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.”

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.

For over 40 years the 7th Walthamstow Scout group has provided a myriad of opportunities for young people by offering activities and challenges where they can learn skills such as Administration, First Aid and Conservation.

Pathfinder Lodge, in Stephenson Road, has also been the centre of local community activity with groups such as older person’s social groups, a performing arts group and a Turkish language group using the building up until mid 2008 when the leaky roof took its toll on the interior.

With the support of the High Street Focus Team funding was secured and the building refurbished over the last two years. Local community groups are now flocking back to use the facility and despite the Labour ward councillors opposition to the scouts bid for Community Council funding, to finally enable the building to be brought back into use, even he and the outgoing Labour MP are now planning to use Pathfinder Lodge.

High Street Lib Dem Councillor, James O’Rourke, said:

“Communities need to have a focal point and I’m delighted that a building I attended as a child has been given a new lease of life.”

“I welcome the innovative interest shown by groups, like the Blackhorse Action Group to develop a community garden at the site, in addition to the other activities which take place at this facility.”

Liberal Democrats throughout London are launching their campaign, Better Stations, to tackle London’s neglected rail stations.

The campaign includes a five-point plan to improve our rail stations:

1. Ensure stations are staffed throughout the hours trains are running;
2. Keep all available station entrances open during these hours;
3. Deep-clean all stations and remove “grot-spots”;
4. Launch a website where you can easily report any problem with your station;
5. Invest in making stations fully accessible. 

Cllr James O’Rourke said: “We simply shouldn’t tolerate reduced staffing hours or entrances being closed at our rail stations. Our stations need to be cleaner and better cared for as many stations, railway bridges and embankments are often littered with graffiti and rubbish and are an eyesore for commuters and local residents. Reporting these problems should also be quick and simple.”

Our railway stations must be safe, clean and accessible. Please join our campaign by signing our petition on line now at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/betterstations

Disabled and family travellers’ access to the Victoria Line tube was severely hampered over the Christmas holidays due to the lifts at Walthamstow Central being out of order.

Despite promises from Transport for London, in 2005, to “…build lifts from the railway station to the Underground…” and Labour claims that the lifts had been installed especially because they ‘fought’ for them have not helped disgruntled travellers, particularly those with disabilities, because the lifts are ineffectual as they are often out of order and do not go down to the platforms.

Members of local disability groups have told High Street Focus Team that access to the Victoria Line is so poor in Waltham Forest that they use Tottenham Hale where the lifts go down to the platforms.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “It is disgraceful that disabled people from Waltham Forest are having to go to another borough to access the Victoria Line when we have two stations in High Street ward.”

“I will be writing to Transport for London demanding they improve the reliability of the lifts and lobby to have a lift facility which enables direct access to platforms as is the case at Tottenham Hale.” he concluded.

High Street Lib Dems have welcomed the creation of over one hundred new jobs following the ‘Grand Opening’ today of a Wilkinson’s store in the former Woolworths in Walthamstow High Street.

The three hundred and thirty third Wilkinson store received 4,500 application forms which were whittled down to fill the 103 jobs on offer. Four are former Woolworths  employees and eighty six, including lone parents, are now no longer registered unemployed.

Cllr James O’Rourke said at the grand opening

“In an economic downturn 100 new jobs in Walthamstow is great news. At a time when so many people are worried about their livelihoods and jobs being lost this is a boost to our local economy that is much needed.”

“The store will not only provide long term secure employment for their new employees but also benefit the market generally by drawing people to an area desperately in need of shoppers.”

Liberal Democrat councillors were out in force last weekend to help launch the borough’s Plastic Bag Amnesty at the Energy Fair in Walthamstow Town Square.

Cllr Patrick Smith, Farid Ahmed (parliamentary candidate for Walthamstow) Cllr Bob  Belam, Cllr James O’Rourke and Cllr Bob Wheatley (all pictured right) joined residents at the launch in exchanging their plastic bags for linen bags.

The initiative is a result of a Liberal Democrat motion to Full Council in December 2007 introduced by Cllr Bob Belam and local Lib Dem leader Cllr John Macklin, which will see a raft of ‘green’ measures introduced by the Council, including a ‘climate change impact assessment’ in every council report.

Speaking after Labour and Conservative councillors agreed to accept the Lib Dem recommendations, Cllr Bob Belam said:

“These are simple but effective measures that will make the way the Council works cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

“Local authorities are now rightly being put under pressure to deliver practical results with regard to the environment. Waltham Forest residents are already playing their part through their excellent uptake of waste recycling.

“A Climate Change Impact Assessment will make transparent the Council’s commitment to addressing residents environmental concerns, ensuring that the consideration of climate change issues are at the front and centre of everything the Council does.

“Liberal Democrats want to take a lead on this issue and become standard bearers for our residents, businesses and other local authorities.”

The Council’s plastic bag amnesty runs until 14 November, and during this period the Council will take ten of your environmentally unfriendly plastic carrier bags, send these to be recycled, and give you a neat new reusable cloth shopping bag in exchange.

Sound good? Well, you can make the trade at any WFD shop or, alternatively, have the amnesty brought to you when Waltham Forest staff greets shoppers next Saturday 14th November at Albert Crescent (intersection of Chingford Mount Road and Old Church Road) in Chingford, E4.

To find out more about the plastic bag amnesty call 020 8496 3000 or visit www.walthamforest.gov.uk

High Street Lib Dem Councillors, James O’Rourke and Johar Khan have joined London colleagues in reacting angrily to news that the concessionary fares scheme in London will be cut by £29m this coming year.

