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 John D on
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I particularly dislike flyposting on trees - very prevalent in front of Hornsey library - and tear them down. If there is a contact telephone number I call and let them know how I feel and usually get a positive response.
Somewhat hypocritically perhaps, I don't touch notices about missing dogs / cats etc
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Permalink Reply by JLJones on
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Apologies for the delay in answering this post - we're a bunch of volunteers doing different jobs, many of us busy right now and some on holiday. I'm sorry but this is the first we've heard of this fund. We have never been approached by the council regarding this. You're welcome to come to our meetings to find out more about who we are and what we do. There's a lot we'd like to see in Finsbury Park to bring it up to the standard of Clissold Park. Tris, not sure if that's your real name but I'd be happy to discuss further.
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From memory I think the policy you refer to says something like 'Friends of the park', and doesn't actually say Friends of Finsbury Park which as you know is a charitable organisation. The policy document doesn't seem to mention us. I know its tedious to repeat but The Friends have never had sight nor smell of this fund - the wording in the policy document doesn't refer to us as an organisation. Its also worth saying we're not against all events but Wireless is unpleasant for tens of thousands, damages the infrastructure of the park and all the other stuff you've heard from us and you whinge on about us whingeing on. Haringey could take over the park for 3 months if it exercised the powers its gifted itself. Fair?
I'm not going to answer Localist below - all I would say is that its interesting that both of you are anonymous as far as this forum goes.
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Thanks for this and thanks for explaining the 'partial' anonymity. As I said before happy to meet and talk.
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Thanks for this and your thoughts. You raise some interesting points. Part of the problem is that events impact three boroughs. I live in Hackney and none of the money is spent in my borough. Some is spent in the park.
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Permalink Reply by Konrad B on
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Tris, the policy regarding the environmental impact charge and addressing immediate priorities was not part of the main Outdoor Events Policy document which went to the Council Cabinet in December 2013. All that that document said was
8.4 “Environmental Impact Charge – All applicants will be charged a flat rate fee dependent on their event to cover the cost of the environmental impact on the park.”
How the fee was to be used was left to Appendix A (8.2.6).
It is not surprising if people, Including the Friends of Finsbury Park (FoFP), did not spot the reference in the Appendix as the nowhere in the consultation document for the 2013 consultation on Finsbury Park events was there any mention of this Environmental Impact Charge. The reality of these meetings and the documents produced for them is that those attending skim through the text. Councillors have the advantage that they are briefed by Council officials but no one briefs other attendees on what items they should be looking out for.
Once the policy is passed it is incumbent on the Council officials to inform all of those affected by the policy. So, in this case the Council should have written to the FoFP and informed them that the policy allowed them to identify funding priorities. Perhaps you should ask your Council contact when they wrote to the FoFP.
Regarding the Council not raising this issue with the Friends over the last year, over the last eighteen months FoFP has participated in Haringey Council’s Finsbury Park Events Stakeholder meetings which consider the implementation of the Council’s Outdoor Events policy in Finsbury Park. These meetings are attended by event organisers, Councillors and Council officials and FoFP and other local organisation representatives. As far as I am aware, at none of these meetings did the Council side invite involvement in the spending of any income.
I write as an ordinary member of FoFP (and not afraid to give my name!)
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"probably amounts around £30-40K"? I agree with Alan that we need more accurate financial data as the basis for our discussions. Extrapolation from policy information is not helpful.
Please do not tell me which threads to use. This is more properly the job of site Admin, whose guidance/ correction I am willing to accept.
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Permalink Reply by Liz R on
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If the FoFP snub the funds generated by park events it seems somewhat ridiculous to be part of a group claiming to act in its interest. Obviously there is the anti events policy stuff on their website, but there is also this on the membership page, suggesting people join so they can continue to:
-Act as a forum and voice for all Finsbury Park users from surrounding boroughs-Find ways to protect and improve the natural and historic environment of Finsbury Park-Liaise with stakeholders on all matters concerning the use of Finsbury Park and proposed developments-Work in partnership with local organisations and the local community to increase access to the Park-Provide activities in Finsbury Park for the benefit of local people-Hold meetings for our members.I'm not sure who the Friends actually are, but I suspect some of them could be people on here that have dismissed anyone who doesn't totally agree with them about the council's events policy. If so, then it's not really acting as a voice for park users, so much as agenda pushing regardless of what park users think.We're all park users, but maybe only a certain type of park user is welcome.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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Friends groups, rightly or wrongly, are often the only way that residents can engage with the council as the council have a tendency to ignore individuals and people who write complaints on local forums. Without a strong and active Friends group for example, Lordship Rec wouldn't have been improved out of all recognition, nor would Downhills be so well looked after. You are right, they are often small groups but, generally I'd say, not because they want to be.
So to reiterate Malcolm's point, as far as I know, anyone is free to join and there is strength in numbers. If you don't agree with their actions, join them and get the change and/or information you are asking for.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Tris, you've now heard from two FoFPs. I think you're going to have to accept the possibility that you may been given bad information. I'd suggest that an info check is in order. Please make sure to come back and share what you find out. Right now, it's looking like the FoFP may have been unfairly criticised.
Jeremy and Konrad. Thanks for your patient and polite explanations.
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I write as an ordinary member of the public and named. Thanks for the detail above but it feels to me like you haven't really grasped Konrad's piece which is clear and simple. I don't think the Friends are missing an opportunity as my understanding is to date none has been presented to the Friends.
Its also worth saying that many resident who live close to the park would like to see big improvements in infrastructure and facilities - Clissold Park is a world away in terms of being a pleasurable experience. A better park is all most people want.
I would also like to add that I remain uncertain about the continued presence of anonymous contributors on a forum like this. I've read and understood your and other people's reasons but it doesn't sit well with me. Who knows, you might even work for a local Council.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Well, I don't know about the other contributors but I don't work for the council, not that it should make any difference as contributors are local people with an interest in where they live.
I have written to the chair of FoFP to see if we can get any clarity on the position of the Friends on using these funds and also to Cllr McNamara to see if he can unravel some of the history.
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