Following the news that the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust has had to urgently close two rehabilitation wards at St Ann’s Hospital following a damning assessment by the Care Quality Commission, Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s extremely worrying that two wards have had to close for not being in a fit state to provide patient care. But it begs the question why it took a visit from the Care Quality Commission to show this sorry state of affairs.

“Patients are caught between the under-funding from the NHS London devil, and the unfit wards ignored by the Mental Health Trust deep blue sea.

“I want to know that the NHS will be giving the Trust enough funding so decent care can be provided, and that the local Trust will do all in their power to give the best possible care to service users. The sorry state of affairs we see today cannot be allowed to continue.”

Sixth-form education funding for eighty-one children in Haringey is under threat, it has been revealed. Information unearthed by the Liberal Democrats shows that the blunder made by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which caused a national shortfall in post-16 education funding, will cost local schools £587,547. This is equivalent to funding for eighty-one pupils for the next academic year and is also likely to impact on the number of courses available.

The LSC’s mistake was exposed earlier this month when schools and colleges were told their budgets would be slashed after they had been told in March what their funding would be for the next academic year. Local Liberal Democrats have demanded that Labour MP Ed Balls, minister in charge of further education funding, should come clean whether local schools will have to cut places to cope with the funding shortfall.

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat Children, Schools and Families spokesperson, comments:

“This will come as a major shock to our local schools, colleges and, above all, our students.

“A reduction in funding is contrary to the government’s aspiration for more children in further education. Our young people in Haringey will feel that the door to further education has been firmly shut in their faces.

“This will particularly impact our Sixth Form Centre in Tottenham which was built with funds from the Learning and Skills Council.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, added:

“Our local schools are already unfairly funded as they receive up to £1,300 less per pupil than some neighbouring boroughs. This is yet another blow to our schools’ funding, and flies in the face of any promises to give our kids the world’s best education. Our schools need fair funding, and need it now.”

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Davies is hoping to make it around the London Marathon course for a third time next weekend, this time raising sponsorship for Refuge.

Cllr Davies completed the London Marathon for the first time in 2003, fundraising for the Terrence Higgins Trust. In 2006 he did it again, this time for Amnesty International. This year he is being sponsored by friends, family, local residents and council colleagues (of both parties) to raise money for Refuge.

Cllr Davies (Liberal Democrat, Fortis Green) is running the marathon to help raise the profile of the work that Refuge do in supporting victims of domestic violence – as well as raising money for the charity.

Refuge is a national charity for women and children who experience domestic violence, providing emergency accommodation and emotional and practical support. Since opening the world’s first women’s safe house in London in 1971, Refuge has grown to become the UK’s largest organisation of its kind, helping and supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence and acting as a national ‘lifeline’ for up to 80,000 victims of domestic abuse every year.

So far Cllr Davies has raised over £1,800 and is hoping to top the £2,200 he raised last time. His fundraising has also been helped by the support of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in donating signed merchandise to auction.

Cllr Davies comments:

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far – including Spurs, who donated a signed pennant for me to auction. There is still time to sponsor me, so please dig deep.

“I have done the marathon twice before and survived – but just because I have an idea of what to expect from the 26.2 miles that doesn’t mean I think it will all be plain sailing by any stretch of the imagination. For one thing, I’m three years older and heavier than I was last time.

“But while I know there will be tough times as I make my way around the course, I know that I will be raising money for an excellent cause. That will be enough to keep me going, however slowly!”

Matt Davies can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/matt4refuge

A local Stroud Green councillor is jubilant after a proposal to demolish a well-loved restaurant has been withdrawn.

Cllr Ed Butcher had objected to the demolition of the Triangle Restaurant on the corner of Ferme Park Road and Stapleton Hall Road, as the building is in a very prominent location in a conservation area.

Haringey Council’s Planning Department has now revealed that plans to demolish the building have been withdrawn and the owners now plan to keep the frontage of the building.

Cllr Butcher said:

“The Triangle Restaurant is a prominent and well loved building, which really improves the look of the area with all the greenery on its front.I was very worried that its demolition would damage the appearance of the whole area.

“This restaurant is an important part of our community.I hope any new plans for the site are more sensitive and preserve the green feel of the area, which is right next to the Parkland Walk.”

Cracks and potholes have started to appear on a Stroud Green road – only 12 months after the whole road was completely resurfaced. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Wilson has expressed his disappointment that the road is already showing signs of damage after a successful a two-year fight with the Haringey Council to get Weston Park resurfaced last year.Cllr Wilson has demanded answers from Haringey Council as to why potholes have already emerged.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Stroud Green, comments:

“It is ridiculous that potholes and cracks have already started to appear only 12 months since the completion of resurfacing on Weston Park. Local residents will be very disappointed.

“It’s just money down the drain. Soon they have to go back and do it all over again.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“The least local residents should expect is that their Council Tax is used wisely, and that road surfacing stands the test of time.

“Clearly a 12 month life line for a street is a bit on the short side. I hope Haringey Council will look into this matter properly and ensure that next time it gets done properly.”

Commenting on the cancellation of the RISE festival by the London Mayor, Cllr Ed Butcher, Liberal Democrat councillor for Stroud Green ward, which neighbours Finsbury Park, says:

“The RISE festival has been the highlight of our community’s calendar.

“This is bad news for local businesses. Major events like RISE bring extra trade for local businesses and are a boost to the profile of Finsbury Park.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, Liberal Democrat Youth & Equalities spokesperson, comments:

“This event has done so much to promote diversity and has brought Londoners together.

“It disappointing that celebrating diversity is such a low priority for the new Mayor.Of course times are tough, but the Mayor should cut his cloth appropriately rather than pulling the plug completely.”