It is yet another clear sign that Gordon Brown has given up on London.

London taxpayers have always paid for the freedom pass that covers pensioner travel on all forms of transport. But when the Government introduced the national free bus scheme they agreed to contribute to the cost and cover journeys made by tourists and neighbours.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Local Government in London Cllr Sean Brennan said: “This a real cut for London. Council Tax payers will now have to dig deep and find the money to pay extra for the freedom pass. Whilst the rest of the country gets their scheme paid for by the Government London tax payers will have to pay two-thirds of the cost of giving our pensioners and visitors to London the transport they need.

“It is clear the Prime Minister has given up on London. London is the only major urban area to get a cut in the funding for elderly and disabled people and the Government is relying on London Council Tax payers to foot a bill they cover everywhere else in the country.”

At Prime Minsiter’s Question Time last Wednesday Tom Brake MP pushed the Prime Minister on the Council Tax increase that would be needed to cover the shortfall.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson branded this a double whammy for Londonders, she said:

“After Boris Johnson’s decision to hike bus fares by 20% Londoners now face a double whammy with this savage cut in funding for the Freedom Pass.

“Hard up London council taxpayers, who are already facing a steep rise in fares, will now have to pay even more in their council tax to maintain London’s Freedom Pass.”

“This is an outrageous proposal by the Labour Government who are insulting London’s pensioners, disabled people, as well as council taxpayers across the capital.”

Join the Lib Dem London wide campaign and sign the petition by clicking here or get get a campaign pack from Laura Willoughby (laura.willoughby@londoncouncils.gov.uk).

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.

Local Liberal Democrats have confirmed their opposition to plans to close the Pool and Track in order to fund the long-awaited Arcade development before a consultation on the area has been completed.

A new report, which will go to Cabinet tonight (15th September), asks senior councillors to agree to authorise officers to find a developer for a “mixed use scheme” on the vacant Arcade site, using £10million from the disposal of the Pool and Track, plus an option of Council borrowing, for a replacement facility on the site at the top of Walthamstow High Street.

In March this year Liberal Democrat cabinet members voted against an earlier report laying the groundwork for the plan, with Cllr Macklin telling a cabinet meeting that the Council had “a history of knocking things down and leaving them derelict and I am worried about swapping one piece of derelict land in Walthamstow for another near the town hall”.

Outlining his concerns, Cllr Macklin claimed that the report would have serious knock-on effects both for the future of the Pool and Track facility and the planning application recently submitted for development of the former EMD cinema. Cllr Macklin added that, despite last-ditch efforts within the Town Hall to urge Labour cabinet members to postpone the plans, the report will go forward.

Cllr Macklin said:

“I just cannot see the logic in bringing these proposals forward at this time.

“The report regarding the future of the Pool and Track site has not even been completed and an outstanding planning application for the former EMD is yet to be heard. The approval we are being asked to give in this report will obviously have massive implications for both these developments.”

Click here to read Cllr Macklin’s article in full.

JOIN US AT CABINET TONIGHT TO TELL LABOUR WE WANT TO KEEP 

POOL & TRACK.

Disabled Blue Badge holders can now get information on where they can legally park online.

The Blue Badge Map, launched by Government information site Direct Gov, and endorsed by the charity Motability, also lets holders find petrol stations with Service Call assistance facilities, learn about local parking rules and regulations and find accessible toilets.

Users can search the map by entering a street, town or postcode or pick a town or city from a list. Users then select the types of location they want displayed.

Cllr O’Rourke welcomed the initiative saying: “The Blue Badge map is an excellent idea and will add to the wealth of information already being provided to Waltham Forest residents at the Councils My Place website.”

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 week sees the 21st Anniversary for the Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre (WFDRC) based in Warner Road.

Supporters of the DRC, Waltham Forest Mayor, Cllr Shelia Smith-Pryor and Councillor, James O’Rourke, joined the celebrations with committee members/service users and staff.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “The DRC building holds many memories for me. When at primary school I had my school dinners there and later my brother, who has learning disabilities, and I attended Gateway clubs. The DRC provides vital support and advice for people with disabilities in Waltham Forest and will continue to receive my support.”

The DRC provides daily activities which promote learning, independence and healthy living for people with physical and/or sensory disabilities who live in the Borough of Waltham Forest. It also offers work experience and a trainee scheme which is aimed at providing vocational training and support for people with disabilities.

While attending a Royal Garden Party, yesterday, Cllr O’Rourke and his partner Gill bumped into the Walthamstow District of St John Ambulance.

Cllr O’Rourke commented “It was a fabulous experience for Gill and I to attend such a prestigious event and have the opportunity to walk around a beautiful garden. I am proud and reassured to know that Walthamstow residents were providing such a vital service.”

Talking to St John Ambulance volunteers  Cllr O’Rourke learned of the most common ailements suffered by attendees of Royal Garden Parties; excitement, heat stroke and new shoes!!!

Cllr O’Rourke added “St John Ambulance not only provide support to events such as Royal Garden Parties but also vital first aid training. I recommend people attend first aid training, as I did some years ago, which can provide life saving skills”

If you are interested in supporting, joining or attending courses provided by St John Ambulance either visit the St John Ambulance website or contact the Walthamstow District at 23 East Avenue, E17 9NG Tel: 020 8521 9990.