Category: Minutes

Minutes from Tower Gardens Residents Group AGM – 4 June 2025

Minutes

Councillors: Liam (Apology), Anne (Apology)

Location: Chad Gordon Autism Campus, Waltheof Gardens

Agenda: 

  • 1. Report on activities of TGRG over the past year
  • 2. Quick report on finances of TGRG  
  • 3. Election of management committee
  • 4. Amendments of constitution
  • 5. Discussion of how TGRG meetings should be conducted going forwards.  
  • 6. AOB

Notes:

  • Introductions
  • Report on activities:
    • Four TGRG meetings over last year: 16 Dec 2024, 28 Feb 2024, 10 June 2024 and 20 Jan 2025.
    • Topics covered included 100 Tower Gardens Road community space; conservation area requirements on the estate and extent to which they are disregarded; concerns around antisocial behaviour on the estate. 
    • Meetings also used to promote events on and around the estate, including tree planting in Waltheof Gardens on 23 March 2024 (Trees for Cities), and Great British Spring Clean (coordinated by Karen), etc. 
    • TGRG supported the event at 100 Tower Gardens Road on 17 May 2025 where residents were encouraged to share their ideas for how the building could (if used as a community space) be used by residents. 
    • Councillors have made an effort to attend TGRG meetings. Our 20 Jan 2025 meeting was attended by all three ward councillors; however none made it to the AGM. 
    • Residents’ whatsapp has been turned into Tower Gardens WhatsApp Community with a few sub-groups (thanks Andrew P and others!)
    • Tower Gardens website has been updated and maintained by Karen and others.
    • Dan thanks Ruth for being an advocate for Tower Gardens including by speaking at two recent events, one of which Dan attended: a conference about the London County Council and a lecture at the London Archives.
  • Report on Finance:
    • Balance in account: £1349.97
    • Income: £0
    • Expenditure:
      • Room hire and print cost: £100.74
      • Events insurance (Hiscox): £89.60
      • Total expenditure: £190.34. 
  • Election of committee: New committee:
    • Dan – chair (previously secretary, replacing Fiona)
    • Friedrich Ernst – treasurer (continuing)
    • Dayal – secretary (new)
  • Amendments to constitution:
    • Constitution to be added to TG website 
    • 5(d): Requiring management team to meet 10 times a year to be removed. This does not affect general meetings.
    • 7(d): Requiring accounts to be audited yearly to be updated to instead say that accounts will be shared at AGMs and will be available to members to review throughout the year.
  • Discussion of TGRG meetings, and aims
    • Context: Dayal noted that we could be more structured in having a quarterly meeting with date known in advance; that we often have a busy agenda and cover too many topics without clear actions; that we don’t necessarily come back to points from previous meeting and don’t get updates from Councilors; and that we could do with updates from various groups (Park Friends, 100TG), and Council at meetings
    • Further ideas & discussion:
      • People to invite: Christian Q (Estate manager), MP, Safer Neighbourhoods team, Homes for Haringey; possibly only for specific dates/agenda items. Council officers have come in past.
      • How do we prioritise estate/TGRG concerns:
        • Could go back and look at previous minutes, use the current survey for 100 Tower Gardens replies. Karen, as part of the Great British Spring Clean, has been through LoveCleanStreets reports for last years and has data on what people report.
        • Could have TGRG meetings where we use first 30 mins to discuss issues amongst residents and how to prioritise, and then Councillors and Officers join for second half (rather than having some meetings with councillors and some meetings without them). 
        • Action: Collate and share, decide next steps
      • Point raised that people feel Councillors often come without answers, and instead learn about issues from meetings rather than being informed by council/officers, and concerns then not actioned
      • Other meetings:
        • Safer Ward meetings haven’t been scheduled regularly for a while
        • Councillor Surgeries, and other meetings – we do not want TGRG meetings to duplicate any existing meetings, eg people should go to Surgeries if they have something urgent/individual.
      • TGRG being more proactive, and thinking about what we can do around the estate that doesn’t need Council input? What could we do re. hedge clippings, making sure people do hard trim at correct time of year, as collection would still be an issue/council matter.
      • Many people don’t know about TGRG – would a notice board help? Can we be more active in FB group (one new person can from post in group). Some people don’t use WhatsApp, so we need all means of communication.
      • Aim of group being clear/open. We could set some themes for the group – this might attract more people.
    • Decision: Put more structure into meetings, collate concerns and prioritise, think about communication channels. 
  • AOB
    • Community Picnic in the Park 14/6 12-3PM – flyers and posters shared
    • 100TG survey still open – flyers shared for TG events and survey
    • Talks on TG Estate (Ruth C) – Having given London Architecture School talk on LCC/Estate, she was invited to give a talk about TG at the London Archives (28/5), and has now been approached by Bruce Castle Museum and Letchworth Garden City group
    • Maintenance issues around the estate (Ruth C) – How can we make sure council prioritises? How do we share info with people living on estate? Some info on website already, and Emmanouil M and Dayal to look into adding more. Topic to be picked up/thought about more.
    • Linking up with other similar estates (Ruth C) – Old Oak interested in linking up with us and learning from us, eg how we got TG correctly listed on Ordnance Survey. Could we also invite people to a meeting to share their experience/info about their estate?

