Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Macklin has told fellow Cabinet members that money is available to pay for a proposed Walthamstow Arcade redevelopment project - and urged Labour members to scrap plans that could see the sale of the Walthamstow Pool and Track facility.

Cllr Macklin, who was presenting an update on the Council’s capital spending programme  as the cabinet member for Finance, told councillors that money to pay for redevelopment of the Arcade is already contained within Council expenditure plans.

Liberal Democrats previously voted against Labour cabinet members who forced through a report recommending the sale of “land at the Pool and Track site or alternative assets…that have not yet been identified”.  This was a climbdown from an original draft of the report that explicitly cited “the Pool and Track site” for disposal. 

In trying to defend the proposals, though, Labour Leader Chris Robbins apparently confirmed that at least part of the Pool and Track facility would eventually be closed.  Labour cabinet member responsible for Sport, Geraldine Reardon, told councillors that there was “no confusion”. 

Cllr Robbins again attempted to distance himself from the threat to the Pool and Track at the cabinet meeting, claiming that “there never was a link between the pool and the property on the Arcade. 

However, the relevant report outlining the threat has now been cited by the Waltham Forest Guardian here.

Cllr Macklin believes that the report on Council expenditure will allow Labour members to drop their threat to the Pool and Track site.

The Lib Dem Leader said:

“The report confirms that money would already be in place to pay for any redevelopment of the Walthamstow Arcade site.

“In plain financial terms, it seems to make absolutely no sense to constantly be looking to sell Council land and property at the bottom of the market.  First it was the plan to sell the former St James St library building and now the proposal to sell at least part of the Pool and Track.

“But on a practical level, we don’t believe that a leisure pool on the Arcade site will act as an appropriate replacement. 

“From the continuing discussions we are having with those who use the facility, we have enormous concerns about what splitting up the Pool and Track facility would mean for the future of the borough’s only athletics track.  We also don’t believe that the Arcade site has anywhere near enough accessibility or parking for the schools and competitors who travel to use the Pool and Track. 

“The Liberal Democrats believe that the Pool and Track facility in Walthamstow needs investment, not demolition.”

Labour Report No 1:            

Pool and Track site to be sold to fund leisure  centre at Arcade site.

Labour Report No 2  (Just days later…)

Now land at Pool and Track or  other “unidentified assets” to be sold

Labour Leader says:   

Pool will be closed but not track

Labour councillor responsible for sport says:                                  

We never suggested the track would close

…and that:  

“There is no confusion”.

* * * * *

Users of local sports facilities have been left anxious about the future of the Pool and Track in Walthamstow after Labour Leader Chris Robbins appeared to confirm that at least part of the facility will be shut down.

Liberal Democrat councillors are fighting Labour plans to rescue the Arcade site development by borrowing millions of pounds and selling off land and council assets. 

Labour’s proposals — which were published on the Council website - involved the “disposal of the Pool and Track site for a replacement facility with the Arcade development”, including a Leisure Centre “to replace the current indoor facilities at the Pool and Track”.

However after protests from Liberal Democrat councillors and residents, definitive references to the sale of the Pool and Track were quickly removed from the final Cabinet report, with mention only being made of the sale of “either land at the Pool and Track site or alternative assets to the same value that have not yet been identified”.  Labour councillors forced through the report despite Liberal Democrat opposition in the Cabinet meeting.

Hopes for the future of the Pool and Track seem, however, to have been dashed after comments from Labour Leader Chris Robbins suggested that at least part of the facility will still be closed.

In trying to quell public protests at the handling of the closure, Cllr Robbins confirmed to the local press that the pool will be closed once a “replacement” leisure facility has been built.  This would seem to leave the borough’s athletics track as a stand-alone facility.

Lib Dem Cllr Bob Carey, a member of the affected Chapel End ward, has now raised the issue with Cllr Geraldine Reardon, the Labour councillor responsible for sport in the borough, at a Full Council meeting.  He sought clarification over the future of the pool facility, investment in the track and raised resident concerns about accessibility to a pool facility at the Arcade.

Cllr Reardon told councillors that there was “no confusion” over the future of the facility, but refused to confirm the Labour leader’s comment that the pool would be closed once a replacement was built, claiming that no decision had been made.

Local Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to seek answers over Labour’s handling of our Pool and Track.

High St councillor James O’Rourke has been speaking to the local press about a ban on traffic along Walthamstow High Street.

