minutes+13th+April+2004


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – 13th Apr 2004__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Marian Janes – **CASCH, N8;** Ulla and Ole Lefmann - **Burleigh Rd Area RA and NW, N8;** Jane Laporte – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Pat Ayinde - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Simon Fedida and Vivienne Cuming - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Dave Morris – **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Peter Thornton - **Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Association, N2** **//__Apologies:__//** David Rennie - **Palace Gates RA, N22;** Robert Gainsborough – **St George’s Lodge RA, N10;** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;**  Allison **– Gardens RA, N4;** Mandy Reynolds **– Imperial Wharf RA** **__And:__** Tim Wilmot – (HFRA Chair)


 * __1. Minutes of last meeting__** Agreed. Stephen (HFRA waste management rep) to follow up rats letters.


 * __2. Local reports__** Local reports from groups present led to a number of discussions on matters raised.


 * __3. Planning and Development__**
 * //UDP//** //-// The Council’s planning dept has published a summary of all the public objections and comments on Unitary Development Plan. We agreed to send in some HFRA corrections. We were pleased to be informed that the Council has agreed with our request to extend the UDP public consultation period again this September to 9 weeks, with an additional guarantee that the revised document will be distributed before the 9 weeks begin.
 * //Billboards//** //-// thanks to the efforts of members of Woodlands Park RA, the Council is now investigating the large number (hundreds) of commercial billboards illegally erected without planning permission all over the borough.
 * //Mobile phone masts//** //-// there are growing concerns around Haringey about the potential effects of these masts springing up everywhere. We agreed to circulate information about campaigns. Full details: //__www.mastsanity.org__//

Unfortunately, the only news of the 7 local Post Office branches under threat has been a letter from the Post Office announcing the permanent closure of Gorleston Rd PO, N15; Lordship Lane PO, N17; Philip Lane, N15; and Crescent Rd, N22. This, despite overwhelming opposition to the plans. We await further information.
 * 4.** **__Post Offices__**


 * __5. Dental services__** There were some alarmist articles in the local press about alleged low take up rates, and an uncertain future for NHS dental treatment due to a dentists’ campaign for higher piece rates for NHS work. Following this, Dave and Stephen wrote on behalf of the HFRA to Haringey Primary Care Trust (PCT) calling for guarantees that NHS treatment would continue to be available to all residents on the basis of need (as set out in the NHS core principles), and that patients’ take up rates would improve. Dave also wrote to the newspapers to the same effect – the letters being published. We eventually received a reply from the PCT, who as a result of all the fuss had issued a public statement giving various assurances that there was nothing to worry about, and claiming take up rates in Haringey were above average [63% of children, 53% of adults]….


 * __6. Council Housing__**
 * a. //‘Independent Tenants Advisor’//** The Council have hired an ‘Independent Tenants Advisor’ to advise tenants on the future options for Council Housing. Just one catch – he’s the director of a company committed to profiteering from the sale of Council house stocks! The Defend Council Housing campaign were protesting vigorously.
 * b. //Leaseholders services charges dispute//** We noted the ongoing legal dispute and protests by LBH leaseholders still fighting the recovery of backdated service charges.
 * c. //HFRA relations with LBH housing dept//** Following our letter to the heads of LBH Housing (Cllr Lorna Reith and Cllr Diakides) about their officers’ confusion in the way they relate (or often don’t relate) to RAs and the HFRA, there had been an exchange of letters. Both have accepted the need for improvements.


 * __7. Federation Business__**
 * //a. Annual General Meeting - Sat April 24th//**. Details of the AGM were finalised. There was also an inconclusive discussion about whether any changes were needed in the Constitution.
 * //b. Fundraising//** We confirmed that we’d like to organise a sponsored cycle-ride around key local community sites in the borough depending on volunteers to organise it and a viable plan – not just to raise funds but also as an exciting event worth participating in and publicising! //__Action__// //Can anyone help with this?//