W5 BUS ROUTE – LIB DEM LAURA WELCOMES TFL U-TURN

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Transport for London has sensationally reneged on its plan to take out the ‘loop’ past Harringay Station from the W5 bus route following a petition delivered to London buses by Lib Dem councillor for Stroud Green, Laura Edge last month.

The petition, signed by over one hundred bus users and residents living in the loop, was arranged by a resident in Chettle Court, assisted by Cllr Edge and local Lib Dem activists. The loop diverts the bus off Oakfield Road via Stapleton Hall Road, past the Harringay Station before rejoining Oakfield Road.

Cllr Edge had expressed her deep concern at TfL’s lack of consultation with local bus users and residents over the proposed changes and had also experienced bus drivers already neglecting to pass through the loop.

She is delighted that the pressure has paid off and that residents have retained the proper service. She hopes that any future plans that TfL have for bus routes in the area will involve greater consultation so that residents’ public transport needs are met.

Cllr Edge comments:

“I am pleased that TfL have accepted that they made a mistake and scrapped the plans for re-routing the bus.

“I hope that TfL have learnt from this and next time consult resident and bus users before proposing changes to routes.”

VISION FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION FOR NEXT DECADE

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Lib Dem health spokesperson Councillor Ron Aitken has spoken about the work of the Local Government Association Mental Health Taskforce, following the publication of its report “Future of Mental Health: A Vision for 2015”.

Speaking to Kurt Barling on BBC London News last week Cllr Aitken, who has campaigned for proper provision of acute mental health beds, said “The balance of power must shift from managers, accountants and Whitehall to the patient,” so that people who have serious mental health problems are not discharged from hospital on grounds of cost-cutting.

There have been several high-profile cases involving local mental health services, including the case of Roger Sutherland who was not admitted to the Whittington despite being seriously ill.

“The report has been produced working alongside colleagues from other parties and we have pooled our experience in different local authorities because it is often as local councillors that we witness the real effects of mental illness,” explained Cllr Aitken.

The project aims to scope and define the future role for local government in the delivery of mental health services, enable a shift from NHS led resources to community based responsive services and lobby for more help for those acutely ill.

Sky leadership debate

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Monday night was the live Sky TV hustings for the Lib Dem leadership contest. So I went up to Martin Horwood and David Howarth’s office to watch. I was somewhat surprised to see myself doing a sort of Big Brother walk on, sit down, speak to camera and off as one of three little pieces preceding the main event. I had simply forgotten that I had run into Sky the week before and done it – not realising it was for the live hustings.

Anyway – irrelevant! Chris Huhne did good. I have to say – he came over really well: determined, passionate, eloquent and convincing. And I really enjoyed seeing the other three already adopting the issues and ideas he had raised on the first hustings on green taxes, commitment to black and ethnic minority MPs, localism and so on. Imitation being the best form of flattery etc

Afterwards they went to a random grouping they had set up in a pub in Carshalton to see how the four candidates had gone down. The one I really liked was a floating voter who had thought that she would like Ming or Simon – but said that although she had not heard of him previously – Chris came over the best. Way to go!

Coleridge School

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Surgery all morning. So many people just sort of on the edge of society with such tremendous battles on their hands to even get through the day. Obviously the details are confidential – but today was full of people who have truly fallen by the wayside with no one to pick them up. What do you do when you are so ill and receiving severe medical treatment that you are too ill to deal with letters which you receive? That leads to unpaid bills or unattended issues – which leads to family breakdown, utilities cutting you off and then ultimately homelessness. All because for some the right intervention just isn’t available at the right time.

After surgery rush to meet parents at Coleridge School gates. Despite the rain – quite a large turn out. This is just a dreadful situation. Coleridge two form entry school with fab reputation is lined up for expansion to four form – making it the biggest primary school in the country. Local would-be parents are desperate for their children to go to Coleridge because over the last few years there has been a vast shortage of local places for local children. However, existing parents fear the expansion will ruin the family atmosphere of the school; that the disruption of building works will be detrimental over quite a long period for their children; that the dangerous road that divides the proposed second site from the first will mean injured or worse to their children at some point; that the need for places is in a different part of the local area.

