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Chairman's Report

Covent Garden has continued to witness as many changes in the last year as it always has. Some shocking, such as the fire in Earlham Street, with the closure of the Community Centre, which it is hoped will soon reopen. Some exciting, such as the new development of housing in Stukeley Street with three local families being rehoused. How rare is that? Some emotional, at least I thought so, seeing in the new Millennium with half London on the Embankment. Some disappointing, such as more late night licenses being granted and some indefensible, such as the redevelopment of St. Paul's Hospital which should have been housing. Nice one, Camden, especially in view of the major housing shortage and the alleged attempt to improve our inner cities!

We celebrated some new arrivals but we have lost some dear local friends which leaves a big gap in our lives. We did, as you know, face financial disaster and would have closed at Christmas had it not been for your remarkable and truly generous response to our plea for help. Not only did this enable us to continue our work, it also gave us a feeling of enormous encouragement to know how much you care about what we do. It was a reaffirmation, if you like, that we are on the right course and that we must continue.

The longer you live and work in Covent Garden, the more you appreciate and understand its unique village atmosphere and quality. In spite of the continuous noise, pollution, rubbish, beggars, illegal traders and minicabs, almost non-stop building works and those endless shop refurbishments (generally over a weekend!), this community of residents and businesses still thrives socially and commercially. The mix of residents and businesses is, what has, does and always will make, Covent Garden an enormously special place.

As usual, we are truly indebted to John Bos, whose work as our co-ordinator goes from strength to strength; to Robert Clark, our volunteer who does countless tasks for us and is generous with his time, and to the committee, many of whom have shown great commitment and with whom I have enjoyed working.

Thank you again for your encouraging support and let's hope, especially with a new Mayor for London, we can continue to live and work in this remarkable Covent Garden with a better environment and a brighter future.

Jo Weir

Secretary's Report

At times being an officer of the CGCA can feel like trying to bail out a leaking boat with a thimble; but then it is particularly satisfying when (against all expectations) the boat doesn't sink. This year we have faced difficulties on a number of fronts, but have come through afloat.

Our financial crisis and its resolution are covered elsewhere in this Report, but it is humbling to see how much the work of the CGCA is valued by its supporters. There is clearly an enormous amount of trust placed in the association by the community, and we do our best to ensure that it is not misplaced.

It is hard to pick out highlights from a busy year (apart from the fundraising), but it has been pleasing to see our local councils being pushed to improve their services to the community, with some measure of success. Those wishing to help should join the Residents & Environment Sub-committee.

Our Staffing Sub-committee has also been reorganised under Douglas Rose, and new procedures put in place which should prove useful as we take on new staff.

We held an "awayday", ably facilitated by John Moulton, and a project for the coming year will be to produce a "Five Year Plan" based partly on our deliberations. For example, we have agreed to seek long term funding from big charitable trusts. Generally, we considered that we need to plan ahead more, both in financial and organisational terms. We need to think strategically as well as tactically; we are good at winning battles, but need to plan to win wars.

Overall we feel a need for new blood and new ideas, and we hope that new volunteers will come forward at the AGM. Membership of the Executive requires commitment, and we need to ensure that an undue proportion of the load does not fall solely on the shoulders of our Chair, Vice Chair and Co-ordinator. If people do not feel that they can commit enough time to join the Executive, they can still do valuable work on sub-committees such as Planning & Licensing, Police or Residents & Environment.

Robert Saunders

Treasurer's Report

We were forced this year to make concerted efforts to raise the necessary funding to maintain the continuity of the CGCA's activities (beyond the grants from Camden and Westminster Councils). Following a substantial deficit from the last financial year, we found ourselves obliged to use the majority of our reserves (which had been set aside as a 'legal' or 'fighting' fund) to keep us going up until October, at which time we had finally reached a critical financial situation. The CGCA's income had fallen to an all-time low, whilst, at the same time, our workload had increased dramatically. Unable to pay for extra staff, there was now less time available for our existing staff member and his volunteers to carry out the necessary fund-raising.

At first, we were unable to secure any substantial funding from charitable trusts or foundations. Things were looking pretty gloomy. However, in October we launched a major fund-raising appeal, writing to all our members and approaching many local businesses. The response to this was enormous, both from individual members and many local businesses. Donations and pledges of help flooded in and, in shock, we came to realise just how much people value our work with their generous contributions.

Another major boost to our immediate needs was a large grant from the Jubilee Hall Sports Club. Part of this money will be set aside for work with our elderly residents and generally to increase the well-being of local people.

We had no major items of expenditure during the year, and one local resident kindly donated £750 which enabled the purchase of a new computer.

We received a substantial tax rebate which netted approximately £1500. From 6th April 2000 we will be able to reclaim tax on each donation, on condition the donor is a tax payer.

We intend to make use of more volunteers this year and we are in the process of recruiting a part-time worker to assist the co-ordinator. We need more volunteers and help in kind of any nature from the members of our community. Needless to say, we still need contributions to our funds and any donation, no matter how small, is truly welcome.

One financial and social highlight was the magnificent classical concert held in St Paul's Church in September. With the generous help of the Westminster Trio and José Maria Guerrero, an extremely talented local tenor, we managed to raise more than £1,000 for the CGCA and St Paul's Church. Events like this are extremely time-consuming to arrange, but in the end it was both enjoyable and profitable, thanks to the assistance of local businesses in the form of free postage, drinks and glasses. We look forward to the next concert later this year, so look out for details and make sure you come.

On a cautious note, our financial situation may be sound at the moment, but towards the end of the current financial year we shall have to seek further substantial funds from additional sources. We are in the process of completing a 5-year development plan for the CGCA, with clear targets and we shall use this in a renewed drive for funding from charitable trusts and grant-making bodies.

The CGCA will continue to thrive and expand wherever possible, and we hope to remain firmly 'in business' by next year's "Treasurer's Report". However, lest we forget, it is only with YOUR help and support that we are able to continue into our third decade.

Sital Maan

(a copy of the audited accounts will be available at the AGM on 13th June or from the CGCA office on request)

Co-ordinator's Report

The CGCA's regular work very much reflects the changing needs of an inner city community and the diversity of life in what is now considered the world's 'coolest' city. It is remarkable, though, how many things have remained unchanged from 5 years ago. The majority of our work and the advice we give still relates to: acute housing needs, huge rent increases, refuse & litter, noise, late-night disturbance, parking, traffic, welfare benefits and local information.

The way in which we provide help and advice has changed. The number of people who visit us has decreased, whilst telephone advice and enquiries have increased considerably. Enquiries by email and via our website have increased dramatically. There are big advantages of using email, particularly the fact that it is instant and that vast quantities of information can be conveyed at almost no cost.

We are actively planning our future services and we are writing a development plan for the next five years, using the results of the survey we carried out at the end of 1999. We valued the encouraging and useful responses to our questionnaire enormously - thank you if you helped by answering the various questions! The results have given us a good idea of the concerns that our members have: noise problems, litter & refuse, nuisance from the 'entertainment' industry, and illegal drugs are all top of residents' lists. Other 'demands' from residents include: more visible policing, a 24-hour noise team in Camden, a low-cost decorating & small repairs service for elderly residents, free legal advice sessions, helping local businesses to understand the needs of the community better.

A big chunk of our work is already related to tackling environmental problems; the results are often very tangible and are really appreciated by our members. One new project that we will be launching, hopefully later this year, is an outreach service for older, vulnerable and housebound residents. We will then have the time and resources to visit people in their homes, assist with practical tasks and refer residents to the appropriate statutory agencies, as well as stopping for a chat or cup of tea.

Our various volunteers have been marvellous throughout the year. The weekly help and support from Robert Clark and Mary Henry and the regular assistance from a host of other volunteers has helped the CGCA to continue. Without their help we could never manage to provide even the simplest of services. We have great plans for the coming year and will be working with more volunteers to try and do the countless things that you would like us to do.

The hoops that we have had to jump through during the past year, just to stay 'in business', have been considerable. At times, our office premises have been almost inaccessible as a result of the extensive construction work in the adjacent building. The noise, dust, skips, cranes and delivery lorries have kept many visitors at bay. Our financial 'cliff-hanger' at the end of last year meant that we could only open for a very limited service, whilst we pulled out all the stops to raise the necessary funds to continue. The administrative burden of accounting for our grants increases each year, with long forms, monitoring meetings and questionnaires taking up much time.

Whilst the economy remains buoyant, we can expect more high-class, top-quality ventures to come and exploit Covent Garden. Local residents are generally very tolerant, but they do expect some recognition of the very difficult circumstances they live under. The CGCA will remain a 'watchdog' in the area, using its almost 30 years of expertise to help make Covent Garden a better and nicer place to live, work or visit.

John Bos

Planning Report

The Planning & Licensing Sub-committee met 20 times in the past year, and considered over 420 applications. The number of applications is indicative of the enormous development pressure the area is under, especially during a period of relatively good economic conditions.

