Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Health, Cllr Ron Aitken, has expressed serious concerns after the Social Services and Health Scrutiny Panel were told last month that almost half a million pounds could be withdrawn for mental health care for the elderly in the London Borough of Haringey.

The panel heard from officials of the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust that £400,000 allocated by them to Haringey Council for use in providing mental health care for the elderly may be withdrawn “if appropriate use cannot be demonstrated”. During a presentation by the PCT about their funding position for the coming year it emerged that there is a dispute between the PCT and the Council as to whether the money has actually been spent on its intended purpose.

The dispute arises from the long-running saga of Haringey Council’s contracting out of elderly and learning disability homes, which the Lib Dems have repeatedly criticised, as the homes were eventually taken back into direct Haringey management.

“The Council told us that this problem was all taken care of,” said Cllr Aitken, “yet here we find that Haringey may have accepted money to provide care for vulnerable, mentally ill older people and may not be able to prove that it was used for this purpose. If this is the case then there will be a funding gap for next year and future years.”

In a Draft Report provided to Members of the Scrutiny Panel at the meeting in December the PCT say they are trying to resolve the issue of how the money has been spent, but that if the issue is not resolved vital services for older people with mental health problems may have to be withdrawn. Cllr Aitken asked for an update of the position shortly before Christmas but officials were unable to confirm that the matter had been resolved.

“I am seriously concerned that services for older people with mental health problems may be withdrawn after March unless Haringey can prove that they used the money to pay for services for older people in the last few years. We need them to come clean on their financing of these vital services,” said Cllr Aitken.

Commenting on Sunday morning’s series of fires in Highgate caused by a major electrical fault in the area, local resident and GLA member Lynne Featherstone, says:

“Clearly, this is a very serious incident. Hundreds of homes in Highgate have been affected and thankfully no major injuries seem to have resulted. EDF Energy will have to answer some very serious questions about how an incident on this scale can have occurred.

“This also serves as a reminder of how absolutely vital it is for people to check that they have smoke alarms installed and that they are working properly.”

Lib Dem leader and local councillor Neil Williams adds:

“Several residents have told me today that they had reported fluctuating electricity supply in the past week, and now we have had this serious event. I will be asking EDF about the nature of the fault, and when they last checked and replaced the equipment at the substation which apparently caused it.

“All of that said, I would like to thank the London Fire Brigade and all of the emergency services for how they worked together today to tackle the incident.”

Haringey Council has told the Liberal Democrats that there are no specific proposals to move the site of Muswell Hill library, despite an admission that facilities are inadequate at the present building. Haringey Council was responding to a request for more information from Cllr Lynne Featherstone following concerns from residents in the Muswell Hill area that the Council was planning to move the library.

The Council says that the public areas and facilities are poor at the library, which occupies a prime site near Muswell Hill Broadway. Work is currently being undertaken to see how this can be improved within the existing building, but there are major doubts based on the design of the building, its listed status and the likely cost of development for rather limited benefits.

The Council says that the library could be relocated if and when an opportunity arises. As yet, there are no options on the table and there is no money available. The Council has given an assurance that it will consult widely should any changes be proposed.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill, comments:

“I hope this will deal with fears that the library may be moved unexpectedly. If the library were ever to relocate, we would want to ensure that facilities were substantially improved and that it remained easy to access for all residents in the area. There must also be the maximum possible consultation with residents over any changes.”

Local residents believe that Finsbury Park should be used to host some large events, but are unhappy with the levels of consultation over its use, according to the results of a survey carried out by Stroud Green councillor Laura Edge and the local Liberal Democrats. The Lib Dem survey was delivered door-to-door in late 2004.

By just over two to one, residents backed the idea that there should be large events in the park, but 81% said that they did not think residents in the area were consulted enough. Furthermore, less than one in five residents (16%) said they were happy with the state of the park after events have been held. The concern follows repeated pressure from residents’ groups for a better clean-up and action to address damage to the park’s facilities after major events. Councillors Laura Edge and Lynne Featherstone are following up the issues raised in the survey.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Many residents feel that the clean-up after events varies greatly in quality. I am investigating what action we can secure to ensure that a proper clean-up always occurs. We also need better consultation in future.

“While there isn’t opposition in principle to some events, Finsbury Park is first and foremost a local park. I will be working with Laura Edge to ensure future improvements.”

Local Lib Dems have renewed their call for Vodafone to abandon plans to install a mobile phone base station mast in Alexandra ward. The call follows a visit to the site by Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Cllr Lynne Featherstone with Lib Dem Deputy leader Wayne Hoban, in whose ward the planned site lies.

Local residents living near the site, at the junction of Albert Road and Durnsford Road, have been outraged by the plans, and expressed their opposition at a public meeting earlier in the year. Lib Dems have also sharply criticised the company for refusing to engage with local residents by attending a public meeting on the issue.

The new mast would be in close proximity to a recently erected one belonging to O2, which appeared with little warning only about one year ago. As the masts are not subject to planning permission, Lib Dems says that pressure must be brought on the mobile phone companies.

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Lynne Featherstone comments:

“The planning system is stacked against residents when it comes to the location of mobile phone masts. I am not convinced that enough is being done by the phone companies to work together to share facilities. We do not want this to be another case of the issue going quiet and then a new mast suddenly appears in the area.”