HAPS+-+Minutes+-+27th+May+2010


 * Report of initial discussion meeting for concerned borough-wide organisations **
 * 27th May 2010**** - ** **Big Green Bookshop**


 * Attendance:** Haringey Friends of Parks Forum (Joan Curtis - Secretary) //[Took notes]//; Haringey Trades Union Council (Keith Flett - President); Haringey Trades Union Council (Alan Woodwood - Organiser); Sustainable Haringey (Pam Harling - Communications Group); Haringey Solidarity Group (Seb Klier, Jane Laporte and Zaher Arif - delegates); Haringey UNISON (Chris Taylor - Assistant Branch Secretary); Haringey UNISON (Helen Steel - Parks); Haringey Forum for Older People (Maureen Carey - Vice Chair); Haringey Federation of Residents Associations (Dave Morris - Secretary) //[Facilitated meeting]//; Haringey Health Unison (Tim Loveridge - Branch Chair); Haringey Health Unison (Lesley Fisher - Branch Secretary) **Apologies:** Haringey Federation of Residents Associations (Sue Hessel - Vulnerable Groups); Haringey UNISON (Sean Fox - Branch Secretary); Sustainable Haringey (Quentin Given); Defend Haringey's Health Services coalition (Janet Shapiro - Joint Secretary); Anne Gray (Haringey Green Party); CoHenel University and College Union (Jenny Sutton - Branch Secretary); Communication Workers Union (Presley Antoine)

//Note taker [Joan Curtis] and facilitator [Dave Morris] volunteered - both were agreed.//


 * 1. Background** It was explained that over the last 2-3 months a number of borough-wide organisations in Haringey had discussed the necessity of working together to defend public services. Hence this initial meeting of borough-wide organisations had been called to see what could be achieved.


 * 2. Reports of current concerns/campaigns from organisations present**

- Haringey older peoples forum has 900 members and a regular bulletin (Older Peoples Voices) which is a good vehicle for information. - Tenants of 4 sheltered housing blocks have been opposing relocation, 3 in tottenham and 1 in Muswell Hill. One block won reprieve. One lost. Others still awaiting decision. The Forum has been involved in consultation with Council regarding Older Peoples Housing Strategy, due in September. - Concern over funding and process for 'individual budgets' for personal care. Also reorganisation of social services (Adult social services pilot). - Keen to defend NHS hospital services... publicised the Whittington A&E campaign. Watching the new North Middlesex Hospital and how that could be affected or be affected by other hospitals. - Opposing threat to lunch club for the elderly at Jackson's Lane.
 * //Older people's issues and services - Haringey Forum for Older People//**

- Staffing levels are inadequate (and there is now a freeze on recruitment), and the popular new 'parkforce' scheme which Friends groups campaigned for depends on cheaper sources of labour (apprentices and part time temporary labour) to maintain some parks at key times. - The maintenance budget is poor, many buildings are in disrepair, and there are more cuts and 'efficiency savings' this year. The move has been towards awarding status to certain parks as targets for improvement (significant parks) and the Friends of Parks have been trying to make sure that smaller and less prestigious green spaces get the attention they need and are not starved to pay for other projects. - The Friends Forum has recently established ongoing communication with Unison reps. The Forum has also recently produced public leaflets and statements calling for adequate resources for parks.
 * //Parks and green spaces - Haringey Friends of Parks Forum//**
 * //-//** Parks have gone through a period of improvement since the disastrous cuts of the 1980s & 1990s thanks to pressure and work by Friends groups across the borough (now around 35 such groups). But the core budget from within the local authority is small and shrinking and almost all capital projects have to depend on outside sources of funding.

