Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Post Riot: Haringey Community Panel Launched
The following press release from the Council this morning:
Making Haringey a better place than ever before is the ambition behind a community panel launched today by Haringey Council.
Far from simply recovering from the recent riots, formation of the panel marks a determination to draw on local ideas and experience to do the very best for the borough in both the immediate and long term future.
Council Leader Claire Kober, who will chair the panel, said: “We’re eager to build on the energy and commitment which have been so strong in Haringey since the disturbances.
“The emphasis of the panel will be on pulling together the views, knowledge and ideas of the community. No one person or group has a monopoly on this, which is why we wanted a varied panel to listen to people’s views.
“Everyone has a right to be heard and I am confident in the panel’s ability to listen and to bring thinking together into practical recommendations to move us forward for the benefit of everyone.”
Acknowledging the borough’s flourishing community and business network, Cllr Kober added: “There is no shortage of inspiration out there and it is vital that these groups feed into the panel.
“We will also link up with each of the local Area Forums so that individuals are able to get involved and make suggestions.
“This is not about a fixed agenda, we want to hear what the community wants to see and try to take that forward.
“The voluntary sector and other parts of the community already have an enviable reputation for high achievement and anything we can do to help with that must be good.”
The panel will meet for the first time in early September to agree its approach, how best to engage with groups and individuals and its timetable.
The panel will review existing data and also draw on fresh input from local people and organisations.
An action plan with timetable will be published, following the first meeting, as will regular updates on progress.
Panel members are:
- Tony Hartney, headteacher of Gladesmore School
- Sharon Grant, Citizens Advice Bureau
- Michael Polledri, Chairman, Lee Valley Estates
- Eugenia Gerghaty, North London Citizens Exec, Jesuit Parish Council, former headteacher at Tottenham School and Ladies Convent School
- Georgina Walters, Homes for Haringey Board
- Jo Olsson, Tottenham resident, Director of Children, Education and Families Services at Thurrock Council
- Symeon Brown, Haringey Young People Empowered (HYPE)
- Aziza Ali, West African Women’s Welfare Group
- Father Miller, Archdeacon of Hampstead
The panel is looking for views, ideas, research, feedback and information for building a better borough.
Individuals or groups should send this to: Community Panel, 5th floor, River Park House, 225 High Road, N22 8HQ or email haveyoursay@haringey.gov.uk
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by William Booth on
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In theory this is a good initiative, it will be good to have a focal point for ideas coming from the community. They will have to demonstrate that they are not just a) a talking shop or b) gatekeepers preventing 'unsuitable' ideas getting any further.
I would, though, be keen to know how these people were chosen and particularly *who* chose them. I hope it's not the old "community leaders" nonsense again, which is pretty undemocratic and also (sometimes) a bit racist.
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Permalink Reply by Beewan Athwal on
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There's a meeting being held in Tottenham too on the 6th Sept, see link:
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/latest_news/area-f...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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I would have thought that Michael Polledri has something of a conflict of interest. His company, Lee Valley Estates Ltd is the developer of the so-called Hale Village.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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I agree. It would be better if some active local residents were part of this initiative rather than developers making money in the area.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Wouldn't you want to see Hale Village developed in accordance with the wishes of the residents ?
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Broadly speaking, Hale "Village" is being built "in accordance with the wishes" of its owners - Lee Valley Estates Ltd - and its associates Unite Student Housing and Newlon Housing Trust. Michael Polledri's firm is behind this development. I've met him only very briefly. The firm's website quotes him as follows:
"We aim to create high quality, sustainable and affordable developments, giving good value for money in both our commercial and residential schemes. Importantly, this is the aspiration of people in the local
communities where we work."Mr Polledri also seems to be involved in meetings about a so-called "Cultural Quarter" in Tottenham Green. As far as I know, local ward councillors have neither been included nor consulted about these meetings - which I only discovered by chance.
To avoid any misunderstanding, I support the involvement of local businesses in debates and discussions about local issues. They have a valuable contribution to make and it would be pointless and silly to try to exclude or ignore them. Almost identical issues arise with not-for-profit agencies. (The so-called "Third" or "voluntary" sector.)
But as a first step it's essential to abandon the word "Partnership" when local councils sit round a table with local commercial and not-for-profit organisations. Such gatherings fall on a continuum. At one end we may find altruism and enlightened self-interest. Sometimes individuals and organisations have similar or overlapping interests; they can and do co-operate constructively. At the other end, there's what Zena describes as "suspension of mutual loathing in pursuit of money".
A crucial first step is identifying cui bono? Who benefits? To make the differing interests open and transparent. We we also need effective checks and balances.
Below is my photo on 28 August of the buildings at the western edge of the "Village". Maybe there are Tottenham residents for whom this out-of-scale, out-of-place development is their best aspiration for Tottenham and Haringey. I've yet to meet one.
The building on the right of the photo is Emily Bowes Court which is Unite Student Housing. The middle (greenish) block is De Havilland Court and has flats apartments from Newlon. On the left - under construction - is another student block.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Same old pious do-gooders. The problem has always been there, the riots were just a symptom.
Why could they just not get behind Andrew Thornton's work?
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Does anyone recognise this artist? He sat in High Road Tottenham and Dowsett Road painting riot damage.
I'd like to give him a credit.
The photo, by the way, is not mine but by Laurence Cumming - a local resident who took dozens of post-riot photos and gave me permission to post them on Flickr.
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Alan, you may be right. But at least consider the possibility that this cool artist may be gloating as he captures his own or others' handiwork for posterity. Better not take chances - the Met's Thought dept should be given the option of feeling his collar, if only for any concealed hood attachment.
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