Issue - meetings

·        Cllr Lyn Weber, (Chair of the Area Assembly),

·        Jeff Baker (Managing Director of Circle 33) and

·        Chris Chadwick (Friends of Priory Park). (2.00 -2.15PM)

a)     From Cllr Weber, Chair of the Area Assembly

Cllr Weber said that the event’s theme came from talking with residents about various health issues.  It was also very topical given the changes to local health services taking place in the near future.  She also welcomed the presence of the Olympic Pod and the support once again from Spurs.  Finally Cllr Weber remarked that a partnership approach to funding assembly meetings and events, in times of recession, would be would be beneficial for all.  She thanked the Council’s partners – Circle 33 Housing Trust, NHS Haringey and Spurs for the financial and physical support, adding that ‘working together we can achieve so much more’. Cllr Weber also expressed her appreciation to the young people who had performed raps around the themes of respect, written as part of the summer holiday youth programme on Campsbourne.

b)     From Jeff Baker, Managing Director of Circle 33 Housing Trust

Jeff told the meeting that Circle 33 were proud to be sponsoring the event, having nearly 2,000 homes within the borough, and to be part of the local Campsbourne Social Housing Partnership.  He explained that Circle 33 believed firmly in their responsibilities to act not just as a housing landlord but additionally to enhance life chances.  For example they were pleased to be engaging with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s new youth project in Hornsey.

c)     From Chris Chadwick, Friends of Priory Park

Chris welcomed residents to Priory Park on behalf of the Friends’ Group.  He spoke about the value of parks as democratic institutions at the heart of local communities, open and available to all people regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.  The Friends of Priory Park, he explained, had been formed in 1986 to inspire awareness of the park’s value and to strive to bring resources for its renewal.  The Friends’ were proud that since 2003 the Park had each year been granted Green Flag status.  He referred to Haringey’s Friends of Park Forum as epitomising the ‘Big Society’ which the new Government were seeking to build.  Chris expressed disappointment at the likely loss of play builders funding, and the lack of funding to employ park-keepers.  He felt that parks would continue to represent fantastic value for money as an asset through which to achieve community cohesion.  Finally Chris spoke about the current project, in partnership with BTCV, to clean out the ponds within the park.  The Friends would naturally welcome any volunteers.