Following last week’s two-day hearing at the High Court, local residents and Highgate councillors are now awaiting the outcome of what could be a landmark court ruling on the controversial retail park development on the Archway Road. The judge in the case, Mr Justice Richards, is expected to deliver his verdict on the judicial review process in the next week.

The judicial review of the proceedings will address a number of serious discrepancies in the Council’s handling of the planning application. These include the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment on the highly sensitive woodland site, the lack of adequate notification to the local residents, and the fact that landscaping requirements were expressly placed in the initial planning application.

Lib Dem councillor Bob Hare says the ruling is potentially of national significance. It may establish that a developer has certain responsibilities regarding the impact of their development, even if it is the local council, and not the developer itself, who has committed blunders in the planning process.

Cllr Bob Hare comments:

“This is the worst blow to the environment in Highgate for decades, and it is a very important case – a rare example of a judicial review of the planning process. Haringey has undoubtedly spent thousands of pounds in an effort to avoid blame for this tragic mess.

“Controversially, the Council’s own barrister has admitted in court that their own earlier attempt to delay this case collapsed. The Council has been obstructing the supply of information, and has sought to delay proceedings while it sought fresh planning permission on the site. We await the judgement, and we will not be letting the matter rest.”

Liberal Democrats have welcomed plans to improve the borough’s libraries but have expressed concern at the failure of the Council to meet national targets and have warned that the situation will not improve without greater investment. The comments come following the presentation of the Libraries Service Position Statement 2003 to the 21 October Executive Meeting.

The presentation outlined Haringey’s progress in its desire to have the ‘best library service in London’, outlining key objectives and a ‘framework for the future’ which highlighted plans for improvements such as ensuring greater electronic access and that staff are well trained and feel valued.

However the statement also highlighted the failure of Haringey’s libraries to meet 14 of the 28 nationally set Public Library Standards (PLS). These included targets for children/adults reporting success in obtaining a specific book as well as a number of failures on staff numbers, qualifications and knowledge.

Lib Dem Education Spokesperson, Barbara Fabian is pleased that the Council is now accepting the importance of improving the libraries, but warns that the Council needs to invest more money to bring up the libraries to an acceptable standard.

Cllr Barbara Fabian (Fortis Green) comments:

“These plans are very welcome and long overdue. I am pleased that libraries, which have been neglected for so long in Haringey, are being targeted for improvements. However, the Council needs to invest considerably more in local libraries to fill the gaps left by years of under-funding and bring them up to national standards quickly. It is important that the Council realises that libraries are an essential part of the education system and the borough will reap the benefits of what is invested in our libraries.”

Haringey Council’s financial problems are set to worsen if the Labour Government continues to rebuff efforts from the cash strapped Labour council for more cash, according to the Lib Dems.

Pleas for more cash have fallen on deaf ears among Labour Ministers in Whitehall. The Council already has a massive £1.4 million over-spend this year, and is planning another huge Council Tax hike for April. The Council may now also face tax capping by the Government, partly as a result of its attempts to push through such steep tax rises now, in order to avoid tax hikes nearer the 2006 local elections, when Labour will face a determined bid for control from the Lib Dems.

Cllr Ross Laird, Leader of the Opposition comments:

“The Labour Government’s new funding formula, and Haringey Labour’s own waste and inefficiency means that the Council now faces both a financial shortfall and Council Tax capping. The present shortfall is partly a consequence of increased investment in social services, but also due to the Labour Group’s decision to hold down taxes at election times and then unleash such massive increases once the local election was out of the way. As a result, Council services will become increasingly squeezed.”

Commenting on reports of a serious ‘near miss’ railway incident in the Alexandra Palace area, Lynne Featherstone, local councillor and Chair of the GLA’s Transport Policy Committee, said:

“This report is extremely worrying, and the consequences clearly could have been disastrous. The whole incident needs a full investigation and I will be asking both Jarvis and Network rail for a full explanation.

“This will only add to widespread concerns about safety on the railway network and the relationship between maintenance and the operation of the track, in the London region and elsewhere.”

Note:

You and Yours on BBC Radio 4 reported that the incident occurred “somewhere near Alexandra Palace.” The report alleged that fish plates were left off the tracks after maintenance work was done.

Fish plates are vital in holding track together. The problem was not identified until the first train of the day was approaching the piece of track in question, even though Jarvis had earlier given assurances to Network Rail that the section of track was safe. Jarvis has suspended one member of staff.

