New River Village's shocking secret….

Posted on 11th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

A few days ago I issued a press release exposing the awful living conditions of some residents in the Colorado Apartments at New River Village. In response, the local Lib Dems and I have started a petition, calling on Circle 33 (the company who manage the block) to step up and take action.

I have now also released this video, taken from my visit, so you can really see the problems for yourself.

As you can see, in contrast to the pristine private apartment blocks, these social housing blocks are in disrepair and suffering from damp walls.

Since we started this campaign, we have also received reports of graffiti, overflowing bins and general litter dumping. People have told us about mice and cockroaches – and even human excrement in the corridors. No-one should have to live like this.

I demanded a meeting with the Managing Director of Circle 33 – and he is coming to my constituency office next Friday. We will be presenting him with the petition and accompanying him on the site visit.

I won’t rest until these problems are sorted!

Community Haringey!

Posted on 2nd Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Ham and High column, about some of the organisations I have caught up with over summer recess. You can also read it here.

Haringey is full of wonderful, vibrant and successful voluntary and charitable organisations. They benefit our local area and add such value to our community. I’ve been lucky, as the local MP, to have visited the vast majority of them!

During parliamentary summer recess, I have even more time to revisit these organisations, catch up with them and hear about their plans – and to offer any advice or support.

It started with a visit to Action for Kids – a local charity which helps disabled children and young people towards independence. It was fantastic to join in with some of the activities and see a group of youngsters ready to go on a trip together – all facilitated by this great organisation. It was inspirational to sit with the new chief executive and hear his plans for the future.

A visit to Hornsey Vale community centre was also a great example of how volunteers are contributing much to their local community – by running fashion shows, fitness classes and providing a wheelchair accessible gym. I was so impressed by their outreach programme and the positive impact they are having.

I also popped in to the Tagore Centre – which is based above Alexandra Park Library. Here, a group of volunteers are dedicated to promoting the work of India’s Nobel laureate poet, writer and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore. They manage a vast collection of materials, including hundreds of books, songs and paintings, and hold regular social events to celebrate Tagore’s life and work.

The dedication and passion of the volunteers was evident from the moment I stepped in. They are working hard to promote Tagore and keep his work relevant in the modern day – and I highly commend them for it.

There have been many others – including some more private meetings with organisations like Victim Support, the North London Samaritans and other counselling services. It’s fantastic to see the amount of time given by volunteers to support vulnerable members of the community.

There is, unfortunately, not space to mention all of the organisations – but suffice to say that the voluntary and community sector is alive and kicking in Haringey – I see it first hand all the time! And this really is a great achievement, given the financial difficulties many are experiencing.

I wish all these invaluable local organisations the very best for the future and hope they will continue to come to me for support and advice when they need it.

As an end note – I’d also like to thank everyone who attended the apprenticeship event I organised two weeks ago. It was a fantastic day and already the companies there have been in touch to say they have taken on some of the young people who attended.

Syria

Posted on 30th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Below is a copy of the email I am sending to my constituents this morning, following last night’s vote in Parliament:

Good Morning,

Thank you for responding to my request for views on Syria. The responses from constituents were considered and measured. The vast majority were against any direct action on Syria – many of which were against direct action without a UN resolution – a view with which I totally agree.

The Government motion was defeated last night and so was the opposition amendment. I supported the Government motion because it proposed waiting for the UN weapons inspectors to finish their work and for the United Nations Security Council to consider their findings.

The motion also proposed ‘that every effort should be made to secure a Security Council Resolution backing military action before any such action is taken’.

Most crucially the motion gave an absolute commitment that ‘Before any direct British involvement in such action a further vote of the House of Commons will take place.’ That vote would have happened next week, after the weapons inspectors had reported back.

Because people have asked my position, let me make it clear that, in that second vote, I would have voted against military action unless it was supported by the UN – and indeed resigned from the front bench if necessary. After the government defeat last night, I don’t believe there will be a second vote – but my position remains the same.

