Still time to return your census...

Thanks to all of you who have already returned your census. To the few of you who haven't please do so as soon as possible - a fair level of funding for Hackney depends on getting a good response.

Here's a few facts about you, Hackney and the 2011 Census:

• Poor response rates could lose the Council as much as £57m per year in funding for health and Council services alone.
• All information is confidential.
• Everyone, regardless of nationality is required to complete the census.
• If you don't want to be bothered by authorities, the best thing to do is to return the forms immediately - the doorknocking has started.
• If you have not received or lost the form these can be re-ordered easily online or by calling 03000 2011 01.
• All libraries in Hackney are providing census helpdesks throughout their opening hours.

The final day to return your form - either by post or online - is May 6. You can find more information here.

Hoxton Hall to become a Young Hackney Youth Centre - your chance to have your say

As part of the improvements occurring to Hackney's Youth Service, residents are currently being invited to comment on proposals for the development of Hoxton Hall as a Young Hackney youth centre.

The venue can be found on Hoxton Street, and is used by many young people from the south of De Beauvoir.

The development of the space as a flagship venue for youth arts is one phase of Hoxton Hall's larger master plan for refurbishment and will enhance its role a community arts venue.

The Grade II* listed music hall and adjoining arts centre has a long and interesting history having first opened its doors in 1863. However, the last major building works were in 1977 and it is now in need of large scale renewal.

These works, planned to take place between September 2011 and April 2012, will focus on:

• Improving access: New entrance, reception, external signage and lighting, a wheelchair accessible lift and more toilets to increase capacity from 120 to 250
• Better education and youth arts facilities: refurbishment of visual art studio, music rooms, rehearsal rooms, kitchen and cafe

This phase of the of the Hoxton Hall renewal plan is expected to be funded through the MyPlace programme. This programme has already led to a new youth centre in Stoke Newington, which opened in Autumn 2010.

At every stage, young people's views have been at the heart of this programme and the draft plans for Hoxton Hall were drawn up after consultation with young people who use the centre.

If you would like to find out more, you can do by visiting the Young Hackney website. There is an email link on the page so you can submit your comments, and there will be a further opportunity to comment once a formal application is made for planning permission.

This new Young Hackney centre for De Beauvoir, Hoxton and Shoreditch will provide young people with a safe place to go in their spare time and will offer high-quality structured youth activities such as basic life skills, help with homework, media, drama and sport. In addition, young people will be able to access information, guidance and support in areas such as education, training and employment, health, family and relationship matters.

Boating in London during summer 2012

British Waterways, who are responsible for the Grand Union Canal splitting De Beauvoir ward, have begun consultation on how the use of the canals will be managed during the Olympic Games.

Last summer they carried out a survey which showed that significant numbers of boaters may want to bring their boats to London during summer 2012 to enjoy the Games. 

In order to manage this they are presently drawing up proposals that will look to manage this. In doing so they say they are looking to balance the needs of the London-based users and businesses with those boaters from outside the capital who will be looking to take this opportunity to travel to London and enjoy this one off event.

They have assured us that no-one with an existing home mooring in central London will need book a berth - these moorings will continue as normal. However they do envisage the need for some exceptional restrictions and will shortly be advertising visitor moorings on a pre-bookable, paid-for basis. For boaters wishing to continuously cruise through London they say this will give plenty of notice to help plan journeys in 2012, or indeed, book a berth.

If you have any comments or queries about this you can get in touch at – olympicmooringsfeedback@britishwaterways.co.uk, or to British Waterways Olympic Moorings, 1 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London, W2 6TT.

For further updates and details on what is being proposed visit: www.waterscape.com/londonboats2012

And for those who like to enjoy De Beauvoir's canals, don't forget that the Towpath Cafe, found just off Whitmore Road, has now re-opened for the summer!

Improving Hoxton Market - consultation now open

Hackney Mayor and Councillor’s are committed to improving Hackney's markets - both for those who trade there, and those who enjoy them as a place to visit and shop. The Council is currently seeking resident’s views on a range of options for improving Hoxton Market.

