Following recent reports of squatters High Street ward Councillor, James O’Rourke, was given access to the former EMD cinema. He was joined by an English Heritage representative and the Council’s Conservation Officer.

Although no evidence of squatters was found, Cllr O’Rourke was saddened to see the building in such a sorry state with clear evidence of the rave event that took place not long after the owners, UK Church of God (UKCG), bought the former cinema in 2003.

However, Cllr O’Rourke has learned that the UKCG have been in talks with relevant Cabinet members to proceed with new plans for usage of the EMD, with a planning application possibly expected as early as late January or February.

Cllr O’Rourke commented:

“It is very encouraging to discover that plans are now being made to use the EMD and end its sad tenure as another disused site in our ward.

However, it is obviously a concern that these plans have not yet been shared with local ward councillors or residents. Residents and I were recently promised transparency in relation to plans for the Arcade site and I hope the same guarantee will apply to their talks with UKCG.”

Cllr O’Rourke concluded:

“Local people have consistently voiced their desire to be kept informed and involved and I will be contacting the relevant Cabinet members to ask urgently for details about these discussions and plans on behalf of High Street residents.”

PROMISES 

2004 - State of the art Library

2006 - Cinema, Retail & residential

2008 - Cinema, Hotel, Swimming Pool & residential?

After six years of inactivity and missing the property boom, it looks like residents and ward councillors will still be unclear as to what will happen with this key site and any development will not be completed before 2012.

In a recent council meeting it was announced that discussions with the Arcade developer would begin to ‘explore’ providing leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, on the derelict site.

High Street ward councillor Johar Khan said: “What does this say about the political management of this landmark at the heart of our borough? A landmark site, which has lain empty for the last six years following empty promises.” 

Ward colleague, Cllr James O’Rourke continued:

“Opportunities have been missed long before the recession came along.

Every time a resident or a visitor gets off a bus or train at Walthamstow Central, one of the first things they see is an enormous patch of empty land at the heart of our borough. This simply isn’t good enough.

The vacant Arcade site is a reminder of the ongoing failure to deliver these promises.

The message from residents – quite rightly – is that enough is enough.”

A seven-year-old Labour Government manifesto commitment has finally been honoured with Waltham Forest due to receive £1.1 million next year for playgrounds.

In response to the announcement Cllr O’Rourke said: “The money is welcome but long overdue. Labour claimed that providing children with play facilities is a priority yet it has taken eight years for the money to be forthcoming. It is ironic that the money appears after recent pressure from the Lib Dems”.

Cllr O’Rourke added: “I want to see all our playgrounds brought up to the same standard and new ones developed where appropriate. We must ensure that this is not just a one off investment and the portfolio holder keeps a constant eye on the state of playgrounds to stop vandalism and graffiti etc. I look forward to the consultation on how residents wish to see this money spent and challenge the portfolio holder to develop innovative playgrounds fit for the 21st century.”

How do you think the money should be spent and where? Contact Cllr O’Rourke and he will pass your comments onto the portfolio holder responsible for parks and playgrounds.

On Saturday Liberal Democrat Councillors joined residents and business owners of Walthamstow Village on a protest march calling for extra Police and targetted CCTV cameras following a spate of violent crimes, including the brutal murder of Melita Jo, whose body was found in St Mary’s churchyard and the recent armed robbery in a betting shop.

Speaking with march organiser and Nags Head landlord, Roger Carter, Leader of Waltham Forest Lib Dems, Cllr John Macklin said : “We are all affected by the environment and neighbourhoods which we live in and our streets are the one public service we all rely on, everyday. It is imperative we target Council and Police resources to the areas of greatest need to ensure our streets are safe.”

Cllr Macklin was presented with a petition of 1000 signatures calling for the streets of Walthamstow Village to be made safer.

Locally Lib Dem Councillors have championed recommendations for the systematic replacement of ageing CCTV cameras in Waltham Forest and for more Police on the beat.

Scrutiny Chair and High Street ward Councillor, James O’Rourke said: “We need to do more than simply replacing our cameras, many of which are over 10 years old. We need to use up-to-date and flexible technology, such as WiFi, to ensure cameras can be placed quickly at crime and anti social behaviour hotspots.”

The Labour Government has proposed introducing directly-elected crime and policing representatives which will fail to give people greater influence over policing, will confuse the public about who is tackling crime, and undermine local partnerships vital to tackling crime.

Newly elected Lib Dem Councillor for Hale End & Highams Park, Nick Bason, commented: “Rather than spend £15 to £48 million on holding the elections, this money could instead provide between 300 and 1,000 extra Police Officers.”

If you agree we need more police please register your support for the Local Government Association Safe and Secure campaign by signing the e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website by clicking here.

