Minutes

Problems receiving the agenda for the Area Assembly meetings were highlighted by a number of attendees. Neighbourhood Management passed on their apologies and confirmed that a database was being created to store contact details which would improve the system for sending out agendas. It was agreed that dates and agendas of future Assembly meetings would be emailed out to attendees, in addition to being on the council website.

Swine flu

The Chair referred attendees attention to a briefing circulated on swine flu, providing the most up to date information and guidance.

Agendas

Problems receiving the agenda for the Area Assembly meetings were highlighted by a number of attendees. Neighbourhood Management passed on their apologies and confirmed that a database was being created to store contact details to help improve the system for sending out agendas. It was agreed that the dates and agendas of future Assembly meetings would be emailed out to attendees, in addition to being on the council website.

The meeting received feedback from issues identified at the special Area Assembly meeting held in March to address ongoing traffic issues in Harringay and St Ann’s wards. Major issues identified included traffic congestion, road safety, parking and pollution. It was emphasised that it would take considerable time to develop future transport measures to address issues where possible in addition to securing the necessary funding.  

Traffic congestion:

The Assembly was advised that Transport for London (TfL) would be undertaking transport studies in 2009/10 to examine traffic flow along Green Lanes and Wood Green High Road to look at measures to improve bus journey times. The council would be feeding into studies to ensure a holistic approach to transport was developed, including coverage of local issues of traffic concern, for example assessing the impact of the closure of garden roads on traffic on Green Lanes.

In response to concerns expressed about the lack of details provided, such as deadlines, associated with the TfL studies to be undertaken in the area, confirmation was provided that regular updates would be provided to the Area Assembly via discussions with Neighbourhood Management. It was emphasised that this was however a long term, ongoing project.

Road safety:

The meeting was advised that a Transport Forum made up of key stakeholders had been set up to discuss strategic transport issues.

In relation to the need for a pedestrian crossing on Black Boy Lane, discussions were ongoing with TfL Buses as it would require the relocation of a bus stop near Chesnuts Park.

Discussions had been held with ward councillors regarding proposals for putting in place a 20 mile an hour zone for Wightman Road. Preliminary designs for the scheme would be developed and considered by a focus group before going forward for consultation. It was emphasised that the small amount of funds available might extend the roll out time for the scheme to two years. In response to a question about the costs of the scheme, it was explained that legislative requirements mean that 20 zones must be self enforcing thereby requiring additional measures to solely signage.

Strong concerns were expressed about the need for a pedestrian crossing on Frobisher Road, especially due to the closeness of a primary school and Mountview housing estate. It was confirmed that further work would need to be undertaken to provide background information to ensure an appropriate scheme was put in place and to evaluate the correct location for any crossing.

Following concerns about traffic obeying to the one way system in the South Grove area and on St Ann’s Road, there was agreement that a walkabout be arranged with council officers and local residents to look at the issue. An additional concern expressed by residents from St Ann’s ward was the perceived over emphasis on the Harringay ward and the Green Lanes area in particular in relation to traffic issues and also generally at Area Assembly meetings.  

Parking:

In response to a query as to whether there were any plans to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Assembly received a presentation on the Local Charter Consultation held in April to feed into considering the future of the Green Lanes area. Postcards were sent out to local addresses, information published in Haringey People and an online survey put on the council website to gain views from local people. In total, 210 responses were received, with feedback showing general satisfaction with the range of shops and transport links in the area, but concerns including traffic, litter and crime. It was requested that the slides for the presentation be sent out with the minutes of the meeting and also put on the website.  

The consultation results would be analysed by the Green Lanes Strategy Group in order to identify priorities for the next 5 years, from which a charter for the area would then be developed. The Green Lanes Charter would involve local partners including Residents’ Associations, traders etc coming together to pledge to improve the area, with a joint vision for moving forward and ensuring commitment via assigning responsibilities to individuals.

Concerns were expressed about the low number of responses received to the consultation in comparison to the number of postcards sent out, which totalled around 6 thousand and questioning the value of doing the exercise. Confirmation was provided that results from the consultation supported those received from previous surveys, including Haringey Online, Place and Residents’ surveys. 

Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams

Representatives from the Safer Neighbourhoods team were not in attendance.

Green Lanes Food Festival

The Festival would be held on 20 September, from noon until 4pm on the Salisbury Road to Green Lanes station bridge stretch of Green Lanes, with the short stretch of the road closed from 7am-7pm. Activities such as musical performances and food tastings would be available in addition to other community events organised for 18 and 19 September including a film show, history walks etc. 

Residents were invited to question the panel and Cabinet Members for Environment and Conservation, Enforcement and Safer Communities, and Resources on issues raised during the meeting and received the following response:

Icelandic funds

In response to a request for an update on the situation regarding council funds invested in collapsed Icelandic banks, confirmation was provided that it was anticipated a majority of funds would be recovered, although the exact amount had yet to be finalised. New measures had also been put in place to ensure that council investments were only made in ‘ultra safe’ institutions in line with Treasury recommendations, although these generally offered lower interest levels.

The meeting was also advised that the council budget process for 2010/11 was currently underway, with savings of £2 million anticipated to be required.

Mobile phone masts – Mr Constantinides

Mr Constantinides addressed the meeting on concerns regarding the effect of mobile phone masts on health, a subject on which he had written to senior council officials. Mr Constantinides proposed to arrange a community meeting to discuss the issue, potentially to be held at St Ann’s community hall.

The Chair advised that although requests for agenda items for Assembly meetings were sent out at the beginning of each year, Neighbourhood Management could be contacted directly with requests for future discussion items.