HAPS+-+Minutes+-+28th+June+2010

//Dave Morris volunteered to take notes, Pam Harling volunteered to facilitate the meeting.//
 * __ Report of HAPS meeting, 28th June 2010 __****__@ Big Green Bookshop__** **Attendance:** Haringey Friends of Parks Forum (Joan); Sustainable Haringey (Pam) //[Facilitated meeting]//; Haringey Solidarity Group (Jane and Zaher); Haringey UNISON (Helen); Haringey Forum for Older People (Lauritz); Haringey Federation of Residents Associations (Dave)//[Took notes]//; Adam (Socialist Workers Party) **Apologies:** Haringey UNISON (Chris); Haringey Trades Union Council (Keith); Defend Haringey's Health Services coalition (Janet); Communication Workers Union (Presley), Simon (Socialist Workers Party); Haringey Forum for Older People (Maureen)


 * 1. Minutes of last meeting. ** Agreed.


 * 2. Brief Reports / Updates of some current concerns/campaigns from organisations present **


 * // Older people's issues and services: //** Concerns about public services are many, including over the social care 'personalisation' agenda, care homes possibly being restricted to dementia sufferers, and cut backs to neighbourhood policing hours.
 * // Parks and green spaces: //** Inadequate maintenance budget; threat of privatisation of cemetaries; The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum has written of its concerns to all Councillors, produced a leaflet and issued a public statement calling for adequate resources for green spaces.
 * // Misc. local services: //** Council cutbacks are being mooted for all depts and services. 3 months freeze on recruitment. Meanwhile local NHS managers have announced that so-called 'low-priority' treatments will be denied to patients - this has provoked objections and protest by health cuts campaigners.
 * // Voluntary sector: //** Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations has organised a crisis meeting for such groups as the Government has cut 'area based grants' already earmarked to this sector. This could destroy many local groups, centres and projects.
 * // Workplace disputes and issues: //** workers at College of North East London (CoHENEL) held budget day protest over compulsory redundancies and threat to some courses
 * // Benefits: //** Council's housing benefits dept told to 'save' £1.8m. Government has threatened to 'cap' such benefits, which could result in large increase in stress, harassment and evictions of private tenants.


 * 3. Moving forward **


 * // Alliance Guidelines: //** We agreed the set of Guidelines for launching an active coalition, as drawn up and circulated at the first meeting. //[See below]. __Action:__ All local organisations are urged to affiliate ie let us know they support the aims of the Alliance - and to encourage others to do so as well! All those who live or work in Haringey are welcome to get actively involved. All groups also urged to add something like: 'We support the Haringey Alliance for Public Services' on their own newsletters and leaflets etc.//


 * // A HAPS public meeting or conference: //** Holding a public event would enable HAPS to publicise our existence, and pull a wide range of people together to discuss the situation and how to fight back. A conference would have the advantage of going into some depth about local tactics and strategy, and could help us develop a positive vision for local public services. Late October / early November was suggested. There was also a proposal to run a discussion marquee at the Lordship Rec festival on Sept 11th. There was general support for these ideas. //__Action__: HSG members present agreed to look into the Sept 11th idea.//


 * // Spreading information: //** We agreed to circulate facts (as accurate as possible) about the threat of cuts and privatisation, but most importantly about objections, protests and opposition. An email from Alan Woodwood was read out urging we all focus on promoting and backing active resistance to cuts. //__Action__: All supporting groups urged to 'cascade' HAPS info/leaflets etc to their members etc.//


 * // Leaflets: //** It was agreed that a basic leaflet was needed immediately, in particular one that could be handed out at the HAVCO Voluntary Sector meeting in the coming week. There was a discussion about the content. //__Action:__ Dave Morris to do draft, circulate to HAPS members for comment, and then print and distribute at the HAVCO meeting. Joan Curtis agreed to design the leaflet.//


 * // Newsletter: //** A regular e-newsletter and paper newssheet was agreed to be desirable, to include personal stories that those reading it can relate to easily. //__Action:__ Joan Curtis offered to assemble such a bulletin if everyone sent her updates/news/articles.//


 * // Lobbying the Council: //** Local Cabinet and Council meetings would be making decisions to implement local cutbacks and we could organise lobbies and rallies there. The next such meeting was due on 13th July.


 * // Days of action: //** There will be a European Day of Action Against Cuts on September 29th called by trades unions. We agreed to support. //__Action:__ Adam Lambert agreed to investigate further and to draft a HAPS leaflet to publicise this.//


 * // Council depts: //** Seems like managers are planning a series of workplace meetings to try to convince their staff they have to accept cuts and worse conditions etc. Trade unionists need to hold meetings to support local services and their members. //__Update:__ Haringey Unison have recently circulated a Newsletter objecting to cuts//


 * // Banners: //** General anti-cuts and pro-public services banners and placards (not linked to any specific group) are welcome! Ideas and suggestions for an 'official' HAPS banner are also welcome.


