Liberal Democrats meet Woodside luncheon club users in continued fight to save services for older people

Posted on 19th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

As part of the Liberal Democrat campaign to save Haringey’s older people’s day centres, drop-in centres and luncheon clubs, Liberal Democrats yesterday met with elderly residents at Woodside House.

Lynne Featherstone MP and Cllr David Winskill met with users of Woodside luncheon club at a consultation meeting organised by the Council who are planning to close the services to save £171,000 next year.

The Liberal Democrat representatives urged all users to respond to the ongoing consultation, explaining in their own words how the closure will affect their lives. Many of the elderly people present expressed worries about becoming socially isolated, not getting a hot meal each day, and the loss of the treasured footcare service, should the club close.

Local residents who want to support the Liberal Democrat campaign against the closure can still sign the online petition on http://bit.ly/SaveOlderPeoplesServices and visit http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/haringey-snap-survey to make their feelings felt.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The Haringey luncheon clubs will cost £171,000 next year to run – that is a tiny fraction of the council’s £286million budget. It’s frankly outrageous that so many elderly residents will suffer to save such a small amount that can be found elsewhere.

“I know that difficult decisions have to be made – but my colleagues on the council have found significant back-office spending that can be cut without the most vulnerable in society suffering. I really hope that as many local residents as possible respond to the consultation, and show that closing this service is a poor way to save money. The Labour Council must rethink.”

Cllr David Winskill, Liberal Democrat Adult Social Services spokesperson, adds:

“The benefits of keeping the day centres and luncheon clubs open far exceed the paltry amount it will save the council each year.

“These clubs save the council, the NHS and other agencies large sums of money by helping to keep residents well-fed and healthy and out of the doctor’s surgery and hospital. But more so, they help create a sense of community and belonging for elderly residents, and these benefits cannot be counted in pounds.

“These services are cheap, and their benefits to society are returned a thousand fold. I will certainly make that clear in the Liberal Democrat consultation response – and I hope the users here today will do the same in their responses.”

Local Liberal Democrats meet Pinkham Way bosses to raise residents' concerns

Posted on 15th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To make sure that the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is aware of local concern over plans to build a waste processing plant at Pinkham Way, local Liberal Democrats yesterday presented the authority’s top boss with views from hundreds of local residents who had responded to a Liberal Democrat survey.

Lynne Featherstone MP and Alexandra ward councillor Juliet Solomon met with David Beadle following serious concerns about a lack of consultation of residents living close to the proposed site. To ensure local residents could have their say, Liberal Democrats earlier in April sought the views of thousands of local people in Alexandra and Bounds Green wards.

At the meeting, residents’ top concerns were raised, such as the size of the development and levels of traffic and pollution. The Waste Authority also promised to write to local residents in early May to explain the plans in more detail.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The plan to build a waste plant at Pinkham Way will have a big effect on people in Bounds Green and Alexandra wards – yet 97% of people who responded to our survey felt they had not been adequately consulted. That’s just not good enough when we’re talking about such a major development.

“So I was glad to be able to raise residents’ concerns. People are mainly worried about the size of the development, the volume of traffic, noise and odour. I hope the NLWA will consider these views closely before putting in their planning application later in the spring. And I hope that from now on, local residents will get a chance to have a say at every step of the way.”

Alexandra councillor Juliet Solomon adds:

“It’s good to see that the NLWA is doing something about the lack of information for local residents – and they are now planning to write to everyone living close to the site, to set the plans out in more detail.

“It’s crucial that local people know what’s going on so that they are in a good place to respond to the planning application later on in the spring. In the meantime, residents can of course write to both Lynne and me with their concerns, and we will communicate them to the NLWA. We’re here to support you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch”.

Lynne Featherstone MP and Fortis Green residents congratulate much-loved postman for over 30 years of dedicated service

Posted on 15th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To thank a much loved postman for more than 30 years of dedicated service to people in Fortis Green, Lynne Featherstone MP and residents on Southern Road last Friday threw a small street party for Postman Bob.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP heard of Robert Konig’s impressive service to people in Fortis Green by Southern Road resident Deborah Langdon-Davies, who wanted to do something special for this much-loved man.

