minutes+12th+July+2005


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – July 12th 2005__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Kit Grieveson - **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Kate Huddie – **Noel Park North Area RA, N22;** Joyce Rosser - **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Joyce Oyeyi Effiong – **Suffolk Road RA, N15;** Ole & Ulla Lefmann **– Burghley Rd Area RA, N8;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Marian Janes - **CASCH, N8;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Peter Thompson - **Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Assoc, N2;** Vivienne Cuming and Simon Fedida - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8 //__Apologies:__//** Sheik Thompson - **Chesnuts Area RA, N17;** Robert Gainsborough - **St George’s Lodge RA, N10;** Annie Bebington – **Seacole Ct RA, N15;** Sue Penny - **Clyde Area RA, N15;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** John Waller – **Bounds Green & District Assoc.;** Pat Ayinde - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Sue Hessel – **Haslemere Rd RA, N8;** Ibilola Campbell – **Tiverton Tewkesbury RA, N15;** Alex Irvine - **Bowes Park Community Assoc., N13;** Jane Laporte and Matt Danaher - **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Rd RA, N8; //And://** Usha Chauhan [HFRA Assist Sec]– Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;

- Minutes for the June 7th General Meeting and the 11th June AGM/Networking Day were agreed. - There was a discussion about the AGM/Networking Day. Everyone thought the expanded event went very well indeed. Good turnout, and excellent discussions. It was felt that there needed to be more time at the end for informal networking. We should repeat the event next year. - There was concern raised over a heated debate at one of the AGM workshops. Discussion involved a local Cllr (a rep from the local RA where he lives), some strong feelings about Council policies, and some regrettable personal remarks. It was agreed that, whilst Federation meetings were for residents only (unless otherwise stated), it was of course up to local RAs to decide on their own criteria for their own membership and reps. Anyone present in this capacity is entitled to respect, but a Cllr is also likely to be seen as responsible for Council policies. In any event, we encourage a good, friendly atmosphere at all times, even where there is disagreement!
 * __1. Minutes of last meetings__**


 * __2. Local reports from RAs present__** There were reports from all groups present (and some extra ones sent in, in writing) about some of their most recent activities and concerns. This included news from 2 new associations, **//Stroud Green RA (N4)//**and **//Noel Park North Area RA (N22)//**//;// a report from the HFRA Secretary’s presentation at a meeting of the **//Chesnut Area RA (N17);//** how members of **//Warner Estates RA (N8)//** helped set up a new Friends of Priory Common; copies of the **//Burghley Rd Area RA (N8)//** Newsletter, their first one after 20 years of activity!

Simon Fedida was confirmed as the HFRA Planning Issues rep. It was confirmed that we are still monitoring the activities of Paul Simon Ltd – please send any details of anti-social behaviour by the company to Simon at windjammer@pobox.com In the light of continued threats to certain types of ‘undesignated’ green spaces, local RAs were urged to consider lobbying for any local green spaces to be registered as Significant Local Open Land [ie: green spaces of any size with an ‘important local function’, as defined in the UDP glossary].
 * __3. Planning and Development__**
 * //a. Planning Applications//** There was continuing concern about the controversial proposed Lordship Lane tower blocks - the involvement of Paul Simon Ltd, the fact that the land is (or was) owed by LBH, the intervention of the GLA in support of the developer etc. The Federation had helped publicise the recent local residents’ protest at the site - nearly 100 people took part.
 * //b. LBH UDP//** **//Public Inquiry//** HFRA and AGRA had attended most days, and helped to raise a range of concerns. There had been some success, but the Council seemed determined to promote house-building and development at the expense of other key policies favouring the community. The HFRA had complained over the administrative problems at the Inquiry and had received a reply from the National Planning Inspectorate which was being followed up on.
 * //c. North London Sub-Regional Framework//** HFRA Secretary attended a special ‘stakeholders’ meeting to consider the highly important London Plan’s strategy for the development of North London (eg economy, house-building, urban development, transport, social facilities etc). Details were circulated to delegates at the HFRA meeting. There will be further consultation, and the deadline for responses is Oct 28th.
 * //d. Estate Agents signs//** We discussed the signs, many illegally left up for long periods as advertising. RAs are encouraged to complain to the firms involved.
 * __4. Green open spaces__** The Council had started consulting over a new draft ‘Open Spaces Strategy’ document. The lobbying by RAs and Friends groups has resulted in some good policies being incorporated. However, at a recent Haringey Friends of Parks Forum there was continuing concern that the LBH was using a highly dubious definition of ‘open space deficiency’ to underestimate the scale of lack of various types of open space, including parks, allotments, playing fields, and nature conservation areas. On behalf of the Federation and the Friends of Parks Forum the HFRA secretary met with LBH Exec members for the Environment and Planning to raise these concerns. The HFRA meeting agreed that a press release should be issued about this.
 * __5. Transport and traffic calming__** The new Borough Spending Plan for transport-related issues in the coming year has been formulated.
 * __6. HFRA ‘Keep It Local’ residents conference__** Date (Oct 29th) and venue now arranged. A meeting to help plan the conference would be organised for August 9th. Haringey Community Empowerment Network had agreed to support and help publicise. Phil England (from Haringey Agenda 21) had started to draft up a briefing for the HFRA on sustainable communities, as a contribution to discussion at the event. Dave Morris will be working with him on this. This was thought to be a good idea, and contributions would be welcome from RAs and others interested in the event.
 * __7. Federation Business__**
 * //a. HFRA Website//** We urgently need technical help to run it! Please contact 8211 0916.
 * //b. HFRA e-list//** We agreed to turn it into a ‘collective’ list.
 * //c. HFRA reps//** Ibilola Campbell was co-opted unanimously as HFRA Council Housing rep. Simon Fedida was confirmed as Planning Issues rep.
 * //d. Eco-lightbulbs//** RAs wanting to distribute these free at events can request them from kevin.loomes@haringey.gov.uk Please give him plenty of notice. Conditions of access to the bulbs have been agreed with the HFRA – contact us if you have any queries.
 * //d. Week of Peace – September 11th to 18th.//** Annie Bebington had attended the launch on our behalf. There’ll be a walk, gig, and events focussing on opposing violence, and promoting family and community safety issues. Local RAs can join in. We agreed to have an HFRA stall on 18th.
 * //e. Community Volunteers//** This is a new Council initiative. To be discussed at the Sept meeting.
 * //f. Street Parties//** Some RAs were planning street parties. We agreed at the AGM to propose a Street Parties Day for next year. Any suggestions for an appropriate day? To be discussed.
 * __8. Any Other Business__**
 * //a. Postal Services review?//** Marian Janes reported that Lynn Featherstone MP was looking into postal services in the West of the borough. For further info, contact Marian or the MP.