Sebastian Mann

London

Local Democracy Reporter at Waltham Forest Echo

Local democracy reporter for Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering @WFEcho @BBC. Ex-@LincsLive. "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

Articles

Off licence's plan for 2am closing time would 'worsen street drinking'

1 week ago | ilfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Vijayakumar Veeramalai, who runs Let’s Go Nicks, in Green Lane, has applied to the council for permission to extend his opening times to 2am, seven days a week. The off-licence currently closes at 11pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and at 10.30pm on Sundays. It opens most days at 8am. The Metropolitan Police’s licensing department has formally objected to the scheme, saying it could worsen problems with street drinking in the area.
Council to bid for £499k improvements for Romford Library

1 week ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Havering Council is to apply for an Arts England grant of almost half a million pounds to refurbish one of its libraries. The £499,000 grant would be invested into “high-quality, durable design, fixtures, and fittings” in Romford Library. In February, the cash-strapped council controversially voted to close three libraries in a bid to save around £288,000 a year. Romford was one of seven kept open.
Labour's Tony Bell becomes Mayor of Waltham Forest

1 week ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Tony Bell, a Labour councillor in the Hale End and Highams Park South ward, was appointed to the top ceremonial role. He succeeded fellow Labour councillor Sharon Waldron, who was nominated for the position last May. The role of borough mayor is largely ceremonial. He will act as Waltham Forest’s first citizen when meeting dignitaries, royals, and other guests in the borough.
Rainham councillor Sue Ospreay chosen as new Mayor of Havering

1 week ago | romfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Councillor Sue Ospreay, a member of the Havering Residents Association (HRA), was appointed to the role at a meeting last week. She served as deputy mayor to HRA councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, who was appointed over a Labour councillor last year in a controversial election. The mayoralty is a largely ceremonial position. It is the first citizen’s job to chair monthly full council meetings and act as the public face of the town hall.
Little Heath School expansion approved by Redbridge Council

1 week ago | ilfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Proposals have been put forward for five modular classrooms to be built at Little Heath School, near Chadwell Heath. It is the council’s dedicated special school for children aged between 11 and 18, with 236 places. The council is projecting a shortfall of 57 places by September, the start of the new school year, and the new rooms will accommodate autistic children and those with other speech and language needs.
School expansion approved

1 week ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Redbridge Council has backed £2.2million plans to expand a special school in the borough to meet “pressing demand” and “keep children closer to home”. Proposals have been put forward for five modular classrooms to be built at Little Heath School in Ilford, at a cost of £2.18m. It is the council’s dedicated special school for children aged between 11 and 18, with 236 places.
The Essex border neighbourhood where 'speeding drivers' often have 'near misses'

1 week ago | msn.com | Sebastian Mann |Mel King

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New mayor chosen for Waltham Forest

1 week ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Waltham Forest councillors have elected the new mayor for 2025/26. Tony Bell, a Labour councillor in the Hale End and Highams Park South ward, was appointed to the top ceremonial role at a meeting last week. He succeeded fellow Labour councillor Sharon Waldron, who was nominated for the position last May. The role of borough mayor is largely ceremonial. He will act as Waltham Forest’s ‘first citizen’ when meeting dignitaries, royals, and other guests in the borough.
Havering Council elects new mayor

2 weeks ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Havering Council has elected its mayor for 2025/26. Councillor Sue Ospreay, a member of the Havering Residents Association (HRA), was appointed to the role at a meeting on Wednesday (May 21). She served as deputy mayor to HRA councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, who was appointed over a Labour councillor last year in a controversial election. The mayoralty is a largely ceremonial position. It is the first citizen’s job to chair monthly full council meetings and act as the public face of the town hall.
Plan for Walthamstow practices to share new Jazz Yard centre slammed

2 weeks ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Those registered with St James Medical Centre were temporarily relocated to the Firs once their contract with the NHS ended in October. NHS North East London (NEL), the integrated care board (ICB) that oversees the practice, initially said they would move into a purpose-built centre in Jazz Yard – but the fit-out is yet to commence, and the move has been pushed back to “early 2026”.