Slavery isn't over, says Menzies Campbell

The celebrations for 200 years since slavery was abolished are valid, but that's just one form of slavery. Today, in the UK, slavery is very much alive, according to Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell.He said: "Birmingham, like so many other industrial cities benefited from the trade in human beings. The extent to which our nation profited from this exploitation should be a source of shame, and this year we must celebrate the people who worked to abolish the slave trade and remember those who died and suffered at its hands. "But slavery still exists in the UK and we must oppose and tackle all forms of modern day slavery wherever we find it." Currently in the UK: * At least 5,000 children are being forced to work as sex slaves* Over 4,000 trafficked women are working as prostitutes* About 10,000 gangmasters are working across various industrial sectors. Campbell said: "Slavery is a crime that has a devastating effect on the lives of individuals, and contributes to the overall harm caused by organised crime. "Since the 2004 Asylum and Immigration Act there has not been a single prosecution brought for trafficking for labour exploitation. "Our part in the slave trade was despicable and it is shameful that slavery is so prominent in the modern world."

New Trucks on our streets

The new livery for Waltham Forests fleet of waste disposal vehicles will arrive soon.
The new service should be equal if not better that the trucks look.

Mayor deceiving Londoners

Liberal Democrat Dee Doocey, Chair of the London Assembly’s committee responsible for scrutinising preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games, this week accused Mayor Ken Livingstone of having deceived Londoners over the true costs of the Games.
As Culture Minister Tessa Jowell announced a 3-fold increase in the cost of staging the Games to £5.3billion, Dee said that the mayor had repeatedly assured Londoners, and others most of who, like the Liberal Democrats, supported the Games, that costs were being controlled. “We now know Londoners were deceived” said Dee."We repeatedly told the Mayor that he needed to get a grip on the escalating expenditure. The figures released today show that the Mayor and the Government have seriously underestimated the cost of the Games and have grossly mismanaged the first stage of Olympic preparations."
Dee also called on the Mayor to stand down from the Olympic Board. "Ken Livingstone should now step aside from the Olympic Board and be replaced with a person who understands big projects and can control expenditure, to ensure that London has an Olympic Games it can be proud of in 2012” said Dee. For further information contact dee.doocey@London.gov.uk

London Assembly backs Fairtrade

Liberal Democrat Graham Tope successfully helped move a motion in the London Assembly this week that supported the campaign for London to become a Fairtrade city. Several London Boroughs controlled by the Liberal Democrats, including Graham’s ‘home’ borough of Sutton have already become Fairtrade boroughs, and Graham urged Assembly members to work with their boroughs, residents and local businesses to increase the availability and take up of Fairtrade marked products. For further details contact graham.tope@london.gov.uk
Waltham Forest is a Fairtrade borough.

KENILWORTH AVENUE

Hello Bob
First of all, thank you for your recent support with the issue of the fan at Enjoy Cafe. The fan was silent for weeks and is still much quieter than before, although over recent weeks we have noticed that noise levels are increasing again.
We are writing to you with reference to the rubbish at Al Murad. For some time the forecourt was kept very clean but over recent weeks the place has once more become an eyesore.
We know that people dump their rubbish there, but they did not do this so much when the place was kept clean. The fact that the rubbish from the warehouse itself is being allowed to accumulate again encourages fly tipping and we have noticed more people using the place as a urinal because it is so dirty.
As the owners of the land it is incumbent upon Al Murad to create a cleansing system which does not allow such a situation to arise and their duty to contain so that it does not create such an unpleasant environment.
We are attaching a photograph of the rubbish taken at 6am this morning. We are also attaching a photograph of the huge delivery lorry taken last week.
Thank you for your support.

This is a typical email to the Focus Team. Here is the response.

Dear Councillor Belam,

I have today, Friday 16.3.07 at 0915, seen your message relating to AlMurad at Kenilworth Road, E.17. and, in view of the time contraints regarding your surgery tomorrow I am replying immediately. An Enforcement Officer is now on his way to speak to the owner again. The officer has had occasion to speak with this gentleman on previous occasions and has received full co-operation in the past. This is a thriving business and they store and dispose of their waste by means of the skip shown in the photographs. There is no secure perimeter wall, and, in addition to their own waste, they do suffer from fly tipping. They do regularly try to keep their waste storage neat and tidy but clearly enough is not being done. The officer has been asked to seek assurances that more care will be taken to ensure that the waste will be kept secure and contained and will not be allowed to 'build up' in the way shown in the photographs. We are confident that we will receive full co-operation but if necessary we can resort to serving a Street Litter Control Notice under Section 93 EPO 1990 (as amended).We will continue to monitor this location.

