Issue - meetings

Briefing to follow.

Cllr Brabazon reported that she had been asked by a local resident to add this to the agenda, and a briefing from officers on this issue had been tabled.

Costas Christoforou gave a brief outline of the Finsbury Park Accord, which was a tripartite accord between Hackney, Haringey and Islington councils, with Islington the lead authority. The accord related to the town centre of Finsbury Park, including the park itself, and had been signed two weeks ago by the leaders of the authorities involved. It was reported that the agreement was currently in its infancy, and that action plans would be brought forward in the coming year with the aim of improving the area for all residents. It was noted that the bulk of the area covered fell within the other boroughs, and that for Haringey the main areas affected were the park itself and the housing along Stroud Green Road.

In response to questions from the Committee, it was advised that at this early stage, no action plans had been developed as yet. It was anticipated that in time each borough would identify appropriate funding. The accord was currently being managed by the NLSA, with a view to transferring it to an arms-length organisation, although these arrangements were still at a very early stage.

It was felt that it was right for the Area Committee to monitor the accord, and that it would be essential to get an early draft of the proposed action plan when this was available. NLSA would be welcome to attend future meetings to update the Committee on progress.

Concern was expressed that the first that ward councillors had heard about this initiative was on Harringay Online, and that it seemed to have come out of nowhere – it was agreed that the Chair would write to the Leader, on behalf of the Area Committee, to seek more information. It was also suggested that Members should meet with John McGill, either informally or at the next meeting; if it were not possible to meet with John McGill before the next meeting, it was suggested that a briefing should at least be supplied to Members.