Minutes+-+June+10th+2008

Minutes archive: //__ www.haringeyresidents.org/minutes __// Recent news:  //__ www.haringeyresidents.org/what’s+new __//
 * __ Report of HFRA General Meeting – 10th June 2008 __**
 * //__ RA Delegates Present __//****// : //** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Peter Thompson **- Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2,** and **Hillfield Park NW, N10;** Louise Howlett – **Eclipse House RA, N22;** John Waller – **Bounds Green & District RA, N11;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Stephen Whittle – **West Green RA, N15/22;** **//__Apologies:__//** Frank Berry – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Irene Storey – **Coldfall RA, N10;** Adam Charzynski – **New River Village RA, N8;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**; Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Road RA, N8;** Laurie Owen – **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove RN, N17;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park N. Area RA, N22;** Matt Bradby – **Tower Gardens Residents Group, N17;** Bernice Sullivan – **Roden Ct TA, N6**; Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Lauritz Hansen Bay – **Hampden Ct Homeowners, N22;** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Colin Marr – **Methuen Park Assoc, N10;** Caroline Simpson – **Bowes Park Community Assoc, N13/22;** Jenny Bell – **The Hawthorns, N8**
 * 1. ** **__Minutes of April 8th Meeting__** It was sent out with the wrong date on it. Apart from that, agreed.
 * 2. ** **__Minutes of AGM, May 13th__** Agreed.
 * 3. __Mailings__ ** Because of the cost and effort we are only planning to do occasional paper mailouts until further notice, relying on local RAs to provide us with an email contact.
 * 4. __Local Reports__ ** Groups present updated everyone on their recent news and issues. We were particularly pleased to hear from **//Eclipse House RA//** and how well they have established themselves in their first year. Also **//Stroud Green RA//** reported about their ambitious but highly successful ‘Neighbourhood Day’ in which local residents throughout their area did a wide range of street stalls with bric a brac, plants, food and crafts etc.
 * 5. __Threats to 7 local Post Offices__ ** After a series of very strong local campaigns mainly led by local RAs to save threatened PO branches, 6 of the 7 are unfortunately to be closed. This is despite many thousands of signatures on petitions, public meetings, marches and backing from a wide range of organisations – and a 70-strong borough-wide Federation rally outside Wood Green library. Similar government-driven closures are being fought all around the UK. The Council was considering taking over some of the threatened branches, but this never materialised. It was generally felt that the ‘public consultation’ was fraudulent and John Waller may pursue the matter further on our behalf. All in all we have saved one branch (Tottenham Hale) and helped make the closures a nationwide controversy.
 * 6. __Housing__ **
 * // a. Policy //** We sent in a detailed response to a Council consultation over planning policies affecting new housing, including the need to ensure the maximum percentage of genuinely affordable housing in any new development, and the proposal to reduce the minimum storage space allowed in new build.
 * // b. Council housing service charges //** Haringey Defend Council Housing campaigners have been protesting about the dramatic increases in service charges for many Council tenants/leaseholders.
 * 7. __Planning and Development__ **
 * a. //Ally Pally// ** Some concerned people are planning to organise their own community consultation over keeping the building in public ownership and developing a Community Plan for the site.
 * // b. Wards Corner, N15 //** The local coalition of residents associations and market traders at Seven Sisters continue to campaign tirelessly to save the site and to get support for their alternative Community Plan.
 * // c. Wood Green //** The Council have released a draft strategy for Wood Green High Road. Local RAs attended some workshops to discuss the proposals. Lots of positive stuff has been included, mainly taken from the Wood Green Audit produced by local RAs and backed by the Federation. There are certain proposals likely to be controversial and lead to objections – the possible threat of development of the library, the extension of the town centre northwards, a café on Ducketts Common, off peak pedestiranisation of the High Rd etc.
 * 8. __Green Spaces__ ** Recent issues being taken up by Friends groups across the borough include the reorganisation of staffing to ensure a greater on site presence, and also the Council’s threat to sell off some of Bull Lane playing fields for housing.
 * 9. ** **__Street Scene__** A new Haringey Rights of Way map has been produced and is out for consultation.
 * 10. ** **__GP Surgeries__** We discussed the latest news from the growing campaign to oppose the threat of closure facing many GP surgeries, with many GPs being forced into polyclinics. It has become a contentious issue throughout the country.
 * 11. ** **__Heritage & Conservation__** John reported a local campaign to preserve a valued ‘backlands’ site. Local people are also considering lobbying for an extension to Bounds Green conservation areas in order to better protect the character and quality of the area.
 * 12. __Sustainability issues__ ** A range of activities and events were underway as part of Haringey Sustainability Weeks (June 1st – 22nd), including a public meeting about sustainability and jobs, a cinema night, the Haringey Green Fair and a bike ride. More info: __ www.sustainableharingey.org.uk __
 * 13. __Schools__ ** We discussed the current proposals for ‘extended schools’, ie that school buildings should used in the evenings and weekends. We would support greater access and involvement by local community groups.
 * 14. __Older people__ ** The latest issue of ‘Older and Bolder Voices’ was distributed to those groups present. It is a lively, informative and inspiring paper produced by the Haringey Forum for Older People. The HFOP have been involved in recent campaigns over leisure passes, PO branches and health services, and are lobbying for improved foot care services.
 * 15. __Federation Business__ **
 * // a. Finances and fundraising //**// Treasurer**:** // As previously reported Simon Fedida, our treasurer since the HFRA was founded in 2002, has now stood down. We still urgently need someone else to volunteer to step forward. //Funds:// We also urgently need subscriptions and donations from RAs – a big thank you to all those groups and individuals who have recently sent in a subscription or donation.. //Fundraising ideas:// Louise, Sue, Joyce and Dave have discussed an idea of a sponsored walk around all or part of the Haringey Trail. To be looked into, as are any other appropriate ideas for raising money! Meanwhile we can encourage groups or individuals to make Standing Orders if they wish. It was agreed that Dave will issue a special Fundraising Appeal, and try to get it in the press.
 * // b. Better Places Partnership //** The new ‘Community Link’ arrangements for elections to the Boards are now in place. We chose to seek instead to make use of the provision for additional co-opted membership of the BPP and Wellbeing Boards. To be pursued.
 * // c. Stalls //** We did HFRA stalls at ‘Haringey Independence Day’ and Haringey Green Fair. All RAs are invited to take part in the Lordship Rec Community Festival on Sept 13th.
 * // d. Publicity for RAs //** We noted that many RAs and community groups are making use of the new ‘First Tottenham’ paper, which is entirely written by residents and delivered door to door.
 * 16. __Any Other Business__ **
 * // a. A406 //** Concerns continue over the delays and neglect of whole areas around the A406 (north circular) due to the proposed widening schemes. We would encourage RAs in the affected areas (both in Haringey and Enfield) to get together to co-ordinate their efforts.
 * // b. Twinning //** Bounds Green & District RA are keen for groups in Haringey to support a new twinning arrangement with a town in Palestine/Israel. We would consider this matter if more details were provided.