Westminster Community Contribution
Westminster is a great place to live with many opportunities, but there are huge challenges too. Some residents in high value properties have asked us how they can contribute more to community projects in Westminster. In response, we have launched the voluntary Westminster Community Contribution Scheme.
So we are inviting Council Tax payers in Band H to make a voluntary contribution to the City of Westminster Charitable Trust. Money raised from this initiative will be put towards more help for the homeless; more services for young people; and the reduction of loneliness among the elderly and children.
Some people have asked why we haven’t just raised council tax. National legislation dictates that if a local authority plans to raise council tax it has to be across all Bands, which means everyone would have to pay more and we believe it is our duty to protect those on the lowest incomes. If we raised council tax, those on the lowest incomes would be disproportionately affected. We have kept Band D the lowest in the country for the past five years, protecting those on low incomes.
Find out how you can make a difference to young people, rough sleepers and isolated lonely people
As part of the #MyWestminster programme, we are investing in community and voluntary groups across Westminster.
We want to strengthen community identity by supporting projects which matter to residents.
To find out more about the #MyWestminster programme from Westminster’s leader Councillor Nickie Aiken, you can read her speech.
#MyWestminster fund
We are providing up to £10,000 per organisation to support projects which will improve Westminster.
The fund is open to all voluntary organisations, resident, faith and community groups within Westminster. This includes schools and other establishments which care for Westminster residents (such as residential care homes).
The focus of the fund is to:
- celebrate our neighbourhoods
- promote community cohesion across the city
- support people to make the best of their lives in the heart of London
Bidding for the June to August round of funding is now open.
#MyWestminster City Lions
#MyWestminster City Lions is a new club to help 13 to 16-year-olds make the most of the opportunities that come with living in the heart of the city.
By joining #MyWestminster City Lions, young people will:
- boost their CV with work experience at some of the city’s most prominent organisations
- gain access to volunteering roles to help them with their career choice including high profile events
- explore different career paths through taster sessions and inspirational workshops with local young entrepreneurs
- receive exclusive access to arts and cultural venues and events such as the theatre and exhibitions at museums and galleries
- meet other young people from across the city
#MyWestminster projects
The #MyWestminster projects will tackle issues relevant to communities in Westminster.
Housing standards task force
Our team of officers are tackling unlawful letting. This is so we can prosecute landlords breaking the 90 night limit on short-term letting. Our team will also tackle rogue landlords and support a new Considerate Landlords Charter. Read more.
Advice and support service
Westminster City Council has created an advice service for the 30,000 EU nationals living in Westminster. This can be found on the Citizens Advice Westminster website.
Integrated street unit
Similar to our successful integrated gangs unit, we are working with our partners to support homeless people. We want to tackle anti-social behaviour issues, such as drug abuse.
Take pride in living in living in the heart of the city at the second annual #MyWestminster Day.
Join Councillor Nickie Aiken, Leader of the Council for a fun day of free family activities, sport, live music, entertainment, dancing and arts and crafts. You can also sample food from across the world in the #MyWestminster food tent, hosted by Maida Hill Place, and enjoy live music from the Pad Rec bandstand.
Let us know if you're planning to come along, and we'll keep you up-to-date as activities and performers are confirmed.
You can see the activites on offer here
What's on?
| Bandstand performances | Time |
|---|---|
| Ebony Steel Band | 11am |
| Paddington Arts flag procession | 11.45am |
| Pena Flamenca des Londres: Flamenco con Gusto | 12.55pm |
| Church St Line Dancers | 12.35pm |
| South Westminster Choir | 12.45pm |
| Bollywood dance, Step Change Studios | 1.10pm |
| Emile Bani, Child of Chief | 1.25pm |
| Chinese Lion and Dragon Dancing, LCCA | 2.10pm |
| Cllr Nickie Aiken, Leader of the Council and Cllr David Harvey, Deputy Leader | 2.25pm |
| West End Kids Also performing at West End LIVE on 16/17 June | 2.35pm |
Children must be supervised by parents or guardians at all times.
Sports zone
Join Marylebone Cricket Club to try your hand at cricket plus take part in beat the goalie, fencing and mini-athletics with QPG Community & Sports Hub and Protouch SA.
Everyone Active will be offering basketball challenge, mini athletics and short tennis throughout the day.
Activity zone
Get involved with these family activities.
- zorb arena
- bungee run and trampolines
- soft play
- circus skills
- giant games
- face painting
- dance workshops and performances
Free food
Sample food from across the world in the Maida Hill Place food tent, from local food start ups and market traders from North Westminster who will be serving:
- jerk chicken
- sweet potato and fennel rocket salad
- yellow spiced Daal
- noodles
- fruit salad
Free food is subject to availability.
Food concessions will also be available including Circus Bros Spanish food, Greek2Go, Heavenly Crepes, Zoya's Arabic Food and Laila's Creole Cuisine.
Community area
Find out more about the community and council services available to you in our exhibitor zone, where 40 organisations from across Westminster will host free activities throughout the day:
- Indian head massage
- Yoga, Tai Chi and kick boxing
- Giant jenga, snakes and ladders and twister
- Free bike MOTs with Dr Bike
- Dog microchipping and animal welfare advice
- arts and crafts (ceramic painting, t-shirt printing, collage and jewellery making)
- planting
- mini health checks and dental health advice
- design a football kit
- recycling advice and the chance to buy recycled bags made by Church Street residents
- messy play and bubbles for young children
- gym sessions for youngsters with event sponsors, Streathers Solicitors
- fire safety advice from London Fire Brigade
- CityWest Homes
Dance floor
Head to the dance floor for a packed schedule of workshops and activities for all ages throughout the day.
| Zumba for Kids, QPG Community & Sports Hub | 11am |
| Tai Chi, Open Age | 11.20am |
| Dance workshop, QPG Community & Sports Hub | 11.40am |
| SOCA aerobics, Penfold Community Hub | 12 midday |
| Street dance workshop, Step Change Studios | 12.25pm |
| SOCA aerobics, Penfold Community Hub | 12.45pm |
| Latin Grooves, Open Age | 1.05pm |
| Bollywood Dance Workshop, Step Change Studios | 1.35pm |
| African Dance, Gbemi Isimi and CityWest Homes | 1.55pm |
| Latin Dance Workshop, Step Change Studios | 2.35pm |
Exhibitors and performers
Exhibitor and food concession spaces are fully booked for this year. To register your interest for 2019, please email rsvp@westminster.gov.uk.uk.
Thank you to our sponsors Streathers Solicitors.
Last updated: 20 June 2018