The Liberal Democrat Group on Waltham Forest Council is entitled to put forward motions for debate at every other council meeting. We use this opportunity as a way of influencing council policy and highlighting important issues.

Here is a selection of issues that your local Liberal Democrats have raised at council meetings.

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JULY 2010 – Andrew Kilburn

The Conservatives put forward a motion thanking former Chief Executive Andrew Kilburn for his service to Waltham Forest. The Liberal Democrat Group sought to add the following amendment. However the Labour party voted down the apology to residents.

“This Council apologises to local people for the fact that the departure of the Chief Executive has probably cost the local taxpayer money which could otherwise have helped to fund free swimming or other local services to the benefit of Waltham Forest residents.”

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MARCH 2010 – Clearing Filthy Front Gardens Fast

The Liberal Democrats supported this motion about cleaning up filthy front gardens. We successfully amended it to add a commitment to introduce a garden clearance scheme for older people and residents with disabilities.

The cleanliness of our streets is a key concern for our residents and a top priority for this Council. This council recognises the recent £500k council investment aimed at improving the street scene and welcomes the additional £500k investment that has been earmarked for further improvements beginning this year. However, there remain many properties with filthy front gardens which blight our borough streets. We call on the Cabinet to investigate using a wider range of powers to ensure such properties are cleaned up faster. In particular, we call on the Cabinet to invest sufficient resources to:

• Make it easier for residents to contact the council regarding filthy front gardens
• Set up a dedicated filthy front gardens team who can use the range of powers and legislation to make sure that filthy front gardens get cleaned up quickly
• Introduce a garden clearance scheme for older people and residents with disabilities
• Publicise widely the Council’s free bulky waste collections
• Make sure that private landlords, particularly absent landlords, are aware of their responsibilities
• Consider removing from the private sector leasing scheme any landlord who we have to take enforcement action against
• Ensure letting agencies are also held responsible for out of date letting signs and filthy front gardens
• Help cultivate civic pride with an annual best front garden award for each community council area.

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FEBRUARY 2010 – Budget and Council Tax Setting

Every February the council agrees the budget and council tax levels for the forthcoming financial year. This year the Liberal Democrats helped put together a budget with no increase in council tax and extra investment in:

• Protecting vulnerable children – £250,000 extra
• Additional street cleaning for the busiest areas: town centres and around schools – £500,000 extra
• Reducing the cost of parking permits – £100,000

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DECEMBER 2009 – Protecting Our Playing Fields and Green Spaces

The Liberal Democrats are committed to the protection of local open spaces and playing fields, unlike the Labour Party which has agreed that Drapers Field should be tarmaced over for use as a depot. The following motion was put forward by the Liberal Democrats and agreed by the council on Thursday 17 December 2009.

Councillor John Macklin moved and Councillor Patrick Smith seconded that:

This Council:

• notes resident 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.

Therefore, this Council requests that relevant senior officers:

• examine current Council policy and practice to ensure that a commitment to green spaces and playing fields is properly reflected in our current framework.
• report back to councillors highlighting any areas where our policy on the protection of green spaces and playing fields can be strengthened.

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OCTOBER 2009 – Expansion of London City Airport

Councillor Farooq Qureshi has campaigned alongside local residents against an increase in flights from London City Airport over Waltham Forest and Redbridge. The Liberal Democrats proposed a motion to council demanding action by Waltham Forest Council.

Councillor Farooq Qureshi and Councillor Bob Sullivan having moved and seconded the motion, with the consent of the Council, further altered the motion to incorporate amendments put forward. The altered motion, as set out below, was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously as follows:

This Council recognises resident concern over the expansion of London City and Heathrow Airport, and believes that the increased number of flights using these airports – and the associated noise nuisance and environmental impact – is detrimental to Waltham Forest residents. This Council also welcomes steps already taken by the Leader of the Council requesting:

• that officers respond to the current BAA Heathrow consultation programme Noise Action Plan;
• the Noise Level Assessment Team investigate whether any residents are entitled to the London City Airport (LCA) Sound Insulation Grant Scheme;
• that Waltham Forest Council be able to join the London City Airport Consultation Committee which at the moment is only open to Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, and Tower Hamlets; and
• an All Party Working Group so that all parties can come together to tackle this issue.

