Barnet Green Party's 2010 election launch at Tally Ho Corner.

North Finchley is due to acquire a new Cultural Quarter, courtesy of the Mayor’s regeneration funding.

Barnet Green Party chair Andrew Newby had a letter published in the Barnet Times (26-1-12, p20), What About the Pollution? Here it is. Below that are Poppy’s reflections on the proposed plans.

What about the pollution?

The Mayor of London’s office has announced that North Finchley will receive a grant of more than £1m for a street makeover near the Arts Depot and at Tally Ho corner.

Let us hope the money is spent effectively.

When will Barnet Council or the Mayor of London find some money to do something about the unhealthy pollution levels in North Finchley?

The Tally Ho pollution monitor has recorded average annual Nitrogen Dioxide levels around 50 percent above the World Health Organisation recommended maximum every year since the monitor was installed in the 1990s. See the Barnet section on http://www.londonair.org.uk/.

Nitrogen Dioxide, emitted mostly by motor vehicles, can itself damage your lungs and can combine with other substances to form other pollutants.

Specialists tell me that taking action to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide at Tally Ho would require a political decision to fund a project.

Barnet Green Party has campaigned on this issue for several years but unfortunately, neither Mayor of London Boris Johnson nor Barnet Council’s Conservative administration seem much bothered about pollution, in North Finchley or anywhere else.

I hope the people who go to see the promised ‘public art displays’ at the Arts Depot are not affected by the fumes they will be inhaling.

Not that there are likely to be many such people, unless Barnet Council sorts out its car parks policy.

Ironically, the freshest air in North Finchley at the moment is probably right in the middle of Lodge Lane car park. At midday on Saturday, a time when the car park would once have been jam-packed, the windswept rows of empty parking spaces provided forlorn evidence of the failure of Barnet Council’s switch to payment by mobile phone.

The council needs to revise its car parking policy urgently. Many suggestions have been made. One idea would be for Barnet to link in to the Oyster system so that users can just touch in and touch out of council car parks, being charged for the length of time their vehicle had been in the car park. Or Barnet could use one of the systems available which read a chip embedded in the vehicle.

Of course linking to Oyster or something other system would require an initially outlay but the council should quickly gets its money back from fuller car parks.

To go back to my initial point, if money can be found to pay for a “cultural quarter” in North Finchley why can’t any be found to try to reduce pollution or sort out Barnet’s car parking crisis?

What About Local Businesses?

The ArtsDepot is in a desolate wind tunnel

I welcome the overdue news that the area around the ArtsDepot in North Finchley is due to receive a facelift.
The Artsdepot towers in a shabby windswept urban desolation that does its best both to run over and blow away any brave soul who strays into its narrow orbit.

The borough recently announced that the Mayor of London has allotted over £1million to create a new Cultural Quarter around the Artsdepot, to include they say “new lighting, a space for public art installation and improved signage… [plus] improved pedestrian access, decluttering the high street as well as supporting local businesses to give the high street an uplift.”

I look forward to find out more about the plan: how is it proposed to undo the wind tunnel effect; to cut the heavy pollution in the area; and to make the quarter welcoming to local people. More realistically I want to know a lot more about the substance behind the promise to “support local businesses”.

I know culture quarters. I’ve seen them in regenerated areas such as London’s South Bank and Brunswick Square. They all feature the same uncheap eateries (whose names commemorate their Italian founder, or South American reptiles, or African long-necked ungulates, you know the ones I mean). Once opened, they might claim “local business” status. Lets not let that happen.

Listen Barnet, support genuinely local businesses that will give us a sense of community. You could start by bringing back the wonderful Quadruples and Lavender Lady, our local health food shops (we’re losing the Finchley Health Food Centre) that could perhaps expand into catering. Talk to Helen at Buzz Cafe and the industrious people at Ari about how to talk to the local businesses and what works for them. Keep out the big chains and keep your promise.

In you can help, come to our stall outside the Co-op in Woodhouse Road, Friern Barnet, any time from 10am.We would like to leaflet the whole of the ward if possible.

The NLWA will resubmit its plan in May, after the London elections.

Labour and Conservative councillors on the authority don’t want Pinkham Way plans discussed during the election campaign.