The committee made detailed comments on just over half of all the applications made affecting Covent Garden; the effect our comments achieve varies, but unquestionably both councils, Camden & Westminster, are able to be influenced by our representations, especially with regard to any conditions that we consider should be attached to any planning approvals. Our influence can be gauged by the number of developers and their agents who wish to present their proposals to the CGCA's Planning sub-committee. During the year we had 9 such presentations. We can not always agree to such presentations, as the time they take up is considerable, but generally we do ask or agree to those that concern large schemes. The sub-committee meetings are open to the public and generally take place at 6.30pm on every other Monday in the CGCA's offices.

During the year we have given evidence at two public enquiries, both by written evidence and in person; we have sent three deputations to Camden and one to Westminster. Westminster refused to hear our deputation. We have attended 6 liquor licensing hearings and 2 music and dance hearings and have made written observations on many more. Our endless protestations that the flood of late-night licences is out of control and causing major damage to the amenities in the area, particularly to residents, has had some effect, but while both local authorities continue to grant permission for more restaurants and bars (A3 use class), the limited controls that can be affected by the licensing laws is marginal.

However, recent High Court cases brought by residents in Soho are very encouraging and the possibility of local authorities, rather than the Magistrates Courts, having the power to grant liquor licences may offer some small solace.

Mark Twain's advice to "buy land, they don't make any more of it" is particularly appropriate to Covent Garden. Year in year out property prices go through the roof and in their train come greater and greedier speculative development schemes, which cumulatively are destroying all the special quality that makes up the neighbourhood. The local authorities either feign their powerlessness to control this commercial pressure or are active participants in the process.

The year began where it left off with Camden reconsidering a further scheme by Paul Allen (of Microsoft fame) for the St Paul's Hospital site. Despite being designated as a housing site in Camden's Statutory Plan (the Unitary Development Plan UDP - more later) and being surrounded by housing, Camden agreed to the 30,000 sq ft building to be redeveloped into a 65,000 sq ft private music and entertainment complex under the title of The Hospital Project. The politicians gave way because Allen offered to provide offsite 19 affordable dwellings which will not be for local people and will be built at the cost of the tax payer. Residents in Betterton Street endeavoured to get the matter reversed by the Courts as the decision by Camden was extremely suspect, but due to the inability of obtaining legal aid the legal action had to be abandoned.

One condition of the Hospital Project's planning permission was that they have to soundproof all the windows of neighbouring residential properties; this will involve approaching around 100 flats in Short's Gardens, Endell Street and Betterton Street. Some might say Camden politicians and officers would have been more gainfully employed stopping the noisy interloper in the first place, rather than trying to limit the noise it is likely to cause. The building work is due to commence this summer and last until mid 2002.

Down the road, in fact in Earlham Street, Schroders Pension Fund, the new owners of the Seven Dials Warehouse, have been busy preparing detailed proposals to redevelop behind the facade the whole building for a new restaurant and offices, with the Community Centre moving to new and better facilities but at a higher level. The huge fire that engulfed the building last September also burnt out no. 25 Shelton Street, recently acquired by Allied London. Both developers will shortly be submitting major development schemes.

Schroder's ambitions are clearly related to the huge price they paid for the 7 Dials Warehouse. Originally purchased by the GLC from Leppard & Smith (paper manufacturers) in the 1970's for just over £100,000 the GLC sold on to Goods & Chattles for circa £300,000 who in turn sold on to Covent Garden Estates for about £8 million, who passed it on for around £23 million. Unfortunately not just a game of bagatelle as it is the area that has to pick up the pieces and has to accommodate the huge rent increases and consequential loss of a mix of small and various different businesses and activities.

The Royal Opera House opened its doors at the beginning of the year. While the new building received mixed press coverage, the return of the opera and ballet companies was welcome. As predicted by the CGCA, the retention and restoration of part of the Floral Hall that the ROH did retain is the most special public part of the development, but sadly the ROH has not yet found themselves able to acknowledge the fact that it was largely due to the CGCA's long fought campaign that any of the Floral Hall was kept at all.

A most welcome new development, shortly to occur in Floral Street and Long Acre, is the construction of new premises for the Royal Ballet School Upper House, that will be moving from Barons Court to Floral Street by 2003. The site, owned by the ROH Trust (a joint company controlled 50% by the Arts Council of England) was sold to NFU Mutual for around £20 million in the spring, who propose to build a large retail unit at ground and basement level and give a long lease (at a considerable rent) to the Ballet School for the upper parts. Despite receiving an acquisition grant of £2.5 million from the Arts Council in 1992, the ROH purchased the property for only £235,000. It is more than sad that the Ballet School has had to find over £15m to come to Covent Garden and will not in the end have the security of a freehold interest. Moreover, its facilities are having to be cramped onto the site due to the large commercial content at street level. The Department for Education and Employment recently awarded a £700,000 grant to help the School relocate. The money the ROH received has presumably gone to cover some of the losses the Board had incurred during the last decade of financial mismanagement.

Westminster City Council have been hot on the tails of Camden with regard to ignoring their Unitary Development Plan; indeed some might say, with even more success. Despite the ink still being wet on the newly strengthened policies to protect community and educational uses, Westminster agreed to the redevelopment of St Martins School of Art educational building (27-29 Long Acre) being redeveloped into 4 floors (21,500 sq ft) of retail and of luxury housing. This 30,000 sq ft development deprives the Westminster part of Covent Garden of it's only adult educational facility and there is not even a sop of an affordable home or community gain to be seen anywhere (except some new york stone paving in Banbury Court). In the past few years Westminster has agreed to the loss of the Health Centre in Odhams Walk (to Monopro for retail use, net capital gain to Monopro £10m+), refused to sell its own property in Drury Lane to a community-led bid including St Clement Danes Primary School (who are desperate for more space), preferring a private office developer, closed the Children's Library in Drury Lane, closed the public toilets in Charing Cross Road and have agreed to private housing development without ever requiring any affordable housing in the area as a quid quo pro. Quite a record, especially in the context of their Unitary Development Plans protestation that the council aims to protect and enhance the living community and vitality of the area.

A massive new retail scheme (21,000 sq ft) was given approval to Scottish Life by Westminster that envisages the conversion of Cubitt's Yard to a retail complex and extension to the Rock Garden night-club. The CGCA argued that the scheme should only get approval on condition that all the tables, chairs and plethora of junk is removed from the arcade under Bedford Chambers so that it could once again be able to be used as a public right of way. Westminster Councillors, on the lazy advise of their officers, ducked the issue and granted consent without requiring the removal of the Rock Garden's tables and chairs that completely obstruct all movement on the corner of James Street.

Other large schemes that will commence during the course of the coming year are the redevelopment of Tavistock Street through to Exeter Street (offices and private flats), Southampton Street through to Exeter Street (offices and restaurants), and Kean Street (private flats whereas before it was the London Library - educational use). This latter scheme will, thankfully, have some space made available to St Clement Danes School - but in the basement!

The development of Holborn Town Hall for offices is likely to commence, as well as the City Literary Institute's premises in Stukeley Street (for private housing) and their new educational premises in Keeley Street. The year saw the opening of three huge new hotels in or just on the boundary of the neighbourhood. In Great Queen Street the Kingsway Hall Hotel (170 beds) opened; on the corner of Southampton Row a 200 bed hotel opened its doors; and in St Martins Lane the 200 room St Martins Hotel opened. Traffic inevitably increased. In the pipeline, three buildings in the Kingsway and Southhampton Row area are due to be converted into hotels with a total of over 1000 beds. The building of Aviation House for offices and a new Sainsbury's supermarket is due to be completed next year and then Newton Street, a residential street that serves St Joseph's Primary School, will experience all the additional traffic that will be servicing the 20,000 sq ft supermarket and 120,000 sq ft office block.

Jim Monahan

Licensing Report

Licensing and late-night uses have become one of the most contentious local issues, not just in Covent Garden and Soho, but also in many parts of Camden and Westminster. Late-night license adversely affect residents and the environment generally, much more than most ordinary planning applications. Complaints about noise' disturbances and damage late at night continue to make up a large part of the CGCA's work.

The complexity of the licensing system and the fact that many hearings are held in a Court room, prevent many residents from objecting effectively. During the year, residents in Soho took matters further still. They sought and obtained leave for Judicial Review against Westminster City Council on issues surrounding late night uses, the way they are assessed and their impact. The outcome of the case is expected in September 2000.

The cumulative effect of the very dense concentration of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in Covent Garden is well known to both local Councils and to the Licensing Justices. In practice, they are restricted in refusing applications for new licences and in closing down existing premises. The long-awaited Government White Paper on 'Licensing' was published in April 2000 (available from the Stationery Office, or download it from www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ccpd). If you would like to make your views known to the Government, please get hold of a copy and write before the end of July.

As the Home Office must have realised when they wrote the 80-page paper, top marks should go to the 18th century artist William Hogarth for predicting the future of 'licensing'. His paintings accurately reflect life in central London in 2000: open drunkenness, all-night drinking and entertainment, under-age drinking, illegal street trading, robberies, muggings, anti-social behaviour, unauthorised development and street drinking are all displayed in detail.

During this year, the CGCA attended 6 liquor licensing hearings and 2 music and dance hearings and made written observations on many more. We met with representatives of other community groups, from Richmond to Spitalfields, and with members of the Westminster Amenity Societies Forum and the Camden Amenity Forum. We have met with Licensing Committees, Home Office officials and Councillors, visited bars, pubs, hotels, clubs and restaurants and have brought blatant breaches of the licensing laws to the attention of the authorities. We continue to be an active member of the Police Licensing Working Group and have attended the meetings of the Licensing Court Users Group.

