PRESS RELEASE – Waltham Forest Labour are letting our schools down

Councillor Liz Phillips has raised concerns about Waltham Forest council’s contractor Babcock after it was revealed that almost 15% of the Borough’s schools are now in special measures following their two years as the council’s contractor.

In a written answer to Cllr Phillips, the Labour Cabinet member, Cllr Clare Coghill described the council’s risk analysis programme for schools as ‘a work in progress’ and said that the council’s priority had been ‘savings of £2m from the contract at an early opportunity’.

Councillor Liz Phillips, Waltham Forest Lib Dem spokesperson for Children and Member of the Council’s Corporate Parenting Board, said:

“Almost 15% of our schools are now in special measures and yet the council won’t be seeking any compensation from the contractor who presided over this mess.”

“Surely there should be something in our contract with this company that means at the very least they must pay for failing local kids and their parents?”

 “In Waltham Forest we are now on our 4th Labour cabinet member for Children’s Services in just over two years. Perhaps if someone with a bit of experience would take responsibility for more than a few months then we wouldn’t be in this situation?”

WESTFIELD – access restricted Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th August

Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th August

On these days all Olympic Park venues will be operational and a large increase in the number of Olympic Games visitors is expected.

To assist with the smooth running of the Games access to the Westfield Shopping Centre will be restricted from 10.30am until 5.00pm. Only the following will be allowed access:

  • Accredited personnel

  • Hospitality visitors

  • Games ticket holders

Outside these hours the shops will be open to all visitors until 11.00pm and restaurants and leisure until 12.30am.

Barking – Gospel Oak Line – NEWSFLASH

The Barking – Gospel Oak User Group (BGOLUG) has learnt that the vital morning commuter train (07.59 from Woodgrange Park) put on last summer to relieve overcrowding is to be cancelled during the Olympic Games.

Richard Pout BGOLUG Secretary said:

“The withdrawal of this train will cause intolerable conditions for commuters trying to get to work in the morning, BGOLUG therefore has to advise passengers to use alternative public transport routes during the games”

“This cut together with the planned half-hourly service from 10 o’clock in the evening will help ensure ‘sardine’ conditions all day and night during the Olympics. Likewise, with a ban on engineering work during the Games, there is no reason why a Saturday service could not be operated on Sundays instead of the first trains being after the morning’s Olympic events have started.”

BGOLUG are calling on TfL to:

  • Reinstate the 07.59 Mondays – Fridays Woodgrange Park – Hampstead Heath train
  • Operate a 15 minute frequency service from start to finish of the service throughout the Games period
  • Start and finish Sunday operations at Saturday times and run 15 minutes throughout the day when Olympic events are scheduled

Olympic Parking Zones starts 16 July

The Olympic Parking Zone comes into effect on 16 July.

Parking restrictions will operate in Waltham Forest in all streets south of Lea Bridge Road.

Period covered: from 16 July until 9 September 2012

Days of operation: Monday – Sunday

Hours: 8am – 1pm and 3pm – 9pm

This includes both existing controlled parking zones (CPZs) and streets with no existing parking controls

All parking arrangements return to normal after 9 September 2012.

Existing controlled parking zones (CPZs):

If you live in an existing CPZ (south of Lea Bridge Road) your current parking permit will allow you to park on-street in your zone during the Games. You will not be able to park in the temporary event zones.

New temporary event zones:

All vehicles which use on-street parking will need a 2012 Games parking permit to park during the Games. Parking permits in this area will be free of charge and ‘virtual’. This means that you will not be issued with a paper parking permit.

VISITOR PERMITS:

Every household will be able to register for free visitor permits during the Games. The allocation per household includes:

  • one regular visitor who will be able to visit at any time

  • four half-day visitor permits per week

  • eight half-day visitor permits per week between 13-26 August

The permit week runs from Monday – Sunday, with your new allocation available every Monday.

Unused permits cannot be carried over into the following week

A half-day permit can be used to cover either the morning restrictions (8am-1pm) or the afternoon restrictions (3pm-9pm)

Visitors will also be able to park without restriction outside the hours of control

IMPORTANT – the usual CPZ visitor permits will not be valid during the Games

REGISTERING FOR PERMITS:

Vehicle owners – will need to check that your vehicle has been automatically registered through the website at:

www.2012gamesparkingpermits.com

or by calling:

0300 111 2012

VISITOR PARKING PERMITS

Vehicle owners can apply for permits at the same time as they check their registration

Non vehicle owners need to register their address and set up an account before applying for permits. This can be done on-line or by phone as detailed above.

