minutes+11th+March+2003


 * Report of HFRA General Meeting – 11th March 2003**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__//****//://** Perdeep Gill and John Kingston - **Seaford Area RA, N15;** Jane Laporte - **Woodlands Park RA, N15**; Corinne Stevens - **Deaconess Ct TA, N15;** Paul Burnham - **Partridge Way RA, N22**; John Hajdu - **Muswell** **Hill & Fortis Green Association, N2**; Marion Janes **– CASCH, N8;** Mike Towerzey //(HFRA Chair)// - **The Sandlings RA, N22**; Dave Morris //(HFRA Secretary, minute taker)// - **Tower Gardens Residents Network, N17**; Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Simon Fedida //(HFRA Treasurer)// - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22**. **//__Note__//__:__** Invited guest - Anne-Lise Johnsen, Tenants Participation Advisory Service **//__Apologies:__//** B. Woods – **Lomond** **Close and Brunswick RA, N15;** Yvonne Denny – **Edgecot** **Grove RA, N15;** Frank Forni - **Northumberland Park Independent RA, N17**; Barry James – **Bounds Green and District RA, N11;** Ken Bone – **Northern Heights RA, N8;** Brian West - **Hillcrest RA, N6;** Susan Bennett – **Friends of Alexander Park Rd RA, N10;** Catherine Herman - **Bowes Pk CA, N22**; James Athanassiou **– Palace Gates RA, N22**; M. Allende - **Broadwater** **Farm RA, N17**; Steve Cook - **Woodstock Rd Association, N4**; Pat Ayinde and Tim Wilmott - **Bruce Grove South Residents Network, N17**; Jim Cassins – **HOBA and S. Tottenham RA;** Malcolm Payne – **Commerce Rd TA and Social Club, N22;** Andy Newman - **Gardens RA, N4;** David Liebeck - **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Val Paley – **Palace View RA, N8;** Ruth Tod – **Alexandra RA, N10;** **//__Note:__//** //there were some additional apologies from members of associations who were present at the meeting.//


 * 1. Minutes of last meeting** Agreed to be accurate.


 * 2. Local reports given See** at end of minutes.


 * 3. Traffic calming throughout Haringey** A letter on this very important issue had been drafted, and was agreed to be sent to the Council – to be copied to all Cllrs, RAs and relevant officers [see enclosed letter]. We are seeking information, dialogue and co-operation, and to encourage public debate on ways of working together to make all Haringey’s streets safer.


 * 4. Rubbish and Waste** The Council had delegated Stephen McDonnell, the head of the Waste Management dept to liase with us over the constructive proposals we had recently made and circulated. He stated that he agreed ‘100%’ with our proposals on wheelie-bins, and a new letter was being drafted to be delivered to all residents in April. He further agreed with much of what we’d said on the need to improve the collection of bulky items, but that limited resources meant that a free collection wasn’t possible. They were hoping to rely on more regular, systematic and widespread clean-up days, as we had suggested, organised in cooperation with local residents and RAs. He agreed with our call for comprehensive recycling – their plan is to extend the ‘green box’ scheme throughout the borough within 18mths. He has forwarded his views to the Leader of the Council and Cllr Dodds, and we await their formal response to us.

We had the chance to explain to her about the wide range of local groups and issues throughout Haringey, and the importance of the Federation. And that, as an established, active and growing representative organisation, it was clear that all Council departments should be working with us. At the same time we obviously backed council tenants in their efforts to get increased rights and involvement in the management of their homes – an issue which tenants groups regularly raise at Federation meetings.
 * 5. LBH Consultation** The Council’s Housing Dept recently got a ‘one star’ lowest audit rating. They are reviewing policies and procedures, including ways to improve tenants’ participation. As part of this, consultants from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) have been hired to consult with tenants and residents associations. Unfortunately we were not contacted until the consultation exercise was nearly completed. Anne-Lise Johnsen from TPAS wrote to us saying they were ‘very keen to use existing structures in the borough’ and ‘not in favour of having to reinvent the wheel each time’, and could they attend the Federation meeting? At the meeting she explained that the Housing Dept agreed that management needed to improve, as did their relations with tenants, and tenants and residents groups. However, it seems she has only consulted those RAs formally recognised by the Housing Department, leaving out the majority of local associations – and indeed the Federation until now.

She recognised that the old distinctions between ‘residents’ and ‘tenants’ groups are increasingly blurred, and also that most associations take up a wide range of issues, not just housing matters. The Council seems to have a bureaucratic inter-departmental problem in recognising the constructive activity of residents associations generally, and the Federation in particular. [Richard Hogart, Head of the Housing Department had recognised this inter-departmental problem when he attended our meeting last year]. In reality of course, the Council and all its officers must, and do, work with residents and our organisations. We said we’d welcome and consider all constructive ideas and approaches on these matters, and would contact the Council to arrange a meeting.


 * 6.** **HFRA Annual General Meeting 2003** We agreed to hold this year’s AGM on April 12th. The Secretary was asked to produce a report looking back over the year. A timetable was agreed. There was a long discussion about whether time should be set aside for a guest speaker, and if so, who. In the end we voted (4 to 2, with 3 abstentions) to invite Mr McDonnell, LBH Head of Waste Management, for a question and answer session at 4pm. [He has now confirmed].