The CGCA will continue to monitor licensing applications and provide information and help to any resident affected by licensed premises. Whilst many streets and alleyways in Covent Garden are transformed into 'alfresco' toilets and 'bear gardens' during the summer months, the Government's promised benefits of their 'tightening up' of licensing laws seems more-and-more remote.

John Bos

Residents & Environment Sub-committee

The various meetings of the sub-committee have resulted in a renewed interest by both Camden and Westminster in some of our problems. Our regular meetings bring together like-minded residents and are an opportunity to discuss how best to tackle some of the environmental matters that concern us. We report many different issues to the councils, ranging from refuse, defective roads and missing bollards to greasy pavements, damaged trees and fly-posting.

Members of our sub-committee have concentrated on developing good relationships with council officers, who try to look after our needs when we prod them. We have organised several walk-abouts with them and I am pleased to say that Camden have made a very good effort trying to carry out the many deficiencies in pavements, roads and trees. Westminster have not been so co-operative. However, we are organising more walk-abouts with senior officers and managers for the cleansing contract in an attempt to give the Westminster part of Covent Garden the attention it needs and deserves.

We are particularly impressed with the service provided by Phil Condon, Camden's Street Environment officer for Covent Garden, which is a welcome change from so many local government departments. His commitment and the quality of the refuse and cleansing services are exemplary.

I am pleased to be back as the Chair of this Sub-committee, after having had a break for a couple of years and I am looking forward to working closely with those who are interested in making Covent Garden a cleaner, safer and more pleasant place. Please contact me if there are things that you think we could help you with or if you would like to attend our regular meetings.

Michael Wylde

Covent Garden Business Group

The Covent Garden Business Group exists as a sister association to the CGCA to give the Businesses in Covent Garden a channel through which they can express their concerns about the environment in which they and their employees work. They can benefit from the CGCA's many contacts and be sure their concerns are put to the precise areas of responsibility. If you are in any doubt as to whether the businesses in Covent Garden have a need for such a representative body, then just think about some of the problems facing our environment here: the area is awash with revellers, often quite inebriated and oblivious to the need to behave responsibly. The trouble this causes can range from just depositing litter and making a lot of noise, to damage to shopfronts and property and threatening behaviour. In addition, the area is attracting record numbers of pickpockets, shoplifters and aggressive beggars, not to mention people injecting themselves and sleeping in the streets. Another area of concern is pollution. This is relentlessly on the rise and we must act to achieve clean air for the sake of our health and safety.

Running a business in Covent Garden is no panacea. Faced with ever increasing rents and rates, the businesses here have every reason to expect the best services from their councils. Yet there are more and more illegal traders just turning up and selling food and goods in the streets without paying any rent, tax or overheads, and threatening the survival of the legitimate traders. We must work together as businesses to force our local authorities to take the appropriate action to protect our working environment and to make Covent Garden a truly desirable place to work in, shop in and enjoy life in. After all, we have some magnificent businesses here and there could not be a place more deserving of a clean orderly environment. People travel from all over the world to visit Covent Garden; we must work together to preserve its attractiveness.

Through the CGBG we can work with other areas in the capital to press for the best possible transport system. Now that the Mayoral elections are over, we must approach the newly elected body to lobby for the transport that truly suits Covent Garden. With the CGCA's unique contacts, businesses can voice their needs, and the needs of their customers and staff through the CGBG. This is an area in which we have much to do.

We are in contact with all the authorities and services in the area: the Police, the cleaning services, the council officers, etc., etc. There is a new traffic scheme in the pipeline for Covent Garden which will affect everyone, and we are working closely with the authorities on this. With the plans for pedestrianising Trafalgar Square and other schemes afoot, there is much to consult about. The views of local businesses are essential in formulating a scheme to suit all interested parties.

There may be problems in Covent Garden which resemble those in other areas such as Tottenham Court Road, for example, but there is still much uniqueness in our area which needs the local understanding and knowledge which the CGCA and CGBG can offer. If you or your business are not already a member of the Covent Garden Business Group, join now. Membership costs only £95 for small businesses, and £195 for firms with more than 6 employees.

Sital Maan

Covent Garden Community Trust

The CGCA has been involved in drawing up a strategy with Camden Council for a community facility within the former Holborn Town Hall in Stukeley Street, since 1988. We have been monitoring the potential for this facility in order to establish the possible range of activities to be provided within the broad "community use" description. The CGCA has researched local opinion in a formal and informal manner; we have solicited ideas from local resident and tenant associations, existing community organisations and by inviting views directly through the local newspaper as well as by letters to local groups. Our recent focus has been on identifying potential users whose needs and budgets will enable the Trust to be financially self-sufficient. The principal source of revenue will be the Hall within the new Centre. Potential uses include classes for Stage Fighting, Classical Ballet & Contemporary Play rehearsals, Large choirs, Opera rehearsals, Interactive Music Appreciation Workshops, Jazz Dance, Health and fitness, Indoor Team Games, PE and Demonstrations, Project Work involving parents, after school clubs and ITC room - with computers. Achieving financial independence will enable the Trust to offer "non-income generating" facilities within the Centre. The scope for such facilities is enormous depending on the surplus income available. We anticipate for example running a Covent Garden based Good Neighbour Scheme for the elderly for which our research shows demand. We will also explore the potential for Library provision (there is currently no children's library in the area) and an exhibition area.

Our main tasks ahead are to
1. finalise the long lease on the premises from Camden Council
2. ensure the optimum spatial layout in the proposed accommodation
3. appoint a Management Committee of enthusiastic volunteers
4. appoint a suitable Co-ordinator and back-up staff.

We have already prepared a 'business' plan, set up the company and applied to the Charity Commissioners for charitable status. We anticipate the centre, when it opens next autumn, becoming a focal point for the community, combining the existing activities of the CGCA with new activity orientated resource provision. We will work in close association with existing facilities such as the Covent Garden Community Centre, currently closed due to the unfortunate fire in the Seven Dials Warehouse, and Jubilee Hall Sports Club. Anyone interested in further information on this exciting venture should contact John Bos at the CGCA. Douglas Rose

Police Report

Dominating our thoughts, as I write this report, is the horrific murder of 12 year old Diego Pineiro on Sunday 7th May at Seven Dials. That such a tragedy can occur on a sunny Sunday evening in full view of countless onlookers is almost unbelievable, and we are all indebted to the courage and initiative shown by two members of staff at the Sartaj Restaurant for their brave intervention.

Such an incident leaves many questions unanswered, such as how could it happen? How did it happen? And above all, if only the Police had been there. These questions and many others will hang in the air of this community for a long time. If any good can come out of such utter evil, it must be that our constant plea for more Police support and presence be heard by those who control the Police budget.

Whilst I congratulate the police, both at Charing Cross and Holborn (now relocated to Kings Cross for three years), for their hard work, courage and commitment, it is self-evident that it is becoming increasingly hard for them to work as effectively as they and we would wish, when they are so low in manpower and money.

Although they need our support, and I am sure that most of us give it willingly, it's hardly sufficient. With the intake at Hendon Police College down every term, we can deduce there will be fewer people coming into the force and therefore even less visible policing, which we perceive as vital. There is an argument that says you can be just as effective with police cars and calls from the public, etc, but surely, when most of the population perceive the bobby on the beat to be a sign of comfort and safety, to say nothing of prevention of crime, visible policing is what we should have.

As I understand it, if an arrest is made in the morning, that officer can be out of action on the streets for hours on end, processing the arrest and collating evidence, making the work even harder for other officers still out on the beat and making life even easier for the villains.

The cutbacks in police housing in London must contribute to the decrease in officers - would you commute at 4am if you had a choice? Surely it is not beyond the powers that be to provide a specific allowance and adequate housing, more civilians to help with the mountains of paperwork and more enforcement from both Camden and Westminster Councils.

The police we have are efficient and effective but they are too thin on the ground and it is not fair on those officers who are trying so hard to do their job. Without change we cannot expect to get the best and lack of visible policing enables villains to deal and steal and does not allow the community to feel safe and secure.

It seems tellingly ironic that traffic wardens work with handheld computers whilst our police still work with outdated and inadequate equipment. Let's get it right - support the force and address the facts - without them we would be facing anarchy every day. They do a great job and it is time for London to recognise that, and not to assume that police intake will magically increase, because at this rate it won't, and who can blame them?

Jo Weir

Covent Garden Business Watch & Office Watch

Retail crime, shop theft and the fraudulent use of credit cards, forms a major fund-raising activity for the purchase of drugs. In an area where levels of drug use and sale are relatively high, due to the drug-market around Centrepoint, many joint measures and operations have and will continue to take place with Camden Borough Police, the Camden and Islington Drug Action Team, the Camden and Islington Health Authority, the London Borough of Camden and Business Against Crime operating within a partnership framework specifically to tackle drug-related crime.

