News in Brief October 2009
Postal Strike
Children could miss out on their preferred school places as a result of the planned 22 October Royal Mail strike, the Local Government Association has warned.
The submission cut off date for 2010 secondary school is 23 October and the LGA is concerned that applications could now arrive after the deadline as a result of the industrial action by postal workers.
The Learning Trust, which runs educational services in Hackney, is urging parents who have not yet sent their forms by post, to hand them in at its office at 1 Reading Lane, E8. Alternatively an eform can be filled out at: www.eadmissions.org.uk Steve Belk, deputy chief executive at the Trust, said the aim is to make the process smooth for parents while ensuring children are not adversely affected by such disputes.
19 October 2009
Police appeal
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help catch those responsible for the murder of Cem Duzgun.
The 21-year-old Turkish man was shot dead in Upper Clapton Road, E5, shortly before 10.50pm on Monday, 5 October. Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC) are investigating. Mr Duzgun lived in Mallory Building, St John Street, Clerkenwell. His grieving family say the shopworker was gunned down after a night out with friends playing snooker.
Three men, all in their mid twenties, have been arrested in connection with the incident and bailed pending further inquiries until dates in November.
Witnesses, or anyone with information about the killing, can contact the Met Police on: 0300 123 1212, or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.
19 October 2009
Fairtrade going strong
Residents and businesses are helping ensure a better deal for farmers and workers in poorer countries.
Hackney has retained its Fairtrade Borough status for a second year, with more traders now stocking ethically sourced products and the number of workplaces, schools, faith and community groups that serve Fairtrade food and drink growing. It’s the result of hard work from the Hackney Fairtrade Group with support from the Council. Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “By shopping ethically and choosing Fairtrade products, everyone is able to make a difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”
For a directory of businesses stocking Fairtrade products, visit: the Fairtrade page. To get involved, call the Community Partnerships team on: 020 8356 4066.
19 October 2009
Seeking unsung heroes
Local heroes are often too modest to let the world know about their contributions to our communities. But there is one way to show them how much they are appreciated.
The Hackney Homes Active Residents Awards is an annual ceremony recognising those people in the borough who make a difference to our everyday lives.
There are four categories: Resident of the Year, Group of the Year, Young Resident of the Year, and the new Ron Devoti Award for services to Hackney, introduced this year.
All short-listed residents will be invited to an awards ceremony and could win ?1,000 prize money to spend on local projects.
Last year’s winning young residents, Ben Woodley and Jammie Dickens, (pictured above), have invested their prize money well. Ben said: “It was a real surprise to win the award last year. We have used the prize money to continue to publicise the youth club locally and to encourage more young people to attend and make friends.”
Hackney Homes is a not-for-profit organisation which looks after 30,000 homes in Hackney on behalf of the Council.
To nominate somebody you believe has made a difference to your neighbourhood, complete a form in your local neighbourhood office, call: 020 8356 3527, or visit: www.hackneyhomes.org.uk. The closing date for nominations is Friday, 6 November.
19 October 2009
Hackney Empire support
The Hackney Empire – London’s flagship variety theatre – is to temporarily close next year for a ‘period of reflection’.
The 108-year-old venue will reduce its productions during 2010, while it looks at its financial situation.
The theatre said the decision was made to ‘stock take’ how the organisation operates, sells tickets and manages and chooses shows.
Clarie Middleton, who becomes the interim chief executive after her predecessor Simon Thomsett left by mutual consent, will oversee the running of the theatre and work with the board to change programming.
Previously, she had handled similar situations at the Bristol Old Vic and Exeter Northcott Theatres.
A support package from Hackney Council and the Arts Council is also helping to assist the theatre’s renewal.
This year’s pantomime season, which stars veteran Hackney dame Clive Rowe in the show Aladdin, will continue to January 2010 as planned.
05 October 2009
Food fraud
Restaurants and cafes are being alerted to fraudsters claiming to be inspectors from the Food Standards Agency.
Acting as food hygiene officials, they claim to carry out inspections then con substantial sums of money from businesses by issuing bogus on-the-spot ‘penalty’ fees.
The Council has warned restaurant owners that the Food Standards Agency does not carry out inspections, or hand out fines for unhygienic food or premises.
Additionally, while Hackney Council environmental inspectors do carry out checks and may issue instant fines, immediate payment will never be demanded as the officers do not handle money.
For more info on food inspections, contact Environmental Health on: 020 8356 4911. You can also report the crime by emailing foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk, or report any known or suspected food fraud by telephoning the food fraud hotline on: 020 7276 8527.
05 October 2009
Customer Service Week
During National Customer Service Week, 5 to 11 October, the Council and other public services are joining together to help residents find out more about what’s on offer in Hackney. Over 60 public and voluntary services are supporting the initiative, including libraries, health and children’s centres.
Finding the organisation that provides the service which people need can be hard. so staff wearing ‘here to help’ badges will assist residents to look up information on the Internet such as a telephone number, or make a call to the organisation they need. Maps showing the location of public services in the borough will also be on view.
The Council wants visitors to give feedback on the customer services they receive during the week. Those who do, will receive an ‘I Love Hackney’ Oyster Card holder as a thank you. For more information, contact Hackney Contact Centre on: 020 8356 3000.
05 October 2009
Hotelier’s smoking conviction
The owner of a Stoke Newington hotel has been fined over £1,000 for flouting the smoking ban.
Murat Mehmet, from the Rose Hotel, Stoke Newington Road, N16, pleaded guilty to letting guests smoke in his establishment and smoking there himself.
Thames Magistrates Court heard that environmental health officers had visited the hotel in June 2007, when they told Mehmet about the new legislation, and the need to install no smoking signs. Yet when they returned on 26 February, they found he was breaking the law.
Mehmet pleaded guilty to his failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free premises, and of smoking in a smoke-free place on 23 September. He received a £200 fine for each offence and was ordered to pay the Council’s costs. The fine came to £1,273. Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “When we discover businesses that are not keeping their work-places safe from smoke, we will seek to prosecute.”
05 October 2009
Homes for Hackney
Two developments that will bring new homes, business space and a hotel to the borough have been granted planning permission.
A hotel, office and retail space and student housing will be built on East Road, N1. The development will be virtually car free with six disabled parking bays and 379 secure cycle spaces.
Over 300 new homes will also be built on Wharf Road, N1, including 95 affordable properties and many three and four bedroom units. The development, which overlooks Wenlock Basin, will also include flexible business space.
Planning permission for both is subject to the developers agreeing a Section 106 agreement with the Council. This requires them to contribute towards community facilities, such as open space, new school places, libraries, and investing in streets and footpaths.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “These schemes show that during the economic downturn, investment in Hackney continues apace.”
05 October 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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