PADDY POWER WINS APPEAL

Paddy Power appeal victory paves way for sixth bookies in high street despite public outcry

7:00am Thursday 23rd April 2015 – Waltham Forest E-Guardian

Paddy Power has won the right to open a sixth betting shop in a high street despite public opposition.

The company was successful in appealing against a decision by Waltham Forest council’s planning committee to deny a change of use at 620 High Road, Leytonstone.

Paddy Power was granted a premises licence in October despite more than 1,200 people signing a petition against the move.

Yesterday, a planning inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities, ruled in the betting giants favour in a move a council spokesman described as “another example of an inspector not supporting local concerns regarding the clustering of betting shops.”

The betting shop will operate under the condition that it will not be open to customers after 10pm on any day of the week and CCTV is installed to deter criminal activity.

The inspector approved the application despite it adding an ‘obvious’ third betting shop to the immediate vicinity.

Following the closure of Leytonstone police station, the inspector also heard local concerns that the police presence in the area had been reduced, but said “The Metropolitan Police’s crime prevention officer did not raise this as a concern when consulted.”

The inspector continued:

I do not consider that an additional betting office within the immediate area would result in a significant alteration to the balance [of being a retail-led high street], or result in a clustering effect that would be detrimental to the retail attraction of the immediate area or wider centre.

The appellant operates a chain of betting offices, and although the use would not make a large contribution to local regeneration or have a significantly positive effect in tackling social deprivation, its corporate responsibility policies are clear and links with the local community are encouraged.

The FOCUS Team says:

Local people will be wondering what is the point of the Council spending time and resources securing changes to planning regulations, if they are going to be over-ruled by inspectors who choose to ignore local opinion.

GENERAL ELECTION MANIFESTO

The following are quotes from independent organisations following publication of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto:

EEF, The Manufacturers’ Organisation

“Business will welcome the clear emphasis on economic growth and a skilled workforce to deliver it. The fact this is at the heart of the (Liberal Democrat) manifesto shows a clear grasp of what the UK economy needs to propel it forwards.”

Nuffield Trust
“Taken with the party’s welcome commitment to increase funding on the NHS by a total of £8bn by 2020 and their ambitious pledges on public health, the (Lib Dem) manifesto sets an encouraging tone for how the NHS and social care will be treated in any coalition negotiations.”

National Union of Teachers
“We welcome the Liberal Democrats’ prioritisation of education funding. We also welcome the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to putting a qualified teacher in every classroom.”

Institute for Fiscal Studies

  • The Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting a larger part of education spending than are the Conservatives
  • The Liberal Democrat education spending plans are “more generous than …… the Labour and Conservative commitments”

Malcolm Trobe, Deputy General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders
“We very much welcome the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to increasing real terms funding for education during the next parliament and that they have pledged to do so on the basis of per pupil spending. This is essential in ensuring that funding keeps pace with the forecast increase in the number of pupils.”

Doug Parr, Greenpeace Chief Scientist
“If many of these (Liberal Democrat)pledges on energy and nature protection were to be enacted it would be a huge win for the environment.”

The Kings Fund

  • The Liberal Democrats have set out a very clear and detailed prospectus for the NHS in their election manifesto.
  • At the heart of this is a clear commitment to deliver integrated care, including a pledge to transfer responsibility for social care to the Department of Health and a target date of 2018 to pool NHS and social care budgets locally.
  • The Liberal Democrats have led the way in pushing mental health up the agenda.

Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at Centre for Economics & Business Research
“There is much here to woo female voters. [The Liberal Democrats’] plan to make [free hours of childcare] available for all 2 year olds too and to extend it to all working parents from the end of their paid parental leave when their child is nine months old is the strongest of the three main parties. They also make the clearest pledge of all parties to directly address the gender pay gap.”

Brian Berry, Federation of Master Builders
“The Liberal Democrat pledge to only borrow for capital spending that enhances economic growth or financial stability, will not only boost the economy, it will also help address the housing shortfall. Also the Party’s commitment to ensure that investment in infrastructure, including in housing and energy efficiency, continues to rise both in absolute terms and as a share of the economy is much-needed and welcome.

Alistair MacDonald QC, Bar Council Chair
“In a week of manifesto launches, today feels like it is third time lucky. Promises were long over-due on reversing the hike in up-front court fees, reviewing tribunal fees, ensuring legal aid is available to those who need it and re-introducing legal aid for judicial review. But today they were delivered. The commitment to maintaining a viable, competitive and diverse market of legal aid providers is also one we can fully support.”