Some projects, like the hoarding-off of areas used by addicts and dealers, the re-development of the St. Giles-in-the-Fields churchyard, the closing of public toilets used as 'shooting galleries', high visibility patrolling including the deployment of officers from the Ministry of Defence Police and British Transport Police are obvious and easily seen. These measures are all aimed at either the source of the problem or offenders, or a specific location where criminal activity occurs. Others, like the medium and long-term projects also underway take place out of the glare of publicity. Business Watch and Office Watch, aimed at retail and commercial premises respectively, are aimed at the victims of offences and at 'choking off' a source of funding to the drug trade.

As part of these programmes, "Best Evidence Training" is offered, which is designed to give practical and relevant training to all staff which not only enhances their skill-base but increases their confidence and motivation. Elements include 'Plastic Card Fraud', 'Gathering, Preserving and Recording Evidence', 'Confrontation Management', 'Powers of detention, Search and Arrest', 'Theft Awareness' and others. These can all be tailored into stand-alone or a series of modules designed to meet the staff availability and time-scales of individual organisations. Business Watch modules have been developed in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and those for Office Watch with the Ministry of Defence Police and all are delivered by police officers.

The coming year will see the implementation of many projects, some running for three years, specifically aimed at drug-related crime, which causes such a high level of 'collateral damage' to the community in which the drug-market is located. Business Watch, Office Watch and Best Evidence Training must be considered as meaningful components in this activity. For further information about either scheme, or to arrange training sessions, call the CGCA on 020 7209 1649.

Mike Marlow

Neighbourly Help Coordinator

In collaboration with Age Concern Camden, the CGCA, with a grant from Camden Council, researched the need for a co-ordinator to support volunteers who help our elderly citizens. There is a clear need for this service, which will avoid offering anything that duplicates existing services such as regular shopping or repairs that are a landlord's responsibility. The support offered is that which a kind, friendly and trustworthy neighbour would offer.

The co-ordinator will give back-up support to existing self-help networks and set up a new scheme offering local older members:

• social support for those who wish it from selected and trained volunteers
• 'neighbourly' (i.e. not professionally qualified) volunteer help with certain non-recurrent practical tasks that are not provided for either by statutory entitlement or duty of landlords
• short term help with special tasks (e.g. feeding of a bird or cat while older person is in hospital, shopping for a special gift member wants to give) which maintain independence and/or improve quality of life
• regular contact with the scheme for those who may become isolated or who may be unaware of services they are entitled to
• support to isolated older people who want to form mutual social support networks
• help to obtain wanted services and advocacy, where appropriate
• carry out outreach to local older people (especially those who are isolated and not in touch with existing groups) to maintain awareness of their needs, to promote services to them, and to adapt the scheme offered to address newly identified needs.

Currently the CGCA is seeking specific funding for this service and we envisage recruiting the co-ordinator in the autumn. The CGCA wish to record their thanks to Age Concern Camden for their support in this worthy project and in particular to Lindsay River.

Douglas Rose

Housing

Not long ago it was called Public Housing and, as the adjective suggested, the housing was publicly owned and managed by publicly accountable authorities. Then the term became Social Housing, implying a tinge of social services, housing for the deserving poor, but now owned and managed by unaccountable, self-appointed housing associations. Now the term is Affordable Housing, affordable to whom is a moot point.

Whilst the terminology changed, and with it the financial way housing for those who are unable or unwilling to be private owners, so the method of procuring new affordable housing has completely changed. In Covent Garden the only way new affordable housing is created is by way of planning gain. This simply means that Camden & Westminster agree to grant planning permission on the condition a proportion of the new private housing proposed is given over to a Housing Association or, as in the case of the development of St Paul's Hospital, permission is granted for a commercial scheme in lieu of some affordable housing elsewhere.

As this is the only way any new, low-rent residential accommodation is to be provided in Covent Garden, it is vital that both Councils actually pursue their stated planning policies in their Unitary Development Plans, which state as the highest priority that their intention is to increase low-rent housing.

However the reality is very different. So far, Westminster's line is to always take money from private developers active in Covent Garden rather than require them to provide affordable housing in Covent Garden. Indeed, of the almost £14.5 million received since 1997 by way of this arrangement, over £2.5 million has come from planning permissions granted in Covent Garden; but not one new affordable home has been provided in the area. For example, the developers of the Strand Palace Hotel annexe paid £644,000 into the affordable housing fund; the fund has contributed £466,000 towards two housing association schemes off Victoria Street. Clearly, Westminster are pursuing planning policies that will make it impossible for any local resident who needs new accommodation to remain in Covent Garden, unless they can purchase a new home, and will be forced to leave the area completely contrary to their UDP policies to enhance and protect residential communities. In the forthcoming year the CGCA intends to investigate this matter with Westminster Council and take steps to bring home to the Council the damaging effects of their behaviour.

In the case of Camden, the situation is different in that some affordable housing is occasionally procured through planning gain arrangements but far too often the Council, guided by their planning officers, claim nothing can be done as the development site in question is not designated as a potential site in Camden's Unitary Development Plan [there is no assurance that even when a site is designated a housing site - the St Paul's site in Endell Street comes to mind - that Camden's officers will uphold their own policies, but at least such designation makes it more likely some affordable housing will result.]

The CGCA, with many other groups, struggled through the interminable public enquiry process associated with Camden's Unitary Development Plan from 1994-97. Both the CGCA and neighbouring Charlotte Street Association (CSA), with whom we share many concerns, were assured by the independent Inspector's findings following the Public Enquiry, that Camden should designate in their Proposals Map sites that were appropriate for housing development and affordable housing in particular. This was in 1997.

The CGCA and CSA subsequently have reminded Camden officers and politicians of the Inspector's support of our views. Camden have ignored all such reminders. Before the Council placed their Unitary Development Plan on deposit (the final legal hurdle) the CGCA and CSA again met the Chairman, and consequently the relevant committee and officers at Camden. We were informed that the Council had not had time (since 1997!) to do the necessary work; no housing sites had been incorporated into their UDP's proposals map. Both the CGCA and CSA have been legally advised that the reason given by Camden is not a legal ground to ignore the Inspector's findings, and consequently both the CGCA and Charlotte Street Association took proceedings in the High Court to stop the Deposited Unitary Development Plan being adopted until the necessary new housing development sites are determined.

This may appear very heavy-handed, if it were not for the case that, repeatedly, Camden planning officers are disregarding local representations that particular sites subject to commercial development applications are not appropriate for housing, simply because they are not designated in their Unitary Development Plan for housing.

It is hoped some compromise can be found with Camden, but both the CGCA and CSA are of the view that there is very little point of making representations at public enquiries, if the result is that recommendations are ignored by the local authority on such spurious grounds as not having enough time. It is a shame the executive arm of Camden is not more effectively controlled by the members; where they fail, the community endeavours to ensure there is some public accountability. Hence the legal action.

Jim Monahan

Traffic

Since the demise of the Greater London Council in the mid 80s there has been no co-ordinated traffic plan or policy for the Covent Garden area. The CGCA has fought to get Camden and Westminster to jointly analyse the traffic movement in the area and to come up with joint proposals to stop through traffic. It took 16 years and a huge erosion of the air quality and insufferable noise and congestion to eventually get both councils to commission a joint study and traffic restraint proposals, which was completed in September 1999. This report indicated that over 60% of vehicles using Covent Garden roads was through traffic.

The CGCA planning sub-committee organised a public meeting in March to which both Camden and Westminster Highway & Traffic engineers presented their proposals and answered questions; over 140 residents and businesses attended. It was apparent Camden was eager to proceed, whereas since the Soho road proposals having been scrapped due to the level of local opposition, Westminster are dragging their feet. However, undertakings have been given by both authorities that by July 2000 a joint report will be considered by both authorities, at which point meaningful restraining traffic proposals will hopefully be put into effect.

The CGCA will continue to monitor and endeavour to ensure local views and concerns are acknowledged by both authorities. It is likely the CGCA will organise a further public meeting in the Autumn.

Jim Monahan

Resident Parking

Every year the 'Residents Parking Game' takes on new twists and turns. Remember though, the aim of the game will always be to find an empty, legal parking space.

With the development of the 'virtual reality' version in 1998, developments were promised in 1999 mainly because of two initiatives: Clear Zones, and resolutions following the residents meeting with Camden in early 1999.

Clear Zones has not yet been implemented. Based on the first draft of the plans, however, there are some concerns that a totally new element will be introduced to the game. This seems to involve a 'one-way system vortex' in which residents searching for a parking bay will become trapped in streets with no exit, destined to drive forever - or at least until their tanks run dry, which would unfortunately negate the laudable, emission-reduction aims of Clear Zones.

In all seriousness, it is undoubtedly difficult to come up with measures to make it undesirable for through traffic to use Covent Garden whilst enabling efficient circulation in all directions for residents. Current discussions should aim for a compromise which slightly tweaks the current plans, so that we don't have to drive literally miles to get from one side of Covent Garden to the other.

The meeting with Camden in February 1999 was set up by resident car owners in the area who felt that something drastic needed to be done - particularly about the widespread abuse of residents' bays by visitors, and the resultant inability to park. Many residents had received multiple tickets over the previous year due to having to park elsewhere when their bays were hijacked, while the hijackers often received no penalty. The organisers were surprised by the large response to the suggestion of a meeting: over 25% of those leafleted came back, and with strong feelings.