The aim of these improvements would be to reinvigorate the market by bringing in new traders and expanding the range of goods on offer, encouraging more shoppers, a vibrant retail mix and good value for customers.

The proposals include:

• Reinvigorated Saturday Market: attract more customers to the market on a Saturday by increasing the number of traders and focussing on fashion as a main feature. 
• New Friday Market: establish a new Friday market focussing on ready to eat food, pedestrianisation of the street and extending the market until 8pm.
• Vintage and antiques: dedicate a section of the market to vintage clothing and antiques on either Fridays or Saturdays. 
• Speciality Markets: host occasional continental, seasonal and specialist markets. 

You can respond by:

• Completing the online survey
• Emailing your views to consultation@hackney.gov.uk , or
• Writing to FREEPOST, LON18819, Consultation Team, London Borough of Hackney, Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA 

The options are laid out in more detail in the consultation documents which can be found here where there are also details of who to contact with any questions.

The consultation closes on May 1st.

Bridport House topping out

Deputy Mayor Karen Alcock recently visited De Beauvoir to 'top out' Bridport House, the first phase of a scheme to regenerate the Colville Estate.

The new block contains 20 new council flats which will be home to 41 residents. The scheme was built after the Council successfully applied for £3.4m of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Bridport House marks the start of a scheme to redevelop the whole of Colville Estate, which is found in south of De Beauvoir directly north east of Shoreditch Park. De Beauvoir Councillor Tom Ebbutt chairs the Estate Regeneration Committee through which the residents work with the Council to move the scheme forward. He joined the Deputy Mayor in Colville residents in 'topping out' the scheme (pictured above).

If you're interested, more deatils of the wider Colville Estate scheme can be found here. The framework planning application has recently been submitted and if successful means that the scheme is able to move forward to the next phase.

There are many people who have been involved in the regeneration so far, but Rob, Gulay and Tom would in particular like to thank all residents of Colville for their hard work in getting the process to where it is today.

If you'd like to know more about the regeneration scheme please do get in touch.

Tomorrow: Roving Surgery on Hobbs Place

From 1 o'clock tomorrow Rob, Gulay and Tom will be out on Hobbs Place estate speaking to residents as part of the monthly roving surgery. Please do get in contact either by email or phone if you'd like us to call on you.

Calling all Gardeners.... rooftop allotment available in Dalston

Dalston-junction based Bootstrap Company are offering rooftop alloments to anyone living or working in Hackney who is keen to get gardening. Bootstraps are offering plots for the whole summer on top of the Printhouse building near Dalston Junction. They will provide grow bags, seedlings seeds and tools, as well as advice and guidance for new gardeners.
If you're keen to apply the closing date for applications is 20 April, and the allotments will be allocated by 1 May.
You can find more information on Bootstrap's website, and also by calling or emailing Zak on 020 7275 0825 or zak@bootstrapcompany.co.uk. He is also the right person to contact if you want to apply.
Dalston Roof Park, where the allotments are located, opens again next month. After last years success, this year it will have a pop-up bar open from 4pm every day, as well as hosting film screenings and music events throughout the summer.
PS - if you're keen on gardening you might also want to take a look at the De Beauvoir Garderners

Two men jailed for 32 years for Agnes Sina-Inakoju murder

Two young men have been found guilty of the murder of Agnes Sina-Inakoju, who died after being shot in a takeaway on Hoxton Street in April last year.
The Old Bailey in central London saw a judge sentence Leon Dunkley, 22, and Mohammed Smoured, 21, to a minimum of 32 years without parole and warn they may never be released. Later Agnes' brother spoke movingly to the BBC about his sister.
 These sentences are a welcome message that should act both as a forceful deterrent and a strong statement that these actions have no place in our community.  
Hackney Council, the Police, and many groups, including many community organisations, continue to work both to prevent gun crime, warn young people of the dangers of becoming involved in gangs, and ensure the widest possible opportunities are available to the young people of Hackney.
If you'd like to speak to us about any issue related to young people in Hackney please do get in touch.