Useful Information
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WGL year end reports, accounts, and notes from 2013 may be found by accessing the following Microsoft One Drive link: Year End Reports & Financial Statements
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WGMF year end reports, accounts, and notes for 2013-2022 may be found by accessing the following Microsoft One Drive link: Year End Maintenance Fund Accounts
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Animals
Each lease states that no animals may be kept in the flat without the written consent of the Lessor. If you are considering selling your flat, you should advise your selling agents, and any potential purchasers, that animals are not allowed without consent. Requests for consent should be made in writing to the managing agents with details of the animal, and if approval is given by the Lessor, they will issue a letter confirming such consent.
Westminster Gardens Lease reference:
The Seventh Schedule, Regulations to be observed by the Tenant (page 38)
9. Not without the written consent of the Lessor to keep any animal bird fish reptile or insect in the Flat
Pigeons: Please do not feed the pigeons, since their excrement is a health hazard and causes blockages to gutters and rainwater pipes.
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The AGM is held at the end of September to early October each year. The Chairman’s annual reports, AGM minutes, and informal session notes may be found by accessing the following Microsoft One Drive link: Annual General Meeting
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Telephone: 0800 161 3384
E-mail: enquiries@asi-surveys.co.uk
Maple Surveys Limited (London based)
Telephone: 0844 499 9299
E-mail: enquiries@maplesurveys.co.uk
Disclaimer: Although the companies/people listed have done work for Westminster Gardens or leaseholders, the freehold company cannot take responsibility for any work carried out for leaseholders or residents as private individuals.
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Basement Baggage Storage
There is a room in the basement that may be used by residents for the storage of baggage. Should you require some space in this room please contact the Porters. Normally only small items can be stored, as the space is intended primarily for pieces of luggage such as trunks, cases, etc.
The room can also be used to store small boxed items during flat refurbishment works, if there is space available.
No combustible items may be stored in the room, which includes furniture with foam based upholstery. On leaving Westminster Gardens or completion of flat refurbishment works, residents must remove all items stored in the basement. If stored items are not removed within a reasonable period of time they may be dispose of notice. There are some storage cupboards for rent.
All items are stored at the owner’s risk.
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During particularly cold spells, considerable problems have been experienced. In the past with freezing of external soil and waste pipes and overflow and discharge pipes from flats. In many cases, the problems have been caused by dripping and running taps in flats. During the cold weather, particularly at night, the water that runs down the waste and soil pipes freezes at the bottom, causing major blockages which the maintenance staff find very difficult to clear.
As a result of the pipes becoming frozen, water has “backed up”, spilling out of baths and basins at a higher level, and causing flooding and damage. This is particularly serious if the flat is unoccupied at the time.
In order to prevent such occurrences during the winter months, Lessees should check and ensure that all their taps are in proper working order and do not drip.
When very cold weather is forecast, it is also helpful if, at night, waste plugs are put in baths and basins so that water does not discharge down the pipes.
The escape of water from one flat to others is one of the most frequent problems experienced by the staff and the greatest cause of damage at Westminster Gardens.
Residents must ensure that overflows and leaks do not occur from any sanitary units, central heating, kitchen or washing equipment in their flats. They should never leave washing machines, or dishwashers, running when they go out, and should turn off water and electricity supplies to the machines when going away.
Blockages and food waste
The plumbing at Westminster Gardens is complex and the water down pipes are designed to take away water – nothing else. Cooking oils, fats, rice, spaghetti and similar foods can cause blockages. Residents should not wash food waste down their kitchen sink as a means of disposal. Sink strainers are readily available and inexpensive. These should be used over sink outlets to help ensure food waste does not cause water pipe blockages.
Residents should also ensure they do not dispose of food waste or allow anything to fall down a lavatory that might cause a blockage.
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The current members of the Board of Directors can be found here.
See Companies House for details of current and former Directors:
Company Information – Officers
The Board meets 5 times a year, and communicates and consults regularly through residents’ updates.
