Christmas cheer for Stroud Green after snub from Haringey Council scrooges

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Despite the annual refusal by Haringey Council to fund Christmas lights, Stroud Green Road and Finsbury Park will, once again, be dazzling with Christmas cheer this year thanks to neighbouring Islington Council.

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Islington Council announced that Stroud Green Road and Finsbury Park would receive funding for Christmas lights – marking the second consecutive year when Haringey Council have failed to contribute to the area’s festivities.

Local Liberal Democrats have warmly welcomed the move by Islington Council and have pointed out that this is further evidence of Labour’s neglect for the Finsbury Park area.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Labour Cllr Gina Adamou had failed to attend any meetings of a board set up to regenerate the Finsbury Park area and Haringey Council slashed budgets for street sweeping.

Cllr Ed Butcher (Stroud Green) comments:

“This Christmas is going to be difficult enough for shops and restaurants on Stroud Green Road without more wilful neglect from Haringey Council. We are pleased to have secured a bit of festive cheer to encourage customers and raise our area’s status. We are determined to do all that we can to help local businesses through this recession.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Stroud Green is one of the most vibrant areas in Haringey yet it is neglected year after year by this Labour administration. I’m glad that once again Islington have made Stroud Green‘s Christmas wishes come true.”

Red faces on domestic flights issue

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Stunned Labour councillors seemed unaware on Monday night of the information revealed by the Liberal Democrats about Haringey Council’s use of domestic flights. Gasps from the public gallery greeted Liberal Democrat Cllr Ed Butcher’s revelations that, despite a promise to not use domestic flights for council business, 17,038 miles were travelled on flights within the UK in the past two years.

At last night’s Full Council meeting councillors debated a motion to agree to support the Friends of the Earth campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2020. Liberal Democrats highlighted Labour’s failure on the environment and tackling climate change – the broken promise on domestic flights was given as an example of this failure.

Liberal Democrats have now demanded details of when the flights were taken, who travelled, the destination and the cost to the taxpayer.

Cllr Ed Butcher (Stroud Green) comments:

“It was red faces all round in the Labour Group. Embarrassed Labour councillors seemed unaware that their own policy had been broken and this is an example of their lack of grip on this council’s administration.

”The serious issue is that, once again, Labour has said that they will stop the use of domestic flights for council business yet they have broken their promise.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Local residents will not be able to believe a word Haringey Labour says about the environment. Their green credentials are now dead in the water.”

Local MP celebrates beacon status with award winning local education team

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Lynne Featherstone MP with 5E director Raj Doshi and students Rachel Williams and Pauline Bailey celebrating the recent Beacon Award, Selby Centre, October 2009To celebrate local skills provider 5E’s recent Beacon award, Lynne Featherstone MP last week presented certificates to outstanding learners at the Selby Centre in Tottenham.

Earlier this year, the not-for-profit education provider became only the second Haringey organisation to get the prestigious LSIS Beacon award for delivering outstanding teaching and learning. The organisation teaches skills to help local residents get on the job market and to continue professional development.

On Friday, the Hornsey and Wood Green MP joined director Raj Doshi and hundreds of graduates in celebrating the local charity’s achievements with speeches, certificates and a range of exotic foods.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“5E really is exceptional – it’s a local organisation that is there to help people gain the skills and qualifications needed for better jobs, and to act as a stepping stone for a brighter future. And in doing that, they have done such an amazing job that they now are seen as a shining beacon – leading the way for other organisations in the field.

“In difficult times, places like 5E are true life savers, and that’s why I’m so happy to be here today to share the success with hundreds of local residents. Well done to Raj, his remarkable staff and the many successful graduates for their outstanding work.”

About 5E: 5E is a not-for profit educational provider aimed at teaching skills to hard to reach and disadvantaged groups. For more information see www.fivee.co.uk

Hatred, hope and a wet balloon

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Last night I watched Panorama ‘Undercover: Hate on the doorstep’ which was looking into the abuse that ethnic minorities encounter in some areas of Britain and the hook / contrast was with the Equality Commission having said that Britain was pretty good in terms of tolerance and issues of race. The program set out to disprove that statement – pretty successfully.

Two undercover reporters, one male and one female and both Muslim, moved into a house on an estate near Bristol. For the eight weeks they were there they were abused, both verbally and physically, by local youths and children. Things were thrown at them, they were threatened and beaten on one occasion – just for existing.

This morning I was listening to Nick Ferrari on LBC talking about how London is not friendly to fat people. A woman came on – afraid have forgotten her name – who had been beaten up and abused on the tube because she was fat. She said, and other callers to the program said, that they faced verbal abuse every single day of their lives because they were overweight.

So what is this all about? In the end it has to be about people feeling they have nothing and are nothing and the only thing that makes them feel better is abusing someone else. But how do you change a culture? Punishment is fine and necessary – as are laws – but that doesn’t mean that things will be different in future. So how do you change behaviour?

