Lib Dems hit out at Arcade site delays

The Walthamstow Liberal Democrats team Local Liberal Democrat councillors have used a major meeting of Waltham Forest Council to place on record their concern at the ongoing delays in the redevelopment of the Aracde site in Walthamstow.

During a debate at the latest Full Council meeting in Waltham Forest Town Hall, the Lib Dems asked fellow councillors to publically express their dissatisfaction that the project continues to take so long to complete.

Liberal Democrat members also asked opposition councillors to agree to look at ways in which the land left vacant at the Arcade site can be usefully used prior to work on the redvelopment getting underway.

The Liberal Democrat proposals were accepted unanimously after Labour councillors withdrew a planned amendment congratulating portfolio holder Terry Wheeler for the work he has led so far on the vacant site.

High Street councillors James O’Rourke and Johar Khan led for the Liberal Democrats during the debate, and both were quick to raise residents concerns regarding what Cllr O’Rourke described as the redevelopments “moving goalposts”

Cllr O’Rourke said:

“If we try to explain to residents that a possibly unprecedented economic downturn, a local collapse in property prices and a growing recession are not going to have an effect on planned large scale redevelopment projects, I think that residents would question our grip on reality.

And I can tell members about the reality in Walthamstow and in my ward, High St.

The reality is a huge, ugly expanse of fenced-in, derelict, unused scrubland at the heart of Walthamstow – bordering our High St, our main shopping precinct and the borough’s busiest transport terminus.

That is a reality that is simply not good enough for residents”.

Liberal Democrat leader John Macklin’s calls for reassurances regarding the development have recently featured in the local press.  Concerns about the viability of the development have been heightened by the news that Waltham Forest has suffered one of the worst property price crashes in London. 

Cllr Macklin said:

“The collapse in property prices is bound to have an effect on regeneration projects in the borough and I will be looking for clarification from the relevant portfolio holders regarding the timetables for work on these projects, “

“As I have said before a series of unused ‘land banks’ across the borough awaiting generation is just not acceptable.”

As always, High St councillor James O’Rourke’s excellent blog has more news and opinion on the progress of the Arcade site development.

Local Lib Dems want London transport fare freeze

Local councillors in Waltham Forest are supporting the launch of a new Liberal Democrat campaign for a tube and bus fares freeze.

Boris Johnson, London’s Mayor, is jacking up fare prices by an average of 6% in the New Year and in the case of some bus fares is increasing prices by a massive 11%.

Local Lib Dems are concerned that Waltham Forest residents will find it too expensive to travel in future because of Boris’s above inflation guaranteed price increases for years to come.

“London’s transport system has become one of the most expensive in the world yet fares continue to rise” said local Lib Dem councillor James O’Rourke.

Cllr O’Rourke represents High St ward, which contains three overground rail stations, two tube stations and the third busiest bus terminus in London.

Lib Dem London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon added:

“It is not too late for the Mayor to do a u-turn. He can still bring some festive cheer to London’s struggling transport users and poorest families, by halting his outrageous fare increases.”

A new website http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/merrychristmasboris has been launched, giving Londoners the opportunity to sign a petition.

London Lib Dems are asking the Mayor to abandon the planned increases to help struggling families and commuters during the economic crisis.

The freeze would be funded by making savings in Transport for London’s budget and by extending charges for the most polluting cars.

Former Lib Dem councillor dies

Former Liberal Democrat councillor for Hale End and Highams Park Noel Penstone has died after a period of ill health.  He was 69.

Noel Penstone was elected to Waltham Forest Council in 2006, and served until October 2008, when he resigned due to declining health.  His resignation came shortly after the death of fellow Hale End and Highams Park councillor John Beanse.  His time on the Council followed many years as a local activist.

Noel was a keen sports fan, and was a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspurs.  He had recently been working on plans to develop a cricket academy facility for young people in Waltham Forest.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“All those who worked with Noel on the Council will be saddened by his death.

“Noel was a fantastic servant to Hale End and Highams Park, both as a local councillor and as a member of the community.

“He will be missed enormously by his ward colleague Sheila Smith-Pryor, his friends within the Liberal Democrats and across Waltham Forest.”

Noel Penstone’s funeral will be held at Manor Park Crematorium on Monday 22nd December at 2pm.

NEWS FROM CITY HALL – Does the Mayor’s Budget add up?

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has published his draft consolidated budget and put it out for consultation.

Mike Tuffrey Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly said:

“A zero rise in the GLA’s precept from next April will be welcomed by many Londoners, but let us not forget that from January all of us who use public transport in the capital will be paying fares that rise by twice the rate of inflation.

“The budget Boris Johnson is proposing makes several large assumptions, including that the Met Police will be able to make large savings in their budget, a number of which have yet to be revealed, when they haven’t been able to meet all the savings targets for this financial year yet.

 “On the transport network passenger numbers are expected to rise when all the indications are that in previous times of economic difficulty passenger levels have decreased rapidly.

“The actions of Boris Johnson’s and his advisors over the last six months haven’t exactly installed confidence that he has produced a budget that adds up, is sustainable and is not storing up major problems for our public services in London in future years.

