PRESS RELEASE: TACKLING ROGUE LANDLORDS

At the recent full council meeting, councillors voted in favour of a Liberal Democrat motion to introduce Selective Licensing in the Borough.

Selective licensing has recently been introduced across the whole of the neighbouring borough of Newham. Once in place the law requires that all landlords in the area are licensed and that license can then be revoked if certain conditions aren’t met.

Lib Dems want to use it to tackle rogue landlords and in particular the growth of anti-social behaviour in private rented properties, which now make up 32% of the Borough’s housing stock.

The motion called for a full consultation on proposals to introduce selective licensing in the Borough to tackle rogue landlords, although this was diluted by a Labour amendment, which instead simply referred to ‘an evaluation’.

Lib Dem Housing spokesperson Councillor Winnie Smith, who moved the motion said:

“We’re pleased that the council are now seriously looking into selective licensing. And we hope that the Labour group will now stick to the spirit of the motion and push forward with selective licensing.

“There is a clear need to tackle the growing problem of rogue landlords in the Borough. As we heard from Leyton resident Sharon Crossland in the council meeting, there are landlords in our borough that just aren’t playing by the rules and there is only so much that can be done at the moment without this new licensing power.”

“Many residents are suffering in properties that just aren’t up to standard and paying too much for poor housing that’s blighted by anti-social behaviour.”

590-594 High Road Leyton – Planning Application

Planning Application Number: 2011/0870

A developer has lodged another planning application for this landmark site at the junction of High Road Leyton and Hainault Road.

PROPOSAL:

  • Erection of a 3 – 5 storey building
  • 286 sqm. B1 office use on the ground floor
  • 23 residential units comprising 1 x 3 bedroom house, 3 x 4 bedroom house and 19 flats (9 x 1 bed and 10 x 2 bed)
  • 3 disabled parking spaces

The planning application is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Committee on 2nd. August

Full details can be found on the Council’s website:

http://www1.walthamforest.gov.uk/moderngov/mgA.aspx?M=2809

Any comments should be sent to:

The Development Manager, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Sycamore House, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, E17 4JF

Ward Resident’s Forum Projects – update

Last year at our Residents Forum Meetings we agreed using our Ward budget on many local projects.  London & Quadrant, the estates owners, generously matched funded some of the projects so that we could increase participation of our residents. Below is the current update of these projects:

If you would like to book a place on any LCA (Leyton Community Action) project then ring Kelly Salmon 07852 425393.

Party for Young Children

The Children’s party is managed and run by LCA and assisted by L&Q took place on Sunday 29thApril, from 2.00pm till 5.00pm at the Seddon Centre corner of Clyde Place and Beaumont Road.  It was a great success.  Up to 50 local children attended.  Due to the success this is likely to be repeated next year if funds are available.

Days out for Elderley People

Two trips are arranged.  Friday June 8th – For 50 people – Trip to Suffolk Coast plus fish and chips by the sea.

Thursday 6th September – For 50 people – Trip Runnymede, Windsor and lunch on the River Thames.  Managed and run by LCA and L&Q.  Contact LCA or L&Q to book a place.

Children and Families Esol project

Two hour sessions for 11 weeks.  Family learning sessions with children 0 to 8 to have fun whilst learning English.  Started on 18thFebruary at the Cricket Ground Pavilion 2.15 to 4.15.  Contact Lorna Parkinson of the Riverley Children’s Centre.

Queen’s Jubilee Street Party

This will be on Saturday 2nd June in Beaumont Road.  Managed and run by L&Q assisted by LCA.

Creative Kids Club

To give children and young people a fun opportunity to express their creativity whilst building self esteem and confidence.  Managed and run by LCA in conjunction with L&Q.  Will start weekly in July for three months. Contact LCA for details.

Football programme for youths

Weekly football training for youths in the area.  Will start from Friday20 April.  Managed by LeytonOrient Football in the Community with assistance of L&Q.

Cricket Ground Committee flyer

Awaiting details from the newly formed committee.

Leyton Art Gallery

Arranging and hanging local art work in the IT room of Leyton Library.  Awaiting details form Leyton Gallery group.

1 day Mini Olympics for children and families

A full day programme at the Cricket Ground on multi sports delivered by the Councils Sports Development Team in the summer.  Awaiting details date and times from the Council.

Ad Hoc assistance to local groups

Admin assistance on an hourly basis, given to local groups.  Currently accounting assistance given to LCA by WF Voluntary Action.

Coopers Lane asphalting

Meeting to be arranged with the Council’s Highways team and residents of Coopers Lane for agreed action.

Parents Support group

Running monthly every 1st Wednesday.  Managed and run by LCA in conjunction with L&Q.

The Monster awakens!

Many of you will have noticed the building in the picture gradually being built.  It dominates the High Road like some monster overlooking the road.  Some of you may know it as the ‘Outlook’ building.  The estate agents Outlook were the previous users.  Some of you would know of it as ‘Stuffs’  – the material shop used it for many years.

This monster of steel and glass is to become a large block of mainly 1 bed flats.  It is totally out of character with the area and has no parking spaces for its residents, apart from a couple of spaces for people with disabilities. The original plans were thrown out by the Council but was agreed later on appeal.

If we are to regenerate our area, this is not the way to go.  There is a crying need for family houses, not 1 or 2 bed flats.  Long term residents of Leyton have seen family houses continually turned into flats.  This has caused overcrowding, lack of maintenance of front gardens a disregard for the local environment and along with the lack of parking spaces and the increase of traffic, it has changed the area dramatically.

L & Q News

Beaumont Estate may be given the bird! 

Many residents of the Beaumont Estate are complaining about the roosting pigeons that mess up their balconies and windows.

Councillor Bob Sullivan has been told that L & Q is looking into getting a hawk to patrol the estate.

Lea Hall Gardens

The proposed redevelopment of Lea Hall Gardens by L & Q is awaiting the Government spending review in the autumn.