Lynne Featherstone MP steps in as Council tries to close Community Centre

Posted on 9th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today made urgent contact with Labour-run Haringey Council, after a resident informed her of the pending closure of the Burghley Road under 5’s Community Centre.

In March, the Trustee of the Centre had written to the Council, expressing a desire to return the building. He did this, however, without consulting the management team.

The team at the Centre acted quickly, putting new trustees in place, securing the Charity Commissions’ consent to continue as a charity, and agreeing a new funding arrangement with Haringey Council’s Childcare and Early Years Department until 2015.

The Community Centre management then received a letter on the 3rd May from Haringey Council’s Property Services department, informing them that they needed to vacate the property by Monday 13th May.

In a strongly worded email, the Liberal Democrat MP has demanded answers from the Council, particularly whether Property Services will withdraw their demand to vacate the property.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am shocked at the way this issue has been handled by Haringey Council’s Property Services. There has clearly been no communication with the Early Years Department, who agreed to fund the Centre until 2015. The Centre performs a vital role in the local community, accommodating up to 200 children.

“The stripping of a resource such as this from the local area would constitute a great loss for local residents and create a huge gap in local childcare.

“No consideration seems to have been given regarding the value of the Centre to the local community. And finally, 10 days is a completely unrealistic amount of time for the task of shutting down a Centre that has been in place for a great number of years.

“I have asked some tough questions of the Council and requested that any action against the Centre is suspended until I receive a full response to the questions raised. I will keep residents updated with any further developments.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes more money for childcare in Haringey

Posted on 8th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

A new £2m scheme has been launched by the Coalition Government to help boost childcare businesses and help women back into work.

From yesterday, people who want to set up a nursery can apply for grants of up to £500 to help cover things like legal and insurance costs, training, equipment and adaptations to buildings. The scheme aims to launch up to 6,000 new childcare businesses across England.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has expressed hope that people in Haringey will take up this offer, so that a significant number of new nurseries will open, boosting options for parents.

This funding boost comes on top of other recent good news for parents. Last month it was announced that 882 of the poorest two-year-olds in Haringey stand to benefit from 15 hours free childcare a week from this September.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Liberal Democrats want to create a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life. Childcare plays a vital role in achieving those goals. It helps the early development of children and removes barriers for those parents keen to return to work.

“We have seen time and time again the important difference that good quality childcare can make in giving children the best possible start in life.

“This money will help entrepreneurs set up and run new childcare facilities which will be a boost to Haringey’s economy and a massive help to families here.”

Lynne Featherstone presents prizes at local May Day street party

Posted on 7th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP on Sunday attended a maypole dance and street party on Hillfield Park in Muswell Hill. This year, it included a bake off judged by Maison Blanc, a hulahoopathon, a tug of war and maypole dancing.

The Liberal Democrat MP gave a short speech praising the residents and organisers of the street party, which has become an established annual event.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green then presented rosettes to the winners of the ‘best pet’ competition. The runners up included dogs and a hamster (who sat on the rosette to pose for the photo!) The local MP presented the winning rosette to the pet owner – as the winning cat, Boris, had disappeared!

After the party, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I had a great time at the street party, which is always so well organised and attended by the local residents.

“It’s fantastic to see a community come together and take part in these fun activities. I was very happy to present the best pet prizes – even though the winner absconded before the prize giving ceremony!

“I look forward to next year’s party.”

Lynne Featherstone MP holds advice surgery at Wood Green Mosque

Posted on 7th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone last week visited Fatih Mosque, a branch of Suleymaniye, in Wood Green to talk to members of the congregation about local issues.

The Liberal Democrat MP entered the Mosque after prayers and was given a tour of the Women’s area. Following the tour, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green sat outside the Mosque and met with members of the congregation.

Along with two of her caseworkers, the MP spoke to dozens of people, and offered them assistance with their local issues.

Lynne Featherstone and her team process around 400 pieces of casework on behalf of local residents per week.

The event was organised by Dr Turhan Ozen, the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Elections Candidate for London.

Following the surgery, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I would like to thank Turhan for organising this event, and thank the congregation for welcoming me to the Mosque. It was great to take advantage of the nice weather and hold an advice surgery outside.

“My team and I spoke with dozens of people and gave them advice on their local issues. We will be making numerous representations to the Council and other authorities on their behalf this week.

