Alexandra Palace’s future was thrown into further doubt last week, when Labour and the Conservatives combined to push through Parliament the Labour run Council’s plan to effectively sell off the Palace, with an unfettered, 125 year lease to developers.

Local Liberal Democrats have been campaigning against the plans and the Lib Dem Culture Spokesperson Don Foster MP began the debate in Parliament with a detailed speech explaining Lib Dem concerns. He was backed by London Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes who also spoke against the statutory instrument permitting the controversial move.

The Lib Dems had called for the debate, which took place on Wednesday 14th January, as they believe that the Labour Council is trying to push the Palace into private hands and effectively wipe out the Alexandra Palace and Park (APP) Charity and the original APP Act.

Mr Foster and Mr Hughes made strong and eloquent arguments against the proposed changes to the act. They argued that:

* The power being sought was too great.

* The financial case did not justify the transfer of this charity into private hands.

* The power to broaden trusteeship, so that the Council, with all its conflicts of interest, was no longer the sole trustee, was the key initial change that should be sought.

Despite what many neutral observers viewed as a strong and coherent case against the plans by the Lib Dems, the vote was predictable with the Labour members voting in favour of the changes. Interestingly for changes that would result in privatisation of the APP charity, the Conservatives abstained, seemingly reflecting their unease over the proposals.

Lib Dem spokesperson on Alexandra Palace, Cllr Bob Hare was disappointed with the result but was extremely pleased by the Lib Dems performance in the debate, and says Haringey’s Lib Dems will continue to fight for properly thought out future for the Palace and not just a quick sell-off.

The Lib Dems believe that the involvement of private enterprise is one piece of the jigsaw needed to get the fully-working Palace that everyone wants, but for a much shorter-term and as part of a plan that involves broader trustees and which properly respects the objectives of the Park and Palace Trust.

Cllr Hare comments:

“I am delighted at how eloquently Simon and Don presented our arguments. It is sad that the Conservatives and Labour members had made up their minds prior to the debate and showing the disinterest they both have in preserving a building that has not just historic significance but real practical value to Haringey and London.

“This is not the end of the matter, we will continue to fight what we believe is an ‘at any cost’ selling of Haringey’s finest landmark. We will battle to prevent the Palace’s historically and cultural value being diminished for the sake of a ‘fast buck’.”

With Haringey’s record on rubbish in the spotlight, Stroud Green by election candidate Laura Edge is presenting hundreds of petition signatures from Haringey residents calling for the Council to scrap its controversial charges for the collection of bulky waste.

Lib Dems say that partly because of the charges, large items such as old fridges and other large waste litter the borough’s streets. The petition will be handed in today by Lib Dem councillors at the full Council meeting.

Laura Edge says Haringey’s policy is a false economy, as it results in the unscrupulous dumping of these large items – with Haringey having to foot the bill anyway, as they have to clear up the mess. The Labour council has recently admitted to Lib Dem councillors that demand for collections of bulky rubbish has declined by almost 75% since the introduction of the charges.

Stroud Green candidate Laura Edge comments:

“It is time Haringey reversed its stance on this issue, as it is leading to more dumping in the area. Any revenue the Council gains is more than outweighed by the extra fly-tipping. Some residents cannot afford bulk collections, and resent paying when they believe this should be covered by the Council Tax.”

A dangerous pedestrian crossing in Muswell Hill that has been the scene of a number of near misses has finally been improved following a year of pressure from local Lib Dem councillor Lynne Featherstone.

The pedestrian crossing at the busy Priory Road/ Muswell Hill junction was condemned as ‘dangerous’ by local residents who complained to Ms Featherstone that the crossing did not allow enough time for cars to clear before the green man appeared.

Ms Featherstone (Muswell Hill) contacted the Council last year and following a site visit was told that the crossing was safe. However following further complaints, Ms Featherstone requested that the Council considered extending the inter-green period by just a few seconds to ensure that a serious accident did not occur. The Council agreed to this and has now implemented the much needed safety measure.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“I am pleased that the council has now acted before a serious incident occurred. Road safety in the borough is a problem and everything must be done to ensure the safety of both road users and pedestrians.”

Local Liberal Democrats will go to Parliament this Wednesday (14th January 2004) to try and prevent the Labour run Council changing the Alexandra Park and Palace Act so they can effectively sell Alexandra Palace to private developers. The Lib Dems, who have forced a debate on the controversial plans, will be represented in committee by Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson, Don Foster MP and Simon Hughes MP. The party is concerned that the local Labour Council is trying to push the Palace into private hands and effectively wipe out the Alexandra Palace and Park (APP) Charity and the original APP Act.

The plan by the Labour Council is to alter the current Act regarding the Palace which will allow the Board of Trustees to present a developer with an unfettered 125 year lease to the Palace and the area of the park near the Palace. Lib Dem spokesperson on Alexandra Palace, Cllr Bob Hare, believes that the reasoning behind the alterations does not stand up to scrutiny. He says that the Council is being pushed by a secret deal with its preferred developer, signed years ago, and that it has an immense conflict of interest between its own finances and those of the Palace, which is supposed to be an independent charitable trust. Cllr Hare is also concerned about the potential negative affect of the changes on the historic value of the Palace, which still contains the studios where the world’s television broadcasting began.

