CLYDE KITSON – veteran local campaigner

Clyde Kitson – campaigner for local people for many years

It is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of Clyde Kitson, who lost his battle with cancer a few days ago..

Clyde was a Yorkshire man who moved to Waltham Forest over 40 years ago to pursue his career as a geography teacher. He never strayed far from education, serving as a governor of Buxton School for more than two decades.

Clyde was first elected as a Councillor for Cann Hall in 1982 and is credited with laying the foundations for the party’s future successes. He topped the polls on his first try and elected two other Liberal Councillors alongside him, turning a ward with a Labour majority of 712 into a ward with a Liberal majority of 213. An unprecedented turnaround and one which saw Cann Hall stay yellow for the next 36 years.

After serving as a Councillor for 20 years, sitting on a vast array of committees, Clyde retired from the Council in 2002. He never disengaged from local politics, serving as a governor of Buxton School and Chair of Governors for many years, he also served as Chair and Membership Officer of the local Liberal Democrats alongside a variety of other party roles. His most recent effort was to stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the local elections just a month ago.

Clyde’s rough northern charm and booming voice made him an instantly recognisable character at meetings, and although people might have found themselves locking horns with him on occasion he was universally respected. He was a man of great detail, often taking on tasks so monotonous they would drive anyone else to despair, and a great believer in knuckling down and getting on with the job. Because of this, he was often a driving force within the party; spurring us on to go the extra mile.

Clyde had Cann Hall in his blood and dedicated most of his time to trying to make Cann Hall a better place for the people who live there. Many residents know Clyde for his unrelenting work, and his stubbornness in not resting until a problem was solved. In ways big and small Clyde left Cann Hall a better place than he found it, and for that reason is an inspiration to all of us who want to see our communities flourish.

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTERS 291 and 292

FOCUS 291 was delivered across the ward about a week ago by our team of volunteers.

FOCUS 292 is due from the printers by the weekend.

Please contact Arran Angus on 07805 331 865, or by email aangus.libdem@outlook.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS newsletter near your home, each round takes about 45 minutes.

If you would like to help with local campaigning in the run up to the 3 May local Council elections, please contact Arran, who will be pleased  to hear from you.

Access FOCUS 291 here: Grove Green 291

Access FOCUS 292 here: Grove Green 292

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 290

Grove Green Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team 2018 – Ukonu Obasi, Naomi McCarthy & Arran Angus

The latest issue of the Liberal Democrat FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press and will be delivered across the ward by our team of volunteers.

It leads on the introduction of the Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team Candidates who will be contesting the local election on 3 May.

If you would like to help the Liberal Democrats keep local people informed, please contact Arran Angus on 07805 331 865, or email him on aangus.libdem@outlook.com.

FOCUS is being issued every 6 weeks, and a single delivery round should take about 45 minutes.

A copy of the latest issue is available here: Grove Green 290

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTER 289

The latest issue of the Liberal Democrat FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press and will be delivered across the ward by our team of volunteers.

It leads on the news that the Labour-led Council has approved the plan for the development of the Walthamstow Town Square including the construction of a 29 storey tower block, with only 20% ‘affordable’ housing (far short of the Council’s 50% target), and no provision for social housing.

If you would like to help the Liberal Democrats keep local people informed, please contact Arran Angus on 07805 331 865, or email him on aangus.libdem@outlook.com.

FOCUS is being issued every 6 weeks, and a single delivery round should take about 45 minutes.

A copy of the latest issue is available here:  Grove Green 289

 

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTER 287

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter is hot off the press.

The lead item features the the continuing debate over the Labour Council’s fortnightly publication WALTHAM FOREST NEWS following a Lib Dem Freedom of Information request revealing that the Council has spent over £17,000 on court case(s) and appeal(s) fighting a Westminster ruling against continued publication.

FOCUS is being delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 287

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTER 286

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has gone to press.

The lead item features the Tory Goverment’s revised school budget figures, while the new figures are welcome they still present our local schools with headaches when setting their new budgets. Also covered are concerns raised by residents about street lighting in many roads

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 286

GROVE GREEN WARD NEWSLETTER 285

Francis Road local shopping centre

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has gone to press.

The lead item features the Council’s plans to limit access to Francis Road, and convert a several roads to one-way traffic.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 285

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTER 284

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter is hot off the press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 284

TOWER BLOCK SAFETY FEARS

Lib Dem campaigner Bob Sullivan

Following the disaster in West London, former long-serving Liberal Democrat Councillor Bob Sullivan contacted the Council to confirm that they are preparing to look the tower and high rise blocks in Waltham Forest and review the planning permissions already given to developers.

