A Welcome Motion

A motion requesting the Mayor of London to review the decision by Newham Council to support a 50% increase in flights at London City Airport was unanimously supported by a cross party majority at the GLA. The motion raised concerns that flight path changes across many East London Boroughs would worsen the quality of lives of 100,ooo’s of residents, many of which already suffer considerably as a result of aircraft noise and air pollution.

Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for leyton and Wanstead, Cllr Farooq Qureshi has welcomed the success of the motion in GLA.

Cllr Qureshi said: We have been working with FTF to oppose the expansion of London City Airport and its detrimental impacts on the residents of the neighbouring Boroughs. We hope that the Mayor of London will put pressure on City Airport and Newham Council to review the expansion and the changes in flight path.

Cllr Farooq Qureshi and myself are holding a meeting at :

The Corner Stone

Essex Road

On

Wednesday 10th February 2010

At

6:30pm

This meeting is to call all of you who can help the Liberal Democrats win the Election in 2010,                                                                                       

All of you who can help and support in any way,

Any great ideas are welcomed.

Please do attend!!!!

Lib Dems working hard for you the community!!!!

FORA has been awarded a £5000 grant such that Leytonstone School’s Computers may be used on a Saturday morning by local residents. Tuition will be supplied through the School and will be of the user-friendly kind whereby individuals will be able to work at their own pace learning how to access the internet, send emails and generally use a computer for all those activities which save money and enable individuals to communicate and follow their interests. No previous experience or knowledge is required and the format will be of the walk-in type for the duration of three school terms. The only qualification is that of living in Forest Ward.      

Litter bins are placed in our ward to keep it clean,                                  

They are there for us to put our hand rubbish in as we walk past

Rather then having to hold it all the way home.

So why do the streets of Forest ward end up like this,

This is not walking by hand rubbish, this is disgusting.

Our ward does not have to look like this these bins have not been placed to attract all sorts of house hold rubbish, due to several complaints we may lose these litter bins spotted around our ward so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be more considerate.

You may remember back in September Cllr Qureshi and my self approached the council for Bakers Arms to become a dispersal zone for anti social behavior.

A dispersal order will provide the police with additional powers to disperse groups of two or more people where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public from being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed. Once asked to disperse it will be a criminal offence for that person to return to the dispersal area for a 24-hour period.

If a young person under the age of sixteen is stopped in the area after 9pm and is not accompanied by an adult the police can escort them to their home address, if they are either:                

• At risk or vulnerable from anti-social behaviour, crime etc
• Causing, or at risk of causing, anti-social behaviour

Well a dispersal order has been put in place and commenced from 12noon on 23 November 2009 and will end at 11.59am on 22 May 2010 after which the council will review this again.

Lib Dems working hard for the community!!!!!!

Following guidance from the Health Protection Agency, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust has remained closed from most activity to enable the norovirus to clear, but will now begin the process of reopening parts of the hospital.

The A&E department reopened to ambulances on Friday 30 January 2010 and 10 wards are now back working normally.

The Maternity, Paediatrics and the Outpatients departments continue to operate as usual, as does the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre.

Elective surgery, where patients would require an in-patient stay after a procedure, remains closed at this stage.  

There continues to be no visitor access to any of the wards at Whipps Cross due to heightened infection control precautions and these will remain until further notice.

For the Maternity Department only, one birth partner will be permitted onto a ward during this time – no children will be allowed.

For Children’s services only one parent per child will be allowed.

Individual patient’s needs can be discussed with the ward Sister, who can grant permission to access in exceptional circumstances.

Security are present at entrances and their role is to question the need for access to the site.

Strict infection control safety measures remain in place and have been taken in closing the shops, restaurant and Jobs Junctions to the general public.                        

Norovirus is a common winter ailment, which can be highly contagious and causes symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Cllrs Farooq Qureshi, Samina Safdar and the Focus team are angry to learn that the proposed one-way system in Knotts Green Road has been delayed, yet once again.

