The art of waving

Posted on by

Lynne Featherstone at the Hornsey CarnivalSaturday was Hornsey Carnival day – and myself and Mayor Alan Dobbie are transported in a white open-topped car at the front of the parade. The sun came out – and for over two hours we waived and smiled as we passed very slowly along the carnival route – behind the float carrying the Hornsey Carnival Queen and Princess.

The organisation of this annual event takes quite a lot of doing and raises money for charity. In the parade are Carnival Queens on their floats from other areas of the country who come for the occasion – just as ours go to their carnivals.

There is something very wonderful about parades. People bring their children out to watch and we wave and smile – and everyone waves and smiles back. And it is, bizarrely, a very cheering and happy feeling that works both ways. Now a veteran of waiving and smiling – I have discovered that virtually however grumpy a person walking along minding their own business is – if you catch their eye and give them a genuine smile and waive – it is almost impossible for them not to waive and smile back – even if some are a little sheepish about it.

There are a lot of people out to see the parade – and despite it being Women’s Final day at Wimbledon – the morning rain has cleared to deliver perfect sunshine for the parade.

The funniest people to wave at are the poor souls who are driving along and find themselves stopped by the police to allow the parade to pass. You can understand why they can look very grumpy – particularly if they were in a hurry. But again – as I catch their eye and smile directly at them and wave – on the whole they smile and wave back and cheer up.

Even in a population that mainly likes to keep itself to itself and is intensely private – no one can resist human relationships – and we all want to come out of our shell. When someone inanely waiving and smiling at you comes along for no reason – somehow the absurdity (at one level) breaks down the normal barriers and we respond despite ourselves. ‘Cos in the end – that’s what makes the world go round – human relationships.

Haringey's health services

Posted on by

Surgery, then met new Head at Hornsey Girl’s School (what a great new head!), then had my usual meeting with David Sloman (CEO of Whittington Hospital – who assures me that my endless banging of the drum on how patients are treated in terms of care and compassion is now top of the list) and then on to Haringey’s new Sixth Form Centre to present a prize to one of the Haringey Heroes. This is an awards event for young people across Haringey who have showed exceptional talent, or caring, or leadership in their lives. For example – one was a carer’s award for children who have (on top of everything) to care for parents with disabilities. It is one of Haringey’s better efforts – and I was very happy to be there.

Thinking further about local health services – and watching Lord Darzi talk about the NHS plan – I am struck by the contrast between what he says – which is that polyclinics are about providing extra services – and what people are most worried about locally – which is that their doctor will be plucked from their current location and put in this amorphous ‘polyclinic’ further away.

It is still unclear to me – for example – whether our new local health facility (I doubt whether it will carry on being called a polyclinic) currently rising from a building site – will be only ‘additional’ as Darzi (and ministers) claim. When building is already taking place and this is still unclear, matters are far from as clear as they should be.

It is also still unclear what services will be provided on site and what say we the people actually will have. I have no doubt that the west of Haringey needs a new health facility and it is pretty difficult to get any money spent on us – as we are always in direct comparison to Tottenham where the need is obviously greater as an area of high deprivation and unemployment. However, there is plenty of need and unemployment this side too – and quite frankly – we all need and are entitled to proper health provision.

Haringey Council: 13 years behind schedule

Posted on by

I think this press release pretty much speaks for itself!

Delays in Haringey Council making important decisions effecting residents’ schools, houses and key services currently total 4,937 days – or more than 13 years – it has been revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Haringey Council’s monthly forward plan, which lists important decisions to be made by the Labour-run council in the next four months shows that only three out of sixty-three decisions will be made on time. Local Liberal Democrats have criticised Haringey Council for failing to decide on key projects and have said that residents will bear the brunt of the failure to deliver on time.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Haringey Liberal Democrat Leader, commented:

“Haringey Labour have for forty years failed to deliver the services needed by residents in Haringey. Their history of delivering major projects late and over budget is legendary. Now we see that they can’t even manage the process of deciding what to do. Their performance is an embarrassment to the Borough.

“Decisions that would hopefully tackle major issues in Haringey have been delayed by the Council and residents will be the ones that will lose out as a result.”

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

“Haringey Council runs a lot essential services such schools, elderly care and services for people with disabilities; so no-one wants important decisions rushed. But when time and time again Labour procrastinate and dither about making choices that will have a real impact on people’s lives, it is the quality of these services that suffers.

“No organisation can function properly with such indecision at its top and sadly local residents bare the brunt.”

