Council admits it has not completed all the '12 in 2012' pledges

Haringey Council has admitted it has not completed all of the '12 in 2012 for Tottenham Regeneration' pledges despite two years passing since that bold declaration in March 2012 of an ambitious programme that 'underpins our commitment to deliver positive change'.

Of the twelve pledges, the two classified as still being 'underway' are to upgrade Bruce Grove/improve Holcombe Market and to remove the Tottenham Hale gyratory.

The failure to improve Holcombe Market is despite the Freedom of Information response confessing that the designs for a new market agreed by a stakeholder group involving traders and representatives of local resident groups received planing permission in 2013.

In a lame attempt to show progress on the pledge to upgrade Bruce Grove it cites the painting of the bridge as evidence of pledge progress. Yet, this was work done and paid for by Network Rail following pressure from the stakeholder group. It is also debatable if painting the bridge is an upgrade.

The other pledge classified as 'underway' is the pledge to remove the Tottenham Hale gyratory. Which to be fair to the council is a Transport for London scheme always scheduled to be to finished by the end of 2014. But then why include it as a pledge? Oh, I remember. The pledges were for completion by Haringey Council and partner organisations.

I also believe there is a third 'underway' pledge. While claiming the pledge to refresh public space at Tottenham Green is completed, the FOI answer says 'the majority of the works are now complete'. Meaning that not all the works are now finished, and therefore the pledge is arguably still 'underway'.

When they were announced in March 2012 the Council's press release claimed these '12 key pledges will be delivered during 2012'. With Councillor Alan Strickland adding: "These 12 pledges certainly won’t be the only changes in Tottenham this year, but what they offer is a commitment to residents that they will be able to see real evidence of progress month-by-month."

Yet, there is no escaping the fact that over two years on from March 2012 Haringey Council has admitted that it has not delivered on all 12 pledges.

I welcome your comments.
Martin

PS Here are the '12 in 2012' pledges, and whether Haringey Council classifies them as completed or underway.

1. Launch a new Neighbourhood Action Team

Completed – A New Neighbourhood Action Team was launched and operational from March 2012.

2. Host pop-up activities at empty sites on the High Road

Completed - 639b was launched in July 2012, a Medley Market was held at Tottenham Green in September 2012, there were film screenings across Tottenham as part of Tottenham Film Festival in September 2012 and music events across Tottenham as part of the Tottenham Music Festival during December 2012.

There are also a number of activities planned for Summer 2014 including a food market at Tottenham Green (six Saturdays from 28th June to 2nd August, https://twitter.com/TottenhamMarket), as well as summer events incorporating music and entertainment. To keep up to date on events and activities planned go to http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/housing_and_planning/tottenham/tot...

3. Re-open Bruce Grove Youth Centre as part of a commitment to better youth services

Completed - Activities were relaunched at the centre in April 2012.

4. Launch a major jobs programme to generate 600 new jobs

Completed – A new Jobs for Haringey Programme was launched in May 2012.

5. Re-open the landmark 639 High Road as an enterprise and employment centre

Completed – the 639 enterprise centre was launched in May 2013.

6. Provide activities for young people with a multi-use games area at Ferry Lane

Completed – A ‘Cruyff Court’ multi use games area opened in August 2012.

7. Bring Olympics excitement to Tottenham through a summer festival

Completed – A programme of summer events was held between June – September 2012 (Tottenham Carnival Parade; Summer on the Green; Art on Tottenham Marshes; Park Art; Ooh Art; Torch Relay Celebration; PARAde).

8. Kick-off the multi-million pound Spurs-led Northumberland Development Project with a new supermarket

Completed - Construction work on phase 1 of the Northumberland Development Project scheme began on 24th September 2012 and the Sainsbury’s supermarket was opened in November 2013.

9. Remove the Tottenham Hale gyratory and improve road layouts between High Road and Broad Lane

Underway - Improvement works on the gyratory began in October 2012. They are all due to be complete (including the new bus station at Tottenham Hale) by end of August 2014.

10. Refresh public space at Tottenham Green, including Bernie Grant Arts Centre and the Holy Trinity Church yard

Completed - Work on Tottenham Green started on site in late 2013. The majority of the works are now complete and the Green was re-opened for public access on the 25th June 2014.

11. Upgrade Bruce Grove and improve Holcombe Market

Underway - Bruce Grove railway bridge was repainted in early spring 2014 and a design to light the underside of the bridge has been submitted to Network Rail for their agreement before works can commence.

Transport for London are currently preparing proposals to upgrade the public realm around Bruce Grove Station which will be subject to traffic modelling.

Designs for the improvements to Holcombe Road market received planning permission in 2013 and the scheme design is currently being worked up in more detail, to pre-construction stage, before work can begin on site.

12. Bring landmark shops back to the High Road – with Aldi back in business and rebuilding work underway at Carpet Right

Completed – The Post Office relocated to 476 High Road and reopened January 2012, the Job Centre Plus reopened April 2012, Aldi reopened in November 2012 and Carpetright reopened in 2013.