Hundreds sign Lib Dem petition for free parking on Haringey’s high streets

Posted on 15th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP last week launched a petition for 30 minutes of free parking on Haringey’s High Streets. The petition has already been signed by 399 people with another 105 people liking the campaign on Facebook.

The campaign has also attracted the support of traders in Muswell Hill who recently gathered a petition with over 5,000 signatures, calling for lower parking charges.

The campaign for 30 minutes of free parking was sparked by the Labour-run Council’s decision to double parking charges in Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Green Lanes from £1.40 to £3 per hour.

So far the Council has refused to bow to pressure from traders, residents and Haringey Lib Dems on the issue.

The Lib Dems believe that 30 minutes of free parking would boost trade on local high streets and support the independent shops that make Haringey’s high streets unique.

Lynne Featherstone MP and Haringey Lib Dems are calling on local shoppers to add their support to the campaign and sign the petition here.

Jim Jenks, Muswell Hill councillor and Lib Dem spokesperson on parking comments:

“The council must do more to support local businesses. Independent traders are struggling and 30 minutes of free parking would encourage more people to shop on our high streets and boost local trade.”

“I encourage anyone who lives in Haringey or shops locally to sign our petition and put pressure on the council to introduce 30 minutes of free parking on high streets.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“I’m delighted that our petition has already got the support of hundreds of people!

“Haringey Lib Dems and I will continue to campaign to get the Labour Council to make the change and introduce 30 minutes of free parking.

“It will benefit local residents and help to keep small independent shops on our local high streets.”

Peter Drummond, local resident and President of the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC), comments:

“I support the campaign to lower parking charges on high streets. In my view, it is absolutely critical that high streets are not put under even greater pressure, and that local councils do not simply see parking charges as a revenue earner. If they do, retailers will fail, rents and rates will reduce and in the long run the council will be worse off.”

Lynne Featherstone MP successful in securing parking sign changes

Posted on 14th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has criticized Haringey Council for misleading residents and wasting tax payers’ money. Throughout December, old parking signs in the inner Wood Green CPZ were not removed – and were wrongly informing motorists that Sunday parking was permitted in the area.

The issue was brought to the attention of Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone via the social networking site Twitter, where residents reported inadvertently receiving parking tickets after following the information on the signs. A number of costly and time-consuming appeals have now resulted.

Labour-run Haringey Council was notified of the problem early in December, but only rectified the problem last week, following the Liberal Democrat MP’s intervention.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“True to form, Haringey Council seems to be unable to properly implement its own parking policy. Unfortunate motorists were being ambushed with unfair parking tickets through no fault of their own. Where there is no Sunday parking, the signs should state that there is no Sunday parking!

“This is typical of the kind of mismanagement we have come to expect from Labour run Haringey.

“Thankfully, following my letter to the new Chief Executive, the correct signs are now in place. I encourage all residents who were affected to appeal their tickets.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes Liberal Democrat announcement on pubs adjudicator

Posted on 9th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

A new independent ‘pubs adjudicator’ will be set up by the Coalition Government to help struggling landlords suffering from unfair practices in the industry, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable has announced.

The adjudicator will enforce a new statutory code, which will oversee the relationship between publicans and large pub companies (pubcos.) It will ensure publicans get a fair deal on rent and the prices they pay for beer.

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

“My constituency office is based above a great pub. Well run community pubs can be cornerstones of communities – yet many have been struggling in recent years.

“For too long, large pubcos have been taking more than their fair share of the profits of their publicans and made life harder still for our locals. The Labour Government never addressed this issue – and as a result dozens of pubs in the UK closed every week.

“With the Liberal Democrats committed to building a stronger economy in a fairer society, it’s great credit to Vince Cable that he has taken action where the Labour Government had so abysmally failed.

“I’d also like to thank the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for all their hard work towards this. I’ll be raising my glass to the new Adjudicator in my local very soon.”

CAMRA Chief Executive, Mike Benner said:

“Over 3,500 tied public houses have been lost since the start of 2009. Many of these will have been lost as a result of excessive rents and by being forced to buy beer at up to 50% above market rates. The proposal for a “fair dealing” provision will allow publicans tied to large pub companies to challenge these high prices which means fewer valued pubs will be forced to close their doors.