Minutes from Community centre residents working group meeting – 25th March 2025

Minutes

Attendees: Karen, Dayal, Elena, David, Dan, Dave
Apologies: Kate, Vanessa, Friedrich
Updates: Liam

Notes:

  • Liam sent updates
    • Has put Karen in touch with the ‘Corporate Landlord’ team about access to the yard
    • Hopes to provide a update on the building survey soon. 
    • Suggests reaching out to Haringey Community Collaborative (publicvoice.london/haringeycollaborative/) 
  • DM suggestions (and following discussion)
    • agrees we should do a consultation, in person preferably
    • Will share Hub business plan
    • Look for lots of people, all sorts of skills, time and commitment needed
    • Work in parallel on getting in and short term plan as well as long term plan and business plan
  • Entity:
    • Might be better to be a separate entity to the residents group
    • Hub started as “Friends of”, then became Coop
    • Good to have an entity from day 1, that you can then show has been around and has built experience/track record
    • Letting, and engaging with other charities, council, etc. might require entity to be a Coop/CIC or BCorp
    • Good to have separate membership.
    • Dan: Will likely have people on both groups, and make sure that means we get the most from all groups
    • Bank accounts are tricky, but Friends of TG Park just got a new one, and also examples of Allotments, RG, The Hub, etc.
  • Anti-social behaviour around 100TG:
    • Need to think about how to deal with people lingering and drinking around there
    • Lordship Rec entrance has become a problem spot, and this extends to 100TG
    • Could use alternate entrance through yard to avoid using main entrance right where people drink, and to have more control
    • Caution around how and when we open to public
    • Set the mood for the space e.g. by having a kids focus from start
  • Social Value Leases:
    • DM: Hub provides services inc. volunteering hours, public toilets (difficult), free use for park groups, cafe
    • Took 5 years to negotiate lease after already in and running as Coop
    • Council wants to limit discounts to 20% or more of market value
  • Engaging with other groups/potential partners/users of 100TG
    • DM: 4 groups semi-locally that need a kitchen e.g. for food distribution. Difficult, and can attract problems, but an option if we have a kitchen. Food poverty is quite a high priority right now.
    • DM: would be good to have more groups. DE: Wolves Lane example with multiple groups; also SS market.
  • Business plan:
    • DE: what social value model to use? HACT4.0 is more about social housing, but could be a good angle to focus on Estate and support of residents… Energy efficiency, Rent Association – run multiple advice sessions.
    • Council due to release their model at next meeting – assuming this will be what they want us to use.
    • Climate angle e.g. panels on roof…
  • Access to building and state of yard (Karen)
    • Decking and floor surface in back space in poorest state, front yard and ground floor better.
    • Karen has given the council some details for potential uses of the outside space
    • We will need to complete a risk assessment before using the yard, and get the ok from the council’s health & safety team
  • Group reviewed the survey, poster, graphics and community board
  • September exhibition needs to be flagged to OpenHouse by end of May if happening. Would need permission to use at least some of the interior.
  • May engagement event for residents:
    • Best weekend is 17th, probably Saturday
    • Need to put out surveys and posters immediately
    • DE to work on updated image for posters
    • Might want name of group already?
    • Start by putting up survey, promoting on website, putting posters around and then see how it goes before thinking about flyers

