The latest edition of the Focus Newsletter is out now!  It contains information about the following:-

New Schools in the Borough

Chief Executive - Apology demanded for wasted money

Glyn Hopkins Redevelopment - Planning Update

Outlook Building on High Rd, Leyton - Planning Update

Cleaning up Beaumont Estate

Skeltons Lane - Planning update

Drapers Field - handed over to ODA

Crescent Road - traffic update

Windsor Road - traffic update

The newsletter is currently being delivered across the ward by volunteers and local residents.

You may also download a copy now!!!

Leyton Focus Newsletter No 321

THE FOCUS TEAM - WORKING ALL YEAR ROUND!!!!!!

I had heard rumours that Drapers Field may be handed over to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)  for use as a car park or a holding area, but I was extremely upset when I learnt that our Labour run council had decided to go ahead with the plans.

It was only last December, that we proposed our motion to PROTECT OUR PLAYING FIELDS AND GREEN SPACES  in the borough:

This Council:

Notes resident concern about threats to green spaces, playing fields and associated amenities such as sports facilities within our borough.

Understands the vital importance of green spaces and playing fields as areas for recreation and sport in both informal and organised capacities.

Recognises the importance of local playing fields for local schools.

Believes that actively protecting our green spaces and strengthening sports facilities will be a key part of Waltham Forest’s Olympic legacy.
 
Therefore, this Council requests that relevant senior officers 

Examine current Council policy and practice to ensure that a commitment to green spaces and playing fields is properly reflected in our current framework.
 
Report back to councillors highlighting any areas where our policy on the protection of green spaces and playing fields can be strengthened

This motion was passed at full council; so what a shame that plans to hand the playing fields over to the ODA have been passed.  At a time when money is being heavily invested up and down the country in sports facilities - to encourage youth and old alike to get into the ‘Olympic’ spirit. Here, in Waltham Forest, an Olympic borough - a key sports facility which is used by clubs and schools in the area will not be in use from September 2011 for upto 16 months.The Council Leader is reported to have said: “We would be able, through the compensation package, to completely refurbish Draper’s Field … we could turn it into a very special park.”

Who knows what will happen then!

Please sign our on-line petition at:

http://ourcampaign.org.uk/DrapersField

Your Leyton Focus Team were at the Beaumont Fun Day organised by London & Quadrant (L&Q) last saturday.

Our stall was visited by many local residents which gave them a chance to catch up with the three of us.

If you are organising a community event in Leyton and would like us to attend; please do get in touch!

I am extremely pleased to have been chosen by Operation Black Vote to take part in their award winning  MP Shadowing Scheme. I have been paired with the Liberal Democrat party president Baroness Ros Scott! (Pictured above with Andrew Stunnel MP and Baroness Ros Scott).

To read all about the scheme please go to: http://obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1600&Itemid=1

I intend to write about the work that I do as part of this scheme - so watch this space!

Leyton Cricket Ground was heaving last weekend as families gathered to enjoy a fun day out. I took the boys along too and they were not dissapponted. The Noor Ul Islam Summer Fair now takes its place as a must-go event in the annual calendar for Leyton. Pictured above with my son Zakariah and Cllr Sullivan.

I was extremely thrilled to attend this event (I also wrote about my visit last year - scroll down) which attracted residents by their thousands. It is not every day that a mosque puts on a summer fair, which is attended by a cross section of the local community. Well, it was held over a weekend actually, such was the demand for tickets. 

The Noor Ul Islam mosque which is based on High Rd, Leyton ought to be congratulated for their hard work in the borough. They have worked wonders for the local muslim community. They have also strived to bridge te gap between the muslim and non muslim community and I do hope they continue to grow as an organisation. And that other mosques take valuable lessons from them in terms of how vital the role of a mosque is in this ethnically diverse part of London.

I am looking forward to next year already!

You may have read the news a few months ago, that Leyton High Road and the Ruckholt Road area are due to be given a facelift thanks to the Olympics.

Cllrs Sullivan, Smith and I were invited to a meeting recently; to take a look at the changes that are being proposed to parts of Leyton High Rd over the coming years as we build up to the Olympics.

Almost £5 million is set to be spent in the area. Changes that are being proposed include new seating areas, shop frontages and lighting along the High Rd, in particular.

Although they are in their initial stages and subject to a consultation (which I am told is going to take place very soon) , I am very excited, as some of the planned changes will, i believe, transform the area and give it a much needed facelift. I have my reservations, about a few proposed changes around the Leyton station area; which I spoke about in the meeting. I do hope my suggestions are taken on board.

The officers concerned, visited the Leyton & Whipps Cross Community Council which took place last month and outlined initial plans to the members of the public who were in attendance.

If you would like to know more about the proposed changes, please email me.

Not content with sending out simple thank you cards; we decided to throw a party for all our members and helpers, who work so hard on our behalf. Without the help of these people the local party would not be in the strong position it is today. I was pleased to see so many people, as it gave us a chance to say thank you properly.

Organised by myself and fellow activist Joe Dyer, the party was held a few saturdays ago in late June, there were plenty of drinks and mouth watering food; not to mention cake! A good time was had by all.

Jenny Sullivan and Clyde Kitson; local party members/activists were thanked especially for their work in ensuring everyone was looked after during the election campaign.

If you are interested in joining the local party, or if you fancy helping us out please get in touch. We would love to welcome you on board!  

Here is the latest edition of the informative FOCUS newsletter.

Leyton Focus No 320 - delivered by local residents all over Leyton Ward.

FOCUS TEAM - working hard ALL year round

Leyton Focus Team are back! Thank you very much to those of you in Leyton Ward who bucked the borough wide trend  and came out to support us in full force!

We work extremely hard in Leyton. We may not always stand on your rooftops and shout about it! Nor do we try and take  credit for everything thats good and blame others for things that arent (no names mentioned here! wink* wink*). But you can be assured that we are beavering away in the background……..Our surgeries are held EVERY saturday in Leyton Library. You do not need an appointment and all matters are dealt with confidentially.  Our memorable FOCUS newsletter will keep you up to speed with whats happening up your street.

On a personal note, I was truly humbled to have polled the highest number of votes yet again and am extremely grateful for all your support. This election was unique for me as I had never experienced a general and local election on the same day. It brought with it casualties for our party locally, and I am very sad to have lost some wonderful and hard working colleagues. I am sure however; that they will be back in the not so distant future.

Our party in Waltham Forest has a new Leader: Cllr Bob Sullivan. Our Deputy Leader is Cllr Winnie Smith. Whilst, Cllr Farooq Qureshi is our Chief Whip.

We now have a Labour led council. Lets hope they focus less on blaming others for their own previous mistakes and come together to try and make all our lives better (TRY - being the operative word here!!!!).

As ever, I welcome comments / suggestions and even ‘constructive’ criticism from you and am looking forward to serving you for the next four years.

Thank you.

As recent polls suggest, the Lib Dems have presented voters with a real alternative from the other two parties that have let people down time and time again……

The residents of Leyton and Wanstead have the chance to make a stance, as they have been presented with a fantastic candidate who looks set to make history on May 6th, 2010.

Read more here……………A FRESH START