Monthly Archives: Dec 2005

TREE PLANTING FOR LAURADALE ROAD

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Liberal Democrat councillor for Fortis Green Martin Newton has been supporting the residents of Lauradale Road N10, in their campaign for trees to be planted.

Haringey Council has surveyed and identified 18 potential sites and are now going to plant 5 of these sites in the next few months.

Some residents were prepared to contribute to the cost to have more trees planted and had been offered the choice of paying (sponsoring) additional trees at a cost of £50 per planted tree. However by the time residents were told that Haringey Council were going to start planting, the offer had run-out and been increased to £170 per tree.

Cllr Newton has since intervened and successfully demanded that the Council honour the original cost of £50 per tree.

Cllr Newton (Fortis Green) comments:

“I am pleased that local residents and local Lib Dems are continuing to work so productively for improvements like this.

“The Lib Dems are dedicated to continue to improve the borough and maintain its greenery and I am delighted that we have secured this planting.”

David Cameron's debut

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Off bright and early to Parliament for a ‘Green Ministers’ breakfast briefing on the proposed Marine Bill – still in its infancy. I am the ‘Green Minister’ for our Home Office team. Our manifesto commitment was to interweave green issues into the heart of all issues – so each Lib Dem team has its own Green Minister.

Today’s subject is really interesting – although not directly related to my constituency (being landlocked). It is helpful to be briefed by the experts in the field of marine life to understand the issues. What strikes me is the point they make about us having land planning laws and regs until they are coming out of our ears – but virtually nothing for our seas. Rare species and environments are disappearing, virtually nothing is protected and there seem to be no rules about priorities in terms of planning at sea. So someone can create a port – anywhere – with no regard to damage by placement and no requirement to even consider it. At least the Government is prepared to bring forward the legislation – but not all the departments seem fully engaged and you need the ODPM and the DTI fully on board!

Home Affairs team meeting is followed by Prime Ministers’ Questions. Of course, it’s David Cameron’s debut! He did really well on his first bite of the cherry, nicely telling off Hilary Armstrong for sitting there shouting childish comments at him. She does this all the time and it is unedifying and a public telling off saw her blush nicely. However, he didn’t make much impact on his environment question – I guess the Tories and environment caring, sharing are still not believable even with that nice David Cameron saying he agreed with Tony Blair on this and education.

Tony B pointed out to the Notting Hill Prince that if he agreed with it all – he had better vote for it and the budget to fund it. They were both well-behaved – which personally I found quite refreshing. However, I suspect that the Tories agreeing with Tony Blair and the Government line is a one trick pony. Tony Cameron can’t say that every time he speaks – it just won’t ring true or (I suspect) be deliverable. Still an adequate start. Style 8 – content 3!

Now Charles Kennedy, on the other hand, asked a stonkingly good question on Extraordinary Rendition (that’s the American policy of picking up suspects around the world, and flying them off on secret flights to secret locations with no trial, no legal representation and no accountability). Charles put Tony B on the back foot for not knowing what he was talking about and not telling Jack Straw – anything! And this is what question time should be about – serious stuff.

Dash back to my office to do an interview with the Westminster Hour to go out Sunday night on Cameron and what it means for the LibDems. Pontificate – but the truth is – who knows fopr sure … yet!

Last port of the day is attendance at St Andrews Church in Alexandra ward to see the local amateur dramatic society perform three plays. This is their last outing after 81 years – as the Church is renovating (lottery money) and is taking away their storage room and the stage which will make it impossible to go on. Such a shame. I don’t quite understand as when I visited the Church recently to look at the plans for the renovation I thought they had built in storage for the theatre company and I didn’t remember the Vicar saying that they would have to go. Must write and ask if any chance of them staying – somehow.

The production was very professional. I used to do a fair amount of am / dram myself from the age of about 9 until about 22! It took me back to those days. And as I have been told that ‘politics is showbiz for ugly people’ I obviously found an alternative outlet for my thespian aspirations.

Jerry Springer: The Opera DVD

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There’s been quite a lot of coverage on other blogs and some in the mainstream media already about the news that Sainsbury’s and Woolworths have both withdrawn the Jerry Springer opera DVD from sale after lobbying from a small Christian movement. (See The Independent for example).

Sainsbury’s say they decided to do this after receiving just 10 (yes ten!) complaints. Well – I know that toleration of other people’s religious views is important, but bowing to such a small number of people on what is after all a freedom of speech issue (the DVD is legal, it has a proper classification etc.) is really poor. I’m sure that the vast majority of Christians – as well as people of no religion or other religions – know that freedom of speech is something to be cherished and involves letting other people say or do things that you might not agree with or like.

