Recent successes

Meeting attendees raised the issue of Anti Social Behaviour in the Highams Park area, particularly by young people. A small group of residents from a large, high-density estate in the area suggested that more activities needed to be available for young people in the area to prevent them congregating in public spaces and asked for funds to help them set up and run youth activities for young people on the estate. The meeting agreed to provide £1,086 for a local voluntary organisation to support the parents and residents to organise themselves and develop youth activities.

December 2007

The Community Chair, the representative of the South Chingford & Highams Park Community Council on the Waltham Forest Community Safety Board (WFCSB), explained the effectiveness of the Board. He suggested to residents to add to future agendas an item to update residents regularly on the work of the Board.  He would also take back to the Board any comments/issues raised by residents.

The budget spend vote took place at this meeting.  Several of the applications came from groups who brought along new attendees from the local community, some of whom were young people.  One of the young attendees spoke to support an application.

November 2007

Friend of Ainslie and Larks Wood put a bid in for funding which included cleaning fluid for noticeboards in the woods. The Community Council officer contacted the Graffiti team who have now been out to clean the boards with their machine.

October 2007

Residents of Marmion Close/Approach attended the meeting and raised the issue of serious anti-social problems in their area. The SNT and Community Safety team subsequently took action which resulted in the alleviation of the problems.

July 2007

Residents concerned about community use of the Paradox Centre attended the meeting on 19 April 2007.  The issue was pursued at the meeting on 5 July 2007. Ward councillors worked with residents and partners to resolve the situation and have had a measure of success.

Community feedback on under-age drinking in the area has been contributory in bringing about action by the council and its partner organisations.

April 2007

Following a moving speech by a local resident regarding the untapped potential of young people in the area, the meeting showed its support for providing cricket coaching to under-privileged children. Several residents made private donations and the meeting voted funds to the project out of the budget.

March 2006

In 2005 the Community Council awarded the project £5,150 to continue to support parents and residents in developing and running youth projects on the estate. At a meeting in March 2006 one of the residents gave a presentation to the Community Council. He reported that:

  • Football activities had been organised in Aldriche Way, and local phone shops had paid for the prizes  
  • Local residents supported the project
  • The project was receiving support from the local voluntary groups Worth Unlimited
  • Fifty young people had participated in the scheme
  • The CC budget helped to fund projects which included: Pimp My Ride, Multi Sport sessions and training young people in IT skills, in particular web site construction as well as training for adults who are working with the young people
  • 12-15 young people been involved in writing CVs
  • Young people were engaged in positive and constructive projects such as learning how to restore dilapidated motorcars.  
  • There had been non-football sporting activities, after school for all ages.
  • A group of ten 14-16 year olds went on a residential trip where they learned skills that they would be able to apply to their everyday lives.