Christian Aid
“Today’s Liberal Democrat manifesto offers a vision of a fair and sustainable future for all, including the world’s poorest people. Christian Aid welcomes the Liberal Democrats’ ambitious proposals which would see this country continuing to lead the world on the most vital matters over the next five years. The party’s policies for promoting the UK’s low-carbon economy and dealing with global environmental problems amount to a coherent package which would be a strong opening gambit in any negotiations with other parties. We are also really pleased to see the party’s recognition that helping people living in poverty requires commitment across many UK government departments – it cannot be left to just one.”

Liberal Democrats Manifesto

VOTE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT ON 7 MAY

Carl Quilliam outside Leyton Fire Station

Five reasons Liberal Democrats’ Carl Quilliam wants your vote in Leyton and Wanstead

Waltham Forest E-Guardian – Wednesday 15th April 2015

The Guardian Series has asked each parliamentary candidate to list five reasons why they should become an MP at the General Election on May 7.

Here the Liberal Democrat candidate for Leyton and Wanstead, Carl Quilliam, explains why you should vote for him.

  1. I’m a Liberal Democrat

Over the past 5 years Lib Dems have cut taxes by over £800 for 23 million people and taken over 3 million low paid workers out of tax all together. We’ve delivered the highest ever increase in the state pension and invested an extra £2.5 billion in education to close the attainment gap between the richest and poorest children.

Having more Lib Dems in parliament can make a difference and locally we have been the main opposition to the Labour party for decades. If you elect me in May I will be a strong voice in parliament for pensioners, the low paid, families and everyone in Leyton and Wanstead who needs someone to stand up for them.

  1. I want to ensure better NHS services for mental health

Mental health services have been seen as a Cinderella service for too long. Lib Dems have delivered the first waiting time standards for mental health services and enshrined in law the principle that mental and physical health should be treated equally.

Mental health services need more investment and proper integration between care services and the NHS. As a Lib Dem MP I’ll campaign for more investment in services locally and make sure the recent problems exposed at Whipps Cross are tackled and not swept under the carpet.

  1. I want to ensure we build enough homes for the next generation

For years not enough affordable homes have been built to meet what we need. In government the Lib Dems have allowed local councils to build council houses again for the first time in decades but there is much more to do.

I will push for more council housing to be built for local people to help tackle the long waiting lists. I’ll support more homes for sale and rent that are truly affordable. And I’ll fight for more rights for private renters, building on the local Lib Dems’ campaign for landlord licensing and ensuring renters get a fair deal.

  1. I want to tackle youth unemployment in our area

Youth unemployment has been too high for too long in Leyton and Wanstead. Locally Lib Dems have created 2,580 apprenticeships, given £459,212 in start-up loans, supported 7,000 new businesses and increased the number of women in work by 24,800.

But there is much more to do to ensure we keep building a stronger local economy and tackle youth employment. If I’m elected in May I will campaign for more apprenticeships and better training and jobs for young people locally.

  1. I will fight for more funding for local schools and more school places

Lib Dems have helped to deliver opportunity for all by investing £14 million in schools to make sure each and every disadvantaged child has a good start to their education. On top of that 3,800 local children have benefited from having a free school meal.

Lib Dems in government have also helped deliver millions more investment in our school buildings – and without Labour’s expensive PFI deals – to create much needed school places. But we still need more places for local kids and if I’m elected I’ll make more places and more investment a priority as your MP.

GENERAL ELECTION FOCUS SPECIAL

A constituency-wide General Election special edition of the FOCUS newsletter has just gone to press, and will be delivered by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Carl Quilliam, our Parliamentary candidate, if you would like to  help his campaign.

His email address is: leytonandwansteadcarl@gmail.com.

You can also contact him via his agent, Clyde Kitson, on (010)  8534 2947 or Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335.

You can access an advance copy here: General Election Special

LOCAL TUBE STATION TICKET OPFICE CLOSURES TO BEGIN

Leyton Station Ticket Office first for the chop!

Waltham Forest E-Guardian 8:01am Friday 27th March 2015

Ticket offices at Tube stations across Waltham Forest will begin to close in the coming weeks.

The office at Leyton Station, scheduled to close in April, will be the first to go, followed by Blackhorse Road, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Central.

Closure works take around a month, except Walthamstow Central which could take up to three.

Labour London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold has condemned the move, claiming the move will leave passengers with less staff support.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s plan to close all the capital’s tube ticket offices will cost taxpayers almost £134million, Ms Arnold said.

She described the cost as “staggering”.

The £134million will fund additional ticket machines in 27 London stations, four new customer receptions and the conversion of 181 ticket offices for other uses.

Jennette Arnold said:

This argument isn’t about whether staff are based in ticket offices or not.

It is about whether there are enough staff in stations to provide the good service people in Waltham Forest have come to expect, particularly the elderly and disabled who often rely more on station staff for assistance.

The closures in Waltham Forest are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

LOCAL TUBE STATION TICKET OFFICE CLOSURES START

 Leyton Station Ticket Office first for the chop!

