Cllr James O’Rourke

Walthamstow 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.”

Police are calling for witnesses to the fatal stabbing, which occurred late on Sunday (7th March), at the top of High Street market after two people were seen running away from the scene of a murder towards Walthamstow bus station.

Police believe the two people were a white woman and a black man.

The dead man is described as in his late twenties to early thirties, black, wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black puffer jacket.

In response to local concerns Lib Dem High Street Councillor, James O’Rourke, said:

“It saddens me that within 18 months of the tragic death of ‘CJ’ Hendricks we have  a second family mourning the loss of a loved one following the mindless knifing of this man over last weekend. 

“I cannot express more the need for witnesses to come forward to the police so as the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice swiftly. 

“My thoughts are with this poor man’s family.”

Following the death of ‘CJ’ Hendricks Councillor O’Rourke called for a review of the CCTV coverage in Walthamstow Town Centre. He has said he will renew his call.

An incident room has opened under DCI Phil Rickells, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or believes they may have information to identify the victim should call 8345 1570.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A massive Police enquiry is under-way following the discovery of a man with suspected stab wounds in Walthamstow Town square last night.

Paramedics attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2225 GMT.

Police said they they know his identity, but are not releasing it yet.

High Street Focus Team will post updates when received.

Over the next three weeks residents in Melford Rd and Woodville Rd will have the opportunity to comment on a proposal to allow some vehicles to park with two wheels on the pavement.

Since the last local elections, in 2006, residents, as well as the emergency services and drivers of large vehicles such as refuse, have raised concerns about the difficulty to drive down these roads due to their narrowness and the large number of vehicles.

In previous consultations some residents raised concerns about the loss of parking space due to the amount of trees that line the pavement. The current proposal has taken these concerns into account which will allow regular size cars to park solely on the road and larger vehicles to place two wheels on the pavement.

Please see plan below.

Young people with disabilities from Brookfield House School, William Morris School and The Limes Community Group, based in Somers Road, held a special event to celebrate their achievements last week.

The ‘All About Us’ project celebrated the positive contributions of young people with disabilities and learning difficulties in Waltham Forest by recognising and raising awareness of everything they do in the community.

The young people showcased their work, displaying photos and videos, provided entertainment and cooked a fancy dinner as part of their ‘healthy schools’ programme for the attendees.

Addressing the event Cllr O’Rourke spoke of achievements he had witnessed including his brother, who has severe learning disabilities, living semi independently, a friend with Downs Syndrome getting an O Level (GCSE) in English and his own achievement of being elected a councillor for High Street ward.

Cllr O’Rourke added: “However old we are we should have goals and a disability should not prevent anyone from doing whatever they want to do. My being deaf in one ear has not stopped me.”

“Events like this must continue to recognise the achievements of our young people with disabilities and hopefully, some time in the future, some of the young people being recognised now will be future speakers as councillors.” he concluded.

Following Lib Dem pressure on the Labour Government, to implement the long awaited seven-year-old manifesto commitment for playgrounds, two High Street park play areas are to be given a facelift starting next week.

Coppermill and Stoneydown Parks are in the first wave of the twenty-two Waltham Forest playgrounds identified for upgrading.

New play equipment will be installed in the two parks between Monday 22nd February and 31st March 2010.

In welcoming the improvements High Street Lib Dem Councillor, James O’Rourke, said: “We must ensure this is not just a one off investment and the portfolio holder responsible for parks must keep a constant eye on the state of our playgrounds to stop vandalism, litter and graffiti.”

Signs have been placed at all park entrances advising of the works and apologising for any inconvenience caused.