Spotlight on Drapers Field

Leyton Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Sullivan was interviewed by the BBC last Friday (7 January) about his campaign to save Drapers Field.

Waltham Forest Council intends to rent the playing fields to the Olympic Delivery Authority for nearly two years, to concrete it over and use it for a laundry and storage area. This is despite the fact that Drapers Field is used by over 100,000 people a year and nearby Norlington School uses the playing fields four times a week for sports activity.

The council is so embarrassed about the situation that it banned BBC cameras from filming in front of the Drapers Park sign. Bob Sullivan said:

This shows that Labour just wants to sweep this issue under the carpet and avoid scrutiny of their decision. In the run-up to the Olympics we should encourage young people to take part in sport – not take away one of the few playing fields and open spaces in the area.

Labour has still failed to come clean about their plans for Drapers Field after the Olympics, although plans exist which show housing on part of the grounds.

Two days left to give your views on London City Airport expansion

Sarah Ludford MEP and Cllr Farooq Qureshi have raised concerns over the expansion of London City AirportAre you affected by flights from London City Airport? Many Waltham Forest residents have told the Liberal Democrat team that they have noticed a difference in the number of noisy flights passing overhead.

The flightpaths from the airport were changed last year to direct more planes over our area.

Cllr Farooq Qureshi is reminding local residents that there are just two days left to complete the London Assembly’s survey into the environmental impacts of the expansion of London City airport.

The survey won’t take long to complete but will help ensure that local people’s voices are heard by the London Assembly and Mayor of London.

You can fill in the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/YNDKMXS. The survey will close on Thursday 30 September.

The London Assembly Environment Committee, including Lib Dem Assembly Member Mike Tuffrey is carrying out an investigation into the expansion of London City Airport. The survey is part of the investigation.

Lib Dems sound alarm over loss of Drapers Field playing fields

Cathall Lib Dem team at Drapers Field

Lib Dem councillors and campaigners have expressed alarm at news that Labour councillors are negotiating to exclude local people from popular sports facility Draper’s Field during Olympic year – just a few months after pledging to protect Waltham Forest’s green spaces and leisure facilities.

The news has sparked anger among local Liberal Democrat campaigners, who say the all-weather pitch and playing fields are used by over 9,000 people every month.

Information obtained by Leyton councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Bob Sullivan shows that Labour Council Leader Chris Robbins has actively negotiated to lease the playing fields to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) for possible use as a VIP car park or other Olympic-related uses. As a result local children and football clubs will have nowhere to play in Olympic year while international elite athletes race for medals just a few hundred yards away.

Bob Sullivan said:

To allow Drapers Field to be given over to the ODA and turned into a car park would be a travesty for local clubs and schools. The Olympics should be used to encourage sport, not destroy it. Under Labour the council is in danger of missing a huge opportunity to gain Olympic benefits.

There are no other all-weather pitches in the immediate area. This could cause enormous disruption to users.

Councillor Sullivan has written to the ODA and the Council Leader demanding information about the negotiations and assurances that the interests of local sports clubs and residents will be protected.

Drapers Field consists of an all weather football pitch, playing fields and an Arts and Drama Centre. It is used extensively by local sports clubs, schools and residents. The estimated use of Drapers Field is 108,260 people per year excluding the use of the Arts and Drama Centre.  The all-weather pitch has 1,380 users per week (71,760 per year).

Only last December Labour councillors voted for a Liberal Democrat motion which pledged to protect green open spaces and leisure facilities. The key text of the agreed motions reads:

This council

  • notes residents’ concern about threats to green spaces, playing fields and associated amenities such as sports facilities within our borough;
  • understands the vital importance of green spaces and playing fields as areas for recreation and sport in both informal and organised capacities;
  • recognises the importance of local playing fields for local schools;
  • believes that actively protecting our green spaces and strengthening sports facilities will be a key part of Waltham Forest’s Olympic legacy.

LIB DEM COUNCILLORS SOUND ALARM ON PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES

ClassroomWalthamstow faces a massive shortfall in school places which will get much worse by 2013 if urgent action is not taken, according to answers obtained by local Liberal Democrat councillors at a meeting of the Walthamstow West Community Council on Monday (1 March).

Council officers told the meeting that if nothing is done 162 reception-age children due to start school in the Walthamstow area will have no school place in September; equivalent to five-and-a-half classes. Currently local schools have capacity for 3090 reception-aged pupils but the projected intake is 3252 pupils.

