Westminster, the London Barnes – the leader of the Conservative Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Group. and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Mayor is elected for a fixed term of four years. The next election of Mayor His GLA responsibilities are: and Assembly will be in May 2012. Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority. The Assembly examines the Mayor’s Contact activities and questions him about his The Office of the London Mayor, City Hall decisions. The Assembly is also able to The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA investigate other issues of importance T 020 7983 4000 to Londoners, publish its finding and E [email protected] recommendations, and make proposals www.london.gov.uk/ to the Mayor. The Assembly conducts much of its business through formal London Assembly public meetings and investigative The London Assembly comprises 25 committees. members, all elected at the same time as the Mayor. 11 members are elected He was elected in May 2010 on a London wide basis and there are 14 constituency members each representing Contact him at: an area of London. GLA, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA T 020 7983 4360 The Assembly examines the Mayor’s E [email protected] activities and questions him about his decisions. The Assembly is also able to investigate other issues of importance to Londoners, publish its finding and recommendations, and make proposals to the Mayor. The Assembly conducts much of its business through formal

21 Your representatives

Parliament What work does our local MP do for us? Kensington and Chelsea is represented in Parliament by two MPs. MPs represent the interests of their constituents in Parliament by: These currently are: —— taking part in the scrutiny and passage of new legislation Kensington —— taking part in debates

Sir MP Conservative —— holding the Government to account by asking questions of Ministers House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA —— being members of committees T 020 7219 3000 / 020 7219 5683 (Secretary) T 020 7352 0102 (Surgery) which monitor government E [email protected] departments Surgery by appointment at Constituency Office —— handling constituency case work about the delivery of public services

by central government, for example Chelsea and Fulham immigration applications, welfare benefits decisions, and NHS Greg Hands MP Conservative services House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA T 020 7219 5448 Most MPs hold regular surgeries in their [email protected] constituency - you can find details of www.greghands.com when and where these will be held, in your local library or on your MP’s website.

All MPs can also be contacted by writing to them at the:

Contact House of Commons London SW1A 0AA T 020 7219 3000 Constituents also have the right to ‘lobby’ their MP in person at the House of Commons if he or she is present. 22 23 The Abingdon Victoria Borwick Conservative Councillors T 020 7376 9262 (Home) E [email protected] These are your representatives Joanna Gardner Conservative E [email protected] Member Address: James Husband The Town Hall Conservative Hornton Street T 020 7361 2430 London W8 7NX E [email protected]

Brompton

Iain Hanham Conservative E [email protected]

Quentin Marshall Conservative E [email protected]

The Baroness Ritchie Conservative T 020 7376 8151 (Home) E [email protected]

Campden

Tim Ahern Conservative E [email protected]

Christopher Buckmaster Conservative T 020 7229 7508 (home) E [email protected]

Robert J. Freeman Conservative T 020 7460 5454 E [email protected]

24 Colville Earl’s Court

Carol Caruana Terence Buxton Lib Dem Conservative T 020 7229 8309 – T 020 7352 5663 (home) H 07946 354153 – Mobile E [email protected] E [email protected] Barry Phelps Tim Jones Conservative Lib Dem T 020 7938 2383 T 020 7727 9797 E [email protected] E [email protected] Jonathon Read Dez O’Neill Conservative Labour T 020 7602 0477; 07595 953051 T 020 7727 0821 (Home & Office) E [email protected] E cllr.o’[email protected]

Golborne Courtfield Professor Sir Anthony Coates Labour Conservative T 07813 153760 (Office) E [email protected] E [email protected]

Tony Holt Bridget Hoier Conservative Labour T 020 7838 0465 (Home) T 020 8968 4649 (Home); E [email protected] T 020 7361 3510 (Voicemail) E [email protected] Elizabeth Rutherford Conservative Pat Mason T 07952 862536 Labour E [email protected] T 020 7792 8316 (Home); T 020 7361 3514 (Voicemail) E [email protected] Cremorne

Maighread Condon-Simmonds Hans Town (Deputy Mayor for 2010-11) Conservative Timothy Coleridge T 020 7351 2421 Conservative F 020 7351 2421 T 020 7581 2484 E [email protected] E [email protected] Mark Daley Conservative Nicholas Paget-Brown T 020 7361 2500 (Office) Conservative E [email protected] T 020 7352 1650 (Home) E [email protected] Matthew Neal Conservative Mary Weale E [email protected] Conservative T 020 7937 0765 (Home) E [email protected]

25 Holland Pembridge

Rock Feilding-Mellen Barbara Campbell T 07834 069829 Conservative T 020 3524 0840 (home) T 020 7727 5110 (home) E [email protected] E [email protected]

Deborah Collinson David Campion Conservative Conservative E [email protected] T 020 7229 3931 (Home and Office) E [email protected] Warwick Lightfoot Conservative Miss Doreen Weatherhead T 020 7229 6041 (Home) Conservative E [email protected] T 020 7229 3564 (Home) E [email protected]

Norland Queen’s Gate Andrew Lamont Conservative Fiona Buxton T 020 7371 4422 (Home); Conservative T 020 7602 3232 (Office) T 07814 460200 E [email protected] E [email protected]

David Lindsay Andrew Dalton Conservative Conservative T 020 7243 5873 (Home) E [email protected] E [email protected] Daniel Moylan Julie Mills Conservative Conservative T 020 7361 2303 (Office); T 020 7361 3946 (Office); T 020 7937 4987 (Office) T 07980 711485 (Mobile) E [email protected] E [email protected] Redcliffe Notting Barns Marie-Therese Rossi Robert Atkinson Conservative Labour T 020 7244 8153 T 07956 503437 E [email protected] E [email protected] Mrs Frances Taylor Judith Blakeman Conservative Labour T 020 7361 2500 T 020 7221 2675 (home) E [email protected] E [email protected] Charles Williams Todd Foreman Conservative Labour T 07855 936334 (Mobile) T 07920 267118 E [email protected] E [email protected]

26 Royal Hospital

Elizabeth Campbell Conservative T 020 7361 2303 Office; M 07787 505564 E [email protected]

Ian Donaldson Conservative T 020 7352 8188 (Home) E [email protected]

Emma Will Conservative T 020 7352 4245 E [email protected]

Saint Charles

Pat Healy Labour T 020 8968 5392; 07940 191259 E [email protected]

Robert Mingay Labour E [email protected]

Matthew Palmer Conservative E [email protected]

Stanley

Sir Merrick Cockell Conservative T 020 7361 2114 (Personal Assistant at Town Hall) E [email protected]

Will Pascall Conservative M 07710081027 E [email protected]

Paul Warrick Conservative T 020 7351 1727 E [email protected]

27 More information is available online at www.whorunslondon.org.uk

Operation Black Vote 18 Victoria Park Square London E2 9PB T 020 8983 5430 www.obv.org.uk

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