Therefore this Council requests that the Chief Executive carries out an immediate investigation into the consultation process undertaken in respect of the expansion of London City Airport and flight path changes by the Civil Aviation Authority, the London Borough of Newham or any other party.  This investigation will include consideration of whether or not Waltham Forest Council was consulted and, if it was, what response was provided by Waltham Forest Council and, if no response was provided, why not.

Upon the completion of this investigation, this Council requests that the Chief Executive takes appropriate action which should include:

• writing to the Mayor of Newham, condemning the decision to allow further expansion of London City Airport and stressing the negative impact this decision has had on residents of Waltham Forest;
• writing to the Mayor of London condemning plans for a new four runway airport in the Thames Estuary and asking why he supported the expansion of London City Airport and what consideration was given to the detrimental impact of the expansion on residents of Waltham Forest;
• writing to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ask what action they took to consult residents of Waltham Forest on the changes to flight paths and London City expansion;
• seeking an investigation by the EU commissioner into the expansion of London City Airport and the impact it has had on residents of Waltham Forest and East London;
• considering the merits of legal action in relation to the expansion of London City Airport and/or flight path changes;
• signing up to the 10:10 Campaign which aims to tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

This Council requests that the Chief Executive reports his findings back to councillors at the earliest opportunity.

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OCTOBER 2009 – Helping the Local Economy

The Liberal Democrat Group supported the following motion

In the light of the recession and the very difficult economic circumstances that local businesses are operating in, the Council wishes to ensure that it does everything it can to assist businesses at this time.

The Council recognises that retail is the main private sector economic activity in Waltham Forest and that retailers are by far our main private sector employers.

The Council also recognises that the vast bulk of these retailers are small businesses which are being especially hard hit by the recession. To help our businesses fully, and encourage the local economy, the Council must, therefore, encourage people to shop within the borough.

The Council, therefore, instructs the relevant Executive Director to prepare a report for Council, Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee regarding the borough’s parking policy with a view to the temporary easing of parking restrictions to support our local businesses.

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JULY 2009 – Dangerous Dogs

After successfully putting forward an amendment, the Liberal Democrats supported the following motion:

The number of dangerous dogs and anti-social behaviour by some dog owners in the borough have increased in general. The RSPCA has reported that an increase in dogs used as ‘weapons of intimidation’. 258 patients were admitted with dog bites to Whipps Cross Hospital in 2008/09, an increase of almost 20% from 2006/07. At present where there is an alleged dangerous dog these calls are referred to the Police, it being accepted that the Police are the most appropriate agency to enforce all sections of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. No Council officer is currently authorised under the Act.

The Council asks the Executive Director for Environment & Regeneration to continue to support the recently launched BARK scheme, liaise with the Metropolitan Police Status Dogs Unit and to investigate, together with the Police, the feasibility and cost of the following:

1. For the Council’s Animal Warden and certain other named officers to be authorised for the purposes of Section 5 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
2. For the Council, working closely with the Police, to provide an effective service to tackle the issues surrounding dogs that are dangerous or used in a dangerous manner as set out in the Act.
3. For the Council to provide regular out of hours patrols by the Animal Warden in conjunction with certain other named officers and the Police to enforce the Dog Control Orders that are in force throughout the borough.
4. Microchipping as an effective and less bureaucratic means of establishing ownership, addressing the misuse of animals and reducing the financial burden.

The Executive Director for Environment & Regeneration is asked to report back to this Council through the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Enforcement & Protection within the next three months.

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JULY 2009 – London Housing Design Guide

The Liberal Democrat Group supported this motion about housing standards.

This Council welcomes the news that the Mayor of London has recently published guidance on the design of all new publicly funded homes built in the capital from 2011. The guidance sets new minimum standards to meet his commitment to improve the quality of new homes and consequently the quality of life for Londoners and sets out six key areas of design that new developments will have to address.

The Council also notes that the Guide will also be used to initiate a debate for improved standards in private sector homes and these may eventually become requirements if they are incorporated as policy in the new London Plan.

The Council notes that the vast majority of the draft guide accords with the broader aspirations of “Our Place in London”, the Waltham Forest Housing Strategy and the emerging LDF objectives.

However, the Council regrets that the space standards for housing proposed in the draft guide are lower than the standards adopted in the Waltham Forest Housing Strategy (and due to be incorporated into the forthcoming LDF).

This Council therefore agrees to fully take part in the consultation on the proposed London Housing Design Guide; and within that response request that the Mayors Design Guide requires the higher space standards which are set out within the Waltham Forest Housing Strategy.

