Liberal Democrats secure commitment to improve pedestrian crossings

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Pedestrians crossing the road in Muswell Hill will no longer get their feet wet after a successful campaign by Liberal Democrats. Lack of drainage at crossing points produced large ponds creating a serious problem for residents, especially the elderly, visually impaired and disabled pedestrians.

Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Newton, who led the campaign for action, has now been given assurances by Haringey Council that work to several crossings in the Muswell Hill area will be carried out to rectify the drainage problems.

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Transport and Highways comments:

“I welcome the commitment from Haringey Council that they will now carry out works to rectify the drainage problems. Many of these crossing points have raised paving to alert visually impaired pedestrians to the change between pavement and the road, but a lack of thought to drainage has meant that pedestrians are led into a large pond. During the winter these ponds are liable to freeze causing a further and potentially more dangerous hazard for pedestrians.

“This is likely to be not just a local issue and Haringey Council must also take action to make sure that all pedestrian crossing points in the borough are fit for purpose and designed so water drains away.”

Cllr Gail Engert, (Muswell Hill) added:

“I am pleased that residents and visitors will be able to negotiate these crossings in future without getting wet feet. Local residents have pointed out to me this is also a real problem for those in wheelchairs or on mobility scooters who worry when the pavement and road surface are under water and fear that they might tip over.”

Hurry and get flu jab says local MP

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In a bid to encourage local residents to get their jab before the flu season starts, Lynne Featherstone MP last week had hers at the Whittington Hospital.

The local MP, who is asthmatic, belongs to one of the high risk groups, which also includes the over 65s, young children and people with chronic respiratory and cardiac disease.The flu, which affects 10-15% of the UK population annually, usually passes within a week for the majority of people, but if you are in one of the risk groups it can cause serious complications. Anyone in poor health or in a high risk group should contact their GP immediately.

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“As protection only lasts a year, I have the jab each autumn. There’s still time as the flu season has not yet arrived but I really would urge anyone who think they might be at risk to contact their GP as soon as possible.

“For most people the flu means a week in bed, but for more vulnerable people, it can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia or even death. So don’t risk it, call your GP.”

Battle of Ideas

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Today I was at the Battle of Ideas – on a panel debating ‘From the classroom to the voting booth: will youth engagement save democracy?’ With me on the panel were Tony Breslin (CEO of the Citizenship Foundation) and Kevin Rooney (Head of Social Science at Queens’ School, Bushey).

Well – it seemed to be a row between purist subject teaching versus citizenship lessons. Those in favour of the purist approach argued that citizenship lessons were propaganda for the Labour Party – whilst the case for them is that we can’t expect people to pick up an understanding of citizenship and democracy issues just like that – it needs to be taught.

And of course – everyone slagged off politicians – which although I myself in my opening remarks said we had a lot to answer for etc etc etc – really the sort of comments led me to believe that the audience was perhaps in need of citizenship lessons! I can only assume now that the media is such a dominant source of where opinions are formed that the political classes are damned!

But the central battle of ideas was between the positions around teaching that I have outlined. Personally – I don’t believe they are mutually exclusive and if done well citizenship is a good thing to know about. Perhaps that was the issue – judging from comments it would seem that it is often appallingly taught by any member of staff who volunteers – not trained and not necessarily good at it.

It was a good knockabout – but the real problem about the headline topic of engaging youth etc was that the people who came to the Battle of Ideas were already engaged – and at a very university type, academic level. Still – it’s good to have a battle of ideas – but propagating that into the more earthy world of everydayness – now that’s an issue!

Joyce Vincent film being made

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Catching up on a couple of things from earlier in the week – to Wapping on Thursday to be interviewed for a film. No – sadly not becoming a movie start! Carol Morley, a film-maker, interviewed me about the tragic death of Joyce Vincent who was found dead in her flat in Sky City (above Wood Green shopping city) and who had been dead for about two years. There were half-wrapped Christmas presents on the floor, the TV was on and the window was open with a billowing curtain.

We all said ‘how tragic’, how could it happen, where were the neighbours, where was her family, what about utilities, what about Housing Association rent arrears and so on and so on. She had been at one time a victim of domestic violence – but that was past. In the end there was no foul play – but the haunting nature of the case made me pursue various strands for some months – long after the media circus had left town.

