Harrow Green Library closure planned

The Cann Hall Focus Team was shocked to see that a report on the Library Service, due to be presented to the Cabinet on 14 June, includes the proposal to close both Harrow Green and South Chingford Libraries.

The report recommends that Leytonstone, Leyton, Walthamstow and North Chingford be designated Library Plus branches – open 7 days a week and offering some additional services that were previously available in the Waltham Forest Direct shops.

While Hale End, Higham Hill, Wood Street and Lea Bridge will become Library Local branches, open for 30 hours a week.

Providing that this report is agreed by the Cabinet there is expected to be a 12-week consultation period between June and September.

Whatever your views the Focus Team urges you to respond to the consultation to make sure that the Council has the fullest possible picture of the feelings of local residents.

It is understood that a further report, taking into account the consultation, will be submitted to the Cabinet in October.

Make your voice heard!

Trumpington Road Respite Care Centre

Focus Team campaigner Adrian Trett outside the Respite Care CentreThe council has decided to upgrade this centre and remodel it to provide both residential and short breaks residential care.

In future it will provide long term accommodation for 6 people in three self-contained units, and 4 respite beds in a fourth unit.

 As MENCAP has pointed out this represents loss of nine places for overnight respite. Being as 76 families in Waltham Forest rely on this type of care, they claim it is a step too far.

 If you are one of the families affected by this decision Focus would like to hear your views on this.

Once the works are completed the service will be ‘outsourced’ to a provider who has ‘an excellent track record’ in this field.

Cann Hall Road

Lib Dem campaigner Adrian Trett in Cann Hall Road - where the footpath has been narrowed

Over recent months Cann Hall Road has been resurfaced, parking has been taken off the road, new street lighting and trees added. For many this has been a great improvement to the road and the local environment.

 However, the ‘off-road’ parking has meant that pavements have been reduced and some people have complained about difficulties for pushchairs and wheelchair users because there is insufficient space.

 Focus Team member, Adrian Trett welcomes your comments as previously local councillors had discussed this with the local Authority to ensure that path widths were not reduced in the process of creating ‘off-road’ parking.

Waltham Forest Direct Shops To Close

Leytonstone WFD - to be axed by the end of August

Liberal Democrat councillorsproposed an alternative budget which would have allowed all the  Waltham Forest Direct Shops (WFD) to remain open. Regrettably it was not approved.

Now we learn that the Labour Cabinet has confirmed the closure of WFD shops in Leyton, Leytonstone and Chinfgord by the end of August.

It is understood that some services may be offered in local libraries – as yet no details are available.

The Walthamstow branch will remain open, as the Cabinet report says it is well-used, and is in the centre of the borough.