1. HARINGEY RESPONSE UPDATE
1.1 Update on increasing pedestrian & cycling infrastructure to aid social distancing
Last week the Haringey Lib Dems wrote to Haringey Council asking them to look at how they could make walking and cycling easier and safer in the borough to aid social distancing (read more here). We believe that a combination of public health advice to maintain social distance and avoid non-essential public transport use, a reduction in road traffic volumes and new research showing a link between air pollution and covid-19 deaths mean local residents would welcome steps to make walking and cycling safer and more pleasant. It will also support the increasing number of key workers who are cycling to and from work instead of taking public transport.
The Council have responded and have asked officers to work with TfL and the GLA to explore opportunities to increase pedestrian and cycle capacity, particularly in areas of commercial activity and narrow footways. We are pleased to see that Lambeth and Hackney Council have started this this week and we will continue to press the Council.
In the meantime please email us here if you would like to recommend a pavement or area that should be widened (perhaps near a shop that routinely has queues outside) or a road that would benefit from temporary cycle lanes.
1.2 Update on Business Grant payments
This week it was reported that Haringey has the second worst performance in London for paying the government's business support grants. The council have indicated that over 50% of eligible businesses should have received their grants by the end of this week but the borough still lags behind the most local authorities across the country.
This week we have called for an independent review into why the delivery of the grant payments process has lagged so badly - to commence as soon as internal council business returns to normal (more info here).
As your Haringey Lib Dem councillors we would like to know what your experience has been like when trying to get these lifeline grants from the Council so that we can provide evidence for this review. Have you had contact from Haringey Council about the support available? If you are a retail, hospitality or leisure business have you received help with your business rates? If you have applied for grants have these been paid yet?
Please get in touch with our Business Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Dennison at paul.dennison@haringey.gov.uk with your experience or if you are having trouble with getting information about the help that you have applied for so that we can help you.
To request an update on the status of your grant please email the council's business grants team at COVIDsmallbusinessgrant@haringey.gov.uk
1.3 Fee-free crowdfunding for London Businesses
The Mayor of London's Pay it Forward scheme is now live, giving businesses the ability to offer customers the option to buy goods & services in advance based on a promise to deliver in the future. The crowdfunding platform is fee-free and easy to setup for businesses. You can do so here.
To view a list of business you can support by buying goods and services now for redemption later click here.
1.4 Construction sites during COVID-19
Our councillors have been receiving complaints from residents about the operation of construction sites during the crisis. While the government has not banned construction sites from operating during the COVID-19 outbreak building work must be undertaken in a safe manner and workers must stick to social distancing otherwise works will be suspended and fines could be issued.
Residents should report concerns regarding social distancing on construction sites directly to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) using their online e-form available here (for noise complaints relating to construction work see below).
Find out more on the Coronavirus (COVID-19): Construction page.
1.5 Reporting noisy neighbours and neighbours breaching social distancing rules
We are being contacted by residents about issues with noisy neighbours, and noise from building work during the lock down. Residents can continue to report excessive and persistent noise complaints to the Council. The service continues to operate normally and details on how to report a noise issue can be found on the council website here: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/noise-and-animal-control/noise-control
Residents can either report the complaint online, via the ‘Report IT’ app, or by calling either our Customer Services 020 8489 1335 during our normal office hours, or our out of hours service on 020 8489 0000 (Thursday to Sunday 6pm to 2am).
It is important that excessive and persistent noise complaints are reported so that the service has a full picture of where the issues are and can take the necessary action to tackle it.
If the noise complaint mainly relates to a social gathering in breach of social distancing rules then residents can contact the police on 101 or report this to the police online at: https://www.met.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/tell-us-about-possible-breach-coronavirus-measures/
1.6 Support for anyone suffering domestic abuse
We are aware that the measures taken to tackle COVID-19 are having serious impacts on the lives of those living with Domestic Abuse. For anyone experiencing or at risk of abuse, the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) team at Haringey Council are working closely with service providers and partners to ensure that support remains available to all those in need.
To access support: - If you are in immediate danger, always ring the police on 999
- If it is not safe for you to talk, you can press ‘55’ on a mobile phone and you will be connected to someone who can help you without having to speak
- Haringey Domestic Abuse Helpline (Monday to Friday, 10am-5.30pm): 0300 012 0213
- If you are concerned about your own abusive behaviour and want support to change, contact DVIP.VPP@RichmondFellowship.org.uk
1.7 Bereavement support for children and young people
Bereavement is a difficult experience under any situation. During the coronavirus outbreak, children and their families who experience loss as a consequence to COVID-19, or another cause, may experience increased trauma and could be cut off from some of their usual support network.
