Non-English speaking residents in Haringey are yet to have adequate information about swine flu after a request for multilingual leaflets was ignored by Haringey Council. In May Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Scott highlighted the need for Haringey Council to provide information to residents in the main languages spoken in Haringey, warning them of the symptoms and what they should so if they suspect one of their family has the virus.

Haringey Council has ignored Cllr Scott’s request despite an increase in the cases of swine flu in London and Haringey’s first confirmed case.

Cllr Nigel Scott, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, comments:

“Haringey is one of the most diverse communities in London with residents speaking over one hundred different languages. With a swine flu pandemic just announced, Haringey Council has done nothing to ensure that local residents, who may have little understanding of English, would have had the same access to information.

“The fact that many schools in Haringey have up to eighty per cent of pupils speaking English as a second language is a hint that communication also needs to be in languages other than English. With something as important as a threat to public health we cannot afford to get it wrong.”

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

“Just sending such essential information in English is not good enough if it means that many local residents won’t fully understand what steps they need to take to make sure their families are protected.

“Haringey Council, managing one of Britain’s most diverse communities, should make it a priority to ensure residents can access information on such an important issue.”

• Lib Dems main Euro-winners, with biggest vote increase
• Lowest ever vote share for Labour in borough election
• Poll shock, as local Tories pushed into fourth place

The Liberal Democrats were the main winners in the European elections in Haringey last night. The party added 4.7 per cent to its tally and dramatically closed the gap on Haringey Labour, whose vote slumped to its lowest ever share in a borough-wide election.

It was also a night of disaster for the local Tories, who shocked observers by slumping into fourth place, behind the Green Party.

Lib Dem Leader Robert Gorrie comments,

“I am delighted with the result, and I would like to thank everyone in Haringey who responded to the Lib Dems’ positive message on Europe. These results show we are in a neck-and-neck battle with Labour for control of Haringey Council. For the Tories, fourth place is yet another nail in their coffin, as local people know it is only the Lib Dems that can bring an end to 40 years of Labour rule here.”

Results:

Labour – 14,093 (28.8% – down 4.1%)
Lib Dems – 11,550 (23.6% – up 4.7%)
Greens – 8,528 (17.4% – up 3.4%)
Cons – 7,396 (15.1%, down 0.5%)
Others – 7,392 (15.1% – down 3.5%)

The true depths of Haringey Council’s pothole crisis emerged this weekend after a local Liberal Democrat councillor found a contender for the deepest pothole in Haringey. Cllr Neil Williams was able to put his whole arm in the pothole on Kenwood Road. Whilst Liberal Democrats were able to see the lighter side of the story, they say that it shows the true extent of the deterioration of the borough’s streets under Labour.

Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate) commented:

“We have heard of black holes before – in Haringey’s finances and school places. Now we have Highgate’s answer to the Grand Canyon emerging on Kenwood Road.

“This shows the extent of the years of neglect that our streets have faced and should serve as a wake-up call to Labour transport bosses to the awful state of our roads.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“I was amazed when I saw the photo – as a good Liberal Democrat I have seen many potholes in my time but this takes the biscuit. However, this does have a serious message that shows that Haringey’s pothole crisis continues unabated with little effort by Haringey Council to tackle the problem.”

Steps to alleviate dangerous overcrowding at a Crouch End bus stop will be investigated after action was taken by local Liberal Democrats. Pedestrians walking past the bus stop on Crouch End Hill have to step out into the busy road due to the high number of people waiting for bus services. Concerned by reports from residents, local councillor Lyn Weber contacted Haringey Council and Transport for London to request action to improve safety.

Haringey Council has now confirmed they are looking into plans to move the bus stop backwards to give pedestrians more space.

Cllr Lyn Weber (Crouch End) commented:

“This bus stop is very congested at rush hour. It is a danger for pedestrians as they have to step out into the busy road to get past people waiting.

“It is fabulous that more and more people are taking to the bus services but it does mean that Haringey Council and London Buses need to be more vigilant to ensure that pedestrians are not put at risk and space is created for all users of the pavement.

“I am glad Haringey Council is finally listening to local residents and tackling this hazard speedily.”

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

“What is needed is a bit of common sense and joined up, responsive thinking.More bus users mean bigger queues and less space on the pavements – pedestrians should not be put at risk by a narrow bit of pavement.”

The bus stop is on Crouch End Hill, opposite the junction to Hornsey Lane and near Hannay Lane.

Last week the question of when local trains will allow Oyster Pay As You Go (PAYG) was further plunged into confusion, as the London Mayor said that people will be able to use Oyster PAYG on trains north of Finsbury Park by the end of this year.

However, only a month ago the train company First Capital Connect told local MP Lynne Featherstone that trains would not ‘go Oyster’ until some time next year 2010. The Hornsey and Wood Green MP has now offered to mediate in the case to help sort the matter out.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“This is more proof that the left hand doesn’t know what the right one is doing. It would be great if the Mayor could genuinely deliver on his promise for trains to ‘go Oyster’ by December- after so many delays and broken promises.

“Local people don’t really care how this happens, it’s is more the when that they are interested in. I imagine they are sick to their their back teeth with contradictory promises from City Hall. I am happy to mediate if they can’t sort it out soon.”

Commenting on the sentencing of Baby Peter’s mother, her partner and Jason Owen, Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, said:

“The guilty have at last been punished, but we still cannot rest until we fully understand how this poor little boy suffered so terribly, and for so long, under the noses of Haringey’s Children’s Services.”

Commenting on the publication of the second Serious Case Review into the death of Baby Peter, Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“The first Serious Case Review either showed clear incompetence or was a cover-up. This one could not be more different from the first. It says exactly what we should have learnt at the start of this awful tragedy – Haringey Council, health professionals and the police all failed to protect Baby Peter from three individuals who set out to harm him.

“Seven months after light was shed on these failures the focus on children’s safety must never drift again.”

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children and Young People, adds:

“Services need to continue to be kept under close scrutiny to ensure the huge improvements required are being made. We will continue to push for a dedicated council committee to scrutinise Children’s Services to fulfil this gap.”