Bring back our Tip Site!

The Focus Team believes that one of the main reasons for the increased rubbish dumping, is the loss of the 'Tip-Site' in Auckland Road. The Council closed this years ago. The nearest site now, is in Walthamstow.

The Focus Team are continuing to campaign to get a public amenity site put back in Leyton. The suggestion by a council officer last year, that the closure of the tip-site had no impact on dumped rubbish sounds ludicrous when you see the massive increase of rubbish that has been dumped on our streets in the last few years.

Your Lib Dem Councillors need your support to get the Council to get our 'Tip-Site' put back. Please sign the petition on your Focus leaflet.

Oliver Road - Update

Focus has received a massive response objecting to the proposed closure of Oliver Road. We have sent all the petitions and objections to the Council.

The proposals will be discussed at the Councils' Environment Street Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 11th September. If you would like to speak, then turn up before the start time of 7.30pm to register your interest. Focus says: We need some traffic calming measures in the area but we do not need to close off Oliver Road.

St Mary's Church

The Focus Team are appalled to find that drug takers and undesirables are using the churchyard of St Mary's Church.

Barry, Loretta and Bob are taking this matter up with the Police and the cleansing department firstly to clear the churchyard of dangerous needles etc. and then to clear the area of the people using it. The Focus Team, with the Police, have written to BT to move the telephone boxes outside the church, as they seem to be a focal meeting point for these people. We will keep you informed of developments.

Clear the rubbish campaign - update

The Focus Team continues to report dumped rubbish. Councillor Barry Smith can be seen regularly cycling around the area, identifying and sticking on the orange stickers to all dumped rubbish. Barry says, "Our rubbish campaign identified a weekly average of about 70 items, this has come down to about 50 items. This is still far too high, but it is at least encouraging".

Coronation Gardens

The long awaited refurbishment of Coronation Gardens looks to be started soon. The Focus Team have been told that the work will now be started on the 16th September. At last!

Scouts Hut

When the Afro-Caribbean Centre in Ive Farm Lane was demolished, the water supply to the Scouts hut was cut off. Cllr. Loretta Hodges chased this up and is pleased to see that the water has now been re-connected.

Oliver Close

The planning application to turn part of the takeaway shop in Oliver Road into a mini-cab office has been refused.

Church Road

Plans have been submitted to the council to turn the Four Finches Public House in Church Road into 5 flats and a family house.

Neighbourhood Watch

The Focus Team believe that we all need to join together to combat crime in our area. One of the ways is to set up 'Neighbourhood Watches'. We already have a watch in Coopers Lane, Farmer, Byron and Brewster Roads. There is a newly formed one around the Orient and the Focus Team are trying to establish one in Oliver Close.

If you are interested in getting one started in your area, then contact the Focus Team at 24 Thornhill Road or telephone 8556 8335.

Liberal Democrats - making a difference

The European Parliament often seems remote from the people of Leyton, but last week something happened there that will have a profound affect on our local shopping. Last week the European Parliament defeated the multinational corporations' attempts to stop the EU from requiring that they label GM (genetically modified) foods. The vote was won by a mere 6 votes. Environmental groups who were desperately lobbying the parliament to vote in favour were clear it was the European Liberal Democrat votes that swung the issue. Lib Dems when elected, really do make a difference. Due to their votes, local people across the entire European Union will now be able to decide for themselves whether or not to eat the food labelled GM.