- There are 176 local Residents Associations throughout the borough, taking up a wide range of issues and organising diverse activities. - Key campaigns and lobbying around public services include: for traffic calming measures; to defend local post offices facing closure; against inappropriate planning and development (which is highly dependant on profit-driven property developers, often backed by the Council desperate for the 's106 planning gain' payments received after development is completed); the need to improve green spaces; health services campaigning (see below); exposing the need for more support and resources for carers; lobbying jointly with the Forum for Older People for a borough-wide 'Community Toilets' scheme; need to defend local community facilities (community centres and projects) facing cutbacks and closure; supporting the Haringey Defend Council Housing campaign; supporting the Sustainable Haringey network. - The HFRA Questionnaire to all candidates in the local elections achieved a number of key written promises and commitments regarding public services which the new Council can be held to.
 * //Local neighbourhoods and facilities - Haringey Federation of Residents Associations//**

- The Haringey coalition was set up by Health Unison, the Haringey Federation of RAs and the Trades Union Council in 2006, and has been exposing and opposing cuts and privatisation of local health services since then, including a 6month-long weekly picket at the PCT HQ (St Ann's Hospital) in 2008 to defend local GP surgeries from forced 'relocation' into 'polyclinics'. It had been hard to mobilise large numbers until the threat to the Whittington A&E. The Haringey coalition helped set up the highly successful Whittington Coalition, which organised the 5,000 strong march forcing the government to back down. - Current issues include cuts to mental health services (eg ward beds), and the threat of £19m cuts in the mental health budget for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. - Issues over services contracting for care in the community. - Concerns also to protect the future of St Ann's Hospital (which is being run down and part of it facing possible redevelopment). - Childrens services was run by Great Ormond Street, but that is about to be brought back into the borough at Whittington. Difficult to get a true picture of how it will work in the East of the Borough.
 * //Health services://**
 * //a. Defend Haringey's Health Services coalition//** //[report in writing]//
 * //b. Haringey Health UNISON//**

- A key local struggle has been in Further Education, especially by the workers at College of North East London (CoHENEL) where there has been ongoing strike action over cuts (29 redundancies) eg. closure of ESOL classes. - Local posties in the Communication Workers Union have held strikes to defend jobs and conditions and the future of Royal Mail as a public service. - Public and Civil Services union members are opposing the threat of major cuts in various services (eg Jobcentres) - the government wants to make 25-40percent job cuts nationally over the next 3 years. There's a legal fight against government attempt to change laws on redundancy scheme to 'save money'. One year temporary contracts have become more common as a way of getting around redundancy. These workers have little protection. - Train staff in the RMT union have organised protests and disputes over a number of issues in the last 12 months regarding cuts and privatisation, including efforts to retain staffing at less used stations. - Teachers have been campaigning for more resources for Haringey's children, and are concerned at the government promotion of more 'academy' schools.
 * //Workplace disputes and issues - Haringey Trades Union Council//**


 * //Green issues and sustainability - Sustainable Haringey network//**
 * -** SH is a network of local groups, working groups and projects committed to establishing the long-term policies and practices needed for a low-carbon, green, sustainable society. There are dozens of affiliated organisations and over 1,000 residents on the SH mailing list. Whilst not specifically campaigning around public services, there is an urgent need for massive additional public resources to be put into mass insulation of all buildings, developing local alternative energy infrastructure, comprehensive recycling and waste, public transport, and making the transition to a low-carbon green economy.

- HSG helped set up Haringey Independent Cinema as a forum for discussion and for encouraging action. - Propose we consider diverse ways of engaging people who up to now have been inactive or lacking confidence in fighting back.
 * //Haringey Solidarity Group//**
 * -** Exist to give encouragement, support and solidarity to those fighting cuts, and seeking more control over their lives, communities and workplaces. In previous years have organised Haringey Independence Day networking events for Haringey's grass roots community groups and campaigns, but this year are looking for other ways of networking, eg this proposed new alliance for debating action around cuts and defense of public services.

