Tower Hamlets, yet again
Another great story from Ted Jeory: http://trialbyjeory.com/2015/04/19/tower-hamlets-first-hitler-sympathiser-goes-on-dclg-funded-jolly-to-promote-integration-with-some-help-from-the-church/ »
Author: Nick Tiratsoo
LBWF spinners
A recent Press Gazette story highlights the large number of press officers and other communications staff who are now employed in local government – see here http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/local-councils-now-employ-least-3400-comms-staff-more-double-total-central-government. Its author, William Turvill, has been kind enough to send me the figures for Waltham Forest. Apparently, there are currently 11 permanent staff working in Town Hall communications, whose job titles are: * Head of Communications and Councillor Services * Media Communications Officer (x3) * Deputy Head of Communication... »
‘Our Olympics’: (3) The Cann Hall – Cathall – Leytonstone – Wanstead 2012 Dispersal Order (DO)
The final piece in this Olympics trilogy is about policing. It’s my experience that the police in Waltham Forest for the most part escape serious scrutiny, and for that reason I’ll be looking at their functioning and performance in some detail over the coming months. To start the ball rolling, here is a piece I wrote in December 2012 about the Dispersal Order that was imposed on South Leytonstone and environs during the Olympics. At the time, I was secretary of the A Better Way Partnership Board, the formal community partner in LBWF’s Gang Prevention Programme, so I had a rin... »
‘Our Olympics’: (2) The National Construction College’s Cathall Rd. facility
The National Construction College’s facility in Cathall Rd., on the Leyton-Leytonstone border, was presented by LBWF as the jewel in the crown of Waltham Forest’s Olympic legacy. Looking like a super IKEA, looming over the surrounding buildings, and hyped by every Labour hack from Cathall Councillor Terry Wheeler to the Leader himself, here was something, the patter ran, that really was going to impact on local people’s lives, and in particular dramatically diminish worklessness. Today, the Construction Academy is virtually forgotten, and the rumour is that it will soon close. Loca... »
‘Our Olympics’: (1) LBWF and Leyton Market – the Council wins a ‘gold medal for ineptitude’
In the immediate run-up to the start of the Olympic Games in July 2012, LBWF proudly promoted a ‘new international food market’ in Marshall Street, adjacent to Leyton underground station, and, more important, metaphorically ‘just a stone’s throw away from the Olympic stadium’. In a press release, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Corporate Resources, Cllr. Mark Rusling, enthused: ‘This is a great opportunity for Waltham Forest to celebrate the Olympics by creating trade for local businesses and offering a diverse selection of international food and drink for residents and visitors to... »
‘Our Olympics’: an introduction
Waltham Forest was, of course, one of the ‘Olympic Boroughs’, and LBWF predictably milked that fact for all it was worth. From the ‘Big Six’ events (handily organised by the Manchester based Co-operative Event Management), to the outburst of civic pride that greeted the arrival of the torch, to the constant harping on ‘legacy’, no opportunity was missed to spread the message that the Town Hall brigade deserved out gratitude. Yet behind the scenes, it was a rather different story. A LBWF scrutiny committee report, published just a year before the Games opened, referred to ‘the perceived lack of... »
Town Hall asbestos: now John Cryer MP comments, well sort of
In his March 2015 E-bulletin, the somnolent MP for Leyton and Wanstead John Cryer comments as follows: ‘I was troubled by some reports which have surfaced online about how Waltham Forest Council dealt with the discovery of asbestos at the Town Hall. This had the potential to cause ordinary council workers, officers and the councillors themselves serious, chronic health problems. I met with the Chief Executive to discuss this issue and others. However, I am given to understand that the Council made a report to the Health and Safety Executive as soon as the problems were discovered, some y... »
Town Hall asbestos: LBWF comments, at last: UPDATED
Stop press: Mr Fenwick provides a full reply to our e-mail of 20 March 2015. 26 March 2015 ‘Dear Mr Tiratsoo, Thank you for your email. Its contents are noted. The Council has provided a response to your original queries and explained the relationship between NPS(London) Ltd and the Council. Daniel Fenwick Director of Governance’ 20 March 2015 ‘Dear Mr. Fenwick, Thank you for your e-mail. Most of it of course is entirely irrelevant to the points that we raised with Mr. Esom on 27 January 2015, points he has subsequently been so reticent about responding to. As t... »
Tower Hamlets, again
Great story over at Love Wapping about Tower Hamlets Council and lunch clubs: http://lovewapping.org/2015/03/councillor-maium-miah-tower-hamlets-lunch-clubs/ »
Documenting Past Failures: (10) LBWF and Worknet: a tale of underperformance, failure, and the betrayal of local people
Between 2008 and 2014, LBWF operated Worknet, a multi-million pound programme, funded from London and central government sources, delivered by outside ‘partners’, and aimed at helping local people find employment. At first, LBWF gave Worknet significant publicity, and presented it as a major initiative. For example, in November 2009, Council Leader Cllr. Chris Robbins told WFN: ‘“Waltham Forest have always said our 2012 Legacy…will be…jobs, education and opportunity…Huge strides have been taken towards achieving that…with our Worknet jobs programme”’. However, by late 2013, Worknet... »