Minutes+-+July+8th+2008


 * __ Report of HFRA General Meeting 8 __****__ th __****__ July 2008 __**
 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Joyce Rosser **Warner Estate RA, N8;** 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;** Lauritz Hansen-Bay **Hampden Ct Homeowners, N22 //__Apologies:__//** Liz Pine **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Wendy Keenan **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Adam Coffman **Fairfax Road RA, N8;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park N. Area RA, N22;** Kit Grieveson **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Candy Amsden **Clyde Area RA, N15;** Stephen Whittle **West Green RA, N15/22;** Irene Storey **Coldfall RA, N10;** Ulla Lefmann **Burleigh Area RA, N8;** Louise Howlett **Eclipse House RA, N22;** Chico Pacheco **Park Ave S NW, N8;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**


 * 1.** **__Minutes of June 10th Meeting__** OK. **__Matters Arising:__** WERA reported that 60 of their 200 members attended their AGM.


 * 2.** **__Aim of Meeting__** This was called as a special meeting to discuss the Federation and how to strengthen communication and co-operation among RAs without wearing ourselves out!


 * 3.** **__Urgent business 1: Wood Green Town Centre__** Concerns were expressed about any proposed relocation of the Library, the selling of the Civic Centre building, and extension of the official Town Centre. The Federation have responded to the current consultation about Wood Green Town Centre as a whole, including supporting many of the proposed street scene improvements (which emanated from the Audit done by local RAs).


 * 4. __Urgent business 2: Car Free Day in September__** We agreed to support this initiative of the Sustainable Haringey network.


 * 5. __Urgent business 3: Tottenham Hale Development__** Reps present expressed growing alarm at the scale of development proposed for Tottenham Hale (including a 25-storey skyscraper described by the developer’s PR company as resembling ‘a butterfly’).


 * 6. __General Discussion__**

There was a general discussion to take stock of some of the strengths and weaknesses of our collective activities as a Federation. Points made included:

- the Federation has enabled better communication, co-ordination and informal networking among RAs in various areas of Haringey and around certain issues. This now often happens outside of the Federation meetings/channels. - we urgently need a volunteer to take over being treasurer - and more funds (donations and fundraising ideas welcome!) - we need to develop a stronger core group of reps and be less reliant on one or two key people - our officers could be more pro-active for the Federation and report back to each meeting if possible. But they need more support/feedback, and assistants/working groups around them if they are to be successful. - there is enormous untapped potential for RAs across the borough to work together and pool their efforts on key issues - are we spreading ourselves too thin sometimes? Or aiming too high? Or not high enough? - we should ask RAs their views on what the key issues and activities should be, and how they can link in better. - we need to avoid very active people ‘burning out’ eg by sharing responsibilities better, or easing off on certain activities - a volunteer is needed to compile regular email news bulletins/updates. The Secretary hasn’t got the time or energy to deal with the amount of news/information being received thesedays. - minutes of meetings should be completed and sent out earlier - keep the meetings’ agendas shorter where possible, and keep the reports brief!

The above points were all generally well-received and agreed. In summary we could do more to achieve our potential as long as more people get actively involved. Meanwhile we should make sure we don’t get overstretched.


 * 7. __Street Parties__** Each year the number of local street parties seems to grow, encouraged by local RAs and the Federation. The meeting heard direct reports from 7 such parties this summer…