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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

LAST night's letter from The Friends of Finsbury Park to Haringey Council

LAST evening, Registered Charitable Trust The Friends of Finsbury Park issued what could be seen as a final warning to Haringey Council, not to proceed at 9:30 this morning with their Cabinet Member Signing for another five-year deal with Live Nation:

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From: [personal email address]
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Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2026 10:48:43 pm
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To: peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk a href="mailto:peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peray.ahmet@haringey.gov.uk>; emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk a href="mailto:emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emily.arkell@haringey.gov.uk>; Andy Donald a href="mailto:andy.donald@haringey.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">andy.donald@haringey.gov.uk>
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Subject: Request to postpone the Signing of the 5-year deal with Festival Republic/Live Nation on Friday 20th 2026

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Friends of Finsbury Park (FoFP) is greatly concerned that the Council’s decision to delay the Cabinet Signing Meeting by one day—in response to FoFP’s initial objection—and subsequent pressure on stakeholders to make hasty submissions, to which officers could not realistically consider, does not discharge the Council’s requirement to consult about the multi-event park hire application (under Haringey’s Outdoor Events Policy).
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The Policy expressly requires “sufficient time” to consult “all” stakeholders and especially Friends Groups. We are concerned also that the proposed Decision makes no mention of the Full Council’s prior commitment (at 21 July 2025 Full Council meeting) to review its position in relation to use of permitted development rights for allowing major events (following the High Court’s ruling against Lambeth Council in May 2025 and subsequent ruling again against Lambeth this month, on 2 March 2026).
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We therefore call again for the consultation to be reissued to give all stakeholders a proper and sufficient time for response, and for consideration, in accordance with Haringey’s policy.
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To proceed as you propose, would in our opinion, reinforce our view that this would not meet the criteria for a meaningful consultation.
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Alternatively, we will seek legal advice to challenge Haringey’s disregard for its own policy and for stakeholders considered views.
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Yours sincerely,
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Gina Harkell
Katie Dawson
Joint Chairs
Friends of Finsbury Park
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Tags for Forum Posts: Andy Donald, Brockwell Park, Cabinet Member Signing, Emily Arkell, Festival Republic, Finsbury Park, Haringey Council, High Court, Live Nation, Peray Ahmet, More…Private Eye, Ticketmaster

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Larklander yesterday

A representation which appears to have bounced off without leaving a dent. According to today's Haringey People email (arriving in my inbox a few minutes ago):

"Global stars continue to perform as Finsbury Park secures further long-term funding

"Finsbury Park will continue to host world-class music, with events generating vital long-term funding and investment that benefits both local residents and users of the iconic open space.

"As we get ready for our year as London Borough of Culture 2027, we have signed another five-year deal with event organiser Festival Republic, ensuring major events and stars will be showcased in the park each summer through to 2032."

"Approved at a Cabinet Member Signing today (Friday 20 March 2026), this latest contract generates significant income for the park and benefits nearby businesses, the local economy and the wider community."

And on, and on. Lengthy encomia from Peray Ahmet and Emily Arkell omitted in the interests of brevity.

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter yesterday

THANKS Larklander; the council's PR copy is quite long; the drafting of which may have begun at some point earlier in the week. The account of the rubber-stamping is on their webpage linked below:

Global stars continue to perform as Finsbury Park secures further long-term funding

Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton 6 hours ago

When democrats discuss and debate serious issues I expect them to listen carefully and with respect to one another's views and opinions. There are many codes of debate seeking to ensure this. An example are Parliamentary rules stipulating for example, different stages of bills. And regulating the relations among different parties.

The London Borough Council of Haringey has a written Constitution. Among its provisions is one  for a "Call-ln". Our Constitution appears to stipulate that for a matter to be subject to Call-In it must affect at least two or more wards. And involve £500,000 or more. Plainly this new Finsbury Park partial privatisation contract closely involves two or more wards - even ignoring the adjacent Hackney wards. Just as plainly this contract with Live Nation is a big deal and  may involve £millions over a planned five years.
Currently we have LibDem opposition councillors and a sole Green councillor.
One vital task of Opposition Councillors is to oppose.

Are the two opposition parties talking to each other to challenge the anti-election and Undemocratic Labour decision?

There are a very limited number of days now available, So they need to get going quickly.  

Or maybe both other Parties agree with Labour about ignoring pointless ceremonial elections?
Maybe I'm naive and out of date? Perhaps all major decisions should just be rushed through now?
Perhaps a Trump-style Big Leader could be delegated all decisions until 2030?
If all current whipped and pre-choreographed meetings were cancelled.Think how much cash is saved.

Or why not go straight to A.I. directed rule NOW. 

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