Minutes+-+April+8th+2008

Minutes archive: //__ www.haringeyresidents.org/minutes __// Recent news:  //__ www.haringeyresidents.org/what’s+new __//
 * __ Report of HFRA General Meeting – April 8th 2008 __**
 * //__RA Delegates Present__//****//://** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** 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;** Sarah Mitchell - **Summersby Rd RA, N6;** Lauritz Hansen Bay – **Hampden Ct Homeowners, N22;** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Sue Penny – **Clyde Area RA, N15 //__Apologies:__//** Lloyd Davies – **Chesnuts Area RA, N17;** Lynne Zilkha - **Muswell Rd NW & RA, N10;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**; Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Road RA, N8;** Laurie Owen – **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** John Waller – **Bounds Green & District RA, N11;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove RN, N17;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Stephen Whittle and Anne Gray – **West Green RA, N15/22;** Helen Steel – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park N. Area RA, N22;** Matt Bradby – **Tower Gardens Residents Group, N17;** Bernice Sullivan – **Roden Ct TA, N6** + Hugh Flouch (Harringayonline community)


 * 1.** **__Minutes of March 11th Meeting__** Agreed

Groups present updated everyone on their recent news and issues. Discussion about ‘Making A Difference’ grants.
 * 2. __Local Reports__**

7 PO branches serving local communities under threat of closure – RAs from each of the affected areas reported that they were getting involved and launching local campaigns, petitions, public meetings and protests. Hundreds had already taken part. The Federation actively backed all the local campaigns, held a 70-strong borough-wide rally outside Wood Green Library on 29th March. Our Secretary wrote to PO Ltd enclosing filled-in petitions and summing up the high level of opposition to the closures.
 * 3. __Threats to 7 local Post Offices__**

The Federation sent in a detailed response to a Council consultation over planning policies affecting new housing.
 * 4. __Housing__**


 * 5. __Planning and Development__**


 * a. //Wards Corner, N15//** The local coalition of residents associations and market traders at Wards Corner continue to campaign tirelessly to save the site and to get support for their alternative Community Plan. 180 attended a lively Council-run Forum about the site. The Coalition have helped launch a London-wide network of similar campaigns.


 * //b. Other sites//** We briefly noted other local planning controversies regarding Lea Valley, Heartlands and Ally Pally.


 * //c. Local development Framework Core Strategy//** The new ‘Local Development Framework’ is being rolled out. The first consultation is over which policies and questions should be addressed in the ‘Core Strategy’. The Federation responded with our concerns and proposals.

Haringey Friends of Parks Forum have been instrumental in helping set up a new national network of similar bodies, the National Open Spaces Forum, at a founding meeting in Birmingham. Meanwhile in Haringey the Council has adopted some of the Haringey Forum’s proposals to strengthen on-site staffing, but unfortunately the Parks Dept (like all Depts) has also made budget cuts.
 * 6. __Green Spaces__**

- Bob Maltz reported that he’d attended a very interesting national Living Streets conference on the Federation’s behalf. Met 3 other Haringey people there. - The Council is asking for proposals for ‘priority walking routes’ around the borough so that they can apply for TfL funding for improvements. - Concerns expressed about the gating of useful alleyways/rights of way.
 * 7.** **__Street Scene__**

There is mounting anger over the Haringey Primary Care Trust drive to replace local surgeries with polyclinics. Federation reps Sue Hessel and Dave Morris have been very active in the campaign. Further concerns were raised about a recently closed baby clinic and the impending Council closure of the Keston Day Centre.
 * 8.** **__GP Surgeries__**

Joyce reported on some recent planning issues threatening historic sites eg the Hornsey Baths and Wood Green Police Station.
 * 9.** **__Heritage & Conservation__**

RAs are being encouraged to organise something during Haringey Sustainability Weeks (June 1st – 22nd). More info: __ www.sustainableharingey.org.uk __
 * 10. __Sustainability issues__**

We discussed experiences of annual street parties, including Warner Rd, Hillfield Park, Grove Park Rd, and Station Crescent.
 * 11. __Street Parties__**


 * 12. __Federation Business__**


 * //a. Our AGM//** Tues May 13th will be our AGM.


 * //b. Finances and fundraising//** As reported last month Simon Fedida, our treasurer since the HFRA was founded in 2002, has now stood down. There was much appreciation expressed for all his hard work. We now urgently need someone else to volunteer to step forward. We also urgently need subscriptions and donations from RAs.


 * //c. Stalls//** Stalls planned for Haringey Independence Day event (plus showing of our ‘Community Action’ documentary), Haringey Green Fair and Lordship Rec festival.