We do!

Voting Green in May is the only way to be sure of voting against the polluting eyesore.

Green research shows that the plant could be an enormous white elephant. If total rubbish collected in North London continues to fall as it has done over the past four years the Pinkham Way MBT could be completely unneeded by 2016, meaning the NLWA might have to bring in rubbish from other areas to keep it operating.

Barnet Greens have also submitted 38 proposals for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey boroughs to improve their waste reduction, re-use and recycling operations, showing how the total volume of waste could fall more sharply even than current trends.

The NLWA is not expecting to reach a recycling rate of 50 percent before 2020 but many other municipalities have proven that a 50 percent rate can be achieved very quickly with the right systems.

Contact: Andrew.Newby@barnetgreenparty.co.uk

London’s Green Party is calling on banks to be more supportive of small businesses by seeking to require the Greater London Authority group—including Transport for London— to deal only with banks that demonstrate they’re lending to London’s small businesses.

A M Poppy, Barnet Green Party Candidate for Barnet and Camden, said: “Boris must end his nefarious affair with the big banks.” (The Bank of England’s latest quarterly trends show that lending to small businesses actually fell by 5.1% in August last year.)

Poppy said: “While the bankers rely on their big bonuses they neglect the businesses that we rely on.

“The economic crisis we’re in requiresdrastic action to straighten out our economy. A beginning is to send a strong signal that banks are meant to be a service for our local economies.”

Green Party Mayoral Candidate Jenny Jones said: “The Mayor’s support for the City of London comes at the expense of ordinary Londoners, especially at a time when so many of London’s small businesses are finding times hard.

“As the capital London must lead the way in helping change the culture of banking from casino-style speculation to useful business lending.”
More details on the Green Party’s policies towards the City of London and small businesses can be found at http://bit.ly/bankingideas

Reacting to figures released this week that show child poverty stands at 21% in Barnet and 37% in Camden, AM Poppy, Green Party London Assembly candidate for the area, said:

“I was shocked to hear such high numbers of children are living in poverty, often in supposedly affluent areas.

“Isn’t the problem that their parents are in poverty? Isn’t it time to start rewarding women’s work properly? Work outside the home, and work at home too. Recognising women’s work is way overdue. And so is paying for it properly.”

Green Party Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones said: “These shocking figures reflect the damaging policies of Westminster and the misplaced priorities of our Mayor. The people of London deserve better.

“Public sector cuts have taken away part of the capital’s safety net for those struggling financially and increased the strain on families struggling to stay afloat. Many of the parents of these children are in work but don’t earn enough to ensure a high standard of living.

“Boris Johnson is a banker’s Mayor who has done much to protect the interests of his wealthy friends but very little for children facing an uncertain future.

“In contrast Green Assembly Members have been behind the introduction of the London Living Wage and are now pushing for 10:1 maximum pay ratio—starting with City Hall—to help reduce excessive pay and reduce poverty across the capital.”

The figures can be found here.

Notes:

1. Photos of Green Party candidates, including Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones, can be found here.
2. A list of Green Party London policies can be found here.
3. A full list of Green Party candidates for the London Assembly elections can be found here.
4. A list of achievements by the Green Party in the London Assembly can be found here.
5. The Green Party of England and Wales promotes the policies of ecological sustainability, a fairer more stable economy, a more equal society, a higher standard of democracy and accountability of politicians to the communities they serve, and social justice on the global level as well as in our own country.
6. Caroline Lucas became the UK’s first Green MP in the 2010 General Election.
7. The Green Party is now the largest party on Brighton and Hove Council.

AM Poppy (left) and Jenny Jones at Avenue House in Finchley

Photo call – do join us!

What: London Assembly candidate launch

Who: Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones, London Assembly candidate for Barnet and Camden A M Poppy

When: 11am, 5 December 2011
Where: Hendon Town Hall,NW4 4BG

The Green Party’s AM Poppy will on Monday launch her campaign to become London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden with a call to make London a ‘fair pay city.’

