Minutes+-+Nov+13th+2007

// [|www.haringeyresidents.org/Street+Scene+-+Removing+Billboards] // The Council is now consulting over a proposed __‘Greenest Borough Strategy’__, which includes a range of more sustainable policies and practices with time scales. Groups are encouraged to get hold of this and respond. The Sustainable Haringey network certainly intend to.
 * __ Report of HFRA General Meeting – Nov 13th 2007 __** // [|www.haringeyresidents.org/minutes] //
 * //__ RA Delegates Present __//****// : //** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Peter Thompson **- Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2,** and **Hillfield Park NW, N10;** Lauritz Hansen-Bay – **Hampton Ct Owners Assoc, N22;** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove RN, N17** **//__Apologies:__//** Deepa Shola – **Wightman Road South RA, N4;** Joyce Oyeyi-Effiong – **Suffolk Rd RA, N15;** Catrina Etheridge – **Chettle Ct RA, N8;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Bernice Sullivan – **Roden Ct TA, N6;** John Waller - **Bounds Green & District RA, N11;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park North Area RA, N22;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Helen Steel – **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Julie Wallman - **Garton House RA, N6;** Matt Bradby – **Tower Gardens Residents Group, N17;** Lois Johnson – **Maze West RA, N17;** Marian Janes – **CASCH, N6;** Jimmy Athanassiou – **Palace Gates RA, N22;** Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Road RA, N8;** Chico Pacheco – **Park Ave South NW, N8;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**; Ulla & Ole Lefmann - **Burghley Rd Area RA, N8;** Colin Marr – **Methuen Park Association, N10**
 * 1. ** **__ Minutes of Oct 9th Meeting __** Agreed, with one correction – that the MHFGA public meeting about Fortismere School was a year ago rather than a month ago.
 * 2. __Local Reports__ ** There were the usual interesting local reports from groups present, and some discussions about what was raised.
 * 3. __Planning and Development__ **
 * a. ****// Wards Corner, N15 //** Local residents associations and Latin American market traders at Wards Corner are continuing to campaign against developers proposing the destruction of the historic site by Seven Sisters tube, the eviction of the market, and plans for high-density luxury flats – a plan which no-one likes but which the Council and NDC regeneration board have promoted with public funding. Residents and traders have held many meetings and have produced their own alternative Community Plan for the site and are about to organise their own public consultation and then submit a planning application. Efforts are being made to get the support of the NDC and Council. // http://wardscorner.wikispaces.com //
 * // b. Hale Wharf //** The proposals for massive development around Tottenham Hale extend into Walthamstow. As a result the Federation was invited to attend the successful launch of a new Blackhorse Road RA which is campaigning over development issues affecting neighbourhoods in the Blackhorse Rd tube station area.
 * // c. Lawrence Road, N15 //** RAs in the area have formed an alliance to campaign for quality development and additional green space in this regeneration area. To that end Clyde Area RA hosted a 20-strong meeting with developers of part of the site to ensure community views were heard loud and clear. // http://fara.wikispaces.com/-+Lawrence+Rd //
 * // d. Community/Council co-operation //** The Council have rejected an offer by the Federation to jointly host some discussions between residents’ groups and the planning dept to see if we can work together to get the best possible policies and development for the borough. Planning officers continue to meet with developers to advise them on how to submit successful applications.
 * 4. __Green spaces__ ** The Friends of Parks Forum continue to press for better staffing in parks. // [|www.haringeyresidents.org/green+spaces+-+The+Friends+of+Parks+Forum] //
 * 5. __Street Scene__ **
 * // a. Safer streets / 20mph maximum speeds //** Residents continue to call for 20mph zones throughout the borough – a Crouch End zone is currently being consulted over. In the last 3 years the Federation and the Haringey Living Streets campaign have lobbied for 20mph to become the 'default' speed limit for the borough's streets in order to ensure better public safety. This has been accepted as long term Council policy. Recently the Council's Cabinet Member for the Urban Environment floated the possibility that this could be brought in sooner rather than later - the HFRA is supporting this. The meeting reaffirmed this position, and agreed we should call for a London-wide 20mph default limit. Meanwhile Haringey Living Streets campaigners, backed by the HFRA, have been calling for safer 'Green Man' crossings at all major traffic junctions, and there was due to be an on-site celebration of the success of pressing for new crossing in Endymion Rd, N4. More info: __[|www.haringeyresidents.org/street+scene+-+traffic+calming]__
 * // b. Billboards and hoardings //** Members of 4 local RAs met up to launch Haringey Billboard Action, a campaign – backed by the Federation - to systematically get all unlawful hoardings removed from Haringey. The Planning Enforcement dept have agreed to work with RAs and the HFRA on this. It was suggested we should also get estate agents signs removed from our streets – they are also often put up unlawfully.
 * // c. Public Toilets //** The Federation is calling for a new scheme which will ensure public access to existing toilets in scores of cafes and pubs around Haringey. Haringey Forum for Older People support this - but will the Council? More info: //__www.haringeyresidents.org/street+scene+-+bits+and+pieces+-+public+toilets__//
 * 6. __Health Services__ ** We had agreed to publicise the national ‘Celebrate the NHS’ demonstration on November 3rd. Over 10,000 attended including many from Haringey. The Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Association and local anti-cuts campaigners had held public meetings and gained publicity about the Haringey PCT’s latest controversial proposal to close many local GP surgeries and pharmacists by funding instead 4 polyclinics / super health centres. A campaign to oppose this was growing. Lauritz also reported that the Haringey Forum for Older People wished to take up the issue of the lack of foot care services for the elderly. More info: __ [|www.haringeyresidents.org/Public+services+-+health+services+-+Local+campaigns] __
 * 7. __Sustainability issues__ **
 * // a. Sustainable Haringey //** Peter Thompson, Wendy Keenan and Dave Morris reported that they had been active in the Sustainable Haringey network and have drafted for the network a detailed document called ‘Local Neighbourhood Sustainability Action Plans’ - ideas for what people can do to spread sustainability ideas and practices in their own neighbourhoods. A smaller, snappier version would be produced for wider distribution. The Federation agreed to offer our broad support for this, with local RAs encouraged to see which of the ideas they might wish to take up. Peter brought along some of his new cloth bags saying: ‘Hillfield Park Says No To Plastic Bags’. It was noted that London Councils are now proposing a London-wide ban on disposable plastic bags. More info: [|www.sustainableharingey.org.uk]
 * 8. __Federation Business__ **
 * // a. HFRA website //** Our website is going well. It is now starting to be updated and used more effectively. Everyone is encouraged to regularly check out: __ [|www.haringeyresidents.org/what’s+new] __
 * // b. RAs - Links and ‘twinning’? //** It was proposed that RAs could share news and experiences, or ‘twin’ with similar groups on the other side of the borough, or even in other boroughs. If people think this is a good idea for their group they can contact the Secretary.
 * // c. Haringey Independence Day //** We have been invited to have a stall, organise a meeting (on a theme of our choice) and maybe show our ‘Community Action’ documentary at this event for independent community groups and campaigns. It will be held in West Green Learning Centre on April 26th. We agreed in principle.
 * // d. Next meeting //** We agreed to miss out the January meeting, the next one being on February 12th.