LABOUR CALLS HALF A MILLION APPRENTICES ‘DEADWEIGHT’

Today Nick Clegg has revealed Labour’s secret plans to scrap half a million apprentices because they think they are ‘deadweight’.

In the strongest signal yet that Labour can’t be trusted to build a stronger economy, the plans would make it harder for young people to find good, well-paid jobs, and would damage the skills base in the British economy.

In a little-publicised paper written by the party, they propose to scrap intermediate (level 2) apprenticeships, replacing them with a downgraded to  “traineeship”.

Labour claim that Intermediate Apprenticeships have “devalued” the apprenticeship brand and are “of no value to either employers or learners” and that scrapping them “would minimise ‘deadweight’”.

The Liberal Democrats, the party most in favour of apprenticeships, have strongly condemned the plans.

While Liberal Democrat ministers such as Vince Cable have created record numbers of apprentices, seeing over 1.6 million apprentices start since 2010, Labour’s plans would pull the rug from under the feet of a generation of young people.

Labour halves apprentices

LEYTON WARD FORUM GRANTS 2014

The allocation of the Community Ward Forum Grants for 2014 was agreed unanimously at the recent Residents Forum.

Contact/Group                            Project                                                        Grant
Let’s Roll CIC                                    Roller Skating                                                    £835

Beaumont TRA                                 Two coach trips for elder residents            £1,600

LOCSPUR                                          Football sessions                                            £2,000

Kreative Culture Club                     Street dancing project                                   £2,875

WF Asian Disabled Association    Exercise, outings, advice etc.                          £700

ACWDC                                              Extra youth support                                         £698

ACWDC                                              For people with learning difficulties             £770

ACWDC                                              Elder women’s project.                                    £522

                                                                                            FUND  TOTAL    £10,000

Minutes of Leyton Ward Forum – 5 December 2013

Minutes of 5 December 2013 LEYTON WARD RESIDENTS FORUM MEETING

Score Centre, Leyton E10 at 7pm

 Officers/Councillors in Attendance: Cllr Bob Sullivan, Cllr Naheed Qureshi, Cllr Winnie Smith, PC Chris Heathcote (Ward Officer) and Karen Sandbrook (Community Safety Unit)

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

Street Party Initiative – forms were distributed, but have produced no response.

  • Leyton Cricket Club – still pending.
  • Betting Shops – licence refused for 661 High Road, but it may be appealed. Further application lodged for 377 High Road, the Focus Team has already lodged objection. The Chair explained that there is a limit on the number of highly profitable gaming machines at any location, companies are opening multiple branches to get around this restriction.
  • The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

 AGENDA ITEM 3: STREET DRINKERS

 The Chair explained that any proposal for restrictions on street drinkers must show support from local residents, the police and the council. Residents were urged to sign copies of a survey, which was tabled at the meeting.

PC Heathcote reported that there had been:

  • 13 crime reports in the High Road in the last 6 months involving crime, drugs and alcohol.
  • Section 27 Violent Crime Reduction Orders have started being used since 16 September.
  • Anti-Social behaviour is being targeted in the town centre with officers enforcing behaviour agreements, which may be followed by an ASBO (anti-social behaviour order).
  • Collecting evidence to support a Controlled Zone.

The Community Safety Unit is targeting Coronation Gardens, in collaboration with the Alcohol Outreach Team.

Comments from residents:

  • People will not use the local parks as they do not feel safe.
  • There are also problems in the Church Yard.
  • Overnight sleepers in Marsh Lane.

AGENDA ITEM 4: LEYTON SPORTS GROUND

 Pete Towler, the Chair of the Management Committee, introduced his written report, which included several options for developing the northern end of the Ground. He explained that funding options are currently being researched. The suggestions will be discussed with all parties involved before a final response is discussed with the council.

The Chair thanked Pete Towler for his update.

 AGENDA ITEM 5: LEYTON WARD SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

PC Chris Heathcote gave a presentation about the new local policing structure. The officers dedicated to Leyton Ward are:

PC Chris Heathcote and PCSO Az Choudhry, who report to Sergeant Louise Da Prato, who also covers Grove Green Ward. They form part of the Waltham Forest South Neighbourhood Policing Team, led by Inspector Tor Garnett.

Points raised:

  • There are on average 5,000 crimes a year.
  • The growth of betting shops continues to be a concern.
  • Leyton Community Action had protested about betting shops a year ago
  • Influence of Westfield Shopping Centre
  • Police are getting more proactive

The Chair advised that councillors are now able to lodge objections to betting shop licence applications. The Council is also looking to impose directions during 2014.

Ward priorities:

  • Street drinkers
  • Gang violence
  • Vehicle theft

Contact the Leyton SNT on 020 8721 2037 or call 101. In an emergency however always dial 999.

The Chair thanked PC Heathcote for his attendance.

AGENDA ITEM 6: WARD FUNDING 2013/2014

The Chair advised that applications were welcome by projects seeking consideration for ward funding. These will be voted on at the next meeting.

Limited funding is still available again, contact Bob Sullivan for an application form.

All requests should be sent to 24 Thornhill Road Leyton E10 5LL

AGENDA ITEM 7: ROGUE LANDLORDS

The Chair advised that the Lib Dems had put a motion to full Council which advocated Selective Licensing of identified privately rented property with a view to ensuring decent standards of accommodation. Licensing is already being enforced by other boroughs.

A presentation of Licensing across the whole borough was given by council officers as a consultation has now been launched by the Council, and the Chair urged everyone to participate in the consultation. He explained that it is already featured in the latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter.

The Chair thanked the officers for their attendance.

Cllr Sullivan closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.

The next meeting will be in February 2014

WE WANT OUR ROAD BACK!

Buckingham Road – access blocked to through traffic

Residents are angry that the developers of the flats overlooking Coronation Gardens managed to get the Council to block off part of Buckingham Road for use as a private car park with no lease and no payment of charges.

Cllr. Bob Sullivan has been campaigning for years to get the road reopened for public use.

Focus says:  Residents have lost a road and the Council does not make a penny from it. We want our road back!  Focus will keep you informed of any progress.