Minutes+-+July+10th+2007


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – July 10th 2007__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__//****//://** Bernice Sullivan and Valerie Brown – **Roden Ct TA, N6;** Peter Dalby – **Chitts Hill RA, N22;** Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**; Lauritz Hansen-Bay – **Hampton Ct Owners Assoc, N22;** Peter Thompson **- Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2**
 * //__Apologies:__//** Helen Allen - **Campsbourne Community RA, N8;** Lloyd Davis – **Chesnuts Area RA, N17;** John Waller - **Bounds Green & District RA, N11;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Simon Fedida and Vivien Cuming - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Candy Amsden – **Clyde Area RA, N15;** Matt Bradby – **Tower Gardens Residents Group, N17;** Paul McKay – **Hewitt Rd RA, N8;** Adam Coffman – **Fairfax Rd RA, N8;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove RN, N17;** Ulla & Ole Lefmann - **Burghley Rd Area RA, N8;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park North Area RA, N22;** Sue Meighan – **Wightman Rd N4 RA, N4;** Marian Janes – **CASCH, N6;** Kay Griffiths – **New River Village RA, N8;** Dorothy Rynhold – **Passmore Edwards NW, N11;** Ros Abrams – **Wood Vale Community Association, N10**


 * 1.** **__Minutes of June 12th Meeting__** Agreed. **__Matters Arising__** Lawrence Rd - HFRA response sent.


 * 2. __Local Reports__** There were the usual varied and fascinating news reports from around the borough.


 * 3. __Planning and Development__ a. //Heartlands//** RAs in the area affected by the Heartlands planned development have re-launched their alliance to lobby for improvements to the plans, which seem to be lacking in open space and increasing housing density levels even above the over-high official guidelines. They have been organising local meetings, and meeting up with the architects to try to get improvements.
 * b. //London Plan//** We participated, as part of the London Tenants Federation team, in the London Plan review (June/July) of planning policies for the capital. We helped organise a ‘Whose London?’ lobby on the first day. Our Secretary made three presentations on Sustainable Communities, Housing Density and ‘Section 106 Planning Gain’ agreements. As a result of the powerful contributions by residents groups it was recognised that social infrastructure (health, education, open space, community centres etc) was vital but inadequate and that Councils and developers were defying planning policies in order to promote high-density house-building – an incredible 67% of recent developments were over maximum density guidelines.


 * 4. __Green spaces__** In response to the **//Open Spaces Standards Appraisal//** we & the Friends of Parks Forum sent in a response insisting that Haringey adopt the officially recognised national minimum standards for open spaces. We also supported the Forum’s response to the **//Parkforce Review//** calling for adequate dedicated on-site staffing in all substantial parks throughout the borough. We noted the current consultation process over how to spend funds earmarked for **//Parkland Walk.//**


 * 5. __Street Scene__** **a.** **//Crossings//** On Friday 22nd June, 3.30pm on Green Lanes / Frobisher Rd we and Living Streets organised a successful mass petitioning / protest over unsafe junctions. 40-50 people joined in, calling for ‘green men’ pedestrian lights at all controlled junctions. This got a lot of favourable publicity. //Note:// Warner Estate RA also succeeded in getting some local eye-level ‘green men’ lights restored. Transport for London was lobbied and agreed to look into this issue. **b. //Hoardings and signs//** The HFRA have renewed pressure on the planning dept for effective enforcement action vs illegal hoardings. It was also noted that estate agents are continuing to systematically defy planning policies about their signs.


 * 6. __Heritage and conservation__** We agreed to publicise the latest Conservation Area Appraisals - for Muswell Hill, Trinity Gardens and Wood Green Common. MHFGA will respond.

7. __Local Services__ a. //Health// We noted continuing concerns and campaigns over private finance for the __Hornsey Hospital__ site, the future of __St Ann’s Hospital__, the latest proposal to encourage local neighbourhood GPs to move into __‘polyclinics’__ and proposed closures of some facilities at __North London hospitals__. A __national demonstration__ is planned for the autumn. //b. Carers// Lauritz attended a Black & Minority Ethnic carers conference attended by 120 carers – he said there were many horrifying stories about relatives isolated and trapped in caring for vulnerable relatives with little back-up or respite. He urged all such people to register with social services and to contact support groups. Members of RAs could look out for such people to help break down their isolation.


 * 8. __Sustainability issues__** The new **//Sustainable Haringey network//** is being increasingly well publicised and supported, is holding regular open gatherings, and a number of practical working groups are being set up. Many RA activists are involved. MHFGA are planning a public meeting on the issue. WERA have set up a sub-group to promote sustainability in their neighbourhood.


 * 9. __Waste__** We noted current Reviews of fly-tipping in Haringey and N. London Waste Management.


 * 10. __Federation Business__ a.** **//Community Link//** The Federation has been working with other key strategic organisations to try to ensure that a new Forum proposed for Haringey’s community and voluntary groups is run by and for such groups, and that they have time to discuss the proposals properly. We agreed to send out the proposals to all RAs, and also back a call for key specialist organisations (like the HFRA) to be able to be co-opted onto Haringey Strategic Partnership Boards. **//b. The Advertiser//** This free local paper has agreed to run a major article about RAs in Haringey. HFRA Secretary to liaise with the journalist. **//c. Next HFRA meeting//** Sept 11th.