Lynne Featherstone MP demands answers as Banksy piece disappears from Turnpike Lane

Posted on 18th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP is making investigations into the disappearance of a Banksy piece from the side of a building in Turnpike Lane.

The piece, which was confirmed as genuine, appeared on the side of a Poundland store just before the Jubilee last year, and depicted a young boy using a sewing machine to make Jubilee bunting.

The piece is now up for auction in the United States, with an estimated value between £320,000 – £452,000.

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

“The Banksy piece added something different to Turnpike Lane and attracted many people to the area. It’s certainly a shame to have the piece ripped from the building and bizarrely put up for auction in the States – for hundreds of thousands of pounds. This just isn’t right.

“Poundland have said that they are not responsible, but I want to find out who is. I will be making enquiries today to Poundland and the building owners and will keep residents updated. I will also make sure that the company auctioning the piece are aware of the situation.”

Lynne Featherstone MP announces Whittington public meeting in Haringey

Posted on 13th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP had today announced a public meeting to discuss the future of the Whittington Hospital.

The meeting will take place on Friday the 1^st March, 6pm – 9pm, at Grieg City Academy assembly hall – entrance via Hillfield Avenue.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has arranged the event in her constituency, so local residents have a chance to meet the Whittington Board Members, ask questions and raise their concerns about the Hospital’s reorganisation plans.

From 6pm – 7:30pm, attendees will be able to meet Board members to discuss concerns and queries. The meeting will then commence, followed by open questions.

The Liberal Democrat MP recently secured assurances from the Hospital that no services would be lost without equal or better replacements, and that there would be a programme of public engagement.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I have called this meeting, in my constituency, so that residents can find out more about the Hospital’s plans and raise their concerns in a public environment.

“It is such a shame that the Whittington did not engage from the beginning. As they did not do this, the decision making process and reasoning has been unknown and alarm has been caused.

“But, the assurances of no loss of service and public engagement are better late than never. I’m calling this meeting so the Board members can take questions and give residents these assurances directly.

“Over 2000 people have signed my petition against loss of services, and I hope to see as many of them as possible on the 1^st.”

Full Address: Grieg City Academy, High Street, Hornsey, London, N8 7NU

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Lynne Featherstone MP visits the Turkish Cypriot Women's Project

Posted on 11th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited the Turkish Cypriot Women’s Project, to speak with members of the community and see firsthand the activities provided by the project coordinators.

The Liberal Democrat MP gave an introductory speech outlining the importance of such community organisations, before speaking to the women – sometimes via an interpreter – about some of the local issues and problems they are having. The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green also agreed to look into funding sources for the project.

The project seeks to ‘empower and enhance women’ through provision of activities designed to further develop their skills and knowledge. They hope the sessions and focus groups will build confidence in the participants.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to visit this project, which provides a valuable community service to Haringey residents. The women there seemed very relaxed and were enjoying the atmosphere.

“I will certainly look into the funding options available to the project, and I wish them the best for luck for the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP secures assurances from Whittington Hospital

Posted on 11th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Following a meeting with Lynne Featherstone MP and Cllr David Winskill, the Whittington Hospital has offered assurances that no services will be lost during their reorganization until equal or better replacement services are in place.

The Whittington Board, who recently announced controversial plans to sell off hospital buildings, have now agreed to run a full public engagement programme, and agreed to listen to views about the future use of the surplus estate.

The assurances come in response to a petition led by Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats, signed by 2000 local people.

At the meeting, the Liberal Democrat MP and members of the Board discussed the plans in detail. They include commitments to:

• spend £10 million on improving the maternity unit over 5 years;

• invest £2.9 million in a same day treatment centre, to support A&E;

• relocate Physiotherapy and some occupational therapy services to new buildings.

The Board also gave very strong assurances that there will be no loss to the Hospital’s A&E service, and that the number of births will be maintained at current levels to meet expected needs.

The plans are being implemented to support the Hospital’s foundation trust bid, as the Board seek to secure a future as a full service hospital and integrated care provider.

As part of their public involvement programme, the Board have agreed to attend a public meeting in early March, organised by the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is such a shame that the Board did not engage properly with their staff, local politicians and local residents. They should have done this from day one.

“I have met with the Board, and in response they have given assurances that no services will be lost until equal or better replacement services are in place.

“Though very late, these assurances are welcome. The Board’s task is now to convince the public through an extensive engagement programme. I am holding a public meeting, which will take place at the beginning of March, so that they can explain their plans directly to everyone.”

Cllr David Winskill added:

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of the Whittington to our communities. Having listened carefully to their proposals I am confident that the changes will support improved health facilities and better outcomes for patients.

“Lynne and I stressed how crucial it is to involve patients, carers and the wider community in these decisions and we will be looking to the Whittington to deliver on their promise to do so.”

Dr Yi Mien Koh, chief executive of Whittington Health, said:

“The future of the Whittington Hospital as part of the Trust lies in meeting the health needs of the local community within the Whittington’s resources.