Minutes from Community centre residents working group meeting – 25th Feb 2025

Minutes

Attendees: Dayal, Elena, Karen, Friedrich, David, Dan
Apologies: Kate, Liam, Vanessa

Notes:

  • Liam says to send him questions. No response yet to the question about the state of the roof. Karen will check with Liam for updates –  Update received after meeting: the council intends to get new locks to separate the yard so we can have keys. 
  • Dan reached out to HomeStart, no response so far. Citizens Advice were  excited about the idea of a new building.
  • Discussed Council’s update on Social Value Leases
    • Given how close, and our contacts, we said it would be good to understand how The Hub manages to run things, eg number of volunteers, who they pay, how much they get from classes, etc. Dayal to reach out to Dave M and Joan.
    • Our Tottenham discussed SVL update recently too – David: Reach out to them and get minutes of meeting. 
  • We’re unfortunately not in any of Shaping Tottenham neighbourhoods, as North Tottenham skips us, but would have had focus on “sports, culture, and entertainment”.
  • Council’s priority is housing, as seen from FoI response about traveller site decision, in which only consideration given was about number of possible houses, not preserving green space etc.
  • Examples of communities/residents banding together, eg Broadwater Farm Maintenance Co-op which took on meal on wheels, building maintenance and other over years – mentioned by David.
  • Survey:
    • Great way to have asynchronous engagement, and to leave up for multiple months
    • David has a first draft, which he’ll share
    • We need as many responses as possible to give weight to our work
    • Discussed how to attract TG resident’s responses, but also rest of ward and other, ie risk of making it too TG specific or not TG enough. Also talked about getting it into Haringey newsletter, or paying for FB ads, which is fairly cheap.
  • Coordination: Let’s use Google Drive and WhatsApp for now. Dayal to set up.
  • Immediate actions:
    • Community notice board – like the ones in Noel Park, with info about estate, history, community and 100TG. Could initially place one on fence (no need for permission), and then make a metal one to put on the wall (with Council’s permission). Dayal to put together some ideas, and share.
    • Planting in fenced off area outside 100TG – Something green and pretty to improve the general feel, but low maintenance and drought tolerant. Karen to make a plan
  • TG Website and possible use for 100TG work
    • Make an updated/2025 version of 1925 100TG photo to show our vision and contrast to past.
    • Post prominent link to survey – can we make a top banner in WordPress?
  • Plan a “survey” event around May
    • Ideally get Council to open up outdoor space for the day – engage with them once we have plan, poster and date
    • Backup plan: Have the event outside, put things up on door and walls. (Could possibly ask to close off one of the roads, as has been done before for street parties – and the council might prefer letting us in?!)
    • Make a poster
    • Plan the event
    • Ask Council to open up (at least) the outside area for event – Liam and Amanda got us access for tour, Dan can reach out again. What other avenues?
    • Publicise the event
  • Plan an “exhibition” inside the building
    • Way to get a foot in the door.
    • Use the historical angle, LCC stopping 60 years ago, OpenHouseLondon in Sept and London Festival of Arch to convince Council to open up space, and London Archives to let us use photos (Dayal has been, and they said that not all photos have been digitised, so there might be more.)
    • Also have a Community, and a 100TG side to “exhibition”.
    • Eg Bruce Castle had a nice tiny exhibition in their restored tower for Windrush anniversary
  • Feasibility study, operational model, social value model etc.
    • Eg do we take on whole building, or rent out top floors (eg to charities) to have income and then keep ground floor (and outdoors) only as community space?
    • David works a lot with HACT 4.0 to measure social value
    • Unit38 has about £1.5k that they could use to work on this, vision docs, images.
    • Unit38 has funds from Clothworkers Foundation, and should get more next year. They know about other funds that could be options for refurbishing building. Need to tell a strong story, lean into the history and the characteristics of the area.
  • Power mapping
    • Didn’t get to it in meeting
    • David to put a Miro board together and share.

