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AI Tools are assisting local planning objectors.

Instead of the playing field being far from level, and in reality near vertical, this helps tilt it a few degrees towards residents' favour?Generative AI tools are increasingly being used by local residents to help compile objections to planning applications. These tools can scan planning documents, identify potential breaches of policy, and generate objection letters, speeches and even videos for presentation at planning committees.Platforms users “policy-backed objections in minutes” for a fee. They are designed to help people navigate complex planning rules and make their voices heard without relying on professional legal support. According to the Guardian, some community campaigners have also encouraged the use of tools like ChatGPT to draft objection letters, describing it as “like having a planning solicitor at your fingertips.” Proponents argue that this technology makes the system fairer and more accessible to those without specialist expertise.However, experts have warned of potential risks. Some AI-generated objections have reportedly included references to case law and appeal decisions that do not exist - a result of so-called “hallucinations” in large language models. Planning lawyers caution that inaccuracies could lead to confusion or decisions being made on incorrect information.Guardian Article - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/09/ai-powered-nimbyism-could-grind-uk-planning-system-to-a-halt-experts-warn

Rosco White ● 58d0 Comments ● 58d

Acton Community Fund is open - 80k available for local projects

Acton residents, community groups and charities — it's time to act!The Acton Community Fund—backed by £80,000—is officially open for applications!  The Acton Town Team (made up of 16 enthusiastic local people and local Cllrs!) wants to fund your projects, big or small, projects that create a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming town.As Town Team spokesperson Paul Mulcahy said: "Local people are best placed to identify the most effective ways to make a genuine difference in their own neighbourhoods."We are funding ideas that tackle:- Litter and waste reduction- Improving green spaces- Tackling fly-tipping and graffiti- Community clean-up events- Building community pride in our environmentThere are two types of grantsSmall Grants: From £150 to £1,500 for localised neighbourhood schemes.Larger Grants: Up to £15,000 for more ambitious, wider-impact projects.🚨 DEADLINE: Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm. 🚨Need Help or Inspiration?We're here to support you!Online Info Sessions (via Teams): Join the Town Team for a quick 15-minute presentation on how to apply:Tuesday - 11th November 2025 at 6.00pmMeeting ID: 932 337 891 992 1 Passcode: JF3gQ2 Tuesday - 11th November 2025 at 7.00pmMeeting ID: 939 256 841 022 2 Passcode: xx6p3V Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 6.00pmMeeting ID: 935 150 483 116 1 Passcode: Wc94CV Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 7.00pm Meeting ID: 935 657 831 562 2 Passcode: WW9R4D Drop-in Support: Get face-to-face help with EHCVS at Acton Library every Thursday between 10 am and 1:00 pm.Chat with the Town Team: Contact Paul Mulcahy for an informal chat: mulcahyp123@mail.comAPPLY NOW and turn your idea into action! ➡️ https://dosomethinggood.ealing.gov.uk/.../actons.../

Zahra Shah ● 64d0 Comments ● 64d

Small Electrical Donation points Acton

Action West London are STILL continuing to collect to your old electrical items gathering dust? 💡 Please don't throw them away! We need your donations of small, unwanted but fixable electrical items for our Electrical Fixing Training programme.Your last donations were used to train unemployed individuals in our community with new repair skills, helping them get back into work. The revived items where then donated to those in the community who need them most.We need donations of small electrical items that are unwanted but fixable! Kettles, toasters and other small items make good practice for our workshop attendees.Items collected are be used in a ‘FREE repair workshop’ for unemployed people wanting to gain ‘Electrical Fixing skills’. The workshop is being run by Action West London & West London Waste Authority. Any revived items will then be donated back to those in the community, who need them the most, via local charities.Please note: We cannot accept the following items for donation and repair• Phones/tablets, Laptop screens• Large battery packs, for example e-bikes, scooters, hoverboards• Microwaves • Power tools or high-wattage electricals• Televisions , Monitors , Printers • Large white goods e.g. fridges/washing machines/dryers Donated items should be placed in the donation bins • In a bag or large enveloped along with any chargers or cables for them• They should include a note that states what is wrong so the fixers can understand what the issues are. Donation points can be found at:Action West London OfficesUnit 9 Morris House, Swainson Road, W3 7UP - Tuesdays from 11am to 2pmAct One Cinema Uxbridge Road,W3 6NA - Daily from 11.30am to 10pmActon Market Kings Street, W3 9NW - Fri & Sat from 10am to 4pm https://actionwestlondon.org.uk/2025/09/help-us-fix-up-our-community-%f0%9f%9b%a0%ef%b8%8f/