Please drive smarter to save the planet

Once again, the government has put the onus on the general public to reduce carbon monoxide output.As the government launched its Act on CO2 climate change campaign, transport minister Gillian Merron "urged" motorists to take action to cut down on CO2 emissions from their cars.The campaign "encourages" motorists to "drive smarter" in a way that improves fuel consumption, giving tips on its website on how to drive smarter and even giving people an online game they can play to see what would happen if they followed the tips. A calculator enables them to work out how much money they could save if they drove smarter. To drive smarter you should: * make sure your tyres are pumped up correctly* change up a gear earlier if you can* reduce the load your car carries. The government said that if all drivers in the UK followed these tips, CO2 emissions from cars could be reduced by 8 per cent or over 5.5million tonnes a year, "saving" motorists more than £2bn a year in fuel costs.Merron said: "Climate change will affect us all, but we can all do our bit to help tackle it. Little changes can make a big difference - and this campaign is all about giving drivers practical tips to help them make that real difference. Put quite simply, the way we drive can help to reduce our impact on the environment and by using less fuel, motorists can save money too." Environment Secretary David Miliband said: "The new cross-government 'Act on CO2' brand will inspire people to reduce their CO2 emissions, and we will be rolling the campaign out in the spring to enable individuals to think about changing their behaviours to adopt a lower carbon lifestyle and help tackle climate change." * No action on delivering low-carbon communities is not an option, the Town and Country Planning Association said as consultation on the Planning Policy Statement (PPS1) ended.TCPA director (policy & projects) Robert Shaw said: “There is no doubt that the draft policy statement gives communities tremendous scope to put climate change at the heart of planning policy and decision-making. For many in planning, this agenda may seem daunting. Effective guidance and on-going support will help them rise to the challenge and create the communities of the future.“Generating and supplying energy in a sustainable way, close to the people who use it, is a fundamental part of reducing carbon emissions. But this is not the whole story. Adapting to climate change is now equally important. Urban areas are becoming hotter, and the effects will be felt most at higher densities. Temperatures of 40oC plus could be a regular occurrence in some parts of our cities in the coming decades. Research shows that green spaces and tree cover have a natural cooling effect. Increasing tree cover by just 10 per cent could keep temperatures at today’s levels until at least mid-century. Therefore, urban greening will need to become an integral part of new and existing communities if they are to remain places people want to live”.

Government missing environment targets

As the anti-carbon bandwagon rolls on, the government has been criticised for failing to meet its own targets on carbon, as well as waste and water. Environment Secretary David Miliband has conceded that the criticism is valid.Central government office estate was meant to be carbon neutral by 2012 and office carbon emissions were supposed to be cut by 30 per cent by 2020.Only three days after saying that the government has "at last turned a corner" in this area, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) said in its report Sustainable Development in Government 2006 that the government's performance was "patchy" and "poor".The report said government departments generated more waste than last year and nine departments could not provide proper waste data. On carbon, it said departments are "not on track" to meet the carbon reduction target of 12.5 per cent by 2010; on average, departments have reduced carbon emissions by 0.5 per cent since 1999 but 15 departments have actually increased carbon emissions since 1999. The report also claimed that most departments are using energy less efficiently than eight years ago.As for water, departments failed to meet the target of 7.7m3 of water per person, consuming instead an average of 10.2m3 per person. The Cabinet Office was furthest from the target, consuming 19m3 water per personOn the road, CO2 emissions from transport have gone down by 14 per cent since 2002 but the Department for Transport has increased emissions by roughly 40 per cent over the same period. The main culprits are the Cabinet Office, the DfT, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Law Officers' Department, and the Export Credits Guarantee Department. SDC chair Jonathon Porritt said: "Overall, government performance is simply not good enough. Against a background of non-stop messages on climate change and corporate social responsibility, the government has failed to get its own house in order. It's absolutely inexcusable that government is lagging so far behind the private sector, when it should be leading the way." Environment Secretary David Miliband said of the report's findings that government must not merely set targets, it must also deliver them. Miliband acknowledged progress was slower than he would like and not adequate to meet the increasing pace of change that was needed. He said: "Government is committed to playing its role in tackling climate change and reducing emissions - alongside the actions already being taken by business and individuals. I have asked Gus O'Donnell to take personal charge and we have asked the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit to recommend by the end of April the structures we need to put in place to ensure these targets are delivered."

Bill sets 60 per cent carbon cut by 2050

The government's climate change bill, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, has a higher target than the EU of a 20 per cent cut by 2020 (the bill also sets an interim target of reducing emissions by between 26 per cent and 32 per cent by 2020).Tony Blair said: "This is a revolutionary step in confronting the threat of climate change. It sets an example to the rest of the world but, as important as anything else, it listens and responds to the strong desire on the part of the British people to take the lead and keep it."But it isn't enough, critics have said. Opposition parties and some Labour MPs have said the target should be 80 per cent or more.Sian Berry, principal speaker for the Green Party, said: "A target of 60 per cent by 2050 is not nearly enough - we need to achieve 90 per cent cuts by this date. Scientists say that anything less makes it probable that global temperatures will rise by more than 2oC, which will have disastrous consequences."See What's so bad about carbon? Chancellor Gordon Brown said the bill would mean chancellors would manage "carbon budgets" like financial budgets but they would be every five years. Environment Secretary David Miliband said there was no argument for them to be annual."Changing your policy on the basis of one year's weather isn't a sensible way of doing things," he told the BBC. "We think it's right that every five years we set carbon budgets in legislation, that we give business confidence about a 15-year period ahead so that we can really invest for the future. Instead, we need a framework of legislation which gives real confidence to business and to individuals about the way in which our country's going to change to meet the climate change challenge." Tory shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "To be truly effective, any bill should have three elements: annual emission reduction targets; an independent body to set as well as monitor these targets; and an annual carbon budget report from the Secretary of State. We've got to stop having a system whereby targets are set 10 years in advance, ignored up until year eight, and then are quietly dropped in year nine." Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell said: "We welcome the introduction of the draft climate change bill as far as it goes. Yet this Labour government has presided over a 3 per cent rise in carbon dioxide emissions while green taxes have fallen as a percentage of GDP."The government has formed a new Committee on Climate Change.

COUNCIL TAX KEPT TO 2 1/2%

The Waltham Forest element of Council Tax is to rise by only 2 1/2 %. This is despite pressures from the Government Settlement and the GLA hiking their precept up by 5.29%, making a rise of 3% to the Council Tax payer.Lib Dem Cllr and Focus Team member Cllr Bob Carey says: “We are continuing to invest in our services despite on-going pressure from the Labour Government and the GLA.”

GRAFFITI VANDAL CAUGHT RED-HANDED

The other month a graffiti vandal was left red-faced after he was caught red-handed defacing property - by a top Council Enforcement Manager conducting a graffiti audit! The offender, who is 17, was attempting to mark his tag or ‘graffiti-signature’ on an NTL box on Brettenham Road, Chapel End ward.
Little did he know that Gareth Jones, the borough’s top Enforcement Manager for Environment Services, was only a few feet away conducting Waltham Forest’s borough-wide Graffiti audit as part of Waltham Forest’s anti-graffiti strategy.
Gareth Jones, Enforcement Manager for Environmental Services said; “It was quite ironic that I was on the look out for graffiti and then stood next to a graffiti vandal in the act. I couldn’t believe my eyes - it was broad daylight and he just started defacing property with his marker in public”. “He was embarrassed when I stopped him, and he seemed genuinely shocked when I explained to him who I was and that I was conducting a graffiti audit for the Council”.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will now sign an acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) and will receive an official
warning in the presence of his parents and a police officer. Should a further offence be committed, the matter will be referred for an ASBO.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Bob Belam said;
“Well done to Gareth - he certainly was in the right place at the right time. Hopefully this foolish individual will think twice in future about vandalising property and damaging our environment”.
“We’re really trying to clean-up Waltham Forest and the enforcement guys and anti-graffiti teams are doing a fantastic job day-in day-out to make this a reality. The residents of our borough have been supportive and we are very happy with the response. It’s just a shame that there are still people out there that think this sort of behaviour is ok - but we are making progress”.

COMPULSORY RECYCLING

The Compulsory Recycling Pilot started on September 4th 2006 in the South Chingford and Woodford Green areas of the borough.
Three monitoring officers have been monitoring the pilot areas. At the end of September, 76.43% of residents were recycling.
Reminder cards were delivered after the pilot had been running for six weeks. A dedicated door-stepping team has also been covering the area to increase awareness of the recycling pilot. Participation rose to 93.78% by the end of December with a 24.41% daily increase of tonnage.
First reminder letters were sent out week commencing 22nd January to residents who had not recycled since the scheme started.
Residents using other recycling facilities such as main recycling centres or ‘bring sites’ should contact Waltham Forest Direct who will pass the information on to the Recycling Section.

GET SORTED

Once again we have a big increase on the “Get Sorted” kerbside collection with 1137.66 tonnes collected in January, the biggest monthly total ever for dry recyclables. This is a daily average of 49.46 tonnes, itself a new record. To put it in context this is 39% up on January 2006.
Although Organic Waste collection was down slightly as is normal at this time of year, the reduction was not as much as anticipated due largely to the Christmas Tree collections. Civic Amenity Sites and bring sites were both up slightly and mini recycling centres on estates stayed fairly constant.
We collected a total of 1493.28 tonnes in the month, an average of 64.92 tonnes per day up by 34.28% on January 2006.

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

Car Park Tariff increases - This is scheduled for the 1st of March notices were placed in each of the car parks on the 31st of January to notify motorists of the impending changes
Enforcement outside schools - We now have 2 CCTV Smart cars and 1 CCTV van, due to the increased resources we are now
patrolling each of the schools in the borough with enforceable
markings once a week. These patrols will vary between AM/PM, day to day and CCTV/foot patrols.
Disabled Badges - As of the 1st of March the Parking Shop will be selling Blue Car badge protectors (photo below), these will be
available to disabled people to help deter thieves. The Parking Shop will be the first outlet for the protectors their availability will be
extended to WFD and the libraries. The applicant will have to fill in a VAT form, initially these forms will be sent out by Mobility Services when they issue badges, once more outlets come on-line the forms will be available at the point of sale. The cost for the protectors is £12 - this is cost price and VAT exempt - they are only normally available on-line at a total cost of £18.
Trading Standards Christmas Road Check
Officers from the Trading Standards Section showed true devotion to duty on 21st December when they joined the Police and the Vehicle Inspectorate at 4 a.m. in order to check on overloaded goods vehicles as they came out of Spitalfields Market.
They found several dangerously overloaded vehicles, the highest overload being a whopping 76%. Overloads in this amount represent a very real risk to other road users and owners and/or drivers can
expect to be heavily fined and may receive penalty points on their driving licence. Hopefully, the court results will act as a deterrent to other traders trying to carry excess weight in order to reduce the number of trips thay make.
Permit Parking Schemes - Consultation
Consultation has been carried out on proposed extensions to the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in several parts of Walthamstow and Leytonstone. Over 1700 people have replied and we are analys­ing all the responses. The Council intends to write to the residents of these areas in March to inform them of the results. Permit parking restrictions will be introduced only in areas where the majority of con­sultation replies are in favour.
Permit price increases - This was successfully implemented on the 12th of February, as soon as the increased charges were advertised the Parking Shop and Leytonstone WFD were inundated with
applications for both Visitor Permits and the early renewal of annual permits.

A BIG LOTTERY BOOST FOR CHILDRENS PLAY

A grant of almost £700,000 has been awarded by the Big Lottery Fund to provide new playgrounds and play initiatives for children across Waltham Forest. The playgrounds in parks in three areas will undergo major transformation as a result of the funding -
Abbots Park and Skeltons Lane Park in Leyton/Leytonstone and Lloyd Park in Walthamstow. There will also be a number of other projects, including seven play days in parks around the borough, which will provide free play services to promote the importance of play for all children and young people.
Congratulations to everyone in the Early Years team who have coordinated the bid for the funding, and together with partner agencies, developed Waltham Forest’s first ever Play Plan.

COUNCIL LAUNCHES PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE

Waltham Forest Council announced an ambitious programme to revitalise the boroughs’ playgrounds. Overseen by ‘Green Spaces’, the Council’s wing for borough parks and open spaces, the programme will see a massive £400,000 spent on major enhancements at six playgrounds, and missing play equipment replaced at many more.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam said;
“This is great news for the borough, particularly for families with children who will be able to use these facilities. Waltham Forest is already one of the greenest boroughs in London, with many residents within easy reach of a good local park. We want to ensure our playgrounds are just as good, and this investment - which is considerable - will go a long way towards that”.
“Much of the improvement work will involve the installation of new play equipment such as swings, play panels, roundabouts, and rocking equipment. We’re also keen that the playgrounds offer different levels of challenge and are suitable for the different age groups that use them”.
“In terms of the time-scale, we are looking at the designs and will consult with members and stakeholders - but all six projects should be completed by next spring, and a couple well before that”.
The six target sites are; Marlowe Road Recreation Ground in Wood Street; Memorial Park in Larkswood; Sidmouth Park in Grove Green; Greenleaf Road Playground in William Morris; Seymour Road Playground in Lea Bridge; and Wingfield Park in Hoe Street ward.

CLEANER SAFER GREENER

On the Cleaner Safer Greener programe, improvements to the Folly Lane play area have been completed and work has commenced at the Acacia Road play area, Atlee Terrace play area and the Phase 1 of the St Mary’s Cemetery project. The consultation process for Sidmouth Park has started, involving the Nappy Gang under 5’s group, Newport Primary and local residents. The Skelton’s Lane tender package is about to be sent out and a residents event has been organised for the 12th February at the Vestry House Museum to discuss the plans for Vestry Road play area.
This month has also seen the formal application to the Green flag Award Scheme for national recognition of two of the boroughs Premier Parks, Langthorne Park and Coronation Gardens. The judging will take place in the early summer and we will know the results by August 2007.