The London Thames Gateway development

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Meetings scheduled at last minute and requiring attendance meant that I was prevented from a number of meetings – including one in Leeds with the Association of Police Authorities and the Holocaust Educational Trust (being re-organised).

I did manage to meet with the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC). I have the same concerns I had when I was on the London Assembly about the Thames Gateway. A city the population size of Leeds is being plonked in the Thames Gateway without proper master-planning (in my view).

This is just the hugest opportunity to do things right, but the fear is – that this won’t happen. However, the LTGDC is making a fist of trying to put some organisation and rigour onto the development. They need a huge hit of Government funding – and it won’t be clear for a couple of years whether the Government will be putting their money where their housing targets are.

If the Thames Gateway delivers sustainable housing (around 100,000), jobs and sustainable transport links – then it could be a really good thing. One of my concerns – as ever – from my interest and belief in the importance of the built environment, is the quality of design. Such a lot of shoddy third-rate stuff gets built – and then authorities wonder why there is crime, unemployment, anti-social behaviour and so on. Treat people like dirt and they behave that way.

John Prescott at PMQs

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Early morning out filming for Sunday’s Politics Show. They will have David Davis in the studio – and the bit they wanted me for was to ruminate on any potential threat from the Tories now they hug hoodies. Not sure that Davis is all love and sunshine; however – you’ll have to wait for the program if you’re interested.

I then watched John Prescott in horror. I don’t know him really, as our political paths haven’t really crossed and he has only stepped into take the PM’s role at Prime Minister’s Questions a couple of times since I became an MP – but it seemed cruel sport.

I don’t rate PMQs as an exemplar way to conduct politics anyway. It is a blood sport and as such is quite compelling but actually pretty nasty stuff. However, just as with hunting, when the prey doesn’t even have a chance it is sheer cruelty. Whilst T Blair can take care of himself – Prescott clearly can’t. I don’t suppose they will let him go before the Blair Switch project is complete – but it would be kinder to leave him with a last vestige of pride.

Race Convention

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I was speaking yesterday in a break out group at the CRE Race Convention. My session was about race discrimination in the criminal justice system. It was a pretty lively debate. A core problem – on which there was widespread agreement – is that of “disproportionality” running through every part of the criminal justice system. This means that people from ethnic minority communities are far more likely to be stop and searched, have DNA records taken and a host of other things than they should be given their proportion of the population or of the criminal population. And – despite a great deal of talking the talk – the issue appears very resistant to fixing.

My own view is that it comes down to leadership. If everyone understood that any discrimination would be monitored and recorded and SUPERVISED – and that jobs would be lost as a result – then we would see a shift. But despite the very genuine efforts – that level of priority and commitment is not yet truly there.

Take the police and the borough commander level. If the crime targets were down – top brass would be on the phone to the local commander wanting to know the reason why! The same cannot be said around issues of disproportionality. So perhaps the next step is, as one man suggested, disproportionality targets. Only the police are already drowning in targets – and unless the top brass take this as seriously as the crime stats – then the results won’t change.

And in case anyone has forgotten – the stats in London (for example) on DNA retention are that against a background of 28% BME population in London, there is a disproportionate arrest rate of 48% and a rate of 60% of DNA records are from the BME population. Translated – that means that not only are the police disproportionately arresting black and ethnic minority people – they are getting it humungously wrong! And time spent wrongly arresting innocent people is time lost on catching criminals.

I have a meeting coming up with a senior Met Officer to discuss the arrest policy. For it seems clear to me that disproportionality starts with stop and search and the continues through the criminal justice system from arrest to sentencing. Another chap very wisely suggested that there be an independent study of disproportionality across the whole criminal justice system – and I think that would be an excellent thing to do.

As for Ken Livingstone’s purile attack on the Race Convention – typical brattish behaviour from a spoilt child! As usual.