Councillor Ross Laird, Leader of the Opposition and local councillor for Muswell Hill, has called for the safety for residents to be of paramount importance as news emerged that the Met Police will auction Connaught House, Connaught Gardens, Muswell Hill on 3rd November. It is possible that the derelict house will be turned into flats.

Cllr Laird has been working with local residents on a whole range of issues over the past year including crime and safety in the area, rubbish and housing improvements. He is pleased that the Met Police are finally selling the disused property that has been a safety concern in the area for sometime. However, he wants assurances that residents’ safety and peace of mind will be of absolute priority in any development of the site.

Cllr Ross Laird comments:

“I am delighted that something is finally being done about Connaught House – a local eyesore which is frequently broken into. Whether this site is now developed into flats or not, what is important is that local residents are protected from excessive noise and disruption and that the access to flats at the back is not restricted. There are also some fine old trees in the ground and these should be retained. Finally, if the current building can be restored, so much the better.”

Bus stops are set to be re-sited around Alexandra Palace following complaints from local residents and Lib Dem councillors that the stops were too close together. London Bus bosses have confirmed the plans to move the stops on Alexandra Park Road, which are barely 150 yards apart, in a letter to Cllr Lynne Featherstone after the Lib Dems brought the issue to Transport for London’s attention.

Cllr Featherstone, who sits on the Transport for London committee at the GLA is pleased that London Buses are listening to those who use the service:

“I am glad to see that London Buses are willing to adapt their service to suit the users. We Lib Dems have passed on comments from the service users that the stops are too close together and London Buses appear to be acting on this.”

Lib Dem and Alexandra ward councillor, Susan Oatway adds:

“This is a busy road at peak times and buses stopping less than 150 yards apart merely adds to the congestion problem. It seems to make sense to listen to the users and review the current locations.”

Litter bins are to be installed at all bus stops in Muswell Hill, following requests from local Lib Dem councillors in Fortis Green and Muswell Hill wards. A number of new litter bins are being installed around the Muswell Hill Broadway shopping area, following consultation with local residents’ groups and local councillors, as part of a drive to cut down on litter in the centre of Muswell Hill.

Local councillors have pressed for bus stops to be included in this roll-out, as litter in these areas is often a serious issue.

Cllr Matt Davies (Fortis Green) and Lynne Featherstone (Muswell Hill) were amongst those requesting new bins to deal with the litter problem around bus stops, specifically the W7/144 bus stop towards the top of Muswell Hill, near the Green Man pub. Matt Davies has now received confirmation from the Council that all bus stops will be included in this year’s litter bin installation programme.

“With large numbers of people congregating around bus stops, it is only common sense to provide bins to encourage people not to drop litter,” said Cllr Davies. “I first asked for a bin to be sited at the W7 bus stop back in April, when the plans for extra bins were announced. I have now received confirmation that the W7 stop will get a bin, along with all the other bus stops.”

Lynne Featherstone adds:

“The area at the top of Muswell Hill is often plagued with litter, and the bus stop bins should help. I am delighted that the Council has agreed to take action.”

Lib Dem councillor Lynne Featherstone has revisited four of Haringey’s busiest stations to assess the progress of Network Rail in cleaning up the stations following agreed improvements made at a joint inspection back in June. The campaign, started earlier this year, has been gained momentum after hundreds of comments were made on litter and fly-tipping at the borough’s stations in the Lib Dems residents’ survey.

Following a number a years of campaigning for rail issues including safety, overcrowding, punctuality and station security, Cllr Featherstone’s latest campaign to clean up four of the boroughs busiest stations Alexandra Palace, Harringay, Hornsey and Bowes Park is beginning to see results.

Less than 3 months after visiting the stations with Network Rail’s area manager – Mick Murphy – the users are seeing a marked improvement in the cleanliness of the station.

Cllr Featherstone, who revisited the sites with Mick Murphy, saw huge improvements to Alexandra Palace Station including a clean up of the embankments and new fencing along Bedford Road to discourage fly-tipping. The other stations have varying levels of litter clean-up and new fencing proposals pending.

Although pleased with the improvements in cleanliness, the stations and the environs are not yet at an acceptable standard according to Ms Featherstone. She received a further commitment that all of the outstanding promises will be followed through. She is confident that with the good working relationship she has built with Network Rail things will continue to improve.

Cllr Featherstone comments:

“I am delighted with much of the work that has gone on at the stations in particular Alexandra Park. However I am under no misconception that we have a long way to go before the four stations are at a standard that is acceptable.