“I hope this will be the first of many advice surgeries at the local Mosques in my constituency.”

Lynne Featherstone MP expresses concern over new measles cases in Haringey

Posted on 30th Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her concern as Department of Health figures revealed that measles cases In London have doubled in the last three months.

The Liberal Democrat MP and the Haringey Lib Dems began making enquiries following the outbreak of measles in South Wales.

In response to questions, Haringey Council stated that there was an adequate supply of the vaccine, and that Haringey had 88-90% vaccination coverage. They also stated that Public Health England was closely monitoring the situation, and that there was no evidence of measles spreading to the wider community in South Wales or in Haringey.

However, figures released by the Department of Health and Public Health England now suggest that Haringey has the fourth highest number of new cases in London, and only an 83% uptake of the MMR vaccine.

The Department of Health has now officially advised parents to get their children vaccinated.

Cllr David Winskill, Haringey Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, comments:

“The public are understandably worried about having a measles outbreak in Haringey because of the recent epidemic in Wales.

“It is very important that vaccination levels don’t drop here and we are calling on the council to carefully monitor the situation here in Haringey and take what steps they can to prevent an outbreak in the borough.

“We have asked for and received assurances from Haringey Public Health that adequate supplies are available to meet demand for vaccinations.”

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone commented:

“It is very concerning to hear that cases of measles are on the rise in London, with Haringey Borough in particular experiencing a number of new cases.

“17% of people in Haringey are not immunised against measles, despite their being an adequate supply of the vaccine. We need this percentage to decrease, in order to prevent measles spreading.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Stonewall Housing in Highgate

Posted on 25th Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited a Stonewall Housing property in Highgate.

Stonewall Housing provide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people with housing advice and support, either in their own homes or in supported housing. They also lobby for LGBT housing rights.

The Liberal Democrat MP met with the Chief Executive, a staff member and some of the residents to discuss the issues affecting both the LGBT community and charities.

After the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to visit the house and hear about Stonewall Housing’s work. They provide an invaluable service to vulnerable LGBT people in my constituency and across the city.

“They would like to do more. It was great to hear about their aims and ambitions to expand their support network, for instance to vulnerable LGBT asylum seekers.

“Charities are having a tough time at the moment, but I am confident Stonewall Housing will get through it and come out stronger. I wish them all the best for the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP delighted as new W7 bus stop made permanent

Posted on 24th Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed news that the new W7 bus stop on Muswell Hill Broadway will become permanent, following a six month trial period.

Previously, the only nearby stop was located on the steep Muswell Hill, causing numerous problems for residents who found the stop inaccessible and unsafe to use. Elderly residents, disabled residents and those with young children had particular difficulties waiting for and boarding the bus.

Following a three year Liberal Democrat campaign, an additional W7 bus stop was finally installed by Haringey Council and TFL. The new, permanent stop is on flat ground outside Boots on Muswell Hill Broadway.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Muswell Hill Gail Engert said:

“The trial of the new bus stop has been a great success I am delighted that TfL have decided to make the new W7 bus stop permanent.

“We have campaigned since 2009 to make this happen. The new bus stop is much better for residents, particularly those with mobility difficulties and parents with buggies. We look forward to the trial for the 144 bus to also use the new stop from the autumn. We will continue to press TfL to make other local bus stops more accessible too.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am delighted that this new, safe and accessible bus stop is finally permanent. This comes after years of local Lib Dem campaigning and demands that Haringey Council take action.

“I’d like to thank all the residents who supported our battle to secure a trial for this additional stop, and to make it permanent. The combination of Lib Dems and people power in Haringey triumphs once again!”

Lynne Featherstone MP takes step towards saving Muswell Hill’s police front counter

Posted on 22nd Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has taken a step forward in her campaign to save Muswell Hill’s volunteer police front counter, following a meeting with Haringey’s new Borough Commander, Dr Victor Olisa.

The front counter – which is run by volunteers – was earmarked for closure by the London Mayor as part of his ‘Crime Plan for Haringey.’

The Liberal Democrat MP launched a petition last week, calling on the Conservative Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police to maintain a front counter service and police base in Muswell Hill.

During the meeting, the Borough Commander said he had spoken to the 70 volunteers who staff the front counter. He affirmed his commitment to keeping the volunteers and a contact point, despite the Mayor’s decision to sell the building that the counter currently operates in.