This all heads towards decision at the Schools Organisation Committee on Wednesday. The really awful part is that the parents I met simply hadn’t had a real opportunity to talk to the necessary people. Their input has been limited and their concerns not addressed directly with them. Moreover, this is an occasion when the committee really should make a site visit before deciding.

No doubt this is a difficult judgement. However, it has to be made on real facts and proper proposals. Concerns have to be addressed satisfactorily. The issues around the road have to have safe solutions before proceeding. The planning of school places and their locations must be sound and based on proper research. All avenues need to have been explored so that the resultant recommendations deliver the best possible solution for both existing and future parents.

PROTEST EXPECTED AGAINST HOME DEVELOPMENT

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Local residents are expected to gather at 79 Creighton Avenue (N10) at 10.30am on Monday 16th January to protest against controversial building plans.

One application to demolish the existing building, Strathlene House, and replace it with a five-storey care home, has already been dismissed. However, a new application, on a smaller scale, has been recommended for approval by the Council’s planning officers. The final decision is set to be made by the Planning Applications Sub-Committee on January 23rd.

Local residents, councillors and MP Lynne Featherstone have all objected to the current application on a number of grounds: overdevelopment; being out of character with the surrounding area; impact on Fortismere School; public transport links; parking; overlooking and loss of amenity for residents on Creighton Avenue and Ringwood Avenue; impact on Coldfall Wood.

Local ward councillor Matt Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green), who will be joining residents on Monday 16th for the protest, comments:

“The impact of this proposed building on neighbouring properties and Coldfall Wood would be very great. We would be much happier if the existing building was preserved and renovated – or if this is not possible for the developers’ purposes, then any replacement should be no bigger than the building which already exists.”

Local ward councillor Stephen Gilbert (Lib Dem, Fortis Green), who will be speaking at the meeting on Monday 23rd, comments:

“The scale of this development is simply not acceptable in this area. A care home could be a useful community facility, but this should not mean local residents’ wishes are disregarded. I am hopeful that the Planning Committee will listen to the residents’ objections and send this application back to the drawing board.”

First Lib Dem leadership hustings

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The Liberal Democrats have a conference titled ‘Meeting the Challenge’ which was always scheduled for today. It was to find the party’s ‘narrative’ following a general election where we did really well – but perhaps didn’t reach the hoped for heights. One of the reasons seemed to be that while our individual policies, such as free care for the elderly, our stance on Iraq, scrapping Council Tax in favour of local income tax and ending top up fees were very popular, overall people didn’t automatically know what Lib Dem meant.

Of course, events of the last few weeks meant that the environment in which this conference found itself was somewhat changed and the ‘challenge’ has become all the more pointed.

So – four candidates in the ring so far. The man who many people initially thought would almost certainly take over and who started as favourite – Sir Menzies Campbell; Simon Hughes (Party President), who has replaced Ming as the bookies’ favourite; Mark Oaten, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary (and my boss in the Home Affairs Team); and my boy – Chris Huhne, who started as a rank outsider at 300-1 with odds now closing at 7-1.

I am supporting Chris because it’s not the office of leader he is interested in for its own sake. He wants to get the Lib Dems into power. And he knows what he wants to do with that power and where he wants to take the party. For me – I am looking at who can take the fight to Gordon Brown and beat him on his own territory. Chris can do it. I want to know that the man (and sadly there are no women standing) who wins this contest could handle running the country and the fight to get to that position.

And, he answered the big questions for me. One of them is the question the media keep on putting to us (and so we have to have an answer to) about whether the party should go left or right. The stock answer we give in our party to this – is ‘neither left nor right but straight on’ – or equivalent such phrases. Chris answered the question as how a party of conscience and reform progresses into the next era. It’s really about using taxation to discourage behaviour which damages our environment, whilst using the money raised that way to take those who are poorest out of taxation all together. So – overall, no increase in taxation, but a fairer society and a better environment for all. Redistribution and responsible consumption in one – that’s the combination that is both liberal and effective. That’s the unique combination that Liberal Democrats need now.

