Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Claire Kober, gave the following “State of the Borough” address:

Mr Mayor it gives me immense pride to stand here this evening and to make this state of the borough address.

I have discussed the contents with my cabinet colleagues, directors and partners. I am also pleased to have met with the new chairs of the Youth Council – Funmi and Areeb – to discuss their views on the borough.

It is clear that across Haringey, the council and partners provide many vital services which our residents value highly, some of which I will highlight this evening along with the challenges which we currently face.

Mr Mayor, although I have been Leader only a short time I am acutely aware that the difficulties we face as a borough are more profound than ever in the history of Haringey.

With the country having recently moved into recession many residents feel less confident about their own financial situation. Growing fears about the credit crunch, the extent of the economic downturn, and job uncertainty are all pressing issues which are preoccupying many of those in the borough.

As a local council we need to meet this challenge head on.

I say that it is through providing clear political leadership which understands and is prepared for the challenges ahead.

At the end of the summer in partnership with Citizens Advice, HAVCO, Age Concern and the Pension Service we launched the ‘Claim it’ campaign.

We advised in excess of 600 people at over a dozen events. Over 40 per cent of those who attended found that they were entitled to additional benefits or tax credits and supported in making a claim.

We continue to deliver strong economic regeneration programmes tackling worklessness. Through the Haringey Guarantee, our Apprenticeships Programme and Families into Work, over 200 people, many facing significant barriers into employment, have been helped into work since September 2006.

I am pleased that last month, along with other boroughs in the capital, we signed up to London Council’s pledge to expand the number of apprenticeships on offer in our city.

This is action delivering for people when they need it most. We recently launched our ten point economic plan to support local people and businesses in the current climate.

But there is clearly more to be done and we will shortly be coming forward with a range of proposals to intensify the Council’s efforts to stimulate the local economy, support businesses and support residents who find themselves out of work.

Later this month I will meet local traders in our key shopping areas to discuss with them what more the council can do to support them through these difficult and unprecedented times.

We need to also anticipate other possible effects of the recession such as an increase in acquisitive crime and think seriously how we ward off such threats.

It is important also Mr Mayor that the Council ensures that money spent is spent wisely.

Working together, over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97