Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adje, Bloch, Canver, Cooke, Davies, Schmitz, and Stewart, and for lateness from Councillors Allison, Amin and Griffith.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/orif it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interests.

Councillor Vanier – Cabinet Member for Communities commented on the shared dismay, sadness and shock at the events that took place in the borough in August. The Borough witnessed the destruction of Tottenham High Road and also large scale looting in Wood Green. The dreadful pictures of Tottenham High Road in flames were beamed around the world.

Councillor Vanier, in stating the question how the riots happened, commented that there was no doubt that the catalyst was indeed the tragic shooting of Mark Duggan by an officer from the Met Police CO19 firearms unit, and reported that, as was customary in these events, the IPCC immediately took control of the investigation and in this case the Haringey Police were not able to  make  comment to the community. To add to the tension the IPCC released a statement that was later found to be misleading.

Councillor Vanier stressed that there was huge concern in the community about the shooting. Mark Duggan’s family and friends held a peaceful vigil outside of Tottenham Police Station.  They wanted answers to the circumstances of his death. After several hours wait and not getting the required response, the family decided to go home. Subsequent to this rioting erupted. It was important to note that the Duggan family condemned the disorder and made it very clear that it was not in their name.

What followed were hours of rioting, arson and looting that left Tottenham High Road looking like a war zone. Police officers were injured, some very seriously.  Many residents lost their businesses, their homes, having to leave with just the clothes on their back. They were left feeling bewildered, traumatised, bereaved and as one resident said ‘numb’.

Tottenham residents remain angry about the rioting that occurred in their community. They are adamant that what took place was not representative of their community.

Councillor Vanier referred to the destruction of the physical fabric of this community which was indeed a serious set back but this terrible event had highlighted not only the resilience of the people of Tottenham but the strong sense of community, and humanity of the people of Haringey.  The offers of support and help from local people were overwhelming, and the vast array of agencies at the Community Assistance Centre, coupled with the generous donations from businesses and  people nationally and internationally was quite humbling. The solidarity of the people of Haringey was further illustrated when residents from all over the borough came to Tottenham to take part in a community clear up. Many brought their own brooms.

Councillor Vanier placed on record her thanks to officers for their quick response in setting up the emergency refuge at Tottenham Green for residents who were made homeless on the night of the riots, and the fantastic work they did to get the Community Assistance Centre up and running within 48 hours. Their efforts were certainly over and above the call of duty.

Councillor Vanier highlighted the first hand experience of seeing the spirit of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The meeting received feedback from the seven Area Committee Chairs on issues which had been raised at the recent round of Area Committee meetings in relation to the riots, and outlined the key themes from each Area as follows:

Tottenham and Seven Sisters

·        Concerns were raised regarding the Police’s handling of the events around Mr Duggan’s death and on the night of 6^th August, and also the level of communication provided.

·        People appreciated the authorities’ response, including the Community Assistance Centre, work to re-house those affected, response to physical damage and assistance to small traders.

·        A link was made between cuts in youth services and the riots, and this needed to be addressed.

·        There was pride in the community’s response, particularly the clean-up and donations.

West Green and Bruce Grove

·        There was a positive focus on what could have been done better, to avoid the same mistakes in future; lack of pride in the community, frustration with and poor communication from the police, a weak initial police response and an increasing sense of alienation among young people were highlighted as contributing factors to events.

·        Concerns were raised regarding education, unemployment and lack of opportunities in the area. Engagement with young people was needed, as well as funding for youth provision and a coordinated approach to regeneration, leading to sustainable jobs.

·        Residents were proud of the area and unhappy about the damage done to the community and the area’s reputation. There was a desire for Tottenham to be built back better than before.

Northumberland Park and White Hart Lane

·        People supported the work of the SNTs and recognised the different roles played by local policing and external operations. Poor communication and initial inertia from the police was felt to have caused the situation to escalate. It was felt that there was a need for a review of Police tactics, greater Police presence and more protection for property and citizens.

