green+spaces+-+The+Friends+of+parks+Forum+-+Forum+minutes+-+1.11.08


 * __ Minutes of __****__ Haringey Friends of Parks Forum __****__ General Meeting: 1st November 2008 __**
 * Present:** Sylvester King and Ulla Lefmann (Friends of Ducketts Common); Joan Curtis (Lordship Rec, and Downhills); Dave Morris //[Chaired]// (Lordship Rec, and Chestnuts Park), Quentin Given (The Paddock); Michael Johns (Queen’s Wood); David Warren (Parkland Walk), Joyce Rosser //[Minutes]// (Priory Common, and Hornsey Gardens), Ros Abrahams (CREOS), David Macdonald (Downhills Park), Max Wynter (Woodside Park). **//And for part of the meeting://** Paul Ely and John Morris (LB of Haringey Parks Dept).


 * Apologies:** There were a number of groups sent their apologies
 * 1. **** Minutes of last meeting: ** agreed. **Matters arising: Biodiversity action plan** Forum members had visited the site of the new secondary school in Wood Green. Ian Holt, conservation officer, and others are concerned about the impact of the development. The site is low grade industrial use but also includes the former rail sidings and land along the embankment which is rich habitat with plant life, etc. Ian has objected to development on these grounds. The Haringey Biodiversity Partnership (Quentin is chair) heard that there will be three MUGA (multi-use games areas) on the site, and Wood Green Common may be used for sports activities (this last is not part of planning application). The Council inviting stakeholders to join the Biodiversity Action Group. It is not known if the Forum has been invited, but if so we agreed. **Action:** Quentin will make enquiries and will also attend as a representative.
 * 2. **** Friends/Council Consultation Policy ** The Friends of Finsbury Park document was felt to be a very useful and could be included as an annexe to the partnership-working report (see pt 5, below).
 * // 3. //**** Discussion Document on local support, involvement and partnership working in green spaces ** This report by Ashley Grey, a consultant, has been circulated a number of times, responses made, and revised two or three times by the Forum. The final draft was circulated in the summer. Dave moved that it be adopted. A few final revisions were made a) it should state that parks vary and have their own character (so not all want the same thing); b) omit a clause on page 21; and c) Dave to check and add something to the effect that consultation has to be formal/in writing not just informal conversation with one member of a Friends group and consultation must be in a form that is agreeable to the group. After these final revisions the document was adopted. **Action:** Dave to make final revisions and date to document, and forward to Recreation Services as a basis for further discussion with the department. **//LBH response://** //This, if agreed, will eventually be given to managers. Agreed to set aside time in the March Friends Forum meeting to discuss any LBH response by then, and any implications.//
 * 4. **** Asset Plan for Haringey Parks ** Members were reminded that the Properties Department have taken over all Parks Department’s properties and are looking to evaluate, repair, rent them out etc. The example of the Community Centre in Tower Gardens park was mentioned as being offered for rent. It is important for Friends to monitor such developments and ensure all parks buildings are used for the benefit of park users. **//LBH response://** //Work on sites is going ahead as part of Green Flag programme. Now a planned preventative maintenance programme will be introduced. This will be £0.5m p.a. for furniture, fences, etc. not buildings. Regarding buildings leased by third parties there must be compatible use. Third parties must comply with written agreement. The Parks Department will be leading action. Friends groups should report any inappropriate use to area managers.//
 * // 5. //**** Adjacent Development Control ** In spite of repeated requests it seems that most Friends groups are not being notified of planning applications adjacent to their parks. David Warren said this was a particular problem for Parkland Walk which goes through various wards. **Action:** Joyce to give contact for getting weekly email lists of all planning applications and also name of planning department manager who sends information to those bodies needing to be notified. **//LBH response://** //Notifications to their department have improved. They suggested that the Forum writes to Niall Bolger, Director of Environment about Friends groups needing to be notified systematically.//
 * 6. **** LOCAL REPORTS **