“CAMRA fully endorses the Government’s wish to ensure that tied publicans are no worse off than free of tie publicans. Research shows that 46% of tied publicans earn less than £15,000 per year in contrast to 22% of free of tie publicans. Guest beer and free of tie options offered by pub companies with more than 500 pubs, long advocated by CAMRA, would be a straightforward means of levelling up the playing field.”

Lib Dems call for 30 minutes free High Street parking in Haringey

Posted on 8th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign for 30 minutes of free parking on Haringey’s High Streets.

Last year, retailers on Muswell Hill Broadway reported months of poor trade after the parking charges were increased from £1.40 to £3 per hour.

The traders started a petition to lower the charges – which attracted over 5,200 signatures – and presented it to Haringey Council. Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone also wrote to the Labour-run Council and requested that the charges be lowered. Despite this, the Council refused to reduce the charges.

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats are now calling for 30 minutes of free parking on Haringey’s High Streets, to encourage people to stop and ‘drop in’ to the Borough’s independent shops, and boost their trade.

Jim Jenks, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Muswell Hill said:

“Haringey retailers need our support. But the Haringey Labour Council has, as usual, a ‘one size fits all’ approach with high parking charges throughout the Borough. We need local parking solutions that help get more people into our shops.

“We need as many people as possible to support our campaign, so we’re encouraging our supporters and residents to sign our petition and let their friends and families know about it, too.”

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

“In my constituency, the high streets in places like Muswell Hill and Crouch End are packed with independent retailers. It sets us apart from other places which are full of bland chain stores.

“I’m afraid this refusal to listen to trader’s concerns is typical of the Labour-run Council – more interested in making a quick buck on parking fees than preserving our community assets.

“I urge anyone who wants to support independent shops – and would like to enjoy 30 minutes free parking – to sign our petition.”

Sign the petition here.

Campaigners rejoice as Pinkham Way application canned

Posted on 21st Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Plans to build a waste plant at Pinkham Way have been withdrawn, after a long fought campaign by local residents. The North London Waste Authority, which had submitted the application for a waste plant at the site, has now backed down and formally withdrawn its application.

The Pinkham Way plant, which would have been built close to local schools and homes, has been resolutely opposed by the Liberal Democrats and local campaigners. Over 1,000 people have signed a Liberal Democrat petition calling for the application to be withdrawn.

Two Labour councillors, Nilgun Canver, Environment Cabinet Member and George Meehan, former Leader of the Council are board members of the NLWA, which had been determined to build the treatment plant at Pinkham Way.

Alexandra councillor and Liberal Democrat lead on this issue, Juliet Solomon, says:

“This is wonderful news and really shows what people power can do. I’d like to say a big thank you to the sterling work of our supporters and the Pinkham WayAlliance, and the tireless opposition which they have shown to this cause.”

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

“This site was thoroughly unsuitable from the very beginning, and the way in which Haringey Labour nodded the plans through and ultimately wasted taxpayers’ money was utterly disgraceful.

“The cancellation of the Pinkham Way development will be the best possible Christmas present for thousands of residents in Bounds Green, Alexandra and across Haringey.”

Lynne Featherstone MP delighted with £13 million present for Haringey Schools

Posted on 20th Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have given schools in Haringey a £13 million Christmas present.

The cash is an increase in the Pupil Premium funding, which targets extra money to schools depending on the number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds they have.

The Pupil Premium is a major Liberal Democrat priority that is being delivered by the Coalition Government.

In Haringey, 14,650 pupils are expected to be eligible, meaning that the borough’s schools are set to benefit from an extra £13,183,000 to support disadvantaged children.

The Pupil Premium covers any primary or secondary school pupil that has been registered for Free School Meals in the past six years. For 2013/14, the Premium will be worth £1.65bn, or £900 per pupil, in total.

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

“We are already seeing across the country how the Pupil Premium is making a difference to children’s lives. Extra tuition, better IT resources and closer work with parents are all examples of how the Pupil Premium is being used to support the most disadvantaged pupils and benefit all their classmates too.

“That’s why I’m so pleased that, next year, we’ll be extending the Pupil Premium to another half a million children, and increasing the money that schools get to £900 per pupil.

“This will mean an extra £13 million in funding for Haringey schools since the Lib Dems entered Government.”

Lynne Featherstone MP meets with UK AIDS Consortium

Posted on 18th Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP earlier in the month met with the director of the UK AIDS Consortium, a trustee of the Consortium and four other women representing organisations which work to support people with HIV / AIDS.