As postman Bob has just been nominated for a Royal Mail Chairman’s award, The Liberal Democrat MP and neighbours on Southern Road decided to say their own thanks and on Friday presented him with flowers and chocolates.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I was really touched to hear of postman Bob, his amazing work, and how much he is loved and appreciated by local residents.

“It’s easy to take good people for granted, so on this occasion, we wanted to do something special to say thanks, hence a small party with a big thank you for a job tremendously well done!”

Southern Road resident Deborah Langdon-Davies adds:

“Bob always goes the extra mile, doing his utmost to make sure our post is delivered safely each day. It’s not rare for him to backtrack to deliver a parcel if he recognises us coming back in our cars, or leaving parcels with neighbours he knows we can trust.

“It’s just so refreshing to see someone who takes real pride in his job, and he is definitely up there with the best! As he’s retiring in the summer, after more than 30 years of delivering the post on our street, we wanted to say a huge thank you.

“He will be sorely missed but I am truly grateful for having had the world’s best postman for the ten years I’ve been living here.”

Fair Funding for Haringey’s schools – first consultation launched

Posted on 14th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To continue her fight for fair funding for Haringey’s schools, Lynne Featherstone MP is this week contacting thousands of local residents, encouraging them to respond to a consultation into school funding.

The consultation, the first of two that will be launched this year, went live today, and looks at the principles of changing the current school funding formula, that sees Haringey’s schools getting up to £1540 less than schools in neighbouring boroughs like Hackney and Camden. The review, which runs until the 25th May, asks for residents’ views on how the current system should change. A second consultation, that will look more specifically at new funding formulas, will be launched later in the summer.

Residents who want to respond to the current consultation, should do so online, by going to www.education.gov.uk/consultations/, or by emailing
schoolfunding.consultation@education.gsi.gov.uk before 25th May. Any residents who need help, or need a hard copy should contact Lynne Featherstone’s office on 020 8340 5459.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“For too long Labour starved Haringey’s schools of funding. But thanks to Liberal Democrats in Government, this situation is now being reviewed.

“It’s great that the Education Secretary acknowledged Haringey’s unfair situation in a recent letter to me. But the next step now is to make sure we all respond to this first consultation.

“We need to show a resounding support for a change to the unfair way our schools are funded, and especially that the additional costs of employing teachers and other staff in this part of London should be recognised. This is our big chance, please don’t let it slip by!”

Liberal Democrat Children’s spokesperson Cllr Rachel Allison adds:

“This is the first of two reviews we will see this year. This first consultation looks at the desire for change, and will form the basis for the second twelve week consultation later in the year.

“We need this consultation to be backed by as many people as possible, to give us the best options for the second consultation in the summer. Please help our schools get a fair funding system that properly covers their costs, by responding to both reviews, to give our children the best possible start in life.”

Local MP Lynne Featherstone opens new games area at TreeHouse school

Posted on 7th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Sky News and Talk Sport presenter Jonny Gould and Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone officially opened a new outdoor games area at TreeHouse School on Friday 1st April 2011. This new facility will offer a range of sports including football and basketball.

The special guests were invited to TreeHouse School to unveil the purpose built outdoor games area and take part in a penalty shootout with TreeHouse and Muswell Hill primary school pupils.

Jonny Gould stood in goal during the reverse inclusion session which aimed to encourage children without autism to mix and play with children with autism. The outdoor games area will also be available for use by pupils from other local schools.

The launch came on the eve of World Autism Awareness month, which started on Saturday 2nd April 2011. The outdoor games area was funded by Play Sport London, The Lord’s Taverners, London Marathon Trust and the Department for Education.

Lynne Featherstone MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, said:

“I am delighted to open TreeHouse School’s new outdoor games area because it is important for children with autism to have access to sport in a safe and secure environment.