The Green Party’s Mayoral candidate, Jenny Jones, will join Poppy at the event on the steps of Hendon Town Hall to launch the party’s 10:1 Campaign in the two boroughs. The campaign aims to reduce inequality in the capital by calling for businesses, councils and other employers in London to ensure that their highest-paid employee earns no more than 10 times the wages of their lowest-paid.

Barnet Council has recently reduced the number of managers on salaries above £145,000 from nine to three. However Council leader Richard Cornelius has refused to support the 10:1 campaign or calls for him to ensure all his staff are paid a London Living Wage, currently set at £8.30 an hour.

Poppy said: “The economy is teetering, and our Tory-led government says we’re all in this together. Really? Judging from Barnet’s Tory-led council’s practices, that is far from the case. The council hasn’t heard the last of this. Fairness is worth fighting for.”

Speaking about the Green campaign for the GLA, Poppy said: “I want to see London become a more livable, affordable and happy city, that’s what this campaign is all about.”

Mayoral Candidate Jenny Jones said: “The 10:1 campaign is just one example of how the Green Party is tackling the big issues of this election head on. It is a simple, practical step towards reducing excessive income inequalities that are damaging our economy and society. We want to make London the Fair Pay City and City Hall should lead by example in this area.”

“Poppy is a very determined campaigner and a passionate advocate for the Green agenda in her local area. I have been very impressed with the work she has done towards lowering the speed limit on Barnet’s roads to 20mph, which is particularly pertinent given that Barnet has the highest number of road deaths in London. I am sure that Poppy would use this drive and enthusiasm as an Assembly Member to make London a fairer, cleaner and greener city for us all.”

For further information please contact Joe Williams, the Green Party’s 2012 election campaign press officer, on 0207 549 0219 or joe.williams@greenparty.org.uk

1. A.M Poppy has lived in Barnet for many years. She attended East Barnet School and is involved in local arts. Her professional background is in journalism and communications. She is a committed campaigner and played a central role in campaigning for anti-sex discrimination laws in Hong Kong.
2. Poppy is an active member of the Barnet Green Party. She previously stood as a candidate for her home constituency Chipping Barnet in the 2005 general election.
3. You can find out more information about the 10:1 campaign here.
4. Photos of Green Party candidates, including Jenny Jones, can be found here.
5. A list of Green Party London policies can be found here.
6. A full list of Green Party candidates for the London Assembly elections can be found here.
7. A list of achievements by the Green Party in the London Assembly can be found here.
8. The Green Party of England and Wales promotes the policies of ecological sustainability, a fairer more stable economy, a more equal society, a higher standard of democracy and accountability of politicians to the communities they serve, and social justice on the global level as well as in our own country.
9. Caroline Lucas became the UK’s first Green MP in the 2010 General Election.
10. The Green Party is now the largest party on Brighton and Hove Council.

Dear Dollis Valley Greenwalk team

I am writing as a resident who walks and runs along Whetstone Stray and beyond (behind the school playing fields) most days of the year. I also write as the local Green Party candidate for the GLA elections next year.

I welcome the news that you plan:

• Improving Access – including signage, footpath work and entrances
• Improving/establishing biodiversity and natural habitat – creating wild flower meadows, grassland management and river enhancement works
• Improving/providing facilities and infrastructure – including litter bins, play &fitness equipment

As well as the £400,000 secured through the Mayor of London’s Help a London Park scheme for Dollis Valley Greenwalk, an additional £250,000 has been secured from TfL for cycle and footpath improvements and £30,000 from Walk London to improve signage.

You also intend “To encourage wildlife and biodiversity and improve safety, this will include:

• removal of scrub areas
• clearance at entrances
• localised new planting including native species
• retention of significant dead trees”

You do not mention in your website removing trees, which is what I discovered on the ground. I would welcome learning the reasons for the trees you propose to “replace”.
I would also welcome learning how they will be replaced – in the same locations? with indigenous, wildlife friendly or fruit bearing trees? (I note you write “including native species” – you do not say they will be preferred).
I would also welcome information on how these trees will be cared for, as I have sadly noticed as you have also no doubt, a propensity to vandalise saplings.
You will understand my regret at the potential loss of biomass and tree cover. I am seeking reassurance on these points.
You are also welcome to add me to your list when you invite comments, or plan consultations on these plans.