Top nine delays by Haringey Council (based on difference between original date and current date the decision will be made):

  1. Tree Policy and Planting programme (302 days late)

  2. Disposal of properties in NDC area (186 days late)

  3. Bull Lane/Pasteur Gardens (186 days late)

  4. Parks Asset Management Plan (150 days late)

  5. Markfield Park listed buildings refurbishment contract (136 days late)

  6. Electrical re-wiring to Winkfield Road N22 (136 days late)

  7. Accomodation Strategy (118 days late)

  8. Sports Club charges (114 Days late)

  9. Building Schools for the future (BSF) contract for John Loughborough School (100 days late)

MPs and money

Posted on by

I wasn’t at the vote on MPs‘ expenses and salaries as I had to be somewhere else. But, as I have said before publicly, I will not vote on my own salary or expenses. I will vote for such things to be decided by an independent body – in just the same way as I have supported the independent pay review for nurses and teachers etc. And when the Government fails to deliver – I stick by what the independent pay board has recommended.

I think the MPs‘ system of pay and expenses is absurd. So – our pay should be set by an independent body. Our expenses – in terms of staff and office – should be set by independent body and administered by House Authorities. And no one should be able to make money out of public money by buying a house on public funds. Of course MPs have to work in both their constituency and in London, and those live too far to commute should have London accommodation – but any capital gain on a property accrued during years of service should return to the state.

Lynne gets into suffragette spirit

Posted on by

To mark the 80th anniversary this week of women getting the vote, local MP Lynne Featherstone evoked suffragette spirit in a call for greater representation of women in Parliament.

Lynne Featherstone joined a protest outside Parliament organised by the Electoral Reform Society featuring protesters dressed in 1920s outfits.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“When I see the row after row of white male faces on the benches in Parliament it really makes me want to chain myself to something. I resist the urge, but do all that I can to encourage women and people from different backgrounds to come forward and play their part in making decisions.

“All parties need to do more on this. It simply cannot be another 80 years before we see real parity in the numbers of women in Parliament. It’s not about feminism, just plain old equality.”

Note: On July 2nd 1928 the Representation of the People Act 1928 was passed. This Act expanded on the legislation of the same name of a decade earlier, widening suffrage by giving women electoral equality with men.Women and men were now able to vote from the age of 21. Prior to this only women over 30 who met minimum property qualifications could vote in general elections.

Haringey Council: 13 years behind schedule

Posted on by

Delays in Haringey Council making important decisions effecting residents’ schools, houses and key services currently total 4,937 days – or more than 13 years – it has been revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Haringey Council’s monthly forward plan, which lists important decisions to be made by the Labour-run council in the next four months shows that only three out of sixty-three decisions will be made on time. Local Liberal Democrats have criticised Haringey Council for failing to decide on key projects and have said that residents will bear the brunt of the failure to deliver on time.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Haringey Liberal Democrat Leader, commented:

“Haringey Labour have for forty years failed to deliver the services needed by residents in Haringey. Their history of delivering major projects late and over budget is legendary. Now we see that they can’t even manage the process of deciding what to do. Their performance is an embarrassment to the Borough.

“Decisions that would hopefully tackle major issues in Haringey have been delayed by the Council and residents will be the ones that will lose out as a result.”

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

“Haringey Council runs a lot essential services such schools, elderly care and services for people with disabilities; so no-one wants important decisions rushed.But when time and time again Labour procrastinate and dither about making choices that will have a real impact on people’s lives, it is the quality of these services that suffers.

“No organisation can function properly with such indecision at its top and sadly local residents bare the brunt.”

Top nine delays by Haringey Council (based on difference between original date and current date the decision will be made):

  1. Tree Policy and Planting programme (302 days late)
  2. Disposal of properties in NDC area (186 days late)
  3. Bull Lane/Pasteur Gardens (186 days late)
  4. Parks Asset Management Plan (150 days late)
  5. Markfield Park listed buildings refurbishment contract (136 days late)
  6. Electrical re-wiring to Winkfield Road N22 (136 days late)
  7. Accomodation Strategy (118 days late)
  8. Sports Club charges (114 Days late)
  9. Building Schools for the future (BSF) contract for John Loughborough School (100 days late)

Ineffective pothole blitz criticised

Posted on by

A scheme aimed to identify potholes has been criticised by local Liberal Democrats as a stunt that will have little effect on the condition of Haringey’s roads.Liberal Democrat councillors branded Haringey Council’s £200,000 ‘pothole blitz’ “utterly impotent” in contrast to the work needed to bring Haringey’s roads up to standard.

In the first month of the ‘pothole blitz’ (12 May -13 June 2008) Haringey Council repaired 347 potholes. Liberal Democrats in Crouch End and Fortis Green last week identified over 100 potholes in their wards alone.

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat Transport and Highways Spokesperson commented:

“Residents are unlikely to see any change from this utterly impotent scheme. We have for years been able to notify Haringey Council of potholes only for the Labour-run council to ignore them, fail to repair or do a botch job.

“These figures fail to show how many more potholes have been repaired due to the ‘blitz’ and how many of these are repairs to old potholes that Haringey Council have failed to repair properly in the past.”

Cllr David Winskill, who chaired a scrutiny review into potholes in 2006, added:

“Two-and-a-half years ago the scrutiny committee handed Haringey Council a report showing the sorry state of Haringey’s roads. Since then we have seen little action to improve this situation. As we predicted the ‘pothole blitz’ has turned out to be another one of Labour’s publicity stunts paid for by residents.”