I am an internationalist and the use of chemical weapons is a war crime. We must use the international bodies that uphold international law – or else we have nothing.

Furthermore, I am not persuaded that the sort of military intervention proposed – that of surgical strikes – would have made things better rather than worse.

I very much hope now that the international community will strive to find a diplomatic route with urgent and redoubled efforts. Assad and other such people should not take the vote last night as a green light on atrocities.

My focus now will be on ensuring vital humanitarian aid reaches those in Syria, and those fleeing the country.

Thank you again,

Lynne

Looking for work? Apprenticeship event tomorrow!

Posted on 13th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The apprenticeship event I’ve organised will take place tomorrow, 14^th August, between 2pm – 6pm at Haringey Civic Centre, High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE.

We have around 20 companies and organisations confirmed to exhibit their apprenticeship opportunities – with well over 500 vacant positions between them.

The companies include: Barclays, Tottenham Hotspurs, National Apprenticeship Service and London Apprenticeship Company.

There will also be workshops to give advice on how to apply for the apprenticeships. This is a great chance to make contact with companies and get expert advice on finding the best apprenticeship for you .

Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start careers – by gaining experience and contacts in an industry and getting paid to learn a trade.

I hope as many of Haringey’s young and out-of-work people will come down and see what’s on offer.

The Government Apprenticeship Ambassador to Business, Gordon Birtwistle MP will also be there, and will make a speech.

If you’re a young person, a parent, looking for work, or looking to try something different, please do come along and find out more!

Putting Words into Action with Apprenticeships!

Posted on 12th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Ham and High Column about the apprenticeship event I’m hosting on Wednesday….

A few columns ago, I wrote about the importance of young people getting into work, and how creating one million new jobs was the Liberal Democrat’s top priority in Government.

This month, I am doing my bit to put these words into action. On Wednesday 14^th August, I am hosting an event at the Civic Centre (between 2pm and 6pm) to match up young or unemployed people in Haringey with companies and agencies offering apprenticeships.

People who attend will get the chance to meet the companies and ask for information on their apprenticeship opportunities, and advice on how to apply.

We have a number of companies already confirmed – including Barclays, Kruger Associates and Diversity in Visual Arts. There will also be companies with greater emphasis on manufacturing and manual apprenticeships.

These companies are actively recruiting – so you may even be able to fill out an application form on the day.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London – along with other training groups – will be there with information on the wide range of apprenticeships that they are advertising.

There will also be some workshops available, for people to get some advice on applications, writing CVs, and money management. I will be there talking about starting your own business – something I did myself many years ago.

Lynne Featherstone MP on apprenticeship visit to Queenswoods GP practice, here with Sue Welsh from the National Apprenticeship Service, Paul Head from College of Haringey and the two apprentices Bianca and Louise, Crouch End, in June 2011 I have been working in tandem with Wood Green Jobcentre Plus, to make sure the event is a success and as helpful as possible to Haringey residents.

The Government Ambassador for Apprenticeships, Gordon Birtwistle MP, will also be there to talk with both businesses and the people looking for an apprenticeship.

Hopefully – this will be the first step for many people in securing an apprenticeship – maybe even with one of the companies at the event!

An apprenticeship is a great way to kick start a career. They take between one and four years to complete and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

And you get a qualification too – an advanced level apprenticeship is equivalent to two A level passes, and others can lead to the attainment of a Foundation Degree!

So if you are a young person, unemployed or looking for a new challenge, do come down to the Civic Centre (High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE) on the 14^th August between 2pm and 6pm to meet employers and find out more!

A Busy Start to Summer!

Posted on 12th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here is my latest Muswell Flyer article – about the start of summer in late June / July….

What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been. It has been so busy, but full of great events and finally some good weather too!

Thankfully, the weather picked up just in time for the grand finale of the independent shops competition. What a great day that was – celebrating our best local independent stores outside Hornsey Town Hall with a live band, hot food and free local beer! Congratulations again to the worthy winners: Brand New Start, Big Green Bookshop and Owen’s Food Store.