Cllr Hare says there are far better ways of managing the Palace and Park and that the market is now very different and far better opportunities exist. He adds that despite the depleted state of the building and its being run for years in a short-term fashion, the Trust is generating substantial amounts of money, sufficient to be able to choose commercial partners without losing the building. He also cautions that substantial financial risk and commitments remain with the Trust.

London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes added his support to the Lib Dem group’s campaign when he visited the Palace on Saturday (10h January) underlining the importance of the Palace’s heritage, not just to Haringey but to all Londoners.

Cllr Hare is hoping that the Lib Dems in Parliament are able to block the Labour Council’s plans on Wednesday. This will make the Council look at alternative arrangements, such as broadening the trusteeship away from the Council’s exclusive and controversial control, with possible commercial partners on shorter-term leases. In the interests of all Londoners, all trustees, and not just the Labour ones should agree key issues. Lib Dems say that the Palace needs a board that is more in keeping with such a historic monument of national importance.

Cllr Bob Hare comments:

“We must fight the Council’s plans. Ally Pally is a landmark for Haringey and for London. To degrade it by handing its future to developers whose plans are so lacking in inspiration would be disgraceful and an extraordinary act of public robbery.

Lib Dem group leader, Cllr Neil Williams adds:

“The present state of the Palace reflects two decades of mismanagement by the Labour Council. Rather than work with interested parties who want to help increase profitability while maintaining its heritage the Council is trying to get rid of it at any cost. Their way forward is utterly lacking in either good sense or imagination.”

Despite the rain, there was joy in Muswell Hill and Highgate this morning as local residents stepped aboard the first service on the new 603 bus connecting Muswell Hill and Highgate with Hampstead and Swiss Cottage. Local councillors Lynne Featherstone (Muswell Hill) and Neil Williams (Highgate) joined Keith Tarn and local campaigners, passengers and school kids to board the service at 7.30 this morning in Muswell Hill Broadway (see pic).

The bus was a modest two minutes late as the first passengers boarded in the rain this morning and set off towards Highgate. The service was in strong demand, with passengers, both school kids and adults alike, boarding at every stop on the way to Highgate.

Lib Dem councillor and GLA member Lynne Featherstone, who boarded the bus, said there was almost a “party atmosphere” on board, and was very pleased with the number of passengers who took the first trip.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“This was a great moment, and I am delighted that there was such a good take-up this morning. I am confident this will grow as the days pass and more people become aware of the benefits of the route. As well as schoolchildren, we had adult passengers making the journey to Hampstead and the Royal Free. I’ve always felt that the bus would be much more than a school service, and this was a great start. I am absolutely delighted.”

Highgate councillor Neil Williams adds:

“Despite the rain and the particularly heavy traffic this morning, this was a brilliant moment. I am sure the trial will be a great success, which will enable us to show Transport for London that the route thoroughly deserves a full service. That’s what we will be campaigning for in the coming weeks and months.”

Local Liberal Democrats are today praising the huge contribution of party leader Ross Laird, who is stepping down from the leadership of the Lib Dem group on Haringey Council, and will shortly resign his Council seat. Ross Laird and his young family are to move to Edinburgh, as both his and his wife’s jobs are moving to Scotland. Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate ward) has been elected new Lib Dem leader on the Council.

Ross Laird was elected a councillor for Muswell Hill four years ago in January 2000, in a notable local by-election win.

He was re-elected in the local elections in 2002, and in November 2002 he became leader of the 15-strong Lib Dem Group after their dramatic election gains in May of that year.

Ross Laird comments:

“I have hugely enjoyed my time as Lib Dem Leader and as Muswell Hill councillor, and after all the immense help and encouragement from local people I will be very sad to leave. Both my own job and that of my wife are moving to Edinburgh and the move will also allow us to be much nearer to my elderly parents. This hasn’t been an easy decision for us to make.”

“I hope that along with my council colleagues Lynne Featherstone and Jonathan Bloch, I have been able to make a noticeable difference to the area. Certainly, the last few weeks have brought good news for Muswell Hill on a range of issues we’ve been working on.

“Sir John Stevens has confirmed that it should be quick and easy to find the funding to reopen Muswell Hill’s police station to the public. The trial for a new bus route linking Muswell Hill with Hampstead and Swiss Cottage is starting this very day. I will be writing to all local residents to thank them for their help in all these campaigns.”

Fellow Muswell Hill councillor, Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Ross has been a great friend and colleague over the past four years, and he will be greatly missed, both as leader of the Lib Dem group on the Council and as my own colleague in Muswell Hill ward. I wish Ross and his family every success and happiness in their move to Scotland.”