HOME CONNECTIONS – ANOTHER LAUNCH BLUNDER MEANS HOUSING BOSS MUST FINALLY GO

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Councillor Isidoros Diakides, Haringey Labour’s embattled lead member for Housing, is once again facing calls for his resignation, as problems further delay the launch of the Home Connections scheme.

In order to survive a no confidence motion tabled by the Liberal Democrats at the last Full Haringey Council meeting, Cllr Diakides promised councillors and public alike that the new scheme would be launched on the 27th November. Liberal Democrat councillors however are dismayed to now learn that the project has been pushed back once again.

Home Connections is a new choice-based lettings scheme to be run in conjunction with several other London boroughs. The scheme will see tenants bid online for accommodation across the capital.

Councillor Diakides has been at the centre of attention for months following the release of a damning report by the Audit Commission in May exposing major failings in the Housing Service. He narrowly survived a vote of no-confidence at the last meeting of the Full Council. Following briefings from officers, Lib Dems expressed their concerns that the launch of the new scheme could be delayed into the New Year. Councillor Diakides explained that the 27th November was the expected date of the launch “bar a last minute hitch”, and went on to say “bearing in mind, Madam Mayor, the train of events that I mentioned before it is remarkable that we are on course and proceeding according to plan.”

Councillor Catherine Harris, Lib Dem spokesperson for Housing, comments:

“This time Labour themselves will have to ask Cllr. Diakides to step down. Once again, he has not delivered on even his very recent promises – and this project was supposed to be delivered a long time ago. We cannot let this shambles continue, as it is damaging the council and letting down local residents.

“Housing must have effective leadership that can deliver results to the people that need them. Thousands live in temporary accommodation in the borough, and have been promised this scheme for months, only to see delay after delay and unfulfilled promises. We must have an effective councillor in charge of the Housing Service.”

STOP-AND-SHOP PLANS ALTERED

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Compromises have been secured from Labour over the plans for both the Muswell Hill and Crouch End “Stop-and-Shop” schemes, but Liberal Democrat councillors say that Labour’s concessions do not go far enough. Labour have agreed to include in the parking scheme plans a reduction in the first level of charge to 20p for the first twenty minutes, and an agreement to begin charging at 9am rather than 8am.

In Muswell Hill an agreement has been made to dispose of the majority of plans to site pay-and-display bays in residential side streets, as well as a large reduction in the number of bays along Fortis Green Road. For Crouch End, a reduction in the number of short-term pay-and-display bays and the provision of some three-hour bays has been secured.

While the Liberal Democrats are happy that they have been able to influence Labour to a degree, they argue that Labour must recognise the vehement opposition to the plans amongst residents and go back to the drawing board. Over 98% of responses to the first stage of consultation were against the plans.

Martin Newton, Lib Dem spokesperson for Traffic and Highways, comments:

“There are so many questions that Labour are not prepared to answer: How long will it remain 20p for the first 20 minutes? How long before further pay-and-display bays are installed? Why won’t Haringey Council provide the first 30 minutes free? Will the proposed pay-and-display machines give change? Why is charging starting before it gets busy? If the Council is really concerned about parking in these areas, why doesn’t it promote the existing public car parks and open the Hornsey Library Car Park in Crouch End for public use during the week?

“Labour just cannot accept that they have got it wrong with their one-size-fits-all approach. They still pretend that they are listening to residents over consultation, but in reality they are presenting a deaf ear. They are consulting on these matters just before Christmas, when they are aware that residents are going to have other matters on their minds, or be away from their homes.

“Haringey Council needs to look at individual problems and address these needs with tailored solutions on a street-by-street basis and without this, and without further commitments from the Council, these schemes should be scrapped.”

Alexander Litvinenko's death: questions in Parliament

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Get a text from the Whip’s Office that there will be an Urgent Question in Parliament from the Conservatives. The Urgent Question is to ask the Home Secretary, John Reid, to make a statement on the death of Alexander Litvinenko.