Funnily enough, today one of my meetings was with the Prince’s Trust who came to brief me on their work. One of their programs – called Team Project – is about getting the long-term unemployed aged 16 to 25 back into work, education or training. It is a twelve week program which kicks off with a residential week which is pretty physical, outward bound kind of stuff. The kids then do voluntary work with the community and also learn skills and experience work environments etc.

I asked what the number of young people in any one cohort year was – 44,000. The Prince’s Trust put through about 12,000 of the most challenged and marginalised youngsters through the Team Project each year. They then do an assessment on the success of those who have gone through the scheme which is rigorous and tough. About 70% of the young people after the project – go into work, education or training. That is a pretty stunning result.

We had a bit of a meander through the philosophical issues around how you get the have-not kids to mix with the haves (how to heal a divided society) and whether a national, civil youth service would be an answer. If it was – should it be compulsory? But the real answer – whatever the programs and projects – is that there are no quick, cheap fixes. Any work undertaken amongst the challenged groups they work with – like the long-term unemployed, the socially excluded, ex-offenders and so on – needs to be sustained and relatively long term. The Team Project is twelve weeks so not cheap – but in the end – if that investment works then it has to be worthwhile.

It was a bit of a meetings day really – with Shadow Cabinet/Home Affairs team/briefing by Prince’s Trust/lobbying by Relate / meeting with Martha Lane Fox and Nick Clegg about the digital divide and then to top it off – the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, Second Reading.

This Bill was meant to be a Bill that would start rolling the great reform agenda for decades to come. Sadly – it has turned out to be a wet squib. Where is the abolition of the hereditary peers? Where is the end of the male line of accession kicking females out of the way? Where is anything worth having a constitutional bill for – all gone, all watered down. Alack and alas.

Democracy Week competition launch at local school

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Democracy Week at Alexandra Park SchoolTo mark democracy week and help kick start discussions in local schools about politics, Lynne Featherstone MP launched her mini-writing competition at Alexandra Park School last week.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP helped students in a year 7 class brain storm on the essay topic ‘what I would do if I ruled the world for a day’. Lynne has invited students from all local secondary schools to join in, and the winner will get the chance to see first hand what politics is about by shadowing Lynne for a day in Parliament.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The idea behind having a democracy competition was to help local schools debate issues around local and global problems and the role politics plays in dealing with them.

“Every time I have the privilege to meet students in local schools and hear their thoughts on issues, I am amazed by the insight and thoughtfulness of their comments- and today was certainly no exception.

“Hopefully I’ll receive entries from across the constituency- I’m getting ready for some serious food for thought!”

Boris, Tessa Jowell and John Denham!

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I tweeted thus this afternoon: ‘Got in lift at City Hall to find Boris, Tessa Jowell and John Denham. I thought an Olympics cabal. But what else might they have been up to?’

And here followeth samples of the wit that flowed forth from your responses:

1) Fight Club?

2) Expenses alibis?

3) If you get Seb Coe and David Beckham you get to shout house!

4) Looking for a brain cell?

5) Grey’s Anatomy at City Hall?

6) Jowell and Denham realising that New Labour project has bankrupted country are throwing their hands in with Tories?

7) Dissing LDs?

8) Eastenders casting?

Number 6 is my winner.

Thanks for contributions. LOL

‘End scandal of lack of care’ – London MP calls for action in Parliament

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Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has tabled a motion in Parliament calling on NHS bosses in London to improve the care and support for patients with rare illnesses.

According to families with rare illnesses, who are joining forces to launch the ‘London Muscle Group’, patients living with muscle disease in the capital are facing battles to access vital services such as physiotherapy.

A clinician led report published by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign also highlights the lack of Muscular Dystrophy Care Advisors, who support and advise families affected by the condition, for the 7,400 children and adults living with muscle disease in London.

Commenting on the new Early Day Motion she has tabled in the House of Commons, Lynne Featherstone said:

“It is totally unacceptable that many of the 7,500 people living with muscular dystrophy in the capital are forced to go without the vital services they need.

“Local NHS decision makers must recognise the specialist nature of the care needed by patients with muscle disease and ensure that such services are available to all patients living in the capital.”

One of Lynne Featherstone’s constituents, Rosemary Lawy from Muswell Hill, who has muscular dystrophy and who attended a meeting in Parliament to discuss the report, said:

“As a London patient myself, I do not receive any hydrotherapy – a service which I know helps to keep me and many people with muscular dystrophy fitter and more mobile – as well as helping us take control of our condition.

“All people living with muscle disease in London also deserve the support of a Muscular Dystrophy Care Adviser, if they need one. It’s shocking that there is only one Care Adviser in the capital who only sees children – meaning that there are many adults with the condition who feel completely abandoned.

