Haringey Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Cllr Ron Aitken has been appointed by the Local Government Association (LGA) to its mental health task force. The body is working to produce a vision for mental health for the next 10 to 15 years.

The task group is made up of representatives of all political parties, as well as the Sainsbury Foundation for Mental Health, the Association of Directors of Social Services and the NHS Confederation.

The remit of the Task Force has been to produce a report for the autumn that will seek to influence policy makers at national, regional and local level to develop new policies for the treatment and prevention of mental illness. It also aims to improve implementation of existing policy and ensure that the profile of mental health issues is raised at all levels, particularly to combat stigma and prejudice against those who may have suffered from mental ill-health.

Cllr Ron Aitken (Crouch End) comments:

“One in six of the population will at one time or another suffer from mental health difficulties and almost every person will know of a family member or partner who suffers from mental illness.

“We must therefore treat this issue seriously and avoid the difficulties experienced by many people who have no access to help and support until their condition becomes critical.”

Local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has launched her annual Christmas card competition, inviting 4-15 year olds from all over Hornsey and Wood Green to create a Fair Trade Christmas image that will be adopted as her official 2005 Christmas card.

The competition has three age categories with three prizes in each. The overall winner will not only have their design printed and produced to be distributed by Lynne Featherstone, but will also be invited, along with their class, to have tea with her in the House of Commons.

Commenting on this year’s theme, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“We have decided on a Fair Trade theme this year as it is an important issue at a time of year when we should be thinking of those less fortunate than ourselves and what we can do to help them.

“Fair Trade ensures a fair deal for people in the developing world who provide us with the little luxuries we take for granted such as coffee, chocolate and even clothes. The scheme picks up key Christmas themes such as giving and sharing.

“It is also a very important issue locally and in fact I am trying to achieve Fair Trade status in my constituency office.I hope this competition will raise awareness of Fair Trade for all ages.

“Letters have been sent to every school in the constituency. If any child who lives in Hornsey and Wood Green but attends a school that is not in the constituency wishes to enter they are very welcome. Details can be obtained from my office on 020 8340 5459.

“The deadline is Monday 24th October and I am looking forward to seeing what those budding young artists out there can produce!”

Notes:

The Christmas card competition has three age groups: 4-6; 7-10; and 11-15 year olds. The age of each entrant is determined as at 1st September 2005.

The deadline is 24th October 2005 and every entry should have the student’s name, age, class and school written clearly on the back for ease of return. All entries need to be sent to the constituency office at First Floor Offices, Three Compasses, 62 High Street, Hornsey, London, N8 7NX.

Lib Dem Health spokesperson Cllr Ron Aitken has written to the Haringey and Barnet Primary Care Trusts expressing his concern at figures published in the Evening Standard last month (23rd August) that show a serious shortage of midwives at the Whittington and Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals.

Both hospitals, used frequently by mums-to-be from Haringey, appear on a list, collated by the Standard, highlighting 14 London hospitals that have a midwife vacancy rate higher than the London average.

The Whittington hospital currently has six midwife vacancies and a vacancy rate of 6%. Barnet & Chase Farm is third on the list, with a vacancy rate of 17% (37 vacancies).

Haringey’s Lib Dems protested strongly two years ago that Haringey PCT withdrew the home birth service due to budget constraints and claims by the PCT about patient safety. Recently several women’s organisations have raised concerns about the midwifery services at the other hospital used by residents – Haringey’s North Middlesex Hospital – and gave evidence to a recent Haringey Scrutiny Review of Maternity Services.

Cllr Aitken is concerned at the strain that the staff shortage is causing to the hospitals and the detrimental effect these shortages are having on existing staff:

“These are worrying figures and show the extent of staffing problems in many of our local NHS hospitals.”

Haringey Lib Dems have slammed Haringey Council for failing to carryout a meaningful consultation over plans to build a concrete batching plant in Cranford Way, N8 after the Labour-run Council proposed yesterday to hold a public meeting with residents next week.

Laura Edge, Lib Dem councillor for Stroud Green, is angry that little notice has been given of this proposed meeting scheduled for 7.30pm, 14th September at Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road. She says it does not leave adequate time to ensure that all interested parties are able to attend.

Cllr Edge is also concerned that the Council is spending its ‘limited resources’ on another public meeting rather than the independent reports and investigations into the environmental impact of this site as requested by residents, local pressure group Green N8 and Cllr Edge.

Furthermore she is bewildered that while the Council is proposing another public meeting with residents in Hornsey and Stroud Green, worried residents to the east of the site in the Harringay Ladder are yet to be consulted at all.

Cllr Edge says this is just the latest in a long list of failures by the Council to adequately consult on this issue.

Cllr Edge is encouraging residents, particularly those living in the Ladder, to attend the meeting next Wednesday to ensure that the Council are made completely aware of the residents’ displeasure.

Cllr Edge comments:

“Haringey Council’s handling of this consultation process has been nothing short of disgraceful.

“The decision to hold another meeting with residents in the Hornsey area with no clear objective seems senseless, especially in light of their continued failure to consult those living in the Ladder.”

Following the collapse of large sections of the old Queens Lodge building on Queens Avenue (N10) last year, restoration work is still far from being completed.

