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.”

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have approved a plan to reduce key parking charges following their review of the Councils parking strategy .

For residents living in controlled parking zones (CPZ’s) visitor permits have been reduced by up to 14.5%, business permits reduced by 5% and for the fourth year in a row car park charges and on-street parking vouchers have been frozen. Refund and administration fees have also been slashed by up to 61%.

Referring to Labour’s Council motion in December last year Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Bob Belam said:

“While others produce reports Liberal Democrats have again led the way by reducing key parking charges for the next financial year.”

“In the current economic climate it is right that we listen to our residents and businesses and help them where we can.”

• A 12 month business permit is reduced from £410 to £390

• CPZ visitors permits will reduce from

• • £21 to £18 for 5 hrs tickets
  • £18 to £16 for 2 hr tickets
  • £15 to £14 for 1 hr tickets

• 15 Minute School permits stay at £15 for low emission vehicles

Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam, announced a new scheme telling drivers exactly where CCTV enforcement vehicles will be deployed.

The initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in the Country, aims to promote safer driving, reduce road accidents and lower the number of penalty charge notices issued to motorists for transgressions such as stopping in a box junction.

Details of where the boroughs five CCTV enforcement vehicles will be are available for viewing on the Waltham Forest Council website at www.walthamforest.gov.uk.

CCTV vehicles are deployed in the identified areas because residents have complained about congestion, accidents and other issues in their vicinity,

Cllr Bob Belam, said: “The main aim of our traffic enforcement team is to improve safety for all of Waltham Forest’s roads users. It is not about making money at the expense of motorists.

“We hope this scheme will encourage people to drive more carefully, especially at the locations where we issue most of our penalty charge notices, and help us to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.

Waltham Forest Council’s CCTV vehicles are responsible for recording moving traffic violations, such as stopping in box junctions, driving in bus lanes and making banned turns. They are also used for parking enforcement purposes.

The statutory penalty charge for a moving traffic violation is £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Councillors ensured green spaces and playing fields are properly reflected in Council policies and practices despite Labour attempts to water down a Lib Dem motion at the last Full Council meeting.

People from across the borough told Lib Dem Councillors that they felt their open spaces and sports facilities were under threat and that the Council did not represent their concerns in protecting these facilities.

Cllr James O’Rourke said: “We were not surprised that the Labour party tried to play down the risk by making a poor amendment to our original motion by saying there was not a ‘threat’ to our green spaces.”

“Clearly, Labour are not in tune with the residents of Waltham Forest who are definitely concerned for the future of our green spaces and sports facilities.” he added.

Labour’s attempt to weaken the motions wording was voted down and the Lib Dem motion to protect our playing fields, green spaces and sports facilities was unanimously passed.

A Lib Dem 2006 local election manifesto policy commitment to hand Council assets to Local Management Boards is close to becoming reality in High Street ward.

The High Street Lib Dem Focus Team have worked with members of the Friends of Stoneydown Park (FOSP) and Council Officers to look at the feasibility of enabling the local community to manage and have access to the former Street Wardens hut in the park.

Join us at FOSP’s public meeting this coming Monday 9th November between 7pm and 8.30pm in Stoneydown Primary School if you are interested in helping us. Full details below.

Tower Mews, E17 is to have a facelift as part of the Walthamstow Town Centre revamp.

A small area of the granite setts will be relaid, the entrance to the Mews will be similar to neighbouring Rosebank Villas and in the middle tarmac. In addition street lighting will be placed on properties where possible, some building protection street furniture installed at vulnerable corners and highway boundaries will be more clearly defined.

“This is fabulous news for the residents of Tower Mews and and Hoe Street. These works not only tie in beautifully to the work of the Walthamstow Town Centre Task Group, set up by the Liberal Democrats, but also addresses the problems residents of the Mews have been complaining about.” said Lib Dem High Street Councillor, James O’Rourke.

The works are planned to start on Monday 20^th October 2009 and take three weeks. Around the same time Cleveland Park Avenue will be resurfaced from the High Street junction to Cleveland Park Crescent. Council Officers will contact residents affected to discuss how to manage access during the works.

Last night the Councils Cabinet unanimously agreed to close the Church Hill cash office, in Walthamstow, despite opposition from residents and Public sector union UNISON.

Those opposing the closure say the decision will remove choice for Waltham Forest residents who prefer to pay in cash or in person.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “I agree with Cllr John Macklin when he said that there is no question about the quality and care in which staff in the cash office do their job, it is very good, it is outstanding and they do provide a valuable service.”

“However, what those who oppose this decision fail to to say is that there is now more choice for Waltham Forest residents to pay their Council bills at local PayPoint outlets and Post Offices. I searched the Councils new web facility, My Place, and found 13 locations in High Street ward where residents can pay their Council and utility bills in cash. We need to ensure this information is more widely available for those who do not use the internet.” he added.

PayPoint is an easy way to pay your Council Tax over the counter at outlets near to you. All Council Tax bills and payment slips now include a bar code that will enable you to make payment at any establishment displaying the PayPoint logo.

PayPoint is a free and more convenient way to pay your regular bills in cash, charge up your meter or top-up your mobile. Click here to find your nearest PayPoint location. Enter your postcode and select PayPoint locations from the services list to view locations on a map.

This weekend Cllr James O’Rourke opened Waltham Forest’s annual International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) event, at Waltham Forest Town Hall, to remember Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) victims who have lost their lives or have been affected by homophobia and transphobia across the world.

May 17th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “I welcome the opportunity to celebrate and support the LGBT community in Waltham Forest and make a visible stand against all forms of hate crime. Hate crime is under reported and it is vital that, if you are a victim, it is reported.” 

If you are a victim of Hate Crime you can report it on line by clicking here.

Waltham Forest LGBT matters survey

We want to find out about the experiences and needs of LGBT people who live, work and socialise in Waltham Forest. Help us by completing the online survey by clicking here.

The Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Group are celebrating after receiving the Council Group of the Year Award from Party Leader, Nick Clegg MP.

Before the Lib Dems joined the Council administration in 2002, the Labour run Council had been one of the worst in the country. After six years with the Liberal Democrats, the council is now rated as one of the most improved councils in the U.K.

This prize also recognises an excellent year for the local group who won four of the five by-elections in Waltham Forest during 2008. The Liberal Democrat Group look forward to yet another successful year.

Liberal Democrats have kept their promise to Waltham Forest residents by approving a below average 1.9% increase in Council Tax whilst still committing to investing in street cleaning services, mental health services and enforcement powers to clamp down on rogue property developers.

For more information and to read the Lib Dem Leaders Budget speech click here.

See below for the Council budget decisions which includes the removal of £350,000 from the Capital Budget in relation to the former St James St Library (2.8).

Council Budget Decisions - 26.02.09

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