The week after, I had the great honour of being reselected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green. There was a huge turnout, and it was so heart-warming when the great Lib Dem members of this constituency put their faith in me again. And what a bonus to have my political heroine Shirley Williams at the event, supporting me and giving a fantastic speech.

But there was no time for extended celebrations – the day after the reselection, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg come to visit Highgate Wood, a school in the constituency.

Nick was here to see how the school is using its Pupil Premium money. The Pupil Premium is a Liberal Democrat flagship policy that is being delivered by the Coalition Government. It targets extra money to schools depending on the number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds they have.

Schools will receive £900 per eligible pupil. For Highgate Wood, this means a whopping £413,100 in extra funding for 2013/14.

Nick and me talking to Food Tech students!

Shortly after Nick’s visit – there was also good news about the Whittington Hospital. The Board released their revised strategy for the future of the hospital. They have u-turned on their plan to sell off buildings without consultation.

This is very welcome news. Whilst we recognise that some changes will have to be made to secure the future of the hospital – consulting with the public and protecting services is paramount. That’s why we launched a petition calling on the Whittington Board to consult local residents and guarantee that there will be no loss of services until equal or better were in place.

I’d like to thank all 3000 residents who signed the Lib Dem petition. Because of you, the Whittington Board agreed to the listening exercise and has consequently changed their plans.

This is why I’m so delighted to be reselected as the Lib Dem candidate for this area. I want to carry on campaigning with residents on the issues that matter – like Pinkham Way, the Whittington, and securing fairer funding for Haringey’s health and education services. I also want to run more competitions like the independent shops one – promoting and supporting our cherished local amenities.

And, I want to be in a position to keep implementing policies like the Pupil Premium – which is directly benefitting children in this area – and across the UK.

The road to the 2015 election starts here – and I will be keeping myself, and fellow Lib Dem activists and supporters, very busy!

Rubbish!

Posted on 22nd Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

During the hot weather, it’s nice to have a bit of shade, a cold lemonade and some free time to relax.

It’s also nice to have clean streets and frequent rubbish collections – to avoid smelly, rotting rubbish from accumulating on our pavements.

But unfortunately, Haringey Council have let residents down again. Take a look at the mess on Hornsey High Street and Lymington Avenue.

Even worse – take a look at this tweet from a local resident – who has had to deal with maggots due to Haringey Council’s incompetence.

This is just awful. What on earth do we pay our Council Tax money for? Poor services and smelly, rotting rubbish on our streets? For public health hazards not to be removed?

And what kind of image does this give to people visiting our borough?

I think it’s about time Labour-run Haringey got a grip on this. During this weather – they more than ever need to ensure that collections are made regularly.

My team will report any uncollected rubbish to the Council on the day you report it to us – so please do let us know of other instances of smelly, rotting rubbish in your area.

I am determined to keep the streets of Hornsey and Wood Green clean and safe – even though the Labour Council clearly aren’t bothered.

The latest on the Whittington

Posted on 18th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my most recent Ham and High column about the Whittington Hospital

Last week, the Whittington Hospital Board released their revised strategy for the Hospital’s future. And it is certainly an improvement on their first attempt!

The Whittington Hospital Board sure did give us a scare in January, when they announced that they would be selling hospital buildings and reducing staff and beds – without any public consultation .

As well as being a local MP, the Whittington is my local hospital, and has been for decades. Like everyone, I was concerned and fearful about the Hospital’s future.

The local Liberal Democrats, residents and I had campaigned hard back in 2010 to save the A&E – as the then Labour Government attempted to close it down. We thankfully saved it then, and I fully intended to do the same this time.

That’s why we launched a petition in January, calling on the Whittington Board to pause, listen to residents and assure us that there would be no loss of services without equal or better replacements in place.

Unlike some – we didn’t go out all guns blazing calling for no change at all. We recognise that the Hospital will have to make some changes to secure its long term future – but community consultation and no loss of hospital services are of paramount importance.

