minutes+9th+December+2003


 * Report of HFRA General Meeting,** **9th December 2003**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__//****//://** John Crompton - **Muswell** **Hill & Fortis Green Association, N2;** David Rennie - **Palace Gates RA, N22;** Simon Fedida and Vivienne Cuming - **Avenue** **Gardens** **RA, N22; ;** Paul Burnham - **Partridge Way** **RA, N22;** Dave Morris – **Chestnuts Northside Residents Association, N15;**
 * //__Apologies:__//** Ole and Ulle Lefmann, **Burleigh** **Rd Area RA, N8;** Jane Price – **Grosvenor** **Rd RA, N10;** John Gordon - **Hornsey Lane Association, N6;** Marian Janes - **CASCH, N8;** Colin Marr – **Methuen Park Assoc, N10;** Jennifer Chambers – **Dickenson House and Womersley TA, N8;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Jane Laporte – **Woodlands Park RA;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside** **Malvern RA, N8;** Tim Wilmott and Pat Ayinde - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Ibi Campbell – **Tiverton RA, N15;** Joyce Oyeyi Effiong - **Suffolk Rd RA, N15;** Michael Sheldon – **Chitts** **Hill RA, N22**


 * 1. Minutes of HFRA general meeting of 11th November** Agreed to be accurate.


 * 2. Local reports given** As usual there were extensive local reports from those present – these led to discussion of some of the issues raised. Some associations also brought copies of their recent leaflets or Newsletters. [If we get enough copies we’ll put them in our mailouts]. //Note:// We are looking for a volunteer to compile seasonal bulletins of local reports/news. //__Action__ Can anyone volunteer to help?//

Having successfully called for an extra 6 weeks extension for public consultation over the draft LBH ‘Unitary Development Plan’, we discussed what the Federation’s response should be. There were a lot of concerns expressed over the Council’s proposals for a massive increase in house-building and therefore increase in the numbers and density of the borough’s population; the lack of full protection to green spaces and parks (which could face ‘development’); environmental disparities between east and west of the borough; the lack of specific commitment to traffic speed reduction (eg 20mph limit) and improved transport links; and the designation of some residential streets as ‘distributor roads’.
 * 5.** **Planning issues: Council’s ‘Unitary Development Plan’**

It was decided that the HFRA secretary would draft up the ideas agreed at the meeting, to be checked by the officers and then submitted to the Council.

We will discuss at our next meeting our plans for a __Planning Issues Open Day / Conference__ in 2004.


 * 4. Traffic calming/safer streets** The residents’ conference on Traffic Calming and Safer Streets on Nov 15th was agreed to have been a great success. The conference was attended by about 70 residents. There were speakers and presentations from a number of local residents associations [Gardens RA, Hornsey Lane Assoc, Ladder Passage Campaign] and also the LBH Street Scene dept - Alex Constantinides (Head of Highways) and Tony Kennedy (Traffic and Road Safety Group Manager), Jenny Jones (London's Deputy Mayor and GLA Road Safety Ambassador), Chris Feltham (TfL Street Management - Head of Road Safety Engineering), Adam Coffman (Haringey Cycling Campaign) and Richard Tayler (Living Streets - Haringey).

Most of the discussion took place in workshops, covering a wide range of issues: traffic calming options and best practice; effective consultation, participation and 'ownership' by residents; increasing the resources available; reducing traffic and promoting walking, cycling and public transport; creating living streets.

Participants voted at the end to seek: · a 20mph speed limit for all roads in Haringey (unless otherwise designated) · greater resources to ensure effective traffic calming and safer streets in all neighbourhoods (including effective enforcement of speed limits and parking-on-pavements rules etc) · greater staffing of the LBH Street Scene department · affordable and efficient public transport · living streets promoting community spirit

It was also agreed to set up an ongoing Traffic Calming and Safer Streets Working Group - to be co-ordinated by the HFRA - to take the decisions of the conference forward. Members of the Working Group include members and reps from 17 local residents associations, and also local groups campaigning for traffic calming.

It was noted at the meeting that our contact in Transport for London had sent us further research on the major benefits of 20mph zones, and had estimated that it would take only £250 - £500m to introduce measures for a 20mph limit for all residential streets in the capital.


 * 5. Council housing** It was reported that the Council is currently consulting over the future management and funding of its 20,000 Council homes. However, despite promises to the contrary they have: //a.// dropped the option of retaining all the properties and seeking direct investment from Central Government, and //b////.// dropped the standard consultation method of a ballot of all tenants. Instead they are asking a selected panel of councillors, tenants and advisors to achieve ‘consensus’ about the way forward.

This attitude is driven by central government policy, but has already generated controversy and publicity all around the country. In Haringey it has been condemned by the local Defend Council Housing (HDCH) campaign who have been working hard to publicise the situation and support local tenants. It was also reported that the Housing Corporation which funds Housing Associations is even calling for pre-fab housing to be brought back. //Action:// We agreed to continue our support for HDCH.

The HFRA secretary spoke with Simon Godfrey of the Tenants Participation Team about their current exercise of consultation with tenants about a new ‘Tenants Compact’, and Council recognition of local associations. He said he will be seeking the Federation’s views.


 * 6. Public health – rats** As noted at the previous meeting there has been increasing public concern and complaints about the growing rat problem around Haringey, especially certain areas. We agreed to contact the relevant authorities to insist they work together to solve the problem.


 * 7. Federation Email list and Website** Both have been updated.


 * 8. Finances** As always we are in desperate need of general funds.