Haringey Council Tax

Posted on 8th Jan 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Did you know that the average Council Tax bill in Haringey increased by a whopping £474 under the previous Labour Government?

That’s right – under Labour, year on year Council Tax for Haringey residents increased way above the rate of inflation.

Constantly rising Council Tax did not help individuals and families with the cost of living – particularly after the recession began.

That’s why the local Liberal Democrats and I campaign for a local Council Tax freeze year on year in Haringey. And since the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010, Council Tax in Haringey hasn’t risen at all.

In short – local authorities like Haringey Council are now being given extra money from the Government if they do not raise Council Tax. And with the pressure from local Lib Dem campaigning, Labour-run Haringey Council have had no choice but to accept.

Lib Dem action locally and in Government is protecting people from the kind of Council Tax increases we saw under Labour. That’s something to be proud of!

You can read more about Haringey’s Council Tax here.

If you need any help with your Council Tax or are having problems with Haringey Council – you can contact me here.

More homes – not bonuses for failure

Posted on 10th Dec 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s an email I sent to residents last week about housing in Haringey. Please do add your name to our petition, if you’d rather Labour-run Haringey Council spent money on houses, rather than bonuses for failure.

Haringey housing bonsues to be probed Labour simply can’t be trusted to run Haringey Council properly. They haven’t built a single new home in almost 25 years, despite over 10,000 local families waiting on the list for social housing.

The local Lib Dems and I are petitioning the Labour-run Council to spend more money on homes, rather than on bonuses for failure. You can add your signature here.

There is some good news, though. Following a local Liberal Democrat campaign, Haringey Council have finally agreed to build 100 new council homes.

Haringey Lib Dem leader and housing spokesperson, Cllr Richard Wilson, first suggested the idea back in February, when it was rejected by local Labour Councillors. Now, finally, it is going to happen.

It certainly won’t make up for the 25 years of neglect, but it’s a sensible first step. The project will also create local construction jobs, assist the economic recovery and help those in need.

If the Haringey Lib Dems were in charge of Haringey Council – the project would have started much sooner!

But until the Lib Dems are in charge, please do support our petition, calling on the Labour-run Council to spend their money on homes, rather than on bonuses for failure.

Lynne Featherstone MP meets with Veolia to present rubbish survey results

Posted on 18th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Last week, Lynne Featherstone MP and Haringey Lib Dem environment spokesperson, Cllr Jim Jenks, met with the Veolia regional director for London to discuss the rubbish collection service in Hornsey and Wood Green.

Veolia are contracted by Haringey Council to manage waste in the borough.

The Liberal Democrat MP recently asked residents for their opinions on their rubbish collection service. Over 400 residents replied, and 68% of respondents were dissatisfied with their collections. Missed collections, overflowing bins and misplaced bins were the top three specific complaints.

Earlier in the year, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green criticised Haringey Council for their failure to fine Veolia for poor performance.

During the meeting, the local MP presented the results to Veolia and a Haringey Council representative, who was also present at the meeting, and asked for an explanation and action.

The Veolia operations director agreed to investigate the results of the survey.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“The results of the survey speak for themselves. In many areas of the constituency, the waste collection service is simply not up to scratch. Yet still the Labour-run Council fails to act to improve services.

“Veolia and Haringey Council can no longer blame teething problems – this regime has been in place for two years now and should be running smoothly. Yet, we still have to put up with piles of uncollected rubbish, bad smells and vermin.

“I am determined to keep pushing for a better service for local residents – and I will not rest until we get results. Residents pay one of the highest rates of Council Tax in London and we deserve better than this.”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches petition against ‘sickening’ Council bonuses

Posted on 7th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has launched a petition calling on Haringey’s Labour-run council to ensure that money is spent on building new homes, rather than on bonuses for staff.

The petition has been launched in reaction to revelations that Homes for Haringey staff have received £3.7million in bonuses in the last two years.

The bonuses have been branded ‘sickening’ by the Liberal Democrats, who have said that the money should have been spent on building new homes, or refurbishing ones that already exist.

Residents can sign the petition here.

It has already attracted over 300 signatures.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Haringey Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson, said:

“It is disgraceful that money has been wasted on bonuses for staff that could have been spent on repairs and improvements to people’s homes. Tenants and leaseholders pay a lot for repairs through rents and charges and they rightly expect a good service and not for their money to be wasted on bonuses.

“Our petition is calling on the council to spend public money wisely on homes not bonuses. Hundreds of residents have already signed the petition and I urge everyone to support this campaign to stop Labour wasting local residents’ cash on bonuses and start spending it on the things that matter.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Even at a time when individuals, families and businesses have to tighten their belts, the culture of waste at Labour-run Haringey Council continues.