An ‘experimental traffic order’ was introduced by the Walthamstow Town Centre Task Group — a group set up by the high St Liberal Democrats - in August which stops unauthorised vehicles using the High Street in a bid to improve safety for pedestrians.

New signage and barriers have been put up to further enforce the order, which only allows vehicles loading and unloading to market stalls and shops along the High Street.  Street cleaning vehicles are also able to use the High Street to clean the area after the market has been held.

Speaking to Martyn Dalton of the local Yellow Advertiser, Cllr James O’Rourke welcomed the latest additions to the High Street.

Cllr O’Rourke said:

“The experimental traffic order clearly demonstrates that we have listened, engaged and acted with residents, visitors and traders who have asked us to make the High Street a safer environment.

“Unfortunately it was very difficult to enforce the order as there wasn’t proper signage, but now motorists and pedestrians can see that the order is in full operation.”

Cllr O’Rourke has told local people that his long-term aim for the area is to see an enforceable pedestrian zone introduced in the High Street in order to protect residents and shoppers.

A full investigation into what action the Council took to prevent increased flights over the borough will take place — thanks to ongoing pressure from your local Liberal Democrats.

A motion moved by Forest ward councillor (and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead) Farooq Qureshi means that the Chief executive of Waltham Forest Council will now investigate the expansion of neighbouring London City Airport and ask what consultation exercises took place regarding the impact on local residents. 

Read the full report on the Council motion from the Waltham Forest Guardian here.

The local Guardian has praised the Liberal Democrat campaign, commenting that the “Lib Dem move should ensure answers” over the expansion of City Airport and increased flights over the borough.  Liberal Democrat councillors have been working with ‘Fight the Flights’ campaigners to raise the profile of the issue.

The local Waltham Forest Guardian is reporting that Labour councillors tried unsuccessfully “to force the sale of the fomer St James St library building on to a Cabinet agenda”.

The Guardian reports that the attempt to push through the sale of the former St James St library building was stopped when Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Macklin refused the request and withdrew the report from the agenda.  The move came at the same Cabinet meeting as the controversial decision to go ahead with plans for an Arcade site development which raises doubts over the future of the Pool and Track facility.

Click here to see what the local press are reporting.

The local press are reporting resident reaction to Liberal Democrat opposition to Labour plans that cast doubt over the future of the Walthamstow Pool and athletics track.  Click here to see the full coverage!

The plans being pushed through by Labour councillors will see millions of pounds borrowed to fund a leisure pool on the Arcade site in Walthamstow.  £10 million will be raised through the sale of land at the Pool and Track site or another site that has not been named. 

Local users of sports facilities are already voicing their own opposition to the proposals.

Your local Lib Dems want to know:
· What do the plans mean for the future of our competition pool and the borough’s only athletics track in the run-up to the Olympics?
· Why do Labour refuse to allow a full financial check of the plans to borrow millions of pounds to fund their plan?
· Why haven’t local people been asked whether they want a leisure pool at the Arcade site?

Explaining the opposition to Labour’s plans, local Liberal Democrat leader John Macklin said:

“These latest plans will have a serious impact right across the area, affecting the future of our sports facilities and maybe even the planning application for the former EMD cinema.

“Creating such uncertainty for local sports users is completely unacceptable for an Olympic borough”.

Liberal Democrat Hale End and Highams Park councillors have moved to set the record straight after the defferal of Tesco’s planning application to build in the area.

And despite claims of a ‘victory’ for residents, the local Lib Dem team fear that the decision may actually lead to councillors - and residents - losing control over the outcome of the Tesco proposal.

The application was deferred after committee members voted by 5-4 to ask for more information on the proposal.  No councillor voted outright for or against the plans.

In their latest Focus leaflet, the Hale and Higham team - Jane Morgan, Sheila Smith-Pryor and Nick Bason - say:

“This deferral actually means that the decision on the planning application may be taken away from Waltham Forest Planning Committee. Tesco have the right to appeal on the grounds of ‘non-determination’, which means the council have not made a decision on the application in a timely fashion. The application could now be decided by another body unconnected with Waltham Forest.

“The Planning Committee did not get a chance to discuss resident concerns on the impact of the Tesco application on traffic congestion in Highams Park and access to education and healthcare in the area.

“We are also very concerned that the decision may now be taken out of the local council’s hands.”

See the latest issue of Focus (below) for the full story:

Liberal Democrat councillors have voted against controversial plans that local sports groups fear could spell the beginning of the end for the Pool and Track facility in Walthamstow.