Angry Waterside residents who live opposite Coppermills Water Teatment site contacted Cllr O’Rourke after they had heard, on the grapevine, that Thames Water was intending to erect fencing around their properties without consultation. They heard on a Friday that the fence would begin to be erected on the following Monday!

The six properties, formerly tied accomodation for Thames Water employees, back on to one of the reservoirs which supplies water to much of north and east London.

Although aware of the security issues faced by Thames Water the residents were deeply concerned that a huge unsightly fence would be erected only inches from their own fences and spoil the view they had enjoyed for many years.

Following emails and telephone calls from the residents and Cllr O’Rourke the Coppermills Water Teatment site manager agreed to a meeting within which an amicable agreement was reached.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “I’m pleased the two parties have come to an agreement and am sure Thames Water have learnt the lesson to carry out meaningful and effective consultation in the future.”

US President-elect Barack Obama’s roots have possibly been traced to 18th century Ireland and a village called Moneygall in the County Cllr O’Rourke’s mother hails from, Offaly.

Irish band, Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys have highlighted Obama’s Irish heritage with the song, ‘There’s no one as Irish as Barack Obama’.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “What a fabulous and fun story this is particularly as my mother’s family are from County Offaly and one of her older brothers emigrated to Chicago in the early 1960’s”.

To purchase the song click here.

Footage courtesy Youtube/Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys.

Your Liberal Democrat Focus Team are delighted that the Council has agreed to look at our plans for more resident involvement in the management of local arts, sports and cultural venues.

Because of the work of your Lib Dems, the Council will now look at introducing ‘Local Management Boards’, groups of High Street ward  residents who would be given areas of responsibility in managing their local facilities.

Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said that the Council “have a responsibility to let their residents take part in the process of shaping local services.”

Cllrs O’Rourke and  Khan continued: “The future of our local cultural services, such as museums and libraries, is obviously one of great concern to many residents. We promised High Street ward residents we would work to get them more resident involvement, and we are delivering on that promise”.

The Council has agreed to introduce an Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) as from the 10th November 2008. The ARZ is in response to public concern about anti-social  behaviour associated with street drinking in Walthamstow Town Centre and in particular in and around the Town Square.

The ARZ will provide a more consistent and longer-term solution to improve the quality for those who use the area, by giving the police powers to deal with anti-social drinking.

Welcoming the introduction of the ARZ Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said: “The ARZ will benefit our local community, businesses and visitors to Walthamstow by providing Police powers that they currently do not have, to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder and allow us to reclaim Walthamstow Town Centre. Children and families will be more inclined to use local facilities, such as the Town Centre Park and open space and it will undoubtedly improve the image of one of the gateways to Waltham Forest.”

Click on map to see larger version.

Recently the Children and Young Peoples and Community Safety and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees, chaired by Cllr James O’Rourke, joined forces to take evidence on how Knife Crime was being tackled in Waltham Forest.

Sixty people attended representing a myriad of internal and external key partners involved in tackling knife crime in Waltham Forest. A number of interested residents also attended.

Evidence was taken from a wide range of witnesses including the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Job Centre Plus, schools & colleges and trading standards. Vital evidence was supplied by three representatives of the Youth Independent Advisory Group who gave Councillors of the committees and other attendees an enthralling account from young people’s perspective.

Disappointingly, the only media coverage, by WF Guardian, concentrated on the Police when curiously, their reporter, in her blog, gave a marginally better account of the meeting than was officially reported in their website and paper.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “The point that needs to be made is we managed to get sixty people from partners relating to knife crime to start the debate on how to eradicate this serious problem. I agree with the reporter that a three hour meeting cannot address the ills of the world. However, it was a start and I will not allow the issue of knife/youth crime to disappear into the ether to await another tragedy. Watch this space.”

Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor, met people with special needs, including Cllr O’Rourke’s brother Tony, and carers who attended the annual dance of the Waltham Forest Catholic Handicapped Fellowship.

The Fellowship, in its 41st year, celebrated the achievements of two of its founders, Benny and Ann Scott, and in their absence committee member, Phyllis Flynn, was presented an award from the Mayor in recognition of their dedicated service to WFCHF.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “My mum and dad, Frank and Anna, were amongst the founders of the Waltham Forest branch of the Catholic Handicapped Fellowship and not long after my election in 2006 I followed in my dad’s foot steps and became chair. Waltham Forest is full of people like Benny and Ann and my mum and dad and it is right that we should recognise their valuable contribution to our community. Our fundraising events enable us to provide valuable support to people with special needs and their carers in Waltham Forest and I am pleased to announce that we raised nearly £800 at the dance”

Click on the pictures for larger versions and for more information about the Waltham Forest Catholic Handicapped Fellowship click here.