Issue - meetings

[Report of the Assistant Director for Strategy and Communications. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Civic Services.]

Cabinet agreement will be sought for the launch of the Fairness Commission .

A deputation had been received from Ms Mirca Morera, representing Save Latin Village and Wards Corner campaign, in relation to item 9 of the Agenda.

Ms Morera spoke as the representative of Save Latin Village and Wards Corner and firstly welcomed the creation of the Fairness Commission as it had the potential to signify necessary change to ensure fairness for all.

Ms Morera further stated that such a body was significant in creating a dialogue for the future with its number one regeneration resource, its people. Ms Morera spoke about the Fairness Commissions set up in other Boroughs which served as a valuable blueprint for the Haringey Fairness Commission to follow.

Ms Morera went on to highlight the following:

• The good community work that takes place at the Latin Village, such as, providing access to childcare, health and supporting users with disability.

• The alternative community plan that Save the Latin Village campaign has produced for Wards Corner which, in the view of the deputation, was a viable and affordable plan that would involve a full renovation to provide a diverse and genuinely unique landmark.

• In the deputation’s view, the developer had not complied with section 106 of the agreement to support existing traders.

• The Save Latin Village and Wards Corner campaign has had three failed judicial reviews but had now filed a race discrimination claim against the developer agent following several disputes with local traders.

• The deputation felt that the diversity of Latin village should be valued and questioned the lack of affordable housing on the site.

• The Save Latin Village and Wards Corner campaign was seeking Haringey Council to withdraw and annul its co-operation the developer at Wards Corner and referred to the recent behaviour of the developer agent at a meeting.

The Cabinet Members asked the deputation questions and the following was noted:

• That the race discrimination case, mentioned above, was filed in November 2017 but, as of yet, there was no update regarding the progression of this case.

• The deputation welcomed the opportunity to take part in the evidence gathering stage and asked for Cabinet to look at the Wards Corner development with fresh eyes and review the case of Latin Village, judging this on its merits.

The Cabinet Member for Civic Services thanked the deputation for their presentation, which covered a range of areas, wider than the remit of the Fairness Commission. The Commission would be gathering information from across the borough and would welcome hearing from the group. They were invited to submit evidence in writing to understand implications for policymaking. The Cabinet Member was interested in deputation’s comments about childcare as this was an area of particular concern in the borough. Also how the Council shapes its policies in relation to this will be important going forward.

The Leader invited the Cabinet Member for Civic Services to introduce the report on the Fairness commission.

The Cabinet Member for Civic Services introduced the report which sought agreement to the establishment of the Fairness Commission, in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30