And despite reccomendations from the Council’s own Scrutiny committee that the plans should be delayed whilst a financial appraisal of the proposals be carried out, Labour councillors voted to ignore the reccomendations and approve the Cabinet Report.

Local Lib Dem Leader Cllr John Macklin led the opposition at the meeting, calling the proposals “an inappropriate report brought forward at an inappropriate time”. 

The report voted through by Labour councillors last night outlines plans to fund part of a proposed leisure pool on the Arcade site through the “disposal of either land at the Pool and Track site or alternative assets to the same value that have not yet been identified”.  The sentence replaced an earlier proposal, which was removed, which clearly reccomended that the planned pool at the Arcade would replace the indoor facilities at the Pool and Track.  The lack of clarity over the future of the track is compounded by the fact that proposals for its surrounding land - behind the Town Hall - are not due to be presented until early next year.

User groups of the Pool and Track - who were present at the meeting - joined the Liberal Democrats in expressing concern about the future of the facility. 

Click here to read the Waltham Forest Guardian’s report on the controversy at the Cabinet meeting.

Councillors last night voted to delay their decision on whether to allow a major new development in the Hale End and Highams Park ward.

The planning application by Tesco includes a supermarket, housing and car parking.  With all three Liberal Democrat ward councillors in attendance at a packed Town Hall meeting, Cllr Jane Morgan (pictured left with Nick Bason) spoke on behalf of local residents, detailing the many letters and emails the local Lib Dem team had recieved on the issue and detailing resident concerns about the development.

Adressing the planning committee, Cllr Morgan said:

“We’ve had many communciations from those who do not neccesarily object to the idea of a Tesco, but who have expressed concerns about the scale of this particular application.

“Any scheme of this nature will produce costs as well as benefits.  The proposal aims to create houses and jobs, and they are needed in our area.  Investment in the Highams Park economy is also needed.

“But do these possible benefits outweight the costs of the current scheme?  many of our residents our concerned that the current scale of the development means they do not.”

The planning application will now come back before councillors at a later date. 

See the full text of Cllr Morgan’s speech to the committee below:

Local Liberal Democrats have confirmed their opposition to plans to close the Pool and Track in order to fund the long-awaited Arcade development before a consultation on the area has been completed.

A new report, which will go to Cabinet on the 15th September, asks senior councillors to agree to authorise officers to find a developer for a “mixed use scheme” on the vacant Arcade site, using £10million from the disposal of the Pool and Track, plus an option of Council borrowing, for a replacement facility on the site at the top of Walthamstow High Street.

And despite forcing last-minute changes to the report - which had already been published for consideration by the Council’s Scrutiny panel - Local Lib Dem Leader Cllr John Macklin has again expressed his concerns that the plans for the Arcade site will have serious knock on effects for a series of redevelopment projects in the area that are not sufficiently covered in the plans.

In March this year Liberal Democrat cabinet members voted against an earlier report laying the groundwork for the plan, with Cllr Macklin telling a cabinet meeting that the Council had  “a history of knocking things down and leaving them derelict and I am worried about swapping one piece of derelict land in Walthamstow for another near the town hall”.

Outlining his concerns, Cllr Macklin claimed that the report would have serious knock-on effects both for the future of the Pool and Track facility and the planning application recently submitted for development of the former EMD cinema.  Cllr Macklin added that, despite last-ditch efforts within the Town Hall to urge Labour cabinet members to postpone the plans, the report will go forward.

Cllr Macklin said:

“I just cannot see the logic in bringing these proposals forward at this time.

“The report regarding the future of the Pool and Track site has not even been completed and an outstanding planning application for the former EMD is yet to be heard.  The approval we are being asked to give in this report will obviously have massive implications for both these developments.

“First and foremost, as a Chapel End ward councillor I am really unhappy with the lack of clear proposals for the area behind the Town hall, including the Pool and Track, the allotments and the playing fields.

“It seems obvious to me that any decision to shut any of the Pool and Track facilities as part of the Arcade development should only be taken when we know what alternatives are being proposed for the Pool and Track site.  I have already met with allotment holders and other site users who are really worried about development on the site. 

“What effects will the closure of the leisure centre have on the athletics track?  The plans for that area currently laid out in the report seem almost laughably vague”.

The report suggests that the land “could become more fully utilised and provide an important resource for residents, and provide a wide range of facilities”.  It also claims that the decision whether to agree to the funding of a leisure centre on the Arcade may be influential to the likelihood of a new cinema being built on the site, a proposal that could have an impact on the outstanding planning application to renovate the former EMD cinema.