Minutes from Community centre residents working group meeting – 28th Jan 2025

Minutes

Attendees: Friedrich, Dan, Dayal, Kate, David, Karen, Vanessa

Everyone introduced themselves and we discussed where people had background with similar projects. Projects mentioned were:

We had a conversation about what the gap we are trying to fill is. We need to expand on this list but the Issues raised in the meeting were:

  • Lack of a ‘third’ space or public community space
  • Make good use of an empty building, avoid physical decline of the building
  • Support the work of existing groups:
    • Meeting space
    • Tool storage
    • Haringey Fixers / space for repair cafes
  • Central noticeboard, place to find out what’s happening
  • Create a space to explore possibilities:
    • Provide space for hire
    • Library of Things, tool library, lend hedge cutters
    • Community plant nursery, for distribution to residents and planting on the estate / in the park
    • Coffee morning for elderly and toddlers
    • Affordable childcare
  • Public toilets 

General discussion

  • Desire to be ambitious but also to get started / make sure the building is used in some way.
  • Questions about what the council expects from space and what they would “accept” as a proposal
  • Need to quantify ‘social value’ and potential money saved to council
  • Discussion about specific uses e.g. childcare, toilets, need for a core tenant
  • Age UK, Citizens Advice, IntoUniversity as possible tenants
  • Leases:
    • In an ideal world the lease for whole building would be offered, not just ground floor
    • If only short leases are offered this can constrain the uses / fundraising.

Who else would be good to get involved? 

  • Charities already operating on the estate
  • We discussed the need to get more people involved and to get a more representative set of opinions
  • Survey and flyers proposed as first action to widen engagement. 

Next steps:

  • David & Dayal: Surveying residents on estate and the wider ward
  • Reach out to HomeStart and other charities about what involvement they would be interested in:
  • Kate: share her work on the different models of community ownership / management / use of buildings (e.g. from full community ownership on a 125 year lease to smaller ‘meanwhile’ uses)
  • Karen & Vanessa: Ask for access to outside space for Great British Spring Clean
  • Karen: Ask about the roof status

Next meeting (Tuesday 25th February, 7pm): 

  • Group to map out what the different models of community use might mean 
  • Figure out where we could make ourselves heard

Minutes from Tower Gardens Residents Group Meeting – 20 January 2025

Minutes

100 Tower Gardens Road 

  • The recent site visit to 100 Tower Gardens Road was discussed. As some of you know, Haringey are currently carrying out a feasibility study to determine the best way to use this building, the ground floor of which is empty. There is the potential for it to be used as a community centre. 
  • It was noted by those who attended the inspection that the ground floor was in a better condition than expected and would be an appropriate space for different sorts of events in the community.  
  • Haringey have said they’d be happy to look at a business case for a community centre while the feasibility study is ongoing. 
  • Some monthly meetings have been arranged to consider next steps and push this project forwads.  

Boarded up houses

  • The increasing number of boarded up houses on the estate was discussed. Examples include 75 Risley, 155 Risley and 150 The Roundway. 
  • Councillor Liam Carroll explained that boarded up houses are dealt with by the ‘voids’ team at the council. Haringey has recently set up a second voids team to deal with the backlog. This should speed up the rate at which boarded up properties are restored to use. 
  • The new built properties (next to Topham Square) were also discussed. Building work has stopped and Liam explained that this is because the contractor went bust. A new contractor has now been appointed and work should recommence in February. 