·        Concern was expressed about the reduction in youth services, the rise in unemployment and the disengagement of young people from society. Better support was needed, and teenagers should be given a stake in society and decision-making processes. Trust needed rebuilding between young people, the council and the police.

·        There was concern regarding poverty, deprivation, general unemployment and the bleak economic outlook. Improvements in employment, housing and regeneration were needed.

Wood Green

·        Residents responded with horror and shock to events both in Wood Green and Tottenham. Greater work with young people at a very early age was felt to be needed, via children’s centres, schools and family support, to prevent people becoming disconnected from society.

·        It was felt that a tolerance for low-level anti-social behaviour and ‘victimless’ crime had contributed, and that a zero-tolerance approach should be adopted.

·        Police were felt to have been slow to respond initially and there should be better community policing.

·        There was great pride in the borough, and its greatest asset was its people. The community remained strong and wanted to help with the restoration work, despite  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

A debate on the events which occurred in August then ensued, following which Councillor Strickland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion, addressed the meeting on the points raised and how issues would be taken forward.

Councillor Strickland paid tribute to those residents and business people affected by the riots, whose calm dignity and determination to move forwards in the face of unimaginable heartache had been remarkable.

He also paid tribute to and thanked the Police, emergency services and council staff whose tireless work in very difficult circumstances was of credit to public service.

Councillor Strickland referred to the future and advised that the Council needed to focus its efforts on ensuring that the Tottenham which emerged from this difficult period was improved physically, was stronger economically, was better connected through its transport links and had residents better equipped to prosper in the labour market.

Councillor Strickland commented on the need to work closely with the Police in building on and strengthening existing links with the Community, by forging better lines of communication and clear messages. 

In order to deliver the improvements which Haringey desired, Councillor Strickland set out three broad priorities namely:-  Getting Tottenham back in business, improving confidence and delivering regeneration.

Getting Tottenham Back in Business

The first priority would be getting Tottenham back in business, which was the foundation stone for what will follow.

The council had provided significant face-to-face support to businesses

·        110 were helped through the Community Assistance Centre

·        Staff had met 250 businesses going door-to-door in Tottenham and Wood Green, giving advice and gathering evidence about the impact.

With trade down, Tottenham’s independent traders in particular were facing a real squeeze on their finances.

• Through the High Street Support Fund, so far the Council had given £60k to 45 businesses

• Providing business rate relief to affected businesses, initially for 3 months, and extending this to 6 for many businesses.

Building Confidence

The second priority was building confidence, both among the public and external investors.

In order to help boost public confidence and get shoppers back to the High Road, the Council would be launching with Tottenham Traders Partnership, an I Love Tottenham campaign on Saturday 8 October 2011.

The campaign would see lamp post banners going up as well as bags, badges and posters, new hanging baskets and a newly deep cleaned High Road. It was envisaged to be a fun campaign, designed to get people talking about Tottenham.

The Council recognised that the Christmas trading period would be a crunch point and the GLA had been asked for funds for a Christmas festival and new Christmas lights had been ordered.

Shortly there would be the first of a series of investors breakfasts, designed to build confidence among big businesses, housing developers and others.

Councillor Strickland hoped that all members would play their part in selling the borough and Tottenham in particular.

Delivering a regenerated Tottenham

Councillor Strickland commented on the third priority, and that when he had met councillors from other authorities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Mayor advised that, though it was not well known, this would be the last meeting of the Authority that Ken Pryor- Deputy Head of Local Democracy and Member Services would be attending, as Mr Pryor would be retiring from the Council’s service after serving 37 years continuous service with Haringey. On behalf of the Council the Mayor placed on record her thanks and appreciation to Mr Pryor in his tireless devotion, hard work and effort, and wished him a long, happy and enjoyable retirement.

Councillor Meehan also spoke of the work of Mr Pryor as Clerk to the Council’s Housing Committee in the days of prolific house building in local government, and the hard work and support given by him to Councillor Meehan as the then Chair.  He placed on record his thanks and appreciation to Mr Pryor.

The Council gave a round of applause in honour of Mr Pryor.

The meeting ended at hours 21.40hrs