Schools in Haringey are facing a financial crisis according to Liberal Democrat councillors following the release of figures showing that many schools in the Borough are running substantial deficits of up to £250,000 this year.

The concerns have been expressed after figures were made available showing the agreed budgets of 50 of the 80 schools in the borough. Seven schools have had budget deficits approved amounting to a total of £671,045. Even if the surplus money were shared amongst those running a deficit, the overall debt remains over £340,000, with 30 more schools still to include. Liberal Democrat councillors are concerned that the knock-on effect of this deficit will be cost-cutting measures, with fewer teachers and books.

Lib Dem education spokesperson, Barbara Fabian comments:

“The situation is very serious, both locally and nationally. Our fear is that standards will fall in the schools and teachers will be once again pushed to breaking point.

“Education is not something that we should gamble on. The Government must find the resources to ensure that schools become creative, inspiring and enlightening places to work and study.”

Cllr Ross Laird, leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats, adds:

“This year we have seen the Government having to bail out Haringey’s schools, but over the longer term we’re looking at ever increasing costs, higher debt levels and teacher shortages. Haringey’s schools can only go on like this for so long.”

Controversial plans by Yellow Pages to alter the geographical boundaries of their local directories will face strong opposition from local businesses and councillors, according to Lib Dem regeneration spokesperson Cllr David Winskill. He claims that the changes could spell serious trouble for many small businesses in Haringey if Yellow pages has its way and splits the borough between two telephone directories.

Cllr Winskill (Crouch End) has been in contact with local business groups to gauge their opinions on the proposals. He is concerned that the changes will effectively drive an Iron Curtain through the middle of the borough, depriving many small businesses of potential customers.

Cllr Winskill comments:

“Haringey has very few large businesses – most enterprises employ less than 15 staff. They do not have large advertising budgets and rely heavily on their entry in the Yellow Pages to attract new custom. These changes could force many small businesses under, and damage Haringey’s vulnerable local economy.

“I have contacted Yellow Pages and urged them to consider undertaking an economic impact assessment study of the area as well as offering to arrange a meeting with Council regeneration officers to discuss the implications of these changes.”

Cllr Winskill is keen to hear from any small business groups who have not received a Yellow Pages consultation document on the issue. He can be contacted on (020) 8489 2950 and is happy to provide callers with one.

Liberal Democrat councillors are urging Haringey Council to hurry up and fill the newly advertised post of Assistant Director for Quality and Development following a mistake in the application packs. In promoting the top post, Labour-run Haringey Council has stated that there are 54 Labour councillors, three Lib Dems and two Conservatives, when the real balance is 42 Labour, 15 Lib Dems and no Tories.

The Lib Dems were surprised to see the elementary error in the application pack for a position that pays £65,000. They also expressed concerns at the image that this may put out to prospective candidates.

Lib Dem communications spokesperson, Neil Williams comments:

“It is somewhat ironic that the council has not caught up with the fact that there are now so many more Lib Dems and no Tories on the council. However, Haringey Council ought to be able to get these basic facts right if it is to attract the best people for these jobs.”

A Highgate councillor is calling on Haringey Council to scrap the ‘silly’ parking rules it has put in place for a grossly underused local car park, and has condemned possible plans to build on the site. Lib Dem councillor Neil Williams says that Haringey Council’s approach is the ‘worst of all worlds’ for local residents, and could result in the Council using the situation as an excuse for unwelcome ‘backland’ building on the N6 site, at Tudor Close, off the Archway Road.

The car park, which serves council flats off Tudor Close, has a great excess of parking spaces, which used to be available for general local use, says Neil Williams. That was until Haringey introduced a residents’ only parking scheme at the flats, which resulted in the majority of the spaces lying empty while local residents struggle to park their cars in neighbouring Hornsey Lane Gardens and Langdon Park Road. On a typical day, says Neil Williams, there might be ten cars in the car park, with three times as many empty spaces.

Cllr Williams says he expects the council to try to use their mishandling of the situation as a reason to build on the site, something revealed in a written answer to a question tabled by Neil Williams at the last full council meeting [see below]. He wants to see the parking issues and the use of the land properly reconsidered, with all local residents having a say.

He comments:

“As a result of Haringey’s handling of this situation, there is huge spare parking capacity on this site, which is just underused. The council has even indicated that they may now seek to use this as an excuse to build on the site, in what is already one of the most densely populated areas around the Archway Road.