Maintenance and enforcement on the estate 

  • The general lack of maintenance on the estate was discussed. Specific concerns included leaves and hedge trimmings not being swept up and fly tipping. It was noted that these issues are not just about aesthetics and making sure the area looks ‘tidy’; they speak to how we want the estate to be managed.    
  • The issue of builders overcharging for mainenance (eg roof and window replacements) was discusssed. Someone asked whether the Residents’ Group could put together a list of questions residents should be asking to builders before engaging them – this is something we’re taking away.
  • Enforcement issues were also discussed, including the frequency with which people appear to disregard the article 4 development rules which apply to the estate. The question of unmarked cars parked around the estate was also discussed. Councillor Ahmed Mahbub said that people can report unmarked cars to the council via the Love Clean Streets app or by emailing coucillors directly. Councillor Anne Stennett said she understood the frustration in the room.

Great British Spring Clean

  • Karen discussed the Great British Spring Clean, which is taking place betwen 21 March and 6 April. It is focussed on clearing litter and reducing waste to improve our local environment. Karen and others will be organising three events during that period.
  • Karen asked that you please email her if you have ideas for events.  

AOB 

  • Councillors were asked when the next ward panel meeting would be. They will follow up on this and let the Residents’ Group know. 
  • The question of Tower Cafe’s planning permission was raised. Ahmed said he would get back to the group with more information. 
  • Councillors were asked about Haringey’s proposals for Travellers’ sites. An FOI requesting information about other potential sites rejected by the council was refused on the basis that finding the information would take too much time. Liam said it might be useful to frame the FOI request more narrowly.  
  • Liam mentioned a consultation on youth strategy in the borough, which he will send to the whatsapp group or to the secretary to distribute. 

Notes from the tour of 100 Tower Gardens Road

Minutes

Several residents inspected the building at 100 Tower Gardens Road on Friday 13 December. It was in a better state than we were expecting; the ground floor in particular has a large room looking onto the (slightly unloved) garden which would be a great space for small gatherings. 

Haringey haven’t decided what they’ll use the property for. They are considering turning it into temporary accommodation and/or hostel accommodation for people who are homeless, however they may conclude the building isn’t suitable for housing people. Haringey are in the process of arranging a feasibility study. 

They would be open in principle to the building being used as a community centre if it can’t be used for accommodation. Haringey would like to see a business case for the community centre and would be happy to look at a business case while the feasibility study is ongoing. A group of residents are going to think about putting a business plan together.

Interested in the future of the building at 100 Tower Gardens Road?

Email: towergardensrg@gmail.com

100 Tower Gardens Road interior
Main room – ground floor
Kitchen
Main room – ground floor
Hallway
Main entrance
Main entrance
Main entrance
View into main room

Notes from meeting on 16 December 24

Minutes

We had a TGRG meeting on Monday 16 December to discuss Haringey’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) site proposals. Please see some notes from the meeting below. 

  • Liam Carroll (Councillor for White Hart Lane ward) described the three sites (Roundway, Clyde Road and Brookside Green). He said that Haringey has a forum with the GRT community who have long been asking for additional pitches. Demand for pitches outstrips supply. 
  • The council currently pays lots of money to provide temporary accommodation to members of the GRT community who would rather live in pitches. Providing pitches would mean those residents paying rent to Haringey, rather than Haringey paying for temporary accommodation.
  • Liam recognised that the three sites are close together. The reason why they are all in the east of Haringey is that the council doesn’t own as much land in the west of the borough. And Haringey can only build the pitches on land it owns.   
  • It’s been determined that neither the Brookside Green nor Haringey sites would be suitable for bricks and mortar housing.  
  • Attendees asked about the other sites which were considered before Brookside, Roundway and Clyde Road were chosen. A freedom of information request has been lodged to find out why the other sites were discarded. Liam said that he didn’t think the FOI would succeed as he has been told that information about the other sites is commercially sensitive. 
  • Attendees pointed out that the three sites are all in the poorest part of the borough, in wards with lower voting rates and where people are less likely to stand up to challenge council proposals. It is unfair that all three sites should be clustered around an already deprived part of Haringey where services are already stretched. 
  • In terms of timescales, Liam said it’s unlikely construction would start before 2026. But the project hasn’t been confirmed yet. The council needs to consider the consultation responses and would then have to carry out a survey of the sites, get planning permission etc.   