So – I’ll be writing to the Chief Exec of both Sainsbury’s and Woolworths asking them to change their minds – hope you do too. Emailing their customer services is good idea (as quite a few people are suggesting) but I suspect any such email will be answered by someone relatively junior – I’m under no illusion that the Chief Exec of either company reads all the letters addressed to him, but they are likely to be read by someone closer to the real seat of power. Especially if the letter comes from an MP … I hope!

(And whether you live in my or not constituency – why not lobby your MP too? You can do so very easily at www.writetothem.com).

The Chief Execs are: Justin King, Sainsbury’s, 35 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT
and Trevor Bish-Jones, Woolworths PLC, Woolworths House, 242-246 Marylebone Road, NW1 6JL.

A final whimsical thought: if Sainsbury’s takes the DVD off sale after ten complaints, perhaps 20 of us should write demanding they stop the sale of bread … ?

UPDATE: See my subsequent blog post.

Nominated for Channel 4 'rising stars' award

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Visit the Scout Park in Alexandra Ward with my colleague councillor Wayne Hoban and Ken (scout master) and John (architect adviser). What a fantastic site – like being in the wilds but in the middle of the constituency. Seriously in need of renovation to the buildings (scout hall, sleeping accommodation and various other buildings). Some have been condemned by Health and Safety – but no successful funding bids despite trying for several years – each year. And yet – here in our own territory is the answer to meeting the needs of not only the scouts – but outdoor activities for all the youngsters in the borough. Why, why, why has the Council not stepped into help fund and attract funding for this?

Of course, the probable cry is why not sell off a bit of the eight acres of prime development land. Well the answer is – NO! This is land paid for by the scout movement so that through generations to come this would be preserved so that youngsters would be able to learn about working together, fighting the elements, and community – and with councils everywhere selling off every bit of land and sports fields they can – more vital than ever to preserve this.

I am amazed that it has remained almost a secret – given its location. I will take this on. Who knows – just putting it in my blog will undoubtedly wake up various opponents to my intentions and hopefully they will be goaded into helping fund the necessary work! If they don’t – then if we take over Haringey Council in the May elections – I will be nagging my own side. I will also approach a couple of the funding agencies to see why the previous bids have failed. What an opportunity for the whole of Haringey – right under our noses and virtually untapped.

On the way into Parliament I slip in some shopping. I know – what am I doing Christmas shopping during the week? How dare I abscond for a couple of hours? Well – it’s in my diary. As I have no days, evenings or weekends free – I have to diarise Christmas shopping – as there is no normal time to do it. Looking at Christmas decorations, my pager goes off to inform me that Cameron has won the Tory leadership by two to one – no surprises there then!

Then I go on to my Parliamentary Office where a letter has arrived from Channel 4 saying I am one of 4 nominees for the Channel 4 Political Awards. I have been nominated as a ‘rising star’ along with two Labour and one Tory new kid! Nice to know you can be a rising star at my age! I am pleased – as this is one of the more serious political awards of the year.

Watch the news when I get home. Cameron anointed king of the Tories. Their faith in the newly anointed smacks of desperation – and they are right to be desperate because if they cannot change their fortunes – they are doomed. So in the Notting Hill Prince – are placed all their hopes and dreams. I guess his ‘overnight’ rise to fame and fortune is a measure of the Tory desire, not only to get their hands on power again – but to wash away their ‘nasty’ past. I am not sure this will do it but it will be interesting to watch. You can never tell whether when greatness is thrust upon someone whether they will rise to the occasion – and quite frankly the glare of leadership is harsh and unforgiving. Cameron will have his honeymoon – but then – his metal will be sorely tested and I think there is a 60% chance he will be found wanting! I think the problem is the Tory creed itself – and that’s much harder to change than the leader.

FEATHERSTONE TABLES PARLIAMENTARY MOTION ON CONCRETE FACTORY

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Lynne Featherstone MP has tabled a Parliamentary motion (EDM) calling on the Planning Inspectorate to take into account comments from local residents about the proposed concrete batching plant in Hornsey.

Lynne Featherstone said:

“This plant would be in the heart of a residential area and wrong for Haringey on so many levels.

“I am also greatly concerned that local businesses may have to close.

“I am therefore hoping that the Planning Inspectorate will set aside a day for local residents and myself to set out our views when the Public Inquiry starts next Tuesday.”