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MAY 2009 – Future of Local Post Office Branches

Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners actively campaigned against the Labour Government’s plan to close 2,500 Post Offices. The motion below was moved by Liberal Democrat councillor John Macklin (Chapel End) and seconded by Lib Dem councillor Jane Morgan (Hale End and Highams Park). It was agreed by the council following a minor amendment.

This Council:

congratulates local residents and businesses on their efforts to bring forward viable financial plans for the reopening of those local Post Office branches affected by the national ‘Network Change’ closure programme;

believes that local authorities should support and reward such initiative, and recognises the effects of the potential loss of business felt by those local shops and small businesses who rely on post office branches to contribute to their footfall;

notes the recommendations of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel from the 12th March 2008 and asks the relevant Portfolio Holders to meet formally with local resident groups and businesses who present plans to preserve our local Post Office services, outlining for them what assistance and support this Council is able to provide in terms of enterprise, property, service modernisation and the voluntary sector and to investigate the initiatives being supported by other local authorities such as Essex County Council; and

asks the relevant Portfolio Holders to report back to members on the outcome of these discussions.

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MAY 2009 – Support for Businesses

Liberal Democrat councillors supported the following motion:

This Council recognises the need to help businesses and to keep shops open through the current economic downturn. The Council notes the success of the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Leytonstone and the Argall estate. To help support businesses and our town centres in Waltham Forest further this Council resolves to progress the following proposals:

• establish a cross party recession committee to look innovatively at how the Council can help local businesses, particularly in town centres;
• use LAGBI money to increase the number of Business Improvement Districts in the borough and commit £100,000 to create business apprenticeships;
• ensure shops owned by the Council, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other public bodies are effectively marketed to businesses;
• work with landlords to agree new temporary, or ‘meanwhile’ leases that enables the Council to use the property by granting an interim license to local groups for community use or social enterprise;
• help businesses that are in, or are in danger of being in, administration through a range of services such as business debt management;
• help the Business Board to strengthen business support for existing businesses and start ups; and
• help businesses compete effectively for Council and other contracts and increase the proportion of Council contracts with local suppliers by introducing a target of 50% within 3 years.

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MARCH 2009 – Fuel Poverty

Cllr John Macklin (Chepel End) moved and Cllr Winnie Smith (Leyton) seconded a motion on fuel poverty. The amended motion below was agreed by the council.

This Council notes the increasing number of people in Waltham Forest who are suffering from fuel poverty. This Council further notes that much energy is wasted through poor insulation in people’s homes, which in turn leads to further environmental damage through unnecessarily increased carbon emissions.

This Council notes the action that has been taken locally to improve insulation in local people’s homes and the recent support of all councillors for efforts to make our Council buildings more energy efficient.

However, this Council believes that more should be done to increase the insulation standards of people’s homes and to protect the residents of Waltham Forest from high fuel bills.

This Council therefore resolves to support the aims of the Fuel Poverty Bill being proposed by David Heath MP and calls on the Chief Executive to write to local Members of Parliament calling on them to support the aims of the Bill, and to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change calling on the Government to support the aims of the Bill.

The Council also recognises efforts to eradicate fuel poverty through schemes such as cold weather and winter fuel payments and resolves to:

• promote the Warm Front Scheme and Community Energy Saving Programme in WFM, WFD shops, libraries and through our partner organisations.
• develop a response to fuel poverty building on the detailed actions contained in our Housing Strategy, including requiring private landlords we work with to have from next year an Energy Performance Certificate of level C and from 2013 to reach level A or B.
•  ensure all empty properties we bring back into use meet the same standards.
•  look at the feasibility of developing a carbon neutral neighbourhood.

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MARCH 2009 – Rail services

The Liberal Democrats supported this motion after Cllr Bob Carey (Chapel End) moved and Cllr Sean Meiszner (Highams Park) seconded an amendment:

This Council:

welcomes the news that Walthamstow Central Station is one of 30 locations across the capital which will receive extra transport police funded by the Mayor.

instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of London thanking him for the extra investment in policing in Waltham Forest. In  addition we would like to remind the Mayor of the importance of the re-opening of the Hall Farm Curve to this Borough and seek his strong and unequivocal support for that as a part of London’s Olympic transport provisions.

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Tackling Climate Change in Waltham Forest

Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Belam (Chapel End) moved and Councillor John Macklin (Chapel End) seconded this motion about climate change. This Council commits to taking practical and meaningful steps to address climate change.

