HALE END & HIGHAMS PARK
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For latest news and information see www.nickbason.mycouncillor.org.uk www.walthamforestlibdems.org.uk
No. 120 - Sept. 2009 Printed by G. Engerer & Co., 346 Sheridan Road, Forest Gate, E7 9EF Published & promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 33 Nesta Road, IG8 9RG
Disappointment at deferral of Tesco decision Waltham Forest Planning Committee voted to defer a decision on the Highams Park Tesco planning application on Tuesday 8th September. Your local Lib Dem councillors are very disappointed the decision has been deferred because we had hoped for a decision on the evening, bearing in mind the amount of work put in by us and local residents in preparation for the meeting. Despite a number of speeches from Lib Dem Focus Team and local resident representatives on the proposal, the views of residents were not discussed at the meeting. Instead, at the start of discussion of the plans, Conservative councillors proposed that a decision on the plans be put off as they did not have enough information on the plans in front of them. The Committee voted 5 votes to 4 in favour of deferring the debate and decision on the plans. This means that the decision on the planning application may be taken away from Waltham Forest Planning Committee. Tesco have the right to appeal on the grounds of ‘non-determination’, which means the council have not made a decision on the application in a timely fashion. The application could now be decided by another body unconnected with Waltham Forest. The Planning Committee did not get a chance to discuss resident concerns on the impact of the Tesco application on traffic congestion in Highams Park and access to education and healthcare in the area. We are also very concerned that the decision may now be taken out of the local council’s hands. Thank you to all residents who emailed us, spoke to us and wrote to us with your views on the Tesco development. We represented these views to Planning Committee. Cllr Jane Morgan’s speech can be found at www.nickbason.mycouncillor.org.uk
Winchester Road licence granted Your Lib Dem Focus Team is concerned that a licence has been granted for a supermarket on Winchester Road. The Safer Neighbourhood Team is concerned at the arrival of another outlet for alcohol sales. Your local councillors tried to stop the licence being granted because there are already 26 off licence type outlets in our ward, several of which are in Winchester Road. Although the licence has been granted, we will continue to work with the Safer Neighbourhood Team to monitor this and other premises as we are concerned about under-age drinking and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Hale End and Highams Park.
Liberal Democrats - working for you all year round NOT just at election time
Hillcrest Road - tree removal A dangerous tree will be removed from Hillcrest Road thanks to your Lib Dem Focus Team. The tree was decayed and loose and posed a threat to passers-by. A new tree will be put in to replace the one being removed. On our travels around the ward we have noticed problems with overgrown trees that are interfering with properties. The trees in the borough are an important and valued asset and it is important that they are looked after properly. We have asked the council to prune the overgrown trees rather than removing them.
Manhole cover fixed After your Lib Dem Focus Team reported a broken manhole cover on the pavement in Beech Hall Road, urgent action was taken to provide a temporary cover to make the pavement safe for the public. The damaged cover will now be replaced with a new one.
Liberal Democrat Focus Team Service & Action all year round
Historical FOCUS Gypsy Rodney Smith was an internationallyfamous personality in our ward. Born in 1860 in a tent on Mill Plain, near the site of the Waterworks Roundabout, his gypsy family made a living selling handmade baskets, clothes pegs and tin ware. He never went to school and at the age of 16, when converted to Christianity, he taught himself to read and write and became an important evangelical preacher of the Victorian era. Preaching on street corners and in mission halls for the Salvation Army, he became known as the “singing gypsy boy”; in fact Columbia Records recorded his hymn singing. In 1879 he married Annie, one of his “converts”. Together they had three children, descendants of whom are still active in the Church today. Awarded the OBE in 1917 for his ministry during World War I, he was responsible for thousands of converts to Christianity. His ministry took him to America 45 times and, while sailing on the Queen Mary, he died in 1947. A commemorative stone can be seen on Mill Plain where this truly remarkable man was born.
Gully in Belle Vue Road The sharp edge of a gully in Belle Vue Road has been causing damage to residents’ cars. Lib Dem Cllr Jane Morgan took up residents’ concerns and got the council to fix the gully almost immediately. Please let us know if you spot any other dangers around Hale End & Highams Park. Contact details on back page.