 * 7. Council Housing** HFRA sent a delegation of three tenants reps to the launch of the new London Tenants Federation on January 25th. Reps from all around London discussed key issues for council tenants and leaseholders – rent increases, new management structures and privatisation, service charges, tenancy rights, lack of affordable housing, tenants’ participation etc. For more info, contact HFRA Secretary, or check out the LTF website: //www.londontenants.org//

8. Friends of Parks We agreed to write a letter of support to this new network/federation of local ‘friends of..’ groups - residents who are trying to improve the condition and usage of Haringey’s green spaces.


 * 9. __Federation matters__** **//Email list//** - steps are being taken to set up an internal list for local RAs. **//Finances//**  - thanks to those RAs who’ve recently sent in affiliations/subscriptions.
 * //Haringey Green Map//** – HFRA details are being added to a new ‘Agenda 21’ green guide for libraries etc

Local reports given and received Reports at the March meeting led to discussions on many key issues raised…
 * 10. __Any Other Business__ //a. Community responses to drugs//** - Middx University is conducting a major research project into ‘Community responses to drug and alcohol issues’ in Haringey. They are particularly interested in any experiences that any local RAs have of getting involved in such matters. //Contact Dawn, 8411 4612 if you’re interested//. **//b. Graffiti -//** There are funds available for cleaning off unwanted graffiti. The council has allocated £100,000 for the coming year. We’re informed that local Neighbourhood Watch (NW) groups may be able to get funds from the national association of NWs on receipt of an acceptable invoice for work done (eg from Graffiti Strippers 0207 503 2299). **//c. Social//** **//services//** - Seaford Rd RA raised the issue of the death of Victoria Climbe, and lessons to be learned by the local Social Services in the future. They agreed to draft something up for discussion at the next meeting.

//__Seaford__// //__Rd RA, N15__// Founded May 2002 out of anti-CPZ campaign. Concerned with abandoned cars, rubbish and waste, and promoting recycling and community spirit. Do newsletters every 6 weeks or so. Have raised concerns over local Social Services and the Climbe case.

//__Deaconess Court RA, N15 38__// Housing Association flats in Tottenham Green East. Pushing for better management of communal areas and effective entry systems. Fire alarm out of order for 10 years..

//__CASCH, N6__// Been going 15 years - cover 7 streets. Recently did a survey about local conditions. Opposing ‘backland’ developments. A CPZ proposed for nearby was scrapped after opposition.

//__West Green RA, N15__// Developing local traffic action plan for the area. Taking up rubbish and waste collection and wheelie bins issues. Working with local Cllrs to raise various complaints.

//__Partridge Way RA, N22__// Latest Newsletter distributed in english and turkish. Current concerns: need for sound insulation in flats, smoking policy in indoor communal areas, use of garages, landscaping and LBH housing finance (where’s the money from the borough’s ‘right to buy’ purchases?)

//__Tower Gardens RN, N17__// Held Public Meeting about local traffic calming and environmental improvements. Made formal complaint against a local councillor and council official. //See:// //www.towergardens.net//

//__The Sandlings RA, N22 Been__// going 15 years. 900 residents in 225 flats. Continue to work hard running their own community centre, despite lack of funds. (To hire it out, tel 8489 8798). Working well with local local Neighbourhood Wardens.

//__Woodlands Park RA, N15__// Current issues include wheelie bins, need for traffic calming, contacts with local regeneration board. Helping organise festival in Chestnuts Park on May 31st (The Federation invited to do a stall). Local planning problems - lack of enforcement. Have discovered that all 50 local billboards are illegal – no planning permission. They want them removed. New Community Wardens doing well.

//__Muswell__// //__Hill and Fortis Green Association, N2__// Latest Newsletter out. Front garden competition for members. MHFGA organised a 250-strong public meeting which included an organ recital by a famous local member. Support in area for a Fortis Green CPZ. Concerns over wheelie bins, need for traffic calming, and libraries and transport issues. //See// //[|www.muswellhillandfortisgreenassociation.co.uk]//

//__Avenue Gardens RA, N22__// Held another special meeting with local Cllrs and LBH officers. Still problems over parking and rubbish. Looking into ways of getting more trees in their streets.

//__Northumberland Pk RA, N17__// 25 people attended their local public meeting over the future of Council Housing. Paul Burnham (member of Partridge Way RA) spoke on behalf of ‘Defend Council Housing’.

//__Lomond__// //__Close and__// //__Brunswick__// //__Rd RA, N15__// Tenants organisation active for 28 years. Have access to tenants hall on estate. Have obtained LBH estate improvement grants.

//__Commerce Rd TA, N22__// Run a social club and sports activities.

//__Northern Heights RA, N8__// 33 privately owned and let flats. RA going 10 years.

//__Woodstock Rd Association, N4__// Latest issue of their Newsletter ‘Wrangle’ is out, packed full of informative articles about local concerns - commuter parking and need for a local CPZ, wheelie bins, LBH external decorating programme, and problems with Parcel Force.

//__Hillcrest Residents Association, N6__// Going 20 years. Council tenants and leaseholders (7 blocks, 116 flats). Problems of mobile phone masts on their blocks.

//__Warner Estate RA, N8 Active__// around issues to do with Ally Pally.