Developers initally maintained just the facade of the original building during their work, but then most of that collapsed as well – despite warnings to Haringey Council from local Lib Dems and residents that unauthorised work was being carried out.

With the developers ordered to restore the front of the building to match the original, work has been carrying on at a very slow pace. Recently, it appeared that the project was even going backwards, with more of the facade taken down. However, local Lib Dem councillor Matt Davies has secured assurances from Haringey Council that they are now keeping a very close eye on what is happening at Queens Lodge.

The restoration work has been started from the rear of the property, which has meant that little progress can be seen from the street. There were also safety concerns with parts of the building following the unauthorised rear excavation, leading to some parts being removed.

The recent removal of the roof was in order to replace the tiles with ones that match the originals. The Council has just approved appropriate roof tiles for the restored building.

Cllr Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green) comments:

“The Queens Lodge saga is still continuing, after the fiasco caused by the developers. I am glad to see that it appears Haringey Council has learned its lesson since it ignored the early warning signs from local residents and myself.

“They appear to be keeping a very close eye on the restoration work and I am hopeful that the end result will be acceptable to residents, even if it is turning into a painfully slow process.”

Councillor Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education, has criticised Labour’s 50% increase in under-5 childcare costs.

From 5th September, parents will have to pay a staggering £150 per week to get their children care while they go to work (£72 per week for those fortunate to get the Working Tax Credit).

“Labour have failed local parents on so many levels in Haringey,” says Councillor Engert.

“They are proposing to close Red Gables childrens centre and now they hit local hardworking parents with this additional increase of £10 per day for their childcare.”

Councillor Engert added: “Every parent wants the best for their child. Expert opinion and common sense agree that children well-taught and well cared-for in their early years have a far better chance of living fulfilled and rewarding lives.

“Those on low-incomes don’t always have the option of staying at home to look after a new baby. This is especially true for the first baby, when financial problems are most acute. So where does the Labour-run Haringey Council expect local parents to get this £150 per week from?”

Lib Dems in Haringey have called on Haringey Council to detail what action it is taking to address the problem of soaring numbers of serious injuries and deaths on Haringey’s roads.

The calls come following the publication of the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) in which for the third year running deaths and serious injuries have risen – this time to 191 (provisional figures).

The figure is eleven more than 2003/04 and 31 more than the 2002/03 figure.

The Lib Dems have successfully campaigned for greater road safety measures in the borough for many years. In recent times they have successfully lobbied for parking restrictions on the junctions of various accident blackspots to improve driver and pedestrian visibility and supported and assisted successful bids for Safer Routes to Schools money that has contributed to the fall in traffic accidents involving children.

Lib Dem traffic spokesperson, Cllr Susan Oatway, has this week written to Haringey Council expressing concern at the continuing rise in the figures and requesting details of what work they are doing to curb this worrying trend.

Cllr Susan Oatway comments:

“These figures are worrying. Road safety issues must be addressed in Haringey and we will, along with Lynne Featherstone MP, be pressing the Council to do so.”

Lib Dem councillor for Crouch End Ron Aitken has welcomed the news that Park Road swimming pool will receive almost GBP 2 million over the next two financial years.

The money comes as welcome news to local users and Liberal Democrat councillors in Crouch End and Muswell Hill who have campaigned for the pool to be refurbished.

Cllr Aitken is pleased that finally after a difficult two years for the pool it has finally has had its future secured with the investment.

Cllr Aitken (Crouch End) comments: “A number of years ago I campaigned with the local press for the open-air lido to be reopened.

“Now we need the indoor pool brought up to standard and the roof and other facilities upgraded.”

Urgent road repairs to the surface of Wellfield Avenue (N10) are to be carried out within the next seven days, following a request from local Lib Dem councillor Matt Davies (Fortis Green ward).

Walking along Wellfield Avenue recently, Cllr Davies noticed numerous cracks and small potholes which made the surface very uneven, especially likely to cause problems for cyclists. He asked Haringey Council to address the poor quality of the surface of this road and has now been told that repairs will be made to the worst potholes immediately.

Following Cllr Davies’ request and a subsequent road inspection, Wellfield Avenue is also being recommended for inclusion in the programme of road resurfacing for the next financial year.

Cllr Matt Davies comments:

“I am happy that the Council has dealt with my request swiftly and will carry out urgent repairs to the road surface this week. This will doubtless please residents and is a necessary first step to improving the quality of the road.

“Hopefully motorists and cyclists alike will find the repairs helpful in having a smooth journey and I am glad that Wellfield Avenue has now been recommended for full resurfacing in the next financial year.”

Lib Dem councillors in Crouch End have expressed concern at the decision by Labour councillors to reject a bid for GBP 300,000 for Hornsey Library for rewiring and external repairs.

The news came after Lib Dem councillor for Crouch End Ron Aitken wrote to Haringey Council requesting clarification on the funding bid.

Haringey Council has said a bid for funding would be made next year, but Cllr Aitken is concerned that the much needed funds have not been made available now and anyway there is no guarantee the bid will succeed next year either.

Cllr Aitken comments:

“Haringey has an appalling record on management of key buildings. Hornsey Library must not be allowed to deteriorate any further.

“It took a campaign by library users and Lib Dem councillors just to get the heating boilers replaced two years ago.”