“I want the council to explore all options for the use of the site. They could allow other local residents to park, they could consider charging for some spaces if the funds could be spent on estate improvements, or they could provide a play area for local kids. Anything would be better than the present situation, of just putting a stop to parking, and then trying to use this as an excuse to build on the site. I will be consulting with local residents in the coming weeks over the best solutions for the site.”

Text of Written Question 25 (28 April 2003)

To the Executive Member for the Environment from Councillor Neil Williams:

To ask the Executive Member for the Environment; will the council remove the ‘residents only’ parking restriction that it has put in place in Tudor Close, Highgate, and restore the status quo ante, whereby residents of the surrounding streets could use the car park, which is very underused by the residents of Tudor Close and is in an area of very high parking stress?

Answer:

An Estate Controlled Parking Scheme is in operation on this Housing Estate. This scheme was introduced to effectively manage and alleviate parking problems on this estate, following consultation with the residents of Tudor Close.

Any resident of Tudor Close who has a taxed motor vehicle registered at Tudor Close is entitled to a parking permit. There is no charge for a permit and no limit to the number of permit holders at any address.

The Housing Service would not wish to remove this parking scheme as this would lead to unregulated parking and severely impact on the ability of Tudor Close residents to park on their own estate.

The Housing Service are aware that there is a large area of unused space in the car park and we are looking at options for the use of this space. Options might include the sale of the land for a small residential development or the renting out of parking spaces to non-residents for a weekly charge.

Local Councillors and Tudor Close residents will be advised as soon as we have any more concrete proposals for this site.

A petition by 72 children from Our Lady of Muswell, Fortismere and St James’ schools calling for basketball nets at Alexandra Park has been boosted by the support of local Lib Dem councillors.

Muswell Hill councillor, Lynne Featherstone has written to the Council’s Executive Member for Alexandra Palace registering her support for the proposals and urging him to comply with the children’s wishes.

Lib Dem deputy leader Wayne Hoban, who represents Alexandra Ward, is keen to highlight the importance of these types of facilities to young people in the community.

Wayne Hoban comments:

“Alexandra Palace and Park has not been used to its full potential for some time, largely due to lack of resources. I am pleased to find local children coming up with an imaginative and practical improvement to the park.”

Cllr Featherstone (Muswell Hill) added:

“I very much hope that the children’s wish will be granted. So much of the time people complain about kids behaving badly – these kids want to behave well. Haringey should do its utmost to make this happen.”

The Audit Commission, the Government’s ‘watchdog’ for local councils, has criticised Haringey’s customer satisfaction, waiting times, and consultation methods. The move comes in the Commission’s latest report on Haringey’s e-government, customer care, complaints management and communications inspection.

The report gives Haringey a one star rating overall and although they highlight areas that have shown improvement, Lib Dem leader, Cllr Ross Laird points out that the same failings have been mentioned before, and the report is another critical verdict on the Labour run council. Mr Laird says he is particularly concerned about the low level of customer satisfaction felt by local residents towards the council.

Cllr Ross Laird comments:

“Haringey Council is still failing to deliver. The report backs up complaints from local residents, and while there is evidence of improvement in some quarters, other services such as benefit inquiries, remain woefully poor.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone (Muswell Hill) adds:

“Haringey is still failing badly in areas such as consultation with local residents – something for which they have been criticised time and again. Haringey must do better, but never really seems to turn the corner.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Crouch End, Ron Aitken, has called for action by the local police to curb vandalism and hooligan behaviour which is ruining local people’s enjoyment of the allotments between Shepherd’s Hill and the Crouch End open space.

Mr Aitken says that in recent weeks there has been escalation of stone-throwing and intimidation by young people who have been roaming the area, resulting in damage to allotment greenhouses and fear of assault.

Cllr Ron Aitken (Crouch End) comments:

“Allotments should be quiet and relaxing havens for Haringey residents, so enough is enough. I have made the police aware of the situation and I have received an assurance from Crouch End’s local homebeat officer that action will be taken.”

Documents obtained by the Liberal Democrats show Haringey’s ruling Labour party sees itself as weak and incompetent, and failing to get even the basics of housing and the council tax right. The revelations, contained in Haringey Labour’s internal council group election manifestos, are certain to embarrass Labour, with its regular claims that the poorly performing council has ‘turned the corner’ in terms of its local record.

