feature: Making the Difference in Haringey
19 November 2007
Local people put in more than 500 applications this year to Haringey Council's Area Assembly 'Making the Difference' budgets. We look at where the money will be going.
Making the Difference is about local people deciding where money should be spent to make real improvements in their neighbourhood. The scheme has now been running for four years, and with more applications coming in every year, it’s become a real success story.
“Local people know what improvements are needed. Making the Difference is a straightforward way for residents to put forward ideas, say which ones they support and then get them into action,” says Cllr Lorna Reith, cabinet member for community cohesion and involvement.
“The scheme has really taken off, and it proves that small improvements in the right place can make a big difference.”
Making the Difference provides £50,000 to each of the seven area assembly neighbourhoods across the borough, to pay for small improvements put forward by residents. Each project can be awarded up to a maximum of £10,000, with the council’s neighbourhood management teams helping to find additional funding where possible.
Funding can be awarded for projects such as improving open spaces, extra lighting, tree planting, community events and youth activities. They must be one-off projects that can be completed within the financial year. Residents and local community groups can apply, and final decisions are made by the area assembly chairs, who are also ward councillors, after consultation with residents and council officers. Residents will be able to apply for the next round of Making the Difference budgets in early 2008.
For more information email area.assemblies@haringey.gov.uk or contact your local neighbourhood manager (see below).
|Back to topWhere the money goes
This year’s successful applications include:
- Restoration of the famous ‘Langton Clock’ on Muswell Hill Broadway, with a grant of £3,800
- £800 to put up bat boxes in Coldfall Wood, to help encourage wildlife
- £4,000 for Hornsey Bowls Club, to pay for essential repairs and improvements to the club’s building in time for their 2008 centenary year
- New seating, bulb planting and general environmental improvements so that residents can enjoy a currently underused open space at the William Close Triangle, Hornsey (£4,500)
- £1,000 for the newly formed Plevna Crescent resident’s association in south Tottenham to hold a ‘healthy living’ fun day on the estate, aimed at children and families, and also promoting the work of the association
- A summer theatre programme for young people in Tottenham and Seven Sisters, awarded £3,000 to receive training in different aspects of drama and theatre production and then put on their own show for friends and family.
Contacting your Neighbourhood Manager
You can contact your neighbourhood manager on the number below, or by email using the format firstname.lastname@haringey.gov.uk
- Crouch End, Stroud Green and Hornsey:
Bob Goldsmith, 020 8489 4531 - Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate:
Rani Khan, 020 8489 4757 - Northumberland Park and White Hart Lane:
Sue Grant, 020 8489 2453 - West Green and Bruce Grove:
Bernadette Riganti, 020 8489 8804 - Tottenham and Seven Sisters:
Sade Johnson, 020 8489 2455 - St Ann’s and Harringay:
Dasos Maliotis, 020 8489 4936 - Wood Green, Bounds Green and Woodside:
Kate Garner, 020 8826 9284
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