September Newsletter

Resident Board Member Elections

 

We are pleased to announce that following a record 48% voter turnout, the following residents were elected to our Board at the AGM on 24 September 2019.

Tenants: 

• Jessica McDaid
• Margaret Morris
• Edward Robinson

Leaseholder:

• Adzowa Kwabla-Oklikah

Congratulations to our new board members. We will be updating our website over the next weeks with more information on our new members. 
The agenda, past minutes and other papers for meetings are available at least five calendar days in advance of each meeting on this website. Dates of upcoming Board and committee meetings can be found in the events section.

Resident Reps 

As some of you may have read in previous newsletters, we worked through the summer to recruit new residents to our various involvement channels that we have re-vamped as a result of our refreshed engagement strategy.

As a result, we have received over 100 new interested residents; which led to a very successful recruitment to the independent Resident Scrutiny Panel (RSP) and the Resident Complaints Review Panel (CAP).

The recruitment process was robust, and competency based and included, assessment centres and interviews. We now have 14 new residents on RSP and 12 new members on CAP.

The new members are currently undergoing an induction training and the next issue of the newsletter will introduce all the members to and update you on the work they have done.

Resident Scrutiny Panel members review all relevant information to make recommendations for improving the service. Their feedback goes to our Board of Directors and Leadership Team who in turn have a duty to respond. They can also get involved in helping us draw up plans for implementing service improvements.

Resident Complaints Panel members are all residents who use their experience and knowledge to try and resolve complaints, listen to the complainant and help shape or improve our services in the process by ensuring we follow our policies and procedures.

Parking Consultation 

We are consulting all residents on estates which have parking controls about changing the way we manage parking and have already received over 625 responses in the last four weeks! 

The current parking controls aren’t fair as rents and service charges subsidise the running costs of the service, even residents who don’t use the parking.

We believe only those people who use the service should fund the costs of managing parking.

We also want parking to meet residents’ needs, wherever possible, but we can’t do that unless we know what is important to residents and what residents would like us to do.

Our preferred option is to use Traffic Management Orders – similar to Controlled Parking Zones on public roads. We believe the current Estate Controlled Parking Scheme must be replaced for the following reasons:

1. Residents tell us that estate parking is important but the way we manage it can improve.
2. It cannot pay for itself anymore, meaning rent and service charges subsidise the costs even if residents don’t use the parking or live on an estate with parking.
3. It is over 20 years old and can’t deal with the types of parking problems all residents experience on our estates now.
4. It is no longer effective because new legislation prevents us from clamping or towing vehicles.
5. Government policy has changed the way in which councils can manage parking arrangements on housing estate land.

We have put together some frequently asked questions to give more background to the consultation and the proposed changes.

Ensure your views are heard at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/parkingconsultation

The consultation runs until midnight on Friday 25 October, and we are encouraging all affected residents to have their say.

You can also come to one of our drop-in sessions (3.30-7.30pm) to find out more about our proposals and why we need to make changes:

• Wednesday 9 October - Civic Centre, High Road, Wood Green N22 8LE
• Wednesday 16 October - Civic Centre, High Road, Wood Green N22 8LE

Celebrating Black History Month

October is Black History Month, a chance to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black people in the UK.

Haringey’s 2019 programme promises an impressive line-up with a variety of activities and events across the borough.

The headline event will be the unveiling of an Oliver Tambo Statue in Albert Road Recreation Ground on Sunday 27 October. Oliver Tambo was a member of the ANC in South Africa who campaigned against apartheid. He was exiled from his country, and settled in Muswell Hill for 30 years.

Other key events in the programme include:

• Launch event on Tues 1 October at Wood Green Library
• Film screening of the critically acclaimed film The Nine Muses
• Two Black History Month-themed Broadway Brunches in our supported housing hubs
• Black History Month Community Fair
• Closing Event at Bruce Castle Museum

See the full Black History Month programme coordinated by Haringey Council for a list of the events planned for the month.

Summer round-up:
A day out in Westcliffe 

55 residents from our Supported Housing group went on their annual summer trip to Westcliffe, Southend this summer. It was made extra special this year as the Association of Tenant Reps (ATR) were involved in organising this annual trip. All coaches were accessible so that those using wheelchairs, or those with walking aids were able to come along too.

The residents were able to spend a whole day soaking up the sunshine and the event received positive feedback. 

Summer Community Event at Edgecot Grove

Members of the Edgecot Grove Resident Association organised this summer community event which was was well attended by over 200 residents.

Residents enjoyed a day out with their families and were spoilt for choice with a wide variety of events to choose from. Some of these events were face painting, wall climbing, a fancy dress competition for children, a smoothie bike and plenty of refreshments for everyone. 

Housing in Bloom

This year marks the 21st year of housing in bloom; however, this year we have made it bigger and better to celebrate 100 years of council housing.

This year we have opened the competition to all our residents as well as community groups and we have received over 70 entries including two schools.

Winners and runners up will be announced on Wednesday, 2 October at a ceremony at the Irish Centre.