So the hustings began. Ming had the misfortune of a ropey microphone for the first few minutes – but overcame the technical difficulties and delivered a really excellent speech – particularly the second half and the parts on our internationalist commitment. Simon Hughes gave a really good speech too. He rings the buzzers for the party faithful with his challenge to inequalities in society. At the same time, Simon ditched the party’s commitment to a 50p rate on earnings over £100,000. Mark Oaten gave a really vigorous and energetic speech about moving us into the 21st century.

And of course Chris. I thought the boy did brilliant. He was confident, competent and credible. What I really liked (as did others judging from the vox pops afterwards where activists who hadn’t really known much about him were so impressed – plus the verdict on Radio 4’s PM program that it was Chris who made converts) was that he started with the real challenges we face in the world – globalisation and global warming – and quite frankly, unless we ‘meet the challenge’ of the world as it is – we won’t be addressing the real issues facing us. And he delivered ideas. The others all said that we need new ideas – Chris actually gave some. The most radical and challenging is the beginning of the switch away from personal taxation to eco-taxes – a tax system that really is based on responsible consumption and the use of this tax to redistribute to those at the bottom of the income scale to take them out of tax.

You can see his speech in full on the Chris Huhne campaign website (or watch it on the BBC’s website – RealPlayer or Windows Media Player required) but two other key issues he raised for me were firstly – a head-on personal commitment from him as leader to use his personal influence to ensure that we ethnic minority MPs elected at the next General Election. And whilst he is pleased that we have such a talented influx of new women MPs (I blush) we need more. No one else put this at the top of their agenda.

The other key issue he raised was the organisation of the party machine. Chris showed understanding that we need to have a fearsome campaigning machine – which means tools and money for the Campaigns Department – to compete in this ferocious world of political contest.

So – needless to say – he ticked my boxes!

Taser guns

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Things move on at a staggering pace when politics is in full flow – and it is. Chris Huhne – who I am backing for the Lib Dem leadership – came in this morning and – having ‘slept on it’ – decided it is now all systems go. To me – this shows he has the balls for leadership – because that’s what it takes

Of course, there is risk, but nothing ventured nothing gained – and this party needs a leader that will take it forward with radical thinking and exceptional skill.

All the candidates (including Chris) answered my seven questions that I posted up here for all the candidates. I will not publicise their answers, but on the one that the media so fastened on – the issue around what part was played by each in Kennedy’s downfall and what had they done in the preceding five years to address the problem – what I will say is that I was satisfied that they all acted in what they thought was the best interest of a wounded colleague and the party.

Retrospectively, we can all say how could this have been allowed to drag on for so long – but good intentions were at the heart of the matter. And for me – the inquest is ended. As to who briefed the press before Christmas – I don’t think we will ever know. The journalists involved know – but they will never reveal who done it. So – we will move on. Pick ourselves up – dust ourselves off – and concentrate on electing our new leader and making real gains at the local elections in May.

I’m backing Chris because he’s the real deal and I think he has the big idea. He may have started out as the dark horse of this race – but hey – life’s for living, and the bookies have already been slashing the odds on him. Some will say that he’s cheeky (or worse) to run when he’s only been an MP for 8 months. Personally I think that’s a positive advantage – as he hasn’t yet been seduced by the Westminster bubble and his memory still retains the imprint of the real world which is where it all matters. Chris will bring the outside world into parliament – and that’s what it needs!

There is a lot of enthusiasm out there as word leaks out that Chris will run. Messages of support and financial pledges – and so much work to be done.

Meanwhile, life goes on and I meet with the makers of the taser gun. Tasers shoot darts on a wire into the victim – where they then deliver an electric charge less than those slimming toning things that are used as a beauty treatment (!). Given these guys seem to be cleaning up and already supply something like 9,000 police forces – and their shares have gone up 4,000% – they are clearly commercially successful. Ditto – they seem to be going down a storm with police forces. I voiced a concern that as it can be shot from 25 foot – meaning the police can avoid close contact – it might encourage police to be ‘trigger-happy’ if using it is seen as (for them) the easier option. The counter argument from the makers was that they are totally accountable as they record through camera, etc, all the data and evidence of each usage. Very impressive.

