It has been revealed that, despite problems with fly-tipping, littering and graffiti in the Finsbury Park area, Haringey Council has ceased funding to keep the park and surrounding streets clean.

In a recent message to councillors the Chief Executive of Finfuture, an independent community-led scheme for the Finsbury Park area, said that funding from Haringey Council for two environmental officers had stopped from 1st April 2009. However, Hackney and Islington Councils, who also support Finfuture financially, will continue to fund one officer.

Local Liberal Democrats in Harringay and Stroud Green wards have criticised the Council for pulling the plug on funding and failing to recognise the ongoing need for dedicated services to clean up the park and surrounding streets. They have urged Haringey Council to reconsider the decision to stop funding the environmental officers.

Cllr Richard Wilson (Stroud Green) comments:

“Both Islington and Hackney Council have decided to continue funding to keep Finsbury Park and local streets clean yet Haringey would rather choose to fund higher councillor allowances than spend the money on keeping the local area clean. Is this an example of a front line service being cut due to the Council’s inept financial management or its perverse priorities?

“Only last week we came across a big pile of rubbish in Woodstock Road near Finsbury Park – this will only become more commonplace if Haringey Council cut cleaning services for local streets.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Haringey Council have shown that, despite the need to keep one of our most popular green spaces and the surrounding streets clean, they are cutting this much needed service.”