Minutes+-+Sept+11th+2007


 * __Report of HFRA General Meeting – Sept 11th 2007__**


 * //__RA Delegates Present__//****//://** Bernice Sullivan – **Roden Ct TA, N6;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** Pat Ayinde – **Bruce Grove RN, N17;** Laurie Owen - **Parkside Malvern RA, N8;** Kit Grieveson – **Stroud Green RA, N4** **//__Apologies:__//** Chico Pacheco – **Park Ave South NW, N8;** Catriona – **Chettle Ct RA, N8;** Alison Smith **– Gardens RA, N4;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Rd RA, N8**; Joyce Rosser – **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Lauritz Hansen-Bay – **Hampton Ct Owners Assoc, N22;** Peter Thompson **- Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2;** Joyce Oyeyi-Effiong – **Suffolk Rd RA, N15;** John Waller - **Bounds Green & District RA, N11;** Wendy Keenan – **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Simon Fedida and Vivien Cuming - **Avenue Gardens RA, N22;** Stephen Whittle - **West Green RA, N15;** Candy Amsden – **Clyde Area RA, N15;** Ulla & Ole Lefmann - **Burghley Rd Area RA, N8;** Kate Huddie - **Noel Park North Area RA, N22;** Matt Bradby – **Tower Gardens Residents Group, N17;** Paul McKay – **Hewitt Rd RA, N8;** Dorothy Rynhold – **Passmore Edwards NW, N11**


 * 1.** **__Minutes of July 10th Meeting__** Agreed.


 * 2. __Local Reports__** There were the usual varied and fascinating news reports from around the borough, including some from RAs unable to attend. Reports included:

8 local RAs attending meetings they’d arranged about issues to do with the __Wood Green heartlands__ development proposals; __Wood Green High Rd__ issues; Suffolk Rd £7m __estate regeneration__ led by the local RA is now nearing completion; Stroud Green RA involved in __Quernmore Rd bridge area improvements__ and proposals for additional __community space for the library__, and setting up of new Stroud Green __Conservation Cttee__; Roden Ct tenants trying to get the best out of the current __redevelopment of their blocks__ despite problems; reports of __street parties__; Chestnuts Northside RA doing their own __residents’ questionnaire__, local __food production audit__ and efforts to get their own __noticeboard__ and to re-open a closed __community building__; Bruce Grove RN are campaigning to protect and get more __street trees__, and supported a 3,000-strong __community festival__ in local park; 3 excellent __newsletters__ from CASCH (N6), Fountain Area RA (N15) and Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Association (N10, N2).


 * 3. __Planning and Development__ a. //Heartlands//** RAs in the area affected by the Heartlands planned development continue their efforts to work together and lobby for improvements to the plans. **b. //Wards Corner, N15//** RAs in South Tottenham are getting together to oppose the proposed destruction of the historic building and popular indoor market by Seven Sisters tube.


 * 4. __Green spaces__** We agreed to write a letter backing the Friends of Lordship Rec and the Council’s lottery bid for the regeneration of Tottenham’s largest public green space. We noted how Finsbury Park has been transformed by having received substantial lottery funding.


 * 5. __Street Scene__** **a.** **//Street Parties//** We have been very pleased that there seem to be an ever-growing number of local street parties (of all shapes and sizes), which we have been promoting for the last couple of years. We’d like to see even more next year – the HFRA Secretary had a letter published in the local press to this effect. **//b. London Cycle Day//** We agreed to back the London bike day on 23rd Sept in which some streets in central London were due to be closed to other traffic. Finsbury Park was one of the meeting points for cyclists. //__Update:__// 30,000 cyclists took part! **//c. Footpaths//** We supported further consultation.


 * 6. __Heritage and conservation__** We noted the continuing progress of the new Tottenham Civic Society, the formation of a new Stroud Green Conservation Area Advisory Cttee, and the hard work of the Crouch End CAAC.

7. __Local Services__ //Health// The latest proposal to encourage local neighbourhood GPs to move into ‘polyclinics’ is causing a great deal of concern throughout the borough. We continue to support the Stop Haringey Health Cuts Campaign and the Better Local Healthcare Campaign.


 * 8. __Sustainability issues__** The ‘Greening Our Homes’ working group of the Sustainable Haringey network has organised a training programme for local residents (especially members of local RAs) to champion energy efficiency and savings in local neighbourhoods. The Council’s Fuel Poverty Officer is also involved. We agreed to back this. We agreed to also support Peter (MHFGA) and Dave (HFRA Secretary) in preparing a more detailed ideas sheet for what people can do to spread sustainability ideas and practices in local neighbourhoods (green spaces, homes, streets, businesses, public buildings etc). Pat (HFRA waste management joint-rep) is involved in the Sustainable Haringey ‘Lifestyles’ group campaigning for a ban on plastic bags. London Councils are seeking public support for their proposal for a London-wide ban. We noted again the current Reviews of fly-tipping in Haringey and N. London Waste Management.


 * 10. __Federation Business__ a. //Community Link//** The Federation has been successfully working with other key strategic organisations to try help set up a new Forum for Haringey’s community and voluntary groups. Some of our specific proposals have been incorporated. **//b. The Advertiser//** The local paper ran an excellent double page article about RAs in Haringey. **//c. Community Action documentary//** Our new film has been getting further publicity, and has been shown in other towns to great acclaim (including Bristol, Brighton and Glasgow). **//d. HFRA website//** An HFRA working group have redesigned our website to make it easier to add material.