PROPOSED CHANGES TO TICKET OFFICES

Don’t forget to have your say on Transport for London’s proposed changes to ticket offices by 28 September

Transport for London has recently outlined its vision for the future of the tube which, amongst other things, proposes changes to ticket offices.

As the statutory consumer body representing the interests of passengers in and around London, London Travel Watch wants to ensure that any changes to the way that London Underground operates are in the best overall interests of consumers.

To ensure that this happens, they have been running a six-week consultation on their website  to give passengers the opportunity to review TfL’s planned ticket office changes so that they can tell us what tickets they buy, any difficulties they foresee and the mitigation measures they would like to see implemented at their local stations.

London Travel Watch will then feed back the survey results to TfL to give them a chance to make any amendments before the changes are introduced.

The consultation will end on 28 September 2014 at:

www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/tubeconsultation.

PLANNING NEWS – 620 High Road Leytonstone

620 High Road Leytonstone – site of planned Paddy Power betting shop

Council rejects Paddy Power’s planning application for change of use.

This week the council’s Planning Officers, under new regulations, refused the Paddy Power application for change oof use to class A2 (betting Office) for the premises at 620 High Road Leytonstone.

The reasons for refusal included:

  • The proposal would result in the clustering of betting shop uses within a limited section of Leytonstone High Road, which would detract from the retail appeal of the area and fail to contribute to the Council’s regeneration objectives for the area thus adversely impacting upon the retail vitality and viability of this are contrary to Policy CS14 of the adopted Waltham Forest Local Plan Core Strategy (2012) and Policy DM25 of the adopted Waltham Forest Development Management Policies (2013).
  • The proposed change of use would result in a cluster of betting shops which may lead to anti-social behaviour issues and increased incidents of street crime within the locality which could effect the health and well-being of local residents, contrary to Policies CS13 and CS16 of the Local Care Plan Core Strategy and Policy DM25 of the Development Management Policies.

The FOCUS Team queried the approval of the subsidiary applications for a new shop front, air conditioing and aerials. It appears that planning law does not allow officers to link applications, each has to be treated as individual requests, and there were no reassons for refusal.

It now remains to be seen whether Paddy Power decide to appeal this ruling.

The Liberal Democrats will keep you informed of any developments.

STOP PRESS – The gaming license for these premises is due to be heard by the Licensing Panel on 6 October.

INFLATION BUSTING PAY RISE!

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AWARDED A £15,000 PAY RISE

Waltham Forest’s Labour run Council has voted to give the Chief Executive of the Council a whopping inflation busting pay rise of £15,000 – an 8% increase. This makes his salary £195,000! Even the Prime Minister only gets £142,000.

Labour councillors said it was reward for overseeing council cuts.

Given that the cuts were a loss of 1,000 jobs plus salary cuts to the rest of the council staff should this have been rewarded?

On top of that, Labour councillors voted to give the redundant deputy chief executive a massive £140,000 pay off.

You can be assured that the staff who lost their jobs did not receive any golden pay offs.

Can you believe the way this Labour Council spends your money. Last year they increased the Deputy leader’s pay by 25%.

The Liberal Democrats will keep on reporting the arrogant and wasteful ways that this Council spends your money.

Your Money Down The Drain

 

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

Waltham Forest Council decides to limit child abuse checks

Waltham Forest Councillors will no longer be the subject of checks to protect our vulnerable children and adults unless they meet them once a week or more than 3 days per month or between the hours of 2am and 6am.

All councillors are Corporate Parents to all of the children in Council care, so they should actively safeguard and protect those who are looked after. Abuse of children has now been shown to have taken place for many years in and out of Council homes across the country.

It is important therefore that residents are confident that all of our Councillors are people who can be trusted with our children.

Abuse of children has now been shown to have taken place for many years in and out of Council homes across the country.

It is important therefore that residents are confident that all of our Councillors are people who can be trusted with our children.

If you agree with our views on protecting our children click here to sign the petition.

MIDLAND ROAD – TREE STUMP

Tree Stump on the corner of Midland and Wesley Roads

This tree stump in Midland Road, has been pending removal for nearly a year. The FOCUS Team has been advised by the Tree Officer that the delay has been caused by problems arranging and co-ordinating the moving of cables by the Utility Companies.

It was finally due to be removed on Monday 15 September at 9.00a.m. Unfortunately a car had parked immediately in front of the stump blocking access. Despite knocking on many doors, the Tree Officer was unable to find the driver, and the crew from Virgin Media were unable to shift their cable.