Never has the environment been a bigger issue than it is today, and never have elected representatives had a greater responsibility to address public concerns about climate change.

According to survey figures published by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), 75% believe that if most people in the UK recycled more, cut down their car use or flew less, it would have a major or medium impact on the UK’s contribution to climate change.

Statistics also show that residents are now prepared to take the practical action that is needed to make this positive difference.  The proportion of people in the UK recycling paper, glass and plastic has almost doubled since 2001.

However, whilst central government are beginning to implement broader plans to address environmental concerns, local authorities, as direct public service providers, have a bigger role to play in the fight to reverse the trend of harmful climate change.

According to a study by the New Local Government Network, if all UK councils matched the performance of those local authorities ranked best at tackling climate change, local government action could collectively reduce CO2 production by 60 per cent by 2019, 31 years before central government expects to reach this level of saving.

Local councils are looking to lead the way on climate change by introducing ambitious schemes that address their residents growing concerns about the environment.  Islington Council, for example, have introduced a series of simple but effective ‘green’ initiatives, such as running all street lamps in the borough on environmentally friendly renewable energy.

Most recently, the cross-party London Councils group have unveiled proposals that would see a London-wide ban, or levy, placed on the distribution of throw away shopping bags.

An estimated 17 million disposable plastic bags are given away to shoppers each year, with just one in every 200 being recycled.  Not only is this figure unsustainable in terms of the production of non-recyclable waste, it also carries a financial cost to local authorities and to taxpayers in Waltham Forest as a result of landfill charges.

As a densely populated London borough, we face specific challenges in turning environmental awareness into positive practical action.  However, Waltham Forest Council have also been leading the way in demonstrating how local authorities, working with residents, can make a real difference.  The introduction of the borough-wide compulsory recycling scheme has already seen a huge fall in the amount of landfill being produced by residents, a result that is good for both the environment and the taxpayer.  The range of items that can be recycled within the borough has also been increased, whilst groundbreaking ‘green’ parking charges have also been successfully introduced.

Treated in isolation, though, individual actions and initiatives can only do so much.  A co-ordinated approach is needed across the borough if a positive difference and a legacy of environmental action are to be achieved for both the present and future residents of our borough.

To meet this need for a ‘joined up’ approach across the administration, Waltham Forest Council should set an example to its residents, partners and businesses within the borough by putting the consideration of environmental issues at the heart of everything the Council does.  Environmentally sustainable development should be central to our planning policy, whilst new homes should be built with energy efficiency as a major priority.

Most importantly, the consideration given to these important issues by the Council should be laid out clearly so that we can be judged by the residents we serve on our commitment to meeting public expectations in tackling climate change.

As a Council, we should be standard bearers for our residents by taking positive and practical environmental action.

Therefore, this Council welcomes:

• the work being undertaken to address residents environmental concerns through the signing of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change.
• the huge growth in recycling rates, and the fall in landfill usage, made possible by the excellent work of our residents as part of the Council’s commitment to a compulsory recycling scheme.
• the ongoing improvements being made to sustainability within Waltham Forest both as a result of the Sustainable Communities Strategy and through the appointment of specialists to measure the borough’s carbon footprint and examine climate change issues within the borough.

In order to build on this work, this Council recommends Cabinet and/or the Interim Chief Executive to:

• include a ‘Climate Change Impact Assessment’ in every report produced for the Council.  The assessment will become a central pillar of all reports and will be used to measure the predicted environmental impact of Council activities, allowing residents to judge the Council on its commitment to the proper consideration of environmental issues.
• work towards a policy of ‘green’ procurement, sending a message to our partners about the way in which we work and the standards that we expect for our residents.
• work in partnership with local businesses on proposals to introduce a ‘bag for life’ scheme for shoppers in Waltham Forest, and to launch a borough-wide campaign to gain voluntary agreement to end the practice of providing free plastic bags within the borough.
• reduce heating costs and energy usage in council facilities through the better insulation of buildings.

Existing facilities will be thoroughly checked to ensure that they are properly insulated and contributing to a reduction in energy usage and heating bills.  Better insulation will also become a key consideration in any refurbishment of Council buildings.

• liaise with Facilities Management in order to make suitable reductions to the temperature of the heating in Council buildings as a result of improved insulation and ‘heat efficiency’.
• implement, where possible, energy efficient lighting devices in Council buildings, such as energy saving light bulbs, motion sensitive lighting and timer switches.
• actively encourage all Council staff to switch off all unnecessary lights in empty buildings and to turn off all appliances in Council offices when they are not being used.

