CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 283

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter Is going to press and will delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Since the Referendum the Liberal Democrats have enrolled over 19,000 new members nationwide. Please get in touch with our veteran local campaigner Clyde Kitson if you would like to join this growing movement.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: cann-hall-283

SAVE OUR LOCAL PHARMACIES

Save Our Local Pharmacies Campaign

Local pharmacies under threat from the latest Conservative cuts to the national health budget.
This Government’s real terms cash cuts to pharmacies across the UK could be about to take their toll. The Lib Dems don’t as yet know what pharmacy used by hundreds of local people is facing closure, cutting off lifeline services for many elderly and vulnerable residents.

Local Campaigner Liz Phillips says,

For many people the trip to get vital medicines from the pharmacy is long enough already.

Cutting money to local pharmacies is nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul. It will only increase the strain on hospitals and GP’s practices at a time when the NHS is already in enough trouble.

The £170million reduction in NHS funding for community pharmacies will put pharmacies across Waltham Forest out of business too.

Local community pharmacies are vital to keep older frail people independent. These people need to be at the heart of our community, on our high streets, with people. In the community rather than in our hospitals.

You can sign our petition here and join hundreds of local people who are already backing the campaign.

FIGHT TO RESTORE DILAPIDATED POST BOX

Rupert Alexander is asking the Royal Mail to paint the ageing post box on Crownfield Road.

Rupert Alexander is asking the Royal Mail to paint the ageing post box on Crownfield Road.

When Neighbourhood Watch member Rupert Alexander emailed the Royal Mail to get this “eyesore” postbox painted, he was told it would be sorted within 12 weeks.

That was in July.Since then, he has sent further requests to have the postbox in Crownfield Road, Stratford, repaired, only to be told the same thing and to see no action.

Local campaigner Rupert Alexander, who travels past the road every day, just wants the delivery service to take action said:

If that post box was in Buckingham Palace, there is no way the Royal Mail would have left it like that for years,

I feel like I’m getting no response after years of reporting it. It’s just an eyesore and it’s really degrading to the area.

It’s a busy road that lots of people use and it just looks bad.

The postbox has been attracting plenty of negative comments from locals and visitors saying it’s “ugly” and “downgrades” the road.

It’s something that has been grating on me for some time, as its in a prominent place and it needs to be restored to its former glory.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said:

Royal Mail’s postboxes are a great British icon, as well as a key element of Royal Mail’s business of connecting consumers, communities and companies.

We repaint and refurbish them on a regular basis and we also respond directly to reports by our staff and customers about individual boxes that require urgent attention.

I can confirm that postboxes in the E15 postcode area are in the repainting schedule for the 2016/17 financial year so this particular box should be repainted by the end of March.

Originally reported by the Newham Recorder

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 282

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter Is going to press and will delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Since the Referendum the Liberal Democrats have enrolled over 19,000 new members nationwide. Please get in touch with our veteran local campaigner Clyde Kitson if you would like to join this growing movement.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: Cann-Hall-282

SEASONAL SAFETY

Local Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team member and Police Ward Panel member Rupert Alexander urges residents to take note of a few important tips to stay safe over the festive period:

  • If you are going out or going away, then keep dates and times private, and tell a trusted friend/neighbour/family member to keep an eye on your home.
  • Check your social media profiles to ensure that only your friends can see your information, such as posts informing others that your home is empty.
  • Ensure a light is left on and a radio to come on at different times of the day.
  • Be aware of bogus charity collectors and ask for their charity number, which can be checked at www.gov.uk
  • Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to ensure that all mail and leaflets are pushed through your letter box and that wheelie bins are in their usual place after collection.
  • Beware of pickpockets on public transport, stores and markets.
  • Ensure bags are zipped up especially backpacks.
  • Check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours. 

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 281

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter Is going to press and will delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Since the Referendum the Liberal Democrats have enrolled over 19,000 new members nationwide. Please get in touch with our veteran local campaigner Clyde Kitson if you would like to join this growing movement.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: Cann Hall 281

OLYMPIC PARK – SO MUCH FOR LEGACY!!

Last year a planning application was submitted for the creation of London’s largest concrete and asphalt factory – right at the centre of the Olympic Park, and in the middle of a dense residential area.

This development would have a dramatic impact on the local area and residents, creating 3 concrete batching plants and an Asphalt production plant adjacent to a heavily used green space.