The Tree Officer is once again liaising with Virgin Media and BT to agree a new date to remove the stump and reinstate the footway.

The FOCUS Team will be monitoring progress.

 

ANOTHER BETTING SHOP IN LEYTONSTONE – LICENSING DECISION LATEST!

620 High Road – site of proposed betting office

The application for yet another Paddy Power betting shop in the Leytonstone Shopping Centre is due to be discussed by the Council’s Licensing Committee on 6th October.

Residents were amazed that the betting shop in Church Lane, which was refused by the Council was approved on appeal by the Secretary of State.

It is hoped that recent changes in legislation will enable more notice to be taken of local objections.

ANOTHER BETTING SHOP FOR LEYTONSTONE

 

620 High Road Leytonstone – site of proposed Paddy Power Bookmakers

After the successful protests against the betting shop in Church Lane, the Liberal Democrats are concerned that yet another planning application has been lodged for a branch of Paddy Power in High Road Leytonstone. The Shopping Centre is already inundated with betting shops – surely there is no demand for another.

Paddy Power Bookmakers have lodged an application to open a branch at 620 High Road Leytonstone.

Residents can find details of the application from the Council website by quoting planning application 2014/0996, which covers change of use from category A1 (retail) to A2 (betting office). in the Planning Explorer.

Other application cover:

  • Illuminated fascia and projecting sign – 2014.09967/ADV
  • New shopfront – 2014/0998
  • Two wall-mounted air conditioning units, two satellite dishes at 1st floor level and a TV aerial- 2014/1003

Comments on this application should be sent to:

Planning Applications – Development Management
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Sycamore House,
Forest Road
Walthamstow
E17 4SU
020 8496 3000
[email protected]

UPDATE: The FOCUS Team has heard that the Bushwood area residents have started a petition, and wish them every success.

NEWS RELEASE – HELP FOR TENANT LANDLORDS

Help for tenant landlords

New rules unveiled by the Liberal Democrats will help pub tenants battling to pay rent or beer costs in Waltham Forest, Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team campaigner Bob Sullivan said.

Landlords tied to large pub companies have said they are struggling to make a decent living, with more than half claiming they earn less than the minimum wage.

The Government will give landlords the right to request a rent review after five years, as well as set up an independent adjudicator with the power to resolve disputes.

Bob Sullivan said:

“Local pubs and their owners play a vital part in vibrant local communities right across the country, as well as making an important contribution to the economy.

Far too many landlords feel their income is squeezed by big pub companies. So, we are taking action to make sure they get a fairer deal.”

Tied tenants have to buy beer from their owning company, and usually pay a higher price for it. This should be balanced out by subsidised rent or other benefits they may receive from their pub company, but this may not happen and rents can be too high.

However, under the new code, pub landlords will benefit from fairer rent assessments.

ECONOMY NOW BIGGER THAN PRE-CRASH LEVELS

Liberal Democrats have cleared up Labour’s economic mess with GDP now above pre-crash levels, new figures show.

The UK economy is now larger than before the financial crisis in 2008 according to the latest ONS quarterly data.

It comes as the IMF predicted Britain will be the fastest-growing advanced economy in 2014.

Lib Dem Treasury Minister Danny Alexander has said it vindicated the party’s decision to form the coalition in 2010.

Commenting, Danny Alexander said:

“Today we are passing a major milestone on the long road back to full recovery. There is still a long way to go but Britain has recovered the economic ground lost under Labour and is forging ahead.

“The main reason that we stepped forward to form the coalition was to sort out Labour’s economic mess and rebuild a stronger economy and a fairer society for the future.

“By forming the coalition we gave the country a long term economic recovery plan based on Liberal Democrat values and policies and the stability to see it through.

“Because we have taken the difficult decisions to stick to that plan we are now seeing strengthening growth and the creation of record numbers of jobs.

“Growth and job creation, combined with rising business investment is the only way to deliver the higher living standards that the families of Britain deserve.”

HAINAULT ROAD – ‘THE PAVEMENT’ SHOPS

‘The Pavement’ parade of shops in Hainault Road

Farooq Qureshi and John Howard are pleased that the Council has erected a line of bollards to stop vehicles driving across the pavement to park outside the parade of shops in Hainault Road (see picture above).
Lib Dem members Farooq and John had for over a year taken up residents concerns about the danger to pedestrians when vehicles were being driven across the pavement. They and residents are pleased that at last the Council has done something about it.