minutes+11th+May+2004


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – 11th May 2004__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Peter Hall - **The Sandlings RA, N22;** Grahame Pearce – **Heron Wharf RA, N17;** Andrew Bichard – **CASCH, N8;** Pat Ayinde and Tim Wilmott - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Dave Morris – **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Peter Thompson - **Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Association, N2** **//__Apologies:__//** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Simon Fedida - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Jane Laporte – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Robert Gainsborough - **St George’s Lodge RA, N10;** Sam Leggatt – **Robert Burns RA, N17;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;**


 * __1. Minutes of last meetings__** The minutes for both the 13th April General Meeting and the April 24th AGM were agreed.


 * __2. AGM__** The feeling was that our AGM had been a success, and we were looking forward to the coming year. We agreed that next year’s AGM could be expanded and incorporated into a general residents’ conference/event.


 * __3. Local reports from RAs present__**
 * //Heron Wharf RA, N17//** Managing their block of private flats themselves. Middx University / Tottenham Hale Stn interchange proposed developments seem to be on hold at the moment.
 * //CASCH, N8//** Involved with the Parkland Walk anniversary celebration on July 3rd. Do twice-yearly newsletter.
 * //Bruce Grove RN, N17//** Generally active and busy. Recently worked with the council to get 170 new street trees planted. Planning a street party in the summer. Problem with late night aggressive drunkenness in one local spot. One member raised £75 with a pavement ‘jumble sale’. Got some Scarman Trust funding.
 * //Chestnuts Northside RA, N15//** New street trees to be planted. Did residents ‘walkabout’ to inspect pavements. Negotiating with developer re problems caused by a ‘backlands’ site. Have agreed a constitution.
 * //The Sandlings, N22//** 2000 new bulbs planted in green areas. Youth Club in the RA’s community centre is going well. Other events include Tai Chi, ‘40s night’ and bingo. They are seeking new outside youth play area. Have produced a recent Newsletter.
 * //Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10//** Organised public meeting with chair of GLA Transport Cttee (Lynne Featherstone) which led to an excellent, wide-ranging discussion. Ally Pally Theatre restoration speaker is due to address their AGM. Organising a Front Garden Competition (27th June). Helping with Muswell Hill Festival / Donkey Derby day (12th sept, Cherry Tree Wood). Street party planned in Hillfield Park. Supporting the Parkland Walk celebrations.

The reports led as always to a number of discussions on matters raised.


 * __4. Planning and Development__**


 * //a. UDP//** 4 HFRA officers met up with LBH Planning Dept officers to negotiate over our proposed amendments to the council’s draft UDP. Long and intense debate, with some progress seemingly made on some key issues - we won’t know for sure until next draft UDP is produced in Sept.


 * //b. Residents’ Conference//** We agreed to hold the event at Wood Green Library (4 rooms – largest holds up to 130-150) on Saturday September 25th. First organising meeting, open to all, is on Wed June 2nd, 7.30pm at 42 Falmer Rd, N15.

The recent efforts to try and save local Post Office branches has highlighted the issue of the need for good locally-based services and facilities of all kinds in all neighbourhoods. This includes schools, health facilities, parks, libraries, community centres, youth clubs etc – there have been quite a few recent campaigns regarding such places, which often tend to be threatened with cuts or closure. We agreed to monitor such matters. We also agreed that this would be a good theme for our annual special residents’ conference in 2005.
 * __5. Local Services__**


 * 4.** **__Council Housing__**


 * //a. Future management options//** The HFRA had recently agreed to back the campaign by LBH tenants / leaseholders to ensure that there is a full ballot of all those affected by any major proposals about the future of Council housing, and that the ballot must include the option of ‘Stock Retention’. HFRA details have been added to the petition being circulated around the borough. There’s been a great deal of controversy over the council’s consultation methods, their hiring of an ‘Independent Tenants Adviser’ who is a director of a company which profits from Council house sales, and their promotion of unpopular options. As a result, a special Housing Scrutiny Panel open meeting was held at the Civic Centre. It was addressed by tenants from the Defend Council Housing campaign. The HFRA Secretary also addressed the meeting about the need for a ballot. The Councillors present all accepted that there should be a ballot, but said it was up to the LBH Executive to decide.


 * //b. LBH Tenant/Leaseholder intiatives//** We agreed that the Federation, whilst clearly the general umbrella organisation for all RAs and their diverse concerns, would support LBH tenants / leaseholders organising independent initiatives and events (eg a conference) related to their specific concerns. Meanwhile the Council had organised its own event on May 22nd for Housing Service users. Dave hoped to attend as a council tenant, and on behalf of the HFRA. (Report next month).


 * //c. HFRA relations with LBH housing dept//** It was agreed to send reminders that we’re still waiting for further replies from the heads of LBH Housing to the letters we sent recently.


 * 5.** **__Rubbish and Waste Management__**


 * //a.//** **//Audit//** Stephen, our rep on this issue, reported that he’d taken part in an official audit of the street scene department. The general feeling seemed to be that there had been some improvement in the last couple of years.


 * //b.//** **//Rat problem//** Our letters to LBH and Thames Water may have led to recent statements by the council that thev have agreed to a joint approach with them.


 * __8. Federation Business__**


 * //a. Fundraising//** We still urgently need money to pay off outstanding bills, although we now have a grant covering our activities from April to September. Please can all RAs send us an annual affiliation / subscription / donation, if you’ve not yet done so? We agreed to co-operate with Haringey Cycling Campaign in organising a sponsored cycle-ride around key local community sites in the borough (dates and details to be discussed – volunteers to help needed!). It was agreed that we would welcome any independent initiatives to raise funds for the Federation, and could provide an authorisation letter or sponsorship forms where requested. Simon and Dave continue to investigate future funding possibilities.

RA) to be the HFRA ‘Green Spaces’ rep. Grahame is the London Wildlife Trust’s local Haringey rep, and is involved with the Friends of Parks Forum.
 * //b.//** **//Federation reps – co-opted officers//** We agreed to co-opt Grahame Pearce (Heron Wharf


 * __9. Any Other Business__**


 * //a. Lightbulbs//** The Council has 40,000 special energy-saving long-lasting lightbulbs to give away. Agenda 21, the local sustainability group, are trying to help with distribution. We agreed to try to help distribute to local RAs at our meetings. To be investigated…


 * //b. Coming events of interest//** Various events were mentioned. In particular, information about local nature walks and events can be obtained from 8348 6005.