Lib Dem social services spokesperson, Ron Aitken today welcomed the coroner’s report into the death of Roger Sutherland in February this year after being released by the Whittington Hospital.

An open verdict was given at the inquest at St Pancras Coroners’ Court. However the coroner chose to use his powers, under rule 43 of the coroners’ rules, to write to the Whittington Hospital Trust and other health services involved in Roger Sutherland’s care and draw their attention to issues involving psychiatric liaison between Accident & Emergency, mental health teams and GPs.

Roger died after setting fire to his flat hours after being released by the Whittington Hospital. In the last few months leading up to the tragedy, Roger’s family had turned to Councillor Ron Aitken for advice. He says that on six or seven occasions Roger’s condition was made known to Ambulance drivers, his GP and the Whittington Hospital.

Cllr Ron Aitken comments:

“The death of Roger was a tragedy and our sympathy goes to the family. I am pleased that the coroner is writing to all involved and hope that some positive changes come out this.”

Stroud Green councillor Laura Edge has sharply criticised Haringey Council for once again allowing a council-owned property in her ward to become occupied by squatters. The move follows criticism from Councillor Edge in June about the failure of Haringey Council to recover a number of squatted properties in Perth Road N4.

Haringey had allowed one of two social housing properties in Perth Road to become occupied once again, shortly after they had finally evicted a previous set of squatters from the other property. The properties had become empty and were boarded up in late July, but Councillor Edge says this must have been inadequately done, because a new set of squatters moved into one of the properties again last week.

Cllr Laura Edge comments:

“It is extremely frustrating, as this means we are back to square one in trying to sort out this problem. Squatters will always take advantage of empty buildings if Haringey Council does not move to secure them properly, repair them, and ensure that they are swiftly occupied. Given the demand for social housing in the borough, this is unacceptable and is also a blight for nearby residents.”

Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a Royal Mail letterbox in Highgate, with local councillors urging the company to take action to find it.

Concerned residents living near the Archway Road alerted Highgate’s Lib Dem councillors last week of the removal of the letterbox outside the former Archway Road post office – controversially closed last year as part of the Post Office’s closure programme in the area. Residents had complained at the removal, saying that the nearest alternative letterbox, on Langdon Park Road N6, has a slot that is large enough to take only the smallest packages.

However, the Royal Mail has told the Lib Dems that it did not authorise the removal of the box, and its disappearance is a mystery. The company has been in touch with the contractors currently working on the major gas mains project in the Archway Road to see if they were responsible for taking it away – a move that the Mail says it did not authorise.

Neil Williams, Lib Dem Leader and Highgate Councillor, comments:

“I am pleased that the Royal Mail has moved swiftly to investigate the disappearance of one of our local letterboxes, as it must be put back in place immediately. I don’t remember a case of a red box having gone walkabout before. It is bad enough that local resident have lost the post office on the Archway Road, so I will be watching to ensure it is back in place as soon as possible.”

Local Liberal Democrat councillors Matt Davies and Lynne Featherstone are calling for action on a flyposting eyesore in Muswell Hill.

The disused orange phone kiosk on Fortis Green Road (near the Odeon Cinema) is a target for flyposters and an unwelcome blot on the area. With no-one willing to take responsibility for the kiosk, it is the perfect place for unwanted advertising and posters.

Islington Council has taken steps to smarten up similar boxes in their borough by covering the boxes with a wooden trellis and placing growing plants around them, as well as installing flower boxes around the base. The local Lib Dems in Muswell Hill have asked Haringey to consider taking the same innovative approach.

“We have asked Haringey Council to remove the latest flyposting which has been there for weeks,” explains Cllr Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green). “It is sad that Muswell Hill is being spoilt by this eyesore. I am aware that there are complications with the company who owns this phone box, but I am urging Haringey Council to do all it can to either bring the box back into use or remove it completely.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem, Muswell Hill) adds: “In the meantime, we would like to see if Haringey can take a novel approach to the problem and turn it into an opportunity. Whatever the long-term future of this box, Haringey Council must ensure that illegal flyposting is not tolerated.”

Haringey Liberal Democrats Leader Neil Williams has welcomed moves by a group of North London councils to tackle the problem or radio piracy in the area. However, he says that he is disappointed that Haringey Council is not yet participating in the group and is urging Haringey Council to join forces with neighbouring boroughs to help tackle the problem of illegal radio broadcasts.

The new group, the London Pirate Radio Enforcement Practitioners Group, met for the first time last week and includes representatives from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking Councils.

Cllr Williams says the problem of pirates radio stations is a serious one, particularly in hilly Highgate where illegal operators attach aerials to blocks of flats in the area. As well as blocking the airwaves, the pirates can instill fear among residents from the sounds of the people installing them at night. Lib Dem councillors in Highgate have previously called on the Council act quickly to remove aerials on council properties, as pirates will soon get tired losing their aerial and broadcasting equipment if faced with a determined local council.

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“Haringey Council needs to work with other councils to tackle this problem, as pirates will often move their aerials from one location to another. There is too great a tendency to see pirate operators as heroic pioneers, when in reality this is a social menace which is a nuisance to residents and can interfere with legitimate broadcasters, police and emergency service frequencies.

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Lynne Featherstone adds:

“I welcome this initiative, and we are asking Haringey to ensure they get involved in the new group as soon as possible. Telecoms regulators and radio stations are on their own not able to get to grips with the problem of piracy, and it is only with boroughs working together and sharing information on pirates that they can be controlled.”