Doubts over Haringey Council's greenest borough aim

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Haringey Council’s aspiration to become the greenest borough in London has been cast into further doubt this week after it emerged that it has paved over a front garden in Crouch End. Local Liberal Democrats have criticised Haringey Council for concreting over the crucial green space at a Homes for Haringey (HfH) property and have demanded answers from the Chief Executive of HfH and council officials.

Cllr Weber was contacted by local residents shocked at Haringey Council’s actions.

Cllr Lyn Weber, Crouch End, comments:

“I am flabbergasted that this garden, which is in a conservation area, has been paved over by Haringey Council. Labour environment bosses talk about their aspiration to become the greenest borough in London – where does concreting over gardens fit into this plan?

“Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey should lead the community to promote green spaces and protect gardens from development. Yet, once again, Haringey Council doesn’t seem to follow its own rules.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“Our local green spaces and even our own gardens are crucial to the environment and must be protected. Haringey Council have once again shown that they have no true green credentials.”

Virginia Jackson, local Crouch End resident, adds:

“I was sorry that the builders removed all the shrubs from the front garden but I was even sorrier when they covered the entire area with concrete before departing. The concrete looks so rough I imagined it was going to be tiled but this hasn’t happened and the new occupants have nowhere to plant even just a few shrubs so sadly all they have to admire in their so-called front garden is a wheelie bin.”

Ten most popular blog postings (1st quarter, 2009)

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Here’s what you’ve been reading the most on my blog over the last three months:

10. Lap dancing in Crouch End – one of the big local issues coming up for decision

9. Heading up the party’s Technology Board – see number 1.

8. Sharon Shoesmith – see number 2.

7. Reading the Baby P Serious Case Review – see number 2.

6. Why the number of female MPs matters – see why I think so.

5. What should you do with your emails? – a fun way to demonstrate to Jacqui Smith what’s wrong with the government’s latest plans to keep tabs on what we’re all doing.

4. Not so equal pay at Cambridge University – not Cambridge University at its best.

3. Politicians and Twitter: why The Times is wrong – not The Times at its best.

2. Sharon Shoesmith in The Guardian – I’ve found this blog really useful during the Baby P tragedy, as it’s given me the chance to raise issues and expound on my views at the length the issue demands, but which the media rarely gives MPs.

1. Are you a techno wizard? – no surprise that news about the Liberal Democrats online (and other) work should attract the attention of an online audience!

MP expenses

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Typing still tricky – so will keep this short, but the basics are simple:

– No London MP needs a second home allowance. Millions of people manage to commute those sorts of distances – including many who work all sorts of hours and don’t get a second home.

– Outside London second home allowance or not should be decided by travel time to London.

– MPs shouldn’t be able to make a profit out of second home allowance. If they need one – and those who live a long way from London do – and use it to buy a property, then when it is sold the proceeds should go back to the taxpayer. Taxpayers paid for the property. Taxpayers get the profits back.

– End the nonsense of mixing up under “expenses” the costs of running an office with the personal expenses of being an MP. All MPs need an office and staff – that’s not “expenses” in the way people in other jobs mean when they talk about claiming back their expenses at the end of the month. Separate out the office and staff costs from expenses – and that will strengthen transparency.

– Make the office costs allowance reflect the big variations in property prices around the UK.

– Get on and change the rules soon. No need to wait until next year or after the general election.

– In the end – if that doesn’t happen and you want change, you’ve got to vote for it at the general election. However awful the rules are. However awfully you think some people have behaved. In a democracy, you and your ballot paper can change things.

Reaction to the discosure of £6.2 million Alexandra Palace claim

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Commenting on the disclosure by Labour-run Haringey Council at last night’s Full Council meeting that a £6.2 million claim has been made by Firoka against Haringey Council following the collapse of the attempts to sell-off the palace in 2007, Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats, said:

“This is an enormous claim. Simply trying to respond and defend Haringey Council’s position will cost residents thousands of pounds in legal bills and council officer time. £6.2 million is more than Haringey Council spent this year on safeguarding vulnerable children. Here we are again with residents being put at risk as a direct result of this latest in the long list of Haringey Labour’s failures with Alexandra Palace and their mismanagement of the Borough.”

Failing one-star Haringey Council votes to increase allowances

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Commenting on the decision by the Labour members of Haringey Council to increase their own allowances, Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said:

“This is an astonishing insult to local residents especially in this time of economic hardship and uncertainty.

“In the past few months we’ve seen our borough’s leadership resign in disgrace over the tragedy of Baby P. We’ve lost £37 million in Icelandic banks and been served with a £6 million claim over the collapse of negotiations at Alexandra Palace. The Audit Commission have just scored Haringey as one of the four worst councils in the country.

“Despite Haringey becoming a by word for local government calamity, its Labour leaders have shut themselves off from the real world and last night voted to award themselves a pay increase. If that is not a case of using public money to reward failure, I don’t know what it is.”

Haringey Council accused over last minute funding reprieve for Scout group

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Haringey Council has been accused of “callous disregard” after a disabled Scout troop, based in Bounds Green, was threatened with extinction by a funding cut.

Having caused parents and carers weeks of worry, Haringey Council announced an 11th-hour reprieve this Monday (30th). A senior official apologised for “any anxiety caused.”

On March 19th, Haringey Council informed the 24th Tottenham Scout troop, which caters for 15 girls and boys with disabilities or special needs, that it was going to stop funding its weekly coach. Haringey Council has paid for the coach, which provides a vital link to weekly meetings since 1954. For many boys and girls it is their one social outing of the week.

The cut, operative from March 31st 2009, would have had a severe effect both on the Scouts themselves, their Scouters and their carers and families.

Labour Haringey Council leader Cllr Claire Kober wrote to Paul Mari, Group Scout Leader of the disabled group:

“I am advised that transport had been provided for this group by the Council until October 2008. The cost of this transport was set against the special educational needs home to school transport budget. However, out of school activity is not considered a legitimate expenditure for this source of funding as sessions take place out of school time, on Saturdays and also include some weekend camping trips.”

One council officer wrote to Jacky Linsey, the Troop’s organiser:

“I am sorry to have to inform you that due to funding not being available transport for cubs / scouts has been cancelled as from 31st March 09, therefore making the 31st March the last day. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause your group.

“I hope that the cub/scouts continue as during my time of being involved I have seen many youngsters pass through the transport system, enjoying the time that they attended their sessions.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Oakes, Community Involvement spokesperson, comments:

“Without the actions of local residents, with help from myself and others, this callous and unnecessary cut would have gone ahead.

“It must have been suggested by someone with a complete disregard for the heartache it would cause to these families, who have to organise their days and weeks around the most vulnerable member of their family. It’s typical of so much that Haringey does – decide first, think afterwards.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“I am shocked that Haringey Council would even consider treating people like this. The local Scout group helps the lives of children, their parents and carers enormously.”