Well – Carol came to interview me then – and now she has found the funding and is making a movie about Joyce. She has found out more than the journalists, more than the police, more than anyone – and I’m not going to say here what she found – but it will make a riveting film and it will be a tribute to this woman who we all felt so bad about and about whom virtually nothing was known.

Then it was to the Whittington Hospital for a flu jab. I always have the jab (am asthmatic) but usually at my doctor’s surgery – but to publicise the need for people who are older, have diabetes or asthma – want to raise the profile. No doubt very special treatment as the Head of Nursing gives me the jab. Thanks Camilla!

Then visited the newly doubled in size and refurbished wards for extremely premature babies. They were so tiny – it’s unbelievable how the babies survive. It’s not just the equipment – but also the completely dedicated and committed team of nurses and consultants who work round the clock to protect and nurture these tiny lives.

How to cut your fuel bills and help the environment

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Real pleasure last week to visit Camden with my colleague Cllr Ed Butcher to meet their green champion – Alexis Rowell – and see the eco-house they’ve put together.

It is a five bedroom council property refurbished to the highest energy saving specification, including wall insulation on exposed walls, double-glazed sash windows and solar heated water and electricity.

The Camden refurbishment was wholly funded by grants and sponsorship. It is envisaged that Haringey’s eco-house would follow the same model and act as a demonstration home on the possibility of the high standard energy saving in older properties.

The measures have achieved an 80% reduction of carbon emissions and energy bills and have raised the official energy saving rating of the property from G to B, a significant accomplishment for a Victorian property. The photovoltaic solar panels are expected to produce twice as much electricity as the house will need giving the owner the opportunity make money from selling the excess electricity.

What the Liberal Democrats have accomplished in Camden is pretty impressive. It is about practical solutions that people can implement.

When it comes to climate change a council has to do more than just council meetings and print glossy brochures. We need to help people make greener choices.

Haringey cancer sufferers face longest drug decision waits

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Bad news this week:

News that Haringey cancer sufferers are waiting up to three months for appeals for medication has led to renewed demands for action by local Liberal Democrats. The revelation, unearthed in a recent survey by Macmillan Cancer Support, puts Haringey in the bottom four of 152 Trusts in England, with patients having to wait up to three months when appealing for the right to drugs that either haven’t been assessed by NICE, or deemed too expensive.

Read the full story on my website.

Liberal Democrats pledge Haringey's own eco-house

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Haringey Liberal Democrats have made a pledge for the borough to have its own eco-house following the example set by Liberal Democrat led Camden Council and the success of eco-warrior Councillor Alexis Rowell.

The Camden eco-house is a five bedroom council property refurbished to the highest energy saving specification, including wall insulation on exposed walls, double-glazed sash windows and solar heated water and electricity.

The Camden refurbishment was wholly funded by grants and sponsorship.It is envisaged that Haringey’s eco-house would follow the same model and act as a demonstration home on the possibility of the high standard energy saving in older properties.

The measures have achieved an 80% reduction of carbon emissions and energy bills and have raised the official energy saving rating of the property from G to B, a significant accomplishment for a Victorian property. The photovoltaic solar panels are expected to produce twice as much electricity as the house will need giving the owner the opportunity make money from selling the excess electricity.

The Camden eco-house received over 1,800 visitors after its first three months of being open at weekends.

Councillor Ed Butcher, Haringey Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, said:

“The biggest saving in CO2 emissions in Haringey will come from reducing our energy consumption through insulation.

“This project would be about showing people what is possible in their homes.I have met many lots residents who are very keen to green their house but don’t think it is possible in a Victorian property.

“We are 100% committed to a greener future and as a Liberal Democrat council we would lead the way.”

Local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone added:

“What the Liberal Democrats have accomplished in Camden is pretty impressive. It is about practical solutions that people can implement.

“When it comes to climate change a council has to do more than just council meetings and print glossy brochures.We need to help people make greener choices.”

Shock as £37 million Icelandic bank loss not on agenda

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Further doubt has been cast over Labour-run Haringey Council’s handling of the Icelandic bank financial crisis this week. Liberal Democrats criticised Haringey Council for failing to plan a public discussion into the loss of £37million of taxpayers at Tuesday’s Audit Committee – the ultimate watchdog committee for Haringey Council’s finances. Only after Liberal Democrats challenged the omission was an agenda item included at the meeting.