- UNISON have a few thousand members in Council and related departments.No major cuts this financial year but there is a drip drip constant pressure for 'efficiency savings'. An example was given regarding parks (see above). - Things will be clearer after the June 22 budget. Spending will not be protected, and there's little ringfencing for council funding //[See Appendix 1].//
 * //Local government workplaces / services - Haringey UNISON (Local Government)//**

- Written report below, received following the meeting //[See Appendix 2]//
 * //Voluntary Sector - Haringey Association of Voluntary & Community Organisations//**


 * 3. How do we stand up for public services?** There was a detailed discussion on the kind of things that we need to do and that we could do if we developed an alliance or coalition. These are some of the points made:

- There have been a series of campaigns in the borough and the most successful of those are the ones who got their message out early and kept putting it out continually. - Help monitor & publicise the truth of what is going on. Lack of knowledge of what’s happening is real problem. - Can circulate info through our existing bulletins and email networks etc - Need a regular Public Services bulletin to keep the information flowing - Cutting services affects whole community, both pubic and private sector, and the campaign needs to be widened with more coordination and solidarity across various unions, between unions and user groups, and between workers and residents generally - Important to get information out to challenge the mythology of 'necessity' for public service cuts. The public are being frightened into accepting damaging cuts in vital services “in the national interest” when it is only in the interests of the wealthy few. Also we need to explain that a strong public sector is in everyone's best interest. - Need for people to feel they are strong together and can make a difference. - Its essential we don't become set against each other fighting for scant resources, the old 'divide and rule'.. - Need a vision on how we want to see public services in the future. Not just a defensive fight but a positive struggle for improved and better-managed services. - Provide ideas for what sort of jobs are suitable for a sustainable future and go beyong capitalist waste which does not provide for peoples real needs. Need a creative, long-term view of work and employment strategies. - Challenge privatisation, which is the goal of government and big business. Why should the private sector grow while cuts are always sought from the public sector. - Need a positive message that doing nothing is not an option and organisation is the key. - Important to develop a positive long-term alternative vision. eg. Sustainable Haringey has been trying to do this (regarding a better, community-led low-carbon society) by splitting into different themed groups to understand issues and develop ideas.
 * -** Support eachother's campaigns when they come up, and in fact support any other efforts to protect and improve public sertvices


 * 4. What practical steps should we take now?**

- Dave Morris (HFRA) had drawn up some draft ideas/Guidelines for launching an active coalition, based on the successful health services coalitions. //[See Appendix 3].// However, it was felt to be too early to go into such detail at this stage. - Do we really need more organsation and more meetings etc. Not just for their own sake. Perhaps focus on publicity, and only meet when need to. - Meetings are crucial in creating a structure in which a campaign can grow. - Should we hold a conference to bring people, groups, campaigns etc together to discuss how to support each other and to defend/improve the various sectors + overall vision for improved public services.... - Should we hold a public meeting first, then a conference? Public awareness is important. Conferences are often just for people 'in the know', although the publicity for it could help get the message out widely. - Conference good but it will be important to also take our message outside of closed halls. Presence at community festivals, street stalls etc etc. What about a discussion tent at the Lordship Festival (Sept 11)? - Support Days of Action eg. Budget/Austerity Day on June 22nd, or even organise our own.


 * 5. We agreed..** Those present agreed that we should set up a proposed Haringey Alliance for Public Services (HAPS), pending further discussion with and agreement from our own members (of the various organisations present). To be discussed at a next co-ordination meeting, at the end of June. Meanwhile all need to start to work together and share info/ideas/resources. In particular, we propose to discuss further the following key activities:

- Conference [HSG to consider what this might entail]. - Bulletin [Alan W to consider what this might entail] - Banner [Joan C?] - Blog - Email lists of supporting organisations [Dave M], and of potential concerned groups in Haringey [Dave M to compile - //See Appendix 4//] - Questionnaire to send out to all TU branches and community organisations to find out extent of threatened cuts etc [Dave M to draft and send out before next meeting].

