There has been a flutter of speculation about the future of Wood Green police station. I have asked our local commander – Dave Grant – to give a horse’s mouth briefing of what he understands to be the case. Rumours have included the police station not being rebuilt; the front counter moving down the road; no police station there, etc etc.

This is what Dave Grant says is the case following enquiries he has made. He has asked the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) about what steps are being taken. The only activity at the moment is between Local Authority officers and MPS staff from Property Services Department about the format of the plans. Commander Grant says he knows that nothing has been agreed and that there are meetings scheduled to discuss the content of the plan.

The MPS uses a company to undertake the formal public consultation process and Mr Grant knows that they are drawing up a list of individuals and groups, with the help of his staff, who must be consulted. This would include me and councillors amongst others. He says he is more than happy to share that list with me when it is complete – and of course I will be checking to see that local people are the key consultees.

At some stage in the autumn a formal planning application will be made, which will then trigger the consultation process. As soon as the process begins, Commander Grant will be personally involved and intends to help with the key briefings.

So – as ever – it is down to whether this will be a real consultation – i.e. whether our responses to the consultation can affect outcome. I will post any news I get as this proceeds.