Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
We assume the prosecutions are on their way then Haringey Council? Restaurant air pollution
The wind has meant another clean air week for the Ladder but with the choking pollution spreading across the Gardens instead.
Haringey Council needs to put a stop to pollution at the source. I'm looking forward to hearing the names of the restaurants who will be carrying out work quickly to make all of our lives much healthier. And those who aren't going to do anything...
The restaurants don't have to generate air pollution. We can have great food AND clean air - so we should be asking them why they won't invest a relatively small sum to do this.
Meanwhile, black smoke continues from the chimneys into the Gardens - especially worrying that this is happening during the morning school run when children will be exposed.
As residents ask yourself - how quickly would the council issue you with a fine or threat of prosecution? And are the restaurants being treated the same? We'd love to hear that they are!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter
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COUNCIL staff and the Party of the Ruling Group of the previous Administration enjoyed cosy relations with GL businesses.
My impression is there remains institutional reluctance to inititate prosecutions. Even naming and shaming may be too much for them. The council sometimes talks of using their "soft power" but this can elide into no power or just feebleness.
#Environment
#PublicHealth
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Permalink Reply by Zena Brabazon
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Hi Clive
We lost the election in May. The Greens are now running the Council. They represent the wards along Green Lanes affected by the air pollution. Anna and I set out a plan for working with the businesses to work together to make improvements. I don't know if this has been followed through.
I do know that we would have pushed hard to make it happen, and would have had no compunction about holding the officers to account. That is why we insisted public health be involved as air pollution is a public health issue. It wasn't about favouring businesses. It was about being proactive in seeking a solution and improvement. That starts with working in good faith with all parties.
Its five months since the local elections so maybe Clive, its time to start holding the new administration to account.
Zena
Zena BrabazonLabour Councillor, Harringay ward 2016-2026
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Hi Zena,
Lack of action on charcoal
-burning in GL businessesI don't doubt that you and Anna set out a plan. However, if the change that is needed means businesses having to lay out cash (even if tax deductible), then working together (with them) is unlikely to bring about that change.
On the other hand, prosecutions or the credible threat thereof, would concentrate minds.
I believe you when you said you'd been pushing and trying to achieve progress on this issue for several years. Was it since 2019?
I do not believe the lack of progress on restraining charcoal burning smoke emissions is a lack of willingness on the part of Councillors to advance Public Health measures but rather, the embedded inertia and unresponsiveness among council employees, AKA "officers".
Holding officers to account sounds robust, but unless that accounting is a great deal more than expressing frustration, then it is likely to be water of a duck's back. The dozens of High Officers paid six figure salaries must already feel not only well-padded, but also insulated from the concerns of many ordinary Haringey residents and most of whom are paid between double to four times the annual Allowance of the elected Council Leader.
Arrogance insulation alienation
My distinct impression from talking with persons who have frequent contact with council employees—including several Green Councillors—is that this chronic problem continues with the new Administration.
Institutional paralysis or staff obstruction and intransigence does not exist in all departments, but it does transcend Party politics.
It's a real problem; is it bad manners to raise it publicly?
My view is there is too much at stake and in this case, public health should not wait; the council spends a great deal of money and not all to good effect with too many employees forget who they are working for. Are there also not too many Chiefs and not enough Indians? Is the ballooning senior management structure another hurdle to action?
Earlier this year (or late last) a whole new £1 million layer of five über-Directors was established. Three of these "Corporate" Directors each manage only three other directors.
Does there exist a more top-heavy local authority in London?
The Greens are not, without qualification, running the council, because there is currnently no overall control. This situation may suit the staff well, as the default position leaves even more power in the hands of the "officers".
IMO, unless the Greens get much more assertive with council staff—and improve on the overall record of local New Labour—then they risk not being be re-elected in May 2030 and a return of a Labour Party, reformed after the departure of Kier Starmer.
#Environment
#PublicHealth
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Permalink Reply by Dan77
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Zena,
We have been complaining about the toxic smoke for nearly ten years. For all I know, longer. What I do know is that the previous administration effectively soft-batted us away - until about six weeks before this year's elections. This, anyway, is my account of things, please feel free to dispute it.
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In fairness, most or all candidates pay heightened attention to local issues in the run-up to local elections. The difference this time, in this Ward with this issue, is The Alice B. Factor.
Alice is resident in the Rebel Borough. And a mother and reasonably, legitimately and directly concerned about her children's health.
Whereas lack of interest or motivation from "officers" is year-round. And chronic, over years.
Time to end the internal cosiness. Time for action.
For the unimpeachable cause of Public Health.
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