Issue - meetings

Public Question 1 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Janet Harris:

Is the council aware of the traffic chaos outside Bruce Castle Museum in Lordship Lane?  Is it willing to consider replacing the current crossing with actual traffic lights and ensuring that a safe crossing from the east-west of the northern end of Bruce Grove be created. 

The current crossing is always busy and also serves two very local schools - the Lancasterian and Risley Avenue so, during term time, has a lot of pedestrian traffic comprising young children and their teachers/parents.  There is also the close proximity of the Drapers' Almshouses (sheltered accommodation for the elderly) to be considered. 

Traffic from Wood Green or The Roundway speeds around the mini roundabout at the junction of Lordship Lane and The Roundway and also the one at the junction of Lordship Lane and Bruce Grove with no regular interruption such as that caused by controlled traffic lights.  These junctions are a disaster waiting to happen, as there are so many near misses. 

In view of my remarks, will the council make representation to TfL to have this traffic blackspot made safer for both pedestrians and motorists?

Public Question 2 to the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement from Sarah Cope:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month has been marked in the US since 1994, and is promoted in the UK by School's Out.  What did the council and local schools do to mark LGBT History Month 2009, which fell in February?  Do you agree that such events, held to acknowledge and explore LGBT history, should have a place in the schools calendar and how will the council be marking LGBT History Month in 2010?

Public Question 3 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Anna Bragga:

The Green Party has been contacted by members of Haringey’s disabled community asking for help, having had their Blue Badge renewal applications either turned down or mysteriously lost by the council following the introduction of new rules. As a result, aside from causing immense stress and additional health problems, some disabled people have now clocked up parking fines that they cannot afford and are being chased by bailiffs. Others have become housebound – prisoners in their own home.

Can the council answer this question: In the light of recent cases highlighted, does the council now accept that the new Blue Badge application system, including the mobility assessment process and discretionary criteria, is flawed? What action is the council prepared to take to administer a fair and equal Blue Badge Scheme based on medical evidence rather than mobility assessments by Occupational Therapists which are clearly open to abuse and the misjudgment of serious health conditions?

Public Question 4 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Mahir Gul:

Does the Council back the campaign organised by Cllr. Simche Steinberger (L.B. Hackney), Cllr. Dean Cohen (L.B. Barnet), Justin Hinchcliffe and Isaac Revah (Seven Sisters Conservatives) to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 78

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this item as urgent business. Under Standing Orders, notice of questions was not requested until eight clear days before the meeting, following which matters raised had to be researched and replies prepared in order to be given at the meeting.

There were 5 Public Questions, 9 oral questions from Councillors, and 36 questions for written answer.

Oral Questions 7 - 9  were not reached and written responses would be given.