“As well as enriching the lives of TreeHouse’s pupils, other children at local schools will be able to use the sports ground because it is a community space. What children learn about each other when they are young stays with them their whole lives and this outdoor games area is the ideal opportunity to bring children together, regardless of whether they have autism or not.”

Dr Rowie Shaw, Chair of Governors at TreeHouse School, said:

“TreeHouse School is thankful for the support of our funders to finally make the new outdoor games area a reality. Health and fitness is at the core of our curriculum’s drive to improve the well being of our pupils and the outdoor games area will enhance this. We pride ourselves on being part of a wider community and look forward to opening the outdoor games area to other schools.”

Jonny Gould, Sky News and Talk Sport presenter, said:

“I am bowled over by TreeHouse School and its commitment and investment to making sport accessible for all its pupils. It is heartening to see the elevation of sport with the outdoor games area because I know how fun and rewarding playing sports and games can be for children.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes £12 million extra for NHS in Haringey

Posted on 7th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

From this week the NHS in Haringey will enjoy an extra £12 million, to support key Government priorities such as support for carers’ breaks, the Cancer Drugs Fund, investment in talking therapies for those with mental health conditions, and 4,200 extra health visitors.

Spending on healthcare in our local area this year will total £475 million overall.

The increase follows the decision by the Coalition Government to protect NHS investment over the next four years – investment vigorously opposed by Labour.

Across England as a whole, over £89 billion will now be spent on doctors, nurses and frontline services in the NHS – an increase of more than £2.6 billion over the year before.

Welcoming the increases in NHS funding, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“We recognise just how important the NHS is to this country – and to patients here in Hornsey and Wood Green. That’s why the Coalition Government is protecting the NHS not just today, but for future generations.

“This year alone, Haringey will benefit from an extra £12 million of investment going straight to doctors, nurses and other frontline services.

“Under Labour, billions of extra spending was swallowed up as the number of managers increased at five times the rate the number of nurses. Their plans would have meant cutting the NHS, denying patients the improved services we are putting in place.

“Their approach – to spend less – would leave the NHS in crisis.”

Bounds Green residents outraged at lack of consultation on Pinkham Way

Posted on 7th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

A group of local mothers have this week confirmed fears about the lack of consultation of the local community over plans to build a new waste plant at Pinkham Way.

Lynne Featherstone MP met with mums who live close to the site on Friday (1st April 2011) to listen to their concerns and find out what consultation has taken place to date on the controversial plans. One local mother, Sakina Chenot, said she was “outraged” at the lack of consultation.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP arranged the meeting after being contacted by worried residents who feel they have not been informed or consulted about plans to build a waste processing plant at Pinkham Way in Bounds Green. At the meeting, local residents Sakina, Lisa, Tara and Parveen questioned Haringey Council and the Waste Authority’s claim that local people had received letters about the plans in February. Whilst Barnet Council, who own the land, have made efforts to inform residents about the plans, Haringey Council have been quiet on the issue, leaving local residents unsure of what is happening.

To make sure people affected by the plans get a chance to have a say, Lynne Featherstone MP last week wrote to thousands of local residents asking for their views before she meets with the Waste Authority on the 14th April. Residents who want to write to Lynne about the plans, should either email her on lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org or write to her at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I’m really worried about the plans for Pinkham Way and their knock-on effect on people living in the Bounds Green and Alexandra Area. And a lot of local residents share my concern.

“With any such major plans, it’s essential that local people have a say. It’s really worrying that local people feel they have not been informed or consulted.

“That’s why I wrote to thousands of local residents last week, asking for their views. I’ll make sure the Waste Authority hear of them when we meet up. And there is still time. If you are worried, do get in touch.”

Bounds Green resident Sakina Chenot adds:

“The waste authority is planning to build a waste plant very close to my house, but no one from either the NLWA or Haringey have contacted me about the plans. I’m very surprised at claims that we have all received letters about this. All four of us here today live within close proximity to Pinkham Way, and none of us have had anything through our letterbox.