The meeting involved both the Camden officer responsible for parking enforcement, and Apcoa, the current contractor for parking wardens in both Camden and Westminster. Two main resolutions came out of the meeting: the ability to call Apcoa at all times, and clamping. Apcoa made available a mobile telephone number on which residents can reach the duty supervisor out of hours, which means that a unit can be summoned fairly quickly to deal with illegal parking. The number is 07467 253 229. The second decision was a hard one. Ideally vehicles should be removed by a tow truck. However, Camden has small resources for tow trucks at the moment. Two trucks are available for a wide area, and lifting vehicles is a time consuming operation taking about an hour per car including journey time to and from the pound. Clamping is of less immediate use, and indeed immobilises an illegal parker for longer. However, it does act as a deterrent. It was decided to experiment with clamping - on the basis of not more than one clamp per street to maximise deterrent but minimise cars being left for a long time. Although intensity of service has been variable, clamping has definitely helped.

Other changes during the year included a new officer at Camden: Keely Woods. Keely has a lot of experience in the enforcement area and is responsible for the contractors involved in enforcement in the CA-C zone. In her first few months she has already been of help, including the no mean feat of dealing with the rogue demolition merchants after the fire in Shelton Street (the ones so sure that the residents' bays placed conveniently outside the warehouse should be theirs free for a few months). Keely practices what she preaches on Clear Zones too: at a sign of trouble she jumps on her bike and is at the scene by pedal power. We look forward to working with her more.

Next year there will be a new, 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' Millennium version of the residents' parking game. With questions like "Where is there left to park, now that all the bays have been suspended on Shorts Gardens again?" or "What is the best phrase to use to get a delivery van to move out of the last bay in CA-C before your children die of overheating?" you may need some help. You may:

• 'Phone Apcoa. The mobile phone bill will be high, and nobody will actually get moved, but your sad satisfaction will come from a modicum of justice in the form of a yellow ticket sticker or a green clamp within the hour.
• Go 50/50 on parking on a non-res bay. If you're lucky, you may escape, but if you're not it's £40 or more.
• Ask the audience. An audience will undoubtedly have gathered while your vehicle is stopped in the middle of the road and you are causing a blockage as you try to get a miscreant to move out of a residents' bay. Appealing to such an audience is not recommended, however, since no one believes that anyone lives here and a sympathetic ear is rare.

Despite the jokes, things generally improved for residents in CA-C in the second half of 1999. We certainly have a long way to go, but with continuing dialogue with Camden and the enforcers, we hope to see further improvements in 2000.

Amanda Rigby

Covent Garden Area Trust

Outrage in the Piazza! sounds like a suitably operatic title for describing what happened in central Covent Garden last summer. After many years of friendship and shared vision, a difference of opinion arose between the Covent Garden Area Trust and Guardian Properties, freeholders of the Central Market.

The bone of contention was a Masterplan introduced by Guardian. The company had recently been taken over by first, Axa (a French company) and then Aegon, a Dutch conglomerate. Although the Masterplan contained many sensitive and sensible suggestions for restoring and updating the Market, it also put forward plans to bump-up the Market's revenue by greatly increasing the outdoor seating as well as dotting the Piazza with "heritage" kiosks (like grandiose potting sheds) selling goods. These ideas were at odds with the Trust's Environmental Study of Central Covent Garden which is used as planning guidance for the area. Trustees, residents, local businesses, Westminster's planners and councillors were alarmed not just at the blocking of well-loved views across the Square, but also at the sheer density of crowds that could have resulted.

The final straw was a scheme to move the rubbish collection to the south side. This really got up the noses of those who would be most affected - including Jubilee Market Hall - and led to a robust protest from the rooftops - from the inhabitants of Driscoll House.

The controversial plans were withdrawn and this January the Market was put up for sale. As well as taking advice on raising the asking price of £80 million themselves, the Trustees have been keen to encourage potential buyers who would take a thoughtful, long-term view of such a rare and elegant listed building right in the historic heart of London. With 138 years of headlease still to run on the Covent Garden Protected Lands (which includes the Market and the Museums block), the Trustees would rather be planning for an interesting, creative future than clashing over inappropriate schemes.

For more information do visit the Trust's website on www.cgareatrust.org.uk or ring the Administrator, Leana Pooley, on 020 7497 9245.

Leana Pooley

Covent Garden Area Youth Club

All community groups have suffered since the fire last summer in the building housing the Community Centre. The Youth Club was very fortunate to be offered space by the Red Lion Square Tenants Association and we gratefully accepted and have been using their hall one evening a week since before Christmas. It is all credit to our two workers, Anthony Gentle and Phillipe Corette, who have worked very hard in keeping the group of young people together. They do outreach work every Tuesday, meeting the young people outside Dudley Court then usually going off to the cinema with them or maybe bowling or ice skating. On Thursday they meet in Red Lion Square, and although there is no space for a pool table or table-tennis, they have their music and various board games and its just a warm safe environment for them in which to meet up. During this time we have had an Ofsted Inspection by Westminster and their two representatives had to meet with Anthony and Phillipe in the street, but they got a true insight into how difficult it is to have any kind of youth provision in an area such as Covent Garden, where premises are of a premium. But we have had very positive feedback from Westminster and they were very impressed with the workers and the young people. Westminster have constantly been in contact with the Management Committee and are trying to help with regard to premises. We have also had help from Caroline Keen, but funnily enough not many local property companies seem willing to give up "valuable commercial space" to house a charity-run youth organisation - I wonder why? Anyway, we carry on regardless and have now taken on-board a female worker called Faye - who has worked with the youth club in the past - she does a lot of arts and crafts and its very good to have a female worker to balance things out for the girls.

The youth club battles on and we can't wait for the day when the Community Centre reopens. The Youth Club Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish the Community Centre all the best for the future and I'd like to say thank-you to our workers and the young people of Covent Garden for keeping the Youth Club going through such a difficult period.

Janet Reid

Covent Garden Community Centre & Seven Dials Club

As a result of the terrible fire in Earlham Street last September the Community Centre and Club suffered extreme damage, as did the rest of the building, and resulted in closure of the building and hence the loss of a base to work from. After a long search for suitable premises the pre-school playgroup opened in their temporary premises at the Thomas Coram foundation. Unfortunately the premises are limited and as a result Jeanne and her co-workers can only cater for ten children, but the important thing is that the playgroup continues.

Our Trustees are in active communication with those concerned with the insurance claim as a result of the damage caused by the fire and anticipate a satisfactory result.

In spite of there being no 'home base' the annual Senior Citizens party took place in January this time in the hall of the Church of Scotland, and although away from home the party was a resounding success. Our thanks go to Rules, Neal Street, Belushi's, Tuttons, Sarastros and Chez Gerard restaurants, Evergreens and the Sun (Long Acre), Tescos and Shepherds for their kind donations, without which the party would not have been possible. We also thank Christina Smith for her gift of presents for those attending. As usual our thanks go to all who helped, in any capacity, towards the success of the evening.

We await word from the owners of the building as to when we will be able to move back into the warehouse but in the meantime they have been kind enough to supply the Committee with a floor plan of what is planned for the Centre and Club on the second floor of the building. We hope to have more information for members when we have our Annual General Meeting at the Concert Artistes Association on 31 May.

Stan Sheriff, Chairman

Seven Dials Monument Charity

We were very pleased to welcome back our past Administrator Barbara Field who longer standing readers may remember from our old charity shop at Seven Dials. After finishing the Sundial Pillar the Charity's main objective is to promote environmental improvements.

We have been lobbying Camden (and Westminster) to finally carry out traffic management proposals made in the early 1990's, for the Seven Dials area so we can try and complete the street improvements begun in Shorts Gardens and Earlham Street. It appears likely that Camden will start to make decisions on this issue this year. The Charity's proposals will then be revised through further public consultation and hopefully finalised. They involve upgrading the pavement and street surfaces, new street furniture and greening the area.

The Charity launched a 'Greening Seven Dials' project this year with support from Groundwork Camden and Shaftesbury plc. This comprises hanging baskets in Shorts Gardens and Earlham Street (with involvement from pupils at St Clement Danes and St Joseph's schools), and offering residents and businesses ready planted window boxes which we are subsidising. The scheme has met with an enthusiastic response, but has turned out to be about 100 times more complicated that we could have imagined! Information is available from the CGCA office, the Crown Pub at the Dials, or from the Charity.

Copies of the 'Seven Dials Environmental Handbook' are also available from all the above. We also have an extensive Exhibition on Seven Dials: 'History, Architecture, Horology' which is available on free loan from the Charity.

If you'd like to support the Charity you can buy one of our limited edition (150No each signed and numbered by the artist) lithographs of 'Seven Dials & the Sundial Pillar' specially drawn by the artist David Gentleman. They are £95 each. Details are available from the above. We hope to be holding a fund-raising concert on Friday September 9th this year at St James's Piccadilly with the Ealing Youth Symphony Orchestra, and please ask us for further details.

