Category Archives: News releases

Local MP checks out Christmas card designs at Hornsey school arts class

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Lynne Featherstone at St mary's junior schoolTo see how students were getting on with their entries for the annual Christmas card competition, Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited an arts class at St Mary’s junior school in Hornsey.

This year’s theme ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ gives the pupils a chance to draw what they see Santa getting up to in their part of Hornsey and Wood Green. The winner will be selected on the basis of how imaginatively the students interpret the theme and how eye catching the design is.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It was great to pop into St Mary’s arts class and see what the children imagined Santa getting up to locally- there were lots of colourful entries and Santas wandering down Hornsey High Street and flying over Ally Pally.

“It’s just so inspiring to see them being creative and having fun. I saw some excellent contenders for first place and really look forward to choosing the winner this weekend.”

Haringey Council ignores 90% of residents in Stroud Green parking consultation

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Haringey Council has ignored the views of almost 90% residents who responded to a consultation about the removal of parking space on Woodstock Road, Stroud Green.

The controversial proposals means that a dozen parking spaces previously reserved for local residents will be turned over for the sole use of businesses.

In the initial consultation 8 of 9 local residents responding objected to the proposal. Nevertheless, Haringey Council has ignore their views and proceeded with the original proposal to statutory consultation, the final stage before implementation of any parking changes.

Commenting Councillor Ed Butcher says:

“It is outrageous that Haringey Council is completely ignoring the wishes of the local residents. This Labour-led council should stop using the word consultation because they clearly don’t know what it means. They simply don’t know how to listen”

Councillor Richard Wilson, Stroud Green councillor and Deputy Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats, adds:

“What makes me angry about this latest parking scandal is that it has nothing to do with the real parking problems of our area.

“Hundreds of residents are crying out for action because there are severe parking problems in streets outside the CPZ parking, yet Haringey Council is steamrollering through changes elsewhere when a clear majority does not want them. There is simply no rhyme or reason.”

Stroud Green Liberal Democrats carried out a recent parking survey in the area outside that Control Parking Area that confirmed two thirds of people thought action was needed from the Haringey Council.

Local MP hosts special supermarket surgery

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Lynne Featherstone with constituent, Bugdens supermarket surgeryTo make it easier for local residents to meet their MP and discuss local problems, Lynne Featherstone on Friday held a special advice surgery at Budgens supermarket in Crouch End.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP set up shop by the fruit and veg section in the Broadway supermarket, to enable residents to raise local concerns, such as recycling problems and parking issues, before cracking on with their weekly shopping.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s been great to catch up with so many residents and help them with some of their issues.

“Often, people have things on their mind that I could help with, but they either don’t know that they can turn to me, or don’t find time in their busy lives to do it – so that’s why it’s good to go out to a busy place like Budgens and be on hand if needed.

“I’m of course, also, still running my weekly advice surgeries at one of the local libraries, and anyone who wants to see me can call my office for an appointment”.

Labour rejects pleas for emergency school funding

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A Labour minister has rejected a direct plea for emergency funding from a local MP to address Haringey’s £1,000+ per pupil funding deficit.

The refusal came in a Parliamentary debate secured by Lynne Featherstone MP dedicated entirely to Haringey school funding where she outlined in detail the extent of the funding deficit and the impact on local schooling. The Hornsey & Wood Green MP asked the Government to make a crisis payment for 2010/11 so local schools did not have to wait for the result of the long awaited school funding review, not due to be implemented until 2011

Key figures to come out in the debate are that over the term of the current funding arrangement (2008-11) Haringey has lost out on over £120m of funding compared to neighbouring Hackney, equivalent to almost £110K a day.

The Government representative also turned down a request for Haringey to be directly represented on the body looking at the funding formula.

It was confirmed that Haringey is the 5th most deprived borough and yet receives only the 15th highest per pupil funding in the capital.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I am bitterly disappointed that the Labour Government continues to ignore this blatant injustice – even ignoring pleas from their own councillors.

“Our teachers do a wonderful job, but they could do so much more if our school children received the funding they deserve.

“This is not about politics, but simple fairness. I will continue to fight until our schools get their fair share.”

Note: you can watch the debate at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4948

Local MP demands action on bus to Hornsey Central following disappointing meeting

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Following a meeting with Transport for London (TfL) and the local health service to discuss better transport to the new Hornsey health centre, Lynne Featherstone MP has written to all involved parties, demanding they stop passing the buck and look seriously at how to improve transport to the Park Road site.

The intervention came following a recent meeting, where issues of poor communication and lack of responsibility from both TfL and the health service became evident. Despite a Liberal Democrat petition, a health service transport survey and the issue being raised in both public and private meetings, TfL appeared unaware of the new health centre’s planned range of services and wide catchments area.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP has now written to TfL and the local health service, demanding they all take responsibility and ensure better communication so that the issue of improved transport to the site can finally be discussed in earnest.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I am astonished and frankly very angry that despite raising the issue of poor transport to the health centre on many occasions, the health trust hasn’t even bothered to make sure that TfL has all the facts and understands just how many people will be using this centre. That, if anything, is essential information when assessing the need for more buses!

“It’s so frustrating that no-one wants to accept responsibility- but the buck stops here. I’ve written to all responsible parties, and will be chasing them to make sure we get some real movement- because sadly for now the Hornsey hospital bus doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.”

