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

Lord Clyde Pub – outside to stay!

The Lord Clyde Pub is currently being changed to 9 self contained flats (see previous posting). Local residents were concerned that it would be turned into a block of flats. Councillor Bob Sullivan can now put residents concerns to rest, as the outside of the pub will stay and the flats will be built inside.

In an age when we are losing a lot of our old historic buildings to square blocks of flats, it is nice to know that the old Lord Clyde Public House, which has been there for years, will still look the same even though there won’t be any pints pulled there.

Visit to the new Velodrome

Lib Dem Cllr Bob Sullivan visits the new Velodrome

As a member of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Cllr Bob Sullivan visited the Olympic site to see around the new Velodrome and the works going on at the Eton Manor end of the Olympic Park. Eton Manor is situated in Leyton, in fact it is in Leyton Ward. The Velodrome has been finished and looks fantastic. See the picture above to get some idea of the size and the beauty of a banked cycle track. The banking is really steep. So steep you probably would not be able to stand on it without falling off. Seeing racing on TV does not do justice to the steep banking.

Around the Velodrome and the Eton Manor site they are landscaping the area and building other cycle circuits for BMX, road racing and mountain biking. When it is finished it will accommodate areas, not only for experienced cyclists but also for beginners.

Bob says. ‘I can see that this area and the Olympic Park will become, not just a fantastic venue for cyclists, but for people looking for a pleasant open area for children and families. Particularly as it will be right on our doorstep.’

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.  

Waltham Forest Direct (WFD) – Leytonstone

Ward councillors propose WFD shop should become an art gallery!!

The Leytonstone Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team was surprised to learn that the Labour ward councillors are calling for the Leytonstone WFD shop to be turned into an art gallery, and be run by local people.

First they want the Church Lane Car Park to contain a multi facility, which turns out to be another name for an unsupervised kick-about area. This will hardly encourage increased use of the car park, which was the Labour Council’s professed intention.

Now they are saying that the Waltham Forest Direct (WFD) shop, on the corner of Church Lane and Leytonstone High Road, should become an art gallery. Who is going to pay for it? The FOCUS Team trusts that Labour does not intend it to be funded by a council grant, when they are claiming to be so strapped for cash, that they cannot fund it for its original purpose.

The FOCUS Team would like to know what you think?

Cabinet approves Report – Libraries under threat!

The Liberal Democrats were shocked to see that a report on the Library Service was agreed by the Cabinet on 14 June, includes the proposal to close both Harrow Green and South Chingford Libraries.

The report recommended that Leytonstone, Leyton, Walthamstow and North Chingford be designated Library Plus branches – open 7 days a week and offering some additional services that were previously available in the Waltham Forest Direct shops.

While Hale End, Higham Hill, Wood Street and Lea Bridge will become Library Local branches, open for only 30 hours a week.

There will be a 12-week consultation period between June and September. There will be a further report to the cabinet in October, taking into account the consultation results.

Whatever your views we urge you to respond to the consultation so that the Council has the fullest possible picture of the feelings of local residents.

The Council’s consultation can be accessed by loggin on to: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/leisure/libraries/library-review.htm

Church Lane Car Park

A report into car park provision across the borough is to be considered by the Cabinet on 14 June

The Church Lane car park, adjacent to Leytonstone Underground Station is said to be only 43% used, but since there is no suitable on street parking in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), the report recommends that the hours of operation and maximum stay times should be reviewed to encourage maximum usage. It is likely that charges will be reduced.

Games Area in the car park!!

Strangely, the report also recommends that a ‘multi utility’ area be included in the car park. FOCUS was shocked to discover that this is an area for basket ball, football etc. The Leytonstone FOCUS Team believes that such a move would certainly not encourage more drivers to use the car park. In fact, it might have the opposite effect!

Additionally, a similar scheme has already been rejected when it was proposed at the Leytonstone Community Council.

Surely, it would be far better to locate this facility at the Pastures Youth Centre in Davies Lane.

Please let the FOCUS Team know your views.

You can also contact us via this website.

Harrow Green Library closure planned

The Cann Hall Focus Team was shocked to see that a report on the Library Service, due to be presented to the Cabinet on 14 June, includes the proposal to close both Harrow Green and South Chingford Libraries.

The report recommends that Leytonstone, Leyton, Walthamstow and North Chingford be designated Library Plus branches – open 7 days a week and offering some additional services that were previously available in the Waltham Forest Direct shops.

While Hale End, Higham Hill, Wood Street and Lea Bridge will become Library Local branches, open for 30 hours a week.

Providing that this report is agreed by the Cabinet there is expected to be a 12-week consultation period between June and September.

Whatever your views the Focus Team urges you to respond to the consultation to make sure that the Council has the fullest possible picture of the feelings of local residents.

It is understood that a further report, taking into account the consultation, will be submitted to the Cabinet in October.

Make your voice heard!

Abbotts Park – Consultation

The Council has commissioned Kinnear Landscape Architects to develop improvements for Abbotts Park.

There is to be a public consultation in the park on Saturday 25th June between 2 and 5pm.

Council officers and the design team will be there to hear your views on the proposals, which as usual are subject to planning consent and funding.

If you cannot make this meeting, the plans will also be on display in Leyton Library, Leyton High Road, corner of Ruckholt Road on Monday 27th June. A representative from the designers will be present between 4 and 6pm.

This is your opportunity to express your views on this scheme.