Liberal Democrat councillors in the London Borough of Haringey have welcomed the news that Haringey Council is to substantially increase its annual expenditure on roads maintenance from £1.98m to £3.75m. The news follows a damning report showing that Labour have chronically underinvested in the roads and pavements of the borough for years, and now some £35 million over the next ten years is required to make amends.

Earlier this year Cllr David Winskill (Lib Dem, Crouch End) chaired a Scrutiny Panel which looked into the state of the borough’s roads. It was discovered that Haringey Council’s has been spending less than half that of neighbouring London Boroughs on their roads. Last year, Haringey allocated just £1.98m to Highways, compared to Islington’s £7.8m and Camden’s £5.6m. In addition, it was reported that due to the level of neglect in previous years, substantial additional investment of up to £35 million is required in order to bring Haringey’s performance up to acceptable levels.

In his report, Cllr. Winskill was critical of the underinvestment over many years which had led to some roads being pitted with potholes or patched so much that little of the original surface remained.

Councillor Martin Newton, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Traffic and Highways, said:

“This is good news for all road users in the Borough. The network has been badly neglected by Haringey Labour for too long.”

Cllr Winskill adds:

“I am pleased that Environment have taken note of the Panel’s recommendations and have acted. Sadly because of the massive backlog of repairs, it may be some time before we see any real improvement.”

The latest annual report by the Commission for Social Care Inspection shows that Haringey’s Social Services are amongst the worst in the country, being given just one star out of three in the report. Just 6% of Councils across the country had a worse rating than last year – Haringey was one of them, having achieved two stars in the previous annual report.

Just 33 councils across the country were given a one-star rating, putting Haringey in the bottom 22% of councils nationwide. The report also says that Haringey’s capacity to improve services is “uncertain”, a rating awarded to just 12% of Councils nationwide. The conclusion of the report explains that, “there are significant areas of concern in social care performance.”

Liberal Democrat councillors are extremely worried, pointing out that due to budgetary restrictions, services are likely to get even worse in the coming year.

The report explains that, “More work is required to support adults with learning disabilities, and those with mental health problems, with community-based services”, and also singles out carers’ services as an area that needs serious improvement.

Councillor Richard Wilson, Lib Dem spokesperson for Health and Social Services, comments:

“The report is damning. We are hugely concerned that, as the report explains, Labour’s ability to improve is ‘Uncertain’ – more so surely due to the fact that they are likely to cut the budget for next year’s social services provision.

“The people of Haringey deserve much better than they are getting. The people who use the service are those who are most at risk – those who require mental health care, the elderly, and the vulnerable. We must ensure that we are giving them the quality of care that they deserve, and it is clear from the report that Labour are not delivering that.

“The Lib Dems will work hard to ensure that Labour are scrutinised over their performance in this area – it is clear that, left to their own devices, Labour do not have the ability to raise performance.”

Note:

The report can be found at www.csci.org.uk/care_professionals/councils/star_ratings.aspx

Compromises have been secured from Labour over the plans for both the Muswell Hill and Crouch End “Stop-and-Shop” schemes, but Liberal Democrat councillors say that Labour’s concessions do not go far enough. Labour have agreed to include in the parking scheme plans a reduction in the first level of charge to 20p for the first twenty minutes, and an agreement to begin charging at 9am rather than 8am.

In Muswell Hill an agreement has been made to dispose of the majority of plans to site pay-and-display bays in residential side streets, as well as a large reduction in the number of bays along Fortis Green Road. For Crouch End, a reduction in the number of short-term pay-and-display bays and the provision of some three-hour bays has been secured.

While the Liberal Democrats are happy that they have been able to influence Labour to a degree, they argue that Labour must recognise the vehement opposition to the plans amongst residents and go back to the drawing board. Over 98% of responses to the first stage of consultation were against the plans.

Martin Newton, Lib Dem spokesperson for Traffic and Highways, comments:

“There are so many questions that Labour are not prepared to answer: How long will it remain 20p for the first 20 minutes? How long before further pay-and-display bays are installed? Why won’t Haringey Council provide the first 30 minutes free? Will the proposed pay-and-display machines give change? Why is charging starting before it gets busy? If the Council is really concerned about parking in these areas, why doesn’t it promote the existing public car parks and open the Hornsey Library Car Park in Crouch End for public use during the week?

“Labour just cannot accept that they have got it wrong with their one-size-fits-all approach. They still pretend that they are listening to residents over consultation, but in reality they are presenting a deaf ear. They are consulting on these matters just before Christmas, when they are aware that residents are going to have other matters on their minds, or be away from their homes.

