Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Sunday 19th: Meeting about clean streets
After a number of recent threads on here about the miserable state of our streets, a few of us are planning a neighbourhood meeting on the subject.
When: Sunday, August 19, at 11am
Where: Beans and Barley on Green Lanes
The objective of the group is ... well, we'll find out, if anyone turns up! But based on discussions here on the site it will be to clear up the borough, with the ambition that doing so might deter future flytippers and result in longterm changes.
I dunno, but we might:
- Designate an autumn clean-up period
- Organise groups of volunteers to litter-pick in Harringay - in the ward itself and other wards, depending on who turns up.
- Try to find strategies to spread the word, before, during and after the event.
- Work on a strategy such that we're not just doing the council's job for it, but inspiring it to greater things.
Er, somehow.
By the way, this is separate from the recent post here - which is a great thing, but this is more about volunteering and community action.
The more people comment here on this forum, the less nebulous this will all be when we meet. And I have an immediate question. Does anyone know what to do with any rubbish that is collected?
Tags for Forum Posts: rubbish
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Charlotte on
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The below, which I received in answer to an enquiry about the cost of rubbish collections, will give you an idea about what to do with any rubbish you collect. I am reluctant to start collecting rubbish I think this is the council's responsibility. Residents need to have more community engagement to stop the littering and that is a very tricky one. Dumping of larger items need to be reported or it will go unaccounted for and services will be cut further.
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Permalink Reply by Dan77 on
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Thanks Charlotte, that's really helpful.
You're right, we shouldn't be aiming to take over from the council, but perhaps a brief but spectacularly thorough campaign might send a message or start a trend. I was going to propose we call it Broken Windows Harringay
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Thank you for your helpful email and also the links to Harringay online which I’ve also read.
We introduced further charges for bulky collection last summer. We had already been charging for some bulky items (fridges, white goods, large electrical) but extended the charge for all bulky items. This was in direct response to budget pressures across the Council. Most other authorities charge for bulky waste collection and our charge is low in comparison to most. For £25 you can get up to four items collected at a time. It is also worth noting there is no incentive in the Veolia contract for them to pick up additional fly-tips. The contract requires them to collect all fly-tips and they have targets for how quickly this should happen. They are performing well in respect of targets for clearance.
Since we introduced the charge we have not seen fly-tips increase and in particular we have not seen an increase in the numbers of bulky items such as mattresses or furniture being tipped. We have noticed that more people are grouping their collections so we pick up two three or four items at a time instead of a single item. We also believe more people are taking items to the Reuse and Recycle Centres.
As consumers we are all becoming more aware of the cost of disposal of waste both in monetary and sustainable terms. People are paying significantly more than £25 for new fridges/ furniture or mattresses and many suppliers will offer to take away old items as part of the sale. We are nonetheless reviewing the impact of the charges we introduced last summer and in particular to consider if they have had any unintended consequences.
In respect of Harringay ward, Green Lanes and the Ladders this has historically been an area which had higher levels of fly-tipping though not necessarily the worst in the borough. Specific spots such as Harringay Passage and Hewitts Road were particularly difficult but we have had some success there. This has been achieved by working with local residents, landlords and businesses to educate and advise, design out problems where possible and also enforce. To be successful we need input from residents. It is important that people report and tell us as much as they can about the who, why, when of fly-tipping. Any information received is treated in strict confidence. We are also keen to support community initiatives such as local clear up schemes and can supply bags, litter pickers and arrange for collection. In common with many authorities we have moved away from providing skips for regular clean up days as they become known quite quickly and are very soon abused by trade waste. However we would consider this sort of thing for an ad hoc community event.
I hope this reply helps and would be happy to discuss further anything we can do together to improve the area where you live.
Yours sincerely
Ian Kershaw
Commissioning & Client Manager (Community Safety, Enforcement and Waste)
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I'd love to come but already have commitments. Would be great to attend a follow up meeting if it is scheduled. Maybe in September?
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I'm sure it will take a while to gain momentum. Keep an eye on HoL, don't want to miss out on anyone who's interested
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Permalink Reply by Piers on
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Thanks for organising, I will come along. I have some friends in Streatham who have organised a similar group so will find out what they did with the rubbish (even though diff local authority)
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