19/07/2026
There is increasing preasure from residents to close access to Millbank Moat as a small group of resident with disruptive behaviour and drug abuse - culminating this week in a bloody fight - are causing alarm and distress with neighbours and passers-by. A whole group of residents and loosely associated community projects - have disassociated themselves from the Community Garden some of them building the gardening project since 2026. They have left the space - some following police advice- as worries about compromised health & safety. This has been building up for a couple of years where redlines are crossed with some of the ASB spilling out into other Courtyards and increasingly affecting MEMO staff. In fact a whole section of volunteer kept flower planting in another Courtyard is now cleared up because of constant interference by „unknowns“. But calls for Landlord WCC support had no effect and responsibility is deflected or laid at the feet of those having called for needed support. Over the past years a whole false accusations string was woven into a narrative - pushed by the disruptors - and took hold with WCC even gained the support of a local Councillor. It has become a figment covering up systemic failings leading to the now untenable situation. Tenancy/lease breaches are framed as the Moat Garden Problem when in fact ASB, publicly documented mental Health and intoxication issues are the known fundamentals. The MEMO board and senior estate staff have raised heightened concerns over the developing situation for 2 years on WCC directors level - to no effect. Responding now to a buildup of concerns raised by residents, neighbourhood organisations and affected MEMO staff, the board is now requesting an urgent top level meeting with Westminster Council to agree on an action plan and expedient ex*****on.
