Liberal Democrat councillors have been left angered after Haringey Council refused to support efforts by local traders to have an archaic ruling that restricts Saturday trading removed.

The move came in a written answer at the Full Council meeting on Monday following efforts by the Lib Dems to remove a royal charter which stops the Ally Pally farmers market taking place on a Saturday. The party has vowed to keep pursuing the issue.

The Lib Dems asked the Labour leadership if they would approach the Old Enfield Charitable Trust with a view to persuade them to seek an alteration to the Royal Charter, which dates back to 1601. As it stands, the Charter held by the obscure body does not allow a market within six miles to be open on a Saturday – the same day as Enfield holds its own market.

The Labour Council rejected the request citing a number of reasons including the belief that the Sunday Farmers’ Market was currently ‘free from problems’ and that Haringey Council has no ‘direct interest’ in it and thus was uninterested in getting involved.

The Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson, Jonathan Bloch has expressed his disappointment at the Council’s answer. He has already gained support from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which has agreed to a request made last month to investigate the issue.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch (Muswell Hill) comments:

“It is very disappointing that Haringey Council has been so negative in its response. We were asking them to support local traders who want to have the option of trading on a Saturday. Instead the Council has simply listed reasons for not supporting the change.

“Removing this charter would help our local economy. We will continue to support the efforts by local traders to secure an end to this bizarre Charter. It is an unacceptable and unfair restriction on doing business in Haringey and it should be removed.”

A significant level of unreported crime in Haringey has been uncovered in a snapshot survey conducted by Metropolitan Police Authority member and Haringey councillor Lynne Featherstone, to be presented to the MPA tomorrow.

Over 38% of respondents who experienced or witnessed a crime in the last year did not report the crime to the police – and over half of those said they did not do so because they did not think the police would act or because they could not get hold of the police.

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“This survey of Haringey residents is a small yet significant snapshot of the extent of non-reporting of crime in London. If these results are replicated across London, over a third of the capital’s crime may go unreported.”

She added: “This issue must be tackled. We have to know the true level of crime in London.

“The survey also shows an alarming lack of trust and confidence in the police. Too many Londoners think ‘there’s no point contacting the police because they won’t do anything about it’.”

Ms Featherstone is calling on the Metropolitan Police Service to take steps to address the low level of public confidence in their accessibility, response to calls for help and the quality of service they provide in response.

Liberal Democrat councillors have expressed strong disappointment over the Labour party’s decision to block an inquiry into the controversial collapse of the Queen’s Lodge in Muswell Hill.

There was dismay from residents groups who also addressed the meeting, with Labour councillors saying Haringey Council’s planning department was not at fault and that the Liberal Democrats were “trying to exploit a very small issue.”

Despite the Lib Dem motion being voted out by Labour members, local Lib Dem councillors in Muswell Hill and Fortis Green vowed to press on with their bid to force the Labour-run council to hold an inquiry. During the meeting, Labour Lead member Ray Dodds said: “I have no problem with an inquiry at the end of the legal process.” However other Labour members rose to contradict his offer, and the Labour position is now mired in confusion.

Lib Dem councillor Stephen Gilbert comments:

“I’m extremely disappointed that Labour did not heed residents call for an inquiry into whole issue. We were more than willing to accommodate them on the timing of such an inquiry, but this offer was rather cynically turned down.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone who seconded the motion, adds:

“We will keep up the pressure on Ray Dodds and hold him to his commitment to an inquiry at the end of the current legal process, However with Labour councillors flatly contradicting each other, it may well take a prolonged campaign to hold them to this pledge.”

Comments from Labour councillors during the debaite:

“I have no problem with an inquiry at the end of the legal process”
Ray Dodds – Lead member for the Environment

“I do not feel that the planning department can be said to be at fault”
Cllr James Dawson, Labour

“Trying to exploit a small issue”
Cllr Isidoros Diakides, Lead Member for Housing on the Lib Dem motion

In addition, Cllr Narendra Makanji, Labour Leadership contender and Labour Lead Member, opposed calls for an inquiry.

Stroud Green councillor Laura Edge is calling for Haringey Council to find a way to remove prominent graffiti from above the laundrette in Ferme Park, Stroud Green. Ms Edge started pressing for Haringey to remove the graffiti four months ago during the Stroud Green by-election when a number of local residents raised the issue with her.

Haringey Council recently visited the site and ascertained that it would be too dangerous to climb on to the roof of the laundrette to remove the graffiti. However Cllr Edge is keen to ensure that problem is not forgotten and is calling for another method of removing it to be found as soon as possible.

“Local residents have put up with this eyesore for far too long already. One of the most frustrating things is that, once removed, it is unlikely, given the situation, that it would be replaced with fresh graffiti.

“I am pleased that council officers are looking into the situation, but I am keen to ensure that the momentum is not lost and that an alternative solution is found to quickly removed this blight.”

Liberal Democrat councillor and Environment Spokesperson Bob Hare has condemned the actions of those who set fire to brushwood in Alexandra Park and he has made a number of suggestions to prevent future hazards arising.

While walking near the park recently, Cllr Hare saw flames shooting into the sky, called the fire brigade and rushed to investigate. He found that some youths had set a large pile of brushwood alight. This irresponsible act also threatened several young trees that were right beside the fire.

“When I asked the youths what they were doing, one of them explained that it was his birthday,” says Cllr Hare. “Why setting fire to brushwood should be seen as a birthday treat is beyond me. These youths were aware of the danger of the fire spreading and potentially serious damage to the trees, but did not care.” The youths ran off when they heard fire brigade sirens and the fire was successfully extinguished.

Cllr Hare has now asked the park’s manager to ensure that piles of twiggy brushwood are not left standing around as they are easily ignited, and that log piles – which are good for wildlife – are of large branches only, which are harder to light. He made a number of suggestions for their safe, environmental storage.

Cllr Hare subsequently received clarification from the Alexandra Park Manager that the small piles of brushwood regularly seen in the Sea Scouts area of the park are collected by a member of the public who likes to help keep the area tidy.

“I understand the enthusiasm to help in the park, but this fire illuminates the potential danger of accumulating too much twiggy material.

“I am pleased to hear that some of the big logs from the trees felled as part of the park restoration work will be used for log piles, which will be good for wildlife without creating a fire risk.”