“It’s frankly sickening that £3.7 million has been dished out in bonuses, at the same time as the Haringey Labour cancelled Decent Homes repair work on hundreds of local houses due to a ‘lack of money.’

“The money also could have gone towards building new homes – which are much needed seeing as Labour-run Haringey haven’t built any in 25 years.

“I hope residents will sign the petition, and join me in calling on the Council to spend money on buildings, not bonuses.”

Labour’s half-price Christmas parking plan doesn’t go far enough

Posted on 6th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey Liberal Democrats have been calling for 4 days of free parking at Christmas on local high streets, shopping areas and council car parks. The Labour council have rejected those calls and are instead only offering half-price parking on 7 days in the run up to Christmas but only if you use a mobile phone to pay.

The opposition say that the Christmas parking proposals put forward by Labour do not go far enough and that there should be free parking for 4 days in the run up to Christmas at local shopping areas for everyone not just for people who use mobile phones to pay.

The Lib Dems have called for the free parking in the run-up to Christmas to help local traders who are struggling and to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping locally. The Liberal Democrats have previously campaigned for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets and launched a petition calling for the measure which has been signed by hundreds of people.

Last year the Lib Dems also submitted a motion to a council meeting calling for free parking in the run up to Christmas to be followed by 30 minutes of free parking on the borough’s high streets all year round. The idea was rejected by Labour councillors. Haringey’s Labour politicians are still refusing to budge on the question of lowering parking charges permanently.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“Whilst any reduction in parking charges at Christmas is to be welcomed, the proposal put forward by Labour does not go far enough. We suggested free parking for 4 days in the run-up to Christmas but the council have instead gone for a few days of half-price parking for people who decide to pay by mobile. What about everyone else?

“Many other councils across the country give shoppers free parking on local high streets for several days in the weeks running up to Christmas, why can’t Haringey do the same?

“Local small businesses and traders need all the help they can get to keep our high streets distinctive and thriving. We think that Labour can and must do more to support our local high streets.

“I encourage residents to do as much Christmas shopping as they can locally and to support our campaign for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets.”

Local Lib Dem MP, Lynne Featherstone, comments:

“Half price parking on weekends in December is better than nothing – but doesn’t go far enough to help local trader and shoppers. £1.50 an hour is still more than it costs to park in a superstore car park, for instance.

“The local Lib Dem call for four days of completely free parking would have made much more sense – it would have really incentivised shoppers and given our local high street traders a much needed boost.

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I will continue to support our traders through our campaign for 30 minutes free parking, and cheaper high street parking more generally.”

Special report reveals new child abuse case in Haringey

Posted on 4th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Over the weekend the Independent ran a special report into Haringey Children’s services – including news that the Council has launched yet another Serious Case Review. Here is the comment I sent to the local media:

“It is just awful to hear that Haringey Council has launched another serious case review, after failing to protect yet another local child.

“This comes just one month after the Child T scandal, and two weeks after my call for an independent review of Childrens Services was rejected by Haringey Council’s Chief Executive.

“I was leader of the opposition at the Council during the Victoria Climbié tragedy, and I remember Haringey Labour and Council officers saying that lessons will be learnt. Since then, they have said the same things over and over again – yet these shocking cases keep appearing.

“That is why I am so angry. That is why we need an independent investigation. No more children should pay the price for Haringey Council’s failure and inability to change.”

Lib Dems call for free Christmas parking on local high streets

Posted on 31st Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP have called for 4 days of free parking at Christmas on local high streets, at shopping areas and council car parks.

The Lib Dems have called for the free parking in the run-up to Christmas to help local traders who are struggling and to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping locally.

The Liberal Democrats have previously campaigned for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets and launched a petition calling for the measure which has been signed by hundreds of people.

Haringey’s Labour politicians are still refusing to budge on the question of lowering parking charges permanently.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“Local small businesses and traders need all the help they can get to keep our high streets distinctive and thriving.

“Haringey Liberal Democrats are calling for free parking at Christmas to help local traders and boost our local shopping areas. We think that Labour can and must do more to support our local high streets.

“I encourage residents to do as much Christmas shopping as they can locally and to support our campaign for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets.”

Local Lib Dem MP, Lynne Featherstone, comments:

“This year the Haringey Lib Dems and I have worked hard to support and promote independent shops. We ran the independent shops competition and fete, and have collected thousands of signatures to support our campaign for 30 minutes free parking, so people can pop into their favourite high street stores without worrying about parking charges.

“Contrast this with our local Labour Council – who have raised High Street parking charges to a whopping £3 an hour. Retailers have told me that this is stifling their businesses – but the Council will not listen.