One of the three main reasons given for rejection of the application was noise pollution, the evidence of which came from an independent assessment that would not have been carried out if it weren’t for persistent campaigning from Cllr Laura Edge and Green N8 in the summer.

Note: Text of the Parliamentary motion

That this House notes that the Planning Inspectorate is considering an appeal by London Concrete of a decision by the London Borough of Haringey to refuse planning permission for a concrete batching plant at Cranford Way in Hornsey; notes that local residents across Hornsey & Wood Green and Tottenham are deeply concerned that the creation of such a plant would create noise, dust and increased traffic which would have a significant adverse impact on the local area; further notes that this plant would have a negative impact on the local economy causing local businesses to close; and calls upon the Planning Inspector to take full account of all the views and concerns expressed by all residents of Haringey when considering the appeal commencing on December 13th.

CASH COMPENSATION PAYMENTS SECOND HIGHEST IN LONDON

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Cllr Wayne Hoban, Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Opposition on Haringey Council, has denounced as ‘unacceptable’ the fact that Labour led Haringey Council pays out the second highest compensation payments in London in terms of cash compensation per claim.

This information was highlighted in a recent report by the Evening Standard (November 24th), which confirmed that a total of 2,040,968 has been paid out by Haringey Council over the last five years to 553 claimants – an average of 3,690 per claim, 50% more than the average of other councils.

The compensation payments arise through claims made for injuries incurred through poorly maintained streets, footpaths and pavements.

The Lib Dems have lobbied Haringey Council for many years to improve its cleaning and repairs on streets and receive hundreds of pieces of casework each year regarding pot-holes, damaged pavements and blocked drains via their annual resident’s survey.

Cllr Hoban comments:

“These claims would not be so high if Labour led Haringey Council took its responsibility for maintaining local streets, footpaths and pavements to an acceptable standard seriously.Too often, we see repairs deferred until the last possible minute, rather than attended to under a regular maintenance and repair programme.This is not only expensive for the council, but it also places residents, particularly the more frail and vulnerable, at higher risk to injury.

“The two million paid out in cash compensation claims would be better spent on maintaining our footpaths and roads to a satisfactory standard.”

RADAR people of the year awards

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This evening I was the guest of honour on a table hosted by a taxi manufacturing company, LTI, at the RADAR People of the Year Awards at the old Billingsgate fish market. (Smell is gone!). RADAR is a charity working for diabled people; in their own words their job is “to promote change by empowering disabled people to achieve their rights and expectations; and by influencing the way that disabled people are viewed as members of society.”

Black tie is always a bit of a struggle when you are at Parliament in meetings or debates and then rushing off. I have developed a really clever outfit. No long dresses for me – but I have a black suit slightly dressier than my normal business uniform, which I wear with a white T-shirt all day – then into the Ladies to change the T-shirt for a gorgeous chiffony evening top which looks really dressy under the suit jacket – and out.

For the Chancellor’s pre-budget statement I am still sporting the white t-shirt. He gave a particularly grumpy performance I thought. Outside of the content – I wonder if Gordon is really going to make it to Prime Minister – or if he does, it won’t be for long and he won’t be popular. Middle-England will desert Labour in droves once he inherits – if he does. Osborne gives a limp response for the Tories and our Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable, does a really good job. Even Gordon acknowledges publicly the respect he has for Vince.

So between the pre-budget and my next meeting, because of the timing I have to change into my evening gear before my last meeting of the day so arrive seriously over-dressed for a meeting with the Commission for Racial Equality. Trevor Phillips has come to talk through issues with some of us at the House.

At 6pm I run to get a taxi to the ‘do’. The evening is lovely – and my hosts at the table very charming. Unfortunately I get a pager message that there are two votes, possibly three expected at 10pm and so arrange for a cab at 9.30pm to take me back to the Commons. It is a shame as I have to leave after the first two of eight awards. Earlier on there is a deaf comedian who is funny – but actually swears a lot. Now I am no prude (I don’t think) – but I wasn’t too keen on the obscenity side. I myself have been known to let rip on the odd occasion but this was the wrong occasion – wrong place. He was still very good – despite battling with a series of microphones that didn’t work. As he said – ‘how long were you f****ing going to let me go on without telling me’?

These awards are well deserved. The battle in this country for rights for the disabled have been long and hard fought for – and still there is a long way to go. But tonight – from the size and import of the evening itself – you can feel that at long last change is happening.

At 9.30pm precisely Cinderella flees and jumps into her carriage – and sods law – as I arrive at Parliament about 10 minutes before the expected vote – another pager message arrives saying that there are now no votes expected tonight after all! Exasperated, I go into the chamber to listen to the end of the debate very, very cross.