Highgate councillor Neil Williams has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrat group. Cllr Neil Williams, comments:

“We will all miss Ross very much in the group, and he did a superb job in bringing a whole new team of councillors together on the Council. Ross has built the foundations that will ensure we will continue to make progress. We have a by-election in a couple of weeks in Stroud Green where we have an excellent opportunity to make another gain from Labour on the Council, and I am sure we will finish the job of ending over 30 years of Labour rule in Haringey. We are all looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

It was a busy weekend in the Stroud Green by election, as Lib Dem candidate and local resident Laura Edge toured Stroud Green Road on Saturday with Islington Lib Dem Executive Member for Communities Laura Willoughby. They were joined on the campaign trail by Lib Dem Mayoral candidate and MP, Simon Hughes.

The three visited Stroud Green Road to discuss funding opportunities for the area, in which Lib Dem Islington Council is taking the leading role. Stroud Green Road forms the borough boundary between Islington and Haringey councils. Islington councillor Laura Willoughby told Simon Hughes and Laura Edge that funding was in place for improvements to the busy high street. Laura Willoughby said that Islington Council was extremely keen to consult widely with local people on their views on how the area can be improved.

The three also met with campaigners from the Friends of Finsbury Park, including the group’s chair, Hugh Hayes, to discuss how the park could be improved and how major events could be better managed.

Laura Edge comments:

“Having met with Laura Willoughby, I am confident that there is a way ahead for improvements to Stroud Green Road. If elected, I will be working closely with Laura and other colleagues on Islington Council to consult local people and improve the street scene.

“There are also problems with the drainage in places on the Haringey side.Lib Dem Islington have done a great job in revamping nearby Fonthill Road and are about to start work on Blackstock Road.I am keen to see improvements taken forward on Stroud Green Road itself.It was a very useful meeting.”

The state of GP service in Haringey, and Stroud Green in particular, is an issue in the Stroud Green by-election according to local Lib Dem candidate Laura Edge. The concern follows an admission by health service bosses at a recent meeting of Haringey’s Health and Social Services Committee that GP services, particularly in the Hornsey Vale area, may not be adequate to meet the needs of the local population.

At the Health and Social Services Committee in December, the Chief Executive of Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust David Sloman, following a question from Lib Dem Health spokesperson Cllr Neil Williams, said that there was what she termed ‘underdoctoring’ in the roads that form Hornsey Vale.

Lib Dem candidate Laura Edge comments:

“Access to GP services is a vital concern in the borough, as patients need to be able to see a local GP as soon as possible. Although this is a problem across the board, it concerns me greatly that parts of Stroud Green area are particularly badly hit when it comes to GP services.

“I will be seeking to discuss this issue with NHS leaders in the borough to examine what plans they have to improve the situation in Stroud Green.”

Haringey Liberal Democrats have called for urgent action to tackle disability access in two of the borough’s libraries – Muswell Hill and Stroud Green. The call follows an accident involving a Mr Norton, a wheelchair bound resident who was trying to access Muswell Hill Library to attend a councillor’s surgery in December.

Cllr Ross Laird, whom Mr Norton was trying to see, contacted Haringey Council to find out how many accidents there had previously been and what action the Council proposed to take to improve disabled access. Lib Dem Councillors had complained over the past couple of years about the ramp which was built to improve disabled access at the library – but was built with steps, making it unusable to wheelchairs.

Cllr Laird commented:

“The accident at Muswell Hill Library was waiting to happen and while I am relieved that there is no record of previous accidents of this nature, it does still beg many questions – such as why the ramp, so obviously inadequate, was ever built; how many unreported incidents there has been; and how many people with disabilities are put off accessing the library due to inadequate disability access?

“There are only two libraries in Haringey where wheelchair access is very difficult, the other being Stroud Green Library. We owe the victim of this accident and all those who have a disability the provision of adequate wheelchair access to these libraries. For too long our libraries have been underfunded and the lack of money for capital works and repairs is now starting to be a serious risk not only to the buildings and stock, but to the very customers who use the facilities.”

Transport for London has now confirmed the times and starting date for the trial of the new bus route from Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage. The service, which starts on Monday, 12th January, will run as follows:

0730, 0750, 1440, 1510, from Muswell Hill Broadway

0830, 0850, 1540, 1610, from Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage

Muswell Hill councillor and GLA member Lynne Featherstone, who has campaigned for many years for the route, comments:

“This is a great day for all those who have campaigned so hard over the last six years, and for all those for whom this new bus route will make a real difference to their lives.

“I would like to say a big thank you to Mayor Livingstone for listening to people in the area, and to Transport for London for all the work they have done to make this trial possible.

“The challenge ahead will be to persuade the Mayor that it is not just schoolchildren who need this route, but others need it just as much. Mothers with buggies, workers, visitors and patients to the Royal Free Hospital and all those who would want to go to Hampstead or Swiss Cottage by bus rather than by car need this route as well.

“I wish the trial every success and look forward to its expansion to a full service in the very near future.”