Nick Clegg backs Haringey Lib Dems to end local Labour waste

Posted on 6th May 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg visited Wood Green today, to visit the local Cypriot Community Centre and to back the Haringey Lib Dems in their local election campaign.

The Deputy Prime Minister was greeted by local MP Lynne Featherstone, before having a tour of the centre and talking to the residents who use it. He also discussed the management of the centre with the team.

Nick Clegg then joined some of Haringey’s local Liberal Democrat candidates, to discuss the upcoming local elections. The local Lib Dem team want to take control of Haringey Council on May 22^nd, to stop Labour’s wasteful spending and implement their own, positive six-point plan.

aringey Liberal Democrat leader Richard Wilson, Lynne Featherstone MP, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Sarah London MEP – along with local Liberal Democrat candidates – back the campaign against Haringey Labour’s bonuses, yacht trips and waste.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg MP said:

“It was fantastic to come to Haringey and meet the wonderful people at the Cypriot Centre. It’s a great example of a community centre which does so much good for so many people, but could use a little extra support to keep it going.

“I am backing the local Liberal Democrat campaign to take control of Haringey Council on May 22^nd, after 40 years of Labour misrule. It’s appalling that Haringey Labour has wasted so much money here, on bonuses and a trip to the South of France. Local residents deserve better than that.

“A Liberal Democrat led council in Haringey would stop this kind of awful waste, and provide more support to centres like the one I visited today.”

Haringey Lib Dem leader Richard Wilson said:

“I’d like to thank Nick Clegg for backing our campaign and doing all he can to highlight Haringey Labour’s waste.

“Haringey Labour like to hide from their local record, whereas the local Lib Dems are very proud of ours. We will keep working all year round for local residents and, if we take control of the Council on May 22^nd, we will be working hard to implement our positive six point plan, too.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Nick Clegg to Haringey, and to show him one of the best run community centres the borough has to offer. I’d also like to thank Chris and Susie for hosting us.

“Like Nick, I am fully behind the local Liberal Democrat campaign. For years I have battled to hold Labour to account – and it has become clearer and clearer that change is needed. The Liberal Democrat team have a positive, six point plan to fix our borough, and I hope residents will back them.”

Backing Sky City residents in the fight for repairs

Posted on 29th Apr 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week attended a meeting between fifty Sky City residents and Metropolitan housing association, who manage the housing complex.

The Liberal Democrat MP spoke up for residents, who have become increasingly angry about the lack of repairs and upkeep at Sky City. The local MP visited the complex last month to see the piles of rubbish and disrepair for herself.

At the meeting, Metropolitan agreed to take action, including a steam clean of the bin room, a short term repair for the lift, and investigation into issues with the boiler.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has promised to keep in touch with residents, and keep on at Metropolitan until the necessary repairs are made.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Sky City is such a unique area, and it could be so wonderful if the housing association did their job and kept it in good repair. It is shameful that they have let it get to this state.

“I am fully behind the local residents and will keep contacting Metropolitan until we see results. I am glad to see that some initial repairs have been made – hopefully it is a sign of more to come.”

Ringslade rat-run issue brought to City Hall

Posted on 28th Apr 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with Transport for London at City Hall, to discuss the ongoing issues with the Ringslade Road rat-run. The local MP was joined by the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon, to argue the local residents’ case together.

Residents on the small Ringslade Road currently have to put up with over 3,000 vehicles using their road everyday – making it noisy and unsafe. They would like to see the road closed.

During the meeting, representatives from TfL did not reject the possibility of closing the road, but were cautious of how this would affect traffic on surrounding roads. TfL said they would speak to Haringey Council and look at the impact of traffic on surrounding roads. Traffic modelling will be carried out in the next 4 to 5 weeks.

Haringey Council representatives were invited to attend the meeting, but declined the invitation to do so. The final decision on what to do with the road is down to Haringey Council.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Residents in Ringslade Road have been living with the problems caused by this rat run for too long. Yet Haringey Council has refused to listen, and has always tried to shift the blame onto TfL for the lack of action.

“Now we have met with TfL – we know that they are open to change, and will carry out traffic modelling to find a way forward.

“The final decision on what action to take rests with Haringey Council. I very much hope they finally listen to residents, and work with TfL to find a suitable solution.”