Seven Dials Monument Charity, 68 Dean Street, W1V 5HD. Tel 020 7437 5512, Fax. 020 7437 6612, Email 7d@sixty8.com or visit our website www.sevendials.com

David Bieda

Phoenix Garden

The Phoenix Community Garden is managed by the Covent Garden Open Spaces Association and is the last of the gardens in the Covent Garden area originally sited on old bomb sites. This garden is located behind the Phoenix Theatre and has been in existence for 15 years with an annual grant from the London Borough of Camden, which virtually covers the wages of a part-time gardener. Peter Arnold, our present gardener, is very enthusiastic and enjoys the work he does.

We had an 'Under 8 Play Project' last July for the whole day, finishing up with a bonfire and barbecue. Men at the local building site donated sand for the Play Pit, which is kept covered when supervision is unavailable.

Towards the end of the year we had our Bonfire Night and Halloween celebrations. Just before Christmas, Soho Primary School kindly gave us a Carol Singing evening and we arranged the refreshments of hot food and drinks.

Our first event this year was the Easter Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday, when we had games for the children and an Easter Egg Treasure Hunt. On this occasion, Boots the Chemist in Charing Cross Road, Sainsbury's in Tottenham Court Road and Borders, the book store, were most generous in donating towards our refreshments and Raffle prizes.

Last year, we had a new stage and we now have cover for it in bad weather. We have also covered the rear and sides of the stage and this has meant we have a type of sheltered greenhouse, with many seeds coming on. We anticipate improving the pond area as soon as possible. The local Police arranged for us to have a new full-size Table Tennis table with the necessary bats and balls, much enjoyed by the children.

We hope to continue improving the Garden, which is open all day for residents and people working in the area. However, our improvements cost money and we sincerely hope local businesses and residents will become Friends of the Garden and subscribe to our efforts.

Frankie Besser

Salmagundi Gardeners Cricket Club

"The pictorial evidence"

On Sundays, throughout the summer, the Gardeners find a grassy plot and make a sporting day of it. From Barn Elms to Lyme Regis (calling at Amersham and Appley, Hampstead and Hoo) your wandering knights of Covent Garden follow their cricket dreams and sometimes achieve them.

In view of the doubts expressed by readers in previous years, we have decided to publish the evidence of our 'successes'. A page from our score book, together with lots more photographs of the Gardeners in action, can be viewed on the CGCA website (www.coventgarden.org.uk). The photograph above is just one example of our existence!

If you want to be in these pictures, join us by calling the CGCA office.

James Tait, Captain

Charing Cross Police

It has been a rather mixed year for the Covent Garden Police Team. On the one hand our excellent relationship with the local community continues to flourish. Against this there have been some changes in personnel and sadly for most of the end of last year Nicola Ainsworth was absent from work due to illness. This left PS John Hunter in charge and he coped admirably. I am pleased to say that Nicola has now recovered and has moved to other duties which still keep her in contact with the community on a borough-wide basis. I thank her on your behalf for all her excellent work. Sadly, PS John Hunter has also left the team but is still at Charing Cross. I have now had an opportunity to take over the reigns and have met some of you already.

From the police perspective, enthusiasm is high and we welcome the new 'Community Steering Group' chaired by myself. The group members are PS Alan Blacklock, Jo Weir, Des Passey from HSBC, Peter Reeves WCC and Diane Mounsey-Thear from St Clement Danes School. This group will be charting the progress of the Covent Garden Community Safety Plan, soon to be published, which will target Illegal Street Trading/Busking, Begging, Theft, Drug Abuse and Rowdyism.

We will also be concentrating on the main priorities set for the Metropolitan Police and Home Office which cover Burglary, Youth Crime and Terrorism.

We launched a Day Surgery for Odhams Walk and other close-by residents on the 25th April based at the Age Concern Day Centre. This is an experimental idea driven by Mandy King and Paul Evans. The initiative will be reviewed after its first few openings to gauge interest and usage.

The Network Pager Scheme continues to increase its membership and Sandra Thomas has launched a first class licensing initiative to improve awareness of criminal activity in the area.

Now also based at Charing Cross is the joint police and WCC 'Spotlight Team' who will be concentrating on 'quality of life' issues on a pan-Westminster basis.

Through the Network Evenings and formal contact, I hope to maintain our excellent relationships over the coming year to cement our partnership in all of this together, as crime and quality of life is an issue for all of us.

Insp Paul Wright, Covent Garden Sector

Holborn Police

In late 1999 Holborn Division amalgamated with Kentish Town and Hampstead and became a part of Camden Borough Police. At around the same time Holborn Police Station was closed for a refurbishment which is expected to be completed towards the end of 2001. The Control room is now at Kentish Town and officers now police the area south of Euston Road from Kings Cross Road Police Station. Resources remain a difficult issue, and Camden has recently been successful in putting the case for an increase in police numbers. However, this has to be seen against a current shortfall of about thirty officers against the old target figure.

Bill Fenoughty is now the Field Intelligence Officer for the Holborn area. We hope to have a replacement for him by the end of May. Ian Miller remains as the other Beat Officer. Both Officers have played an active role in working with others in the refurbishment of St Giles churchyard.

There is a major problem with drug dealing and drug taking in and around Charing Cross Road. The problems of the drug market and the users are complex and unlikely to be solved by the police acting alone. In recognition of this Operation StrongPoint has been developed as a long term plan to work in partnership with others to find and implement effective solutions. One aspect is to identify situations that assist the drug market and tackle them, for example areas where drugs are hidden and where they are being taken. This has already resulted in building work undertaken by Camden Council where drugs were being hidden in the crumbling concrete wall in Flitcroft Street. Andrew Borde Street has also seen hoarding erected at the request of police to reduce opportunities for drug dealing. There has already been much co-operation between businesses, the Health Authority, Camden and Islington Drug Action Teams, Camden Council and the local residents, as well as across the border between Camden and Westminster.

Insp Howard Marriott, Holborn Community Action Team

Westminster Councillors

The last year has witnessed a great increase in the range and scale of pressures faced by both residents and businesses in Covent Garden and the surrounding area. A reasonably buoyant economy has contributed to the competing pressures produced by tourism, the arts, restaurants and clubs. All these, in any event, can undermine residential amenity and, as the CGCA has continued to publicise, the rights and opportunities for local residents must be of paramount importance to all those with a real interest in the area.

We will use this article to express our very real concern at reports that the manpower of the Covent Garden police team is scheduled for reductions. The police have very real problems to deal with in and around the area and are stretched at present. Add in the fact that all classes of street offence appear to be on the increase at present and it becomes clear that the overall position with regard to law and order for residents and businesses in the area is under threat. This is unacceptable. Alexander will be contacting senior local and Westminster based police chiefs to express local concerns and other groups such as the Covent Garden Piazza Committee have agreed to make similar approaches, too. The growth and application of CCTV is to be welcomed, but not at the expense of people-centred community policing. A reassuring presence and prevention is far better that speeding panda cars hurrying to the scene after a crime has been committed and the villains have left the scene!

The completion of the Royal Opera House development was a significant moment in the life of Covent Garden and the occasion of the opening gala reminded us that despite ups and downs, the area is very much enriched by the presence of the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet and we wish them every success for the future. The new millennium may have promoted hope and much looking forward, but Covent Garden faces many real problems, some of which are very old "friends"! We are committed to working in a realistic and pragmatic manner with all legitimate interests in the area to protect the fabric and character of Covent Garden.

Councillor Alexander Nicoll and Councillor Louise Hyams, St James' Ward

Camden Councillors

Covent Garden has an eclectic mix of residencies, business and entertainment venues. This poses challenges for us in Camden on how best to provide services which meet the needs of this diverse community, and by this, I mean, not only the content of services but the manner in which they are delivered.

The intensifying polarisation of income and wealth in Covent Garden means that we must focus on reducing inequality and thereby enhance the quality of life for all our residents.

The majority of Councillors in Camden feel that this type of social inclusion is imperative in order to prevent disparity between different social groups, that is why we voted overwhelmingly to reject proposals to hold new style assemblies, where the public would be excluded, not only from arguing for a better deal for the locality, but also from the decision making process of Local Government. You have an enviable record in Covent Garden of engaging with statutory agencies to create a better environment for the community, this must not change!

Bloomsbury Councillors have worked with community associations to fight for social housing in Covent Garden. During this year we have had three new Soho Housing developments in the area, Green Dragon Court, Aviation House and 14 Stukeley Street. However, we need much more, allowing people to remain in the locality, in order to retain social cohesion in our community. I am hoping to see some vibrant tenant associations formed in these new homes, in the near future.

As local Councillors, we will continue to fight for the best deal in planning gains from the developers, and continue to support the community based Seven Dials Housing Association. Sustained interest and demand for Central London homes has meant an increase in private residences in Covent Garden, I welcome all new home owners and businesses to the area, and aim to work within the Council to achieve improvement in service provision, not only in the manner in which they are delivered, but monitoring their responsiveness to citizens needs.

The constant traffic in and around Covent Garden has a significant consequence on the health of residents and the local environment, which has resulted in it being designated as a Clear Zone area, where funding will be provided to deal with traffic and the excessive emissions which this produces.

Within local government we are progressing with 'joined up partnerships' notably with the Health agencies and the Police. The borough is within the Health Action Zone partnership which has resources to specifically improve service delivery, in certain areas. There is a need within Covent Garden to provide improved access to GPs and community services, especially resources for the children and young people who have little or no recreational service provision at present. During the next year we will be targeting this fund to hopefully provide more appropriate services to this group.