COUNCIL HAS NO IDEA HOW THEY WILL SPEND PROPOSED £400K ENVIRONMENT 'SPIN' BUDGET

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Haringey’s Labour-run Council have said that they do not know how they will spend the increased £400,000 publicity budget for the Better Haringey campaign services next year should it be approved.

The answer came in response to a written question from Lib Dem councillor for Stroud Green, Laura Edge who asked for the Council to breakdown how the money would be spent and a timetable of spending.

She was surprised to see a response stating that it was ‘not appropriate or possible to provide details of what the money will be spent on and when’.

The Lib Dems who oppose this proposal to double the current budget are concerned that money is being thrown into a pot without any serious planning as to how it will be spent.

Cllr Edge, along with Lib Dem environment spokesperson Cllr Bob Hare, is concerned that money that could be making a real difference to the local environment is being wasted on self-promotion.

Cllr Edge (Stroud Green) comments:

“It concerns me that while many parts of the borough are in need of a serious clean-up, Haringey Council is choosing to pour yet more money into spin.”

Cllr Hare (Highgate) adds:

“Doubling a budget for publicity with no clear idea of how it will be spent does raise questions about the financial planning involved in this decision. We will continue to press the Council to reconsider this proposal.”

PEMBROKE WORKS: LIB DEMS CAUTIOUSLY WELCOME COUNCIL RESPONSE

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Lib Dem planning spokesperson Cllr Jonathan Bloch has cautiously welcomed Haringey Council’s assurance that it has not terminated its Pembroke Works lease or entered into any other contractual arrangement yet regarding the site in Hornsey.

The assurance came in response to a written question tabled by Cllr Bloch at Monday’s Full Council. He,along with Lynne Featherstone MP, had voiced concerns over the development proposals sinceHaringey Council revealed that they were in discussions over plans to redevelop the Pembroke Works, Cross Lane, Hornsey into housing with the loss of 25 jobs at a Housing Forum Meeting in November last year.

However, Cllr Bloch is concerned that, despite the assurance, Haringey Council is still investigating their options over the site and stated that they’d have to ‘determine whether it would be appropriate, and financially more advantageous for the Council’.

He says that the Council must look into and consult with residents and businesses on the long-term affect of building homes at the cost of a modern light-industry site in the area and not just the financial benefits the Council would reap from the sale of the site.

Cllr Bloch comments:

“I am pleased that the Council has not committed itself to anything yet and I will be pressing them along with Cllr Lynne Featherstone MP and others to carry out a full and open consultation before making a decision on the future of Pembroke Works.”

MUSWELL HILL: LIB DEM PRESSURE SECURES ACTION OVER BROADWAY WEEKEND RUBBISH

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Haringey Council have promised to resolve the litter problem being caused by business waste left out on Saturday nights on Muswell Hill Broadway following persistent pressure from Muswell Hill Lib Dem councillor Gail Engert.

Cllr Engert was alerted to the problem by a local resident who had noted that on consecutive Sunday mornings the contents of a number of refuse sacks left out for collection by the shops when they closed on Saturday were found strewn around the Broadway the following morning.

This concerned Cllr Engert given that the Lib Dems secured 24 hour cleaning of the Broadway by Accord, Haringey Council’s waste contractor, some years ago.

She contacted the Council and demanded they take action to resolve the problem immediately. She received an assurance that the issue would be looked into.

However Cllr Engert demanded a more detailed response from the Council with proposals of how they were to address this problem.

The Council have responded confirming that they will start regular inspections of the site this weekend (14th-15th January) and have proposed a couple of solutions to the problem that include directing local businesses to keep their refuse on premises after the Saturday morning collection until just before subsequent collections take place on Sunday in the late morning.

Cllr Engert is pleased that the pressure appears to have paid off; however she says that she will monitor the situation and the Council’s activity until an improvement is seen:

“Waste bags being left overnight at the weekends are causing extra litter problems on the Broadway and the Council needs to find a solution quickly.

“I am glad that after some persistence we have secured a firm assurance from the Council that this issue will be addressed. I, along with my Lib Dem colleagues, will continue to work hard to clean up Haringey.”