Cllr Farooq Qureshi

   LIB DEM CLLR BOB BELAM’S HARD WORK PAYS DIVIDENDS

Waltham Forest council launched a plastic bag amnesty scheme at the “Energy Fair” at Walthamstow town square.

The Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Bob Belam has been working on this scheme for two years. This is partly a result of the successful Liberal Democrat’s climate change motion to full council in December 2007.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidates, Cllr Farooq Qureshi (Leyton & Wanstead) and Farid Ahmed (Walthamstow) were amongst Lib Dem councillors and activists, who attended the Energy Fair.

Members of Lib Dem Focus teams from across the Borough have congratulated Cllr Bob Belam on his hard work and commitment to tackle the climate change issues.

WELL DONE BOB 

Leyton and Wanstead parliamentary candidate, Cllr Farooq qureshi was one of the main speakers at a rally in woking.

Liberal Democrats of woking have selected their first Muslim woman candidate to stand for council election in 2010.  Shabana Jamil, a qualified solicitor was born and educated locally.

Speaking at the rally, Cllr Qureshi said:

“It is good to see young and educated people coming forward from the ranks of Liberal Democrats. Young people are the future, and we must encourage more and more young people to be a part of the political arena. We wish Shabana, best of luck for next years election.”

Following a disappointing response from London underground, regarding Leyton underground station, Councillor Farooq Qureshi has written to the Mayor of London, Director of Transport for Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport for London to review the situation at the said station.

We have called upon the relevant authorities to act now and arrange for fresh consultation and re-asses the situation to ease the peak-time congestion at the east-bound platform.

LEYTON UNDERGROUND STATION IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF ATTENTION

Liberal Democrat councillors, activists and Parliamentary candidates attended a Transport seminar at the City Hall, arranged by the Lib Dem transport spokesperson in London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon.

The Seminar looked at the key transport issues facing London and how they can be tackled.

While local labour group are claiming to support a reduction in carbon emissions, their Government is sailing in opposite direction.

Last Wednesday, Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes MP secured a debate in the Parliament on climate change. The purpose of the debate was to call on the Government to sign up to 10-10 campaign and commit to a 10% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of 2010.

AND GUESS WHAT?                           

The Government defeated the motion by 297  to 226 votes.

Harry Cohan MP voted against the motion.

Neil Gerrard MP voted for it.

SO MUCH FOR LABOUR SUPPORTING THE CLIMATE CHANGE

Leyton and Wanstead Parliamentary candidate, Cllr Farooq Qureshi presented a motion to the full council against the increase in aircraft noise pollution over Leyton and Wanstead, which was accepted unanimously.

After the proposed amendments, the contents of the motion are:

This Council recognises residents concerns over the expansion of London City and Heathrow Airports, and believes that the increased number of flights using these airports and the associated noise nuisance and environmental impact is detrimental to Waltham Forest residents. This council welcomes steps already taken by the Leader of the council requesting:

• That the officers respond to the current BAA Heathrow consultation programme Noise Action Plan.
• The Noise Level Assessment Team investigate whether any residents are entitled to the London City Airport(LCA) sound insulation grant scheme.
• That Waltham Forest Council be able to join the LCA consultation committee which at the moment is only open to Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets.
• An all party working group be set up so that all parties can come together to tackle this issue.

 Therefore this council requests that the Chief Executive:

Carries out an immediate investigation into the consultation process undertaken in respect of the expansion of London City airport and the flight path changes by the Civil Aviation Authority, the London Borough of Newham or any other party. This investigation will include consideration of:

• Whether or not Waltham Forest council was consulted and if it was, what response was provided by Waltham Forest council and, if no response was provided, why not.

Upon the completion of this investigation, this council requests that the Chief Executive takes appropriate action which should include:

• Writing to the Mayor of Newham, condemning the decision to allow further expansion of London City airport and stressing the negative impact this decision has had on residents of Waltham forest.
• Writing to Mayor of London, condemning plans for a new four runway airport in the Thames Estuary and asking why he supported the expansion of London City airport and what consideration was given to the detrimental impact of the expansion on residents of Waltham forest.
• Writing to the Civil Aviation Authority and NATS to ask what action they took to consult residents of Waltham Faorest on the changes to flight paths and London City expansion.
• Seeking an investigation by the EU commissioner into the expansion of London City Airport and the impact it has had on residents of Waltham Forest and East London.
• Considering the merits of legal action in relation to the expansion of LCA and/or flight path changes.
• Signing up to the 10:10 campaign which aims to tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. 

This council requests that the Chief Executive reports his findings back to councillors at the earliest opportunity.”

Cllr F Qureshi said: We accepted the Labour amendments because we welcome the cross party consensus on this very important issue. We need to unite and fight against this attack on the environment and the quality of life of our residents.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          TO ALL THOSE CELEBRATING DIWALI

We wish you a very happy festival of lights and a prosperous new year.

Your local Focus Team held a street advice surgery in Francis Road on Saturday afternoon. A large number of residents signed our pettion for more Police officers on our streets.

For future street advice surgeries, please watch this space.

Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Leyton and wanstead is fighting to make Leyton underground station disabled friendly and ease congestion during peak hours.

Please visit:                 www.walthamstow.today.co.uk