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Please contact the Porters if you would like details of WG’s regular contractors.
Westminster Gardens Disclaimer: Please note – although a contractor has done work for Westminster Gardens, the Freehold company cannot take responsibility for any work carried out for Leaseholders or residents as private individuals should you engage them.
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Contact: Nigel Willis
Telephone: 020 7978 6924
E-mail: sootyfen@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Although the companies/people listed have done work for Westminster Gardens or leaseholders, the freehold company cannot take responsibility for any work carried out for leaseholders or residents as private individuals
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Westminster Gardens Limited
Company number: 02400014
Company type: Private limited Company
Incorporated on: 30 June 1989
Nature of business (SIC): 98000 – Residents property management
Other Important Links:
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Gas and Electric Certification
Telephone: 0844 544 9478
E-mail: sales@londonpropertyinspections.co.uk
Disclaimer: Although the companies/people listed have done work for Westminster Gardens or leaseholders, the freehold company cannot take responsibility for any work carried out for leaseholders or residents as private individuals.
Guidelines for Contractors
Alterations and repairs to flats have caused considerable problems in the past. Before work is started, consideration must be given to the fact that Westminster Gardens was built in 1936 using methods which included asbestos in some areas. Contractors and leaseholders are to be aware that it is their responsibility for identifying asbestos within the flats before any work commences and to minimise the risk to all residents, staff and visitors, the leaseholder must have permission from the freeholder before any work can start.
Works
All building/refurbishment works are to be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved License to Alter (LTA) specifications and plans, the Landlord’s lease, HSE regulations and to the satisfaction of both Chartered Surveyor and Westminster Gardens Board of Directors. Any variation from the LTA must be referred to the Surveyor or Board, which can be done through the House Manager.
Drilling and Puncturing Floors and Walls
Gas and water pipes are set close to the floorboards and contractors must not proceed with works unless they are certain it is safe to do so. Contractors will be liable for any damaged caused should they puncture a supply pipe, and if this is water damage caused in other flats or common parts.
Noisy Works
Noisy work are only allowed during the following hours and as per the terms of the lease (The Seventh Schedule, Regulations to be Observed by the Tenant, paragraph 7 and Westminster City Council (WCC) regulations:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm other than public holidays
Saturday: 9am to 1pm (*)
Sunday and public holidays: No noisy work permitted
Work can continue between 2pm and 4pm providing there is no noise (i.e. no drilling, banging or other noise)
Failure to abide by any of the conditions above will lead to the suspension of all works.
(*) Although the lease states 2pm WCC regulations allow for such works on a Saturday up to 1pm. Therefore, contactors must abide by the
WCC times or they could face enforcement action or a fineCommon Parts
Contractors must ensure that the common parts of the building are protected from any effects of carrying out works. The use of Corex (corrugated plastic sheet) or a similar robust product is to be used to protect all carpeted areas – floor protection example (Pdf doc). The contractor is responsible for this protection and before the job starts they must check with the porters about protection the floors and walls of the areas they are working in.
Contractors are responsible for cleaning their work areas as well as any residual impact on the building’s common parts: landings, stair wells and service lifts. The carpeted reception areas are out of bounds to contractors as are the four passenger lifts. The service lifts are available for contractors to use. Any cleaning required or damage caused by contractors will be charged to the leaseholder and/or contractor.
Contractors must speak to the porters if they have any doubt about what they can and cannot do or while working at the building.
Lifts
Service lifts, x2 in each block of the building – contractors should use these lifts to move rubbish, building materials and equipment. The porters can show you where these are. They should also be used by contractors if they are wearing dusty workwear and or heavy work footwear
Passenger lifts are not to be used to move materials or for contractors to use if they are wearing dusty workwear and or heavy work footwear
Deliveries
Please ensure that you or your contractor are on site to take delivery of any materials or other items
Pallets – if you have any items delivered on a pallet, please ensure that you/your contractor/your supplier/your delivery agent remove all pallets from WG after delivery
Tiles – WG staff cannot take responsibly for receiving delivery of tiles or other fragile materials or items or for moving such items. Please ensure you or your contractor are on site to receive delivery of such items
Parking
The porters record all contractors and their vehicle details. Parking will be permitted if available but only as directed by the porters. Contractors will be asked to use the north block side parking or rear parking for the south block.
