minutes+14th+September+2004


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – 14th September 2004__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Rd Residents Group, N8;** Peter Thompson - **Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Assoc, N2;** Roy Jensen – **Keynes Close RA, N2;** Pat Ayinde - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Peter Hall - **The Sandlings RA, N22;** Dave Morris – **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Jane Laporte – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Colin Kerr, Vivienne Cuming and Simon Fedida - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** and Max Wynter, Friends of Woodside Park, N22 **//__Apologies:__//** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Grahame Pearce – **Heron Wharf RA, N17;** Sarah Bromfield – **Campsbourne Community RA, N8;** Beverley Drummond – **Commerce Rd Area Residents and Tenants, N22;** Gwen Owens – **Campbell Ct RA, N17;** Michael Cordwell-James – **Chitts Hill RA, N22;** Judith Hannah – **Clyde Area RA, N15:** Mathilda Lewis – **Eastbourne and Daleview RA, N15;** Carmel Cadden – **Arnold Rd RA, N15;** Bob Maltz – **Gladwell, Landrock, Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Paul Burnham – **Partridge Way RA, N22**


 * __1. Minutes of last meeting__** The minutes for the 13th July General Meeting were agreed.

There were reports from all groups present about some of their recent activities and concerns. The reports led as always to a number of discussions on matters raised.
 * __2. Local reports from RAs present__**


 * //Warner Estate RA, N8//** Continuing to support opposition to ‘backlands’ developments – many residents attended a special official hearing arranged about Clovelly Rd, but Council officers failed to show up. Also hoping to replace plane trees in local streets (which have led to insurance claims by householders) with smaller, more appropriate tree species. Organising a collection for their local postie to thank him – he’s moving elsewhere after 10 years there. **//Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Assoc, N2//** Helped initiate and publicise the Muswell Hill Community Festival and Donkey Derby – it was a huge success, with thousands attending for a fun day out. Also helped to get Muswell Hill police station counter re-opened, now staffed by local volunteers 3 days a week. As always, taking up planning issues, most recently a controversy related to Lauradale Close. Peter reported that residents in his street, Hillfield Ave, organised a very successful street party, including dog tricks/trials. [NB. Latest Newsletter handed around at the meeting]. **//Keynes Close RA, N2//** Continuing issue of lack of effective services for this block of sheltered accommodation for the elderly. Roy circulated a written report, outlining their formal complaint to the Council regarding lack of information to residents, inadequate response times, inadequate staff cover and the need to improve LBH-resident relations.
 * //Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17//** Are meeting up with Council officers to work out traffic management plan to reduce speeds and rat-running throughout their area. After complaints from residents over a problem of anti-social behaviour (noise, urination in the street etc) related to a late night men’s street drinking club, the Council and police have over-responded with a controversial ASBO giving the police draconian powers to break up groups of 2 or more people, and a 9pm ‘curfew’ on under-16 year olds! This ASBO is now creating concern and division in the local community. Finally, they continue to monitor proposals for Tottenham Green and Wards Corner redevelopment. **//The Sandlings RA, N22//** Held their AGM in September. Lots of ideas for improving their own community centre, and the estate’s green areas. **//Chestnuts Northside RA, N15//** Held their AGM in August. Have successfully lobbied for money for traffic calming measures (under ‘Safe Routes to School’ budget)– have since met up 3 times with Council officers to discuss the options to put to local residents. Also co-operating with other local associations to lobby for additional pedestrian crossings for nearby streets. Have done their own survey of dangerous pavements, and are awaiting confirmation of the go-ahead for additional tree-planting agreed with the tree dept in the spring. [NB. Minutes of their last meeting circulated].
 * //Parkside Malvern RA, N8//** Concerned over the latest proposals for the huge Heartlands development, which may include increasing the number of homes from 1,000 to up to 3,000! Have set up H.E.A.R.T. with neighbouring associations, which continues to lobby and campaign for the interests of local communities.
 * //Woodlands Park RA, N15//** Started a local oral history project, and are interviewing residents who’ve been in the area a long time. Trying to finalise plans for new local community notice boards, to be shared with a neighbouring association. Local controversy about what to do with the local school’s empty caretaker’s building. Seeking 2 extra pedestrian crossings for roads in the area. **//Avenue Gardens RA, N22//** Seeking ways of having weight restrictions on HGV vehicles through their streets. Concerned by a proposed intensive development of 78 flats in an old clothing factory. Residents took part in some local bulb-planting.
 * //Friends of Woodside Park, N22//** Campaigning for the renovation of Woodside Park. They organised a successful jazz picnic there this summer. Nearby, a school has applied to annexe part of the White Hart Lane Recreation Ground for a floodlit pitch. FWP and other local people have strongly objected, as have the Haringey Friends of Parks Forum. **//Fairfax Rd Residents Group, N8//** A recently formed association – Pat (HFRA chair) attended and spoke at their launch meeting. Members have planned a street party on Sept 18th.