Following the requests by Liberal Democrats at the meeting for it to be discussed the Council’s Chief Financial Officer confirmed that an inquiry into the potential loss of £37 million will take place, but did not provide details of the terms of inquiry, who the inquiry will report to or who will oversee it.

Liberal Democrats demanded an independent inquiry on 13th October when it became clear that £37 million of Haringey taxpayers’ money had been placed in jeopardy by the collapse of a number of Icelandic banks.

Haringey Council had the biggest amount of money invested in Icelandic banks of all the Local Authorities in London.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of the Liberal Democrats commented:

“Haringey Council’s reluctance to be public about all the facts surrounding its investment in Icelandic banks is now continuing into its proposed investigation. It is ridiculous that at the first Audit Committee meeting following what is potentially the largest loss in the history of the Borough, Haringey Council did not see fit to even propose putting the item on the agenda.

“I am pleased that the Council has heeded Liberal Democrat calls for an inquiry into this loss. However, it is vital that the inquiry is public, independent and robust. I have made this clear in meetings with senior officers and have written to the Chief Executive of the Council stating the same view. Residents need to be reassured that an issue of this magnitude is being looked into properly and not being swept under the Haringey Labour carpet.”

Liberal Democrats support call for memorial to war hero Walter Tull

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In the build up to Remembrance Sunday, Haringey Liberal Democrats are supporting calls from local residents for a memorial to be built in Tottenham to honour war hero Walter Tull.

Tull lived an extraordinary life, becoming only the second black man to play professional football in Britain, when Tottenham Hotspur signed him in the summer of 1909. Tull went on to become the first black officer in the British Army in 1917 and spent much of World War I on the frontline, including taking part in the major Somme offensive of July 1916. He was killed in battle on the Western Front in 1918, at the tragically early age of 30.

Cllr David Winskill, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, commented:

“Walter Tull is clearly a figure of great historical note, being only the second black man to play professional football in Britain and the first black officer in the British Army. Bearing in mind Walter Tull’s strong connection to Tottenham Hotspur FC and the large Afro-Caribbean population in the borough, I believe it’s a great shame there is currently no memorial to a man who gave his life for his country and is clearly a great role model.

“I have written to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, to ask if any discussions have been held between Haringey Council and Tottenham Hotspur FC with regard to erecting such a memorial. I urge Cllr Basu to support a memorial to Walter Tull and do all he can to ensure such a memorial is erected.”

David Schmitz, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Tottenham said:

“As we approach Remembrance Sunday and are in the middle of Black History Month, this is the perfect time to call for a memorial to Walter Tull. Whether it be in the grounds of the White Hart Lane stadium or elsewhere in Tottenham, this would be a fitting tribute to a man who served his country with honour and paid the ultimate price.”

Haringey cancer sufferers face longest drug decision waits

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News that Haringey cancer sufferers are waiting up to three months for appeals for medication has led to renewed demands for action by local Liberal Democrats. The revelation, unearthed in a recent survey by Macmillan Cancer Support, puts Haringey in the bottom four of 152Trustsin England, with patients having to wait up to three months when appealing for the right to drugs that either haven’t been assessed by NICE, or deemed too expensive. Lynne Featherstone MP and Cllr Richard Wilson, health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, will raise the issue in an urgent meeting already scheduled to discuss plans to deal with recentpoorTrust performance.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:

“I’m deeply concerned that cancer sufferers in Haringey have one of the country’s longest waits when appealing for the right to life saving drugs. Three months is simply not acceptable when we are talking about decisions that mean the difference between life and death.

“I’ve already got an urgent meeting set up to discuss an action plan for improvements to Trust performance, and now this is going at the top of the agenda. It’s simply not ok that people risk dying because of this slow bureaucratic appeals process”.

Richard Wilson, health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats adds :

“I can’t imagine how distressing it is to be told the NHS won’t give you a cancer drug. But it must be even more stressful to then have to wait for months for your appeal, not knowing if the decision will be reversed or not. Cancer patients deserve to be treated much better by Haringey Primary Care Trust.”