Appendix 1: Ring fencing


 * Ring-fences removed from local government funding streams **

Youth Opportunity Fund Think Family Grant Challenge and Support Funding AIDs Support Learning Disability Campus Closure Programme Stroke Strategy Bus Challenge and Kickstart Animal Health and Welfare Enforcement Waste Management Pilots
 * //Ring-fences removed from revenue grants in 2010-11//**

Fair Play Pathfinders Fair Play Playbuilders Innovation in Extracare Housing Grant Capital Investment for Transformation in Adult Social Care Grant AIDS/HIV Common Assessment Framework Social Care IT Infrastructure Detrunking Major Projects NEXUS (Tyne and Wear Metro) Green Bus Fund Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Coastal Change Pathfinders Contaminated Land Housing Market Renewal
 * //Ring-fences removed from capital grants in 2010-11//**

Appendix 2: Additional information regarding new threat of voluntary sector cuts


 * Area Based Grants cuts for Haringey **

The Chancellor has announced that the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) will shoulder £1.2billion of the forthcoming £6.2 billion public spending cuts. The CLG has revealed that there will be a significant number of cuts to programmes that will impact on the voluntary and community sector – including Area Based Grants programmes such as Supporting People, Working Neighbourhoods Fund and Cohesion funding.

The proposal for a 30% reduction for Area Based Grants for Wellbeing 2010/11 allocation was presented at the Wellbeing Partnership Board, which has severe repercussions for services provided by the voluntary and community sector. HAVCO have negotiated that before any cuts are agreed, a dialogue should take place between the sector and the council.

We will be seeking to involve those groups likely to be most affected by the cuts in this discussion with the Council, and will keep you informed of any progress. We will also be exploring how local groups can use public law and the Compact to challenge such proposals.

You can read details of the CLG cuts here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1611369

Naeem Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer, HAVCO

Appendix 3:


 * Some possible draft networking guidelines for discussion **//[As circulated at initial meeting]//

The following proposals (based on the successful local Health Cuts and Royal Mail coalitions) are for a simple and transparent framework so that the meetings can be well-organised but avoid bureaucracy and concentrate on encouraging and co-ordinating the practical efforts needed.

1. **Name:** Coalition/Alliance/Network to Defend Haringey’s Public Services [Note: Initial meeting proposed: Haringey Alliance for Public Services] 2. **Membership:** Open to all concerned individuals / organisations living, working or based in Haringey 3. **Aims:** To encourage and support opposition to the running down, closure or privatisation of any public services in Haringey, and encourage and support campaigning for improvements needed. 4. **Methods:** We will promote inclusive, independent and non-sectarian ways of communication, co-ordination and solidarity among all those concerned 5. **Tactics:** We will encourage and support a wide range of tactics and initiatives towards achieving the aims. We will respect the diverse views, interests, activities and independence of the various supporting organisations. 6. **Organisation:** Initially a loose network based on open, collective, general meetings and practical communication and solidarity between and among those involved. A membership secretary will be elected. At a later point if needs be we will consider electing joint chairs, joint secretaries, and treasurer, with other posts to be co-opted and sub-groups set up as needed (all accountable to the open general meetings). 7. **Meetings:** Co-ordination / networking meetings to be held regularly; each meeting will elect volunteers to facilitate and minute the meeting; minutes will be circulated; atmosphere of respect; friendly but efficient; focused on practical activities towards achieving the aims; open to all, with organisations encouraged to send reps; decisions by consensus where possible (indicative voting if necessary); particular acknowledgement to be given to the views of those directly involved in any issue/dispute (eg user groups and front-line staff) 8. **Mandate:** Any views/decisions of the alliance/network will be discussed and agreed at general meetings. Only those mandated by a general meeting to do so can speak for the alliance/network, as mandated. 9. **Contacts:** Membership secretary to maintain a contacts lists for use of the network only. 10. **Communication:** A one-to-all updates/announcements e-list to be set up which anyone can subscribe to. All supporting organisations urged to cascade the campaign updates to their own members. Efforts will be made to provide updates to those with no email. 11. **Co-ordination:** An internal co-ordination e-list to be set up to which those actively involved can be added. 12. **Affiliations:** All organisations agreeing with the aims are urged to express support / affiliate. 13. **Finances:** It is not clear if the network/alliance needs to raise its own funds, certainly at this initial stage, apart from basic room hire and stationary. Any money raised will be used for the achievement of the aims. Records will be maintained and made available to a general meeting on request. 14: **Other organisational matters:** Any other organisational matters not dealt with above can be proposed for discussion at future general meetings. Any proposed changes to the above must be in writing and with sufficient notice to enable adequate scheduling.