Residents "swept aside" as Labour dithers on problem landlords

Posted on by

A body set up to give residents a say on problems caused by the unlicensed conversion of houses into flats on the Harringay Ladder has been sensationally sidelined by Labour-run Haringey Council. The working group on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was established earlier this year but met only twice before Labour-run Haringey Council decided to indefinitely postpone future meetings.

Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised Labour for “dithering” over plans to deal with problems arising from some HMO developments that many residents feel have led to anti-social behaviour and nuisance problems. Two of the area’s councillors have written to the Leader of the Council and Haringey Council’s Chief Executive to express their concern.

Harringay ward councillor Karen Alexander comments:

“The HMO working group was set up with a fanfare to resolve some of local people’s concerns about the number unlicensed HMOs and illegal conversions that Labour have allowed to proliferate in the Harringay area. Residents called for action, but once again Haringey Labour have dithered and failed to respond.

“Haringey Council have informed us that they are now drafting a new strategy and have postponed the meetings of the working group. Yet the very point of the working group was to involve local residents in deciding a way forward. Again it looks as though decisions will be reached without consultation, sweeping aside the interests of local residents.”

Cllr Carolyn Baker (Harringay) adds:

“This is a huge disappointment. Obviously it remains to be seen what kind of strategy the Council will come up with, but there is no doubt that it would have inspired more confidence had it been made with the knowledge and experience of those affected.”

Liberal Democrats check out Bounds Green station facelift

Posted on by

Following a night-time visit a year ago to see Bounds Green Tube getting a serious facelift, Lynne Featherstone recently went back to check out the transformed station. This time she was joined by local Liberal Democrat councillor John Oakes as the pair were shown around the station by Mike Challis, the General Manager of the Piccadilly Line.

In April 2007 Lynne Featherstone got a unique chance to see the full range of refurbishment work as she was taken on a midnight tour of the station. The Bounds Green hub has since seen a range of improvements both to its look and its safety, with new CCTV and Help Points. Special effort has also been made to restore the station’s unique 1930s Art Deco features.

Turnpike Lane station has already been refurbished to the same standard and in the summer works will be completed at Highgate Station. Wood Green is also due to be upgraded, with works starting in 2009.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“I was so impressed last time I visited. Such a huge amount of different jobs all happening at the same time, and in the middle of the night! It really was an amazing effort, and looking at the finished result, it was well worth the wait.

“But we’re not just seeing a new look. I think there’ll be a real improvement in safety with new CCTV and help points. Can’t wait to see the other stations getting the same treatment.”

Cllr John Oakes adds:

“The refurbishment has really shown off a unique piece of architecture, and I’m going to push for it to be listed on the grounds of architectural merit. It really is an excellent example of art deco style, with characteristic tile work and two bronze torches. Marvellous.”

Community spirit

Posted on by

It’s the season of street parties and summer fairs, horticultural shows, local fetes and strawberry teas. This is British – and then some. But I wonder if it is more than it seems on the surface – for I wonder if it is part of the answer to many of the ills that beset us today by helping to give a greater and stronger sense of community with our neighbours.

The question of how engaged someone is with their neighbours has huge knock-on effects on their participation in society, level of crime, happiness and even health. For example, there is a direct correlation between how many people you know within 15 minutes walk of your house – and the crime level. The more people you know – thelower the crime rate!

Government can hardly order people to talk to or like their neighbours (you can just imagine the New Labour enabling strategy for how many inter-neighbour verbal interactions per seven day period you must have!). But at the micro-scale I believe there is more that could – and should – be done.

Where communities are blessed with the tradition of community events and the enthusiasm of people to keep them going, that is so wonderful – but far too many miss out. And we all know how much harder it is to start something from scratch as opposed to keeping something already in existence going.

So – for example – I would like to see local councils doing more to help and encourage the organisation of street parties so people get to know each other. We’ve seen with the spread of Neighbourhood Watches how a little bit of an external helping hand can work its magic to unleash the good neighbourliness latent in communities and help create a local organisation where otherwise there was none.

Lots of streets already do have their own street parties – and it does create neighbourliness and bonhomie.Perhaps then we should be having an annual ‘street party week’ to encourage all those who mutter about how nice it would be to know the people in their street to actually get round to it?

Many streets in my constituency hold street parties – and I particularly love the one where each person has the number of their house on a badge. And you hear all the time ‘oh – you’re number 46 – you’re the one with the beautiful roses over your porch’ or whatever.

And perhaps councils should be doing more to help online communities emerge in their areas, through measures like providing easy-to-use and free website and online discussion forums so that anyone can within a few minutes set-up an online community for their street or neighbourhood – and of course click a link to print off some flyers to then distribute to their neighbours?

All small steps in their own way, but better then railing against the fading of the night and simply getting nostalgic for how communities used to be. Rather than moan or reminisce – do something, I say!

(c) Lynne Featherstone, 2008