minutes+14th+December+2004


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


 * //__RA Delegates Present__://** Alex Irvine - **Bowes Park Community Association, N13;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Grahame Pearce - **Heron Wharf RA, N17;** Peter Thompson - **Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Assoc, N2;** Pat Ayinde - **Bruce Grove Residents Network, N17;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Matt Danaher and Jane Laporte - **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Vivienne Cuming and Simon Fedida - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Michael Cordwell-James - **Chitts Hill RA, N22** and Friends of Woodside Park, N22;
 * //__Apologies:__//** Barbara Blake - **Gardens RA, N4;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Ibilola Campbell - **Tiverton Tewksbury RA, N15;** Ule and Olle Lefmann - **Burleigh Rd Area RA, N8;** Robert Gainsborough - **St George’s Lodge RA, N10**


 * __1. Minutes of last meeting__** The minutes for the 9th November General Meeting were agreed.


 * __2. Local reports from RAs present__** There were reports from all groups present (and some sent in by RAs) about some of their most recent activities and concerns. As usual, some of the issues raised led to general discussion. See next month for updates.


 * __3. Traffic calming__** The local reports included some information about local associations having successfully campaigned for traffic calming measures. There were concerns expressed about possible staffing issues in the street scene and road safety department, with a reported high degree of turnover of staff, plus use of temporary staff. It was wondered if this was affecting the quality of road safety measures and continuity of consultation with local communities. We agreed to do some monitoring, and to ask those involved with local schemes to bet back to us with any concerns they may have. If we identify any problems we will contact the department to discuss this with them. Please contact us, in confidence: traffic calming  or 8211 0916


 * __4. Planning and Development__**


 * a. LBH Unitary Development Plan** There will be a UDP Public Inquiry from 12th April – 12th May 2005 for respondents, objectors and the Council to discuss and argue their points, presided over by an Inspector. To explain the process and to prepare, there will be an official Pre-Inquiry Meeting for all concerned on 10th Jan - 2pm at the Civic Centre. We agreed to try to encourage objectors to attend, and to meet up at 1pm in the foyer to discuss co-ordination. We have agreed to try to help pool efforts, and also help with mobilisation and publicity, in order that residents can promote their concerns and interests during the highly complex process of the public inquiry.

Forms have been sent out to objectors, to be filled in by 20th December. They seemed very complex and confusing. It was agreed that our secretary would inform the Inspector of some of our concerns. Any questions, contact Jim Riddle on 0191 565 3695 or jim@riddle8972.fsnet.co.uk

It was noted that ‘Unitary Development Plans’ are gradually being replaced across the country by ‘Local Development Frameworks’. It seems that in Haringey, the one is ‘morphing’ into the other.


 * b.** **Parks and Open Spaces (including White Hart Lane Rec)** The ‘test case’ application by St Thomas More School to annexe and fence off a well-used public part of White Hart Lane Rec / Pond Park for an artificial sports pitch was due to be heard at the Planning Sub-Cttee on November 22nd. Thanks to a lot of frantic, last-minute HFRA publicity and preparation, 100 people came to protest and there was a co-ordinated and comprehensive objection/presentation by the local ‘friends’ group, the HFRA, Friends of Parks Forum and Tottenham Sports Council. Despite the application being strongly backed by the school and a number of Council departmental heads, after 2 hours of controversy and near uproar in the Council chamber it was rejected by Cllrs 5-0. This was a historic victory against heavy odds, and received a lot of positive publicity. However, everyone agreed we must remain vigilant to protect our parks.

We had discovered that the Council was starting a 4 month long ‘Green Open Spaces Scrutiny Review’ of the management and future of the borough’s green spaces (including on roadsides and housing estates etc). After communication with members of the Friends of Parks Forum it was felt there were a number of serious concerns about this review, especially the fact that the remit didn’t include the most fundamental issue - evaluating the protection and expansion of green open spaces. We submitted an HFRA statement to the review panel, with a number of proposals - they were well received at the first hearing, but it remains to be seen whether the review will be adequate or effective. The next hearing, on Jan 10th, Civic Centre, 7pm, will take evidence from various departments. The following hearing is an important one for users groups, friends of parks etc to put their views – it has been provisionally booked for Tues 25th Jan, 6pm - probably at the Broadwater Farm Community Centre.


 * c. Planning Applications Sub-Committee** A couple of controversial planning applications were due to come up at the committee meeting on Jan 10th, 7.30pm. They are being opposed by RAs, who are asking for support at the hearing. Seems like its all happening at the Civic Centre, Jan 10th!


 * 5. __Council Housing__**  Consultation over future management options has shown a large majority in favour of staying with the council, rather than any form of privatisation or semi-privatisation. It looks like the Council is going to concede to pressure for a ballot of all tenants and leaseholders about the options – however, there is concern that the wording may be skewed in favour of the Council’s preferred option, an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO).


 * 6.** **__Federation Business__**


 * //a.//** **//Federation talks//** Our secretary had been invited to address the Tiverton Tewksbury RA in South Tottenham on the subject of ‘the activities and importance of local residents associations’. About 30 members attended, there was a good discussion and the TTRA agreed to formally affiliate to the HFRA.


 * //b. Tottenham area issues//** There will be a special one-off event, supported by the HFRA, for RAs in the Tottenham area to discuss common issues and how to better work together. Dave brought along a draft open letter about the event, which was discussed. [See enclosed letter/flyer]. The event will probably be in March at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, provisionally booked for Saturday March 19th, 10am – 2pm. There’ll be a planning meeting, open to all Tottenham RAs, on Thursday 13th Jan, 7.30pm at 42 Falmer Rd, N15.


 * //c. Haringey Community Empowerment Network//** HarCEN held its first AGM on Dec 16th. The HFRA Secretary did a well-received presentation about the importance of residents groups and of local community issues.


 * //d. Community Action//** We are asking for news stories of local RAs’ activities for the next edition of our //__Community Action__// newspaper. Please email or send any of your news items, newsletters or press cuttings to our contact address. Please also let us know how many copies of the next edition your group could distribute (eg to all members, to all households in your area or to local meeting places and Drs’ surgeries etc). Its free, or a donation. We’ll print however many are needed – so please tell us!


 * //e. Key events during 2005//** We decided that at the next meeting we would look at the coming year’s schedule, and key events and issues for the Federation. This is likely to include:

//April/May// - UDP //May/June?// - HFRA AGM/residents conference //Summer// - HFRA fun/fundraising event [cycleride + picnic in a park?] //Autumn// - HFRA ‘Keep It Local’ residents’ conference on local services and facilities for local communities.