Local businesses are being asked to pay levies to the E11 BID despite the company being under investigation for financial mismanagement and failing to pay taxes and keep their accounts.

Local businesses I have spoken to are understandably very unhappy about this and would expect money they pay to be used correctly and be accountable. That does not seem to have happened.

It is also concerning that the E11 BID board members when the mismanagement occurred include councillors putting themselves up for election in May, when they will have responsibility for the finances of Waltham Forest.

Among them is Clyde Loakes, who seems very keen on self publicity on issues like spitting – whilst no one likes spitting, the use of the law on this is certainly questionable – but has been less than forthcoming when asked to explain his role as an E11 BID board member.

Mark Dawes,
Green Party candidate for Leytonstone.