Liberal Democrat Focus Team getting things done in our local area
Got a Grouse? Get in touch with your local councillors See contact details on the back page
Your campaigning FOCUS
Guildford Road community facilities Your councillors visited the Community Centre and met the Payback team who have done a great job clearing under the bridge and have just finished painting the community centre. We have had many requests for the Centre to be used more fully for the local community. We are investigating how to make it more accessible for the immediate local community as it is a valuable local resource.
Your Hale End and Highams Park Lib Dem councillors during their visit to the Community Centre
Opposite the Community Centre there is a patch of ground for which we are seeking agreement with the owners of the land to free it up for community use. This is a lengthy process but we are committed to this and will report back.
Stopping anti-social behaviour on Aldriche Way Your Lib Dem Focus Team did a ward walk with the management of Ascham Homes and local residents around the Aldriche Way recently. One area of concern was the overhanging willow tree outside block 80-90 which was highlighted as a main cause of anti-social behaviour. The tree is obscuring the view of van drivers and being used as an area for anti-social behaviour in the evenings. The council is now going to cut the tree back and monitor the area.
Where in the borough is this? See the next issue for the answer
Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team service & action for everyone in Hale End & Highams Park
Hale End and Highams Park online! More and more people are logging on to keep up with the Focus Team online. Latest news and contact details can be found at: www.nickbason.mycouncillor.org.uk. It also links to your Lib Dem councillors on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, so it is easy to keep up with what we are doing and get in touch.
Your campaigning FOCUS
Your Hale End & Highams Park Liberal Democrat ward councillors
Jane Morgan
Nick Bason
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
Sheila Smith-Pryor
To contact Focus: Write to the Focus Team at:
Our new website www.nickbason.mycouncillor.org.uk
60 Ulverston Road, Walthamstow, E17 4BW; 33 Nesta Road, Woodford Green; IG8 9RG; 21 Beech Hall Crescent, Highams Park E4 9NW; or 41 Devonshire Road, E17 8QH
Your Lib Dem ward councillors hold regular confidential surgeries/advice centres. No appointments are necessary, just drop in. Aldrich Way Estate Community Room, Block 118-232 First Saturday of the month from 10.15 - 11.15 am. Thorpe Hall School Hale End Road Second Friday of the month, except August from 4.30 - 5.30 pm. Hale End Library Castle Avenue, Highams Park Third Saturday of the month from 10.30 - 11.30 am.
Email the Focus Team at: cllr.sheila.smith-pryor@walthamforest.gov.uk cllr.jane.morgan@walthamforest.gov.uk cllr.nick.bason@walthamforest.gov.uk
Councillors Surgeries
Useful Numbers:
Ring the Focus Team on: 07507 133 170
Would you like to help your Focus Team? If you like to help by delivering the Focus newsletter near your home, help with local campaigning or join the Liberal Democrats. Your Focus Team would be pleased to hear from you. Contact details are on this page. Thank you.
Waltham Forest Direct: 0208 496 3000 POLICE: Safer Neighbourhood Team 0208 721 2646 or email HaleEnd.HighamsPark.SNT@met.police.uk Metropolitan Police Service: 0300 123 1212 to report a crime that has been committed. The operators have access to interpreters if needed. In an emergency always call: 999 Thames Water: 0845 9200 800 - to report emergencies. First Stop: 0800 377 7070 or email www.firststopcare advice.org.uk Information service for older people, their families and carers Citizen’s Advice Bureau 167, Hoe Street E17 3AL or www.adviceguide.org.uk
Join the Focus volunteers! Please tick here if you can help with delivery! q Why not join the Lib Dems? Please get in touch to become a member
We Want to Hear From YOU! Ideas - problems - views (please return to the Focus Team)
Name Address Tel No. Email The Liberal Democrats may contact you from time to time to keep you informed on issues we think you may find of interest. Please let us know if you do not wish the information above to be used for this purpose.