HOW TO USE VISITOR PERMITS

Login to your account at the web address or call the telephone number – you will need to quote:

  • your permit number given when you registered

  • your visitor’s vehicle registration number

The permit will be activated instantly

Copies of the Parking During the Games booklet can be found in the publications section of london2012.com

It is also available in other languages and formats by quoting ref LOC2012/TRA2180 –

Email: info@e4nquiries.london2012.com

Phone: 0845 267 2012

Larkswood By-Election

Following the resignation of a Tory councillor for Larkswood ward, a by-election will be held on Thursday 12th July. 

Local Campaigner Chosen

Graham Woolnough - Liberal Democrat candidate in the Larkswood by-election

Former Chingford councillor Graham Woolnough has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in this important by-election.  

Local man

Graham is a local man, living in Larkswood ward. Married with four grown up children, who were educated in local schools. Graham has lived in Waltham Forest for most of his life.  

Experienced local campaigner

Graham has more than 30 years experience of campaigning for local people. He is currently campaigning with residents to save the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium from London and Quadrant’s plans to destroy this iconic leisure facility.  

Experienced councillor

Graham Woolnoughwas a Waltham Forest councillor for 16 years before standing down in 2002. He is remembered for his work on behalf of the residents as a councillor in Chapel End ward. For 6 years he successfully led the Liberal Democrat group on the Council.  

 

RESIDENTS DELIVER IVE FARM PETITION TO THE MAYOR

Bob Sullivan with local residents at Ive Farm talking to a Guardian reporter

 

Last week Leyton ward Councillor Bob Sullivan arranged for residents to present their petition to the Mayor.

The Council is still negotiating turning Ive Farm Playing Field, in Leyton,  which they have left derelict, into a campsite for the Olympics.

Oliver Close, Villiers Close and Ive Farm Close residents whose homes back onto the site have objections and organised a protest on the field.

Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan said:

“It’s now less than two months until the Olympics and the council still can’t give us a decision. This will cause untold disruption if it is allowed to happen and the council need to think again.

“I’m pleased that residents were able to deliver this petition to the Mayor. The council must now take this issue seriously and listen to residents’ concerns about posting a campsite at Ive Farm in a heavily residential area.”

 

 

 

Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium – update

On Tuesday 8th May, Waltham Forest council’s Planning Committee approved planning application to demolish the much loved Greyhound stadium to make way for a housing development. The decision by the four Labour members was met with fierce opposition from the campaigners and the local residents (1 Liberal and 2 Tory Councillors opposed the plans).

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have written to London Mayor Boris Johnson, urging him to reject the application. Two local MP’s, along with Mr Johnson, are in favour of keeping the iconic dog track in the heart of Waltham Forest.

Cllr Bob Sullivan joins residents’ protests over Ive Farm Playing Field

Councillor Bob Sullivan (foreground left) with concerned residents

The Council is negotiating turning Ive Farm Playing Field, which they have left derelict, into a campsite for the Olympics.

Oliver Close, Villiers Close and Ive Farm Close residents whose homes back onto the site have objections and organised a protest on the field.Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan said: “The council is becoming like a secret society. Council officers can’t even tell me what the plans are – the Guardian is the only way of finding out what’s happening.”

Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan said:

“The Council is becoming like a secret society. Council officers can’t even tell me what the plans are – the local Guardian is the only way of finding out what’s happening.”

Lib Dem Victory in Town Hall Parking Campaign

Councillor Hussain at the start of the campaign

With the help of residents, local Liberal Democrats campaigned hard against the new charges believing they would be a ‘tax on democracy’.

Now, following pressure from both Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Bob Sullivan and Councillor Mahmood Hussain, the council has u-turned and will only be implementing the new charges between 08.30 am and 5 pm, Monday – Friday, starting from 1st June 2012.

Councillor Mahmood Hussain said:

“I am pleased that the council has responded to our campaign and scrapped these unnecessary charges. This is great news for our residents who now will not have to pay to participate in our local democracy

“This decision should ensure that council meetings stay transparent and accessible to local residents.”