“It’s alarming that there is not better provision of care for the 7,500 patients with muscle disease in London. I am adding my voice to the call for a thorough review of neuromuscular services across the capital.”

Director of Policy at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, Robert Meadowcroft, said:

“With the backing of Lynne Featherstone MP, we are calling on the NHS to carry out a full review of neuromuscular services in across London as a matter of urgency.”

These results come four years after the Government’s National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions, which pledged to improve quality of life and independence for people living with chronic conditions.

Notes:

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for 50 years, and is dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease. It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment.

The Parliamentary motion tabled by Lynne Featherstone MP reads:

That this House welcomes the launch of the London Muscle Group; notes that the new group will campaign to improve access to essential specialist care and support for patients living with muscle disease, also notes that the Group is led by local families and people affected by Muscular Dystrophy and other related Neuromuscular conditions; is concerned to learn of the serious problems that the 7,500 people with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions face living in London; further notes that access to multi-disciplinary specialist care improves overall health outcomes and survival for patients with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions; calls on the London Specialised Commissioning Group, Local Primary Care Trusts and the Strategic Health Authority to take forward a review of neuromuscular services which will identify areas of best practice and gaps in NHS service provision; and praises the campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, local families, health professionals and experts in these conditions who will work together to fight for good access to clinically effective, first class, specialised neuromuscular services across London.

Key findings from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaigns Building on the Foundations in London reveal:

  • Specialist clinics in London do not have the capacity to serve the 7,500 people living with muscle disease in the region, as well as the many others who travel from other regions and countries, for specialist services.
  • One in four patients in the region currently has no access to a neuromuscular specialist and receives no specialist care.
  • Young adults need greater support moving from child to adult services. Many patients frequently receive wholly inadequate support at transition and throughout their adult lives.
  • There are limited psychology services for neuromuscular patients despite its importance as part of multi-disciplinary care for patients with diseases with no known cures and only limited treatments available.

It's survey time!

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Here is my latest column for the Muswell Hill & Highgate Flyers:

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not going to get all political and talk about the conference season and the start of Parliament’s new session. No, I’m not talking about school being back – hopefully your little darlings (and not so little ones) will be settling into their new classes. But instead – it’s survey time!

In one form or another I have been doing local surveys for over a decade. Whilst it has become a bit more of a mission to ask 45,000 odd households what’s on their mind, my annual survey is one of the most important things I do as a politician – finding out about local residents’ concerns. Sadly, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to knock on every door when everyone’s in to have a chat (but I do try!) so my survey helps me fill the gap.

Some of the issues I have campaigned on hardest were first mentioned in people’s survey responses – such as the 603 bus, getting Hornsey Hospital re-opened and arguing for Oyster Pay-as-Go in local train stations.

The questions I ask touch on all sorts of subjects from grumbles about grot-spots – sadly a perennial issue with Haringey Council, to whether people support my tough stance for action on Climate Change in Parliament.

But this year there are two particular issues I want to hear about. One is how the downturn is affecting people locally. Gathering more direct information from local people’s experiences is vital for me to argue whether Government services are properly geared to helping people and are working in Hornsey & Wood Green.

The other issue is on a related point. We have some of the most treasured local high streets in the capital – Muswell Hill, Highgate, Crouch End, the list goes on… With my Liberal Democrat councillor colleagues we have being working hard to support local shops and businesses through the recession – promoting local loyalty cards, making parking easier to encourage customers and prodding the council to do more.

But the other thing I want to hear from people is what will encourage them to shop more locally. I am determined that we do all that we can to save our High Streets from the worst of the recession.

So watch this space – or more accurately your letterbox – I look forward to hearing what you’ve got to say.

Lap dancing not appealing

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Hurrah! News reaches me that the applicants for the lap-dancing club have not appealed the decision of Haringey Licensing committee which refused their application after a long and sustained campaign by LapOff supported by myself and LibDem Cllr Dave Winskill.

They had three weeks after the refusal to lodge an appeal, but time ran out last Thursday.

Dave has been ferocious in his support for local people in this campaign where it was clearly location that was the issue. It was up close to a primary school and a girls secondary school, vulnerable people and generally just a busy local shopping parade in the middle of a residential area with lots of families. Just wrong place.

The law of the land is changing to recognise that lap-dancing clubs should no longer simply have the same license as an ordinary clubs or pubs – but which will have to apply for licenses as ‘sex-encounter’ establishments in the future where location will be a prime consideration.

Over my years in Haringey I have campaigned and fought alongside local people against all sorts of things and for all sorts of things – but I just want to pay tribute to those involved in the LapOff campaign – who were committed, tireless and did the work and the research that gave those members sitting on Haringey Licensing more than enough reasons to refuse the permission. That is the hard graft that successful campaigns require. Congratulations to LapOff.