Haringey Council Working for a fairer borough

A group of community and faith leaders, experts, local residents and politicians are coming together to help Haringey become a fairer and more equal borough for our residents, diverse communities and businesses.

 

The Fairness Commission will be made up of around 20 people – many of whom live in the borough and come from a range of backgrounds and experience.

 

The commission launched today after getting the green light at Cabinet on Tuesday. It will work to tackle inequality and ensure services meet local needs.

 

The commission – co-chaired by Professor Paul Watt, Department of Geography, Birkbeck, University of London, and Cllr Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Civic Services – will be speaking to residents, fellow community groups, partners, experts and businesses to get their views and share experiences, ideas and knowledge.

 

From today, residents can share their views online about ways inequality could be tackled and what fairness means to them. Public engagement sessions will be held between October 2018 and March 2019, with a final report and practical recommendations expected to be put to Haringey Council in summer 2019.

 

Themes for the commission are expected to be wide-ranging, looking at areas such as jobs and employment, finance, communities and neighbourhoods, housing, health and wellbeing, adult social care, child poverty, children and education.

 

Cllr Brabazon said: “Our mission here is to improve the quality of life in Haringey by making it a fairer place for all who live and work in it. This commission includes many local people and reflects the diversity of Haringey, bringing together a range of skills and areas of expertise from people who truly understand the area. In the coming months we will be working closely with residents and the wider community, asking for their views, and we would encourage everybody to get involved and have their say. We will also proactively seek out the views of people whose voices we don’t often hear – there is a genuine commitment here to make Haringey fairer for all.”

 

Prof Watt said: “Despite London’s status as a dynamic global city, inequality blights the lives of 21st century Londoners in a manner which is all too reminiscent of the Victorian period when the city was characterised by stark divisions of wealth and poverty. By gathering together the views of experts, leaders and – importantly – residents, the Haringey Fairness Commission will have a fantastic foundation for making a real difference in the vital fight for greater equality. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds that will be brought to the table will provide genuine insight into how we can all work together to make Haringey a fairer place. This Fairness Commission stands out as it is largely made up of people who have links to the borough – I’m pleased to be part of a group who are committed to making a real impact for the people who live and work here.”

 

 

The commission includes:

• Det Chief Supt Helen Millichap – Borough Commander
• Bibi Khan – LICS Wightman Road Mosque and Multi-Faith Forum
• Tony Hoolaghan – Chief Operating Officer, Haringey and Islington Clinical Commissioning Group
• Tony Hartney – Head at Gladesmore Community School and Crowland Primary School
• Radojka Miljevic – Local resident and partner at Campbell Tickell
• Dara de Burca – Local resident and Director of Children and Young People at the Children’s Society
• Dr Jeanelle De Gruchy – President of the Association of Directors of Public Health
• Dr Geoffrey Ocen – Chief Executive of the Bridge Renewal Trust
• Sona Mahtani – Chief Executive of Selby Trust
• Lynette Charles – Chief Executive of Mind in Haringey
• Sharon Grant OBE – Public Voice
• Councillor Joseph Ejiofor – Leader of Haringey Council
• Councillor Lucia das Neves – Chair Overview and Scrutiny
• Zina Etheridge – Haringey Council Chief Executive

MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Catherine West will also be involved and further commissioners will be announced in due course. To find out more about the commission, or fill out a feedback form, visit: www.haringey.gov.uk/fairness