Verbal update
Minutes:
Councillor Kirsten Hearn, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability, reported that Covid -19 and the lockdown had disproportionately affected those within the community suffering from poverty and disadvantage and, in particular, Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME), elderly and disabled people. The focus of her portfolio in this period had been ensuring that parks were safe and open to all and supporting safe and socially distant travel that was climate positive.
The Committee received updates on developments that had taken place within planning policy, transport planning, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and parks and then asked questions to the Cabinet Member and officers supporting her.
Simon Farrow, Head of Parks and Leisure, reported that his service had worked very closely with Public Health colleagues when re-opening facilities within parks. The view of Public Health had been that opening of football and basketball courts should not happen yet as it was not possible to practice social distancing within them. It was acknowledged that tennis courts could have been reopened earlier though. Playgrounds and open air gyms were being reopened at the moment. The view had been taken that there needed to be sanitation and permanent signage at each site and this was why it was taking longer than in some other boroughs, who had not taken the same measures. The additional cost of sanitation was £700 per week and three gardeners had been redeployed to undertake this work.
In answer to a question regarding the opening of paddling pools, Mr Farrow reported that it was not clear until recently that it would be permissible. They were now scheduled to re-open though. It was nevertheless debateable whether it was worth spending the money necessary for this to happen as they would probably only be open for one month. In addition, the parks budget was overspent by £1.5 million.
In respect of Finsbury Park, the number of staff there had been increased to 11.5 from 1.5 due to the income that had been received from events last summer. Staff in the park had been working very hard making sure park users observed social distancing and collecting litter, which had increased considerably. All of the money to maintain the park would be coming from the Council this year due to the lack of events.
The Cabinet Member stated that keeping people safe was a priority and that was why sanitation of play and gym equipment had been undertaken in Haringey despite some other boroughs not doing the same. It had also been felt very important to keep parks open for all and this had been achieved despite pressure to close them in the early part of the lockdown. It was not yet clear how much the government would assist local authorities financially to mitigate the financial pressures.
Mr Farrow reported that there had been an increased need for litter picking and bin emptying, which had impacted on the budget for the service. Approximately £0.5 million was being spent on litter and additional staff were having to be deployed to deal with it. More horticulture could be done if litter was reduced. An advertising campaign was being set up to encourage people to put rubbish in a bin or take it home. Education and engagement were necessary with enforcement used as a last resort. Trials had taken place of removing bins to encourage people to take home their waste had been trialled in some authorities, with some success. Removal of dog waste bins had been less successful. Some experimental measures were taking place in Haringey, including placing two skips on Ducketts Common to demonstrate the volume of rubbish and undertaking filming of Finsbury Park from a drone to show the build-up of litter during a day.
In respect of disposable barbecues, it was noted that the was not currently any bye-law outlawing their use in parks. They could be a fire risk and cause damage to benches and so they were therefore discouraged.
In response to a question, the Cabinet Member reported that they had wanted to re-open sports and play facilities so that children and young people had somewhere to go. Opening sports facilities had been easier to re-open as play equipment required work to ensure that it was both safe and in good working order. They would all be open again soon. Full details of the programme were on the Council’s website. It was noted that Homes for Haringey were responsible for twice as many playgrounds as the Council. In addition, the borough’s school summer holiday programme had just started and there were a wide range of activities available.
Emma Williamson, Assistant Director for Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability, reported that work to address the issue of vehicles idling had been taking place with the Greater London Authority (GLA). This involved better registering and monitoring of the use of the machinery on construction sites as well as some enforcement. She would provide further information in due course (Action – AD for Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability). The Committee noted that work had also taken place with schools, with posters and masks being designed by children and young people to highlight the issue.
Ms Williamson also reported that a report had been due to be submitted to the Cabinet on School Streets that proposed priorities for action over five to ten years but it had been necessary to reconsider the approach in the light of the current pandemic. In particular, some schools would have had difficulty in re-opening due to social distancing requirements so urgent action had been needed. A bid had been made for funding to Transport for London and plans put together for consideration later in the year. The Council did not have sufficient funding to do all of the work that was necessary yet but would apply for grant funding as and when it became available. In addition, the Active Travel team were working with schools to encourage walking and cycling.
In answer to a question, the Cabinet Member reported that the tree allocation for different wards within the borough still stood and engagement would be taking place with ward Councillors. Particular priority would be given to areas where there was currently a lack of tree cover. As part of this, a number of tree were to be planted in Bruce Road in Tottenham. A bid for funding for funding for parklets and cycling had recently been made and details of this could be shared with the Committee (Action – Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability).
In answer to a question, Maurice Richards – Principal Transport Planner – reported that consideration had been given to where the cycling infrastructure in the borough could be improved. In particular, work was planned to improve separation between cycles and motor vehicles. Consultation had taken place with Haringey Cycling Campaign on this. Most of the work required appeared to be straightforward and could be completed by September, which would allow full advantage to be taken of current Transport for London (TfL) grant funding. Funding for the design of a cycle route running from Crouch End to Tottenham had been obtained from TfL and it was hoped that funding could also be obtained for its implementation.
In answer to a question regarding illegal music events in parks, the Cabinet reported that staff had been redeployed to undertake observation of any preparations being made so that the Police could be alerted if necessary. This had been successful in disrupting some events. There was a very good relationship with Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams. The priority was to take action at an early stage, before significant numbers of people had congregated. She felt that safe parks were ones that were well used.
The Committee thanked the Cabinet Member and officers supporting her for attending the meeting.
RESOLVED:
1. The further information be provided to Committee Members by the Assistant Director for Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability on work undertaken by the Council to address idling; and
2. That further information be circulated to Committee Members by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability on the bid by the Council for grant funding for parklets and cycling that has recently been made.