Festive lights in Stroud Green will not be shining this Christmas due to a blundermade by a Government Agency. The London Development Agency (LDA) decided that ‘proper processes were not followed’ by FinFuture, an organisation it funds, in its project to provide Christmas lights in Stroud Green Road because an advert was not placed in trade press for companies to bid for the contract. Thiscomes in the same week when the organisation was itself rapped for handing over millions of pounds to the Bernie Grant Centre without proper accountancy checks.

Cllr Wayne Hoban, Lib Dem Regeneration Spokesperson, comments:

“How can an organisation, which was criticised for not putting in place proper checks for a million pound arts centre project, criticise Stroud green residents for failing to place an advert for their Christmas lights? The LDA is clearly guilty of double standards in the way it distributes its funds. Regeneration schemes should be subject to the same accountancy checks regardless of the project size.”

Cllr Richard Wilson, who launched the campaign for Christmas lights on Stroud Green Road last December, adds:

“Everyone knows Finsbury Park is in urgent need of a face-lift and these Christmas lights would have helped improve the area. Why does the LDA have time to delve into small projects such as FinFuture’s plan for Christmas lights, but has no interest in where the big money goes?They are behaving like Santa and Scrooge all rolled into one.”

Commenting on reports that the Darfur peace talks are in crisis after a number of boycotts by rebel movements, Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“China is the only power who can put pressure on the Sudan Government to allow the urgent deployment of the UN/AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.

“The only way to persuade China to use its position as a world power for good is to refer to the Olympics. Stopping the genocide must be the only priority.”

Haringey Schools that ended the last financial year in surplus face a ‘5% tax’ under new proposals being considered by the Labour government.

Local MP, Lynne Featherstone this week has strongly backed a Parliamentary motion calling on the government to drop this unfair levy that is likely to adversely affect a number of schools in her constituency.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP says:

“This is quite literally a tax on the financial prudence of those few schools that managed to buck the local trend and put aside extra money in the last financial year.This cash claw-back could jeopardise major projects that schools have been diligently putting money aside for.

“Our local schools are already seriously disadvantaged because of the unfair per pupil funding system.Now, to add insult to injury, head teachers will have to give back five per cent of their reported surplus from last April – whether they have it or not.”

Councillor Gail Engert, Lib Dem Schools Spokesperson adds:

“I dread to think what cuts schools will have to make.More worryingly, there are schools actually in deficit this year, that will still have to pay this unfair levy because they were in surplus last year. If the Government doesn’t drop these plans, it will be Haringey pupils that will suffer.I will be requesting an urgent assessment of how much this will cost our schools.”

The ongoing failure by Haringey Council to force a media company to fix an unsightly telecoms box has prompted Crouch End Lib Dem councillor Lyn Weber to take direct action.

In July, Haringey Council ordered Virgin Media to repair the box, in Fairfield Gardens, Crouch End within two hours. Two months after, no action has been taken. Cllr Lyn Weber has now discovered after contacting Virgin Media herself that Haringey Council had given the incorrect location of the box.

“Unfortunately for residents this is symptomatic of many things the Labour Council say they will do, but don’t. They often fail, either to act upon problems at all or their work is shoddy. I cannot believe that the Council has repeatedly given the incorrect location. This issue that has been rumbling on for over a year. It is total incompetence.

“As always it is up to the Lib Dems to put right the mess the Labour Council leave behind.”

The true extent of the funding crisis threatening Haringey’s schools has come to light with figures showing that 19 local schools will end the year in debt totalling over £1.5m. The spiralling and uncontrolled crisis of the borough’s frontline educational finances, with deficits doubling over the past three years, was uncovered by an urgent Lib Dem question at last Monday’s full council.

The significant budget deficits give a further indication of the under-funding at the heart of the system and add to Lynne Featherstone’s calls for a fair funding deal for the borough. The current system sees local schools receiving on average £736 less per pupil because of Haringey being considered as outer London even though it suffers inner London costs.

Commenting, Councillor Gail Engert, Haringey Lib Dem Spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families says:

“This is clearly a cash crisis that only seems to be getting worse, and it is the children of this borough that are suffering.Labour council bosses have admitted there’s a serious problem locally but have been totally ineffectual getting their government to do anything about it.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“These are quite simply shocking figures that shows the real cash squeeze our local schools are now facing.The extra money we are demanding is not for fancy extras, but to make sure our schools can simply make ends meet.I await Gordon Brown response to my letter demanding action so our kids can get the best possible start in life without their teachers worryingwhether they will have enough money to buy books.”

Haringey Council’s failure to consult residents in the heart of the Highgate conservation area before work was meant to commence on major changes to bus stops has been met with criticism from local Lib Dems. It was not until residents and businesses, situated on the 143 and 603 bus routes along North Hill, wrote to Haringey Council that work was postponed to give time to listen to their views and opinions.

Local Lib Dem councillors have written to Council to express their continuing lack on confidence in the Council’s consultation and the Council’s lack of regard for resident’s views.