The officers of the Highways Department have informed Cllr Qureshi and Cllr Safdar that the proposed one-way system in Knotts Green Road has been put on hold because Transport for London (TfL) have not carried out the alterations at the junction of Leyton Green Road and Lea Bridge Road. The traffic arrangements at this junction were to be altered to allow a left turn into Lea Bridge Road. This work was due to complete by the end of 2009. Now, TfL have told the council that these works have been postponed until the next financial year.

The Focus Team have carried out their own survey of the road to find out if the residents want to wait for TfL to carry out the proposed alterations at the top of Leyton Green Road before turning Knotts Green Road into one-way, or, if they want the one-way to go ahead now.

The result of the survey is as follows:

I would like the one-way system to go ahead NOW before Transport for London has done the works at Leyton Green/Lea Brodge Road junction.

            Yes                                 No                             No Reply

            47                                    15                                  23

The Focus Team have passed on the information to the Highways Dept and says:

WE WANT ACTION NOW

   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 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.

Cllrs Samina Safdar and Farooq Qureshi inspected the alley way with the Head of Public Realm of the council. As reported by the Focus Team previously, this alley way has become a problem spot. 

The Head of Public Realm informed the councillors that due to the fact that this alleyway is a private land and not owned by the Borough, the council is unable to take responsibility. However, if the residents whose gardens back on to the alleyway are willing to share the cost of erecting a security gate, the council will meet the cost and have the Alley Way cleaned and cleared up.

Cllrs Samina Safdar and Farooq Qureshi are in process of calling a meeting of the concerned residents to discuss the issue.

For future developments, watch this space.

Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Leyton & wanstead Cllr Farooq Qureshi, alongside other members of Finance Overview and Scrutiny sub committee went on a tour of the Olympic park, led by a guide from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the organisation responsible for building the Olympic park.

It was fascinating to see the once run down area of the east end of London being transformed into a high quality sports arena, which will be the focus of attention for the whole world.

The visiting group was told that the building program is progressing according to schedule and is on course to complete by 2011 for the rehearsals to begin. Special attention is being focused on all the small details. The ODA have made sure to include even the praying facilities in the Olympic village.

Following the tour of the park, there was an informal reception hosted by ODA in one of their specially built flats that over looks the Olympic park.

Speaking about the post-games plans, Cllr Qureshi said: “I know that a lengthy and thorough assessment was carried out about what legacy the Olympic games will leave behind. I hope that the residents of Leyton & Wanstead will receive their fair share of the benefits by way of a legacy“.

Earlier this year, in partnership with Streetcar, the council launched a network of car clubs across the Borough for the benefit of residents and businesses. The scheme has proved poplar, and to meet the growing demand the council now is working to expand the coverage. It is proposed that two new car club bays will be introduced in Forest Ward.

Waltham Forest council has sent out consultations on proposed car club bays in Forest Ward. The council is seeking your views on the proposals to provide car club parking spaces on St.Andrew’s Road, close to the junction with Poppleton Road and on Fletcher Lane near the junction with High Road Leyton.

For further information on car clubs please visit these websites: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/car-club

www.carclub.org.uk

If you would like to comment on this proposal or if you have any questions, please contact

Billy Parr on 0208 496 6785 or

billy.parr@walthamforest.gov.uk

An Alley way which runs between the back gardens of some of the houses in Lea Bridge Road and Carnarvon Road has become a problem spot. Irresponsible people use it for fly tipping and other undesirable activities.

Local residents are very concerned and have lodged complaints asking the council to erect a gate and light. But the Council has always maintained that this is privately owned land therefore it is out side the responsibility of the council.

Cllrs Farooq Qureshi and Samina Safdar have taken the matter up with the council once again. The alley way will be visited by the council officers along side the councillors on

Friday 11th September

3.15PM

If you are a concerned local resident, please come and join us.

More planes, more noise and more pollution is what is happening in the skies over Leyton and Wanstead.