Skips
Skips are not allowed at the building.
Rubble
All rubble must be removed from the building each day. It is expressly prohibited to use the domestic rubbish bins/paladins at Westminster Gardens for the deposit of any building rubble or other waste materials.
Interruption of services
The interruption of services which may affect other residents will not be allowed, unless prior notice is given so that the necessary warnings can be issued.
Fire Alarm and Weekly Test
The weekly fire alarm test is carried out every Friday at 10.30am. The alarm sounds for about 30 seconds. Do not use the lifts at this time as they stop working until they are reset by the porters. If the fire alarm sounds at any other time you should vacate the building following the fire escape routes. DO NOT USE THE LIFTS. The porters on duty will be in charge of managing any genuine fire and will assist you to the assembly point.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any internal or external common parts of Westminster Gardens. This includes the bike sheds, all of the car park areas, fire escapes, stairwells and anywhere there is an air brick vent. If contractors take a smoke break away from the building they must not return and litter the grounds or any part of the building with stubs.
If contactors do not comply with the smoking regulations they will not be allowed on to WG grounds.
Handyman Service
Services: Plumbing, Roofing, Electrics, Heating, Drainage, Handyman and more.
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Westminster Gardens was fully designed when built, but over the years some of this detail has been lost and we now wish to restore where practical as this will add to values. For example, flats front door furniture has been changed in some cases; so if you are planning to change again we wish you to return to the original. The house font is DIN 30640 Neuzeit Grotesk light.Item description
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Introduction
At the 10th October 2018 Annual General Meeting, there was a discussion about bringing to the fore the refurbishment of the entrances and lobbies in 2019. To progress this a leaseholder working group would be created to put forward recommendations to the Board of Directors. Geoff Shepherd agreed to Chair a working group to look at this.
The working group’s brief is to review the design and appropriateness of the entrances and lobbies to ensure they reflect modern requirements, reporting findings back to the Board.
Leaseholders were invited to join the group and the members are:
Janet Coulson; Irma Fry; Toni Green; Angela Harvey; Beverley
McGregor; Geoff Shepherd, Group Chairman; Sandra Treagus and Natasha WilsonEntrances and Foyer Proposals
Following the agreement of the 2018 AGM I am chairing a working group of leaseholders (Angela Harvey, Natasha Wilson, Toni Green and Sandra Treagus, Irma Fry and Beverley McGregor with the House Manager, Michael Cole from Tuckerman and Rais Durvesh representing the portering team) to consider proposals to refurbish the two entrance and lobby areas.
The working group developed a design brief with the aim of restoring the entrances and ground floor foyers to reflect both the original design excellence of the building and modern ways of living i.e. replacing worn stonework, renovating doors as well as providing permanent disability ramps, updating security and monitoring systems, improving storage facilities and porters reception bases. It is intended that the changes will enable Westminster Gardens to remain a first class place to live over very many years.
Following agreement on the design brief a selection process was held and TP Bennett architects were appointed to develop a feasibility design for the two entrances (TP Bennett were the architects for Westminster Gardens).
The feasibility design has now been completed and the designs proposals are displayed in the two foyers from the 3 – 21 June. All residents are encouraged to comment on the designs via the Westminster Gardens INTRA net. The comments received will be considered by the working group in July and at the July meeting of the Board of Directors Geoffrey Shepherd
Design Proposal Boards:
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Fire extinguishers in flats should be placed within easy reach in rooms where there is a high risk of fire breaking out. Fire blankets should be placed in convenient positions for easy reach and use. The installation and regular maintenance of smoke detectors is highly recommended.
