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Waltham Forest Labour and democratic debate in the neighbourhoods

June 20, 2016 the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

Some years ago, the average resident of Cann Hall (where I live) who aspired to have a say in how the neighbourhood developed could do so via the local ward forum, and also the Leytonstone Community Council (which embraced Cathall and Leytonstone wards, as well). Both bodies had official status, were serviced by LBWF officers, and received finance from the Town Hall to support modest measures of amelioration. But, crucially, they were also independently chaired, and not in thrall to councillors; had agendas which were determined bi-laterally (i.e. fashioned by the chair, vice-chair, and officers); offered plenty of opportunity for residents with particular concerns to raise them; and control... »

Cllr. Tim Bennett-Goodman resigns the Labour Whip

June 15, 2016 Cllr. Tim Bennett-Goodman, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

Word reaches me that Cllr. Tim Bennett-Goodman has resigned the Labour Whip, for reasons spelt out in his letter, below. It is a sad day for the Labour Party. Prior to becoming a councillor, Tim Bennett-Goodman had a long history of community-based activity in Waltham Forest, and was widely recognised for both his integrity and his commitment to improving the area. It says much about the current state of the Labour Party that he no longer feels comfortable in its ranks. ’14 June 2016 Dear Paul Resignation of Party Whip Thank you for acknowledging and accepting my resignation. It as with deep regret and personal sadness that I leave the Party I joined in London in 1986 and the Group I j... »

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STOP PRESS: the E11 BID Co. heads towards being struck off

June 10, 2016 E11 BID Co., Fawaad Sheikh, Waltham Forest Business Board

According to a document made public at Companies House, reproduced below, the E11 BID Co. is now threatened with being compulsorily struck off and dissolved. This blog has covered the troubled and troubling E11 BID Co. before (see links below). The issue now seems to be that the company missed the deadline for filing its 2014-15 accounts, which was 31 March 2016. It really does seem extraordinary that directors who are entirely dependent on other people’s money cannot manage the elementary step of filing properly. Little wonder that those traders in Leytonstone who are forced to financed the E11 BID Co. via a levy are so disenchanted. One wonders what Michael Polledri’s Waltham F... »

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Cllr. Ahsan Khan and a Mayoral reception to honour ‘a friend of mine’ UPDATED

June 6, 2016 Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Cllr. Saima Mahmud, Cllr. Terry Wheeler, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Browsing YouTube at the weekend, I was amused to come across this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9fLay0VLbE It is a short film shot in the Town Hall, at which Waltham Forest’s Mayor honours a guest. One interesting thing is that the Mayor in question is not Cllr. Saima Mahmud, bur Cllr. Terry Wheeler, her predecessor – suggesting that the practice of Mayoral honouring which has recently caused such controversy is nothing new. In addition, the first few seconds of the film are very illuminating. Cllr. Khan introduces the event, and states that it is being held to honour ‘the recipient’ of  ‘a special award’, someone who turns out to be (as he puts it) &#... »

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LBWF Leader Chris Robbins and Syrian refugees: the same old same old

May 27, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Back in October 2015, the Leader of LBWF, Cllr. Chris Robbins, went public with a pledge to house Syrian refugees. The Waltham Forest Guardian story started with his picture in large format – – and then included the following specifics: ‘Ten refugee families fleeing Syria will be housed in Waltham Forest…The council have promised to provide decent homes “wherever possible” and provide access to health care, education and local job opportunities’. Many readers no doubt reasonably concluded that this humanitarian gesture was immanent, and attributed credit to Cllr. Robbins for his concern. So what has happened subsequently? Are ten families fleeing ter... »

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