Gina Adamou's Page

Personal Statement Gina Adamou
I am standing for the local election, because I believe that I can still make a difference in Harringay Ward. I have a great deal of experience of case work for local residents, I hold a busy surgery and increasingly deal with enquiries and casework by e mail. I have assisted local people on issues like housing, benefits, neighbour problems, planning issues etc.
An example of a recent case is that of a young care leaver who has got problems with a bad landlord, and also has got benefits/financial problems. I am helping her to get legal advice and deal with the issues affecting her life.
Through my work as a councillor work in Harringay ward I am constantly reminded why I got involved in local politics. I made a journey familiar to many women. I did not have the opportunity to finish my education, having come to Britain in 1960 with my family as a teenager. I married and had children young, working part time in low paid jobs. When all my children finished from Haringey schools, I then started getting involved in local politics in an active way. The issues I care passionately about include housing (I spent nearly half my life living in poor quality privately rented accommodation). Which is why, I have been working on HMO issues, leading to our area becoming a pilot for additional action for Haringey.
Poverty is a crucial issue for the ward, having experienced it personally, I believe in good state education, as a way of giving all young people a chance to achieve their potential. All my children and grand children are or have been in Harringay/Haringey schools.
Equality of opportunity, education is crucial to this, but so are good services and advice in particular for disadvantaged communities, often where English is not their first language. I have also experienced this, going back into further education once my children were old enough for me to have the time. I have worked and supported many voluntary sector organisations that provide support and advice.
I am passionate about ensuring good services are there for people who have pressures on life and need some support. Carers are one such group and I recently lead on a review of services to carers, recommendations to go to the cabinet.
I care about local environmental issues, I lobbied to get this ward the first in the east of the borough with a full recycling service, and yes I do report pot holes and pavements all over the ward for repair. I lead on two scrutiny reviews of recycling, with recommendations leading to the opening of the Hornsey centre. I am proud of the work with local residents and groups, this includes helping to raise funds to improve local parks, including Ducketts Common and Fairland Park.
As mayor I worked with my committee to raise funds for the Whittington Hospital pre-natal unit, to support families of premature babies. I am proud to say that we raised nearly £18,000 by holding fund raising events, including an “Elvis” night. I strongly believe in the NHS and have direct experience of the Whittington and North Middlesex Hospital. Through my work on the scrutiny Committee, I recently examined mental health provision making recommendations for improvement of services.
Locally I chair the area assembly, which what ever else could be said about it, residents do have their say. I am keen to improve this further and recently met with local residents to discuss ideas.
I remain committed to working for Harringay; I have lived in the ward since 1972, and did not rush to get into politics, but got actively involved when I could. The area is constantly changing, with new groups often with similar issues to past communities, but increasingly diverse and lively. My experience as a councillor means that I continue to support our Harringay community. There have been many improvements over the years, including better street lighting and community safety. However, there is plenty of work still to be done. There are too many betting shops, too much poor housing and many other issues in the area, but those of us who are committed to living In Harringay, are working for improvements. I have developed as a local councillor in Harringay, only ever standing here where I live for the Labour Party, and believe I have the experience and local knowledge to continue working for local residents.
Gina Adamou