Councillor Charles Adje, Labour’s finance spokesman, who failed by just four votes to oust present Labour leader George Meehan earlier this month, said in his own manifesto:

“We have delegated substantial levels of power to officers without proper monitoring…” and “We are seen as talking tough but not acting tough.” Mr Adje went on to say that “Our peers … [see us] as a non-performing council, which is lacklustre, without focus and direction.”

Cllr Narendra Makanji, who was chosen as Community Involvement lead member, admitted in his manifesto that Haringey Council wastes money on regeneration projects. “The funds available for neighbourhood renewal are often frittered away on consultants and experts drawing up grandiose plans,” he said.

Cllr Isidoros Diakides, who was successful in his bid for the Housing portfolio, wrote:

“Our performance rating by the Government and our tenants’ satisfaction rates are amongst the lowest in London,” and “Our main failure as a council is in ‘getting the basics right’.”

Commenting on the controversial revelations, Ross Laid, Lib Dem leader on the council, said:

“Now we know what Haringey Labour councillors really think, and it reveals the extent to which Labour knows that they are failing the people of Haringey. Particularly telling is the admission that Labour see themselves as having limited influence and little ability to turn the council round.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, adds:

“When Labour admits that they can’t even get the basics right, it says a lot about the state of the council. The admission that the council fritters away money is bleak news for local council tax payers, who have suffered such huge increases this year.”

Liberal Democrat councillor and deputy leader Wayne Hoban has asked for written assurances from Haringey Council regarding a number of issues arising from the Alexandra Park School sixth form development.

This letter comes following a number of meetings by the Liberal Democrat deputy leader with the head teacher of Alexandra Park School, the architects and council planning officers. They have all assured him that the concerns of residents living near Albert Road recreation ground, where a temporary site access road will be built, will be taken into account.

However, Cllr Hoban wants these promises to be legally binding so that residents are in no doubt that their park will be returned to them, fully restored after the building work.

Cllr Hoban (Alexandra ward) comments:

“Many residents are concerned that the temporary road for works vehicles through the park will be made permanent after construction is complete. I am looking for written conformation from the Council that this will not be the case so that the residents around the park feel assured that their park will be returned to them.

“This school expansion development is essential and we fully support it, however we must make sure that the quality of life of those living around the park and school does not suffer as a result.”

Note:

The letter to Haringey’s Chief Executive called for written and legally binding assurances on the following points:

1. The temporary road to be constructed across the Albert Road Recreation Ground will be fully removed on completion of the school development project, or at a time when construction vehicle access is no longer required, whichever is the earliest.

2. The recreation ground will be fully restored to its original condition immediately following removal of the temporary road.

3. The contractor will complete the development within the timeframe specified in the planning application. Failure to complete the development within the specified and agreed period will result in financial penalties being levied against the contractor by the council. All funds raised as a consequence of financial penalties levied against the contractor should be used to improve the Albert Road Recreation Ground.

4. The school has committed to adopting a radical approach to transport to minimise traffic and to promote ‘green travel’; cycling, walking and using public transport. In recognition of increased pressure which will be placed on the Albert Road environs of the school following closure of the Bidwell Gardens entrance, combined with the large projected increase in pupil and staff numbers following expansion of the school, the council will work closely and effectively with the school and local residents groups to ensure that all possible steps are taken to minimise potential risks, particularly with respect to traffic management in the area.

Crouch End Liberal Democrat councillor David Winskill is calling for a meeting between property developers Gold Crest and Crouch End residents living in Haringey Park and Weston Park to discuss the future of the site purchased for £2.5 million earlier this year.

Ever since the land that currently houses lock up garages and a car repair workshop was sold there has been great anxiety amongst local residents over the future of the site and concerns about the density and concentration of any possible housing development. Fears have recently been stoked by the over enthusiastic use of bailiffs to clear the site.

Cllr Winskill has already contacted Haringey’s conservation officer and building control department over rumours that demolition on the site was imminent.

He comments:

“We would like to meet the developers urgently to find out what they have in mind for the site and represent the concerns of residents whose property border the site.

“Anxieties over the development are held by many residents, who quite literally, fear development at the bottom of their gardens. This is the result of the current Government’s changes to planning. Hornsey and Crouch End have become a honey pot for developers with the threat that the area could lose much of its village atmosphere with more pressure piled on the infrastructure [schools, transport, health services].

“I will be working with my colleagues Cllr Ron Aitken and Cllr Lynne Featherstone to ensure that all the concerns of the community are voiced when I meet Haringey planning chiefs.”