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group – 10 June

Minutes

Cllr Ahmed Mahbub from Haringey attended the meeting.

100 Tower Gardens Road
As you may be aware we have recently been told that this building can potentially be used as a community centre.
Cllr Mahbub explained that he has recently learned the building is in a bad state of disrepair, so it will be a long time before it’s in a condition appropriate for use by the community.
It may therefore be sensible in parallel to look for other buildings that could potentially be used for the centre.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub will provide a timeline for Haringay’s mapping exercise which will consider all the council’s buildings and whether they can be better utilised. Cllr Mahbub will also arrange a time for people to visit 100 Tower Gardens Road.

Estate maintenance
The issue of people ignoring conservation area requirements when renovating was discussed. It was noted that Haringey does not take enforcement action against those who breach requirements, and that ultimately if those rules continue to be breached the estate will lose its unique character (and possibly its status as a conservation area).
Cllr Mahmud said that he could arrange for Haringey’s estate manager for Tower Gardens to attend a future TGRG meeting.
Hedge maintenance was discussed. Attendees thought it would be a good idea for the council to provide free green waste collections twice a year so that people can trim their hedges and dispose of the waste without having to pay for a green bin.
It was noted that there should be more notice boards around the estate so that local events and groups could be advertised and communicated to residents quickly. There should also be a digital noticeboard, which could serve as a source of information for new residents keen to learn about local networks, events and history.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub to arrange meeting with TG estate manager, and TGRG to let councillors know where noticeboards should be erected.
Antisocial behaviour
Attendees observed that lime bikes are often left in the middle of pavements which can cause particular issues for people with disabilities, or people on mobility scooters or pushing prams.
It was noted that a resident had their tires slashed. Cllr Mahbub mentioned that there will be a meeting between the Met Police and White Hart Lane residents shortly at which these issues can be raised.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub to provide details of meeting between WHL and Met Police.

Minutes of the TGRG meeting on 13 November 2023

Minutes

Attendees: Friedrich, Fiona, Kim, Tanya, Kim, Valeria, Daniel
Councillor attending: Liam Carroll
Harringay representative: Brian Ellick

Introductions

Attendees introduced themselves. Despite Veolia having confirmed they would send someone to the meeting, nobody from Veolia attended. [It has since been confirmed that the person due to attend forgot to come. She has offered to attend another TGRG meeting.]
Brian Ellick, Head of Anti-social Behaviour and Enforcement at Haringey attended the meeting and took questions throughout. Brian said he would speak to his contacts at Veolia about why nobody from Veolia had attended.

Dumping

The problem of dumping outside 57 Gospatrick Road was discussed. Friedrich explained that since he had spoken to the dumpers, the problem hadn’t recurred. On that basis Brian said for the moment he wouldn’t take any further steps.
Other dumping hotspots in Tower Gardens were discussed, including 100 Tower Gardens and Turnant Road. Brian said he was familiar with the issues at Turnant Road.

Reporting dumping to Haringey

Brian explained how Haringey decides which areas to prioritise when it comes to policing fly-tipping. He said that the more issues are reported, whether online or via the ‘love clean streets’ app, the more resources will be directed to the area. So it is important to report instances of dumping to Haringey.
Brian explained that what is particularly valuable for his team is evidence showing that specific people have dumped in the same place on several occasions. If residents have this kind of information the best way to report it is by email to flytippingevidence@haringey.gov.uk.

