Issue - meetings

An opportunity for the Committee to question the Cabinet Member, Councillor Nilgun Canver, on the Environment portfolio.

The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Nilgun Canver, introduced the new Single Frontline Services structure combining two arms: Traffic Management Services and Neighbourhood Services.  The 3 new Neighbourhood Action Teams covering different parts of the borough had been established and would be officially launched in January 2012.  The Cabinet Member also reported a 50% reduction in the Parks Service budget and that the Council was working with Friends of the Parks groups to look at some of the concerns, including how funds could contribute towards seasonal staff and parks maintenance, new volunteering initiatives and small community grants to help groups improve local areas.

The following was noted in response to questions and observations:

• In response to concerns that services, particularly the collection of dumped rubbish, were slower to reach the east of the borough the Cabinet Member explained that a pilot scheme to monitor fly-tipping was being implemented covering the Tottenham Hale, Tottenham Green and Seven Sisters Wards. A member highlighted that there had previously been a similar pilot in Seven Sisters; the results of which had never been communicated to ward members.  The Cabinet Member explained that the new pilot was to build on the information obtained in the original scheme whilst working with the new environmental services contractor.
• Committee members commented that one-way streets often had a knock-on affect causing traffic and pollution in surrounding roads.  The Cabinet Member invited details of specific areas which could be investigated.
• In response to concerns raised about the impact of less funding for parks on mental health service users it was recognised that a good quality of open spaces was still required and the Council continued to work with local groups in relation to running activities, and providing facilities and leisure activities for vulnerable groups.
• As a result of changes in funding and the high cost of the project there were still some areas where street lighting was yet to be renewed, however, a programme for renewing the remaining street lights was currently being developed. 
• The Cabinet Member would be attending a meeting on 10 January 2012 to discuss transport planning and possible improvements in the Green Lanes/ Arena Retail Park area.  There was regular liaison between the Council and Sainsbury on the retail park, who employed an officer to control the traffic on Sainsbury land.  The Council had not been able to liaise directly with Arena but would continue its efforts.
• Members thanked the Cabinet Member, Veolia and Parks officers for work to bring Gourlay Place and the Stroud Green section of Parkland Walk back into good states.
• In response to the Committee highlighting Islington Council’s proposals for a borough-wide 20 mile per hour (mph) zone, the Cabinet Member explained that much of Islington was already a 20 mph zone but there were resourcing issues surrounding enforcement.  Haringey’s Traffic Management Team had responded to the scrutiny review of 20 mph zones and implemented 20 mph zones where there were safety concerns but a borough-wide approach would be costly and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64