Basically he just runs through the timetable of events – not really adding anything new. I manage to get called to pose a follow-up question on the lines of:

Mr Litvinenko was my constituent. He was a British Citizen. Can the Home Secretary give me assurances that his death will be investigated without fear nor favour regardless of the diplomatic sensitivities of Russia and that the findings of that investigation will be full, fair and frank?

John Reid was pretty straight in his reply – and basically said that the police would do their job without interference.

As I said in an interview with BBC 24 afterwards, the main points as I see them are: a straight police investigation without interference; that there are questions that still need to be answered as to whether Mr Litvinenko brought his fears to the police before the 1st November; whether other Russian dissidents are concerned and whether they have been contacted in regard to this; have others contacted the police at any time about being followed by secret services and of course – from the public point of view – until the few people who have been asked to take more medical tests get the all clear – there is a residue of concern about contamination around the places where the radioactive material was found.

As Ming Campbell has said, we must not rush to judgement. However, as Ming also pointed out, if it should end up with Russia’s fingerprints on this – then a country which wants a seat at the top table cannot be associated with state terrorism.

LIB DEMS DEMAND CONCERTED ACTION FOR CHILDREN'S SAFETY

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Haringey Labour has failed to deal with serious underperformance when dealing with complaints made under the Children’s Act, as they threaten to miss national targets for the third year in a row.

Haringey’s Liberal Democrat councillors are demanding that Labour take concerted action to improve performance in order to ensure the safety of the borough’s vulnerable children.

This year to date, just 68% of complaints made at the Stage 1 level have been dealt with within the national 14-day timescale – the Government’s target is 80%. Last year, Haringey Council dealt with 69% of complaints in this timescale, and in 2004/05 just 39% were completed on schedule.

The same is true for the more serious Stage 2 complaints. Just one complaint has been submitted to the Council this year – this was not completed within the required 28-day period. Last year just one of 12 such complaints (8%) was completed on time, and 2 of the outstanding complaints had not been dealt with after 90 days.

Labour’s lead member in charge of reporting on progress to the Council’s leadership admits his concerns. Councillor Dhiren Basu, Executive Member for Organisational Development and Performance, says in the latest report to the Executive, “My colleagues and I are still disappointed with performance as…processing children’s act complaints…Clearly work still needs to be done in these areas and I will be working alongside officers to make sure the necessary steps are taken.”

Liberal Democrat councillors have continually warned Labour that they must improve performance as a priority. Councillor Gail Engert, Lib Dem spokesperson for Children and Young People, comments:

“This is negligence, pure and simple. Labour absolutely must ensure that they are making improvements as a priority – our children deserve better than this. The Council Leader has claimed that we are sensationalising this issue, but the figures frankly speak for themselves.

“It is scandalous that the administration which failed to protect the desperately tragic death of Victoria Climbie can allow underperformance such as this to continue month after month, despite warnings from the Lib Dems, and then make light of their failures. The children of this borough deserve better, and we demand to see improvements in the very near future.”

ANGER AT HEALTH BOARD RUSH TO SELL OFF CLINIC AND HOSPITAL LAND

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Liberal Democrats in Haringey have expressed anger at the decision by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) Board to put Fortis Green Clinic on the market, sell part of the Hornsey Hospital site, and demolish the old hospital building. Haringey Liberal Democrats have been urging the PCT not to sell any of the Hornsey site until there is more certainty about the Hornsey Hospital redevelopment.

Liberal Democrat councillors have also called on the PCT to halt any plans to sell the clinic until after the hospital is built. Sixteen clinic sessions a week are held at Fortis Green and it is not yet clear where these would be relocated to, nor how accessible they would be for local patients. The Lib Dems have urged Haringey Council’s Scrutiny Committee to investigate the PCT’s plans to close Fortis Green Clinic.