By 2013 over 500 pupils will not have a school place to go to.

Reasons for the shortfall include increasing birth rates and the number of families with young children moving into the borough. This means many children face being educated in temporary classrooms.

Worryingly the portfolio holder in charge of schools, Cllr Liaquat Ali (Labour, High Street) was at the meeting but was unable to provide any details about how he proposed to deal with the problem.

Liberal Democrat councillors are demanding that the council gets a grip on the situation and produces a credible long-term plan to deliver the school places that local families need.

Liberal Democrat councillor James O Rourke, who chairs the Children and Young Peoples Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said:

“Cllr Ali couldn’t point to a single action he or his predecessor, the Council leader, had taken to ensure local people have somewhere to send their children. It’s time someone got a grip on the situation.”

Cllr Patrick Smith, Liberal Democrat councillor chair of the community council, said:

“The Liberal Democrats have been worried for some time about the increasing strain placed on local primary schools by the growing population. More and more children are being crammed into temporary classrooms. We know that teachers will do their best to deliver high quality teaching but it isn’t fair that children should be expected to learn in these conditions.

“Pressure for school places comes from numerous new developments in the Walthamstow area including an expected 1,000 new families in the Blackhorse Lane regeneration area.”

Teach Three Rs not ‘Spotting’ Extremists

Waltham Forest Council have announced it is introducing pilot a scheme in schools in which students will be taught how to ‘spot’ extremists and report them to the appropriate authorities.

Local Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr John Macklin said:

“I’m deeply disappointed that Labour have not consulted fellow Councillors about this pilot before blindly following Gordon Brown’s policies.

“I am also extremely uncomfortable with the notion of Labour implementing Orwellian policies in our schools potentially setting pupil against pupil.” 

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Walthamstow, Farid Ahmed said:

“Once again it seems that the Government is obsessed with setting up wacky and expensive schemes rather then deal with the issues at hand.

“It is vital that extremism is dealt with at the grass roots, though it is no surprise that the Government has cherry picked Walthamstow – an area with a very multicultural community – to launch this scheme.

“The sole purpose of this scheme seems to marginalise whole communities and is evidence once again of Labour’s failure to come up with realistic plans.

“In comparison, we will pump £2.5bn into schools so that students are equipped to join an increasingly tough jobs market.”

Liberal Democrats Tackle Youth Unemployment

With the recession hitting the youngest the hardest Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have implemented proposals announced by national Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg, to prevent people leaving school, college and university being condemned to long-term unemployment.

Waltham Forest Council has implemented the Lib Dem policy by encouraging 16 to 18-year-olds to apply for a place on its apprenticeship scheme.

Local Lib Dem Leader and cabinet member for finance and resources, Cllr John Macklin, said:

“Making sure our residents are equipped with the skills they need to compete in the workplace and driving down unemployment are two big priorities for the council and taking on apprenticeships shows that we’re putting our money where our mouth is as an organisation. 

“Research has shown that taking on apprentices can be a real boost to the organisation by increasing productivity, increasing competitiveness and providing a committed and well-skilled workforce which makes it a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

High Street Lib Dem Councillor and Chair of the Children & Young People Scrutiny committee, James O’Rourke, said:

“The Labour Government has let down school-leavers and older teenagers as, despite their big promise, they have not provided the apprenticeships to make sure that every school-leaver who wanted to learn a trade can do.

“In Waltham Forest Lib Dems have acted to help young people gain the skills they need for employment.”

Javell Holden, one of the council’s apprentices, said: “I’ve been working at the WFD call centre while doing a Business and Administration NVQ course since last April.

“I’ve found the course very beneficial and have just been offered a permanent job. I’ve learned many skills and would recommend this to anyone.”

Anyone aged 16-18 and interested in the scheme should email wbl@walthamforest.gov.uk or call 020 8520 9430.

Click here for further details of the Lib Dem policy to tackle youth unemployment.

Lib Dems Reduce Parking Charges

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have approved a plan to reduce key parking charges following their review of the Councils parking strategy .

For residents living in controlled parking zones (CPZ’s) visitor permits have been reduced by up to 14.5%, business permits reduced by 5% and for the fourth year in a row car park charges and on-street parking vouchers have been frozen. Refund and administration fees have also been slashed by up to 61%.