After meeting the Hospital Board regularly, and collecting a whopping 3,600 local resident signatures on our petition, they agreed to our demands. They assured us that there would be no loss of service, and agreed to pause and listen to residents.

This was a fantastic victory for local people power. The listening exercise gave us all a chance to tell the Whittington what we thought about their plans for our Hospital – and the result was a revised strategy! I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to every resident who signed our petition and made the Board see sense.

As for the strategy now – two buildings that were earmarked for sale have been saved, while two others will be subject to a community consultation. The Hospital’s maternity unit will still see a £10million investment, and plans for an ambulatory day care centre to support the A&E will go ahead. Beds will not be lost unless they are not needed, and there will be no significant reduction in staff.

And in other good news – the Hospital are now in no rush to push through any changes. Thanks to Lib Dem work in Government, the deadline for Hospitals to make changes and become Foundation Trusts – set by the previous Labour Government – has been removed. This means Hospitals like the Whittington can progress under considerably less pressure.

The Haringey Lib Dems and I will of course continue to push hard for high quality health services for our community as the details of these plans are worked out – and keep residents updated on any opportunities that arise for them to have their say.

Our Local Roads

Posted on 16th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Muswell Flyer column – also available here: http://beckybeach.net.gridhosted.co.uk/?p=7119

The issue that I am most frequently contacted about at my constituency office is the state of the roads in Haringey. Potholes, road surfaces, the need for traffic calming and road safety – not a day goes by without someone telling me that they are troubled by these issues. Haringey Liberal Democrats and I have been campaigning hard for improvements and the past 2 months have finally seen Haringey Labour-run Council concede – with two dramatic successes.

In May Labour-run Haringey Council confessed that action had to be taken to improve the state of the roads following overwhelming evidence from the Haringey Lib Dems and local people. This was a hard fought-for admission but it is already clear that the Council has been making errors in their road survey by marking a road as being in a ‘general good condition’ when it is anything but.

The Haringey Lib Dems have been collecting information from residents and, so far, we have received complaints about potholes in 216 individual roads – more and more come in every day! The information we have gathered has been sent to the Council and I hope it will have a serious impact.

Our other major success has been in road safety. After years of campaigning, last month the Haringey Lib Dems had a breakthrough. We have been working to promote a 20mph speed limit for residential roads across the borough for the last 3 years and, at last, Labour-run Haringey Council has woken up to the issue. A long overdue consultation on a borough-wide 20 mph speed limit has been launched, allowing residents a chance to finally have their say.

There has been a lot of debate in recent weeks over the plans to implement a 20mph speed limit but the evidence is clear – road safety is dramatically increased by a lower speed limit. It has been shown to have a direct impact on improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. What’s more, if an accident does happen the injuries are a lot less likely to be serious. Most importantly – it has been shown to save lives.

Not only that – residents will gain the benefits of reduced traffic noise and reduced pollution. So it’s no surprise that this has been on our agenda for nearly three years.

Consultation is an essential part of the process and will give local residents in the area an opportunity to have their voices heard. We have launched a survey as we want to find out what people think. You can tell us your views here – bit.ly/20mphsurvey – and I encourage you all to do so.

This policy alone will not be the silver bullet that prevents any further road accidents. Other factors, such as educating all road users on safety, have to come into play. That said, I believe the speed limit will encourage drivers to change their behaviour and this – as well as bringing local roads up to standard – will have a huge impact on minimising the danger on our roads.

Same Sex marriage – actually – just marriage!

Posted on 15th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

So today’s the day that the Bill passes its third reading in the Lords! I am so happy – that’s it – just so happy. You go into politics wanting to change the world for the better – and here is my little bit of it.

Tributes to all who have helped over the ages in the step by step journey to equal marriage – but especially to those who have had to suffer the discrimination and bigotry that made its path so painful.

And very best wishes to all those who will now get married – and as Ben & Jerry put it on the special ice-cream tub they sent me to thank me for my work instigating equal marriage and on which they emblazoned

‘Lynne Honeycomb’

‘Everyone deserves to live Apple-y Ever After’

and so they do!