Urgent repairs and improvements needed at Sky City

Posted on 7th Apr 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited Sky City– a housing complex above the Mall in Wood Green – to help the residents secure vital improvements to their living conditions.

Residents of Sky City contacted the Hornsey and Wood Green MP recently, to express their frustration and anger at Metropolitan Housing, the company that manages Sky City.

On the site visit, the MP saw piles of uncollected rubbish, broken lighting and problems with drainage in communal areas.

Residents also reported problems with vermin, with disability access because of broken lifts, and with antisocial behaviour and crime.

Residents have sent a petition to Metropolitan, demanding a meeting and detailed plan for repairs and improvements. The meeting has been agreed to, but no date has been set. The Liberal Democrat MP has now also contacted Metropolitan on behalf of the residents, to pile on the pressure for action.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Metropolitan need to take action, and fast. What I saw on my visit to Sky City was just appalling – there was uncollected rubbish strewn everywhere. The broken lighting is not helping the situation with crime and antisocial behaviour – and there should always be easy access for disabled and elderly residents.

“Residents should not have to live like this. I am fully behind them and will support them every step of the way to secure the vital repairs they need. I have already contacted Metropolitan, and will continue to do so until we see results.”

Lynne Featherstone MP demands rat-run action from Haringey Council

Posted on 26th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has written to Haringey Council to demand action on the ongoing problems associated with the Ringslade Road rat-run in Wood Green.

Along with local Wood Green Lib Dem campaigners, the MP visited the site last Friday to listen to residents’ concerns.

In the letter, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green outlines her support for an immediate, enforced ban on HGVs using the rat-run, and for a longer term temporary road closure plan.

A public meeting on the issue will be held tonight – giving local residents a further chance to have their say to Council officers. The Liberal Democrat MP suggested that the Council come to the meeting with a plan to tell the residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I can completely understand why residents are so frustrated. There are over 2000 vehicles a day coming down their small road – it is noisy, annoying, and unsafe.

“Promises by Labour-run Haringey Council to find a solution have not been fulfilled. This has gone on far too long now, and a solution must be found urgently.

“I am fully behind the local residents’ suggestion of a trial road closure, as a first step towards eradicating the problem in this area.”

Wood Green Lib Dem campaigner Roxy Squire commented:

“We are working with residents on Ringslade Road and the surrounding area to try and find the best solution for all. The situation on Ringslade is unsustainable and urgent action is needed.

“It is important we don’t shift the problem on to other roads, though. That’s why we are supporting an initial ban on HGVs for safety reasons, followed by trial measures, which we can monitor and use to find the best solution.”

£800 tax cut for 45,090 people in Hornsey and Wood Green

Posted on 19th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

An £800 income tax cut for people in Hornsey and Wood Green is the real budget boost, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said today.

The budget revealed plans to increase the personal allowance from April 2015 and put an extra £100 back in taxpayers’ pockets.

Lib Dems have already delivered on a £700 tax cut for low to middle earners, but today’s news goes even further for hardworking people.

The number of people who could benefit from a cut to the personal allowance in Hornsey and Wood Green is expected to be around 45,090

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone said:

“This tax cut is the real budget boost for working people and would not have happened without Lib Dems in Government creating a stronger economy and a fairer society. This was on the front page of our manifesto!

“The Tories are desperate to claim credit, but in reality their focus is on changes such as an inheritance tax cut for millionaires which we blocked, while Labour simply cannot be trusted with the economy.

“We are also helping people with a freeze on fuel duty and new tax-free childcare to help parents.”

Lib Dem survey on Lordship Lane betting shop launched

Posted on 18th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone and the Wood Green Liberal Democrats last week launched a survey, to find out local residents’ views on the opening of yet another betting shop on Lordship Lane.

A number of residents have contacted the Liberal Democrats expressing concern about the number of betting shops on the road, and the impact on local crime and antisocial behaviour.

The local Liberal Democrats are now trying to persuade the Labour-run council that another betting shop is wrong for this community. The application could be rejected if it can be proven that local betting shops are a cause of crime.

The Wood Green Liberal Democrat team will be writing to Haringey Council in response to the planning application shortly, to fully represent the views of over 100 residents who have filled in their survey.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Over the years, many residents have contacted me with concerns about anti social behaviour in the Wood Green area. The Haringey Lib Dems and I are committed to helping fight crime in our local area.