This review should include checking the cladding, fascias and building materials used and planned to be used.

It would seem from discussions in the media that many tower blocks built, and being built, may have cladding and other materials that are not completely fire proof.

Waltham Forest Guardian reporter Tom Barnes followed up Bob Sullivan’s request with the following report on the online version of the Guardian:

TOWER BLOCK FEARS: Waltham Forest council won’t tell us if its flats have sprinklers after Grenfell Tower fire

Concerns have been raised over the safety of Waltham Forest’s high-rise buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Campaigner Bob Sullivan is calling for a full review into fire safety at tower blocks in the borough after the blaze in west London last week, which is thought to have killed at least 79 people.

The Liberal Democrat activist and former councillor wants a probe to ensure residents in council-owned and private blocks are not as risk, as well as reviews at towers currently under construction.

Mr Sullivan said:

It is imperative that the planning permission for new blocks being built is gone over again, we need to make sure.

I have not seen anyone mention sprinklers, you would have thought it would be 100 per cent certain we should have them now.

I would have thought nobody would move into any tower block now without asking questions, I certainly wouldn’t.

I am hoping the council decides to review tower block safety, I am very concerned about Waltham Forest and we should be on the forefront of this.

We need action to do something about every block above six or eight storeys, I would even class those types of buildings as a small tower blocks.

Although several council-owned towers, such as Redwood and Hornbeam Towers in Leytonstone, have been demolished in recent years, some, like John Walsh and Fred Wigg Towers, remain standing.

A host of plans for new high-rise blocks have also been approved, including a 16-storey block in Dunedin Road, Leyton, and four blocks between 10 and 16 flights in Wickford Way, Walthamstow.

Campaigner Bob Sullivan wants action to ensure tower block safety

The catastrophic fire at 24-storey Grenfell Tower, in North Kensington, broke out at around 1am last Wednesday (June 14) and is likely to become Britain’s deadliest blaze in more than a century.

The speed at which the fire spread is believed to have aided by new cladding fitted to the building, while sprinklers had not been fitted inside the flats, despite calls from residents.

Waltham Forest council says no blocks in the borough use the same cladding as was installed at Grenfell and all high rise homes either have fire risk assessments in place or currently underway.

The local authority also confirmed sprinklers will be installed at the 10-storey Lea Bridge House hostel redevelopment in Leyton.

However, the council has not responded to requests by the Guardian to reveal how many of its blocks are fitted with sprinkler systems.

Council leader, Clare Coghill, said:

All of us were horrified to see the tragic events unfold at Grenfell Tower. Our thoughts and sympathies are with those affected by this terrible disaster. 

We understand that residents of Waltham Forest will be shocked following this incident, and concerned about the safety of their own homes and properties.

We want to let residents know that their safety is always our main concern.

We are looking at what further checks may be needed in the light of recent events.

We will work with the fire brigade and our colleagues across London to implement any changes recommended after this terrible fire.

 

Tom Barnes posted an update on 22nd June:

Waltham Forest council confirms no sprinkler systems have been fitted in any of its tower blocks

Fred Wigg and John Walsh Towers

John Walsh and Fred Wigg Towers in Leytonstone are owned by Waltham Forest council

No council-owned tower blocks in Waltham Forest are currently fitted with sprinkler systems, it has been confirmed.

Concerns have been raised over safety at high-rise blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington last week, which is now thought to have killed at least 79 people.

The speed at which the fire spread is believed to have aided by new cladding fitted to the building, while sprinklers had not been fitted inside the flats, despite calls from residents.

Do you live in one of the council blocks? Get in touch by e-mailing thomas.barnes@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 07795507440

Waltham Forest council has now confirmed to the Guardian none of its blocks are currently fitted with sprinkler systems.

However, the local authority said it planned to fit sprinklers in three towers used for sheltered accommodation.

A spokesman said:

Although none of our council blocks have sprinklers fitted, we have secured funding from the London Fire Brigade to install sprinklers in three sheltered blocks this year.

Although several council-owned towers, such as Redwood and Hornbeam Towers in Leytonstone, have been demolished in recent years, some, like John Walsh and Fred Wigg Towers, remain standing.

A host of plans for new high-rise blocks have also been approved, including a 16-storey block in Dunedin Road, Leyton, and four blocks between 10 and 16 flights in Wickford Way, Walthamstow.

The catastrophic fire at 24-storey Grenfell Tower is likely to become Britain’s deadliest blaze in more than a century

GROVE GREEN WARD FOCUS NEWSLETTER 283

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter is hot off the press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 283