“As a local resident who will be directly affected, I am outraged that I haven’t had a say yet. I want to make my voice heard on this development, which I fear will have a real detrimental effect on the local neighbourhood – consult me now!”

Liberal Democrats this week give cash boost to Haringey's pensioners

Posted on 4th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Pensioners in Haringey are this week getting a better deal in their retirement, with a weekly increase of £4.50, compared to increases under Labour of a measly 75p, thanks to Lynne Featherstone MP and her Liberal Democrat colleagues in Government.

Liberal Democrats are also making sure future increases in pensions don’t fall behind, by restoring the all-important earnings link with pensions after 30 years. On top of that, Liberal Democrats have stopped Labour’s planned cut to cold weather payments, worth £25 a week, to make sure pensioners are not left out in the cold.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Pensioners have had it tough for a long time, with measly increase to their pensions year on year. Indeed one year, Labour increased the pension by a pitiful 75 pence.

“That’s a disgrace, and that’s why Liberal Democrats in Government have made sure pensioners get a better deal, despite the tough economic times.
“Haringey’s senior citizens will this week see a long overdue cash boost of £4.50 to their pension. And by restoring the earnings link, we have also made sure that pensions don’t fall behind like they have for the past thirty years.

“Respect, dignity and security: that’s what pensioners deserve, and that’s what we are delivering.”

Liberal Democrats this week take over a thousand low paid Haringey workers out of paying tax

Posted on 4th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Over a thousand of Haringey’s lowest paid workers will this week be taken out of paying income tax altogether, and over 75,000 residents will see a cash-boost of £200 as the Liberal Democrat changes to income tax come into force in the new financial year.

The welcome relief is the first step in the implementation of a key Liberal Democrat policy, to ensure that by 2015 no one earning less than £10,000 a year pays any income tax. In the recent budget, the government announced that by next April, another 900 Haringey residents will be relieved of income tax, while close to a 100,000 will get the much-needed cash boost of yet another £126, as the income tax threshold increases to £8105.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I am proud that this week, Liberal Democrats are cutting taxes for about 1,300 low-paid residents in Haringey. This policy has gone from the front page of our manifesto to the pockets of thousands of people across Hornsey and Wood Green and beyond.

“But that’s not all. Close to 80,000 people in Haringey will get a £200 tax cut this year, and the recent budget announcement means another £126 back in people’s pockets next year.

“Step by step, we are taking those on the lowest incomes out of paying tax altogether, with the threshold raised to £10,000 by the end of this parliament, and over a hundred thousand residents on modest incomes feeling real benefits too. That’s real help where it’s needed most; and I’m proud to be part of this.”

Haringey Liberal Democrats ask for views on Pinkham Way development

Posted on 28th Mar 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrats have renewed their calls for consultation with local residents on the controversial plans for a depot and new waste processing facilities at Pinkham Way.

Earlier this month local councillor, Juliet Solomon, met with Council bosses to highlight the complete lack of any consultation with residents in Alexandra ward and to raise a number of their concerns, in particular the impact of the additional lorry traffic on an already busy area.

Cllr. Solomon and Lynne Featherstone MP are now asking for all local residents’ views on the proposals so they can ensure that these concerns are clearly taken into account when they meet in a few weeks’ with top bosses at the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

Last week residents in Bounds Green met to discuss the issue and agreed to fight the plans, highlighting their concerns over the size of the development, the noise and traffic created by the 24-hour facility and the potential storage of methane gas.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s clear from the many residents’ meetings over the past week that many people think they are being left out of a massive decision that will affect their community greatly.

“Liberal Democrats want local residents’ voices to be heard and that is why we will be going to NLWA armed with concerns from local people. I ask that anybody who is concerned get in touch and we will make sure that NLWA sit up and listen.”

Cllr Juliet Solomon (Alexandra ward) adds:

“I am still not convinced that council bosses fully understand that local people deserve to be consulted. This is the largest development in this area for years yet many people feel that their concerns are being ignored.”