Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from the following:

Niall Bolger

John Brown

Jo Murphy

Jennie Marshall

Neil Mawson

Lisa Redfern

Councillor Lorna Reith

Richard Rigby

Esther Vanlith

Prior to consideration of the formal business presentations were made in relation to two of the priorities included within the Greenest Borough Strategy (GBS) set out below:

1. Improving the Urban Environment
2. Protecting the Natural Environment

Following these presentations there was an opportunity for group discussion after which each group provided an overview of their discussion:

Group 1

• Well-Being –the group noted that these aspects of the GBS had a significant impact upon the ‘well-being’ of local people.

• The document should reflect the strong link between the environment in which people lived and their mental health and general well being.  

• Developing the use of allotments, with a view to creating greater community cohesion, and improving the aesthetics of deprived areas were also identified as being important to improving well-being.

• Measures to improve people’s journeys through the Borough and general interaction with one another, such as ‘pavement calming’ were suggested.

• Audit of existing community activities –it was suggested that an audit of these should be carried out to ensure gauge how accessible they were to the whole of the community.

Group 2

• Staff Travel Plans –it was suggested that all Partners should adopt a Travel Plan as a means of encouraging more sustainable forms of transport.

• Reducing energy wastage by looking at procurement processes and introducing stringent limitations on design were also suggested.

• Engaging energy consultants to work with large employers in the Borough to identify ways of reducing energy consumption.

• Using local residents groups and associations as forums for discussing the local environment and how this might be improved.

Group 3

• Freedom Passes -developing the use of these further to enable more people to access public transport at a reduced cost.

• A review of the measures being taken to address problems faced by younger and older people in accessing parks and other amenities was suggested.

• An audit of the smaller green spaces in the Borough and how these might be brought back into use for recreational activities was proposed.

• The adoption of a Streetscape Manual by the Council’s Planning Service was suggested.

• Identifying ways of involving the local community in Homes for Haringey’s Environmental Improvement Programme.

The Board was advised that the points raised during discussion would be considered and there would be an update provided to the Board on how the proposed actions had been taken forward.

The Chair thanked everyone present for their participation in discussion, particularly those who were not members of the Board. He noted that members of the Integrated Housing Board would be invited to attend the next meeting where the following two themes included within the GBS would be discussed:

Members of the Board must declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests with respect to agenda items and must not take part in any decision required with respect to these items.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair will consider the admission of any items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of urgent business will be dealt with under Item 7 below).

No items of urgent business were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2008 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Board received a report setting out performance during the First Quarter April to July 2008.

It was noted that there were some areas where data was not yet available to measure performance against many of the Performance Indicators within the Board’s responsibility.

The Board was advised that targets in relation to the removal of graffiti and fly posting had not been met during the first quarter. However, the Council’s own in-house survey showed that there had been some improvement in this area and it was envisaged that this would be reflected during the second quarter.

It was noted that measures were being taken to address under performance in relation to fly-tipping. An Action Plan was being devised to address this, which was being managed by the Enforcement Service, with input from Waste Management.

It was agreed that the list of projects set out in the report should be amended to make reference to the following project:

• Improving Access to Parks

 RESOLVED:

That the current position across the programme of projects funded by the ABG be noted.

The Board received, for information, the Greenest Borough Strategy Implementation Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the Plan be noted.

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under agenda Item 3 above.

No new items of urgent business were received.

To consider any items of AOB.

The Board was advised that the Council’s new Child Poverty Strategy would be circulated to members of the Board for comment following the meeting.

Representatives of the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations noted that they would be happy for a representative from their organisation to be co-opted onto the Board.

Members of the Board, and those present, were invited to attend the ?? on 29 October 2008.

• 18 December 2008
• 16 March 2009

The Board was asked to note the following dates of future meetings:

• 18 December 2008
• 16 March 2009

The Chair thanked everyone present for attending the meeting and participating in discussion.