“We will be watching closely to see if the Mayor can actually produce what he promises.”

Playground cash arrives after pressure from Lib Dems

Cllr James O'Rourke with ward colleague Johar Khan (left) and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Farid Ahmed (centre)The Waltham Forest Guardian is reporting that playgounds in Waltham Forest are to benefit from extra funding – just weeks after local Lib Dem councillors slammed the state of play areas throughout the borough.

Local Lib Dem councillor James O’Rourke led the protests regarding their upkeep alongside concerned local residents.

Now Cllr O’Rourke has given a cautious welcome to the funding boost, but has warned that the money must come alongside better standards of care and upkeep for the refurbished areas.

Read what he has to say in full over at Cllr O’Rourke’s blog.

Nick Bason and Jane Morgan – Q&A

Newly elected Hale End and Highams Park councillors Jane Morgan and Nick BasonThis week’s Waltham Forest Guardian features coverage of the Lib dems fantastic double victory in Hale End and Highams Park last week.

Included in that coverage is a short Q&A sesssion where our two new councillors, Nick Bason and Jane Morgan, answer questions posed by the Guardian on their political influences and their plans for the ward and borough.

Here are the unedited versions of their responses:

1) What inspired you to become a politician?

NICK BASON:  I grew up in a council flat in North London but we didn’t really discuss politics in my house when I was growing up. I ended up studying politics at University. It really struck me that a lot of people where I grew up used a lot of public services but didn’t feel any connection with those who were running either the local or national government. I wanted to get involved and hopefully try and change that.

JANE MORGAN:  My father was the first Liberal (in those days no democrat part to it!) to become a councillor of our hometown of Sittingbourne in Kent. He worked tirelessly for his ward constituents and even as a child I was involved or was a spectator. I watched politics in action, i.e. an elected person really working for the people. I want to help people and my political background must have something to do with this!

2) Who is your most inspiring person (dead or alive)?

NB:  I’m going to say one of my teachers from college who challenged and inspired me to really push myself to get into to university, which was an amazing opportunity for me. I’m also into music and I get inspiration from bands who don’t compromise their ideals even when to do so might mean more commercial success, because they believe in themselves and what they’re trying to do. I take a lot of inspiration from that attitude.

JM:  I suppose it should be Nelson Mandela but really my influence must be my father because I saw action and service at the grass roots. Using his office he was able to make people’s life better.

3) What is great about Waltham Forest?

NB:  Waltham Forest is a dynamic and exciting borough. There’s a buzz about the place, and when I was campaigning for the election I spoke to a lot of people that were really passionate about their area. It feels like a borough that is in a state of change, and I think that is a real opportunity. I go out a lot in Waltham Forest and I love that there’s a variety of things to do, from strolling through Epping Forest to the Leyton nightlife.

JM:  Waltham Forest, aesthetically speaking, is a very beautiful borough with much history and lovely buildings with which I am glad to be associated. It has a very diverse population which makes our lives interesting.

4) If you could create one new piece of legislation, what would it be?

NB:  I think the benefits system is overly complex and creates barriers to things like training, employment and volunteer work for a lot of people, such as lone parents and carers or disabled people. At the moment it reinforces social division. So I’d like to tackle that. I’m really glad that MPs are starting to look at how to make parliament more accessible to a range of people – that is well overdue. A lot of people feel so disconnected to how they are governed – they look at parliament and don’t see anyone there like them. I’ve also got ideas about making higher education more open to kids from state schools, and delivery of health services…there’s lots to do!

JM:  Not sure about the legislation but I would certainly like the William Morris Gallery to attract national funding, simply because it is a national treasure.

5) If you could achieve just one thing while councillor of Hale End & Highams Park ward, what would it be?

NB:  I want to continue the open communication with residents all year round. If politicians only come round at election time, residents notice and mistrust that. I want to be a councillor that talks to the residents and is open about issues and decisions taken. There are tricky decisions to be taken and, even if someone doesn’t agree with what I’ve done, if I can communicate and explain why I’ve done it, hopefully people will appreciate that. I think we’ve got a great team of councillors in Hale End & Highams Park and I want us to do the area proud.

JM:  I want to continue, through the Focus newsletters, to make all people in Hale End and Highams Park feel part of the decision making processes especially regarding our ward.

DID YOU KNOW? THE LIB DEMS HAVE WON FOUR OF THE FIVE 2008 BY-ELECTIONS IN OUR BOROUGH

Concerns continue over local property price crash

Cllr John Macklin at the site of the Walthamstow Arcade development, as featured in the local Yellow AdvertiserThe Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats recently revealed their concerns that the property price crash could have a major effect on redevelopment projects in the borough – and now it seems as if those concerns are being shared by others in the borough.

In the same week as the London Evening Standard bought to wider attention the severity of the problems  in Waltham Forest, the local Yellow Advertiser featured Liberal Democrat leader John Macklin in a feature on the local property crash.

The Evening Standard confirmed that Waltham Forest suffered the largest year-on-year fall in London property prices .  The local Lib Dem team recently revealed that there had been a 9.2% fall in local prices, sparking concern about building projects in the borough.

