The Liberal Democrats have selected popular campaigner Nigel Scott to fight the Alexandra Ward by-election scheduled for 9th October. Nigel has lived in Haringey since 1991, and has been active in the community and the Liberal Democrats for many years. He almost unseated Labour Leader George Meehan at the last local elections.

An experienced local school governor, Nigel Scott has chaired the Board of Governors at Bounds Green School, where his own kids attended.He is also a founding governor of Alexandra Park School, where he still serves.As a parent, he campaigned for the school, in the heart of Alexandra ward, to be opened.

Nigel has worked for a patient health charity for over ten years and is also chair of the Skin Care Campaign – a national umbrella organisation pressing for better services for dermatology patients.

Nigel is also a tough campaigner on local planning issues, consistently opposing overdevelopment of the borough, and campaigning on traffic and road safety issues.

Nigel Scott comments:

“I am thrilled to have been chosen for the by-election, and I will be campaigning hard to win.

“We certainly need action on traffic.I also will want to play a part in steering the iconic Ally Pally away from the disastrous mismanagement of the Labour years and its multi-million pound bill to local residents.

“Wayne Hoban will be a tough act to follow. There is a lot to do, but I would relish getting stuck in.”

Local MP Lynne Featherstone adds:

“Ever since I started campaigning for the Liberal Democrats in Haringey, I have campaigned with Nigel. He is a fantastic choice, and has a great track record.I am looking forward to campaigning with him in the weeks ahead.”

After six years representing Alexandra Ward, Liberal Democrat councillor Wayne Hoban has announced that he is stepping down from Haringey Council, with immediate effect.

In a letter to the Council’s Chief Executive, Wayne has written that he has taken the hard decision to step down in order to move with his family outside London and closer to his work.

In his letter, he thanks the residents of Alexandra ward and his Liberal Democrat colleagues for “six wonderful years as their local representative” but says that his decision to move to Worthing leaves him “unable to provide the time needed to carry out the duties of local councillor.”

Liberal Democrat Leader, Robert Gorrie, comments:

“I’m extremely sorry to lose Wayne. He has worked tirelessly with his colleagues for the people of Alexandra ward and Haringey during the past six years. As Deputy Leader of the group he was instrumental in the Liberal Democrats success in 2006 and fought hard as the parliamentary candidate in Tottenham.

“He is a prime example of a hard working, diligent and determined Liberal Democrat campaigner who has persistently highlighted the failures and mistakes of Haringey’s Labour administration and we have all learnt from him. We have all hugely enjoyed working with him.”

Cllr Susan Oatway, fellow Alexandra ward councillor, added:

“He will be very much missed by the whole of the Liberal Democrat Group – as a friend and as a Liberal Democrat colleague. He has left an amazing legacy ready for the Liberal Democrats to take the council at the next election.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, added:

“It’s been a real pleasure working with Wayne for so long – he was here from the very beginning and we owe him so much. We all wish Wayne and his family all the best for the future.”

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have marked the 145th anniversary of the opening of Alexandra Park by giving a birthday card to the park. Alexandra Park first opened to the public on 23rd July 1863. It was named after Alexandra of Denmark who had married Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales, four months earlier.

Cllr David Beacham, Alexandra, commented:

“We should never forget that Alexandra Park is a natural treasure for the residents of Alexandra and Haringey. People flock from all around London for the wonderful views, the pleasant atmosphere and the beautiful gardens.”

Cllr Susan Oatway, Alexandra, added:

“Happy Birthday Alexandra Park! It’s not looking bad for 145 and it really is an asset to the borough.”

Cllr Wayne Hoban, Alexandra, added:

“Ally Pally is a major asset to the borough, which not only commands a magnificent view of London, but is also recognised worldwide as the birthplace of television.Any other borough would give its eye teeth to have such an asset within its borders, but Haringey Labour has always seen the building as a liability.We need to nurture this magnificent building and park for the benefit of our residents and not try to sell it to the highest bidder, which Haringey Labour has been trying to do for so long.”

A campaign by the Liberal Democrats to provide extra school places for children in Alexandra ward has ended in success. Since last year local Liberal Democrats have pressed Haringey Council to hold a consultation on whether to expand Rhodes Avenue Primary School. Last night Haringey Council finally agreed. Liberal Democrats have welcomed the plan but have criticised Haringey Council for taking so long.

In May 2007 Cllr Engert revealed a shocking primary school place ‘black hole’ which showed that out of the 110 children in Haringey that did not receive any of their four school preferences for a reception place 25 came from Alexandra ward.

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat Children, Schools and Families spokesperson commented:

“This consultation on whether to expand is long overdue. The Liberal Democrats have tirelessly campaigned to get more school places for residents and now this work has paid off.

“If expansion were to happen, this would unfortunately not be till 2011 – too late for many families.”

Cllr Susan Oatway (Alexandra ward) added:

“This is great news. I have been contacted many times by residents in dire need of a primary school place close to where they live hopefully now with the prospect of an expanded Rhodes Avenue, children in Alexandra ward can benefit.”

A cross-party committee of councillors has refused to formally sign off Haringey Council’s annual accounts without concerns about the probity of the Alexandra Palace Trust’s spending being properly highlighted.

Last Thursday (26th June 2008) at the Council’s General Purposes Committee meeting, three Liberal Democrat and four Labour councillors unanimously agreed to alter Haringey Council’s 2007/08 ‘Statement of Accounts’ to acknowledge that £3.1m of council taxpayers’ money may have been spent improperly by Alexandra Palace.

In addition, Haringey Council’s Chief Finance Officer agreed to speak to the Charity Commission about councillors’ concerns. The Palace is intended to be managed as a charitable organisation but an investigation by the Charity Commission is currently under way to probe the legality of the botched deal to sell the Palace to private developer Firoka.

The deal left the Palace Trust with a £3.1m budget deficit in 2007/08, which Haringey Council used council taxpayer’s money to pay off.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Liberal Democrat Deputy leader, comments:

“Local taxpayers have been hit with a massive £3 million bill because of Labour’s mismanagement of the Palace.I am outraged that Haringey Council were trying to sweep this catastrophic loss under the carpet, when in fact there are serious concerns about how so much money went down the drain during their failed attempt to flog the Palace.

“It is hugely embarrassing for the Labour-controlled Palace Trust that Labour councillors have at last joined with Liberal Democrats in highlighting doubts about how money is being spent at Ally Pally.”

Cllr Jonathan Bloch, Liberal Democrat member of the General purposes Committee adds:

“Council taxpayers have a right to know what happened to their money. There now needs to be a thorough investigation into whether £3million of taxpayers’ money and charity funds were used correctly.”