In case of fire seek help immediately:
Call the Porters
Call the emergency services: 112 or 999 for police, fire and ambulance in London
Large fire extinguishers can be found throughout the common parts of the building. There is a fire extinguisher on each front staircase landing.
ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE: Guide for Residents:
1. There has been no fire at WG in living memory and flats are designed in such a way as to contain fire.
2. The fire alarms are tested every Friday at around 10.30am, other than this, all alarms should be actioned by residents as follows. Short rings indicate that you should prepare to evacuate. A long continuous ring means that you must evacuate the premises.
3. If the fire is in your flat/ maisonette, make one quick attempt to put out the fire, close all doors and windows and vacate the flat.
4. Do not delay your departure from the flat to collect valuables.
5. Raise the alarm by activating the break glass bell push situated on the landing.
6. Ground floor maisonettes should inform the porter on duty or use the alarm push situated in the Lobby North and South Blocks.
7. Do not attempt to use the lifts – if you are in a lift at the time of an alarm it will take you down to the ground floor before becoming inactive.
8. All Fire Exits are signed on the landings, there are two sets of stairs to each block.
9. Vacate the building and assemble outside the Hepburn House, over the zebra crossing, at the junction of Marsham Street and Vincent Street. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until advised it is safe to do so by WG Staff or the Fire Brigade.
10. If in the event of being trapped and unable to vacate the flat, those with balconies should assemble on the balcony for rescue by the Fire Brigade. Those flats without balconies should open their Juliette balcony windows to allow rescue. Ensure you know which windows these are.
11. If when leaving your flat you are unable to use the fire stairs to descend to ground level, go to the roof using the fire stairs and cross to the other side of the building using the walkways provided. Then descend to ground level. All exit gates to Marsham Street will be opened as an alternate exit to the arch. These are situated rear north block (bike rack area); ground floor rear fire stairs north block; contractors entrance side of south block (next to the nursery). Staff will assist the elderly and the infirm where possible.
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Leaseholders must adhere to the obligations in the lease which includes:
Obtaining all licences, permissions and consents and paying for all costs to undertake works
Not to alter the internal planning or appearance of the flat without formal permission of WGL
Adhering to the WG policy of carpeted flooring (see below)
Leaseholders are not permitted to install air conditioning units
Leaseholders are not permitted to install heat pumps
Ensuring they and all contractors adhere to the noisy works constraints in WG (see below).
Leaseholders planning refurbishment are strongly advised to check their leases and further information on the WG intranet before undertaking such work.
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To access floor plans showing the layout of all flats, please contact the head porter.
From these, you can identify the locations of the access panels and the main water riser pipes running through the building and your flat.
Inside the access panels you will find the isolator valves, which control the water supply to your flat from the riser pipes, and pressure reducing valves.
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Leaseholders are expected to adhere to the WG policy of carpeted floors. The only exceptions to this is to kitchen and/or bathroom floors and where the original wooden parquet flooring exists. Leaseholders are not permitted to replace the original wooden parquet flooring with an alternate hard flooring nor replace carpeted areas with hard flooring. This is for the comfort of all residents and is strictly enforced.
Westminster Gardens Lease reference:
The Seventh Schedule, Regulations to be observed by the Tenant (pages 38 and 39)
13. Not to reside in or use or permit any other person to reside in or use the Flat unless the floors thereof (including the passages) are close covered with carpet and underfelt or (in the bath room lavatory and kitchen only) linoleum or sound absorbing tiles except while the same shall be removed for cleaning repairing or decorating the Flat or for some temporary purposeItem description
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You should inform the Porters if you are moving or having furniture delivered, as this will affect the day to day car parking arrangements. Therefore, it is imperative that prior notice is given to the Porters. Failure to give this notice may result in the vehicles being unable to park near the north or south block entrances.
No removals are permitted to take place at weekends or on public holidays.