Not only will these simple actions help the environment and save taxpayers money, but they will also help Waltham Forest Council to take a lead in changing the culture on energy efficiency amongst local residents and businesses.

• investigate potential ways in which the Council could effectively make use of renewable energy or biofuels as part of its operations.
• aim to make the most of green spaces within the borough by producing an updated ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ for Waltham Forest.
• Waltham Forest is a small and densely populated borough.  However, everyone in our community should have the opportunity to enjoy a greener environment.  The Action Plan will highlight opportunities for our limited green spaces to be used more effectively and will develop plans for resident involvement, in partnership with the Council, in the establishment of ‘Community Garden’ spaces.
• actively work with schools in Waltham Forest to encourage young people to take an interest in the practical steps that they can take to help the environment, ensuring a greener future for our borough through the work of our young residents.

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Post Office Closures in Waltham Forest

Liberal Democrat councillors proposed the following motion as part of their campaign against the Labour government’s plan to close sub-Post Offices.

This Council:

Notes that Post Office Ltd has recently proposed the closure of six post office branches across Waltham Forest.

• Chingford Road, Walthamstow (Chapel End Ward)
• Forest Road, Walthamstow (Chapel End Ward)
• High Road, Leyton (Forest Ward)
• Hall Lane, Chingford (Valley Ward)
• Grove Green Road, Leytonstone (Leytonstone Ward)
• Orford Road, Walthamstow (Hoe Street Ward)

Notes that the six-week public consultation on these proposed closures ends on 2nd April 2008.

Expresses concern at the effect that closures would have on residents across our borough, particularly the elderly, the vulnerable and those with mobility impairments for whom these post offices provide a vital service.

Believes that local Post Office services are an essential part of maintaining sustainable and thriving communities, and welcomes the recent Council action against proposed local closures taken as a result of the motion passed on 18th December 2003.

This Council resolves:

To continue to oppose the Post Office closures programme both during and after the end of the statutory consultation period and to campaign against both these and any further proposed closures on behalf of all our residents.

To contact local MPs to ask for their support in this matter and elicit their views on the network change programme, asking them to make representations to the Government opposing these closures on the Council’s behalf.

To note any recommendations from our own Council committees regarding further Council action against these closures, and to act on this advice accordingly.

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Ethically and Socially Responsible Practices

Councillor John Macklin moved and Councillor Laura Shepherd seconded this motion about social responsibility.

Waltham Forest Council has a responsibility to act in an ethically and socially conscientious manner in its business practices and activities.

Legal obligations exist that place restrictions on individual local authorities with regards to their financial investments.  However it is crucial that our residents are confident that their Council is diligent in ensuring that it meets its obligations to the best of its abilities whilst also supporting calls for the loosening of the ties placed on local government in this area.

Therefore this Council, whilst recognising the difficulties presented by constraints on individual local policies, instructs all relevant officers to carry out a full evaluation of our current guidelines and protocols to ensure that, where both legally and practically possible, Waltham Forest Council is acting in both an ethically and socially responsible manner with regards to both its financial investments and its procurement of services and goods.

On completion of this evaluation, officers are asked to report back to councillors, highlighting both possible areas of concern and potential opportunities for improvement in order that practices can be revised to reflect our desire to achieve the highest possible standards in these areas.

This evaluation and possible revision of existing guidelines will enable Waltham Forest Council to reaffirm its commitment to the adoption of ethically responsible practices and to ensure that all Council partners are fully aware of the standards which we expect on behalf of our residents.

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Local Management Boards

Councillor John Macklin moved and Councillor Laura Shepherd seconded this motion.

This Council:

• requests that the Chief Executive (or his nominees) produce a report for consideration by Full Council outlining the viability of, and the procedures needed to establish, a series of ‘Local Management Boards’. These resident-led groups would be given areas of responsibility for implementing ambitious and innovative ideas in our local libraries, sports facilities, museums and galleries to ensure that they fully reflect users’ needs.
• asks, as a major part of the research into the report, that a full and wide-ranging public consultation with local activist and user groups be conducted in order to gather ideas regarding the future management and use of such facilities.Such a consultation exercise should also be used to assess the anticipated interest of residents and user groups in taking on such a management role within our local facilities.
• asks that proposals to increase the responsibilities of the Council’s Libraries Improvement Board be considered immediately in order to encompass further cultural activities within the borough.