“Now, we’re calling on Haringey Council to allow free parking on our local high streets for just four days in the run up to Christmas, to encourage people to buy presents in our local independent stores. It really is the least they could do.”

Lib Dem calls for Children Services review rejected by Haringey Council

Posted on 23rd Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and Councillor Katherine Reece have today expressed their anger and disappointment, following Haringey Council’s refusal to allow an independent review of its Childrens Services department.

The Liberal Democrat MP and Councillor called for the independent review last week, after a serious case review into the abuse of Child T revealed multiple failings by Haringey Social Services, similar to those in the Baby P case.

The news about Child T was shortly followed by news about a Haringey Social Worker, who was sacked for failing to protect another child (Child B) from sexual abuse.

In response to the call, the Chief Executive of Haringey Council stated that the Child T abuse occurred at a time of ‘significant transition in the service,’ and he did not agree that conducting an independent review would be the best way to tackle the challenges.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green will be meeting with the Chief Executive to discuss the matter further.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“After the recent reports about Child T and Child B, it is shocking that Haringey Council are not taking this opportunity to conduct an independent review and get an objective assessment of Childrens Services.

“It’s all very well to say that things have changed, or are changing, but I have heard this all before – after the failure to protect both Victoria Climbie and Peter Connelly.

“On this basis, my colleagues and I still believe that an independent review is absolutely necessary to protect Children in Haringey.

“I will be meeting with the Chief Executive to discuss this further and will be keeping my constituents informed.”

Lynne Featherstone MP slams Haringey’s ‘pothole blitz’ as a botch job

Posted on 22nd Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lightfoot Road in Hornsey, where a man suffered brain injury as a result of tripping in a pothole. Some potholes have been filled but others (which had been marked for repair) were left untouched. Lynne Featherstone MP has slammed Labour-run Haringey Council for failing to take better care of the borough’s roads, and failing to manage repairs efficiently.

Early this year, Haringey Council announced a ‘pothole blitz,’ to repair the borough’s many dangerous roads. However, the Liberal Democrat MP has criticised this as a ‘botch job’ – following complaints from residents that many dangerous potholes remain.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has also expressed her concern about how repairs were managed and carried out. On many roads, some potholes were filled in but others left untouched.

On others like Rectory Gardens, the Labour-run council ordered repairs to potholes just before a scheduled resurfacing of the road. This prompted residents to contact the local MP to complain about the waste of time and taxpayers money, which could have been used to repair potholes on roads which have not been subsequently resurfaced.

Lightfoot Road in Hornsey, where a man suffered brain injury as a result of tripping in a pothole. Some potholes have been filled but others (which had been marked for repair) were left untouched. Lynne Featherstone MP commented: “Unfortunately this is just typical of Labour-run Haringey Council. They make grand statements about a ‘pothole blitz’ – but it is all talk. Yet again they have failed to manage the project and failed to deliver results.

“It is ridiculous to repair potholes in a road just days before resurfacing it completely. Similarly, to only repair a couple on a road and leave others on the same road untouched. What a lack of common sense – and what a waste of local taxpayers’ money.

“Now, going into winter, Haringey residents are still faced with many unsafe roads, which increase the chances of accidents and damage to cars.

“Enough is enough. At the end of this week, I will be contacting my constituents and asking them to inform me of the most dangerous potholes in their local area. I’ll then present these to Haringey Council and demand further action before winter sets in.”

UPDATE: The council’s own official figures show that the blitz was a flop with only one in three potholes reported to the council fixed within its own target time.

400 responses on rubbish!

Posted on 16th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Last week I sent an email to my constituents, asking for their opinions on rubbish collection in Haringey.

Over the last two years, I’ve received hundreds of complaints from residents about missed collections, piles of stinking rubbish and bins being misplaced after emptying.

Some disabled residents have been unable to get out of their driveways because the bins were left blocking it, and other residents have had to deal with rat infestations. One person took to twitter to complain about the maggots which appeared as a result of missed collections.

The complaints started when Labour-run Haringey Council introduced fortnightly collections to the borough, in tandem with their waste contractor, Veolia. Some teething problems were perhaps inevitable – but two years on, enough is enough!

I asked Haringey Council whether they could fine Veolia for poor performance. The answer was: Yes we can, but we never have!

So despite all the problems, the Labour Council have never bothered to fine Veolia!

I’ve had 400 replies from local residents already, letting me know how they feel about rubbish collection in Haringey. We’re in the process of analysing them – and can report that so far – two thirds of residents are unsatisfied with their collections.

If you want to add your opinion – please do so via www.lynnefeatherstone.org/contact

Once we’ve collated all the responses, I’ll present them to Haringey Council and Veolia and demand action to improve collections. We pay one of the highest rates of Council Tax in London – and we deserve a better service!