We will work with the Police to combat the escalating incidence of increased drug abuse and concomitant crime and disorder, which residents have to suffer and live with on a daily basis. The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens aims to work with communities to 'make London the safest city in the world', Covent Garden must be a priority need area on his agenda, for without improvement here, regeneration strategies fail.

The local Council, Health agencies and Police Service must, above all, listen to our community and deliver services to our people, which they need and deserve.

Cllr Patricia Callaghan, Bloomsbury Ward

Save London's Theatres Campaign

We are delighted that the CGCA have chosen to represent the Theatres in Covent Garden for the front page collage of their Annual Report. Covent Garden has a rich theatre history with street names commemorating theatre greats such as Thomas Betterton, David Garrick and Charles Macklin. In the heart of the district is an Inigo Jones' masterpiece, St. Paul's, known as "the actors' church", where to this day memorial services are held for the famous and the unknown of the profession alike, and where so many of the great figures of the past are commemorated or buried. In the portico is a plaque recording the first known Punch and Judy show, as witnessed by Samuel Pepys in 1662. The following year, 1663, saw Thomas Killigrew's Theatre Royal open - the first of the famous Drury Lane theatres. Most of the great names in art, literature and music have worked or played in Covent Garden.

Of the myriad shops, workshops and suppliers with theatrical connections, many have disappeared but in today's Covent Garden we still find the Theatre Museum, the Garrick Club, the CAA and the Actors' Centre, along with costumiers, ballet and dance studios and outfitters, producers, casting directors, theatrical agents, photographers, memorabilia shops and many more. Many are the restaurants and wine bars specialising in theatrical suppers, some, such as Rules in Maiden Lane, with historic royal connections and legends of Champagne drunk from Lily Langtree's slipper.

Our own beginnings, in 1972, were the result of a large and destructive road plan which would have cut a great swathe through Covent Garden and, in the process, would have caused the demolition of 12 theatres and immobilised another four. We are proud that our long association with the CGCA began at this time when our organisations fought a tremendous battle against the then GLC's plans which, as a result, were withdrawn in 1973 by a newly elected GLC. We can only pay tribute to the wonderful work done over so many years by the CGCA, who have been watchful and vigilant on behalf of the residents and businesses, including the theatres, whose interests we also represent. It is of vital importance that the people who live in the Garden and those who work in the theatres and allied professions should live in harmony and realise their importance to and dependence on each other.

John Levitt, Campaign Chairman

Age Concern

Age Concern's Covent Garden Day Centre continues to thrive in all areas. During the past year we have celebrated most of the National days, St. Valentine's Day, Easter and Halloween, with parties for the members. Our Christmas lunch was held over two days to accommodate everyone, and we were entertained by St Joseph's Primary School with Christmas Carols.

During the past summer we had several day outings much enjoyed by the members and we are just about. to start the outings this year. We have had the usual small Jumble sales and raffles to raise funds for our activities, and last year's Christmas Fair was the best ever.

The Seven Dials Masonic Lodge donated a large screen television last year, hut unfortunately this was stolen one weekend in April. However, St. Joseph school have kindly donated one which they no longer need.

Our Leader, Lucy Holden left us in March and we were very sad to see her go. She greatly motivated the members whilst with us. We understand a new Leader has been appointed.

Due to donations given by local businesses we have been able to buy our first CD player and a selection of discs. We have also bought a new vacuum cleaner and had the premises completely repainted.

Members enjoy a two-course lunch at the Centre every day and last May we started a Craft section and even those who thought they had no artistic skills have been surprised at their efforts painting on glass with acrylics. Our picture-framing section have been pleased to frame our efforts.

Our choirmaster holds a sing-a-long session on Wednesday afternoons and discussion groups are held on three mornings every week, The Chinese pensioners hold their Cathay Club meetings on Monday afternoons and we shall be holding a Flower and Craft sale during the week the of the 12th to 16th June, after lunch.

Frankie Besser

The Odhams Walk Residents Association

TOWRA continues to thrive and last year 90 out of 102 households were paid up members of the Association.

Much work has been done over the past year. Security gates have been installed and when closed at night help to keep back the ever increasing throng of visitors and revellers. Almost £1/3 of a million has been spent relaying the paving stones, drainage, and asphalt on the walkways. We are grateful to Claire Morgan and her estate team for their help. The project also gave several residents the opportunity to help supervise the work with regular meetings with the contractors.

Sadly we have lost three long standing members during the year and our condolences go to their relatives and friends.

Gardening on the estate goes from strength to strength. Originally neglected, the communal areas were taken over from the Council by residents who now run the annual budget of £1,000. The relatively few volunteers who dig, plant and water would very much welcome new recruits. All residents can help by keeping an eye out for litter and the occasional vandalism that occurs.

This year will see a vote on the Residents Management Organisation issue. There are 14 other estates in Westminster who have taken this route, all seem very pleased with the results. The advantages of low overheads from on-site management and the input of residents lead to substantial savings which can be spent on estate improvements. We have the possibility of an office on the estate and a full-time caretaker- handy person. There will be a full presentation of the scheme in the next few weeks.

Our thanks go to all those who helped us last year. The estate remains a very pleasant place to live.

John Warren, Chair

8 Newton Street Tenants and Residents Association

This year has been dominated again by various building developments in the immediate vicinity of the tower block in which we live. At times we have literally been hemmed in by noise and dirt caused by the Soho Housing Association new housing development in Stukeley Street behind, the British Telecom new air-conditioning units on the roof at the side, and the Barratt Homes/Laings development at Aviation House at the front. Work on these has gone on throughout the year, 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. It is no wonder that the day-to-day matters concerning our block have at times gone by the wayside. It is essential that groups like the CGCA exist in these circumstances to police the planning applications. However we feel that the real problem is with the Section 106 agreements; these do not have the teeth they should have in protecting the residents who live here against the interests of big business developers. We had to go to the Environmental Pollution Department at Camden after suffering noise out of hours and disruption for months, and Barratt's West London were fined £25,000 after admitting to this. What should have happened is that the disruption should have never happened in the first place. This Association is still trying to get compensation from Barratt's for the inconveniences caused, and is baffled why nothing has been paid out so far. Soho Housing Association gave £50 per flat in recognition of the massive disruption caused by their development. British Telecom were made to cover up their unsightly air-conditioning units as a result of our complaints.

It has been difficult to find active members for the Association this year. Most TAs have to deal with the everyday matters of living; We still do not have a meeting room, and need to put effort into watching that the fabric of our building does not deteriorate, but our energy is taken up in policing the disruption caused by these outside developments. We hope that the biggest development of all at Holborn Old Town Hall will not affect our lives as much. Co-operation will be needed between all members of the community to ensure this, and not just the efforts of one Association.

Barry Webb, Chair

Duval Court Tenants' Association

Life has settled down just a little since our report last year now the building work opposite has been completed and the hotel has opened. As might be expected, however, there are on-going problems associated with having a 24 hour, 7 days a week neighbour - out of hours deliveries and congestion, glass recycling noise, lack of staff facilities on the premises - to name but a few. On the plus side, the proprietors, in meeting with the local residents, at least seem willing to listen to the issues that continue to disturb us and we thank the CGCA for their continuing advice and support on these matters. And Mays Court, at least, has had a remarkable transformation for the better!

The small and dwindling number on the DCTA that represent the tenants of 28 flats, strives hard to work with the Peabody Trust to try to ensure that security, cleanliness, daily maintenance and tenants' personal grievances are swiftly, efficiently and effectively dealt with. Not everyone has the same priorities, however, so the DCTA wants to encourage as much participation as possible to ensure that everyone who cares for their personal environment has a voice. Particular thanks should be paid to the small band who put in the extra effort to keep things running smoothly, including maintaining the lovely patio area, which we hope will be granted some funding this year from the "Britain in Bloom" Trust.

David Rogers

Martlett Court Co-operative

The Martlett Court Estate is situated behind the Bow Street Magistrates Court and police station and is held within the boundaries of Broad Court, Drury Lane and Crown Court.

It is a small estate, comprising 3 blocks, Fletcher, Beaumont and Sheridan buildings. There are 125 flats on the estate and the residents represent a mixture of Westminster tenants, lessees and sub-lessees.

The estate is managed by a Tenant Management Organisation composed of residents and this was set up in 1991. We are fortunate to have a committed core of residents on the management committee.

Over the last year there have been many developments on the estate some of which are outlined in the following.

Our relationship with Westminster City Council has improved in that there is a closer dialogue between us and the council on many issues that affect the estate.

With regard to the running of the estate, we are currently in the process of hiring our own Co-ordinator. This is currently achieved by a property management company. However, we have found the level of service to be unsatisfactory and the cost for the service we are getting too high. We hope that when we get our own co-ordinator, the level of service we provide to our residents will improve dramatically.

Over the last year we have spent money improving the courtyards on the estate and this will continue. Further, we have just started the development of a garden area which is currently a disused playground. It is hoped that this development will improve and benefit the estate and the local area as a whole.

Recently, the estate has been used for the filming of a pilot episode of "Mirrorball" starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. If the pilot is successful then there will be further filming on the estate, which will earn the estate facilitation fees which will be used for the benefit of all the residents.

