Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Funding opportunity squandered by Friends of Finsbury Park
Major events in Finsbury Park generate a substantial income for the borough and it is up to the council to direct how the majority is spent.
However, organisers of events also pay an 'environmental impact charge' of up to £10,000 per event, which is supposed to be used to fund priority improvements to the park identified by FoFP. The total so far from the events in 2014-15 probably amounts to around £30-40k.
I asked one of their members about this last week in one of the many threads about Wireless Festival, but got an evasive answer. So I asked the council - their response:
"I can confirm that we have not had a conversation with the Friends about this opportunity this year. In the past they have made it clear that they do not wish to have any involvement in the spending of any income raised from events, let alone what they might prioritise in terms of investment of any money collected as environmental impact fees."
In other words, they are turning down the chance to use money which is already available to make much needed improvements to the park simply because they are unhappy with the policy to host major events there.
Whatever you happen to think of the major events - and please use one of the other threads if you want to continue that discussion - their failure to take advantage of this opportunity is very disappointing and clearly doesn't represent the best interests of all park users. I hope they will reconsider their position.
On a more positive note, perhaps we can use this thread to suggest some small scale improvements for the park which can hopefully be taken forward by the Friends if they can be made to see sense. For example, think about about minor enhancements which would improve the environment or accessibility of the park - perhaps new planting schemes or some more benches which would make visiting easier for people who need to rest at frequent intervals. This funding isn't for general maintenance and repairs, which the council looks after, or about making good damage from events, which is the event organiser's responsibility.
Tags for Forum Posts: finsbury park, finsbury park events, fofp, friends of finsbury park, funding, improvements
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Thanks for this Tris. It seems a real shame that this money is going into the general coffers when it could be spent on things that could be of real benefit to park users. Do any of the FoFP want to comment on why the group decided to take this stance?
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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They may believe that " you cannot touch pitch without being defiled " ?
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Maybe, but I'm more of a "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" person. We're hardly talking blood diamonds here.
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What I meant was they may feel that to participate in the allocation of the funds they weaken their case for opposing events like Wireless which generate those funds - IF that's what they want to do.
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Well what is getting quite frustrating is that despite being asked a few times on this and another thread, no one from. FoFP has come forward to say what their policy is and why. That's what leads to speculation
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Posting a question to a group of people via a public website isn't always the best method.
I suggest "going to the front door". In this case, finding out the name and contact details of the Chair and Secretary and asking them.
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Suppose someone could do that but then it becomes a conversation between two people This thread has generated a fair amount of interest and a few FoFP members have contributed elsewhere on related issues so it feels more open and transparent to me to have the conversation here.
So there is no confusion, I am one of the people who think the events policy needs looking at again and I have real worries about how the park is put out of general use for increasingly long periods BUT I also appreciate that these events have a fair bit of local support too.
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Of course, Michael, I agree. But I'm not suggesting the conversation remains between two people. Many people on HoL have emailed the Council, other bodies, or individuals and posted replies here.
As a councillor I often advised people to "go through the front door". Meaning: let's not guess, but just ask. In my experience people are usually willing to give an answer to a direct question put with courtesy and openness.
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You're assuming that people - or at least the key people - read HoL and follow the appropriate threads. Perhaps they do; perhaps they don't. But rather then speculate I see few disadvantages in emailing someone directly then copying their response to this forum. (Unless perhaps they ask you not to because the reply involves a private matter.)
There have been times when I've posted in a thread on HoL which I stopped following when it seemed to have petered out. And so entirely missed some comment directed at me.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Alan I posted some comments published in Friday's Islington Gazette, here. It's not hard to contact the fast-growing FoFP: the registered Charity is on web, email, Facebook and Twitter.
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