Minutes+-+Jan+12th+2010


 * __ Report of HFRA General Meeting - 12th January 2010 __**
 * //__RA Delegates Present:__//** Joyce Rosser - **Warner Estate RA, N8;** Wendy Keenan - **Fountain Area RA, N15;** Dave Morris - **Chestnuts Northside RA, N15;** Peter Thompson - **Hillfield St James RA, N10,** and **Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Assoc, N10/N2;** Sue Hessel - **Haslemere Road RA, N8;** Geoff Amabilino - **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Bob Maltz - **Gladwell, Landrock & Cecile Pk Residents Action Group, N8;** **//__Apologies:__//**  Eileen McGrath - **Broadwater Farm RA, N17;** Hazel Miller - **Noel Park North Area RA, N22;** Candy Amsden - **Clyde Area RA, N15** and **Wards Corner Community Coalition, N15;** Stephen Whittle and Paul Bumstead - **West Green RA, N15/N22;** Marian Janes - **CASCH, N6;** Irene Storey - **Coldfall RA, N10;** Liz Pine - **Woodlands Park RA, N15;** Adam Coffman - **Fairfax Road RA, N8**; Kit Greveson - **Stroud Green RA, N4;** Ibilola Campbell - **Tiverton RA, N15;** Lauritz Hansen-Bay - **Hampton Ct Homeowners, N22;** Colin Marr - **Methuen Park Assoc, N10**


 * 1. Minutes of November 10th 2009 Meeting** Agreed


 * 2. Local reports** The RAs present reported on their local news and activities.


 * 3. Public Services**

__Health services__ There had been alarm at a recent threat to the A&E dept at the Whittington (leaked to the press), as part of cuts to hospitals throughout north central London. Maternity services also under threat. In December the Defend Haringey’s Health Services (DHHS) coalition, to which the Federation is affiliated, helped set up a special Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition to unite all the various concerned groups in all 5 affected boroughs, and to oppose any loss of any hospital services at all the relevant hospitals (which includes the North Middx Hospital). There has already been a huge public meeting, and a demonstration was now being planned on Feb 27th.

__'Personalisation'__ Sue, as the HFRA Vulnerable Groups officer, reported growing concern and lobbying, including from the Haringey Forum for Older People, over the new 'personalisation' strategy for specialist public services to many vulnerable residents who require additional support due to disabilities etc.

__Generally__ As the three main political parties in the approaching general election are threatening major cuts to public services we agreed to link up with other concerned borough-wide organisations (eg Haringey TUC, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, Unison etc) to defend all such services. We will speak out for all our public services, demand adequate funding from central government, and oppose any divide and rule tactics. Agreed we'd do this after May.


 * 4. Housing** Sue had been giving our support to some of the tenants campaigning against the proposed relocation of 3 long-established sheltered housing communities from Campbell Court, Larkspur Close and Stokely Court. We publicised their recent lobby of the Council.


 * 5. Street Scene**

__Transport__ Chris Barker, the Federation’s Living Streets officer, and Adam Coffman, our cycling officer, were absent due to attending the Haringey Transport Forum. They have successfully lobbied for a Scrutiny Review of Sustainable Transport (now underway) to ensure the best possible long term policies and practices.

__Gritting__ Recent snow falls have led to calls for better gritting by the Council, and for more grit storage containers on local streets. Joyce agreed to research what the problem was and the solutions might be.

__Community Toilets__ The Council had promised a new scheme would be up and running by last summer, but had so far failed to do this. The Federation wrote to the Council requesting immediate action, but there seems to have been little movement on it despite some publicity in the press. It was suggested that the Federation might even consider doing it ourselves, in partnership with area organisations like the Green Lanes Strategy Group. However, we still expected the Council to keep its promise and take responsibility.


 * 6. Planning Issues**

__Local sites__ The Wards Corner Community Coalition of local traders and residents are preparing a legal appeal over the Council's failure to consider the impact of the proposed demolition/development on the multicultural diversity of the area, in contrast with their own community plans for the restoration of the site. Meanwhile the Coalition had organised a very successful xmas social.

__Local Development Framework__ We are organising a special Haringey Conference on Planning Issues in April 2010 to coincide with the consultation over the new draft Local Development Framework which will guide all future planning and development in the borough. The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, Sustainable Haringey network, Living Streets Haringey and Tottenham Civic Society have already agreed to back it. The conference is likely to include discussions about planning issues regarding green spaces, heritage, sustainability, street scene, local alternative plans, how to object to planning applications etc.

__London Plan__ The key planning document covering the whole of London is also being revised. We are working with the London Tenants Federation and other community and environmental organisations in order to speak up for sensible policies which protect and promote community interests. One interesting idea, which has found a lot of support after much lobbying over the last 3-4 years, is the concept of 'Lifetime neighbourhoods' - where all developments should have to justify how they help to promote long-term, sustainable and quality communities...


 * 7. Sustainability**

__Copenhagen__ //Local green events// The Sustainable Haringey network organised and co-ordinated around 20 local events throughout Haringey in December to coincide with the very important UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The events, and the 30,000+ publicity leaflets distributed, successfully stimulated community awareness and debate about what needs to be done to create a global, low-carbon, sustainable future for all. //Trip to Copenhagen// Wendy reported how she and a group of local residents went to Copenhagen to take part in the 100,000-strong street protests there, and also the Alternative Summit discussions attended by 15,000 people every day. She found this very inspiring, especially compared to the disappointing official Summit.

__Food growing__ As part of the 'Copenhagen' fortnight of local events in December, the 'Growing In Haringey' network held a successful mid-winter celebration of sustainable local food projects. Dave chaired the event, and also spoke on behalf of the HFRA about how we supported the efforts for more allotment sites, and the greater involvement of local residents and their RAs in these issues. We re-affirmed that the HFRA should have a Food Officer - someone passionate about residents involvement in sustainable food and food-growing issues. Any offers?!

__SusTottenham__ Wendy also reported that a new SusTottenham network is being created to promote green ideas and activities, linking up venues and local residents along the Tottenham High Rd corridor. It is the latest of the local networks around the borough which are becoming more and more active.

__Haringey Sustainability Month (June 2010)__ Residents and groups are being encouraged to organise green events and activities during the annual Haringey Sustainability Month in June. More info: www.sustainableharingey.org.uk


 * 8. Heritage and conservation** Joyce, our Heritage and Conservation officer, is to convene a borough-wide meeting on 27th February for all the borough's local conservation advisory groups so that they can support each other and work together to take up strategic issues.


 * 9. Local Council elections**

__Questionnaire__ We agreed to do a Residents' Questionnaire to all candidates in the coming local elections, as we had done successfully at the last election. We will also check at the next HFRA meeting to see if the promises made last time were kept!

__Officers__ We also agreed that any HFRA officers standing as candidates during the elections would temporarily stand down so there would be no conflict of interest (actual or appearance). In this election this applies to Joyce. Our Constitution could possibly be amended to reflect this.

__Federation email news bulletins / website__ Still seeking a volunteer from a local RA to help with news bulletins, and calendar on website.
 * 10. Federation business**