“I am fully behind the Wood Green Lib Dems. Together we will make sure the Labour-run Council is aware of residents’ views on this matter.”

Wood Green campaigner Roxy Squire commented:

“As a local Wood Green resident, I am aware that anti-social behaviour is a problem in the area. My colleagues and I are concerned that some of that behaviour is a consequence of the large number of betting shops.

“Local residents don’t want or need yet another betting shop on Lordship Lane. We want to persuade the Labour-run council that another betting shop is wrong for this community – but we need residents’ support.

“That’s why we’ve launched our survey, and I hope as many residents as possible respond.”

Calling a roundtable to fight FGM in Haringey

Posted on 17th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has called a roundtable of key figures in Haringey, to discuss fighting and preventing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the borough.

Representatives from Haringey Council, Police, and health services have been called on by the local MP to discuss an integrated strategy to protect local girls from FGM.

The practice is prevalent in countries like Somalia and Egypt, but also affects girls in the UK. Most commonly, young girls are sent abroad to be ‘cut.’ It has been estimated that over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK each year, and that 66,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM.

It is illegal to arrange for a child to be taken abroad for FGM. If caught, offenders face a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

The Liberal Democrat MP is also a minister in the Department for International Development, and the ministerial champion for tackling violence against women and girls overseas. Ending FGM within a generation is one of her top priorities.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented

“Over the last few months I have met with Haringey Council, the Borough Commander and local health representatives. All have shown a great willingness to fight FGM in Haringey. Now, I want to bring everyone together to discuss a truly integrated strategy. That’s why I have called this roundtable meeting.

“Late April to July is usually the time when girls are sent abroad to be cut – so there really is no time to lose. FGM is a crime and it is child abuse – and everyone needs to work together to tackle the problem.

“As minister for International Development, I have made ending this awful practice within a generation one of my top priorities. We will not see an end to FGM in the UK unless the practice is eliminated worldwide – but we need to tackle it on the ground here, too.”

Joining the CrossSafe campaign for road safety

Posted on 11th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with CrossSafe N10 campaigners to discuss the problems with the junction on Alexandra Park Road, Colney Hatch Lane, and Pages Lane.

The residents have long been campaigning for better safety on and around the junction.

On the site visit, the residents described the problems faced on a daily basis – including drivers not realising that there is a second red light and driving through, pedestrians not being able to see oncoming traffic, poor phasing of traffic lights, and no ‘green man’ signalling to guide pedestrians.

Campaigners say that these problems pose a safety risk – and that they have seen many near misses.

The Liberal Democrat MP – who has previously made representations on this issue – has now written again to both Transport for London and Haringey Council (who share management of the junction) and requested a site visit with them and the local residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“These residents have done a fantastic job of raising awareness of this issue and campaigning for better road safety at this dangerous junction.

“I am happy to get involved to support their cause. I have now written again to both TfL and Haringey Council, demanding a meeting with them on site so they can see the problems for themselves.

“I hope this will lead to action – vast improvements on this junction may well be necessary to prevent a serious accident here in the future.”

Demanding answers from Homes for Haringey on Noel Park repairs

Posted on 10th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone has contacted Homes for Haringey to demand an update on urgent repairs to the Noel Park estate.

The Liberal Democrat MP held a public meeting in Noel Park three weeks ago, to give residents the chance to have their say and raise issues with housing chiefs from Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council.

Dozens of residents spoke of their need for urgent repairs, which Homes for Haringey agreed to fix as a priority.

The Wood Green MP has also contacted residents to ask them about the progress made.

The public meeting was called because of the lack of Decent Homes and urgent repair work being made to the houses on the Noel Park estate – a real let down to residents, particularly in light of the recent Homes for Haringey bonus scandal.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Increasingly, residents from the Noel Park estate are coming to me for help with their housing, because Labour-run Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey just won’t listen to them or take action.

“Enough is enough. It is so unfair for residents to live in such bad conditions, while Homes for Haringey repair staff receive £3.7 million in bonuses.

“I will keep chasing Homes for Haringey to make these repairs. I am asking residents to keep me informed, too, to make sure I get the full picture.”