Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that Waltham Forest Council have failed to meet their own targets for paying local businesses within 10 days for 7 out of the last 8 months. And they have only once met their targets for paying small businesses on time since last April 2011.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses the Government estimates that in 2008, 4,000 businesses failed as a direct result of late payment and it costs UK businesses £180 million in debt interest charges. The problem of late payment is not just a commercial one, but it is also ethically wrong. When large businesses or the public sector pay late, it can put small firms out of business.

Liberal Democrat Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Councillor Bob Sullivan said:

“This is a tough time for small businesses and these targets were set to try and help cash flow for local businesses in Waltham Forest.

“For some small businesses, being paid promptly can mean the difference between growing or standing still; between creating jobs or cutting them; between keeping the doors open or closing them for good.”

“It is unacceptable that the council is failing local businesses in this way. Officers and Cabinet members should use the new year to turn over a new leaf and pay local businesses on time in 2012.”

Residents in Waltham Forest will be put at risk if the Mayor’s plans to privatise Fire Brigade 999 call handling go ahead, warn the borough’s Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Conservatives on the London Fire Authority backed by Mayor Boris Johnson propose to contract out the Fire Brigade Control Room that handles over 200,000 emergency 999 calls a year. They intend to push their controversial plan through before voters get a say in next May’s Mayoral and London Assembly elections, when controversial Conservative LFEPA boss Cllr Brian Coleman risks being ousted.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Farooq Qureshi said:

“I was shocked to hear of this plan. It makes no sense to separate the people answering 999 calls from the rest of the Fire Brigade. There are no private companies with a decent track record in this highly specialised fire safety work. It will just end up costing more money as the Fire Brigade will need an army of staff to check the private call handlers are getting it right. This is all about Conservative dogma rather than what is best for local residents’ safety.”

The Fire Brigade’s Union is also strongly opposed to the privatisation plan.

Commenting on the sell off Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of London, Brian Paddick said:

“As a former police chief I recognise that control rooms are an essential part of the emergency response. Privatising the fire brigade control room runs the risk of providing a second class service at a higher cost to the public.”

A merry Christmas and very happy new year to all.

Former Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick has been reselected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London. The election is due to be held on 3rd May 2012, when Londoners will also be voting for the Greater London Assembly.

The Liberal Democrats believe that Brian’s experience is exactly what London needs right now, whether dealing with the aftermath of the riots or corruption in the Police, transport and housing.

Brian will be a credible alternative to Boris Johnson and the faded Ken Livingstone.

This means that, across Waltham Forest, schools will receive an extra 4.8 million pounds through pupil premium, to help the most vulnerable.  That is £488 for each child on free school meals list. 

The pupil premium is a policy, the Liberal Democrats devised and campaigned for, and put at the heart of coalition negotiations. Now it is more then just a good policy, it is a reality, making a difference to the schools down our road. It goes directly in to the classrooms and will benefit all pupils.

It is also a milestone in breaking the link between poverty and achievement, tackling Labour’s shocking legacy where the richest 16-year olds are three times as likely to get five good GCSEs as the poorest.

Last night, at the full council meeting, all Labour councillors voted in favour of closing down Harrow Green Library. Liberal Democrat councillors voted against the closure whilst the conservatives abstained. Labour councillors brought in the motion to the full council for the closure. There was a lengthy debate, in which Labour councillors yet once again played the blame game and kept blaming the coalition Government for the cuts.

Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Sullivan reminded the meeting that Labour have a history of closing libraries in Waltham Forest. With the closure of St James street  library, and the attempted closures of Lea Bridge and Leyton libraries, to name but a few.

ANOTHER FREE PUBLIC SERVICE FALLS VICTIM OF THIS LABOUR ADMINSTRATION

The deadline for the response of this consultation is 21st October 2011. Please do not forget to register your views.

Cllr Farooq Qureshi and the Forest Ward Focus Team are also sending out a Focus Street survey to determine the views of residents of effected roads. Please fill in the survey and return it to your Focus Team ASAP.

The roads covered by this scheme are:

 Forest View Ave, Fulready Road, Eatington Road, Halford Road, West End Ave, Peterborough Road, Carnarvon Road, Liverpool Road, Matlock Road(part), Nottingham Road(part), Canterbury Road(part), Colchester Road(part)Sandringham Road, James Lane and Essex Road. 

THE MAIN QUESTION IS:  DO YOU WANT A CPZ IN YOUR ROAD OR NOT??

Please let us know