This week we launched our manifesto for the local elections with six key borough-wide pledges. The document is called ‘A Fresh Start for Haringey’, and after 40 years run by Labour – our borough really does need a fresh start!
The six key pledges are:
1. More police on the beat – We will put more police on the beat when and where they are needed most with new 24 hour local police teams.
2. Fairer funding for our schools – We will fight to end Labour’s unfair school funding system, which gives every Haringey child £1,000 a year less than children in neighbouring boroughs.
3. Secure future for Children’s Services – We will end the culture of cover-up and secrecy on child protection, and protect funding for vital children’s services.
4. Freeze Council Tax – We will freeze Council Tax until at least April 2012, by cutting waste – such as Labour’s £3m PR budget.
5. Cleaner Streets – We will clean up Haringey’s streets with 200 more litter bins and a ‘Clean Streets Warden’ from every neighbourhood.
6. Real Action on the Environment – We will take real action on the environment by boosting recycling and investing £5 million in a fund for green projects.
I’ve been part of the team that has been working on the manifesto and key pledges for the last 18 months – and I can safely say they based on the concerns and aspirations of the local residents I speak to in Stroud Green. Very many Stroud Green residents are concerned about safety and crime after it gets dark. Our positive plans for more late-night policing will really make a difference.
In Stroud Green people really do care about the environment and climate change, and so I’m really pleased we’ve been able to commit £5 million to a green investment fund. In Islington, a similar fund has been used to boost the use of renewable energy in local community organisations – cutting energy costs and pollution. Haringey could be leading the way on environmental issues like Islington, Camden, Richmond and other Lib Dem boroughs – rather than dragging its feet and missing targets, as it does at present.
I really hope that we are given the opportunity to put these plans into action. This week we will also be announcing our three key pledges just for Stroud Green. Look out for these on a leaflet through your door soon!