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.

Drapers Field – The Decision!

Drapers Field - to be shut for 2 years

At the Planning Committee meeting this week approval was granted to the ODA to use Drapers Field for 16 months from this September.

In January 2013 Drapers Field will return to the Council. The application included compensation which will be used under a Section 106 agreement to re-provide an upgraded full-size all weather pitch, plus a turfed junior football pitch. There will also be improvements to the Sport England pavilion. Since the Council has decided to carry out the restoration of Drapers Field themselves, it is reported that the Field should be reopened by September 2013.

A Section 111 agreement covers off-site improvements at Marsh Lane and Abbotts Park.

CHURCH LANE CAR PARK

Also, at the last minute, the multi-utility games area (MUGA) in the Church Lane car park was included. The FOCUS Team believes that this facility should not be unsupervised in the middle of the Shopping Centre, and would be better situated on the field next to the Pastures Centre in Davies Lane, a more central locations for residents in 3 wards, Cann Hall, Cathall and Leytonstone.

What do you think?

We would like to hear from you.

Drapers Field – further update!

Council's proposal for Drapers Field

We have manged to get a look at what has been planned for Drapers Field.

The Masterplan (above) shows that the all weather pitch will be re-sited and there is inclusion of some beach volleyball play areas. Maybe the Council is thinking of re-applying for the £100,000 lottery money that it had to return last year when they made arrangements to give the site to the Olympic Authority for warehousing space for the Olympics.

Below is a closer look at the planned beach volleyball area:

The beach volleyball area

For a closer look click on this link to the Masterplan:

Drapers Field – masterplan

Drapers Field – update!

Drapers Field - lost to the community for at least 16 months

The planning application by the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) to use Drapers Fieldis is still to be submitted to Waltham Forest Council’s Planning Committee. News is that it will go to the Planning Committee in August. The information regarding how much compensation that the Council will get, through what is known as section 106 and section 111, has still to be finalised.

The money received will be used to improve Abbotts Park, Marsh Lane and of course Drapers Field.

The good news is that the money allocated to Drapers Field will be to re-instate the all-weather pitch and introduce new landscaping, access, and community sports facilities. This is good news, as previously there was no mention of the all-weather pitch, or sports facilities being replaced, only that Drapers would be turned into a ‘special park’.

Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan reports that other not so good news  is that the ODA want to chop down two mature trees so that they can get access to the field by their lorries. He has followed this up and it is being challenged by council officers in the tree department who feel that access can be achieved without chopping down the trees. Councillor Sullivan will update again when he receives any further news on this.

Is this one of the worst designed buildings in Leyton?

The Council, in partnership with the Waltham Forest Guardian, is running a design awards scheme for 2011. They are looking to recognise and reward quality design.

Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan would like to put forward this building as the worst designed building in Leyton. This is in Ruckholt Road, sandwiched between the iconic Leyton Library and a row of Victorian houses. The design does not relate to any of the nearby architecture, but is just a plain dull block of flats.

Considering its position on a prominent corner, housing the Library and the Old Town Hall, you may wonder how the Council agreed it to be built. Councillor Sullivan can only assume that in their rush to get more flats built, as they have been doing, they allowed this monstrosity to be built without caring about the design and impact on Leyton.

New Plans for 590 – 594 Leyton High Road

Artist impression looking towards Bakers Arms

New plans to develop the corner of Leyton High Road and Hainault Road have been sent to the Council. The picture here shows the artist impression of the last plans that were refused by the Council.

The new plans are for the erection of a 3-5 storey building with an office use on the ground floor, and 23 residential units comprising 4×3 bed houses and 19 flats (8×1 bed, 10×2 bed,and 1×3 bed) with associated parking.

Save Harrow Green Library

Harrow Green Library to be axed by Labour Council
In order to save money, our Labour run Waltham Forest Council is making changes to the library system. Some years ago it was looking to close Leyton Library, but that was saved. Now they are looking to close another one of our local libraries – Harrow Green!

The council admits that, ‘here in the south of the borough, where deprivation is most concentrated, health, education attainment and housing standards are lower, libraries are a focus for communities that enhance people’s quality of life.’ Libraries alleviate the effects of deprivation.

The Harrow Green Library building is home to many local groups and activities, as well as the borrowing of books, access to the Internet and for study and homework. 50% of the borrowers are children.
The Council has set up a 12 week consultation period ending on Friday 9 September.

The Councils consultation documentation can be accessed by log in on to:

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/leisure/libraries/library-review.htm

You can also get a copy of the consultation document at any library.

Please help us to Save Harrow Green Library by signing the petition at:

http://ourcampaign.org.uk/HarrowGreenLibrary

You can also write to Councillor Geraldine Reardon (responsible for libraries) at The Town Hall, Walthamstow E17 6JF

Proud of your front garden – then enter it for an award

Best Kept Front Garden Award competition for the Council’s next Love your Borough Awards (2012) is now open.

If you have a front garden that you are proud of, or know a neighbour who does, then why not enter and have a go at winning.

You can enter your own, or a neighbours, front garden or balcony.

 To apply please send a photo and address of the front garden or balcony you are entering to:
liza.sumpter@walthamforest.gov.uk

or you can apply online at:

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/environment/wipeitout/love-your-borough/lyb-awards/best-kept-front-garden-award.htm

Closing date is 31st July 2011

BROOKS FARM FUNDAY – SUCCESS!

The Mayor selects his optionsThe Brooks Farm Fun-day held last Sunday, was a great success. Over 500 children and families along with Mayor Councillor Geoff Walker, turned up to look round the farm.  

The face-painting, raffle, children’s entertainer and animals along with the weather, made it a fun day for all. All those who turned up had a chance to indicate what they would like the farm to provide. A big thank you must go to year 3 of George Mitchell Primary school who made a brilliant scale model of the farm so that people could place their choices as to what they would like on the farm.  

A small animals area for children was a popular choice along with a picnic area and butterfly garden. There were lots of suggestions, all of which will be taken into account when discussing the future of the farm.  

A process of turning Brooks Farm into a Charitable Trust has begun. If you are interested in being on the trustee board or just interested in supporting the farm, or need more information, then telephone me on 020 8556 8335.