Cllr Macklin added:

“I would love to be reassured that the pieces of these various development plans fit together, and that this report isn’t simply part of a financial gamble to get a development of any sort built on the Arcade site, but that is increasingly what this looks like.  The goalposts appear to keep shifting and the reassurances we have repeatedly asked for have not been forthcoming.

“The development of these various sites needs to be part of a clear overall plan for our area, not simply piecemeal building projects that give the impression that the Council is simply chasing its own tail.”

What do you think of the plans to close the Pool and Track?  Do you think the Arcade proposals will have an impact on the EMD planning application?

Below is the original report published on the Council website.  Let us know your views!

Local Liberal Democrats are urging the owners of the Walthamstow Stadium site to meet with campaigners who want to bring greyhound racing back to the venue.

Plans being drawn up by a group led by local ‘Save Our Stow’ campaigners set out how they believe the site could be used to accommodate the development of housing whilst retaining the dog track and leisure facilities on the site — and a resident petition is being collected backing the reopening of the site as a greyhound racing venue.

After expressing his interest in the plans last year, local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin has met again with campaigners to hear about their alternative proposals for the future of the site, and their concern at a perceived lack of response from site owners London and Quadrant Housing (L&Q).

Cllr Macklin (pictured above with save Our Stow campaigner Rick Holloway) said:

“I’ve been very impressed with the plans suggested by the Save Our Stow group.

“They are looking at a way in which the stadium could be retained and updated to provide a modern greyhound-racing venue whilst using part of the land around the site for development in order to provide some of the housing that it is now earmarked for.  As such they are in line with the trend for mixed leisure and housing developments used at many modern sports venues.

“Obviously an awful lot of goodwill and ambition would be needed to bring such a project into fruition.  But the Lib Dems demonstrated through our assistance in bringing local post offices back into use that when we work with residents who come up with ambitious and innovative proposals for our area, we can produce results.

“What concerns me is that campaigners have the impression that they are being ignored by L&Q and that any alternative proposals which could lead to the stadium being retained are being rejected out of hand.

“I will be meeting with L&Q to discuss their plans for the site and to urge them to meet with campaigners.”

Cllr Macklin also expressed his concern that the closure of the track was symbolic of a wider trend concerning the boroughs leisure facilities and heritage sites.

He added:

“The stadium is an iconic venue and gives Waltham Forest something that distinguishes us from other London boroughs.  We should be prepared to listen to those who have viable plans to modernise and reopen the site.”

In response to residents’ concerns Labour Cabinet members have suggested that proceeds from selling the former St James Street Library will be used to house the Drugs Action Team in another building.

Cllrs Ali and Robbins told High Street residents that they do not wish to raise expectations by meeting them as it is still their intention to sell the former library because they need to raise funds to find an appropriate property for the drug centre.

Lib Dem High St councillor James O’Rourke said:

“Cllrs Ali and Robbins seem to be suggesting that the proceeds from the sale of this building, which has had no previous link to a drug service, will be ringfenced to provide a drugs service. What has happened to the £350,000 PCT monies?”

“My understanding of selling council owned property is that the proceeds from a sale go into the corporate pot. The capital bidding process then allocates funds to projects from the known available receipts. I am not aware of such a capital bid. Cllrs Ali and Robbins’ assertions that proceeds will be ringfenced shows their total ignoranance of the Councils policies and a total disregard for High Street residents.”

High Street Lib Dems have called on the Councils Chief Executive to do all in his power to protect the 107 listed buildings in Waltham Forest and in particular the Grade II listed former Granada cinema after reports, over the weekend, of yet more of the structure falling off.High St councillor James O’Rourke said:

“I have asked the Chief Executive to seriously consider invoking his powers under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to issue either an Urgent Works or Repair Notice to protect this historic building and passer-bys from being seriously injured.”

“Clearly, this buildings integrity is a major concern after a Health and Safety Prohibition Notice was issued, a couple of weeks ago, preventing anyone from entering the premises unless they are wearing full Personal Protective Equipment to protect them from exposure to asbestos. Whatever the future of this building may be its heritage needs to be protected.”

Last summer officials in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport drew up a Heritage Protection Bill to change how we list historic buildings and how we protect our heritage.