MP joins random kindness crusade at local plant centre

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As part of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s single biggest day of volunteering, Lynne Featherstone MP last week helped out at FAITH Plant centre, the Wood Green based garden centre where adults with learning difficulties volunteer and gain essential life skills.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP joined service users Merle and June in clearing the FAITH’s grounds from autumn leaves and was rewarded with a special tour of the centre’s unique and colourful plants.

Lynne Featherstone took part to show the positive impact that giving time to benefit others could have, and to show the importance of community spirit in tough times.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“FAITH Plant centre is a truly unique gem, working with residents with learning difficulties as well as local school kids, to spread knowledge about plants, and helping to dress Haringey’s parks in colour each season.

“That’s why I feel it is especially exciting to do my bit to help raise awareness about the importance of volunteering here at FAITH. And to top it off, I have really had a great time being out in the fresh air, clearing the grounds with Merle and June.”

Action needed on housing security

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Concern is growing for the safety of local residents living in a housing block in Alexandra ward after Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey failed to take action to improve security despite many incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour over the past year.

Tenants and leaseholders in Bolster Grove have been forced to put up with constant vandalism and intimidation as local vandals use the main stairwell leading to residents’ homes as a hang out. Recent visits to Bolster Grove have revealed many incidents including the windows of the main entry door have been broken, windows in the stairwell forced open, window frames burned, fires being started as well as the area being regularly strewn with dropped food, litter and used condoms.

However, since the most recent incident on 11th October 2009, Homes for Haringey has not repaired the main entry door, leaving smashed glass in place and homes unsecured.

Local Liberal Democrats have continued to raise the issue, along with the need for door entry systems, with Homes for Haringey bosses and even brought the issue to the attention of Cllr John Bevan, Labour’s Cabinet member for Housing, at the last Full Council meeting on 19th October 2009. Despite this, no action has been taken by Haringey Council.

Cllr Nigel Scott   (Alexandra ward), who has alerted the local safer neighbourhood team and visits the area regularly, comments:

“It is unacceptable that after months of incidents including fires, antisocial behaviour and damage to property, residents of Bolster Grove still do not have an idea when their homes will be made safe.

“Some residents are afraid to leave their homes unoccupied whilst the entrance door is broken. It needs to made safe now and the Council should not wait until a more serious incident occurs before they take action.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Local residents should feel safe in their own homes. Yet the lack of action by Haringey Council at Bolster Grove only leaves people feeling harassed and their homes unsecured.”

Lynne Featherstone MP selects winner of writing competition

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Winning entryRoela Mehmeti aged 11, has been announced as the winner of Lynne Featherstone MP’s Democracy Week writing competition after fierce contest from some of Hornsey and Wood Green’s brightest writing talents.

The Alexandra Park School student was selected as the winner of the competition where students from local secondary schools got to explain what they would do if they ruled the world for a day, for her entry on the need for more love and stronger families. (Click on picture to see the winning entry.)

Roela will now get the chance to see what being an MP is really about, as she will shadow Lynne Featherstone for a day in Parliament.

The winning entry was chosen from an impressive range of thoughtful contributions from secondary schools students across Hornsey and Wood Green, and Lynne Featherstone has also given special commendations to eight exceptionally well-written entries.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Roela’s has written a beautiful and inspiring piece that really pulls your heartstrings. It tells of such a fundamental and essential thing as the need for people to have families who love and support them, and how more love in our society would mend many of its ills.

“Reading the entry, I was grabbed by it’s depth and message, especially from someone so young, and for that reason I feel Roela is a very worthy winner.

“But the decision was not an easy one. I have yet again been gob-smacked by the amazing range of imaginative, wise and funny entries- we really have a treasure of talented writers here in Hornsey and Wood Green, and that makes me very proud!”

Lynne Featherstone celebrates with Gok at Stonewall Awards

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Local MP Lynne Featherstone was last night celebrating with Gok Wan at the Stonewall Awards despite missing out on the top spot for their prestigious Politician of the Year award at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP earlier in the autumn appeared on Gok’s How to Look Good Naked, in support of his Body Confidence campaign.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s great to get my work for gay and lesbian rights noticed with such a prestigious nomination – shame to lose out on the top prize, but I’ve had a great time here tonight.

“And I was thrilled to get the chance to catch up with Gok after my stint on How to Look Good Naked. They really are doing admirable work, campaigning to help young people feel confident about themselves.”

Haringey's unfair school funding to be debated in Parliament

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Local MP Lynne Featherstone has secured a debate in Parliament on the unfair funding for schools in Haringey. The debate, taking place on Wednesday 4th November at 16:00, will focus entirely on funding for schools in Haringey. The current unjust system sees local schools receive over £1000 less per pupil than neighbouring boroughs.

In the debate Ms. Featherstone will press the Government Minister to answer why this funding disparity still exists and what is being done to rectify it. Ms. Featherstone has previously pressed the Prime Minister on the same issue.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone says:

“The situation is entirely unjust and unacceptable – year in year out this funding system disadvantages Haringey’s children and leaves our local schools struggling to make ends meet.

“Schools in Haringey have the same costs and problems as those in neighbouring boroughs so why should they qualify for less funding?

“The minister must answer what the Government is going to do to end a funding system that keeps short changing our local schools.”