The Borough Commander further confirmed that Haringey Police are looking for a suitable replacement premises in Muswell Hill. In the mean time, the volunteers will operate from the safer neighbourhood team base in East Finchley.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was fantastic to see the Borough Commander’s enthusiasm for keeping a police contact point staffed by volunteers in Muswell Hill.

“This is a vital local service and it would be such a shame to lose it. Residents should always have access to a local and safe place, where they can report crimes face to face.

“All we need now is a suitable premises for the front counter. It must be fully accessible and have at least two rooms. If anyone has any suggestions, please do let me know so I can pass these on to the police.”

Council admits more than half of the borough’s footpaths need to be repaired

Posted on 17th Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Labour-run Haringey council has admitted that more than half of the footpaths in the borough need to be repaired, and there is an £107m backlog of investment required in the boroughs roads and transport infrastructure. The shocking facts were disclosed in a report discussed on Tuesday evening at the council’s Cabinet meeting.

The Lib Dem opposition have previously highlighted the fact that a large number of pavements in Haringey are in a poor state and need to be fixed.

The Lib Dems uncovered figures showing that Haringey Council’s failure to fix broken and uneven pavements has led to hundreds of claims for compensation over the last two years. Between 2010 and 2012 Haringey Council has received 278 claims for compensation for injuries due to broken pavements.

Local Lib Dem councillors have received many complaints from residents about the poor state of local pavements and footways. The opposition politicians are calling on the council to take action and fix the borough’s crumbling pavements.

The call for action comes on top of the Lib Dems recently highlighting more than 40 pothole ridden roads in the borough that need to be resurfaced.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“Pavements in Haringey are crumbling because of decades of underinvestment by the Council. It is astonishing that there is an £107m backlog of work thanks to neglect by the Labour-run authority.

“It is disgraceful that more than half of the footways in the borough need to be repaired. How can the situation have been allowed to get this bad? There is money available to fix the pavements, we know because the Labour run council recently admitted that they had failed to spend £8m on capital projects.

“Labour is failing to lead the council effectively and it is completely unacceptable that local residents are paying one of the highest council taxes in London whilst stumbling over cracked and broken pavements. Haringey can’t even get the basics right.”

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

“Instead of proactively fixing the dangerous pavements, Haringey Council are sitting back, letting accidents happen and then having to fork out taxpayers’ money in compensation. The council recently were forced to pay £1m in compensation after a man tripped in a dangerous pothole in Hornsey and suffered severe head injuries, for instance.

“Surely it would be better to use our council tax money to prevent accidents, rather than to compensate for the awful consequences of them.

“Leaving pavements in this state is just typical of Labour-run Haringey Council. Residents deserve better.”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches petition to save Muswell Hill Police front counter

Posted on 15th Apr 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today launched a petition to save Muswell Hill’s police front counter, following the Mayor of London’s decision to close it down.

The Mayor’s ‘crime plan’ for Haringey will see Muswell Hill’s volunteer front counter closed, and counters at Wood Green and Hornsey stations downgraded from 24hrs to part time.

The Haringey Lib Dems responded to the initial consultation, and spoke out against the proposals. After the final announcement, Local Lib Dem councillors have written again to the Deputy Mayor for Policing expressing their disappointment.

In November, the Mayor of London promised “equivalent or superior access to the police.”

The petition calls on the Mayor to keep this promise, and maintain a front counter service and police base in Muswell Hill.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Leader of the opposition, added:

“The Mayor’s decision to close Muswell Hill police counter is extremely disappointing. We will continue the fight to keep a front counter and safer neighbourhood team base in Muswell Hill.

“I urge local residents to sign our petition and put pressure on the Mayor to change his mind.”

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“The final crime plan announced by the Mayor was extremely disappointing. During the consultation period we conducted a survey, and it was clear that residents wanted their front counter services to stay.

“We were promised equal or better access to the police, but the Mayor has simply not delivered this. It is unacceptable and I will continue the fight to keep this counter open – as I did successfully in 2011.

“Residents can now sign our petition, which calls on the Mayor to retain a local base for the Safer Neighbourhood Team on, or near, Muswell Hill Broadway with an accessible front counter for the public to report crimes.”