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 environmentally friendly.
- 2009 consultation had
showed recycling to be a priority for residents, therefore carbon
emissions and recycling had been incorporated into the new waste
contract with Veolia Environmental Services and large recycling
“wheelie” bins were being supplied to residents as a
result. In response to concerns it was
reported that older people could contact Veolia to arrange an
assisted service. In response to the
question of whether residents would get a choice as to the size of
bin for recycling when they were delivered to households the
Cabinet Member stated that consideration could be given to specific
cases but residents would generally not get a choice as to the size
of wheelie bins, which would have a capacity of 240
litres.
- Cllr Jenks addressed the Committee
and thanked officers for the recently implemented Crouch End
Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).
- The Committee asked for more
information on the role of the two Council Members who were members
of the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) (Clerk’s note: NLWA roles circulated 13 January
2012)and who they had consulted prior to
agreeing decisions by the North London Waste Authority and whether
there was a formal consultation framework.
RESOLVED that the following
actions be delegated to the appropriate directorate/ officers:
- As part of
departmental restructures and the establishment of a single
frontline service the Borough had been divided into 3 the new
Neighbourhood Action Teams. All Council
members would receive a briefing on the zones. (Action
No. 64.1)
- Members raised
concerns that street-lighting had not been installed across the
Borough and that only £25k of the allocated £800k had
been spent. Details on the plans for
full spend by the end of the financial year were contained in the
Transport Work Plan considered by the Cabinet in July, which would
be circulated. (Action 64.2)
- The Committee
requested a detailed report on the percentage of street lighting
renewed by ward as well as numbers for lighting columns with energy
efficient luminaries. (Action 64.3)
- A briefing on the
Queen’s Head Development (near Turnpike Lane tube station)
would be circulated to the Committee. (Action
64.4)
- The Head of
Sustainable Transport would follow up communication with the
managing organisation of Arena Retail Park to discuss egress issues
at the site. (Action 64.5)
- The Committee raised
concern about the redevelopment of Ashmount School on Parkland Walk
and asked officers for a report on any correspondence with L.B.
Islington planners and Haringey residents about the possible
parking disruption during school pick up and drop off times.
(Action 64.6.1)
- The Committee noted
that Islington had imposed a borough wide 20 mile per hour speed
limit. Officers were asked to keep
members updated on this matter. (Action
64.6)
- Ward Councillors
would be kept informed of the pilot scheme aimed at controlling
littering and fly-tipping in the Tottenham Green and Tottenham Hale
wards. (Action 64.7)
- Members of the
Committee were invited to feedback to the Cabinet Member concerns
they or local residents had about specific one-way traffic systems
in the Borough. (Action 64.8)