“As an NHS organisation dedicated to serving our local communities, we want to share our ambitions for Whittington Health widely, listen to local opinion and reflect on their views. This is why we welcome the chance to participate in a public meeting with Lynne Featherstone MP.

“Our strategy will enable the Whittington Hospital to thrive as we continue to provide high-quality patient services safely, efficiently and effectively as close to people’s homes as possible.”

Joe Liddane, chairman of Whittington Health’s Board, said:

“I, like many of the board, live locally. We all have families and have a vested interest in the ongoing success of the Whittington Hospital. I can assure everyone that we are working very hard to do what is best for its future.

“Foundation Trust status will help secure the Whittington Hospital’s future. By using our resources more effectively we can release £17m to invest in services including £10m in maternity and new facilities to help premature babies have a better chance of life.

“A further £2.9m will be spent on an ‘ambulatory care’ centre next door to A&E, due to open in October. It will treat more people on the same day without the inconvenience of an overnight hospital stay.”

Mr Liddane added: “Local GPs back us and tell us that our plans will benefit the community.”

Highgate parcel collection serviced saved!

Posted on 8th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone today welcomed Royal Mail’s decision to continue to allow Highgate residents to pick up their parcels for free at the Archway Road Post Office, in response to months of campaigning by the local Liberal Democrats.

The Royal Mail representatives, who met with the MP this morning, also confirmed that the Hornsey sorting office has been reprieved. Whilst Royal Mail still plans to relocate the sorting office, residents will be able to pick up their undelivered parcels for at least 6 months, and in the meantime an alternative location in N8 for a collection point will be sought.

Royal Mail had planned to close Hornsey sorting office, stop the free collection service at Archway Road, and move the undelivered parcel collection points to Holloway and Tufnell Park. The move would have forced local residents to travel miles to collect their undelivered parcels, if they didn’t wish to leave parcels with a neighbour, or pay to have them redelivered.

Over 3000 people signed the Liberal Democrat petitions to save services in Hornsey, Highgate and Harringay Green Lanes.

The news has been very well received by the Hornsey and Wood Green MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats, who have been fiercely campaigning to keep free, local collection points since Royal Mail announced their reorganisation in September last year.

Highgate Liberal Democrat Councillor Rachel Allison said:

“I am so pleased that Royal Mail has seen sense, and is retaining the free collection point at Archway Road Post Office.

“Over 500 Highgate residents signed the petition and I’m glad that their views have been listened to by Royal Mail.”

Haringey Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Richard Wilson said:

“I am delighted that the threat to close Hornsey Sorting Office next month has been withdrawn, and that Royal Mail will now look for a new local collection point in Hornsey.

“We will carry on campaigning to secure a collection point around the Finsbury Park and Green Lanes area after the office there closed on the 28^th January.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“From day one, we were adamant that no service should be lost without an equal or better local replacement.

“The news today is very encouraging. We have taken a huge step towards saving vital local services – and it’s all thanks to the residents who took part in our campaign and signed the Lib Dem petition.

“The combination of Lib Dems and people power has once again had a positive effect in Haringey, and we will continue to fight on!”

Top schools in Haringey congratulated by Schools Minister and local MP Lynne Featherstone

Posted on 6th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, has joined Liberal Democrat Schools Minister, David Laws in congratulating the top performing schools in Haringey.

Minister David Laws has written to the schools after last month’s secondary school performance tables revealed that Hornsey School for Girls, Woodside High School and St Thomas More Catholic School are among the best in the country in certain categories.

Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone will follow this up with her own letter of congratulations.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“This is really great news for the head teachers, teachers, other staff and parents at these schools. They have all worked tremendously hard to ensure our children have the best start in life.

“It’s also great news for the young people who have benefited from their teachers’ continuous effort to go the extra mile.

“They will be very well prepared for what lies ahead, whether that’s A-levels and perhaps university, or further education and maybe one of the great apprenticeships the Coalition Government has invested in.”

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Schools Minister, David Laws said:

“I am pleased to see the appalling attainment gap between the poorest pupils and their peers narrowing. This is indeed encouraging, but we must get rid of it completely. We are targeting more funding than ever before to help all children meet their full potential, whatever their background.

“Through the Pupil Premium, schools have the opportunity to make a real difference in improving children’s life chances.”

Marriage Bill set for Landmark vote in Parliament

Posted on 5th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today expressed great happiness as the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is set to receive its second reading in Parliament.

The Liberal Democrat MP has been at the forefront of the process to secure equal marriage since it was first confirmed as Liberal Democrat policy in 2010, having brought the policy to the Home Office and initiated the Government consultation process in March 2012, in her former role as Equalities Minister.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has been awarded ‘Politician of the Year’ for her efforts by Attitude Magazine in October 2012.

The Bill has cross party support and is widely expected to be voted through to its next parliamentary stage by MPs later this evening. Polls also show a majority of people to be in favour of the legislation.