Contractors have, in the past, caused damage to the lifts, decorations and plasterwork of the common parts. The BOD has the authority to require a deposit from the Lessee and/or contractors concerned prior to removals/deliveries taking place. In the event of damage being caused, the Lessor reserves the right to use the whole or part of such deposit to meet the cost of remedying the damage.
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The insurance effected by the Lessor is on the building only. The principal insured risks are fire, explosion, flood, escape of water and malicious damage.
The Lessor’s policy covers damage to the structure, decorations and plasterwork of each flat. It also covers “Landlord’s fixtures and fittings” such expression including such items as wash hand basins, sinks, lavatories, baths, showers, kitchen fittings and permanently fixed built in cupboards. The policy does not cover the contents of flats. Lessees and tenants are advised to ensure against damage to contents of their flats and others.
There have been instances of water overflowing from one flat and damaging flats below. The aggrieved Lessee is entitled to recover their damages including repair and redecorating costs from the Lessee of the flat from which the cause of the damage emanated. Some Lessees have assumed that such damage is covered by the Lessor’s policy; this is not the case.
Claim Process
Insurance claims for leak damage:
Are managed by the managing agent, Aspect Property Management
you will be put in contact with Aspect by the House Manager if you have leak damage in your flat
Aspect will guide you through the process
Leak Tracing Guide
1. Residents should report any suspected water ingress (dripping water, damp patch etc.) in their flat to the porters immediately
2. The porters/House Manager will immediately look to identify the leak source by:
checking your water risers and any visable pipes
checking the water risers and any visible pipes in the flats above/neighbouring your flat until the leak source is identified
3. WG staff will shut off/isolate the water supplies on the riser supplying the leak source until this is fixed.
Empty or vacant flat condition of policy
The Landlord’s Policy will not cover damage to your Flat or caused by your Flat to others, if you leave you Flat without an occupant for more than 40 consecutive days
Policy Renewal Date: 15 April each year
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Telephone: 0844 544 9478
E-mail: sales@londonpropertyinspections.co.uk
Disclaimer: Although the companies/people listed have done work for Westminster Gardens or leaseholders, the freehold company cannot take responsibility for any work carried out for leaseholders or residents as private individuals.
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Leaseholders are obliged to ensure flats are in good condition and repair, particularly when it comes to the potential for water to leak. External pipes can freeze in cold weather as a result of dripping or running taps. All appliances and sanitary equipment using water need to be routinely serviced to minimise leaks and consequential water ingress to neighbouring flats. Appliances such as washing machines should not be left running when the flat is unoccupied. What you need to do in the case of a leak is summarised by the following:
Leaseholders must inform the porters as soon as a leak occurs or water ingress is spotted
WGL has the responsibility and rights to investigate any water escape whether in common areas or flats and to establish the source of the leak and to immediately stop the leak by turning off the water riser to the effected area
Resident must stop using the defective kit until it is fixed, and if the particular piece of kit cannot be isolated then the relevant riser will be turned off
The porters will undertake a ‘track and trace’ to identify and stop the source of the lease. If necessary, the porters will shut off/isolate the water supplies on the riser supplying the leak source until this is fixed
Water risers need to be easily and safely accessible through access hatches in each flat so porters who are carrying out a track and trace may act swiftly and close off the leak source to minimise further damage, costs and nuisance
Responsibility for repair clearly rests with the owner of defective pipes or drains - to investigate, price and process the repair in a timely and cost effective way
The buildings insurer requires two quotes from leaseholders with damage and the leaseholder is responsible for managing the repairs in their flat.
Further details and checklists on what to do when you have a leak or spot water ingress can be found on the WG intranet.
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The lifts must not be used for the transportation of furniture, building materials, etc, without prior consultation with the Porters,
If any damage is caused by such use, the Lessees will be responsible for the cost of any repairs.
