Minutes+-+March+10th+2009


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – 10th Mar 2009__**

- __ Housing planning policies __ in North London (HFRA will host a mini-conference on this in Wood Green Library, under the umbrella of the London Tenants Federation) - __ consultation over houses in multiple occupation __ (which Peter, the HFRA Licensing Officer, offered to look into) - the Council tenants / leaseholders local and national __campaign against large rent rises__ (which were eventually reduced by the government from 6% to 3%) - __ Decent Homes refurbishment works __ //__ Annual General Meeting __// Due on May 12th. //__ Venues __// It was agreed to consider alternative venues for future HFRA meetings to see if a change might attract other RAs to attend. //__ Federation email news bulletins __// Still seeking a volunteer for this so that we can report news from local RAs and other key issues on a regular basis. //__ Calendar of coming events __// Could be added to our website, if we can find a volunteer to update it! //__ Events and meetings __// HFRA officers were encouraged to attend various events and meetings as reps of the Federation //__ Finances __// Secretary and Acting Joint Treasurers to meet up to sort out the outstanding accounts by the AGM //__ Better Places Partnership __// It was noted that the HFRA should co-opted onto the Board.
 * //__ RA Delegates Present __//****// : //** Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Road RA, N8;** Peter Thompson **- Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2,** and **Hillfield St James RA, N10;** Liz Pine & Geoff Amabilino – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Catherine Cavanagh – **Reed Rd and Devon Close RA, N17;** Stephen Whittle – **West Green RA, N15/N22; //__Apologies:__//** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Lauritz Hansen-Bay – **Hampden Ct Homeowners, N22;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Chico Pacheco – **Park Avenue S NW, N8;** Jennifer Bell – **The Hawthorns, N8;** Dorothy Rhynhold – **Passmore Edwards NW, N11;** Barbara Cordwell – **HTTGB RA, N17;** Irene Storey – **Coldfall Estate RA, N10;** Ibilola Campbell **– Tiverton RA, N15;** **//__And__//** Brenda Babalola – Grovelands Lemsford and Leabank Estate Advocate, N15
 * 1. ** **__Minutes of Jan 2009 Meeting__** //__Accuracy:__// Agreed
 * 2. ** **__Local reports__** **The RAs present reported a wide range of local activities...** //__Woodlands Pk RA__// supporting campaign against privatisation of the mgt of local GP surgery. Backland site ongoing planning controversy; //__Fairfax RA__// Have had 8 trees planted in their street. Helped raised money for local parks improvements; //__GLC-RAG__// aiming to buy their local ‘backlands’ site after 9 years of successful campaigning to prevent it being sold off for housing development; The monthly newsletter of the //__Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Assoc__// was packed with info including local traffic and planning issues. Mass turnout for a public meeting about underground streams; //__Hillfield St James RA__// is concerned about traffic rat-running; //__Chestnuts Northside RA__// lobbied successfully for new CPZ. Opposed threat of privatisation of the management of local GP practice. //__Reed Road & Devon Close RA__// launched new RA in Nov 08 due to lack of consultation. Council estate. Decent Homes works planned. Made a real difference already re. estate inspections and consultation; //__West Green RA__// planning a public meeting about neighbourhood issues. **Reports in writing included:** //__The Hawthorns RG__// continue their regular newsletters and are planning their annual street party. Also have a book club. __Milton Rd & Willow Walk RA__ organised a well-attended public meeting to respond to serious problems with the contractor doing their ‘decent homes’ works. The HFRA Secretary attended to offer support.
 * 3. __Events the Federation is involved in__ **
 * // Community dance event //** We agreed to support a student dance group who were proposing a show at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in co-operation with the HFRA and local RAs, involving a week of local dance/happenings in local neighbourhoods beforehand. Local RAs will be encouraged to link in.
 * // Haringey Independence Day //** It was agreed we would host a joint discussion with the Friends of Parks Forum at this event on 30th May. It would be about organising DIY events (eg street parties, public meetings, picnics, and festivals in parks etc)
 * // Street Parties //** The HFRA plan to host a public meeting about how to organise Street Parties, with an invited speaker from Bristol.
 * // Dr Bike //** Adam, the HFRA Cycling officer, offered RAs a chance for free Dr Bike repairs workshops at any local events this summer. 2 groups present snapped up this offer from Haringey Cycling Campaign!
 * // Heritage & Conservation walk //** The HFRA Chair reported that 100 people had attended a conservation and green spaces walk from Ally Pally to Bruce Castle which she’d organised under the auspices of the Tottenham Civic Society.
 * 4. __Street Scene__ ** We noted with approval the Council’s agreement to roll out a __car club__ across the borough, depending on the most suitable parking sites being found for the vehicles. We also noted that Sustrans were making funding available to improve __cycling routes__, and also for shared pedestrian/cycling paths within green spaces around Haringey.
 * 5. __Sustainability__ ** We agreed to promote the __June Sustainability Month__ events around the borough, with many local RAs involved. In particular HFRA reps were attending planning meetings for this year’s __Green Fair__ on Ducketts Common. We also welcomed the new __‘Growing In Haringey’ network__ linking up groups and projects involved in food growing, in order to increase food production in the borough.
 * 6. __Health Services__ ** There were two small but determined ‘We Love The NHS’ marches from the east and west of Haringey to Turnpike Lane on Valentines Day. Over 10,000 leaflets were distributed around the borough in opposition to cuts and threats of closures of community-based primary care services.
 * 7. __Housing__ ** There were reports and brief discussion around a number of key issues, including:
 * 8. __Planning Issues__ ** There was an update from the campaign to save //__Wards Corner__//. The campaign raised £4,000 in public donations to fund a judicial review of the Planning Cttee’s controversial decision to allow the demolition of the site.
 * 9. __Waste management__ ** Concern was expressed about an apparent increase in surface __rats__ in Haringey, and also the possible increase in business waste. We noted ongoing efforts to deal with __fly-tipping__. It was suggested that __business waste__ be subjected to a systematic and compulsory ‘doorstep’ recycling scheme similar to that for domestic waste. __Organic__ (domestic) waste collection seemed to be improving.
 * 10. __Green spaces__ ** We noted with approval that the new Parkforce arrangements were being introduced at last, although we recognised there were concerns over aspects of the way it was being implemented and that adequate resources are needed for the management of our parks.
 * 11. __Federation business__ **

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