Federation+-+other+info+-+Community+Action+07-08

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May 2008 #8a **
 * Community Action ** **


 * Bulletin of the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations **** - **** www.haringeyresidents.org **
 * The Federation is the umbrella organisation for Haringey’s 162 residents associations. We want to see strong residents groups and community action in all neighbourhoods in order to achieve better local services, amenities and facilities, to strengthen community spirit, and to improve our lives as residents**

There was uproar all over Haringey in March as residents organised a series of protests to save local Post office branches under threat as part of a government-driven UK-wide POs closure programme. This included local demonstrations at all the affected branches (including 200 residents at each of the protests outside the branches in Alexandra Park Rd and Crouch End); a number of well-attended public meetings; well over 5,000 residents signing protest petitions; at least 10,000 leaflets being distributed in local areas; and a borough-wide rally in Wood Green organised by the Residents Federation. Unfortunately only one of the 7 was saved – but the resulting publicity, and protests all over the UK, is putting pressure on the Government to halt the closures. Info: [|www.haringeyresidents.org/public+services+-+post+offices]
 * Haringey demands ‘Save Our Post Offices!’**

Following extensive lobbying by Friends of Parks groups and RAs the Council has reviewed the inadequate staffing arrangements in our parks. The Friends of Parks Forum have called for greater resources, and for the money that’s spent on Parks Police to be put into much more effective on-site park-keepers. The Council has accepted many of the Friends’ points and is now proposing some changes. But the Council has sparked disbelief & anger over plans to install advertising boards in parks & flowerbeds. __ [|www.haringeyresidents.org/green+spaces+-+The+Friends+of+Parks+Forum] __
 * Parks users demand more staffing (but no advertising!) in our parks**

Residents in council housing are relieved that the Government has at last released the money available (£200m) to renovate ageing council housing stock. A 6-year programme of refurbishment and repairs is now underway. However there is great concern that Homes For Haringey have just put up rents and service charges by about 11%.
 * Everyone’s entitled to decent homes and services**

Following public protests over proposals for 5 ‘polyclinics’ for Haringey - which could see the closure of 45 out of the 60 local GP surgeries in our neighbourhoods - the Primary Care Trust have been forced to conduct some public consultation. Local communities and local RAs will need to watch this carefully and be prepared to speak out strongly over the coming months. The Federation supports the efforts of the Stop Haringey Health Cuts Coalition. More info: __ [|www.haringeyresidents.org/Public+services+-+health+services+-+Local+campaigns] __
 * Save Our GP surgeries!**

A new and growing local network is rising to the challenge of global climate change that we all face. Sustainable Haringey are seeking to encourage the whole community to work together to transform our borough into a sustainable one. There will be a range of activities this June to spread the message including: the Council’s Green Fair (June 7th), Mass Bike Ride (June 14th), and Sustainability Cinema Night (June 19th). The new network is backed by dozens of Haringey community organisations, including the Federation, and involves many local residents associations. More info: [|www.sustainableharingey.org.uk]
 * Haringey Sustainability Weeks: June 1-22nd**

 **Community-led regeneration or property speculation?** Residents associations in Tottenham have formed a coalition with the market traders at the historic Wards Corner and have now applied for planning permission for their Community Plan for the positive restoration of the site. This was endorsed at the largest residents meeting in Tottenham for decades. The 350-strong meeting also condemned plans by a private developer to evict the market, bulldoze the site and build high density luxury flats. http://wardscorner.wikispaces.com There are other local coalitions lobbying for improvements to developers’ plans for Haringey Heartlands, Tottenham Hale & many other key local sites. Meanwhile the Federation have criticised developers’ obsession with over-development and high-density housing, and the Council’s statistics showing an appallingly low % of social housing in new developments.   The Federation and Haringey Forum for Older People await new proposals after successfully lobbying the Council to consider a scheme to ensure public access to existing toilets in cafes, pubs and shops around Haringey. [|www.haringeyresidents.org/street+scene+-+bits+and+pieces+-+public+toilets]
 * At your convenience - public toilets for all!**

The Federation and Haringey Living Streets have lobbied for 20mph to become the 'default' speed limit for the borough's streets in order to ensure better public safety. This has been accepted as long term Council policy and the Cabinet Member for the Urban Environment has suggested this could be brought in sooner rather than later - the HFRA is supporting this. There is talk of this being implemented for London as a whole. Meanwhile Haringey Living Streets, backed by the HFRA, have been calling for safer 'Green Man' crossings at all major traffic junctions. More info: __ [|www.haringeyresidents.org/street+scene+-+traffic+calming] __ The Federation's recently-made 25 minute documentary about local RAs and their issues and activities had its TV premiere in December. The film is about how Haringey residents are organising and empowering themselves in order to improve their lives and environment. It will continue to be shown regularly on the Community Channel in the coming weeks and months [Community Channel is on Sky 539, Virgin 233 and Freeview 87]. You can view the film anytime on the home page of [|www.haringeyresidents.org] Community groups are welcome to copy or show the film at their meetings at no charge – but please inform the Federation. Donations for this, or indeed generally, are always welcome as we are an unfunded organisation!
 * Residents want safer streets**
 * Community Action – the documentary**

//For further info contact: HFRA: 42 Falmer Rd, N15 5BA 0208 211 0916 info@haringeyresidents.org//