Children will now have a safer walk to school after a successful campaign by the Liberal Democrats. Zebra crossings around schools will now be proactively monitored and maintained by Haringey Council after agreement at a Cabinet meeting.

Liberal Democrat pressure has now ensured that pedestrian crossings used by schoolchildren will be re-painted when they are worn out and will be included in the council’s ‘Sustainable modes of travel to school strategy’. Previously residents had to alert the Haringey Council that crossings were worn out.

However, Liberal Democrats have said that this scheme does not go far enough and have called for all crossings to be monitored to ensure the safety of all residents.

Liberal Democrats have campaigned since last November for a proactive re-painting scheme when it emerged that several zebra crossings in the borough were dangerously worn out and not visible to motorists.

Cllr Martin Newton, who spearheaded the campaign, comments:

“Finally getting a commitment from Haringey Council to include monitoring and re-painting of worn out crossings and road markings around schools is a start. However, pedestrians rely on zebra crossings to cross our busy roads safely throughout the borough and the Council should be monitoring and proactively re-painting all zebra crossings and other road safety markings on a regular basis.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“It was a ridiculous situation when it was up to residents to report that zebra crossings were not visible. At least now we have a first step by Haringey Council to show that they should be responsible for proactively repainting zebra crossings and not wait.”

To celebrate their graduation from award winning environmental workshop ‘waste not want not’, Lynne Featherstone MP on Wednesday presented graduates with certificates at the Mitalee Centre in South Tottenham.

Not-for-profit organisation Language Network, who runs the workshop, was recently awarded almost £9,000 from the Big Lottery. Their course focuses on increasing environmental awareness for women whose first language is not English, with the help of interpreters. The women, many of whom are Wood Green residents, and mainly speak Bengali and Arabic, have been attending the workshop for six weeks, learning about issues ranging from how to recycle, to the effects of global warming, to how to grow your own vegetables.

Local residents who want to participate in workshops running later on in the spring, should visit http://www.lnetwork.co.uk/workshops.html.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“This workshop is a fabulous initiative that really looks at green issues across the board- how it affects our daily lives, and how we all need to do our bit to preserve the planet.

“The turnout has really been excellent, and I understand that the next course is almost fully booked. It’s really heart-warming to see residents who dedicate so much of their time to learn how to live greener lives.”

Haringey’s health budget could be slashed by £10 million over the next two years in a bid to bail out failing health trusts in the capital. Information revealed by Haringey Liberal Democrats shows that a London-wide strategy aims to impose a 1.3% levy on prudent Primary Care Trusts (PCT) to settle debts in other London areas.

PCTs are also not going to get back ‘top-slices’ taken in previous years – which means that Haringey health trust could fail to recover another £10 million ‘lent’ to other health trusts.

Liberal Democrats have criticised the secrecy surrounding the issue and have called on health bosses and Haringey Council to come clean on what they know.

It is understood that discussions have been ongoing for some months. However, in an answer to a written question tabled by Cllr David Winskill to Haringey Council’s ‘watchdog’ committee, it emerged that Haringey Council had to resort to looking at the PCT’s website to find out what is going on. It is claimed by Haringey Council that the PCT refused to give more information.

Cllr David Winskill comments:

“This is a dreadful situation. We had a similar ‘top-slice’ two years ago and cuts in services were forced on the people of Haringey with no debate or discussion. It is incredible that, despite an apology form the chairman of NHS London over how the cuts were imposed, Haringey PCT is making the same mistakes again and paying lip-service to the idea of partnership working.”

Cllr Nigel Scott, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson, adds

“There seems to be gaping holes in the alleged partnership between Haringey Council and the democratically unaccountable Health Trust. Haringey Council seems blissfully unaware of the proposal that could see Haringey’s residents losing out on £20 million of health funding.

“We have called for a joint statement by Haringey Council and the PCT setting out the details of the budget reduction, their likely impact on services and what actions Haringey Council and PCT will take to mitigate that impact.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“Once again we see that the trusts that have managed to balance their budgets in difficult times are being asked to bail out other areas where, for whatever reason, costs have not been kept under control.Haringey has many pressing health needs.Its planned budget was thought necessary to meet these needs.It should be protected for the patients of Haringey.”

To kick-start National Nest Box Week and provide a much needed home to Haringey’s rapidly dwindling bird numbers, Lynne Featherstone MP put up a nest box in her garden – hoping to inspire other Haringey residents to do the same. Haringey’s birdlife, which has drastically declined in diversity and numbers over the past thirty years, is in desperate need of more people to follow the Liberal Democrat MP ‘s example.

The house sparrow, once one of Haringey’s most common garden birds, was according to the result of last year’s RSPB Great Garden Bird Watch survey seen less than twice in the average Haringey garden; an 80% reduction in 30 years. Lynne will be following the latest development in Haringey’s bird count, as she announces the local results of the RSPB survey next month.