Referring to Labour’s Council motion in December last year Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Bob Belam said:

“While others produce reports Liberal Democrats have again led the way by reducing key parking charges for the next financial year.”

“In the current economic climate it is right that we listen to our residents and businesses and help them where we can.”

  • A 12 month business permit is reduced from £410 to £390
  • CPZ visitors permits will reduce from
    • £21 to £18 for 5 hrs tickets
    • £18 to £16 for 2 hr tickets
    • £15 to £14 for 1 hr tickets
  • 15 Minute School permits stay at £15 for low emission vehicles

Lib Dem traffic enforcement pledge to drivers

Picture courtesy of Waltham Forest GuardianLib Dem Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam, announced a new scheme telling drivers exactly where CCTV enforcement vehicles will be deployed.

The initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in the Country, aims to promote safer driving, reduce road accidents and lower the number of penalty charge notices issued to motorists for transgressions such as stopping in a box junction.

Details of where the boroughs five CCTV enforcement vehicles will be are available for viewing on the Waltham Forest Council website at www.walthamforest.gov.uk.

CCTV vehicles are deployed in the identified areas because residents have complained about congestion, accidents and other issues in their vicinity,

Cllr Bob Belam, said: “The main aim of our traffic enforcement team is to improve safety for all of Waltham Forest’s roads users. It is not about making money at the expense of motorists.

“We hope this scheme will encourage people to drive more carefully, especially at the locations where we issue most of our penalty charge notices, and help us to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.

Waltham Forest Council’s CCTV vehicles are responsible for recording moving traffic violations, such as stopping in box junctions, driving in bus lanes and making banned turns. They are also used for parking enforcement purposes.

The statutory penalty charge for a moving traffic violation is £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Lib Dem Leader Addresses Stow Campaigners

Liberal Democrat Councillors, led by Cllr John Macklin, joined Save Our Stow campaigners over the weekend.

Former Tottenham and England football star, Teddy Sheringham, listened attentively whilstCllr Macklin addressing the crowd Cllr Macklin addressed the crowd pledging his support to the Save Our Stow campaign and outlining how he had been working with the campaigners, London & Quadrant and a financier to bring back dog racing to Waltham Forest.

Cllr Macklin explained the boroughs need for housing but said he would prefer a development at the Stow to be brought forward which included housing, use of a dog track and additional leisure facilities.

Cllr Macklin said “Waltham Forest needs a state of the art facility that is a national landmark and which provides jobs for local people and entertainment.”

“I’m still available to facilitate a meeting between London & Quadrant and the Save Our Stow campaign to ensure there is an appropriate opportunity for an alternative bid to be brought forward.”

“I’ve spoken with dog trainers about not only making the Stow the best race track in the country but also the best in terms of animal welfare.”

Cllr Macklin and his Liberal Democrat colleagues extended their thanks to Barrie Clegg and Rick Holloway for their hard work for keeping this issue in the spotlight.

Despite issuing a statement the day before the protest no Labour Councillors attended the event.

Click here to see Cllr Macklin’s ITV local news interview.

Lib Dems Support Save Our Stow Campaign

Since the closure of the iconic dog track and Walthamstow landmark Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have supported the Save Our Stow plans to retain and update the stadium to provide a modern greyhound-racing venue whilst using part of the land around the site for development in order to provide housing.  Liberal Democrats welcome this proposal which is in line with the trend for mixed leisure and housing developments used at many modern sports venues.

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr John Macklin, said:

“Whilst we’re acutely aware that Waltham Forest needs affordable houses it must not be at the expense of what little lesuire facilities we have left. We have lost too many leisure facilities in this borough and despite promises no worthwhile developments have taken place.”

Cllr Macklin added: “I am unhappy that this development is being proposed when I have worked so hard with the Save our Stow campaigners to get London and Quadrant to talk to a group that want to develop the site so that dog racing may return.”

“I had hoped that a suitable bid from those interested in opening this site for dog racing could be bought forward and I want these proposals delayed.”

Cllr Bob Belam also raised concerns saying: “We seem to be bringing plans forward for more houses without thinking about our need for infrastructure such as schools and medical facilities. Not far from the Dog Track we are faced with the loss of another facility with plans to close the Pool and Track with plans to build more houses”

Cllr John Macklin concluded: “We must ensure Waltham Forest does not build a mass of housing with no amenities or heritage. 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.”