Ive Farm Playing Field left derelict!

Ive Farm Playing Field - a forgotten oasis!  

The playing field at Ive Farm was managed by the SCORE complex in Oliver Road. They went bust and the field is now in the hands of the Council, but they continue to lie derelict. Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan has tried to get the Council to allow the local running club to use the field, but the Council says it does not have any money to make the site safe for use. He will continue to push for the field to be made available to local sports clubs.

Interestingly while there is £5.5 million due from the Olympic Authority for closing down Drapers Field not a penny will go on refurbishing this playing field.

 

 

Council puts children at risk!

A significant number of vulnerable children in Waltham Forest have not been adequately protected and were put at risk of harm due to the Council’s failures. This was revealed after an unannounced inspection by the Government’s Ofsted inspectors.

The report said ‘plans were inadequate, leaving them (the children) at risk of harm’. Warnings were not acted upon and management’s oversight of the problems was poor.

Given the terrible case of ‘Baby P’ in Haringey, the councillor cabinet member for Children’s Services should have been more aware of the deficiencies of the department.

Councillor responsible for Childrens Services is still in the Cabinet!

Lib Dem Cllr.Naheed Qureshi says: The Director and deputy for Children’s Services have left the Council for various reasons. Why is the councillor responsible for Children’s Services still in the Cabinet? Transferring her to Housing does not cover up the fact that her Cabinet position, with pay of £31,000 was to oversee Children’s Services and be responsible for children’s safety. To put children at risk of harm cannot be hidden by putting her in charge of Housing.

Glyn Hopkin development goes to Planning Committee tonight!

The controversial plans to develop the Glyn Hopkin Nissan showroom site at the junction of Ruckholt Road and Oliver Road is to be decided at the Planning Committee this Tuesday 4th October.

The original plans were previously thrown out by the Committee but as expected they have come back with some small amendments which have been accepted by the Planners as they are recommending to the Committee to accept.

 

The Big 6 Launch!

Mahmood Faiz at the Big 6 launch

To celebrate the Games the Council is laying on 6 events across Waltham Forest. The events are:

  • Winter Wonderland – A seasonal experience featuring Santa and his reindeer and a 300 square metre ice rink to test your skating skills

  • New Year’s Fireworks – Two displays in the north and South of the borough

  • Party on the Pitch – A top pop event at Leyton Orient football stadium

  • Modern Symphony – A live concert in Walthamstow

  • 2012 Festival of Sports – A chance to try your hand at a series of sporting challenges

  • Forest Film Fest – A summer weekend of outdoor cinema screenings

Save Harrow Green Library – update!

Harrow Green Library to be axed by Labour Council

The Liberal Democrat petition to ‘Save Harrow Green Library’ of over 1000 signatures, has been handed to the Council. Along with another residents petition, the total signatures comes to over 4000.

These petitions indicate the overwhelming support by residents that they want to keep the Library open.

The Council’s consultation on the review of libraries has come to an end and will be reported to the Cabinet on the 11th of October.

Lib Dem councillors Liz Phillips and Bob Sullivan were members of a Scrutiny Panel that scrutinised the original Cabinet report.

The Panel noted that the Cabinet report left many questions unanswered and while it contained a great deal of information, it was not always the right information. They felt the report did not do a complete job.

The Panel identified 19 recomendations which will be given to the Cabinet in October. If implemented would support the expansive Library and Information Service, whilst negating the closure of any library.

Among the 19 panel recommendations to enable libraries to afford keeping open were:

  • Shelving Sunday opening and all libraries should be closed on Mondays.
  • Opening hours should be reviewed.
  • The charges for the use of libraries to be reviewed.
  • Consider locating staff from rental premises to space currently available in Harrow Green Library.
  • Review salaries and grading of staff and review library contracts e.g. cleaning services.

There were many other recommendations, which hopefully, will give the Cabinet reasons to save the libraries from closure.

Update – Glynn Hopkin Nissan site plans – Ruckholt Road

The Council’s Planning Committee on the 8th October is due to make a decision on the new plans to develop the Glynn Hopkin Nissan car site on the corner of Ruckholt Road and Oliver Road Leyton.

The plans are to erect a 3 to 6 storey development of 1000 square metres of artist studio space, 116 residential units (31 x 1 bed, 54 x 2 bed, 21 x 3 bed and 10 x x4 bed). There will be semi-basement parking for 53 cars.

The original plans for this site were refused by the Council. It will be interesting, if these new plans which have been slightly altered, will be accepted by the Committee.

Save Harrow Green Library – update!

Harrow Green Library - facing the axe!

Thanks to everyone whom has supported the petition to ‘Save Harrow Green Library’. So far, there are over 1,000 signatures with more being received daily. Others too having been collecting signatures.

Petition Closing Soon

The petition is due to be presented to the Mayor in a matter of days. If you would like to show your support please sign our on line petition now at:

http://ourcampaign.org.uk/HarrowGreenLibrary

Thank you

Primrose Road site – derelict for years!

Local residents have been concerned about the unfinished building in Primrose Road, just off of Grange Park Road, that has been left half built for years. Apparently plans were agreed in 2004 but were amended in 2009 for 10 one bed flats. The amended plans were refused in 2009. So it has been left.

The two agents for the scheme are no longer involved and the Council is trying to find out who owns the land. The Council say, that as the Local Planning Authority, there is little that the Council can do.

Councillor Bob Sullivan assumes that when the owner is found the Council could come to some agreement, but another block of 10 one bed flats is not what this area really needs.

 

Could You be a ‘SNOW ANGEL’?

Waltham Forest, like many other Councils is planning for the coming winter and want residents to play a vital role in making sure that the borough can cope in the event of severe weather conditions.

Suitable precautions to deal with snow and ice are being put into place, but the Council is hoping that residents will agree to become “Snow Angels” and help clear their vulnerable neighbours’ drives and pathways of snow and ice.

The Snow Angel scheme was piloted last year amongst Council staff who live in the borough and who volunteered to grit and shovel snow from drives, pathways and pavements to keep the borough moving. This proved to be a huge success so now the Council has decided to roll the scheme out to the residents of Waltham Forest.

Volunteers will be provided with the following free equipment:

 1 x 20kg bag of grit

Hi-visibility jacket

Protective gloves

Snow scoop and shovel

If you are interested in becoming a “Snow Angel” please contact Amanda Karrinton on 0208 496 1296 or email on amanda.karrinton@walthamforest.gov.uk by 31st August 2011 and you will be provided with further information.

Waltham Forest Direct Shops axed – Update!

Leytonstone's Waltham Forest Direct Shop

The Council has announced the closure dates for three of the Waltham Forest Direct shops:

LEYTON – closes tomorrow Friday 12 August

CHINGFORD – closes Friday 26 August

LEYTONSTONE – closes Wednesday 31 August

The remaining branch in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, will be renamed: Customer Service Centre

The Waltham Forest Guardian reports that Unions have concerns that the buildings will remain empty, and be a ‘blight’ on our high streets. It is understood that the Council is working on alternative uses!!

It is surely inconceivable that any incoming tenant should receive financial support from the Council, after they have closed these shops to save money.