Cllr Macklin told the Yellow Advertiser:

“The collapse in property prices is bound to have an effect on regeneration in the borough, and I will be looking for clarification from the relevant portfolio holders regarding the timetables for work on these projects.

“The Government has allowed house prices and irresponsible mortgage lending to rocket almost unchecked and this completely irresponsible approach is now resulting in dire consequences for residents.”

Meet our new councillors

Simon Hughes MP, Cllr James O'Rourke and Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor

The local Liberal Democrat team are celebrating a remarkable victory after FOCUS team members Nick Bason and Jane Morgan beat off the challenge of the Conservatives in Iain Duncan-Smith’s constituency to be elected to the Council as the new members for Hale End and Highams Park

Jane and Nick polled 1298 and 1295 votes respectively to take victory, retaining the seats won in 2006 by John Beanse and Noel Penstone in 2006.  Fellow Lib Dem Sheila Smith-Pryor completes the council team line-up for the ward.

Senior Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes MP (pictured above) joined Sheila recently to meet local residents and give his support to the campaign.

Here’s what our new councillors have to say…

Cllr Jane Morgan JANE MORGAN

I have lived in the ward for nearly 30 years and have been actively engaged with community work during that time through the Liberal Democrats.

I teach music in local schools and I am a coordinator of ‘Sing Up’, a project which encourages music and singing amongst primary school children.  I have an 18-year-old son at University.

As an active community member I am a regular attendee at the local Neighbourhood Watch and a frequent contributor at Community Council and Police Panel meetings.

Residents have always told me they appreciate the work the local Lib Dem Council team carry out through our surgeries and FOCUS leaflets and I want to ensure that work is able to continue on behalf of residents.

As a new councillor I want to carry on the unrivalled community work undertaken by John Beanse, Noel Penstone and Sheila Smith-Pryor.

Cllr Nick Bason NICK BASON

I live in the local area with my wife and I currently work for a disability rights organisation called Employers’ Forum on Disability.  I have previously worked as an independent elections adviser, working with community, housing and regeneration projects across the UK.

As a member of the Liberal Democrat team I am proud of the work we have done for Hale End and Highams Park residents.  We are happy to be judged on that record of campaigning and responding rapidly and effectively to every resident who raises a problem or an issue with us.

The work of the Lib Dem team and the commitment to contact with local residents through the FOCUS leaflet has shown the positive, practical work that Lib Dem councillors do for our area.

Myself, Sheila and Jane will continue to  work for residents all year round – not just when there is an election on. 
 

Have Your Say…

The Liberal Democrat Group on Waltham Forest Council want to hear from you!

Liberal Democrats councillors are encouraging local residents and community groups to get in contact and share any concerns or ideas they may have regarding our borough.

Cllr John Macklin, the Leader of the Lib Dem Group in Waltham Forest, said:

“I encourage any local residents or groups to get in touch and let us know what they would like to see from their local Council. 

“Liberal Democrats pride themselves on inclusive, community-based politics that reaches far beyond the confines of the Town Hall.  We led the way in the introduction of Community Councils in Waltham Forest and Lib Dem Councils across the country have worked hard to introduce groundbreaking ways in which we can engage with residents.

“Our Scrutiny chairs have also been successful in introducing new ways for residents to feed into their Committees and influence what councillors discuss”.

If there is any issue which you or your group would like to discuss with the local Liberal Democrats, please contact us in the Town Hall by phoning 020 8496 4313 or by emailing ben.wright@walthamforest.gov.uk

We will do our best to meet you at a time and venue that best suits your availability.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Lib Dems Warn Residents Over Rise in Burglaries

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats are warning local residents and business owners to ensure that they take steps to secure their property after police figures revealed a big rise in the number of burglaries in the borough.

The crime statistics, published on the Metropolitan Police website, show a 10.6% rise in burglaries in the last 12 months, with nearly 2,000 local reports of domestic burglary in the 12 months up to September 2008.

The increase comes despite a 3.1% fall in burglaries across London.

Ward-by-ward data available on the Met website reveals that, in some areas of Waltham Forest, instances of burglary have risen in the past year by almost 50%.

However there is good news elsewhere for Waltham Forest residents as police figures show that overall crime was down by nearly 7%.  Significant reductions in car crime and violent robbery significantly contribute to this fall.

Now Waltham Forest Lib Dems are encouraging local residents to make sure they take basic procedures both to secure their house and to combat opportunistic burglaries.

Local Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Macklin said:

“The rise in burglaries at both domestic and non-domestic properties is obviously a real concern. 

“Burglaries from commercial properties in Waltham Forest have risen by a massive 12.8% in the last year.

“Residents and business owners can help protect their properties from instances of burglary or attempted theft by following some of the simple security measures suggested by the police.”

The Metropolitan Police Website offers a range of crime prevention measures that encourage property owners to reduce their risk of opportunistic criminals — particularly when buildings are unoccupied.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Liberal Democrats ‘We Can cut Crime!’ campaign, including our ‘5 Steps to a Safer Britain’