At last nights budget setting Council meeting it was unanimously agreed to remove the £350,000, allocated to convert the former St James Street Library to a Drugs Rehabilitation Centre, from the 2009/10 Capital Programme following persistent pressure from High Street Liberal Democrat Councillors.

The money, hidden yet again within an appendix, was described as a ‘mistake’ by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Clyde Loakes, in his speech.

Lib Dem Councillors, James O’Rourke and Johar Khan, said:

“This is a victory for the residents and schools who have raised their concerns and objections about this proposal with us.

“Now we need to do two things. Ensure the much needed drugs rehabilition facility finds an appropriate home and campaign for the building to used for the benefit of the whole community in High Street ward.”

See Budget Appendix below. Item 11 and the total column have been amended to account for the removal of £350,000. The new figures will read £7,327m and £91,563m respectively. Click on icon in top right hand corner to view full page.

12. Appendix 7 - Capital Programme (2)

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High Street Liberal Democrat Councillor, James O’Rourke, joined local residents last week to voice their opposition to a Drugs Rehabilitation Centre being located in the former St James Street library.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “I wanted residents to know that the Lib Dem team share their concerns about the proposal for the use of the building.

“As I’ve been keen to stress I am a big supporter of the Drug Action Team and the work they carry out.

“However, like those residents who attended the protest, I do not believe this building  is an appropriate location for such a service.”

From 1st March a four phase closure of Walthamstow market will take place to enable Thames Water to replace water mains which are between 100 and 150 years old.

Thames water says the work of replacing these mains is particularly important as London’s water resources are being put under increasing pressure from the effects of climate change, population growth and rising demand for water.

High Street Liberal Democrats have listed the phases below for your information.

Although the work inevitably involves some short-term disruption, it will bring many long-term benefits, most importantly a reduction in the potential for future bursts and leaks, minimising the need for more streetworks.

Thames Water says all market traders have been informed by the Council’s market management and will be relocated during the works. The market closures will not affect access to shops.

A number of streets in High Street ward have been included in a trial ‘deep cleanse’ where footpaths, kerbsides and drains will be throughly cleaned. Deep cleansing is the  most thorough cleanse a street can receive.

Residents in the chosen roads will receive letters notfifying them of the days their road is to be cleaned and asking they do not park on one side of the road so that the work can be carried out.

The deep clean will include using pressurised water technology. The aim is to clear dirt, grime and chewing gum from the surface of the streets, building on the day to day work done by the Councils street cleansing team, Kier.

Lib Dem Councillor, James O’Rourke said:

“This trial shows Liberal Democrats responding to residents needs. We are sure it will be successful and like many other local authorities, who have trialled similar schemes, will become a part of our standard service. By scheduling deep cleans we can tackle the harder to clean roads in High Street ward. So far deep cleans elsewhere in the borough have been welcomed by residents who are more than happy to move their cars as they want cleaner streets.”

See below for identified roads and dates for deep cleanse in High Street ward.

The condition of Coppermill Lane over the past few weeks has deteriorated very badly with rubbish and dog fouling along its length. High Street Liberal Democrat Councillor, James O’Rourke, called for this road to be cleaned more regularly recognising it is a main thoroughfare to and from the High Street.

Kier supervisors agreed with Cllr O’Rourke and in an email informed him that they are going to increase the cleaning of Coppermill Lane from a Friday to daily with effect from next week.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “This is a big win for common sense and shows the Walthamstow Town Centre task group, set up by Liberal Democrat Councillors, is resulting in tangible improvements for High Street ward residents.”

“Increasing cleaning will help. However, we all have a duty to report those who cause the mess, whether it is litter or dog fouling, so as to stop them doing it again. I ask residents to call 020 8496 3000 if they witness anyone littering, flytipping or allowing dogs to foul footpaths so as enforcement action can be taken.”   

High Street Liberal Democrat Councillors have met with senior Council Officers to voice their outrage about the decision, made behind closed doors and buried in a financial monitoring report, to convert the former St James Street library into a Drugs Rehabilitation Centre.

A single reference to the former St James Street library was buried in the 170 page document presented to and agreed by the Councils Cabinet on 20th January. The four paragraphs, under the heading of Drug Services Refurbishment, seems to imply that this building was identified as early as 2004 for this service.

