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 New Year's Day Parade competition
The Lord Mayor has launched a competition to produce and manage Westminster City Council’s entry into the New Year’s Day Parade on 1 January 2019. £11,000 and a flatbed truck and driver are available for the winning organisation to produce our entry.
The theme of this year’s Parade is ‘London Welcomes the World’.
All entries to the competition must show evidence of:
- Reflecting the theme of the Parade ‘London Welcomes the World’
- A clear Westminster focus, representing the borough to the rest of the country and world
- Partnership with other local community groups – we are looking for an entry which is representative of Westminster as a whole
The competition is open to all voluntary organisations, resident, faith and community groups in Westminster, who feel they could produce this entry.
To apply fill in the application form and send to nydp@westminster.gov.uk
Entries must be submitted by Sunday 16 September and the winning organisation will be chosen by the Lord Mayor at the end of September.
You can find out more information on the London New Year’s Day Parade website.
#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 annual #MyWestminster Day, hosted by the Leader of the Council.
The second #MyWestminster Day took place in glorious sunshine on Sunday 1st July at Paddington Recreation Ground in Maida Vale. Just over 3,000 residents from across Westminster joined us for a fun day of free family activities, sport, live music, entertainment, dancing and arts and crafts.
Maida Hill Place provided food from across the world working in partnership with Westminster residents who are part of the Big Eat Training programme and local acts provided live music and dancing from the bandstand. We were also joined by 40 community and voluntary organisations who offered free entertainment and activities to showcase our vibrant and diverse city.
Take a look at the event photos on Instagram.
#MyWestminster Day 2019
The date of next year’s event will be confirmed in early 2019.
Exhibitors, food concessions and sponsors
Exhibitor registration will open in January 2019.
For information about sponsorship packages, or to register your interest in attending the event as a food concession, please email cappleby@westminster.gov.uk. Priority will be given to local traders.
Thank you to our 2018 event sponsors Streathers Solicitors.
See our 2018 line-up
Thank you to all the community and voluntary organisations, performers, caterers and dance companies who joined us at the second #MyWestminster Day on 1st July. Take a look at what went on throughout the day below.
Last updated: 10 August 2018