Cllr Bob Hare (Highgate) comments:

“It is difficult to believe, not to say ridiculous, that this extensive programme of works had got to within a week of starting without any consideration at all of local people’s views.

“The area is part of a conservation area and all works must be done in a way that respects its environment and heritage. Who could be better than the people who live and work in the area show what is needed and wanted locally.

“Once again, Labour are failing the residents.”

A local library and its users are faced with three years without the funding to repair its badly run-down building. Following concerns by residents about the dreadful state of the front of Wood Green Library, Cllr David Winskill discovered that Haringey Council has not allocated money to repair the front of the building. Lib Dems are outraged that the borough’s flagship library has been left to decay and Haringey Council has ignored the need for repair.

Following enquiries with Haringey Property Services it was revealed that there will be no money available for any remedial works until 2009 at the earliest and only then if funding can be found. Cllr Winskill will continue to demand funding to be put forward to provide a better environment for residents.

Cllr Winskill, Lib Dem Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning spokesperson comments:

“This is Haringey’s flagship library in the borough’s main shopping centre. The staff are working immensely hard to try to offer more attractive services to visitors, but Labour-run Haringey Council are allowing the place to look like a cold war bunker. This neglect goes back years and is demoralising for all. It shows what Labour councillors really think about reading and cultural issues.”

Cllr Fiyaz Mughal (Noel Park) adds:

“Recently Wood Green Library attempted to attract small businesses into it by spending money to upgrade a conference-style facility at the rear of the library. It is a self defeating process if money is spent to attract businesses and the rest of the library looks shabby. Another example of an ill-defined and ill thought through strategy from Labour.”

Labour-run Haringey Council’s commitment to recycling was cast into doubt this week after comments by a senior Labour member saying that he was not concerned at reports that recycling volumes had fallen. Lib Dems have expressed their astonishment at comments from Cllr Brian Haley, the Labour cabinet member for environment, who was responding to Lib Dem questions at the Full Council meeting on 15 th Oct 2007 voicing their concern at the 1.1% fall in recycling in Haringey.

Lib Dems have criticised Haringey Council’s lack of action and have set up their own ‘Make mine a double’ campaign to help increase recycling by telling residents how to obtain a second recycling box – something the Labour council does almost nothing to publicise.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone’s successful postcard campaign isbeing rolled out to tens of thousands of homes in the borough.

An ungracious Cllr Haley failed to welcome the campaign – but had little choice but to agree to residents receiving their extra green boxes.

Cllr Bob Hare, Lib Dem Sustainability Spokesperson, comments:

“I am shocked at the way at which Labour seem to think that decreasing rates of recycling can be disregarded without explanation. Every effort needs to be made to keep residents’ enthusiasm strong and if there is the slightest downturn in rates we must act. This is something Labour don’t seem to grasp.”

Local MP Lynne Featherstone adds:

“Cllr Haley has agreed to provided the extra boxes – albeit through gritted teeth. It’s a pity he couldn’t do so with more enthusiasm, as we need to encourage recycling as much as we can.”

Haringey’s Lib Dems last night selected popular local campaigner and barrister David Schmitz as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the Tottenham constituency.Amidst heartfelt congratulations from his Lib Dem colleagues, Mr Schmitz used the meeting to warn Haringey Labour that the days when Tottenham residents would simply put up with Labour neglect were over.

David Schmitz is already a formidable Tottenham campaigner for the Lib Dems, who almost unseated a former Labour Mayor in a huge swing in last year’s local elections. He role was key to securing the election of Lib Dem councillors in Tottenham for the first time in many years.

The Lib Dems see the area as one where residents are now turning to the Lib Dems, with the Tories knocked into third place in the last general election and having no seats at all on Haringey Council.

David Schmitz says:

“I will be fighting to ensure that Labour’s neglect and mismanagement are gone forever.

“A few years ago, the house next door to us became a drugs den. Haringey Council’s inability to deal with the problem turned me into a local campaigner. When the drug den was destroyed by fire, my partner and I bought the wreck and spent a year doing it up as our home. I was so impressed by what the Lib Dems were achieving in Haringey that when our building work was done, I decided that the time had come for me to join in their campaigns.

“Haringey Labour knows that a Lib Dem Haringey Council and a Lib Dem Tottenham MP will improve our borough beyond recognition. I am delighted to be building on the work of our Tottenham councillors and I look forward to emulating the brilliant successes of Lynne Featherstone MP in the west of the borough.”

David Schmitz was congratulated at the meeting by Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone, who adds:

“I am thrilled to be working with David, who is already a formidable Tottenham campaigner.He can achieve similar successes in Tottenham to our own in Hornsey. I am sure we will make a truly great team.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, has been nominated for the British Computer Society’s MP Website Award.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the BCS is presenting these special awards for the MP with the website in one of the following three categories: the best design, engagement or accessibility.

The winners will be announced 7 November.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP says:

“I am thrilled that such a prestigious organisation as the British Computer Society has given such a big thumbs up for my website.

“My site and blog are fantastic for allowing me to communicate directly with local residents and get them properly engaged in the important issues that affect our community, from potholes in the roads to fighting for funding for our schools.”