However, despite there being a very thin legislative programme last year, the Bill did not make it into the Queen’s Speech. Now Gordon Brown has listed his proposed bills for this year’s address by Her Majesty, and guess what? It is still not there.

“It seems Labour both nationally and locally are not particularly interested in the heritage of this country” added Cllr O’Rourke.

Lib Dem councillors for Hale End and Highams Park, Jane Morgan and Nick Bason, have met with council officers and Tesco themselves to gain clarity for residents on the latest Tesco planning application.

The application has been altered recently and some information circulating is now out of date.  The local Lib Dems team want residents to have the full facts about the development. As of 23 July 2009, the application contains the following features:

Tesco store

• The building itself would be 4 stories high, with a car park on the ground floor. The car park would allow people to park and shop around Highams Park for a limited time without having to use the Tesco store itself.
• It would employ 320 people. Many of these are expected to be recruited from the local area.
• If the application were to be successful, it would take around 2 years to build - so if this current application were to be successful, the store would not open until 2012.
• Tesco propose the new store would be open 24 hours a day during the week.
• The store would be a “green” store, emitting 50% less CO2 compared to an equivalent store in 2006.

Other industrial units

• The site will have some other industrial units, such as a cafe and a Primary Care Trust Polyclinic.

Housing development

• The current application includes 253 houses and flats. This is a mixture of private development and affordable housing.
• The separation distance between the proposed new terrace housing and the houses on Selwyn Avenue is a standard 30 meters. The garden depths on both the proposed terrace and Selwyn Avenue vary so each one will be slightly different.
• The design of the residential development is brick-clad, and features a ‘William Morris’ style external brick-work design.
• There will be a Streetcar facility in the residential zone, with two cars available for hire.

Trees

• Some existing trees will be kept, including the Limes on Larkshall Road. Some others will be moved (the Mulberry Tree).
• In total there will be an increase in the number of trees on the development.

Next steps

The application has been submitted and is expected to go to Planning Committee in September.

The local Lib Dem Focus Team (left) know there is a lot of interest in the development from Hale and Higham residents, as it is a long-running issue.

Cllr Nick Bason said:

“What we need is for residents to have facts, not myths. Some residents tell us they are in favour of the scheme, some are against it.

“As Lib Dem councillors we want to ensure that whatever ends up on the site, the result invigorates the local economy and provides jobs and services for people in Hale End and Highams Park.

“The final decision will be taken by Planning Committee and we would encourage any residents with strong views to get in touch with us or the Planning department at Waltham Forest.”

Residents can contact the Focus Team via Cllr Nick Bason’s website, or can go straight to the Planning department at Waltham Forest.

Hale End councillor Nick Bason has updated residents on the latest news regarding the proposed Tesco development in Highams Park.

Nick notes a number of conflicting reports about the proposals.

Nick continues:

“The issue was raised again at the South Chingford Community Council meeting on Monday 13 July.

“Your Lib Dem councillors have been in frequent contact with planning officers on the proposals. The situation as of Wednesday 15 July is this:

• The planning application will NOT go to Planning Committee in July, as reported in the press. It is tentatively scheduled in to go to Planning Committee in September.
• A number of different aspects of the plan are still being discussed. Images of the associated housing development on the site circulated in late June are out of date. The design is still being finalised.
• Issues about local traffic are also still being discussed with officers.

“Your Lib Dem Focus Team will keep you updated on the proposals. Views at the South Chingford Community Council among residents remains mixed - some in favour, some not. The decision of Planning Committee will be solely on the application submitted, not on previous applications.”

Nick Bason, Sheila Smith-Pryor and Jane Morgan - the Hale and Higham councillor team -  would be happy to hear your views on the development - you can submit them via Cllr Bason’s website.

Liberal Democrat councillors recently attended a rally in support of efforts to reopen the former Walthamstow Stadium as a greyhound racing venue.

Liberal Democrat councillors have previously spoken out in support of efforts by resident groups to purchase the site and restore it to its former use.  Cllr John Macklin, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Waltham Forest Council issued a statement of support in November last year after meeting with campaigners in which he told residents he was “fully in support of their efforts to keep the Stadium as both a greyhound racing track and a sport and leisure venue” adding that the stadium was an “iconic London venue and, perhaps more importantly, an enormously valuable part of Waltham Forest’s evening economy.”

He added:

“The success of our leisure venues is an integral part of building a sustainable community in Waltham Forest and ensuring that we are attractive to both our residents and visitors.

“There is no long-term sustainability in forcing residents out of the borough to spend their leisure time.”

