Around a third of the contents of an average refuse bin is organic waste which could be composted. Composting at home is a great way to prevent this waste going to landfill, where it releases methane, a major greenhouse gas.

Composting at home will give you a free source of nutrient-rich plant food for your garden.

How to purchase a home composting unit

Until 31 March 2008, you can order up to two 330 litre compost bins from the Council for £12 each. This price includes delivery. To order, please call Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000. From 1 April 2008, residents will be able to purchase compost bins that are subsidised by the Council directly from Recycle Now. More information will be available on the new scheme shortly. For further information contact Anita Starling on 020 8496 3000.

Walthamstow councillors have launched a stinging attack on Labour parliamentary candidate Stella Creasy by accusing her of “two-faced cynicism” over local post office closures. 

The Labour parliamentary candidate has attempted to position herself at the centre of efforts to save the three Walthamstow post offices threatened with closure.  However, during her time as councillor for Walthamstow’s Lea Bridge ward she attempted to vote down a Liberal Democrat motion to Full Council that called on the Council to oppose the government’s closure programme. 

The angry reaction by local Liberal Democrats comes as they prepare to present a further motion to Full Council that calls on councillors from all sides to state their opposition to post office closures.

 Cllr Bob Carey, whose Chapel End ward could see two branches axed, said: “It is galling to see Ms Creasy jump on the bandwagon with regards to these closures. “Unfortunately for her, people have longer memories than she may give them credit for.  As a councillor 5 years ago, she, along with her Labour colleagues, attempted to remove a clause from a Liberal Democrat motion that expressed concern about both the effect of proposed post office closures on the vulnerable and elderly and the distance that they would be forced to travel in order to access vital services. 

“Now resident outcry about these Government closures has reached a crescendo, we hear her become one of those rushing to repeat these concerns almost parrot-like. 

“I’m sure that residents will see this two-faced scramble to act as a champion for our most vulnerable residents as little more than a cynical act of political chicanery. 

Cllr Carey, who will move the Liberal Democrat motion before Full Council, warned that opposition to the six immediate proposed closures in Waltham Forest was only the beginning of the work that needed to be done.

 “ Post Office representatives confirmed to council scrutiny just this week that  even if we are successful in saving one of the six branches immediately under threat, this would more than likely mean another branch closed in order to meet the required quota of government closures. “We hope both Labour and the Conservative councillors will support our motion this Thursday and come out strongly against the government’s closure programme. 

Lib Dem councillors support the campaign to stop Post Office closures.

Not for the first time. In 2003 Lib Dems put a motion to council calling on the government to stop the proposed closure program.

The Labour party refused to support the motion. Current Mayor Cllr Ali proposed the Labour amendment.

Stella Creasy the current Labour Parliamentary candidate for Walthamsow is calling for residents to support the campaign against closure.

Where was she in 2003, in the council chamber voting with her Labour colleagues against the Lib Dem motion.

Once again Stella shows she knows how to jump on someone else’s bandwagon.

The Focus Team, Cllrs Smith, Woollcott and Meiszner have reported anti-social behaviour in the ally between Calton Road and Millfield Avenue. 

We have contacted the Safer Neighbourhood team and the councils anti-social officers.

We expect to hear from them soon.

 If you have any evidence then please contact one of us.

Two post offices in nearby Chapel End ward are on the latest list of closures. The post office on the corner of Forest Road and Kenilworth Avenue and the one in the parade in Chingford Road by the Dog & Duck. There offices are used by residents of Higham Hill. Residents are starting a petition in the post office on Monday 25th February which will be attended by the Guardian and Cllr Bob Belam. Please join us in protest, sign the pettitions.

Cllrs Patrick Smith, Sean Meiszner and Peter Woollcott are against all post office closures.

We will keep you posted