Anyone wanting to find out more about how to fit a bird box should visit the National Nest Box website at http://www.bto.org/nnbw/index.htm.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Diminishing biodiversity isn’t something that is only happening on the banks of the Amazon, but here in Haringey too!It saddens me that we see fewer and fewer birds in our gardens, and that’s why I feel it is extra important to that we do our bit and support National Nest Box Week.

“Loss of habitat and lack of food is really the reason why we see fewer birds in our gardens. So putting up a nest box in your garden is really the best and easiest way to help Haringey’s feathered friends.”

Following strong objections by local residents and MP Lynne Featherstone, London TravelWatch – the organisation that represent interests of transport users in London – this week sent formal objections to First Capital Connect on the proposed cuts in ticket office hours at rail stations in Haringey.

At a board meeting on Tuesday, TravelWatch decided to formally object to the proposed cuts, taking into consideration all objections from rail users and stakeholders. First Capital Connect, who runs the line north of Finsbury Park, will now consider the objections and respond to the watchdog with an amended proposal.

Hornsey rail station was one the stations which received the largest amount of objections in the proposal to cut hours at 49 stations. In total, First Capital Connect plans to reduce opening hours at ticket offices in Haringey’s stations by 112 hours.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I’m relieved that London TravelWatch have decided to formally object to this outrageous proposal. We need better-staffed stations, not cut backs on what is already a skeletal staff presence.

“So many people got back to me with comments, and it’s a real testament to how strongly people feel on this matter that Hornsey station received one the largest amount of objections.

“I just hope that First Capital Connect will now take the strong local objections on board, and drop the proposal.”

Commenting on the funding reprieve for Jacksons Lane, Highgate Liberal Democrat Cllr Rachel Allison said:

“This is brilliant news, and we want to thank the hundreds of people who took the time to write in support of Jacksons Lane. Once again, this has made all the difference. We will continue to fight for Jacksons Lane to ensure it gets a fair funding deal from Haringey Council.”

Labour councillors have rejected plans to give Haringey residents a greater say in local services. At Monday’s Full Council meeting they voted down Liberal Democrats budget amendments to devolve Haringey Council’s planning functions to four area planning committees and take formal council meetings ‘on the road’.

Liberal Democrats say that the rejection is a clear example of Labour talking the talk but failing to act, wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, and shying away from greater accountability.

Labour councillors also failed to meet the Liberal Democrat challenge of a Council Tax freeze in the next financial year to help residents deal with the effects of the recession.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Robert Gorrie, comments:

“We provided proposals to empower residents by devolving planning decisions and services and by taking council and its business out around the Borough – all paid for by reductions in Council waste and excessive allowances to councillors.

“The rejection of these plans is another example of Labour shying away from accountability. Like Labour nationally they continue to centralise power and decision-making and would rather keep residents at arms length than trust local people by giving them a greater say in their local services.

“Last night Labour rejected an opportunity to avoid £6.8 million of expenditure. They continue, ostrich-like, with their heads buried in the sand hoping that the effects of the economic downturn do not affect Haringey.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP, adds:

“It is disappointing that Labour failed to respond the financial crisis affecting the lives of hundreds of local residents.Residents have to tighten their belts and it is only right that Haringey Council should do the same.”

Haringey Council has finally agreed that local residents can take part in next week’s meeting to discuss Haringey Council’s response to the damning report from Ofsted.

After pressure from local Liberal Democrats on Haringey Council’s ‘watchdog’ committee residents will now be allowed to table questions at the meeting to take place on Tuesday 17th February which will examine Haringey Council’s response to the Joint Area Review that investigated the borough’s Children and Young People’s Service following the death of Baby P.

Initially Haringey Council had repeatedly refused to allow members of the public to table questions but, following protests by Liberal Democrat councillors on the Overview and Scrutiny committee, Labour bosses changed their decision. However, Liberal Democrats have criticised the short timescale for the public to submit questions.

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

“Haringey seem to follow one PR disaster after another. The tragic Baby P case engendered massive public interest and sympathy. By refusing to allow people to comment on Haringey’s plans to resolve deep rooted institutional problems, they were simply demonstrating their contempt for the electorate.

“Liberal Democrats on the scrutiny committee have repeatedly asked that a special portion of the meeting be dedicated to the public. This concession is better than nothing but the fact that it gives the public only two days to read the report and submit questions shows how far away the ruling part are from understanding the needs of their residents.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“The public have a right to debate this issue and be involved in Haringey Council’s response to the damning government report. For too long Labour in Haringey have hidden in the shadows – now we need full open debate to move the borough’s services forward.”