Richard Wilson

Last month my colleague Ed Butcher predicted the Council’s plans to force residents in the Finsbury Park Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to return all their visitor parking permits would result in chaos (see previous post).  This prediction has proved correct – and we have been inundated with complaints from residents about how long it has taken to get replacement permits and from some who have been given incorrect permits.  And council officials patrolling the zone a few weeks ago found many cars still using old permits.

As a result of pressure from residents and local councillors the Council were forced to extend the deadline for people to stop using the old permits by two weeks.  However this extended deadline has now run out – and visitors using old permits now face fines.

It is so frustrating that the Council didn’t listen to our warnings last month and have pressed ahead in creating this predictable chaos.  Ed and I think that this two week amnesty is not enough and have urged the Council to not make the switch until 2012 – allowing residents to use up more old permits, and reducing the risk of visitors being fined.

The popular Station House Cafe in the Mind building on Stapleton Hall Road has been celebrating its first birthday.  Lynne Featherstone and I joined the Food Cycle team who run the cafe to help them mark the anniversary.

The Cafe has proved hugely popular with local Stroud Green residents both as customers and volunteers.  Local people have really bought into the FoodCycle concept of reducing waste, protecting the environment and providing nutritious food.   It’s also great to see the historic Station House being used by the local community.  

The Cafe is open every Friday lunch time and serves delicious and good value vegetarian food.  Details are on the FreeCycle website.

I’ve now been informed about the Council’s timeline for expanding the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) north from Ridge Road into Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfield, Denton and Uplands Roads as well as the remaining part of Weston Park.  Below is what I’ve received from the Council officers in charge of the project:

Programme of implementation for Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ

I am writing to inform you that Councillor Canver has approved the attached delegated report recommending the extension of the Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ to the agreed roads within your wards, as per statutory notification.

Please refer to the following key milestones for the delivery of these extensions.

• Drafting and printing of works notice: Finalised by 1 November
• Distribution of works notices to community: 1-3  November
• Publication of Notice of Making: 3 November
• Start of site works: 7 November
• Go live date for extensions: 12 December

I’ve been pressing the Council to implement the extension as quickly as possible – because many residents are telling me that the parking situation is getting worse and worse, and making life increasingly difficult.

Programme of implementation for Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ

I am writing to inform you that Councillor Canver has approved the attached delegated report recommending the extension of the Crouch End A and Stroud Green CPZ to the agreed roads within your wards, as per statutory notification.

Please refer to the following key milestones for the delivery of these extensions.

Drafting and printing of works notice                      Finalised by 1 November

Distribution of works notices to community            1-3  November

Publication of Notice of Making-                             3 November

Start of site works-                                                    7 November

Go live date for extensions                                      12 December

There was a huge turnout yesterday for the grand medieval-themed opening of the new Stationers Park play area, organised by the Friends of Stationers Park.  It was clear that the kids absolutely loved the new ‘castle’ with its slides, fireman’s pole and rope ladder.  I had the privilege of helping local children to cut the ribbon to official open the fort.

Before cutting the ribbon, I took the opportunity to say a big thank you to the Friends of the Park, and particularly Kle Savidge, for the amazing work they have done to get this new play castle built.  It has taken a huge amount of imagination and determination to get the funds raised and the designs agreed.  Without the Friends giving up their time and energy I’ve no doubt that there would be no play are at all – as the old fort was at the end of it’s life.

Everyone loved the old play fort – but I think the new castle is going to inspire another generation of Stroud Green children to have a lot of fun.

The Friends of Stationers Park have organised an amazing medieval themed grand opening ceremony for the new play area, this Sunday (16th) from 2pm till 5pm.  There will be music, jugglers, crafts and entertainment – with a  medieval fancy dress parade, and prizes for the best costumes.  Drinks and nibbles will be provided by local Crouch End businesses.

I’m looking forward to joining in – and seeing the new play fort at the heart of the local community.   Getting the new play area built has been a huge battle, with a massive amount of hard work by the Friends to get the finance together – so everyone definitely deserves a party.

Council officers have revealed the results of the consultation to extend the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) into the vale roads north of Ridge Road.   54% of respondents were in favour of the expansion with 42% against (and 4% unsure).  There were 186 responses.

The parking officials have now recommended to Cllr Canver, the Labour Councillor in charge of parking in Haringey, that the Stroud Green CPZ is extended to cover the entire consultation zone (Nelson, Inderwick, Mayfeild, Denton and Uplands Road and Weston Park).  Although there were strong pockets of objections in some streets, the officers believe they have ‘broad support’ to implement the CPZ expansion.  The decision is now with Cllr Canver.

As local councillors we worked hard to make sure this consultation took place, and then to try to make sure everyone could have their say – whether for or against parking controls.  We have pressed the Council to listen to residents and go for the decision backed by the most people.  I’ve also said that if they decide to expand the CPZ they should implement the extension as quickly as possible to help residents being effected by displacement parking.

Stroud Green councillor Katherine Reece has joined local MP Lynne Featherstone on a last minute push to get local parents to back the campaign for fair funding for our schools.   The Government are holding a consultation on school funding formulas which ends on Tuesday 11th October – and this is an opportunity to end the long-standing unfairness of Stroud Green schools receiving less funding than those in nearby boroughs.

Schools in Haringey receive as much as £1,500 less per pupil than schools over the border in Hackney and Islington, because Haringey is counted as Outer London by the Department for Education – even though Haringey teachers get paid inner London salaries.   This anomaly has existed for decades – but thanks to Lynne’s campaigning it may be coming to an end as the Government consultation proposes a better ‘combined approach’ formula that would remedy the situation.

You can respond to the consultation and demand fair funding for Stroud Green’s schools on the Department for Education’s website.  It’s outrageous that children who live on the north side of Stroud Green Road receive thousands of pounds less school funding than those who live on the south side.  Lets hope Katherine and Lynne’s hard work pays off.