Councillor Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health and Social Services comments:

“Residents are right to be angry that the Health Trust is not listening to their concerns.It is very worrying that they are rushing to sell up before the new Community Hospital has been properly financed – let alone built.Why is it that they move so quickly when it comes to closing and selling health facilities but so very slowly when it comes to building them?

“I am urging Haringey Council to put its foot down and haul the PCT before the Scrutiny Committee over its sudden plans to close Fortis Green Clinic. There should be proper consultation with patients and residents, yet the Trust plans to rush through a decision in January – just two months after announcing the plans.”

Fortis Green ward councillor Martin Newton said;

“Many local mothers with new babies go to sessions held with midwives at this clinic, and people with serious long-term conditions have regular check-ups and tests there.I am worried that these vital services will be relocated and become much less assessable to people from Fortis Green and Muswell Hill.

“There is a real lack of health facilities in the area so I am amazed the Health Trust is pushing to close this facility.The sale of the Clinic should be halted.”

BOWES PARK TRAFFIC CONSULTATION FIASCO

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Bowes Park residents were annoyed last Thursday (November 23rd) by another dose of Haringey’s “ham-fisted” consultation when they received glossy brochures outlining local traffic-calming measures. The brochures showed a detailed scheme worked out by Haringey, Traffic for London and Enfield Council aimed at cutting down rat-running caused by the A406 North Circular bottleneck. And they told residents about a public exhibition where they could learn more about the scheme.

The only trouble was, the exhibition was taking place during the next two days. Said one irate resident, Robert Austin, of Ireland Place:

“These are important issues, costing a lot of money and affecting all our lives. But Haringey only gives us a day’s notice to see this exhibition. As an exercise in consultation, it’s completely ham-fisted. First CPZ, and now this.

“It so happens I have to go away for the weekend. I will have to miss the lot. With more notice, I could have planned. The whole thing’s a disgrace. You really expect better from a council department. I did phone to complain. But no-one replied.”

Commented Cllr John Oakes, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Community Involvement:

“After Haringey’s repeated CPZ failures to consult, we’re scarcely surprised. It is almost as if Haringey were determined NOT to contact people properly, because they are afraid of getting answers they don’t want.”

“Even now, an estimated one third of all Bounds Green residents have still not been contacted in the second-round CPZ probe, because Haringey is apparently still not giving the distribution company a full set of addresses. Clearly, this is enough to invalidate many of the results they do get. Similarly, they won’t know what people think in Bowes Park, because of this botched exercise.”

LIB DEMS SECURE COUNCIL PROMISE TO ENSURE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

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Haringey Council and Thames Water contractors have promised to consider new measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians when carrying out road works in the borough. The promise came following complaints made by Crouch End Liberal Democrat councillors over the poor organisation of road works on Crouch End Broadway.

Last month Thames Water’s works on the Broadway had resulted in barricades being erected around the Clock Tower and the closure of the pedestrian crossing at the junction, as well as the suspension of the crossing outside Budgens. There were therefore no safe pedestrian crossings in use at all from Coleridge Road to Middle Lane, resulting in a serious safety concern for those on foot who use the Broadway.

Ward councillors Lyn Weber and David Winskill brought the matter to the Council’s attention, demanding that action be taken. Meetings between Thames Water, Murphys and the London Borough of Haringey were set up and attended by the councillors.

As a result, Haringey Council has promised that in similar circumstances it will ensure safer routes in the future, look at the possibility of using wardens to patrol dangerous crossings, and use better signage to reduce danger to pedestrians.

Councillor Lyn Weber comments:

“I am very pleased that the Council have seen the problems here and agreed to act on them. We need to make sure that there is more joined-up thinking when it comes to contractors carrying out work in the borough, and safety must be the first concern of any future work.”

Councillor Dave Winskill adds:

“I am glad that we were able to assist here – clearly, there was no awareness that safety was at risk, and I urge the Council to make sure that similar works, happening across the borough all the time, are examined in order to maximise safety on our roads.”