The Liberal Democrat MP met the participants at the Winkfield Resource Centre, located in her constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green. Alongside other services, the Winkfield offers a weekly HIV drop in centre, providing psychological support, housing advice and use of internet and laundry facilities.

The MP then had lunch with the groups, and discussed the issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS.

Lynne Featherstone MP also recently spoke at the AIDS Consortium’s Faith and Criminalisation AGM – in her ministerial capacity – to emphasise the UK’s continued commitment to HIV treatment and prevention.

Following the meeting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“This is an issue I feel very strongly about. Unlike the early days, it is now possible to live with HIV and AIDS – yet there are still so many people who aren’t receiving the necessary help.

“In my ministerial capacity at the Department of International Development, HIV and AIDS issues are in my remit. It was therefore doubly interesting to visit the Winkfield Centre in my constituency to discuss the issues affecting people with HIV/AIDS.”

“I wish the AIDS Consortium the best and look forward to working with them further in the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits busy delivery office

Posted on 17th Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and local Postman in Wood Green Delivery Office

Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited Royal Mail’s Wood Green Delivery Office during their busiest time of year – the festive season.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was given a tour of the office by a local postman, and met the other staff who were working hard to get all the Christmas cards and parcels out to residents on time.

Royal Mail estimates that 40 million people will do their shopping online – and therefore need parcels delivered. Also, a massive 700 million Christmas cards will pass through the mail system.

Tuesday 18^th December is the last recommended posting date for second class mail, and Thursday 20^th for first class.

After the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Delivery offices process a huge amount of mail, and are the backbone of Royal Mail’s network.

“Visiting delivery offices at this time of year makes you realise just how busy our post men and women are over the festive period. They work very hard to ensure all our Christmas presents and cards reach us on time.

“I for one would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them a very happy Christmas and New Year.”

Over 1700 homes left empty in Haringey

Posted on 12th Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Over 1700 homes in Haringey were left empty and unused last year whilst nearly 19,000 families were waiting for a council house. Haringey Liberal Democrats are calling on the Council to do more to bring empty homes back into use.

The Coaltion Government has just announced an extra £300m fund for make empty homes fit for families. The money is on top of the £160m that has already been made available by the Government to bring empty homes back into use.

The communities minister, Liberal Democrat Don Foster MP, pledged to “stop the rot” that empty homes can bring to blighted neighbourhoods and said that he “wants to go much further” in tackling the problem.

The local Lib Dems are urging the council to bid for a share of the money so more empty homes in the borough can be used instead of lying unused.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Housing spokesperson, comments:

“It is great news that the Government has made this extra money available to bring empty homes up to standard and make usable again.

“I hope the council will seize this opportunity and bid for some of the Government cash so they can do more to tackle the astonishing number of empty homes in Haringey.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“This is typical of Haringey Council. They are once again letting vulnerable residents down, leaving people on waiting lists while properties lie empty.

“Earlier this year I brought an empty property on Truro road to their attention and called on them to take action.

“With the Government’s further investment, Haringey Labour really has no excuse not to act. They should be bidding for a share of this money, housing vulnerable families in these properties, and sorting out this unacceptable situation as soon as possible.”

Lynne Featherstone MP joins comedienne Sally Phillips at Scope’s Westminster reception

Posted on 10th Dec 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week attended a Christmas parliamentary reception hosted by the disability charity Scope, to mark their new campaign calling for better local services for disabled children and their families.

Taking centre stage during the reception was a giant Christmas tree adorned with handmade ‘wish stars’ decorated by members of the public and inscribed with messages to the MPs stating why supporting disabled children and their families matters.

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

“Families with disabled children often need support getting appropriate childcare, school places or healthcare.

“Scope does great work, offering practical support to families with disabled children. I have written to Edward Timpson MP, Minister in the Department of Education, on behalf of my constituents who have taken part in Scope’s campaign.

“The Children and Families Bill – currently passing through Parliament – will introduce a single, simpler assessment process for children with Special Education Needs or disabilities. These will be backed up by new Education, Health and Care Plans – as part of the biggest reforms to SEN provision in 30 years.”

Scope celebrity supporter and actress and comedienne Sally Phillips added:

“My eldest son has Down’s Syndrome so I have first-hand experience of how debilitating the fight can be to get necessary services for disabled children. I’m delighted to help promote Scope’s ‘Keep us Close’ campaign, and back its call for essential services for disabled children.”