Railing against use of fund’s £110,000

Published: 3 June, 2011

• I OBJECT to the use of £110,000 from the Paddington Social & Community Fund for the installation and restoration of railings in Sussex Gardens W2.

I am a member of the committee which meets to agree the use of the funds. However, no meeting of that committee has been arranged nor have members of that committee been informed of this decision.

The railings, or lack of them, in Sussex Gardens are the responsibility of the landlords and leaseholders who will benefit from this improvement.

The fund was never intended to improve the property and its surroundings where there exists a private landlord with subsequent leaseholders. In my own ward work is about to commence on improving railings around the Lydford estate, property owned by the council. Leaseholders on that estate will have to contribute to the cost of this improvement.

The fund was set up for the benefit of the local community.

Many local groups who provide vital support for the community in the Paddington area have seen their funding cut. They must be the priority for money from this fund.

CLLR GUTHRIE McKIE 
Labour, Harrow Road ward