Waltham Forest E-Guardian 8:01am Friday 27th March 2015

Ticket offices at Tube stations across Waltham Forest will begin to close in the coming weeks.

The office at Leyton Station, scheduled to close in April, will be the first to go, followed by Blackhorse Road, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Central.

Closure works take around a month, except Walthamstow Central which could take up to three.

Labour London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold has condemned the move, claiming the move will leave passengers with less staff support.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s plan to close all the capital’s tube ticket offices will cost taxpayers almost £134million, Ms Arnold said.

She described the cost as “staggering”.

The £134million will fund additional ticket machines in 27 London stations, four new customer receptions and the conversion of 181 ticket offices for other uses.

Jennette Arnold said:

This argument isn’t about whether staff are based in ticket offices or not.

It is about whether there are enough staff in stations to provide the good service people in Waltham Forest have come to expect, particularly the elderly and disabled who often rely more on station staff for assistance.

The closures in Waltham Forest are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

PLANNING NEWS: LEYTONSTONE UNDERGROUND STATION

A second mini cab office

An application has been lodged at the Town Hall to use the small kiosk, inside the station concourse as a minicab office.

Local traders in Church Lane are already concerned about the number of Gold Line cars waiting for passengers, and feel strongly that there is no justication in increasing the problem by granting permission for a second mini cab operator.

If you wish to express your view you may write to:

Building Control

Environment & Regeneration

Waltham Forest Council

Sycamore House

Forest Road

Walthamstow, London, E17 4SU

Telephone: 020 8496 3000

Email: building.control@walthamforest.gov

quoting planning application number: 150598

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS SELECT CANDIDATES TO CONTEST GENERAL ELECTION

Liberal Democrats are taking the fight to the Tories and Labour across Waltham Forest.  The Liberal Democrat candidates in the General Election are below.  If you would like to help the Lib Dems in the General Election then please contact any of the candidates.

CHINGFORD AND WOODFORD GREEN

Anne Crook

mobile: 079847 771 487 – email: amc59@gmail.com

LEYTON AND WANSTEAD

Carl Quilliam

email: leytonandwansteadcarl@gmail.com

WALTHAMSTOW

Steven Cheung

mobile: 07872 427 778 – email: steven@stevencheung.co.uk

web: www.stevencheung.co.uk – twitter: twitter@stevencheung

£150M INVESTMENT TO TRANSFORM TREATMENT FOR EATING DISORDERS

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has announced a £150m investment to transform the treatment of children and young people with eating disorders.

Nick has secured the fund in this year’s Autumn Statement and forms part of the Liberal Democrats ongoing campaign to bring mental health services on a par with physical health care.

PLEASE CLICK TO SIGN OUR PETITION:

The Liberal Democrats are determined to change this and to end the stigma around mental health. We want mental health issues to be treated just as seriously as physical health issues.

The fund will be rolled-out over the next five years and paves the way for the introduction of new waiting standards.

Research shows an increasing number of young people, some as young as five are being admitted to hospital for treatment of eating disorders at a cost to the NHS of around £200m a year.

The new funding will focus on channelling money from expensive institutional care to local provision through:

– pilot schemes to get young people with eating disorders early access to services in their communities, with properly trained teams, making hospital admission a last resort.

– extending access to talking therapies so that children and young people have choice of evidence based therapies.

Nick said:

“Too often children with mental health problems are being completely let down by the current system, with many suffering from eating disorders going unreported and untreated.

“We know that if an eating disorder goes untreated for more than 3 to 5 years the chances of recovery are greatly reduced, while incidents of self harm increase.

“That’s why we need to act now to transform the current system, intervening earlier with dedicated and targeted community-based services to ensure that we don’t fail this generation or the ones that follow.”

LANGTHORNE ROAD FOOTBRIDGE REFURBISHMENT

Works commence Monday 16 March

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that work will include a new enclosureand new lighting to improve visibility and reduce anti-social behaviour. This will incvlude some work to strenthen the footbridge.

Period of work

Work will begin on Monday 16 March and will last approximately 16 weeks, or until the works are completed with the agreement of the local Council. The working hours will be from 21.30 to 05.00 at night and 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Friday.

The strengthening works, taking place under the footbridge, are due to be carried out at night from 16 March until 3 April.

The surface renewal, enclosure and lighting replacement are to to be carried out during the day from 30 March until 26 June.

TfL says that every effort will be made to ensure that noisy operations are completed berfore midnight, but explain that vehicle reversing beepers are essential safety devices.

During bridge closures pedestrian and cyclist diversions will be clearly signposted.

TfL Contact

For further information or an update while work is underway, contact the Customer Services Department on 0845 305 1234,  or via the web at www.tfl.gov.uk/contact or via vemail at customerservices@tfl.gov.uk