We must save Church Street Recreation Ground, Haselbury in Enfield Borough. The Enfield Labour run Council Local Plan includes a proposal for a Crematorium Incinerator there. Video is of me
Tax hikes and cuts – as Enfield Labour run Council is on the brink of bankruptcy
Calling out the Labour Administration for cuts and tax increases due to being at the brink of bankruptcy. Enfield Labour Council Budget Meeting 2024. #Enfield #Edmonton #BushHillPark #Southbury #Highfield #GrangePark
Labour Broken Promise on Council Tax Support – over 31,000 low income households now worse off
Speaking against the Enfield Labour Council Administration reducing Council Tax Support to over 31,000 low income households. Listen as I speak with Labour heckling. Voted through by 29 Labour Councillors
UPDATE: A10 Speeding, noise and borough car meets public meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the public meeting this week. On the panel was representatives from the Police, Council officers, Transport for London (TfL), GLA Member Joanne McCartney, Councillor
A10 dangerous speeding, illegally modified cars and unlicensed car meets update.
Car Parks: The concrete installation has now been completed at the Colosseum Car Park (former B&Q). After the initial 63 blocks were installed – there was a smaller car meet
Bury Lodge Park playground – Dogs being taken in
The Friends Group has raised concern that individuals are taking dogs into the playground. This is not allowed and has a specific by-law covering this.
I have been in touch with the Council who have installed additional signage as a reminder. Covid Marshalls are also conducting regular visits as well.
Any breaches can be reported to the Council Parks Team: parkactivities@enfield.gov.uk 020 83791449
No pollution monitors in Bush Hill Park Ward
There are Zero 0️⃣ pollution monitors in Bush Hill Park Ward. Please see red outline boundary map image.
I will keep pressing Enfield Council on this – it is unacceptable.
Especially given Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019.
If you contact the Council please feel welcome to copy me on the email!
Some good news; Trinity Avenue part resurfacing
There have been calls for sometime to get this section of road resurfaced – as it has been littered with pot holes for many years.
I am pleased to report that the stretch of the road from First Avenue end of Trinity Avenue to outside number 12 will be resurfaced starting next week.
Whilst this is not the full resurfacing of the stretch that I was hoping for; it is a start. I spoke with the lead Highways Officer, who will put in a bid for the next financial year to hopefully finish the job (April 2021 – April 2022).
In addition all existing potholes were surveyed in the last week and are down for patch repairs.
Certainly whilst progress is made – I will keep pressing until the whole stretch is resolved!
Bush Hill Park Ward – Call for more trees – update
I have been making ongoing enquiries about the level of trees planted on our pavements as a local Bush Hill Park Councillor.
Since the start of 2019 to the end of this financial year (April 2021); a total of 42 trees have been removed and 92 trees planted – a net addition, but only of 50 trees across the Ward – not enough by far!
Trees that are with the contractors to plant by April (some may have been done recently) are as follows and within the numbers above;
Abbey Road, 1 Tree / Bury Street West, 2 Trees / Church Street, 2 Trees / Colne Road, 1 Tree / Halstead Gardens, 1 Tree / Harlow Road, 1 Tree / Melbourne Way, 2 Trees / Queen Annes Gardens, 1 Tree / Second Avenue, 1 Tree / Trinity Avenue, 2 Trees.
If your road/street has seen a net reduction in trees over the years, please let me know. Please see red line map (to the right) to see if you are within Bush Hill Park Ward.
I have called on the Council for greater action. Especially since Enfield Labour run Borough Council declared a ‘Climate Emergency ‘ in July 2019 a total of 40 trees have been planted and 26 removed – a net addition of just 14 trees in 17 months! Clearly not good enough!
If you are also concerned about tree levels in Bush Hill Park Ward please feel welcome to email the Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr.Guney.Dogan@Enfield.gov.uk and copy me in Cllr.James.Hockney@Enfield.gov.uk.
🌲Street trees in Bush Hill Park – update🌲
I have been making ongoing enquiries about the level of trees planted on our pavements as a local Councillor.
Since the start of 2019 to the end of this financial year (April 2021); a total of 42 trees have been removed and 92 trees planted – a net addition, but only of 50 trees across the Ward – not enough by far!
Trees that are with the contractors to plant by April (some may have been done recently) are as follows and within the numbers above;
Abbey Road, 1 Tree Bury Street West, 2 Trees Church Street, 2 Trees Colne Road, 1 Tree Halstead Gardens, 1 Tree Harlow Road, 1 Tree Melbourne Way, 2 Trees Queen Annes Gardens, 1 Tree Second Avenue, 1 Tree Trinity Avenue, 2 Trees.
If your road/street has seen a net reduction in trees over the years, please let me know. Please see red line map to see if you are within Bush Hill Park Ward.
I have called on the Council for greater action, especially given they declared a ‘Climate Emergency’ in 2019! If you are also concerned about tree levels in Bush Hill Park Ward please feel welcome to email the Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr.Guney.Dogan@Enfield.gov.uk and copy me in Cllr.James.Hockney@Enfield.gov.uk.