All of the lifts are given a monthly service by qualified engineers. The lifts are complicated machines and only the engineers can disengage them. If you drop something in the lift and it falls through the gap and into the lift pit at the bottom of the lift shaft the engineers should be able to retrieve it during the monthly service. It is dangerous to fish around for items in the pit without the electrics being isolated. If you need your item before the next monthly service a call out charge is about £100 (payable by the leaseholder or their guest, etc.).
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Residents and their contractors are not to permit any noisy works or repairs or any noisy works in connection with any alterations and improvements for which WGL has given consent to be carried out except between the hours of 9am and 2pm and between the hours of 4pm and 6pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive and between the hours of 9am and 2pm on Saturdays and not at all on any Sunday or other Public Holiday.
Westminster Gardens Lease reference:
Page 38, The Seventh Schedule, Regulations to be observed by the Tenant
7. Not to permit any noisy works of repair to the Flat or any noisy works in connection with any alterations and improvements to the Flat for which the Lessor shall have given consent to be carried out except between the hours of, 9am and 2pm and between the hours of 4pm and 6pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive and between the hours of 9am and 2pm (*) on Saturdays and not at all on any Sunday Bank Holiday or other Public Holiday
(*) Although the lease states 2pm Westminster City Council (WCC) building regulations allow for such works on a Saturday up to 1pm. Therefore, contractors must abide by the WCC times or they could face enforcement action or a fine.
Noise: Residents’ Responsibility
Lessees have a responsibility and obligation to all other residents to control the level of noise in their flat. There are a number of provisions in the lease specifically intended to control nuisance from noise:
Lessees should not allow any musical or mechanical instruments to be played in their flats. Singing and the playing of music should not reach a level where it becomes an annoyance to the residents of other flats in the building and not at all if audible outside the flat between the hours of 11pm and 8am.
Residents should consider the noise level in their flat and balcony and its effect on their neighbours. Lessees holding a party should notify their neighbours in advance and any requests to turn down music or cease noisy activities should be respected.
Lease reference: The Seventh Schedule, Paragraph 6 (page 38).
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Parcels are delivered to the porters desks and held by the porters. On occasion it is possible to get one of the porters to deliver a parcel to your flat; this would need to be arranged with the porters in advance.
Royal Mail post can be deposited in the internal postbox next to the porter’s desks in both the North block and the South block.
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Refuse and recycling is collected on a daily basis from outside most flats. The particular arrangements vary based on whether your back door faces onto an internal service lobby, a fire escape or you live in a maisonette. If you are not clear about the arrangements for your flat, please ask the porters for assistance. We are in the process of introducing food waste recycling in line with Westminster City Council’s rollout of its food waste recycling service. Once this has been fully implemented, residents will be able to separate their waste as follows:
Recycling put into the bags provided by the porters
General waste bagged and put outside your back door in the grey lidded bin if provided
Food waste put into the bags provided by the porters and put outside your back door in the green lidded bin provided.
The cleaners are responsible for cleaning the communal areas and for the collection of refuse and recycling; please assist them by bagging all refuse and keeping the areas around the bins free from waste.
Recycling and Food waste recycling bags can be obtained from the porters.
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If you’re thinking of renting out your flat, under the terms and conditions of the lease, this requires the Freeholder’s consent.
Please contact the Board of Directors about the process for requesting the Freeholder’s consent.
The company’s solicitors issue the Consent to Rent out letter. Their fee for this is payable by the leaseholder.
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Requests and complaints should be made initially to the Porters. In the second instance escalate to the Head Porter. If there is a need to contact the Board of Directors directly (e.g. for confidential matters), this can be done by emailing the Board directly.
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There are approximately 50 parking bays between 74 flats, which means parking is limited to one family car per household. Visitors may be allowed to park for a short time if there is space available. Residents will need to book a parking bay in advance by contacting the porter. Porters will allocate space only if available. Please also advise porters in advance where removal vans or delivery vans need access.
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At the 1st October 2013 Annual General Meeting, there was a discussion about having a designated recreational area on the roof. Geoff Shepherd agreed to Chair a working party to look at this.