“Haringey Council needs to look at individual problems and address these needs with tailored solutions on a street-by-street basis and without this, and without further commitments from the Council, these schemes should be scrapped.”

Councillor Isidoros Diakides, Haringey Labour’s embattled lead member for Housing, is once again facing calls for his resignation, as problems further delay the launch of the Home Connections scheme.

In order to survive a no confidence motion tabled by the Liberal Democrats at the last Full Haringey Council meeting, Cllr Diakides promised councillors and public alike that the new scheme would be launched on the 27th November. Liberal Democrat councillors however are dismayed to now learn that the project has been pushed back once again.

Home Connections is a new choice-based lettings scheme to be run in conjunction with several other London boroughs. The scheme will see tenants bid online for accommodation across the capital.

Councillor Diakides has been at the centre of attention for months following the release of a damning report by the Audit Commission in May exposing major failings in the Housing Service. He narrowly survived a vote of no-confidence at the last meeting of the Full Council. Following briefings from officers, Lib Dems expressed their concerns that the launch of the new scheme could be delayed into the New Year. Councillor Diakides explained that the 27th November was the expected date of the launch “bar a last minute hitch”, and went on to say “bearing in mind, Madam Mayor, the train of events that I mentioned before it is remarkable that we are on course and proceeding according to plan.”

Councillor Catherine Harris, Lib Dem spokesperson for Housing, comments:

“This time Labour themselves will have to ask Cllr. Diakides to step down. Once again, he has not delivered on even his very recent promises – and this project was supposed to be delivered a long time ago. We cannot let this shambles continue, as it is damaging the council and letting down local residents.

“Housing must have effective leadership that can deliver results to the people that need them. Thousands live in temporary accommodation in the borough, and have been promised this scheme for months, only to see delay after delay and unfulfilled promises. We must have an effective councillor in charge of the Housing Service.”

Liberal Democrats in Haringey have expressed anger at the decision by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) Board to put Fortis Green Clinic on the market, sell part of the Hornsey Hospital site, and demolish the old hospital building. Haringey Liberal Democrats have been urging the PCT not to sell any of the Hornsey site until there is more certainty about the Hornsey Hospital redevelopment.

Liberal Democrat councillors have also called on the PCT to halt any plans to sell the clinic until after the hospital is built. Sixteen clinic sessions a week are held at Fortis Green and it is not yet clear where these would be relocated to, nor how accessible they would be for local patients. The Lib Dems have urged Haringey Council’s Scrutiny Committee to investigate the PCT’s plans to close Fortis Green Clinic.

Councillor Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health and Social Services comments:

“Residents are right to be angry that the Health Trust is not listening to their concerns.It is very worrying that they are rushing to sell up before the new Community Hospital has been properly financed – let alone built.Why is it that they move so quickly when it comes to closing and selling health facilities but so very slowly when it comes to building them?

“I am urging Haringey Council to put its foot down and haul the PCT before the Scrutiny Committee over its sudden plans to close Fortis Green Clinic. There should be proper consultation with patients and residents, yet the Trust plans to rush through a decision in January – just two months after announcing the plans.”

Fortis Green ward councillor Martin Newton said;

“Many local mothers with new babies go to sessions held with midwives at this clinic, and people with serious long-term conditions have regular check-ups and tests there.I am worried that these vital services will be relocated and become much less assessable to people from Fortis Green and Muswell Hill.

“There is a real lack of health facilities in the area so I am amazed the Health Trust is pushing to close this facility.The sale of the Clinic should be halted.”

Haringey Labour has failed to deal with serious underperformance when dealing with complaints made under the Children’s Act, as they threaten to miss national targets for the third year in a row.

Haringey’s Liberal Democrat councillors are demanding that Labour take concerted action to improve performance in order to ensure the safety of the borough’s vulnerable children.

This year to date, just 68% of complaints made at the Stage 1 level have been dealt with within the national 14-day timescale – the Government’s target is 80%. Last year, Haringey Council dealt with 69% of complaints in this timescale, and in 2004/05 just 39% were completed on schedule.

The same is true for the more serious Stage 2 complaints. Just one complaint has been submitted to the Council this year – this was not completed within the required 28-day period. Last year just one of 12 such complaints (8%) was completed on time, and 2 of the outstanding complaints had not been dealt with after 90 days.

