Young people in Highbury East have an opportunity to bid for money to imrpove services they use - be it a local commununity group, sports team or arts project.

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) gives young people the chance to take decisions about the opportunities they would like to be available for themselves and other young people in Islington.  The YOF has operated for the last 2 years and has been a great success.  In 2008/9 about £300,000 will be available.

The Fund has helped with the purchase of sports and music equipment, provided funding for residential programmes away form Islington, enabled organisations to run new programmes and provided specific support to excluded groups in the community including disabled young people. 

Cllr Laura Willoughby, who set up Listen Up, the project that young people lead to improve services in Islington said:  “This is an excellent fund - get your imagination going, consult with friends and make sure you get what you need for your club or group.”

The YOF is not suitable for individual sponsorship or major capital works to premises.  A separate process will run for capital based projects that will take into account the new resources for the borough from the Youth Capital Fund (£100,000), new council capital resources (£250,000), Youth Capital Fund Plus (£450,000) and an as yet unspecified amount through the Myspace programme. 

This year there is a central application process that will manage £200,000 of the money available.  Applications can be made now and at any time through the year as the young people’s panel will meet every month.  A further £60,000 will be available through schools and an additional £40,000 in the 3 priority areas identified in the strategy: Barnsbury/Copenhagen, Finsbury Park/Tollington/Hillrise and Junction/St George’s.  

Groups of young people can apply for as much money as they think they will need for their project.  There is a DVD to explain and promote the scheme which has been widely distributed.  The application form that needs to be completed is attached along with some FAQs.  Further advice, support and information is available through Listen Up and the key contacts are rita.burrows@islington.gov.uk and anna.spivack@islington.gov.uk alternatively Rita or Anna are contactable on 0207 527 4511.

Dear Jules

Re:  Post Offices

You will be aware of the widespread public opposition to the post office closure programme being promoted by the Labour Government.

Islington Council has campaigned strongly against post office closures.  Although we have won the campaign to keep open

which is in your borough but is used by Islington residents.

I am aware that the Labour Group in Islington has intimated that you wish to step in to save the post office.  I would be very pleased to meet to discuss any plans which you may have to preserve post office services in the area and to see if there is anything that we in Islington can do to help.

Yours sincerely

Councillor

James Kempton

cc Cllr Lucy Watt, Cllr

Many of you will know the council has taken enforcement action againts the above property.  It, in the councils view, does not comply with the planning permission it has been given.

The Appeal is regarding: Enforcement Notice: The insertion of three pairs of windows into the flank wall.

A hearing dates has now been seet for:

10.00am in Room 2, 4^th Floor, Islington’s Municipal Offices, 222 Upper Street, London, N1 on Wednesday 15 October 2008. 

You are welcome to attend the Inquiry and to have your views heard by the Inspector and can do so by contacting Lisa Topliss on 020 7527 2731 or email: lisa.topliss@islington.gov.uk

We all know that good lighting in our streets and open spaces is important in fighting crime and making us feel safe.

Already the street lighting in many roads around Highbury Fields has been improved. Now it is the time to improve the lighting on Highbury Fields itself. 37 new lampposts have been installed at key locations across the Fields including the area outside Highbury pool on Highbury Crescent, on Queen’s Path between Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, and on the walkway between Highbury Terrace and Church Path. These are of the traditional style in keeping with the area.

Cllr. Terry Stacy, pictured right, said, “Residents told us what they wanted to see improved on the fields, and we listened and delivered. Along with many streets in the area, lighting on the Fields is to be improved.”

Over 50 new bike racks have been installed across Highbury as a result of your Liberal Democrat Councillors. Using money from their Area Committee allocation, Terry, Laura and John put forward sites for new bike racks in our area. These include additional bike racks outside Central Library on Fieldway Crescent, around Highbury & Islington Station, on Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, along Highbury Park, at Highbury Barn and at the Blackstock Road/Riversdale Road junction. Cllr. John Gilbert, who is a keen cyclist himself, said,“These cycle racks will make a big differene to local cyclists. If anyone has any further suggestions for cycle rack locations, let us know.“

 As a result of the work of your local Liberal Democrat Councillors, St. Augustine’s Path is a lot safer for local residents.