Zahra Shah ● 81d1 Comments ● 79d

Small electrical donations box stolen from its collection point

We are deeply sad to share disappointing news regarding our community initiative.This morning our small electricals donation box was stolen from its location at Acton Market. This box was crucial for collecting necessary broken or unwanted items to be used in our free electrical repair workshop next week — A programme designed to provide FREE vocational training and skills development for local unemployed individuals.This theft has left us with a significant shortfall in the items required to successfully run our upcoming repair workshop.We Need Your Help to Replenish SuppliesWe urgently request assistance from the community to help us replenish our supplies. If you have any spare small electrical items—functional or broken—such as kettles, toasters, lamps, hair dryers, blenders, or similar household devices, your donation would be invaluable.These items are essential for enabling us to deliver the full training curriculum and continue our work in promoting valuable repair skills while reducing local electronic waste.New Donation Drop-Off PointsTo ensure the continuity of donations, we are replacing the stolen collection box at Acton Market immediately. You can drop off items at the following locations this week:Acton Market: Tomorrow and Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.Acton Cinema: During their regular opening times.Acton West London Offices: This Tuesday, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.If you are a local business and can host a donation box for us please email us at market@actionwestlondon.org.ukWe appreciate your continued support in helping us maintain this important community resource that help others in the community.

Zahra Shah ● 100d5 Comments ● 81d

Ealing Council ‘well-led’ according to expert review  😁

Ealing Council ‘well-led’ according to expert reviewNews - 28 August 2025A new report from a team of independent senior local government figures has concluded that Ealing Council is ‘well-led’ and ‘moving in the right direction’. The Local Government Association (LGA) recently sent a delegation of experienced council leaders  and senior council officers to conduct a comprehensive review of Ealing Council’s finance, performance and governance. The team spent 4 days at the council providing ‘robust, strategic and credible’ challenge to the council’s senior management as part of a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), providing a ‘critical friend’ assessment.   In their final report, the team notes that: Ealing Council is well-led and demonstrates ‘effective and collaborative political and managerial leadership,’ noting that both council leader Peter Mason and the council’s chief executive, Tony Clements, are ‘widely respected’ the council has ‘achieved much under the current political and managerial leadership’ and is moving forward in the right direction with a ‘strong and purposeful vision for change’ the council is focused on improving outcomes for its residents across the 7 towns, and the peer review team observed clear evidence of a ‘transformative drive within the council’ to establish the foundations to achieve this vision  in particular, it’s been a ‘significant achievement’ to move children’s services in the borough from ‘Requires Improvement’ before May 2024, to ‘Good’ today. The report also highlighted the borough’s success as:one of the top 3 performing councils for recycling in Londonbeing rated among best performing councils in London for dealing with planning applicationsPrioritiesThe council has 9 ‘resident-focussed priorities’ and 3 cross-cutting objectives around climate, equalities, and jobs. The peer team noted there is a ‘robust’ performance management framework in place to help deliver the plan. In addition, the council’s new Connected Communities vision – putting residents lived experiences at the heart of decision-making – has the potential to ‘radically transform outcomes’ for the residents of Ealing and the way the council operates.Council leader Peter Mason said: “When I became leader, we set out to become the kind of open, transparent and inclusive council I knew the residents of Ealing wanted us to be. I’m incredibly proud that the improvements we have secured have been recognised by the LGA in their thorough and independent review. “We continue to be relentlessly focused on getting the basics right, holding ourselves to the standards that our residents expect from us, and being ruthlessly efficient in getting the best value for taxpayers’ money. We know we still have more to do, as we always will.”He added: “This is the heart of our new approach to building stronger communities, full of pride, identity and purpose. Ensuring everyone gets to benefit from the growing prosperity in our seven towns. Delivering on our promise to give people power and control over the future of their neighbourhoods.”Read the full report on the council’s website.https://www.aroundealing.com/news/ealing-council-well-led-according-to-expert-review/Forum Home

Rosco White ● 135d4 Comments ● 127d