Labour’s lead member in charge of reporting on progress to the Council’s leadership admits his concerns. Councillor Dhiren Basu, Executive Member for Organisational Development and Performance, says in the latest report to the Executive, “My colleagues and I are still disappointed with performance as…processing children’s act complaints…Clearly work still needs to be done in these areas and I will be working alongside officers to make sure the necessary steps are taken.”

Liberal Democrat councillors have continually warned Labour that they must improve performance as a priority. Councillor Gail Engert, Lib Dem spokesperson for Children and Young People, comments:

“This is negligence, pure and simple. Labour absolutely must ensure that they are making improvements as a priority – our children deserve better than this. The Council Leader has claimed that we are sensationalising this issue, but the figures frankly speak for themselves.

“It is scandalous that the administration which failed to protect the desperately tragic death of Victoria Climbie can allow underperformance such as this to continue month after month, despite warnings from the Lib Dems, and then make light of their failures. The children of this borough deserve better, and we demand to see improvements in the very near future.”

Haringey Council and Thames Water contractors have promised to consider new measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians when carrying out road works in the borough. The promise came following complaints made by Crouch End Liberal Democrat councillors over the poor organisation of road works on Crouch End Broadway.

Last month Thames Water’s works on the Broadway had resulted in barricades being erected around the Clock Tower and the closure of the pedestrian crossing at the junction, as well as the suspension of the crossing outside Budgens. There were therefore no safe pedestrian crossings in use at all from Coleridge Road to Middle Lane, resulting in a serious safety concern for those on foot who use the Broadway.

Ward councillors Lyn Weber and David Winskill brought the matter to the Council’s attention, demanding that action be taken. Meetings between Thames Water, Murphys and the London Borough of Haringey were set up and attended by the councillors.

As a result, Haringey Council has promised that in similar circumstances it will ensure safer routes in the future, look at the possibility of using wardens to patrol dangerous crossings, and use better signage to reduce danger to pedestrians.

Councillor Lyn Weber comments:

“I am very pleased that the Council have seen the problems here and agreed to act on them. We need to make sure that there is more joined-up thinking when it comes to contractors carrying out work in the borough, and safety must be the first concern of any future work.”

Councillor Dave Winskill adds:

“I am glad that we were able to assist here – clearly, there was no awareness that safety was at risk, and I urge the Council to make sure that similar works, happening across the borough all the time, are examined in order to maximise safety on our roads.”

Residents met with Haringey Council on Sunday at the Campsbourne Baptist Church at the first ‘Campsbourne Debate’, an event conceived to allow residents the chance to tell the Council what it was like to live on the Campsbourne Estate, and what improvements could be made to the area. Lib Dem councillors attended the event and welcomed the Council’s attention and support.

Residents were very forthcoming in their commitment to their estate, their ideas for its improvement and how best to use the advertised £150,000 of money available for investment in the area.

The afternoon also featured the showing of a DVD made by a group of young people, with support from Council youth workers, in memory of their friend Paul Fadibe who died in a scooter accident on the estate in September this year.

Councillor Gorrie said:

“This was a good event with quality input from a committed group of residents and the young peoples DVD was quite simply stunning. Our challenge is to ensure the Labour Council actually does listen to residents and actually does deliver what residents need.

“The advertised £150,000 is the same money as was announced by the Council in September 2005 and is money the Council have actually had in the bank since April 2005. The same is true of the proposed further consultations and working groups.

“Back in February this year the Council announced the formation of a Campsbourne Estate Stakeholders Group which I am not sure has ever met and has certainly not done so since May. Enough promises. The Council needs to properly engage with residents and their local councillors to ensure there is real tangible progress.”

Highgate councillors Bob Hare and Neil Williams have expressed dismay at the prospect of the popular luncheon club at Jackson’s Lane Community Centre facing the axe in a round of Haringey Council cutbacks.

Local Lib Dem councillors have been contacted by worried residents who rely on the service and fear it may be lost.

Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams says that as well as providing meals for elderly residents, the club performs a vital social function, keeping vulnerable Highgate residents well, in touch with one another and arranging other events such as coach trips. All of this is achieved through a grant of just £10,000 from Haringey council.

Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams comments:

“Elderly Highgate residents have very little provision from the Council, and it is difficult to imagine a more cost effective service. For such a small amount of money, a huge amount of care and social contact would be lost. “

Cllr Bob Hare adds:

“It would be scandal to shut the service for such a small saving. Jackson’s Lane provides a vital service, and at a very high degree of efficiency. This senseless cut must not get the go ahead.”