 * __3. Planning and Development__**

5 RAs had attended the final open organising meeting for the Sept 25th conference. Preparations for the event going well. 8,000 conference leaflets had been distributed around the borough, and it was agreed to print 3,000 more. Local press and Haringey People had mentioned the event already, and a final HFRA press release was due to go out. LBH officers had agreed some months ago to back the event - a joint meeting had been fixed up with the HFRA Secretary and Chair, to discuss the details of their involvement. We agreed to draft a resolution to put to the conference as a proposed consensus. After discussion, some initial general points were agreed, to be finalised by Federation officers and a couple of delegates present (via email).
 * //a.//** **//Communities First! – HFRA residents’ conference on planning and development issues//**


 * //b. LBH Unitary Development Plan [2nd deposit]//** All those who had objected to the first UDP draft have been written to about their proposed amendments, the council either accepting them or giving reasons why not. It seems that some points raised by community groups such as the Federation have been accepted. Other matters have been rejected, or the UDP amended to be worse. It seems that we will all need to closely scrutinise the document, and work together if we are going to have an effect on some of the major issues affecting our communities – eg massive house-building targets, backlands developments, and the threats to green spaces. To be discussed further when the new draft is printed. Deadline for responses is October 27th.


 * //c.//** //**Save White Hart Lane Rec**// There was great concern about the application by St Thomas More School to annexe and fence off part of a public park – White Hart lane Rec / Pond Park – for their own sports use. This is despite their ability to use the park anyway (like anyone else), and the availability of floodlit sports pitches nearby. If not opposed, this privatisation of public space would set a precedent - many parks would be under similar threat. We agreed to support the Friends group and any protests.


 * __4. Street Scene / Clutter__** There was a brief discussion and a general feeling that there was far too much street clutter – billboards, estate agents signs, posters on lamp-posts, disused phone boxes etc.


 * __5. Local services__** We discussed the growing crisis over lack of school places in some parts of the borough, and how other services such as health facilities were also inadequate or under-funded. It was agreed that it should be a public priority to improve all such services before building even more homes in the borough.


 * __6. Council Housing__** There’s a lobby of the full Council meeting on Oct 4th to demand a ballot of all tenants and leaseholders on any proposed changes to the status and management of public housing.


 * __7. Federation Business__**
 * //- Documentary film//** We’re making a short HFRA educational film about the activities of local RAs for showing to local groups, schools etc. More detailed info about this was circulated at the meeting.
 * //- Fundraising//** We’ve applied for a possible grant from the Bridge House Trust. But we definitely need a regular independent income - all subscriptions, affiliations and donations are welcome.
 * //- Community Action bulletin//** Our next //__Community Action__// bulletin was being prepared by Sarah, Matt and Dave. 2,000 will be printed by the Sept 25th conference.
 * //- Federation leaflets//** We agreed to produce some new HFRA leaflets eg. traffic calming / safer streets; planning and development; a general one about RAs and the Federation.
 * //- Mailout clarification and/or rider//** We discussed again whether we should put a ‘rider’ in our mail-outs. The one on the back page of //__‘Community Action’__// seemed OK. To be further discussed.
 * //- Haringey Community Empowerment Network//** We agreed to remain involved with HarCEN, but not to take on any specific responsibilities at this stage.
 * //- Haringey Peace Alliance//** They’d contacted us to discuss working more closely together.
 * //- Eco-lightbulbs//** We are able to distribute long-lasting, energy-efficient lightbulbs free to residents associations. They must be distributed responsibly and signed for by individuals (max 2 per household). They mustn’t be sold, but local groups could ask for donations. 400 were distributed at the meeting.