The Bill will enable same sex couples in England and Wales to marry in both civil ceremonies, and religious ceremonies where a religious institution has formally consented to undertake it. The Bill will also allow existing civil partnerships to be converted into marriages, if the couple so wishes.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am absolutely ecstatic that we are now set to realise this historic reform, towards which I have worked passionately for many years.

“Marriage is fundamentally about expressing love and commitment, and as a Government I believe it is our duty to help everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, to realise that expression.

“Equal marriage is an established Liberal Democrat policy, and I am exceptionally proud to have helped implement it as a Liberal Democrat Minister.”

On awarding Lynne Featherstone MP ‘Politician of the Year’ in 2012, Attitude Magazine said:

“Lynne Featherstone has been the face of the coalition’s pledge to introduce equal marriage reforms.

“The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has been vociferous in her support for the LGBT community, and the government’s promise to deliver same-sex civil marriage rights.”

Adrian Trett, chair of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, said:

“I hope Tuesday will be a watershed day for equality, where a process will start which will end in the recognition of all loving marriages being equal whatever the genders of the couple. This will be an immense step forward for the journey of inclusion and equality.”

Government gives Haringey Schools extra £202,000 to help pupils catch up

Posted on 4th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has welcomed news that Haringey will receive £202,000 extra for the Borough’s secondary schools.

The money is specifically targeted to help Year 7 pupils who didn’t reach the expected level in literacy and maths when they finished primary school, so they can catch up with their classmates who did.

Schools will receive the equivalent of £500 per pupil, and will have freedom to decide how best to use the catch-up premium. Examples could include:

Small-group tuition supported by new classroom materials and resources, which could take place at lunchtimes or after school;
Holiday support to deliver intensive catch-up over a short period.
Additional services and materials to add to those provided by the school, such as tutor services or proven computer-based learning or online support.

This money comes on top of the £8.8million in Pupil Premium and £7.3 million in Fairer Funding received by Haringey Council from the Coalition Government.

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

“No pupil should be left behind in our schools, to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to get on in life. To achieve this it is hugely important that every child has a strong grasp of maths and a good reading ability when they start at secondary school.

“Catch-up classes and personal tuition are targeted at those who need a helping hand, so their chances of success are increased rather than letting them fall behind further.

“By putting fairness back at the centre of our schools system, Liberal Democrats are ensuring that everyone can get on in life. It will allow children to flourish and will help us build a stronger economy.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes the Green Deal

Posted on 4th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week welcomed the Green Deal, the Coalition Government’s new initiative to transform Britain’s homes.

The Deal, which went live yesterday, gives people the opportunity to transform their homes and businesses by paying for energy efficient improvements – such as insulation and new heating systems – with the savings on their energy bills.

As part of the Green Deal programme, Haringey Council has received £275,000 from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to help improve energy efficiency in homes across the Borough.

Forty five different types of improvements will now be available under the Green Deal, helping people warm up their homes and pay for some or all of the improvements over time through their electricity bill.

Households in England and Wales who use the Green Deal to make energy saving home improvements will now also qualify for hundreds of pounds of cashback from the Green Deal Cashback Scheme. The more work households decide to have done, the more cash they could receive and packages could be worth over £1,000.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, said:

“Green Deal has the potential to help consumers afford energy against a backdrop of escalating fuel bills. Our surveys tell us that many people simply do not know how to make their homes more energy efficient. They also need assurance about the quality of any work done, and help with funding.

“Green Deal ensures that accredited professionals to do the work, backed by strong consumer protection. It also provides the financing, so will enable hard pressed consumers to go ahead with confidence, providing much needed protection against rising bills.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“The UK green sector is a success story – it is the sixth largest in the world and has a crucial part to play in building a strong economy. The Green Deal will support thousands of jobs – not just over the next few years, but in the long-term.”

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

“Green Deal will help thousands of homes stay warm for less. Those people will benefit from energy saving improvements – and their energy bills will fall. I encourage all my constituents to look into their options and make the most of this great deal.

“The deal puts consumer in charge – and you can improve the look and feel of your home, make it cosier and at the same time save energy – what’s not to like?”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches independent shops competition in Hornsey and Wood Green

Posted on 1st Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today launched a competition to find the best independent shops in Hornsey and Wood Green.

The competition is part of the Liberal Democrat MP’s efforts to support the many independent retailers in her constituency, alongside her campaign to introduce 30 minutes of free parking to Haringey’s high streets.

Constituents will be able to nominate and vote for the independent retailers in Hornsey and Wood Green with the best customer service, the most attractive shop front, and for the best overall independent shop. Many shops have agreed to actively participate and give voting forms to their customers.

Winners will be announced at a local event in the summer. One voter will also receive a £100 voucher to spend in their favourite independent shop.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It is so important that we help the independent businesses which make such a vital contribution to life in our local area.

“We should be proud of the vibrancy of our high streets in Hornsey and Wood Green. This is a fantastic opportunity to support and reward the best of our local independent retailers.

“I am determined to take a stand to support our high streets, and I am very excited to find out which shops are most valued by residents.”

VOTE HERE!