“I am confident that working with Network Rail we can push the contractors, namely WAGN and Jarvis, to speed up the improvements to the station. I will be paying close attention.”

Notes:

Progress on proposed improvements to stations:

HORNSEY

* Proposal forwarded to Jarvis to install new fencing along Tottenham Lane
* Rubbish cleared from embankment by Tottenham Lane
* Network Rail recognised WAGN as responsibility for station area by Hampden Road and has requested they remove debris and litter from the site
* Network Rail to highlight litter on bridge and request WAGN clean up
* Lib Dems to propose that litter bins be installed outside station by Council

HARRINGAY

* Network Rail to request Jarvis removes litter and fly-tipped rubbish from Quernmore Road and Burgoyne Road ends of station
* Jarvis to install new fencing at Quernmore Road end of station
* Dog mess on bridge to be brought to WAGN’s attention
* Lib Dems to propose that litter bins be installed at either end of bridge by Council

ALEXANDRA PALACE

* Litter and fly-tipped material cleared from embankments
* Erection of new secure fencing along Bedford Road side of station
* Request for WAGN/ JARVIS to remove rubbish from Buckingham Road end of station
* Lib Dems to propose that litter bins be installed at either end of bridge by Council

BOWES PARK

* Some fly-tipped rubbish removed
* Jarvis requested to remove remaining litter from Herbert Road side of station
* Proposal forwarded to Jarvis for new fencing along Herbert Road side of station
* Lib Dems to propose that litter bins be installed at either end of bridge by Council

Liberal Democrats in Haringey have expressed concern for the safety of children in the borough, even though it is ten months since the publication of Lord Laming’s recommendations aimed at avoiding a further tragedy like that of Victoria Climbie.Lib Dems Social Services Spokespersonn Cllr Ron Aitken says thatkey measures which were supposed to be put in place are still missing.

The results of a Joint Inspection of the Council’s Child protection service by the Social Services Inspectorate, the Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Commission for Health Improvement have only just been made public today.Lib Dem Spokesperson Cllr Ron Aitken has revealed that the Council has sat on the report for a month since it was received towards the end of September.

Ron Aitken comments:

“Even though frontline staff have worked hard, key recommendations by Lord Laming have still not been put in place. The SSI says there is evidence that children are not being properly safeguarded, and Councillors have been kept in the dark about a serious case involving the safety of a child on the Child Protection Register.”

“When will Haringey learn to put children first as opposed to being wedded to spin and secrecy? Only a change of political control will ensure the will to protect children properly.”

Note

Among the key findings of the SSI Report are:

·Evidence that some children are not being properly protected.

·Cases closed without proper checks.

·The existence of a serious case involving injury to a child on the at-risk register had led to poor decision-making.

·40% of parents said they did not feel Social Services listened to them.

·70% of parents said they were not asked how they felt about services offered to them.

·Police expressed concerns that they were not informed of suspected abuse of a child.

·Concern about the investigation of possible abuse by professionals.

·Concern expressed about checks on newly recruited staff.

·Social Workers had heavy workloads and suffered from the existence of a “blame culture”.

·25% of social workers said training was ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

·Concern expressed about violence towards social workers.

·Poor recording and filing of documents by Social Services and by the Health Service.

·Independent audit found poor standards of work, lack of checks and risk assessments.

·Serious concerns about inter-agency working (Police, Schools, Health, GPs, Social Services)

·Lack of translation and emergency out of hours service in social services.

·Children not consulted about their views and needs. 70% of parents said they were not given information about how to complain or access their files.

Liberal Democrat councillors in Highgate have welcomed moves to enforce planning regulations in Highgate following the controversial removal of a shop front at Café Nero earlier in the year. The removal of the historic timber frontage within the Highgate conservation area has been unpopular with local residents and the Highgate society, and the Lib Dems say the new alterations should never have taken place.

The Council has now moved to issue a ‘Breach of Condition’ notice due to the failure to comply with the replacement conditions on the listed building.

Highgate councillor Neil Williams comments:

“The planning process only works if it is properly enforced. I am pleased therefore that the council is taking action in this case, although it should have happened sooner. Local residents have rightly been dismayed at the alterations, which should clearly not have been allowed at what is a Grade II listed property.

“It is important that action is taken, and I am very pleased that local residents and the Highgate Society have been so steadfast in their work against such planning breaches which spoil the conservation area.”