The working group’s brief is to consider how the roof space can be used for a garden/recreational area and solar power, reporting findings back to the Board.
Other leaseholders, including at least one from the 9th floor, were invited to join the group and the members are:
Mrs Carolyn Dimond
Dr Peter Murray
Mr Geoff Shepherd, Chairman
Mrs Carolyn Toulmin
Mr Andrew Treagus (9th floor leaseholder)
Terms of Reference
Aims:
To provide information on the current use of the roof space, contracts for use, terms of agreement, income received and length of contracts. To be provided by the House Manager
To research previous reviews for the use of the roof space and understand the history. To be provided by the House Manager and/or Board and AGM minutes
To consider options for other usages in terms of costs, safety, demand, LA planning and timescale
To prioritize options into short, medium and longer term timescales
Proposed Plans
To view design images by James Holderness Landscape Design, please use the following Microsoft One Drive link: Roof Garden Working Group
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The company’s solicitors are:
Wallace LLP
27 Mortimer Street
London
W1T 3JFTelephone: 020 7636 4422
Website: http://www.wallace.co.uk/
Point of contact
Jocelyn Cooke
Telephone: 020 7636 4422
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Westminster Gardens Sustainability Group
Proposed Aims and Objectives:
To advise the Board on ways to improve the sustainability of Westminster Gardens, with the following objectives.
To investigate sources of renewable energy.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To reduce energy consumption.
To consider alternatives for waste disposal.
To investigate ways of disseminating advice to leaseholders and residents.
To explore climate resilience.
To identify sources of external funding support for the above.
To consider the financial costs and benefits to leaseholders.
Members:
Jonathan Fry (Convenor)
Angela Harvey
Nuala MacDermott
Sustainability Report: February 2022
Useful Links & WebpagesThermographic Images of External Doors, Windows and Roof 2024
Thermographic Images of Entrance Doors and Hallways 2024
Repowering London
Repowering London is a not-for-profit community energy development organisation that puts people at the heart of the energy system. We empower communities to plan, fund and build their low-carbon future.
We have been awarded funding by the Energy Redress scheme, money that comes from energy company fines levied by Ofgem, administered by the Energy Saving Trust, to explore sustainability and decarbonization opportunities at blocks of flats. This funding allows us to partner with 6 blocks across London, working with residents to understand priorities and deliver technical assessments to identify possible improvements to sustainability.
We have been working with Westminster Gardens as one of the participant blocks for this project. Through initial conversations, we understand that the priority is to decarbonize the communal hot water systems and communal electricity supplies. Longer-term, the ambition could be to explore options to decarbonize the heating systems in individual flats, but this is seen as a consideration for future upgrades, with the immediate priority being solutions for communal systems.
What this means in practice is to replace the gas fired communal hot water boilers with a lower carbon option (i.e. heat pump) and to generate renewable electricity to power communal systems (such as lighting, lifts etc.) by installing a rooftop solar panel system. This will mean lower communal electricity bills, future proof the block by moving away from gas, and position Westminster Gardens at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon future. By participating in this project, Westminster Gardens are committed to exploring options only; there will be no upgrades delivered and no obligation for any costs to be incurred.
So far, we have commissioned solar experts and heat pump engineers to explore the feasibility of such solutions, to understand the options and build a business case. Our final output will be a report shared with the management committee in April 2024 about costs, benefits, impact and potential next steps. We will also investigate financial options and models that could be used to ultimately deliver any upgrades, including grants.
City of Westminster:
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Pigeons are a problem in the Westminster area and services of hawks are secured periodically by WG as a deterrent. Please help by keeping balconies clean and not feeding pigeons.
WG employs a pest control that visits periodically and sets traps in the common areas. If you have a problem with vermin in your flat, you’re normally expected to deal with it, but we would appreciate it if you could inform the porters.
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Please ask the Head Porter for this information.