Cllr Macklin was one of the lead speakers at the rally, and expressed his concerns that the closure of ‘The Stow’ was representative of a greater decline in leisure and clute activites within the borough, and arranged to work with local MP Neil Gerrard to further efforts to reopen the facility.

READ MORE ON THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS WORK WITH SAVE OUR STOW CAMPAIGNERS HERE.

Councillors James O’Rourke and Johar Khan have welcomed the dramatic eleventh hour Labour u-turn after new Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Robbins, announced that the former St James Street Library building will not become a drug treatment centre  following pressure from local residents and the High Street Focus Team.

Only a few weeks ago, Cllr Robbins, said that the centre (DAT) would be a “wonderful addition” to the area.

But in an apparent ‘fit of spite’ Cllr Robbin’s also announced that the building is to be sold off in a matter of weeks. Upon hearing this Cllrs O’Rourke and Khan contacted the cabinet member responsible for Property & Asset management, Lib Dem Leader, Cllr John Macklin who said:

“Cllr Robbins’ announcement is news to me particularly as we are in the middle of a comprehensive review of all the properties the Council owns. No Council property I’m responsible for will be sold until the review is complete.”

Cllrs O’Rourke and Khan thanked Cllr Macklin for his continued commitment and support for the former library to be used for the benefit of the wider community in the St James Street and Coppermill Lane areas.

The Liberal Democrat Chapel End council team have published an open letter to residents in response to concern at proposals for development of the green spacee area behind the Town Hall.

In the letter, local councillors Bob Belam, Bob Carey and John Macklin express their concern at any development of the Chestnut Fields site, before setting out their firm opposition to any development of the allotment sites.

Noting their meetings with residents and local groups, the letter highlights concerns about the increased traffic development would bring to the area before suggesting that much better resident consultation and information is needed from the responsible portfolio holder.

The full text of the letter follows:

* * * * *

As the Liberal Democrat councillors for Chapel End, we want to respond to those residents who have expressed their concern regarding proposed development plans for the area behind the Town Hall in our ward. There has been a lot of activity recently regarding proposals for large-scale redevelopment of the area, with the inclusion of housing and a new school being mooted.  The site is also earmarked for a ‘Healthy Living Hub’ - a very worthy proposal, no doubt, but one so vague in its title that it is always likely to arouse huge concern.

We want residents to know that we share their enormous concern regarding any loss of green space in our local area.  We have already made sure senior Council officers are aware of our feelings on this and have also met with allotment holders, both to try to keep them informed and to assure them that we are completely opposed to any development of the allotment site.

We also believe that current transport infrastructure, including the Billet roundabout, would be unable to cope with the obvious increase in traffic that such proposed development would bring to the area. This issue needs much greater consideration.

What fuels our concern is the lack of clarity in these wide-ranging plans.  Part of the Lib Dems opposition to the most recent Arcade site plans is rooted in the fact that the report seems to be approving development in our ward by stealth, with a particularly big impact on the future of the Pool and Track.

Chapel End residents quite rightly want much clearer information on any redevelopment plans in order to ensure that these important decisions are not simply made behind closed doors as part of a larger development plan for Walthamstow.

Cllr Bob Belam, Cllr Bob Carey and Cllr John Macklin
Liberal Democrat councillors for Chapel End ward

* * * * *

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have met for a second time with the UK’s largest independent cinema operators to discuss the historic former EMD building in Walthamstow  – on the same day that the Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration appeared to dash resident’s hopes that the venue would ever be restored as a cinema.

Lyn Goleby, Managing Director of City Screen – the owner of Stratford’s popular Picture House cinema - met at Waltham Forest Town Hall with the borough’s Chief Executive Andrew Kilburn, Liberal Democrat group Leader John Macklin and High St councillor James O’Rourke to discuss previous Council-commissioned reports which made the business case for a 5-screen cinema on the EMD site.

The building is owned by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), but recent comments from the UCKG have seemed to suggest that the Church would consider moving if an offer was made for the building. 

Cllr O’Rourke said that the meeting with City Screen had been organised in order to ensure all parties could “hear another perspective” on claims that the site was not viable as a cinema.

However, just hours later Council portfolio holder Terry Wheeler appeared to strongly rule out any future for the building as a cinema.  (Click here to read the Waltham Forest Guardian’s report on Cllr Wheeler’s comments)

Local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin, who was in attendance at the meeting with City Screen, said:

“I have met with UCKG representatives and very much welcome the efforts they have made to begin engaging with residents and councillors. Of course I recognise the legal restrictions which are associated with planning law and respect the UCKG’s position as owners of the site.