There is a significant increase in air traffic, both from London Heathrow and London City Airports crossing over Leyton, Leytonstone, Snaresbrook and Wanstead. Jets from Heathrow fly over us at the altitude of less the 10,000  feet and planes from London City Airport roar over us at around 3000 feet.

We have found out that Newham Council have granted permission for an increase in flights from London City Airport(LCA). This would double the number of flights from 76000(current) to 120,000 per year and would also allow the use of larger capacity jets. LCA hopes to expand on that and by 2030 increase the numbers to 176000 a year.

Good for the airport but misery for residents with flight paths crossing our homes.

The low level take off and landing path affects thousands of homes in the most densely populated areas in East and South East London. National Air Traffic System (NATS) are now also looking into adjusting the current flight paths, simply to accommodate all the extra flights from the flight expansion schemes.

 London City Airport is having to independently have its flight path changed to accommodate the increased use of jets, using the residentially situated airport. Jets simply can’t follow the same flight paths as propeller planes have done in the past.

We have learnt that in 2006, The Newham Council consulted our own Waltham Forest council on the planned expansions. BUT Waltham Forest Council failed to respond to the consultations or inform its residents. When we confronted them over the issue, no one knew why they failed to reply to Newham’s consultation.

We are not anti aviation. We simply believe that London City Airport’s perceived need for extra business has to be balanced with the quality of life of our residents.

With all of the above in mind, we, the Liberal Democrats of Leyton and Wanstead constituency have decided to work with “Fight The Flight” to fight the continued expansions.

Leyton and Wanstead Parliamentary candidate Cllr Farooq Qureshi has organised a public meeting about these issues. Representatives of Fight The Flight and London City Airport have been invited to attend.

If you are concerned about the noise and pollution from the increase in air traffic over our homes, then please come to the meeting. Details are as follows.

Friday 2nd October 09

7.00PM

The Quaker Meeting House

Bush Road, Off Greenman Roundabout

Leytonstone

If you would like to make a formal complaint, please write to,

The Planning Department

London Borough of Newham

Town Hall

Barking Road, East Ham

London, E6 2RP

Ref:- 07/01510/var

Please let us know about your views on this issue.

A small alley way off Poplars Road has become a hot-spot for drug dealers and users of illegal substances. It is also being used for illegal fly tipping.

Cllr Qureshi and officers of The Safer Neighbourhood Team(snt) visited the spot and discussed the ways to eliminate the problems. SNT have promised to increase their patrols of the area. The Focus Team has decided to distribute leaflets to all businesses on Hoe Street whose gardens back on to the alley way, to keep vigilance and report any illegal activities.

FOCUS TEAMS WORK ALL YEAR ROUND

The Focus Team and Officers of The Safer Neighbourhood Team inspected a no right turn traffic sign on Lea Bridge Road which has been partly covered and damaged with spray/paint. Despite the sign being partly covered, Drivers be warned, There still is NO RIGHT TURN from Lea Bridge Road in to Essex Road.This vandalism has been reported and will be rectified ASAP.

Council officers are currently working on several bus priority schemes across the Borough. As a part of this process, it has been identified that vehicles parked in the vicinity of Whipps Cross Road/James Lane junction are causing access difficulties to buses. This is most evident at busy times.

In order to reduce delays to buses, the officers are proposing to introduce additional traffic managment measures. It is proposed that additional 24-hour loading/waiting restriction along both arms of James Lane is introduced to remove the likelihood of blue badge parking on the existing double yellow lines. In addition, extra signage will be erected along Whipps Cross Road to reinforce the existing `No Stopping restriction.

Waltham Forest council has purchased a new drugs testing machine to be used in conjunction with Metropolitan Police. This machine can pick up traces of all types of drugs from any surface.

Pc Neal and officers of the Council presented the machine to the Councillors prior to full Council meeting at the Town Hall. Cllr Farooq Qureshi, Cllr Samina Safdar and a number of other Councillors watched the demonstration with interest.

We hope that with help of this equipment, the authorities will be able to clean up the area from drugs.