Haringey’s Educational Psychology Service has put together some information to help parents and guardians support their children through a bereavement or traumatic incident during this difficult time. It includes suggestions for how to talk to children and young people who have been bereaved, common questions and answers, and links to helplines and support. It is available here.
For more information please email the team at: educationalpsychology@haringey.gov.uk
1.8 Urgent Blood Donations needed
Everyday thousands of people’s lives are saved or improved thanks to the generosity of blood donors but sadly there aren’t enough supplies. Blood banks need new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it. You can still give blood during the coronavirus pandemic, however please do not donate if you feel unwell.
If you are an existing blood donor, please continue to donate. New donors must be aged between 17-65. New or existing blood donors can use an online service to book an appointment to give blood.
For more information on how to donate, go to: https://www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23
1.9 Carer Job Opportunities
Now more than ever we need new recruits to the care sector. If you are a care worker, care manager, social worker, occupational therapist, chef or cleaner or anyone else and looking for work you can help save lives during this crisis.
Register on Proud to Care London (external link), a recruitment site for the sector, and you will be matched to crucial jobs in care.
1.10 Donations needed
Haringey Council’s food distribution hubs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Alexandra Palace are running low on supplies and are looking for businesses and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) to donate the following: - Food that can be stored (e.g. dry goods, tins, cans, packets – NO FROZEN FOOD)
- Essential household items (e.g. sanitary products, soap, kitchen roll etc)
- Cleaning products (for food preparation purposes)
- Nappies, baby formula, milk
- Plastic bags and boxes
- Pet food
Due to government rules on social distancing and non-essential travel, the council is not asking for donations from individuals. Businesses and VCS organisations can contact connectedcommunities@haringey.gov.uk to arrange a pick up.
Haringey Lib Dems are looking to raise £1,500 for Haringey Giving (a fund managed by people in the Haringey community and endorsed by Haringey Council) which is supporting the borough’s most vulnerable people and community initiatives in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
We are so close to reaching our target so if you can make a donation to our fundraiser please do so here: https://www.haringeygiving.org.uk/Fundraisers/haringeylibdems
1.11 Local Food Banks are in urgent need of supplies & monetary donations
Food banks continue to support residents across the borough and are seeing supplies running desperately low. If you are able to support them please consider doing so.
Muswell Hill Foodbank (The Trussell Trust) - If you need food
- The Muswell Hill Foodbank on Pembroke Road is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You will need to get a voucher from one of the Referral Agencies (Citizens Advice, Social Services, Job Centres, some schools and doctors surgeries and other local charities) before going to the foodbank. Strict social distancing is in place to ensure the safety of clients and volunteers.
- The foodbank urgently needs donations
The Holy Trinity Food Bank Stroud Green - Open every Sunday from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
- Please drop off donations at the food bank between 1.30pm - 3.30pm on Sundays. Alternatively there are dedicated collection bins at:
- Sainsbury’s, 175-179 Stroud Green Road, N4 3PZ
- Londis, 9-11 Ferme Park Road, N4 4DS
If you would like to make a monetary donation please email: htfoodbank@gmail.com and for more information visit: http://www.holytrinityfoodbank.org.uk/
Other Local Foodbanks
1.12 Volunteering opportunities for local residents
Our voluntary organisations are working under huge pressure and looking for more help from the community:
1.13 Telephone befriending service
Staying at home can be lonely and it can be difficult to connect socially. As the lockdown continues this becomes ever more difficult for some of our residents.
Haringey Reach and Connect offer free calls to people in Haringey who would like to receive regular weekly calls from a friendly and supportive volunteer. The calls last approximately 30 minutes, and take place on the same day, at the same time, each week.
They match older people and volunteers carefully, to ensure they have some common interests and friendships are reviewed regularly, to ensure that both parties find them enjoyable.
If you would be interested in becoming or having a telephone befriender, please contact Reach and Connect who are running a special expanded service to respond to COVID-19, using this link: https://reachandconnect.net/get-support/telephone-friendship
1.14 Free “Surviving Lockdown” issue of Families North London Magazine to parents in North London
"In normal times, Families North London distributes over 25,000 copies of our printed magazine, 6 times per year across North London and is run by just us – two local mums. Unfortunately, we now cannot get our magazine out as it is distributed by schools, nurseries, libraries - all the places now closed!
However, we are still trying to operate some form of service to our community and are continuing to provide parents with valuable and useful information in our ‘lockdown’ digital issue. It is full of helpful ideas for parents including home learning resources, family health, pre-school play, activities and much more."
The digital magazine can be viewed and/or downloaded at FAMILIES NORTH LONDON LOCKDOWN ISSUE 1.
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