Posts

Some background: a short history of local scandals

February 2, 2015 Past failures: overview

Here’s an article that I contributed to the Dec14/Jan15 issue of Labour Briefing (which I reproduce with the kind permission of the editors). It looks at some recent Waltham Forest history, and gives more than a clue as to why this blog was set up. Waltham Forest’s missing millions ‘In 2009, spurred on by a spate of bad publicity about its flagship Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) programme, and premonitions that the Audit Commission was about to halve its star rating, London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) appointed an Independent Panel, chaired by the LDA’s Sir Peter Rogers, to scrutinise its workings. The results were startling. The Panel found that, in its rush to gain... »

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Asbestos matters: the Waltham Forest Town Hall fiasco

February 2, 2015 Town Hall asbestos

The Council’s recent conviction over the asbestos dust that it allowed to pollute the Town Hall has been well covered in the local press, see for example: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11734109.Council_admits_failing_to_protect_staff_from_deadly_asbestos/  http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11746274.Confusion_over_town_hall_asbestos_scandal_as_contractor_denies_involvement/  http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11737085.Council_employee_exposed_to_asbestos_dust__will_worry_his_entire_life_/ http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11734195.Campaigners_call_for_individuals_to_be_held_to_account_over_deadly_asbestos/ But two matters remain to be clarified. The first is the role played... »

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A note for readers…

January 28, 2015 Introduction

This is a personal blog, which aims to scrutinise the powers that be in Waltham Forest, from the Council (hereafter London Borough of Waltham Forest or LBWF), both elected members and staff; to our MPs; to other important local institutions, such as the police and the health authorities; to local ‘leaders’, whether from business or elsewhere. My inspiration is the late, much lamented Archipelago of Truth (see links), and if I get anywhere near that, I’ll be pleased. I should emphasise from the start my belief that good local institutions can make a positive difference to all our lives, and so it is imperative to make sure they perform. If I highlight problems and failures, I do s... »

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