Mobile Phone Mast – REJECTED ❌
The 17.5 metre tall Telecommunications Mobile Phone Mast that was proposed in the Bush Hill Park Conservation area (junction of Queen Anne’s Place / First Avenue) has been rejected by Enfield Council Planning Officers.
✅Thank you to everyone who expressed a view – I understand over 90 representations from local residents were sent in.
Firs Farm Wetlands – update
I am actively working with the Firs Farm Wetlands Friends Group and Council to maintain and enhance this wonderful community asset.
*Pavements edging and clearing weeds is ongoing.
*Regular checks and clearing of litter. I spotted some the other day which the Council resolved.
*New padlocks for security gating around the old changing rooms compound.
*Additional litter bins on the way.
The above is not a comprehensive list, but gives you an idea of some good news.
Conservatives warn of Croydon Scenario due to debt levels mounting
Enfield Council’s debt level is spiraling out of control. The Labour run Council has amassed a £1 billion of outstanding debt. The figures were reported in the Treasury Management Report which was discussed at the November Full Council meeting.
Borrowing figures are worrying as it is 
potentially putting Enfield Council on the same path as Croydon which effectively has gone bankrupt with a debt level not much different to our own council.
The Council has moved past £1bn of debt. This would have been £200m higher had COVID-19 not delayed investment plans. Despite, Conservatives making constant representations at Full Council meetings of the risks, the Labour Administration is still wedded to doubling the debt to reach over £2bn in the next five years.
The irony is that there is very little to show for the borrowing undertaken. Hundreds of millions have been borrowed in order to develop at Meridian but not a single home has been built. The council’s energy company has yet to make a profit.
Interest on the borrowing is paid from the revenue account meaning that money used to fund everyday services that residents crucially rely on.
Councillor Joanne Laban, Leader of the Opposition and Conservative Group, said “Croydon effectively going bankrupt should be a wake-up call for the Labour Administration here in Enfield. The Conservative Group will be informing the Secretary of State of its concerns as we do not wish to see Enfield Council going the same way as Croydon.”
Councillor James Hockney, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, said “This Council continues to borrow like there is no tomorrow; ignoring the stark warning signs. They still cannot explain why, pre-covid, they changed course from paying off their debt to instead more than doubling an eye watering level of existing debt. They are playing monopoly with the people’s money”.
News Update: Enfield / Edmonton A10 Road safety
The Traffic Police have updated me on a number of key items, that I thought would be useful to share including regarding the average speed cameras on the northern section of the Enfield Borough A10 stretch.(1) Although there is less racing and general speeding, we are still seeing high levels of speeding on the Enfield Borough A10. Incredibly, it accounts for 12% of all speeding offences across the whole of London.
(2) In the last 12 months we have not thankfully seen anyone killed or seriously injured on the A10. This is a stark contrast to previous years; the fact we had enhanced traffic Police and now average speed cameras covering half the Enfield Borough stretch cannot be a coincidence.
(3) 75% of offences are handled by a Speed Awareness Course.(4) Enforcement of the average speed cameras is not an average over the course of the cameras. But between two cameras.
(5) All fines go to a central fund that is then shared with the public services – the No.1 recipient is the NHS at 22%.
(6) Any anti-social driving, racing, illegal activity etc can be reported to the Police.
(7) The community campaigning was key to seeing the average speed cameras being installed on the northern section of the A10.
Enfield Conservative Group commends small businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday
Businessmen and women across Enfield Borough have been commended for the part they have played in responding to the coronavirus pandemic to mark Small Business Saturday.
This year, Small Business Saturday comes at the end of a hugely challenging period for small businesses, with many facing long periods of closure and reduced income due to the pandemic.
Enfield Conservative Group has praised businesses across Enfield Borough (Enfield, Edmonton & Enfield Southgate) for stepping in to support the local community throughout 2020.
Throughout the course of pandemic, the Government has provided more than £280 billion to support lives and livelihoods. This includes:
- The furlough scheme has supported 1 in 3 jobs in Enfield Borough.
- Grants for the self-employed totalling £99.5million pounds in Enfield Borough, which have been made more generous in light of recent national and local lockdown announcements.
- Loans and Government-backed grants which have helped businesses facing severely reduced income because of pandemic.
- VAT cuts and business rates holidays for many small businesses, including those in the hospitality and retail sectors.
The Conservative Government is determined not to be blown off course by the pandemic and deliver on its promise, made at the General Election one year ago, to level up towns and communities across the whole country. To aid this, the Chancellor has recently announced a new £4 billion Levelling Up Fund to improve the infrastructure people and businesses rely on every day, following the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, and £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, which are helping to transform town centres across the country.
Commenting, Shadow Finance, Cllr James Hockney said:
“There’s no doubting just how challenging 2020 has been for small businesses, which are the backbone of Enfield Borough and the communities of Enfield, Edmonton and Enfield Southgate.
“We’ve seen local businesses step up to help our community time and time again this year, and I pay tribute to all of those who have played their part in getting us through the pandemic.
“With restrictions on retail now lifted, I hope everyone who can and can safely support our independent small businesses in the run up to Christmas, as this Conservative Government works to ensure as many as possible are able to thrive into 2021.”
