Liberal Democrats are encouraging local residents to bring forward ideas onhow best to best to spend the £50,000 given to each of Haringey’s AreaAssemblies by Haringey Council to tackle small local projects and repairs.

However, while welcoming the scheme they expressed concerns at the fairnessof the allocation of funds.

The decision to distribute the £50,000 to each Area Assembly was met withstrong criticism by Lib Dems earlier this year, as residents in the west ofthe borough were left short changed.

The Muswell Hill assembly received thesame funding as other assemblies, despite being twice as large as some. TheLib Dems had suggested that money should be allocated proportionallyaccording to the size of the areas.

Instead Harningey Council pressed on with itsplans which have resulted in some small, two-ward Area Assemblies receivingthe same amount of money as a large Area Assembly such as Muswell Hill, which covers four wards.

However Lib Dems and residents are determined to make the most of the money.Suggestions last night were made for projects including extra streetlighting, litter bins and support for local voluntary projects such asgardening help or home security measures for elderly residents.

Lib Dem leader and Highgate Councillor, Neil Williams welcomed theresidents’ ideas despite the disappointing funding, but said it wasimportant that the projects do not duplicate the things that the Councilshould be providing as a matter of course.

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“It certainly appears to residents that the Labour Council has playedpolitics with the distribution of money for this scheme, but we aredetermined to make the most of it.

“We will no doubt have good ideas from residents for small localimprovements.

“However, it isimportant is that we ensure that the money is not spent onsimply making good existing inadequacies in council services.”