Burning rubbish

The issue of burning rubbish was discussed. Brian explained that there are no laws against burning rubbish per se, but if burning causes a nuisance to neighbours, Haringey can get involved. Burning may cause a nuisance due to the smell, amount of smoke etc. Burning should not be allowed to affect neighbours’ enjoyment of their own properties.
Issues around the burning of rubbish can be reported on the Haringey website.

Rubbish collection

Issues around rubbish collection were discussed. Specifically, people complained that some residents keep their bins on pavements instead of in their front gardens.
Rubbish collectors also tend to leave the bins in the middle of the pavement, often with the lids open, so that if it rains they fill with water.
Brian said that issues to do with bins and rubbish collection should be raised directly with Veolia.

Autumn leaves

The fact that leaves are not being collected from some streets was discussed. On other streets, leaves are only cleared from one side of the road.

Next meeting

To be confirmed. Likely to be in the first few months of the new year.

Kind regards

Tower Gardens Residents Group

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group Meeting

Minutes

16th October 2023

Venue: Chad Gordon Autism Campus, Waltheof Gardens

Present: Kim, Tanya, Pedros, Karen, Mary, Matthew, Fiona, Friedrich, Angie, Dan, Dayall, Collette, Kate, Owen.
Councillors attending: Anne Stennett, Liam Carroll
Apologies: apologies were received from several residents.

1) Welcome and introduction

2) Discharge of the Committee (including Treasurer’s Report) and election of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Karen Loasby (Treasurer, retiring) gave a financial summary. The bank balance at the start of the year was £1641 and at the end of the year it was £1513. The £128 expended has covered meeting room fees, bulbs for planting in public areas, and other expenses.

Fiona Stevenson was re-elected as Chair
Friedrich Ernst was elected as Treasurer
Dan Zwi was elected as Secretary

All votes were unanimous and thanks were given to the committee volunteers.

3) Minutes of last meeting

Matthew Bradby (Secretary, retiring) gave a verbal summary of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 14 June 2023. Karen volunteered to upload these to the Tower Gardens website – https://www.towergardens.org.uk/

4) Matters arising (unfinished business) –
Community Picnic in Tower Gardens was very successful, good partnership with IntoUniversity that lease the building from the Council. Public liability insurance for the park lasts until May 2024.
Spring bulb planting – this is planned for 10 am on 18 November, meet at the Waltheof Gardens roundabout.

Additional subjects raised by resident Ruth by email are listed below.

5) 100 Tower Gardens Road and Citizens Advice Bureau building
100 TG Road – the first floor is rented from the Council by the charity SureStart. The ground floor is vacant.
Citizens Advice Bureau (temporary building on Waltheof Gardens) – the ground around this is now in a dangerous condition.

The Council are undertaking a formal review of their local property portfolio. The meeting suggested that the Council review should be strategic and take most appropriate uses into account. There is a need for local retired people to have a place to meet and socialise.

6) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – there was a lively discussion about the value of these in Haringey.

  1. AOB

Kate asked if people were welcoming trick or treat visits on Hallowe’en – it is hoped to produce a Google Map for residents.

Crossovers – parking in front gardens in Gospatrick Road – e.g. number 6 and various house numbers between 40-50 near the Roundway. The Council has written to at least one property asking them to desist. Residents feel strongly that front garden parking is very negative for the area and more should be done to stop this occurring.

Issues raised on emails from residents, which were briefly discussed:

Update from Friends of Park re Park Entrance works. Awaiting planning document re planting.
Update from Open House. Successful day. A local resident whom is also an architect provided a guided walk.
Update re drugs users in the estate area. Some properties are known to the police and attracting similar persons to the estate.
Dumping – ongoing issues. Unclear what deterrents other than fines
Update from neighbourhood management requested re status on Veolia re green area maintenance and weeds on streets.
Council update re structural concerns due to lack of maintenance: 1 housing property in Risley Avenue, wall surrounding park, Rear of Rose Supermarket.

Next Meeting

It is planned to hold this in the week of 13 November, focused on fly tipping. Veolia to be invited, perhaps combined with a walkabout on the estate to visit hotspots/residents.

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