LIB DEMS FEAR STRUGGLING SCHOOLS ARE BEING LET DOWN

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Lib Dem Education spokesperson Cllr Gail Engert has expressed deep concern at Government figures that show a number of primary schools in the borough continue to struggle despite slight improvements to Haringey’s overall score.

The figures that were released by the Department for Education and Skills on Friday (2nd December) shows that Haringey has improved its average Key Stage 2 test results from 214 last year, to 218 points this year.

However the breakdown of scores school-by-school shows that 22 of the 53 schools assessed have actually seen a drop in scores this year with a number dropping below the borough’s average for the first time.

Cllr Engert is concerned that although there have been improvements in some of the traditionally poorer performing schools, many still appear to not be receiving the necessary support from the Government or Haringey Council with poor showings in Labour’s league tables simply compounding the pressure on heads teachers and teaching staff.

Cllr Engert says that with the amount of support and money that the Labour-run council and Government claim to be investing there appears to be little excuse for the failings that the league table shows.

She, along with Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone, believe that in order to address the performance of schools, the Government and Council must listen to schools concerns and needs rather than obsessing over league tables.

Cllr Engert comments:

“Some of these figures are of concern, but certainly what is more worrying is the obsession Labour has with league tables. I have visited a number of schools in the borough and the dedication and hard-work of these teachers is simply being undermined by a Labour Government obsessed with these tables and a Labour Council happy to toe the line.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Teaching is about much more than simply jumping through Labour Government hoops. If the Government actually listened to the schools and addressed their concerns, rather than pressurising them with statistics, I am sure we would see a huge improvement in education performance, with or without league tables.”

CLLR WINSKILL – THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

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A Lib Dem councillor has saved the Haringey taxpayer £8,500 by intervening in a planning committee hearing, stopping residents from being short-changed over a controversial development.

Lib Dem councillor for Crouch End David Winskill was at the last planning committee meeting giving support to the Gladwell Road campaign against a back land development when a Hornsey ward application came up.

Developers wanted to demolish a garage workshop in Harvey Mews and replace it with five two or three-bedroomed houses. The officers had recommended approval and, in the absence of any of Hornsey’s Labour councillors to comment on the plan, Councillor Winskill spoke.

He voiced concern that this would be the loss of the sixth garage workshop in the Hornsey/Crouch End area in the past two years and that it would mean a loss of amenity for residents, jobs and loss off training opportunities for young people.

Cllr Winskill also protested at the modest amount of Section 106 money that the developer had been asked to give Haringey to pay for educational resources: “I did my sums and realised that £16,500 on offer was a tiny amount when the asking price for these properties is going to be in the region of £2million!”

He pointed this out to the Chair of Planning who agreed and suggested that the decision be deferred until a new agreement with the developer could be reached. However, fearing a long delay, the developer agreed on the spot to up the amount to £25 000.

David Winskill comments:

“This was a fantastic result but a lucky one. Getting planning permission on land increases its value enormously. If elected next May the Lib Dems will be looking to see how we can get more cash to spend on our communities.”

HARINGEY COUNCIL BOWS TO POPULAR PRESSURE ON RED GABLES

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Cllr Wayne Hoban, Lib Dem spokesperson for Social Services, is delighted by the news that Haringey Council is not after all to close the Red Gables family centre in Crouch End. The news follows a year-long campaign by local residents, local Lib Dem councillors, and Lynne Featherstone MP, which has resulted in a Labour Council u-turn on their ill-thought out plans to close the Centre.

Last week, Haringey Council held a press conference to say that the council had ‘found the necessary funds’ to keep Red Gables open and running as a family centre.However, they would not confirm that the decision to keep the centre open would be permanent, saying that nothing could be guaranteed indefinitely.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The decision to close Red Gables was a poor one. Red Gables provides a fantastic service to children and parents from all over Haringey. This has been a victory for people power and common-sense.”

Cllr Wayne Hoban comments:

“The decision to close the centre and deliver the service through 18 Children’s Centres, most of which are due to be located in the east of the borough, was obviously ill-conceived and poorly planned.Red Gables provides a unique and invaluable service to children and parents from all parts of the borough. To replace it with untried and untested Children’s Centres was nothing more than a politically driven decision, putting political dogma at the heart of decision making, rather than the needs of service users.

“You cannot close down such a service until or unless it can be proved that it will be replaced by a better service elsewhere, equally accessible to service users. The Labour-led Council clearly failed this key test. It is a victory for democracy and common-sense.”