New lighting has been installed along the passage between Highbury New Park and Petherton Road. Anti-moped barriers have also been installed and the walkway has been resurfaced.

This joins Kelross passage, which benefited from the same works last year.

The Council’s Community Safety Chief Cllr. Terry Stacy said, “Residents told us these areas were of concern to them, so we listened and acted.”

After positive feedback about measures to reduce abuse of Riversdale Road and surrounding streets by lorries, the Council has undertaken a second consultation about the location of restrictions like those on Theberton Street.

Residents told the Council and local Councillors that, whilst they supported the principle of the restrictions, they were not happy about the suggested location and its effect on Mountgrove Road.

As a result, a new location has been indentified and has been consulted on. The new location is on Riversdale Road, closer to its junction with Green Lanes, which will keep lorries out of Riversdale Road, Mountgrove Road, and surrounding streets. Local Councillor John Gilbert said, “This is a good example of the Council listening to residents and taking their views on board.”

Your local Liberal Democrat Councillors are committed to improving and protecting this unique and well-used open space for local residents and visitors alike.

Record amounts of funding have been secured by your Councillors. Spending on facilities on and around Highbury Fields has begun, and more is planned.

Already we have seen:

- Over £1 million spent on the extension to Highbury Pool to improve the gym and sauna, and to build new fitness rooms;

- The installation of solar panels on the roof of Highbury Pool to reduce its energy costs;

- New fencing and gates at the Childrens’ Play Area;

- New benches and litter bins installed, with more on the way;

- Repairs to fencing around the park;

- Soil and turf repairs underway and new planting coming shortly.

Cllr. Terry Stacy, who has been leading the campaign to get Highbury Fields improved, said, “Working with local residents, the Council has developed a clear vision for this great open space. These are just a few of the improvements people told us they want to see.”

He was joined by fellow Highbury East Cllr. Laura Willoughby, who said, “We hope this is just the beginning. There is still a lot to do, so watch this space!”

Notification about a Full Planning Application (P081008) in East Area for 7 Fergus Road for the Installation of four velux windows.

The planning application can be viewed on the Council’s website by clicking here. The application can also be seen at Contact Islington (open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.45 pm). As you know the Council has a limited time to consider the application. Comments to Sandra Civero on 020 7527 7097 by 16 July

NCH action for Children is moving from their beautiful site on Highbury Grove.  This will mean they will look to sell and develop their site and as a result there is an exhibition setting out the principles for the development and discuss the future of the site with representatives of NCH as well as council officers.

 A leaflet oulining the proposals can be dowloaded here http://highburyeast.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2008/06/08_09_0083-highbury-consultation_v3.pdf

The consultation runs from Monday 16 June for 4 weeks, with Monday 14 July the deadline for comments. This is being run jointly with NCH, the current occupiers and owners of the site, so the exhibition explains their reasons for moving as well as setting out our aspirations for the future of the site. They are keen to leave a good legacy behind them and to work with the council to achieve this. So far we are agreed that a residential scheme of predominately family housing built to the highest sustainable and design standards would meet both the council’s objectives and NCH’s.

Six open days have been arranged and advertised for the following dates and times: 

Wednesday  18 June                   2.00pm – 8.00pm

Thursday  19 June                     10.00am – 6.00pm

Friday   27 June                          2.00pm - 8.00pm

Saturday  28 June                     10.00am - 5.00pm

Wednesday  2 July                    10.00am – 6.00pm

Thursday  3 July                        2.00pm – 8.00pm

 The final planning brief is scheduled to be presented to East Area Committee on 8 September 2008.

If you want to know more contact Chris Corby, Senior Planner, Policy & Projects,  020 7527 2987, chris.corby@islington.gov.uk