Yours sincerely
Poppy

HERE’S THE REPLY:

Dear Poppy

Thank you for your enquiry, the trees we intend to remove have been selected as we consider them to be in poor condition and are largely dead or dying.

We will be removing 6 of these dead/dying specimens and will replace them by planting a total of 12 trees in the corresponding vicinity, we will be planting Birch and Lime trees which will help boost biodiversity and attract wildlife.

I hope this news reassures you of our commitment to enhancing the local habitat, I have now added you to our mailing list as requested. Once gain thank you for your enquiry.

Regards

[name withheld as a courtesy]
Project Support Officer, Greenspaces
Environment, Planning and Regeneration
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, London N11 1NP

The correspondence continues. Keep an eye on this site.

Barnet shares with Wandsworth the dubious distinction of having the greatest number of council employees earning over £150,000 pa (nine of them) according to figures analysed this week by the Green Party. The chief executive’s pay is 12 times more than the London living wage. He earns £200,976 – only four boroughs pay their chief exec more.

With so many proposed cuts, how does Barnet justify these fat cat salaries? Enfield, our neighbouring borough, has only one employee – the chief exec – on more than 150,000. They might like to ask themselves, do we actually need a chief executive? Soon after Leo Boland went to work as the GLA’s chief exec, they decided they didn’t need him and abolished the role altogether. The Telegraph has revealed this week that Leo Boland, the former chief executive of Barnet, enjoyed an afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason on expenses. Need I say more?

(L-R) Gardi, the Barnet Banner and me in front of the Palace of Westminster standing in opposition to the arms trade

We are not resting in our pursuit of Barnet’s dodgy investment policies. This week we’ll be writing to them for an update on their investments in tobacco – last year it was announced they had £8million carcinogenic investments. For a long time now we have been pressing the council on its lethal investments in weapons makers – especially BAe systems.

In September Gardi and I (Poppy) went to represent Barnet Green Party at the demonstration against the arms trade, and heard Caroline Lucas address the demonstration. That was just before she got some of the traders ejected from the arms fair for purveying banned weapons.

Alexis Rowell with Maya de Souza (second left) and other Camden Green Party campaigners

If can help in the campaign contact Alexis at alexis.rowell@greenparty.org.uk

The Green Party has chosen former Liberal Democrat councillor and Camden Eco Champion, Alexis Rowell, as their candidate for the Highgate by-election on Thursday 15^th September.

The Green Party’s Maya de Souza topped the poll in Highgate ward in last year’s council elections and the Greens are going all out to get Alexis elected so that he can help Maya with the great work she does.

The by-election follows the resignation of a Labour councillor who was only elected last year.

Alexis was a leading Lib Dem councillor in Camden from 2006 to 2010, and is widely credited with having significantly raised the profile of environmental issues in the council and across the borough.

But, shortly after winning a national Sustainability Councillor of the Year award, he stood down at the May 2010 elections.

Alexis said: “I have been growing increasingly disillusioned with the Lib Dems since the party joined the coalition government. My principal reason for leaving was Chris Huhne’s support for nuclear power, but I have also been completely unimpressed with the coalition’s overall environmental record and appalled by what their policies and cuts are doing to the social fabric.”

In the past the Greens have held all three seats in Highgate.

Maya de Souza said: “We are delighted to have such an experienced and energetic candidate standing for us in Highgate. It is largely thanks to the work Alexis did last time he was a councillor that sustainability is such a key concern at Camden Council. But he’s also got a great track record as a ward councillor responding to residents’ concerns. His energy, enthusiasm and hard work will be a great asset to Highgate.”

The Chair of the Camden Green Party, Natalie Bennett, said: “At a time when the Conservatives and the Lib Dems are creating havoc nationally, and Camden Council’s Labour administration is closing libraries and playgroups, Alexis is a strong candidate for anyone who cares about the environment and progressive issues generally.”

The leader of the national Green Party, Caroline Lucas MP, said: “Alexis’s move from the Lib Dems to the Greens shows that it is the Greens who are leading the way on progressive and environmental politics in the UK. I encourage all Lib Dems to take a long hard look at what the coalition is doing and to ask themselves whether they really support what’s happening.”