“Yet it is completely wrong for the Council – which is led on this issue by Cllr Wheeler - to be seen to be so completely dismissive of the apparent strength of public opinion on this matter. It is the misinformation and manoeuvring that has taken place over a number of years that has fed such confusion and dismay amongst residents.

“Conflicting reports over the viability of the site as a cinema, false promises of Council action and meetings held behind closed doors have all led to an environment of distrust and anger.

“As I have said before, it is simply not good enough to appear to just tell Walthamstow residents what they want in their area.”

Pressure from local Liberal Democrat councillors has forced a delay to controversial proposals to convert the former St James St library building in High St into a drug treatment centre.

Lib Dem councillors have now been informed that the report containing the proposal — due to go before the Council’s Cabinet at the end of June — has now been withdrawn from the agenda.  It is unclear at this stage when, and in what form, the report will return to Cabinet.

The Liberal Democrats opposition to the location of the DAT (Drug Action Team) centre mirrors protests from local residents, who have expressed their concerns about the planned conversion of the building.  Local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin recently reaffirmed his group’s opposition to the plans, noting that whilst a drug treatment centre was needed in the local area, the planned conversion of the former library building was “inappropriate”.

As we reported earlier, High St Liberal Democrats have called on local Labour councillor Liaquat Ali to reaffirm his opposition to the proposal after he spoke out against it in a recent Community Council meeting.  In an open letter to the Labour High St member, local Lib Dem councillors James O’Rourke and Johar Khan called on Cllr Ali to “honour his commitment to the residents of High St ward by voting against the proposal”. Cllr Ali has since been appointed by Labour as a member of the Council Cabinet, and his continued opposition — coupled with ‘no’ votes from the Liberal Democrats — would see Cabinet split 50/50 on the proposal.

Cllr James O’Rourke said:

“I hope that the delaying of this report will enable those behind the proposal to go away and reconsider plans for the location of the Drug Action Team centre.

“Local residents have made their views on these plans very clear, and I am pleased that our pressure on this issue appears to have forced a rethink.  A drug treatment centre is an important and necessary service for our area, but it must be in a location appropriate for both service users and local residents.”

“This delay will hopefully give Liaquat Ali an opportunity to confirm his opposition to his colleagues plans and encourage those behind them to find a solution that better suits local needs”.

Part of the former Arcade site in Walthamstow is to be prepared for temporary use after pressure from local Liberal Democrat councillors and party leader Nick Clegg.

The announcement was made in an email to High Street Lib Dem councillors from the new Leader of the Council, Chris Robbins, and will add to confusion over the future of Labour portfolio holder Terry Wheeler’s controversial plans to use £35 million of taxpayers money to fund the long-awaited regeneration of the area.  The Liberal Democrats voted against the proposals in a recent Cabinet meeting.

The email from Cllr Robbins claims that an area of the disused site will be cleared and levelled in preparation for the change of usage, with work beginning on 1st June.  However the next report to Cabinet on the public funding of the Arcade regeneration is not expected until later in June.
It is not known how much involvement Cllr Terry Wheeler, who criticised Clegg’s comments on the Arcade site, has had in the Council Leader’s decision to now accept the Liberal Democrat proposals over temporary usage of the site.

Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“Although this change of heart over temporary usage of the Arcade site obviously comes a little late, it is certainly to be welcomed. It is unclear how much input the portfolio holder has had in this decision, so it remains to be seen how it will impact on Cllr Wheeler’s plans for the funding of the Arcade site regeneration project.”

The decision to commit to temporary use of the site comes after pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors. 

Last December Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan succeeded in amending a Council motion to include a commitment to examine useful ways in which the Arcade site land could be utilised in the short-term before the period of redevelopment begins.  On a recent visit to Walthamstow Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg gave his support to these proposals, telling the Waltham Forest Guardian that “the best thing would be to find some communal use for that space on a temporary basis so that a proper sustainable solution can be reached.”

Local ward councillor James O’Rourke said:

“The motion we successfully amended and the pressure we have kept up on this issue has clearly been the catalyst for this decision.

“Myself and Cllr Khan have been informed that decisions have not yet been taken on temporary usage, so this gives local residents plenty of opportunity to make sure they tell us what you think the land could be used for.”

