Agenda item

An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration, Cllr Charles Adje, on developments within his portfolio.

Cllr Charles Adje, Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration responded to questions on the following issues:

• On the Wood Green Area Action Plan (AAP) Cllr Adje said that the policy team is currently working on the final version. The plans for a possible Crossrail station in the area were being taken into account but complicate matters as this aspect remains uncommitted and unfunded while proposed improvements to the Piccadilly line had been put on hold by TfL. The AAP will be proposing high density housing and had been designated in London Plan as an Opportunity Area. It was expected that Bury Road would be more accessible with more housing and used for loading and unloading for retail units. A public consultation on the AAP had been completed last year and there would be further consultation on the new proposals.
• The Accommodation Strategy was also being worked on and Cllr Adje would be reporting to an all Member briefing on this on 7^th March.
• On Seven Sisters market, Cllr Adje said that he shared the market facilitator being the same as the market operator. After recent discussions a new market facilitator had been appointed. That information had been communicated to market traders at a meeting on 12^th February though he himself had been unable to attend. Asked whether minutes were available from this meeting, Cllr Adje said that he would make enquiries (ACTION – Cllr Adje). Cllr Adje acknowledged the frustrations raised from the deputation earlier in the meeting and said that he welcomes the Scrutiny Review into this matter. Asked whether the Council would halt the CPO process until after the Scrutiny Review had been completed, Cllr Adje said that the Council had to operate within the constraints of the law.
• On sub-regional partnerships used to help the local economy, Cllr Adje said that there were a number of bodies that the Council had been engaged with including the North London Strategic Alliance and the London-Stansted-Cambridge consortium. The Council is also working with Enfield, Hackney and Waltham Forest boroughs on a joint approach to the Upper Lee Valley. Business space is a key concerned as there is not currently the capacity for businesses to expand in the way that we need them to so the Council is looking to assist local businesses in finding space.
• Peter O’Brien, Assistant Director for Regeneration, confirmed that the Strategic Investment Pot, which is part of the London-wide retained business rates scheme, could be used be allocate funds to support various strategic investment projects. This had required Haringey Council to put in a joint bid with other boroughs (Waltham Forest and Enfield) to demonstrate partnership working, and Haringey had agreed with the other boroughs to administer the fund although this was not yet operational.
• Asked about the Community Bank, Cllr Adje said that this issue falls under Cllr Berryman’s remit.
• Cllr Adje informed the Panel that a new economic development strategy is likely to be completed in summer. This is currently in draft form and several elements are currently being reviewed, including on procurement and contracting relationships and on job creation and social value.
• Cllr Adje agreed to provide written responses to the Panel’s other questions which there had not been time to ask. (ACTION – Cllr Adje)