Local parents have contacted me in desperation as their children face a second summer without play equipment at the Noel Park Recreation Ground. I meet with a representative of the Parents Forum in the park where the playground should be. She has two of her four children with her who will be without this summer. I understand the equipment was taken out when the Children’s Centre was being built – the promise was that it would be replaced with new equipment when the Centre was finished. It has been finished now for some time and despite repeated promises, there is still no sign of the new equipment being installed.

There have been meetings to view plans and discussions with the Council’s consultant – so it is hard to imagine what could be holding up the delivery and implementation. There was plenty of time to plan its installation whilst the building was ongoing. As for cost: it was always going to be needed in the budget – so I cannot imagine that it is a budgetary problem.

I have written to the Chief Executive of Haringey Council to find out what the delay is. The Labour administration originally gave assurances that they would replace the equipment so I am turning to the management to speedily make it happen. If the CE comes back and says the hold up is because the administration have not given it the go ahead and therefore they are breaking their promises – we will then know who to blame!

Alongside this issue, there is also the issue of the equipment to be provided for young people in the grounds too. It is clear from the vandalism already taking place (graffiti on the doors and broken window of the new Centre) that it is vital that their area is also resolved as soon as possible. But first things first. It’s a long summer and Noel Park Rec Ground is quite a lovely open space – it just needs what has been promised!