Focus have been receiving reports that since the Council decided to take out the road calming measures in Cann Hall road, the car speeds have increased.Winchelsea Road
Focus has had complaints once again about a business in Winchelsea Road keeping anti-social hours and working on their vehicles in the street.
Councillor Liz Phillips has contacted the council’s Enforcement Officers who will be visiting this business to remind them about the laws relating to these premises.
Bin Swap
In a recent survey in Cann Hall many local residents with large refuse and recycling bins said they wanted small bins – and vice versa – some with small bins wanted large.
Unfortunately Waltham Forest has run out of bins and so can’t provide them.
The Focus Team has decided to set up a bin swap scheme for both types of bin. You can telephone, write or email Clyde Kitson (contact details on the Focus Team page) and let him know which type of bin you want to swap and he will try to fix you up with a swap partner. Clyde has already swapped his large recycling bin for a small one. He now wants to swap his large refuse bin.
Can we suggest that you make sure that your bin is clean when you swap it?
Save Harrow Green Library petition – update!
The Liberal Democrat petition to ‘Save Harrow Green Library’ of over 1000 signatures, has been handed to the Council. Along with another residents petition, the total signatures comes to over 4000.
These petitions indicate the overwhelming support by residents that they want to keep the Library open.
The Council’s consultation on the review of libraries has come to an end and will be reported to the Cabinet on the 11th of October.
Lib Dem councillors Liz Phillips and Bob Sullivan were members of a Scrutiny Panel that scrutinised the original Cabinet report.
The Panel noted that the Cabinet report left many questions unanswered and while it contained a great deal of information, it was not always the right information. They felt the report did not do a complete job.
The Panel identified 19 recomendations which will be given to the Cabinet in October. If implemented would support the expansive Library and Information Service, whilst negating the closure of any library.
Among the 19 panel recommendations to enable libraries to afford keeping open were:
- Shelving Sunday opening and all libraries should be closed on Mondays.
- Opening hours should be reviewed.
- The charges for the use of libraries to be reviewed.
- Consider locating staff from rental premises to space currently available in Harrow Green Library.
- Review salaries and grading of staff and review library contracts e.g. cleaning services.
There were many other recommendations, which hopefully, will give the Cabinet reasons to save the libraries from closure.
Howard Road – Damaged Street Light
A member of the Focus Team noticed that lamp column number 3 in Howard Road appeared to have been knocked by a vehicle and the concrete at the base was broken.The Council was alerted immediately, and the Focus Team is pleased to report that swift action followed to rectify the damage.
Remember, you can let us know about any similar street problems through the ‘Report A Problem’ page on this website.
Alternatively, you may report problems direct to the Council by ringing Waltham Forest Direct on 8496 3000.
Last Chance to sign Save Harrow Green Library Petition
Councillor Liz Phillips and the Cann Hall Focus Team are delighted to report a massive response to the petition to save Harrow Green Library from closure. So far they have in excess of a thousand signatures and the number is growing daily. Others too have been collecting signatures.
Petition Closing Soon
If you have not signed already they urge you to sign up on line now. There are only days left before the petition is due to be presented to the Mayor.
The petition is at: http://ourcampaign.org.uk.HarrowGreenLibrary
Thorpe, Pevensey and Vansittart bridges
As many residents will know the railway bridges in Thorpe, Pevensey and Vansittart roads are being repaired and strengthened. This has caused concern amongst local residents due to noise and inconvenience.
Focus Team member Adrian Trett has taken up complaints with Council officers on behalf of local residents. The response was that they agreed Networkk Rail’s plans as the work is essential.
Unfortunately, Network Rail failed to communicate with local residents until very late in the day. If you have any further concerns, please contact Nick Gray, Community Relations Manager on 08457 114141, or write to him at: Network Rail, King’s Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG
Could you be a ‘SNOW ANGEL’?
Waltham Forest, like many other Councils is planning for the coming winter and want residents to play a vital role in making sure that the borough can cope in the event of severe weather conditions.
Suitable precautions to deal with snow and ice are being put into place, but the Council is hoping that residents will agree to become “Snow Angels” and help clear their vulnerable neighbours’ drives and pathways of snow and ice.
The Snow Angel scheme was piloted last year amongst Council staff who live in the borough and who volunteered to grit and shovel snow from drives, pathways and pavements to keep the borough moving. This proved to be a huge success so now the Council has decided to roll the scheme out to the residents of Waltham Forest.
Volunteers will be provided with the following free equipment:
1 x 20kg bag of grit
Hi-visibility jacket
Protective gloves
Snow scoop and shovel
If you are interested in becoming a “Snow Angel” please contact Amanda Karrinton on 0208 496 1296 or email on amanda.karrinton@walthamforest.gov.uk by 31st August 2011 and you will be provided with further information.
Drapers Field – The Decision!
At the Planning Committee meeting this week approval was granted to the ODA to use Drapers Field for 16 months from this September. In January 2013 Drapers Field will return to the Council.
The application included compensation which will be used under a Section 106 agreement to re-provide an upgraded full-size all weather pitch, plus a turfed junior football pitch. There will also be improvements to the Sport England pavilion.
Since the Council has decided to carry out the restoration of Drapers Field themselves, it is reported that the Field should be reopened by September 2013.
A Section 111 agreement covers off-site improvements at Marsh Lane and Abbotts Park.
CHURCH LANE CAR PARK
Also, at the last minute, the multi-utility games area (MUGA) in the Church Lane car park was included. The Liberal Democrats believe that this facility should not be unsupervised in the middle of the Shopping Centre, and would be better situated on the field next to the Pastures Centre in Davies Lane, which is a much more central location for residents in 3 wards, Cann Hall, Cathall and Leytonstone.
What do you think?
We would like to hear from you.
Harrow Green Library – Update!
The FOCUS Team has already had a massive response to the fight to save Harrow Green Library.
The Council’s consultation is still running, so, if you haven’t signed the petition so far, please go on-line now at: