Minutes of 28 May 2013 LEYTON WARD RESIDENTS FORUM MEETING
Seddon Centre, Leyton E10 at 7pm
Officers/Councillors in Attendance: Cllr Bob Sullivan, Cllr Naheed Qureshi, Cllr Winnie Smith,
Inspector Sue Rankin, Sam Beaumont and Jose Sanchez from Urbaser, and Phillip Pughe and Debbie
Stokes from Environmental Services.
AGENDA ITEM 1: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The Chair, Cllr Bob Sullivan welcomed everybody to the meeting. Cllr Sullivan introduced the
Councillors and Officers in attendance. Fire and Safety measures were explained.
AGENDA ITEM 2: MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Page 1:
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Leyton Arts Trail – Still pending
Coopers Lane – Cllr Sullivan explained that the Council is hoping to introduce a 20mph limit
across the borough but will start with roads south of Lea Bridge Road
Temple Mills – The painted sign is remaining as there are still pending events in the Olympic
Park
High Road improvements – Further work still pending
Buckingham Road – Cllr Sullivan that the blocked off section of the road has been leased by
the Council. Investigations to find out what the lease contained, continues
Leyton Mills – A major retailer has shown interest in the empty properties. Talks on-going
Street Trees – No further news. Cllr Sullivan urged residents to give details of any missing
trees to the councillors
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Conservation Area Consultation – Broadly agreed, detailed proposals being drafted.
Railway Cottages in Dunedin Road are not included in the Conservation area.
New Street Lighting – residents are concerned that although it is eco-friendly, it is not as
bright – ACTION: Chair will pursue
AGENDA ITEM 3: NEW STREET CLEANING CONTRACT
Keith Hanshaw, Assistant Director of Public Realm sent his apologies. The Chair introduced the
representatives from the new contractor, Urbaser, Sam Beaumont and Jose Sanches and Phillip
Pughe deputising for Keith Hanshaw.
It was explained that they are taking over street cleansing and grounds maintenance. They will be
keeping on local staff, and have advertised additional posts. An apprenticeship scheme is being
started.
The Street Watchers will feed in information on illicit dumping, and Urbaser say they welcome
community spirit with local people drawing attention to problems. They should be reported through
Waltham Forest Direct on 8496 3000 as usual.
New machinery is being used including suction machines to clear debris from heavily parked roads.
The teams are already tackling fly posting removal. Specialised equipment will be used between 5am
– 10pm.
Questions from residents:
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Language problems have been evident - It was confirmed that all supervisors speak the
operative’s language.
Wages – The level set of the London Living Wage will be the minimum for all staff.
Mobile Phones – Crews have mobile phones and they can be alerted to fresh problems
Etloe House – Now has two business parks nearby – juggernauts are going through local
streets – ACTION: Phil Pughe to investigate
Hot Spots – Urbaser have been alerted to known hot spots. Mobile Hot Spot Teams will
patrol
Refuse/Recycling Collections – Phil Pughe confirmed that this contract remains with Kier
until 2019
Cllr Sullivan thanked the representatives from Urbaser and Phillip Pughe for their attendance.
AGENDA ITEM 4: SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
Southern Cluster Inspector Sue Rankin offered apologies on behalf of the SNT who provided a
written report:
Current Ward Priorities
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Antisocial Behaviour by groups of youths – SNT officers have been conducting patrols of
ASB hotspots to deter youths from loitering and causing a nuisance, any youths stopped at
locations have their details taken and an intelligence report is completed as a record. SNT
has also been working with housing associations so that any suspects regularly causing ASB
are also dealt with by their housing provider.
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Burglary – SNT are conducting stops on door to door ales/workers as there have been recent
distraction burglaries in the area. When a burglary is committed the SNT follow up with door
to door enquiries to make neighbours aware that a burglary has occurred. Leaflets will then
be distributed to other surrounding houses to make them aware and also give some crime
prevention advice. In April a burglar was caught and detained by the SNT approximately ten
minutes after he had committed a burglary.
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Motor Vehicle Crime – Leaflet booklets are given to residents re motor vehicle crime. Door
to door also conducted if vehicles are seen with valuables left on display or windows left
open.
Leyton SNT has been conducting regular weapon sweeps on the BEAUMONT ESTATE and
LEYTON GRANGE ESTATE due to recent gang tensions.
Leyton SNT has been assisting other officers with ANPR operations to seize vehicle being
driven by people with no insurance or no driving licence.
Inspector Rankin also highlighted the following points:
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Targets have been set to reduce crime by 20%; cut costs by 20%; increase service delivery by
20%
Waltham Forest complement to be increased by 119 constables by 2015
Southern Cluster of 7/8 wards will be covered by 5 teams operating from 7am-midnight
(Monday – Thursday) and 7am until 2am, next day (Friday – Sunday)
Current 15 PCs will be increased to 40. 9 of whom will be on the patch by September this
year
Hot spots are identified – and local SNT can get additional backup if needed
Ring 101 to arrange an appointment – an officer will visit
Also ring 101 for any non-urgent calls
In an emergency call 999
Changes are being made to opening hours of public counters – revised details will be on the
Met Police website
The public counter at the Custody Suite is to be closed
Cllr Sullivan thanked Inspector Rankin for her attendance.
AGENDA ITEM 5: CORONATION GARDENS ANNEXE
Alex Forrester of Groundwork London sent his apologies and his written report on the Consultation
was circulated. Debbie Stokes, from the council, responded to questions:
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Develop a wildlife area
Some raised beds with tenancy agreements
Allotments – first year free, then chargeable
Play area
Seating for the beach volleyball area
Consultation did not include produce – it is understood that there is some contamination
Debbie Stokes advised that ideas are still being developed, and funding options are being
researched. She confirmed that there is currently a waiting list for allotments in the borough.
Cllr Sullivan thanked Debbie Stokes for her attendance.
AGENDA ITEM 6: LEYTON CRICKET GROUND
Pete Towler, Chair of the Management Committee, updated the meeting on the following points:
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At a mid-March meeting with the Council Leader he presented Cllr Robbins with a list of
suggestions and a briefing paper
Southern buildings – survey started in April, not yet in – preliminary indication suggests that
they are in a poor condition
North end – feasibility study of the tennis courts, bowls club etc. pending. First indications –
they have been neglected for a long time. The Committee feels a wider consultation with
residents may be desirable. Costs estimated at £1 million.
North end squatters – they were evicted in early May, and then re-occupied – legal query
pending
Various sporting events on the calendar – full details will be in WFN.
Residents’ questions:
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New gates on the corner of Crawley Road – why are they not being used?
Pete Towler confirmed that all the options being considered by the Management Committee
are sports related. It is understood that the covenants say the area must continue to be
dedicated to sports
Essex County Cricket Club is still involved with the ground, which was the Club’s home for
many years. A representative from the Club sits on the Management Committee
The next Management Meeting will be in July
AGENDA ITEM 7: STREET PARTY INITIATIVE 2013
Cllr Sullivan gave out the grant application forms and confirmed that he is going to be talking to the
two primary schools that held a street party last year.
AGENDA ITEM 8: COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
Temple Mills Lane – a resident queried when it is scheduled to be open to traffic – Cllr Sullivan
responded that he did not have an update on this question. It may be affected by the council’s plans
for the Marsh Lane Bridge which was recently constructed at a cost of £250,000.00. It seems that the
intention is to rebuild it with an even bigger bridge. Cllr Sullivan agreed it seems to be wasting a lot
of money, without a good reason. He is pursuing this question.
Cllr Sullivan closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.