Interestingly, cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Afzal Akram, has issued a statement denying the decision was buried and advising confidential financial negotiations with partners had been ongoing for a number of months and that it would have been entirely inappropriate to discuss the results of these negotiations until they finished.

Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said:

“Whether deliberate or not Cllr Akram cannot deny that this decision was buried deep within an appendix of a financial monitoring report and he has openly admitted High Street ward Councillors, representatives of residents, have been excluded from discussions.

“We are seeking advice in regards Cllr Akram’s impartiallity as he did not declare an interest at the Cabinet meeting of being chair of one of the major partners in this project, namely Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust.

“We do not deny the invaluable work the Drug Action Team does nor do we wish to give the impression of ‘not in my back yard’. However, notwithstanding the lack of consultation with both councillors and residents we simply do not agree this building is an appropriate location for such a service and will do all in our power to overturn this injustice.”

Read the the buried paragraphs on page 101 below.

Cabinet Papers - St James St Library

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Recent revelations by High Street Lib Dem Councillors regarding proposals for the former EMD cinema have sparked a debate amongst local residents.

Through persistent pressure Cllr O’Rourke gained access to the historic building after learning that the UKCG had been in talks with Cabinet members regarding plans for its use. Councillors were recently given the opportunity to see and hear proposals for the regeneration of the former EMD cinema in Hoe Street.

Cllr O’Rourke said:

“I have long maintained the only way progress can be made on this issue is to have full and frank disclosure of plans to both councillors and local residents, and the offer I made three weeks ago for the UKCG to present their proposals to residents at a public meeting still stands.”

“A lot of opinions have already been voiced about the future of the site, its owners and the role of the Council and it is obvious that there is, understandably, a lot of strong feeling regarding the building.”

“I am always prepared to meet with residents to discuss their concerns and hear their views on this issue. I strongly believe the only way to reach a resolution in this case is for all parties, including both residents and owners, to engage with each other and not simply dismiss each other’s interests and concerns.”

“It is certainly true that the pledges to include a cinema as part of the Arcade development, which were made before the last local elections in 2006, considerably damaged the chances of the EMD reopening as a cinema.”

“However, whatever residents’ opinions on the future of the building, I think we all agree that enough is enough. For far too long High Street ward has been a hub of derelict buildings and empty construction sites, and that simply isn’t good enough.”

High Street Lib Dem Councillors, James O’Rourke and Johar Khan, recently received a briefing from the owners of the former EMD cinema, UK Church of God (UKCG), outlining their vision for this historic building.

Cllrs O’Rourke and Khan listened intently whilst representatives of the UKCG outlined their Granada Conference Rooms proposals.

UKCG have plans for a 250 seat auditorium which could have dual purpose for theatre productions, conferences and cinema screening, two meeting rooms and a gallery all on the upper level.

The entrance lobby and pub would be transformed into a cafe, carpet shop converted to training rooms with a youth club above.

The main auditorium would be restored to its former glory and used by the Church.

Cllrs O’Rourke and Khan gave a cautious welcome to the proposals saying:

“This building has served the community of Walthamstow for the last 80 years and must continue to do so. We will work to ensure the promises of community access are honoured.”

UKCG hope to submit a planning application in the near future.

Picture by Roy Tillett and reproduced by kind permission of Yellow Advertiser

The winter maintenance programme for gritting the boroughs main roads, hills and secondary routes began in earnest yesterday evening and carried on throughout the night. By 7.00am nearly 60 tonnes of grit had been put on the boroughs main roads and footways. The Council will continue to grit main roads as a priority until they are clear.

Snow continued to fall gently throughout the day and forecasters say the snow will continue to fall for the next couple of days.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “I’m acutely aware of the hard work carried out by our Winter Maintenance team having worked in the department responsible. Congratulations to Cllr Bob Belam and the team for keeping the borough moving particularly given forecasters suggesting this has been the heaviest snow fall in 18 years.” 

Gritters left their depot at 4pm this afternoon to concentrate on hilly areas and gritting will continue overnight in anticipation of the continued forecast of snow and cold weather. You can view the Council’s Winter Maintenance Plan by clicking here.