Following controversial de-selection of some of the long serving Labour Councillors, Cllr Milton Martin has crossed the floor and joined the Liberal Democrats. Cllr Martin will carry on serving Cathall Ward as a Lib Dem Councillor.

Speaking about his move Cllr Martin said: “I have increasingly found myself disillusioned with the direction of the Labour party both locally and nationally, and the deselection for me was the final straw.

This move has increased the number of Lib Dem Councillors in Waltham Forest to 21. The number of Labour Councillors has gone down to 24(so far) and the Conservatives remain unchanged on 15. 

All of the black Labour Councillors have been ousted, prompting comments that the de-selections were racially motivated.

Internal power groups within Waltham Forest’s Labour Party have caused the de-selection of some of the long serving councillors, who will not be able stand in next years local elections.

All black councillors have been ousted by the Waltham Forest Labour Party, prompting comments that the de-selections were racially motivated.

Great to see the sun shine through to Epsom Road Ally at last.  After a long battle we get the trees in Nursery Terrace pruned back to give some light to the ally.

Its all looking nice and bright another job well done!!!!!!

Well done to our local Forest Safer Neighbourhood Team who have sucsessfully raided a house in Knotts Green Road which was being used as an illegal DVD factory. 

Over 20,000 illegal DVDs were seized, and one male was arrested.

A job well done!!!

April 16th, 2009 by Samina Safdar
Comment?

Leytonstone United Free Church is planning to give their adopted garden a face lift by erecting a mosaic.  Students from the Sixth Form College have offered to design the mosaic.

Funding is currently being sought to meet the cost.  If you can help in any way please contact the Leytonstone United Free church please.

The Forest Safer Neighbourhood Team, together with the Youth Panel at Leyton Sixth Form College, has identified a major problem around the College and surrounding streets of spitting in the streets.  This is disgusting, makes the area look bad and can be a health hazard.

“So please help keep our area clean.”

Good News!!!!!

Following pressure from Lib Dem Councillors of Forest Ward the trees at the back of Nursery Terrace are to be  pruned back.  The overgrown trees have dominated the front of most of the Epsom Road houses and have  cut out their light.

We are very pleased to see that the temporary portacabins at Leyton 6th Form College are now up and running. These have been put in place to enable major works to be done on the main building.

When the work is finished the cabins will be taken down and the green field will be re-instated.  We will keep you informed of the developments.

Lately many people are wondering how they will make ends meet in an ever deepening crisis.  With this in mind Lib Dems have asked the council to look at ways to help people with the financial problems people are facing.  The good news is that the Council is planning to keep Council Tax increases to below 2% next year and will let people pay 12 instalments rather the 10. 

The Council will also settle their bills with local businesses with in 10 days.  It is important that we keep looking for ways to help.

As the Lib Dems say ” Actions are far better the words.”

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.  Lets hope 2009 bring us all great happiness and joy.

December 5th, 2008 by Samina Safdar

Councillor Farooq Qureshi and my self run a surgery at the Waltham Forest Direct Shop opposite the bus garage every Saturday from 10 - 12pm. 

The local safer neighbours police attend the surgeries to offer help and advice to residents on graffiti, cycling on the pavement, Dogs mess and any anti social behaviour problems residents may have.

The local police are very interested in local problems, you can contact them on 020 8721 2645    or     020 8721 5005

You may remember during the by election in June Peterbrough Road was looking very unsightly due to graffiti.

Well looking good now all the graffiti has been cleared and lets keep in that way.

On the same note walking round the ward we see the council have cleared a lot of overgrown shrubs and vegetation. 

If you do see any shrubs that need cutting back or trees that need pruning please let me know.

The fenced area at the back of the bus garage in Ely Road was continuously used for dumping rubbish.

The Focus Team has had it cleared many times but the fly tipping had not stopped.

The good news is that the bus garage has got together with the council to keep this area free from all rubbish.

Please remember the council will come and collect any bulky items you want to despose of, just call.