 * The Paddock** Housing developments in the area have quietened down - possible implications for future usage and ‘planning gain’ funds. Parks Dept have a Tottenham Hale meeting next week and will report back to Quentin.
 * Lordship Rec** Work continuing on bid and all organisations working well. HLF concerns over site of City Farm has created problems but is being resolved. The Festival in September was a great success with about 3000 people – funding included £6000 Awards for All grant, plus sums from Make a Difference, Safer Communities Team, and Parks Department etc. Next event on 16th November will be woodland bulb planting and ceremony to commemorate those who died in the WW2 bombing of air raid shelter there. **//LBH response://** //There will be a new full time worker for Lordship Rec. Park has been shortlisted in two groups in the Mayor’s Priory Parks fund. One category is determined by popular vote on the internet + texting. Much LBH/Friends publicity to be done…//
 * Woodside Park** Jazz picnic held in the summer with about 150 people. The Council’s proposed move from the Civic Centre to Woodside House has been suspended due to the credit crunch crisis.
 * Priory Common** There will be bulb planting and tidying up on 9th November as well as planting an apple tree.
 * Hornsey Gardens** Connor Jenkinson is the new coordinator for this group. They will be planting bulbs on 23rd November and have plans for various gardening projects with local schools.


 * Downhills Park** Bird and bat boxes have been put up. There has been tree planting – mainly to replace those destroyed. More substantial stakes will be used to support the trees. The Café project is still being pursued. The park’s Management Plan is being updated. They want to improve the Philip Lane entrance to the Park. Members of the Friends group attended the Green Flag ceremony. **//LBH response://** //There is £90,000 to spend on Downhills Park café. David Macdonald has visted Hillington to see their café.//
 * CREOS** They have done a lot of work on paths. They hope to get hardcore and plants from Haringey Freecycle. They want to know who to contact when vandalism occurs. There is to be an appeal hearing over the North Middlesex Cricket Club planning application which was turned down by the council.
 * Ducketts Common** Bulb planting in November. Metal fence to be painted by the Youth Offending Service team. There are issues over signage and gates. They want more bushes and shrubs, more pruning and more lighting. They are doing a survey of users’ views. The group was congratulated on its new flyer. **//LBH response://** //Paul Ely is meeting with Adam Coffman to discuss Ducketts Common. Rethink may be needed. Does it need fences since it doesn’t close? It is an important gateway site and also important as part of the Haringey Heartlands.//
 * Queens Wood** Bulbs have been planted. Their working groups have been well attended. Discussion is going on about the paths, bikes and signage.
 * Parkland Walk** There has been TfL funded improvement work last year and this. There are differing opinions about signage and furniture. Capital Ring want to improve their signage. There are more users. Bikes are allowed but different views on widths of paths. As always there are a minority of reckless bike users. There is also a graffiti problem. **//LBH response://** //Parkland Walk work is ongoing. Different views of signs need to be discussed.//
 * Chestnuts Park** Green flag ceremony took place. Phase 1 works completed after years of partnership working driven by the Friends, agreement of a Strategic Plan, fundraising and finally the construction this year. Phase II of the works being discussed. Consultation with local schools taking place. Bulb planting being planned.
 * 7. **** Park and Site Management Plans ** All the Park Management Plans need to be reviewed with Friends Groups. There should be meetings before February. Should now include conservation element in each plan. Site management plans have been built up over the years. John Morris stated that where major renewal (eg Finsbury Park, Lordship Rec and two other parks) this will be led by Paul’s team, otherwise Friends should agree amendments with the Parks Area Manager.
 * 8. **** Council Tree Policy ** Council Tree Policy now agreed with plans for replacement and extension of tree stock. John to circulate to Friends groups. Borough starting to attract external funding eg GLA.
 * 9. **** Park Force ** Park Force proposals will go to Cabinet on 18th November. Implementation will start from then. If agreed, Parks Constabulary will be wound down from November 2008 to April 2009. Nine new flexible staff will be appointed. Development of protocols to work with Safer Neighbourhood Teams + a park specific response team based in Finsbury park. By April they will be able to provide details of who to phone, when, etc. Forum will be kept informed of all developments.
 * 10. **** Open Spaces Strategy ** This is to be reviewed and updated.
 * 11. **** Budget setting process ** There will be public consultation process from December to January. Parks Department will send Forum information about budget setting process.
 * 12. **** Forum officers ** The Forum needs a secretary to be the contact point for Forum matters and a press secretary. Joan agreed to resume role of secretary (but not minute-taking) for the time being. Dave is External Relations Officer (regarding other Forums around London and the UK). Members agreed he attend a Nottingham Conference with Paul Ely (information about this already circulated).
 * 13. **** Any other business ** Ros recommended the coming “Mushroom Foray” to be led by David Bevan. Dave asked people to use the Forum’s Yahoo group more for our communications.
 * 14. **** Date of next meeting ** The next meeting will be 10am to 1pm Sat 10th January at Bruce Castle.