"Attacked in Finsbury parked [sic] this morning"

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 17, 2015 at 13:33

I fear that our park is now seen solely in balance sheet terms: i.e. as an asset and matching liability by the current Council.

Rather than as a facility and amenity for the public.

In the 19th Century, Finsbury Park was originally paid for by ratepayers. It hasn't always been under the grip of Haringey Council: responsibility was transferred to it from the GLC in 1980. Our park is a matter of concern to the Council that in every way is peripheral.

If the current level of disregard and disinterest – if not abuse – continues, one has to wonder whether the current owner is the ideal steward, or whether some other vehicle might prove a better custodian for the public?

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Permalink Reply by Alice Mezzo on October 20, 2015 at 22:19

Please keeping fighting for our park. Thank you for taking a stand for ordinary people. We need in black and white what the council are raking in from film making and events against what they invest in the park for the people of Haringey. This will help incite action if the figures are simple, clear and stark.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 20, 2015 at 22:42

Thanks Alice!

Meantime, if you share their aims and objectives, please consider joining the park's only independent defender: The Friends.

Membership is without charge (though donations are welcome and voluntary help is also welcome).  I expect current membership of c. 250 to climb. The Stroud Green W.I. (Womens Institute) are helping the Friends too.

Although at last night's Scrutiny Review meeting, the need for cash trumped all other considerations, I was heartened to see the dozen-strong size of the Friends' Delegation: young and old, from Haringey, Hackney and Islington Boroughs: all united against the current municipal disregard for our park as a park.

The Council is trying, or pretending, to "mitigate" – what ought to be obvious to all – the un-mitigatable.

A letter of complaint from the Chair of Governors of Stroud Green School to the Leader of the Council, was read out by Jeremy Llewellyn-Jones (Hackney) at the beginning of the Friends presentation. It was a shocker and it even appeared to concern one or two members of the panel. Video here.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 28, 2015 at 23:40

Clive Carter continually uses the phrase our park in a way that is not inclusive. I use both Clissold and Finsbury (Clissold for softball and Finsbury for Tag Rugby and running. You can get antisocial behaviour in both - remember the attacks on the deer in Clissold a few years back and both parks have their share of drinkers in the summer. It seems that money is being spent on the park (look at the redevelopment of the basket ball courts but many of the Friends willfully ignore the investment and just like to moan about the concerts. Do people moan as much about Carters Steam Fair and the festivals in Clissold?

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Permalink Reply by John D on October 29, 2015 at 5:41

I am sure that when Clive uses the phrase " our park " he means that it belongs to us, the public, and not to the Council,

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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on October 29, 2015 at 8:36

Rubbish, as a politician he knows exactly what he's writing and how it can be (mis)interpreted.

If his party were running the council, would he still writing in the same style?

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 29, 2015 at 11:00

Stephen, neither parks nor libraries enjoy statutory protection and both are coming under pressure to their traditional roles.

John is right when I said "our" refers to the public, vis a vis councils. They are stewards of our parks, our amenity and used by us. However – and increasingly – councils act as conduits and more, for commercial interests. Not all of this is undesirable.

The position of The Friends of Finsbury Park is sometimes misrepresented. The Friends are not opposed to events and as far as I'm aware, never have been. The Friends are opposed to events of the size of Wireless. I hope that's clear enough.

This isn't only solely a Haringey issue. 

Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on October 20, 2015 at 22:51

The fact that none of the money appears to be going on sustainable employment for residents of the 3 boroughs that border the park is truly disappointing. Finsbury Park desperately needs more full time permanent staff. 5 full time park keepers would barely put a dent into the money the park generates but make a massive difference to its upkeep and appearance.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on October 23, 2015 at 10:22

More staff would be great but not sure about it hardly making a dent in the income.  One member of staff would costs something like 30-40k a year (this ISN'T what they are paid but the costs to the council for overheads like employer pension contributions. 20% on top of salary for overheads is a rough amount for overheads for most jobs).  So that would be £150-£200k per year in addition to the existing staff costs.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 23, 2015 at 10:54

It seems to me that our Local Authority is now unable or unwilling properly to upkeep our park to a year-round decent standard.

Given that residents' need for a proper, well-maintained public park is undiminished, one has to consider whether Haringey is a fit and proper steward and custodian. FP is not fully run-down from the time of the Lottery funded improvements and there is much worth keeping.

(by contrast, Hackney Council seem to be able to manage parks and in the case of Clissold Park, manage it very well).

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Permalink Reply by Ruth on October 23, 2015 at 18:51

And given the increasing number of flats being shoved up round the park (no gardens) more and more people will be requiring outside space. 

Clissold Park of course has that lovely grand old house with day time cafe and it's hired out as well for functions. But Finsbury Park has views. It is just got treated as the precious commodity it should be. 

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 23, 2015 at 19:23

And given the increasing number of flats being shoved up round the park (no gardens) more and more people will be requiring outside space.

This is an excellent point. I suspect that a few of those who care little for our public park may enjoy their own, private garden. However many do not own any kind of garden and prize all the more, the 112 acres that are currently, and largely free access.

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