 * 4. Discussion **

There was a general discussion about how we can successfully work together to defend our local services and communities, jobs and conditions. This included the following points: - we need to overcome the Government's propaganda that there is 'no alternative', by showing that there are plenty of resources available in the country. Such resources should be put where needed not into propping up greedy banks. - we should urge those running services, eg head teachers, to speak out against cuts they are being pressurised to make - there were reflections on the health cuts coalition campaigning since 2006 and how it took the threat to the Whittington Hospital to really galvanise active mass opposition - it would be useful to look at the highs, lows and tactics of the anti-cuts campaigning in the 1980s. It was pointed out that this latest attack seems even worse and more vicious.

- Affiliate to HAPS - Ensure members and reps attend HAPS meetings - Cascade HAPS info to their members - Support public meetings and lobbies organised by HAPS - Support local protests and resistance to cuts and privatisation - Send info to HAPS about the threat of any cuts and privatisation they hear about, and of course about any opposition, protests and resistance - Ask if their members and reps can actively help with HAPS activities - Make a donation to HAPS
 * 5. What supporting organisations can do **

- Dave Morris was elected HAPS __membership secretary__ - Jane Laporte was delegated to set up various __email addresses and lists__ for HAPS, using the @haringey.org.uk (pending agreement from HSG that that domain name could be used). - all supporting groups urged to donate some initial __funding__. Volunteer for __treasurer__ will be sought at the next meeting. - Dave Morris to draft a __Cuts Questionnaire__ for local organisations - Dave Morris to represent HAPS at a __Hackney meeting__ called to set up a similar anti-cuts alliance. We had been asked to send a rep to pass on our experiences and show solidarity.
 * 6. Co-ordination **


 * 7. Next HAPS meeting: ** Tuesday 27th July, 7pm - Big Green Bookshop


 * HAPS - our networking guidelines ** [Agreed 28.6.2010]

The following Guidelines are for a simple and transparent framework so that the meetings can be well-organised but avoid bureaucracy and concentrate on encouraging and co-ordinating the practical efforts needed.

1. **Name:** Haringey Alliance for Public Services 2. **Membership:** Open to all concerned individuals / organisations living, working or based in Haringey 3. **Aims:** To encourage and support opposition to the running down, closure or privatisation of any public services in Haringey, and encourage and support campaigning for improvements needed. 4. **Methods:** We will promote inclusive, independent and non-sectarian ways of communication, co-ordination and solidarity among all those concerned 5. **Tactics:** We will encourage and support a wide range of tactics and initiatives towards achieving the aims. We will respect the diverse views, interests, activities and independence of the various supporting organisations. 6. **Organisation:** Initially a loose network based on open, collective, general meetings and practical communication and solidarity between and among those involved. A membership secretary will be elected. At a later point if needs be we will consider electing joint chairs, joint secretaries, and treasurer, with other posts to be co-opted and sub-groups set up as needed (all accountable to the open general meetings). 7. **Meetings:** Co-ordination / networking meetings to be held regularly; each meeting will elect volunteers to facilitate and minute the meeting; minutes will be circulated; atmosphere of respect; friendly but efficient; focused on practical activities towards achieving the aims; open to all, with organisations encouraged to send reps; decisions by consensus where possible (indicative voting if necessary); particular acknowledgement to be given to the views of those directly involved in any issue/dispute (eg user groups and front-line staff) 8. **Mandate:** Any views/decisions of the alliance/network will be discussed and agreed at general meetings. Only those mandated by a general meeting to do so can speak for the alliance/network, as mandated. 9. **Contacts:** Membership secretary to maintain a contacts lists for use of the network only. 10. **Communication:** A one-to-all updates/announcements e-list to be set up which anyone can subscribe to. All supporting organisations urged to cascade the campaign updates to their own members. Efforts will be made to provide updates to those with no email. 11. **Co-ordination:** An internal co-ordination e-list to be set up to which those actively involved can be added. 12. **Affiliations:** All organisations agreeing with the aims are urged to express support / affiliate. 13. **Finances:** It is not clear if the network/alliance needs to raise its own funds, certainly at this initial stage, apart from basic room hire and stationary. Any money raised will be used for the achievement of the aims. Records will be maintained and made available to a general meeting on request. 14: **Other organisational matters:** Any other organisational matters not dealt with above can be proposed for discussion at future general meetings. Any proposed changes to the above must be in writing and with sufficient notice to enable adequate scheduling.