Liberal Democrat councillors in Waltham Forest have moved to defend their decision to oppose plans by Labour members to use millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to fund the redevelopment of the Arcade site in Walthamstow.

The Lib Dems have hit back after Cllr Terry Wheeler, as Portfolio Holder for Enterprise and investment, criticised the Lib Dems position — and the comments of national Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg — in a letter to last week’s local Waltham Forest Guardian.

Nick Clegg warned that the Council should not rush into an unsuitable development of the site and backed local Lib Dems call for the derelict site to be given a temporary usage before any final development begins.

Now local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin has backed Clegg’s comments and defended his group’s opposition to the plans:

Cllr Macklin said:

“Large scale projects cannot be simply be hurriedly imposed onto people.  They depend on openness and accountability at all stages.  Repeatedly lecturing those who have expressed their concern at the plans and claiming to act for the ’silent majority’ probably isn’t the way to go about achieving this.

“If Cllr Wheeler isn’t careful these proposals will be seen as yet another attempt to suddenly rush into regeneration commitments in Walthamstow in the run-up to a local election. 

“We won’t be bullied into making poorly thought out decisions just so he can have cranes on the Arcade site for next May.

“We have taken a fair amount of flak from Cllr Wheeler and his supporters over our opposition to his Arcade plan, and he has not been slow to dismiss the concerns of anyone who has warned that his proposals need much greater consideration, including the Council’s own Scrutiny Panel.
 
“The Lib Dems took the decision to vote against Cllr Wheeler and Labour in Cabinet for the simple reason that the plans were poorly set out, have huge knock-on effects for other areas of Walthamstow and do not as yet provide anywhere near enough justification for risking so much public money.  We continue to stand by our decision.”

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have met with one of the UK’s largest cinema regeneration operators to discuss possibilities for the historic former EMD cinema in Walthamstow.

High St councillor James O’Rourke met with representatives of City Screen at the Town Hall this week after the company expressed an ongoing interest in the building on Hoe Street.  City Screen, which was formed in 1989 to “challenge the multiplex cinema model and provide cinemas in city centre locations”, have been responsible for a series of cinema regenerations and new build facilities across the country, including the Clapham Picturehouse and The Ritzy in Brixton.

At the meeting Lyn Goleby, the Managing Director of City Screen, suggested that with the right funding package the site was still viable as a cinema, highlighting earlier reports paid for by the Council that made the business case for a 5-screen cinema on the EMD site.

Lyn Goleby said:

“Our previous work has shown clearly that the redevelopment of historic cinema buildings, such as the former EMD in Walthamstow, can act as an organic catalyst for wider generation.

“These projects attract other businesses to the area and really stimulate the night time economy.”

Noting recent conjecture over the usage of the building, Lyn Goleby highlighted City Screen’s investment in cinema regeneration projects such as the former EMD, suggesting that such private operator funding, complimented by other investment or grant opportunities, remained the best way to proceed financially in these instances.

After the meeting, Cllr James O’Rourke said:

“I welcome the fact that UCKG representatives met with ward councillors and made some effort to display their plans to local residents.  They will obviously have heard the many concerns expressed regarding the usage of the building.

“I am always keen to hear people’s thoughts about the site and was pleased to meet with City Screen.  It was intriguing to see some of the plans for the building that were drawn up in 2002 at around the same time the EMD cinema originally closed.  These appear to confirm that the site could remain a viable proposition as a cinema.
 
“The use of the building is an issue people are rightly very passionate about, and I was interested to note recent comments from the UCKG which seemed to suggest that they would consider moving if an offer was made. 

“If this is the case and as City Screen suggested financial investment could see the site renovated as a 5-screen cinema, I would hope any interested
parties would be willing to sit down and talk about it.”

Waltham Forest councillors last night approved the borough’s yearly budget, with Liberal Democrats keeping their promise to set Council Tax below 2.5%.

The level for this year is set at a below average 1.9%, with additional funds being put into street cleaning services, mental health services and enforcement powers to clamp down on rogue property developers.

Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin spoke for the Liberal Democrat group and congratulated fellow Liberal Democrat members for their work on keeping local taxes low. However he criticised the government for their hike in council tenant rent costs, suggesting that this move typified a “completely outdated” central approach to local government.

Cllr Macklin also offered opposition Tory councillors the opportunity to put their ‘alternative’ budget material budget proposals - recieved just hours before the budget meeting - through a proper scrutiny process, adding that there should be “no political restrictions on good ideas for our borough”.