Of concern to the residents has been the proposed development of the Bow Street Police Station. The residents have been in dialogue with the developer. Help, support and advice has come from the Covent Garden Community Association, for which we are grateful.

There is so much more that can be said. The main message that I would like to get across is that the estate is flourishing and continues to develop, and in a positive direction.

Franco Tacconelli, Chair

Wild Street Tenants' Association

We have a new area manager Nick Collins, who seems to listen to our complaints .

We put in for a lottery grant for our millennium party and have been successful. We've done all our usual duties, backed up the tenants when required, given the kids and OAP's their Christmas hampers and gifts for the year 2000.

We would like to thank Richard, owner of Sarastro's restaurant, for all his generosity and support.

We are apprehensive of what's going on in the Centrepoint part of Bruce House. The people they have in are very damaging to the area and there are people there who do not live there and add to the disturbance.

There is a new community policeman, Ray Ellen, and we hope it's the start of a beautiful friendship.

We hope to get support from the cafes, pubs and hotels in the area towards our millennium party.

We thank Jo Weir for representing us on the Covent Garden Community Safety Steering Group with the police on crime and community developments.

Hopefully next year we can report that we had a fantastic millennium party.

Eva Duke

Siddons and Stirling Residents' Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Association was held in the Courtyard on Sunday 13 June 1999. In the morning a Bring and Buy Sale to raise Funds was held by Molly and Kathy. Both ladies and the articles for sale received a soaking by heavy rain showers and the sale had to be postponed to the following Sunday. A thank you to all who have helped to raise the amount of £ 60.

The Garden Club is pleased to welcome James, the elected Committee member as an "Apprentice". The work of the few dedicated gardeners has been very much appreciated, they have kept our garden looking wonderful by adding displays of blooms.

The upper floors at 2-4 Catherine Street, the corner property with Tavistock Street, will now not be converted into residential accommodation; the current owners, The Scottish Life Assurance Company, will retain the office accommodation (former offices of the Institute of Strategic Studies). With the expert guidance and advice given by John Bos, numerous Conditions and Undertakings have been agreed and were attached to the granted Justices' Licence for the intended Cafe Flo operation.

With delight, it can be reported that the General Manager Andrew Coney of Le Meridien Waldorf Hotel has pledged to have the issue of the refuse bins on the pavement at Tavistock Street once and for all remedied and has entered into negotiations with Westminster's Cleansing Department. At this stage a little 'Thank-you' to you, Mr. Coney, the big 'Thank-you' will follow when the bins are tucked away in the hotel premises.

Several residents succeeded in obtaining tickets for the opening performances by the Royal Ballet. They were delighted to have the privilege to be in the new Royal Opera House and acclaimed the superb performance.

Some residents were given a special treat by the pupils of St Clement Danes Primary School. They put on a superb show. Naturally, we at Siddons and Stirling Courts were proud of the fact that the star was our very own Emma, in her star performance of Moonsister in "Separation". She lives in the building named after the actress Sarah Siddons.

Our residents received a warm welcome by the proprietor "King" Richard, at this year's Christmas dinner at Sarastro's restaurant.

Two members of the Committee attended the numerous meetings with Westminster Housing Officers and representatives from other Residents Associations over a nine month period to get the City-wide Tenant Participation Compact into a shape and form that would be acceptable to the residents of Westminster. The Document was signed on 31 March 2000 in the presence of the Lord Mayor, Councillor Alex Segal and Councillor Jan Prendergast and came into effect on 1 April 2000.

Karl Beck

Dudley Court Tenants' Association

Dudley Court has had another fairly good year, not without 'downs', but also with 'ups'. With the co-operation of various departmental officers at the Holborn District Housing Office (DHO) we have secured repairs to the estate in general. We have also managed to improve the Short's Gardens frontage enormously, repaving the 'garden' area, better lighting and (soon) planters with shrubs and (eventually) new railings.

Extra security measures have been added to our garages and we hope to have a new refuse room on the Endell Street frontage, with an entrance from the hallway, later this year. We have created two small 'gardens' around the trees outside the Endell Street entrance, in the hope that people will leave their refuse for collection elsewhere in the street and giving us a pleasant approach to our entrance.

We wish to thank the officers at the Holborn DHO for all their help, co-operation and interest in Dudley Court.

Michael Wylde, Chair

Sincere Thanks

The Covent Garden Community Association sincerely thanks the following for their financial help during 1999/2000:
• The London Borough of Camden and the City of Westminster for their generous grant towards our operating costs.
• The many generous individuals and subscribers, who have helped us financially with donations and help-in-kind.
• The members of the Covent Garden Business Group, whose subscription fees have supported the CGCA's work.
• The following, for their generous donations and help-in-kind:
  Schroders, Universal Consolidated, Coutt's Charitable Trust, Westminster Meeting Society of Friends, Stringfellow Restaurants Ltd, National Farmers Union, Covent Garden Housing Co-operative, Centre Point House Residents Association, Maxwell's Restaurants Ltd, Moss Bros, The Westminster Trio & José Maria Guerrero, KPF Architects, Garrick Club, Mercers Company, Smith's of Covent Garden, Integra Personnel, New Connaught Rooms, London City Mission, Jubilee Hall Clubs, Rugby Estates, Dudley Court Tenants' Association, Tuttons, Community of the Resurrection, Rosenbaum Charitable Trust, Allied London Property, Good Brand Works, Venus Internet, Mega Products Ltd, Punjab Restaurant, The Design Council, Shaftesbury plc, F W Collins & Son, St Paul's Church, Los Locos, Royal Opera House, Marks & Spencer.
• Robert Clark and Mary Henry for their unstinting voluntary help in the CGCA office and Liam DelaHunty for his 'Webmaster' services free-of-charge.
• The CGCA wishes to thank the following for their help, advice and support during the year:
  The Voluntary Sector & Grants Unit, the Planning Enforcement & Development Control Planning Teams, the Noise & Pollution Teams, the Entertainment Licensing Departments, the Traffic Management & Highways Teams, the Street Environment Teams, the Street Trading Departments and various committee clerks at both Westminster and Camden Council; Westminster Amenity Society Forum; Camden Amenity Forum; Voluntary Action Camden & Westminster; Camden & Westminster PCCG; various Licensing Justices and their clerks; the Westminster and Camden Borough Police Teams; staff at Soho Fire Station; the Covent Garden Area Trust; many Camden & Westminster Councillors; our two local MPs; all members of the CGCA Executive Committee and sub-committees and, above all, our many members and friends - we do not have the space to mention you all by name, but your help, support and encouragement during a difficult year have been greatly appreciated.

The following are some of the things that you have said about us during the past year:
• "The work of the CGCA, particularly in connection with development proposals, is crucial in maintaining the special nature of Covent Garden. It is the unique nature and mix which has made it such a special and attractive place to live and work - and in which to invest" P.S.
• "It is absolutely essential that the CGCA continues to exist and to flourish!" R.McC.
• "The CGCA must somehow remain active. Without it in the past 28 years, anti-social forces would have plundered Covent Garden and driven more residents away and destroyed its charm" S.H.
• "The CGCA is far more effective at defending the area and its long-suffering people than either local council - both of whom remember us at election time" E.I.
• "The CGCA has made an enormous positive influence on the Covent Garden area, with remarkably little public funding. Amenity groups like the CGCA should be given sufficient funding without the need to waste valuable resources on raising money to survive" S.V.
• "Keep Covent Garden clean and resist big developments that are about to overwhelm this last village-like place in the West End" Y.R.
• "Thanks for all the CGCA's hard work, help and morale-building over the years - there'd be no neighbourhood or housing here, were it not for the CGCA!" A.R.
• "I am impressed by the CGCA. I like the constructive, non-confrontational attitude to commerce, etc - the absence of shrillness makes your protests carry so much more weight!" A.O.
• "Keep at it! I think the CGCA is the focus for the community" R.M.
• "The CGCA does an excellent job with limited resources" P.S.
• "The CGCA's support is invaluable - housing, planning, licensing. Covent Garden would be wall-to-wall restaurants & shoe shops without you" J.S.
• "You helped us fight the noise & music situation, which was unbearable. You do a damn good job" M.C.
• "I have found your informed and active interest in the ROH development extremely encouraging and useful, as well as your continuing support for neighbourhood concerns" C.M.
• "The CGCA gave good advice and assistance when I opposed a late-night music licence" E.A.
• "The CGCA helps me a great deal to keep in touch with all the different aspects of the area. Thanks to them I feel I am being kept informed on what's going on" P.M.

Cover illustration: Covent Garden's 22 theatres-collage by Liam DelaHunty, photographs by Robert Clark.
Duchess, Cambridge, Albery Coliseum, Ambassadors, Strand, Aldwych, New London Fortune, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, St Martin's, Tristan Bates, Peacock, Adelphi Duke of York, Royal Opera House, Vaudeville, Wyndham's, Donmar Warehouse Lyceum, Shaftesbury, Garrick.

All articles, cartoons, photos and design © copyright Covent Garden Community Association 2000.

The printed version of the 1999-2000 Annual Report was printed by the London Print Company, Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2, tel 020 7497 2862.

 

 

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