The proposed plants, which will be next door to London Athletics and the new UCL East campus, are to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an estimated 900 heavy vehicles coming and going daily.

This will create an industrial blight on the area by introducing significant air, dust and noise pollution to what is otherwise a fast regenerating part of the city.

The planning applications have been submitted as four (4) wholly independent operations, without consideration given to their cumulative effects on an area now defined by new residential communities, pedestrian and cycling routes, recreational zones and athletics venues. There is a serious risk that hazardous chemical dust from concrete and asphalt manufacturing activities and associated vehicle fumes will raise air pollution to dangerous levels, resulting in asthma and other respiratory issues for the populations of Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

The full applications can be found on LLDC’s planning website at http://planningregister.londonlegacy.co.uk/swift/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display : PA Refs: 15/00368/FUL / 15/00400/FUL / 15/00414/FUL / 16/00194/SCRES].

The proposal is scheduled for review before the London Legacy Development Corporation’s (LLDC) planning committee as early as September 27th 2016. The LLDC was given special powers and a remit directly from the Mayor’s office to manage the Olympic Park area regeneration beyond 2012.

The LLDC is not directly accountable to local residents in the same way that the councils of Newham, Tower Hamlets or Hackney are. Consequently, the decision making of the LLDC will not always be in the interests of local residents. And it is the LLDC alone that has the final decision on whether this concrete batching development goes ahead.

The proposal of the concrete works is completely incompatible with the Mayor’s office ‘Clean Air for London Policy‘ or the current direction of residential and other developments planned for the area.

In order to protect the integrity and future development of the community, it is of paramount importance that a concerted effort be made by local residents and businesses to oppose this planning proposal NOW.

Please sign the petition today.

CANN HALL FOCUS NEWSLETTER 280

The latest issue of the Cann Hall FOCUS Newsletter Is going to press and will delivered across the ward free of charge by our team of volunteers.

The FOCUS Team would like to hear from you if you would like to help deliver FOCUS near your home, and keep local people informed. A round usually takes about 45 minutes, every 6 – 8 weeks.

Since the Referendum the Liberal Democrats have enrolled over 19,000 new members nationwide. Please get in touch with our veteran local campaigner Clyde Kitson if you would like to join this growing movement.

Please contact Clyde Kitson on (020) 8534 2947 if you would like to help, thank you.

You can see a copy of FOCUS here: Cann Hall 280

CHILCOT REPORT – Proud of my party leading the way

Today is a day for reflection, as we consider the consequences of the fateful decision to go to war in Iraq.

Our first thoughts need to be with the families across the world who have grieved loved ones, experienced life-changing injuries, and witnessed destruction and despair often beyond description.

There is no justice that can compensate their loss, and today we have learned from the Chilcot Report what we all knew already in our hearts – it did not have to be this way.

Lib Dems were united in our opposition to war

For many members in my local party, the Iraq war was a genuine turning point.

Many others chose to join the Liberal Democrats when they saw Charles Kennedy step up to the challenge, in difficult times, and provide the strong, principled leadership our country so desperately needed.

In 2003, every Liberal Democrat MP voted AGAINST going to war in Iraq.

It was the right thing to do, and that has been proven again today. Sir John Chilcot’s report has shown that this was a war of choice, that options for a peaceful resolution still existed, and that our Prime Minister wilfully mislead parliament and the British people to march us into a war he had already decided to launch.

I was proud to see our leader Charles Kennedy refuse to compromise, despite enormous pressure and abuse pouring in from all sides, on the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to internationalism and respect for international law.

Charles Kennedy and Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem MPs at the time) opposing the war

You can see Charles’ speeches below, he was a real example of principled leadership in a time of crisis. It is not just Liberal Democrats who are missing Charles today. Our whole country is all the poorer without him.

Finally, while Chilcot gives us the chance to reflect on past mistakes, we still have a duty to oppose the mistakes that our leaders are making today!

Right now, Britain risks cutting herself off from our most valuable allies and trading partners, putting millions of jobs at risk and doing massive harm to our economy. I’m proud of Tim Farron for showing equal determination and leadership to fight Brexit and put Britain back where we belong, at the heart of an open, tolerant, free, and prosperous Europe.

If you agreed with us in 2003, if you agree with us now in 2016 – it is time to join the party that is proudly and passionately fighting for the better future we all believe in.

P.S. You can see some great videos of Charles Kennedy’s speeches on Iraq in Parliament and at the anti-way rally in Hyde Park here (via Lib Dem Voice)