[00:00:00] Hello, welcome back to Better Places. My name is Du Dwyer. I'm an account director at Concilio and listening to the podcast where we. Explore how people and policy are shaping the landscape of our boroughs, um, from the street level to those important strategic decisions. Today I'm joined by Councillor Perme.

Welcome Peri. Thank

you.

Uh, she is the labor leader of Har Gaye council borough with huge potential world cast connectivity in a renewed sense of purpose. Under her leadership, haringey's, one of London's most exciting multifaceted borough, uh, rich in cultural diversity in places like Tottenham Homes, the iconic, uh.

Crouch Chen and Leafy Forti Green to the vibrant high streets of wood, green and Hornsey. And of course, the world famous Tottenham Hot Spur Stadium. A venue just as likely to host people like Beyonce, um, or the NFL as well as, uh, a North London Derby. So it's becoming leader 2021 Paris helped shift the borough's approach, um, and its.[00:01:00]

Trajectory. Uh, restoring confidence in house housing delivery. Embedding a wider focus on inclusive growth and putting communities at the heart of regeneration, all while telling a new story about Haring gay's future with roots and youth work and decades of public sector experience behind her. Uh, she brings, uh, both heart and strategy to the role.

In this episode, we're gonna talk. About the borough's future, um, especially one that's post the HDV, the haring gate development vehicle is estate regeneration done with and not seen to be done onto communities unlocking wood green and building the faroh economy, uh, for all that enjoy it and how Haring Gate's preparing to become the London Borough of Culture in 2027, all while making the case for growth and one that's genuinely serves everyone.

So welcome Perro, and it's, uh, been a while since we've, uh, tried to get this dating, but pleased that you've taken this time to come down here to White Chapel, uh, which isn't [00:02:00] too far, but we'll get into how connected your bar is and, uh, the ability to, uh, to get down here, um, to speak to us. So. Very welcome to better Places.

Thank you. Thank you for having me. And uh, again, I don't know this, but I'd love for you to tell us a bit more. You've had a long career in public service from working with vulnerable young people to leading commission across London boroughs. Uh, I wonder if you could tell some of our listeners, uh, what first drew you into this work and how did you, and how did that shape the journey, um, through becoming the kind of council leader that you are today?

I mean, I think the most, um, my, my starting point really is the desire to make a difference, um, and to make a des uh, the desire to make a difference to people in, in the borough that I now represent and lead, which is Haring gay, which is where I was born and raised, where my family have lived since the 1960s.

So we're going back some time. Really lots of changes, but really that, that desire to bring about [00:03:00] change and positive change for people. Um, and what, what really drives me is somewhere like haring gay. We see vast differences between the east and west of the borough in terms of poverty, deprivation, life expectancy, and really just to try and break that down and make sure that everybody has the same opportunities.

I

mentioned in the intro that it's such a multifaceted bar, one that kind of crosses from the east and the west, and there are different stories that are told. Um, you became leader in 2021 in the middle of the pandemic, but also off the heels of what was perceived to be a failed approach to the HDV ADE development vehicle.

I wonder if you could tell us a bit more about. What kind of borough did you inherit back then, and what did you set out to really change?

Yeah, so I think it was an interesting time because it was the pandemic and um, not only was, um, this an unprecedented pandemic, but I, I become a mother as well during that period.

So coming at it from that sort of personal perspective, um, really did shape what. [00:04:00] I wanted to see in a place, um, as well. So it was an interesting time, obviously. Um, there was lots going on, but also lots not going on. You know, we were still trying to work out how we'd meet, how we do things. And I think you've said it in your intro, but I think the main thing for me and what's always driven me, whether that's in my paid work, on my political work, is a desire to put communities and people at the heart of everything that we do.

So what I really wanted to see in the borough was a collaborative. Competent council. I, you know, I will stress that enough. There's no point getting the basics right. Exactly. Getting the basics right. Um, there's no point building tons of homes if you're not, you know, you're not able to pick up the rubbish or you're not able to pick up the phone, um, or do housing repairs on your existing housing stock.

So we just had to combine that kind of competent collaborative and we, we included radical in that strap line because I think we've always been a borough that likes to push the boundaries. And I think that's something that we will always. Want to continue, hence our rebel borough [00:05:00] strap line for Borough of Culture in 2027.

Well, indeed, and well certainly come on to the Borough of culture, but there's so much to come unpack there. And whilst you've, um, born and bred in the borough and, and you've got a real stake there, not just with family in the community, but I wonder you've made clear that Haring Gay is a place that, and it's a borrow with ambition.

And one that where you're going to raise your, your little one. Um, what do you see as the, the next 10 or even five to 10 years looking like mm-hmm. Um, whether that's, um, while you still remain council leader, I'm sure that, um, uh, that, that that's something that's, um. The the, you are hoping to, to continue to do, what does the, what does the future of Haring gay re look like for, for your daughter?

Yeah, so we've just, we've just completed our borough vision. So when I first become leader, we had a whole manifesto. We had a corporate delivery plan, and what we were somewhat lacking was a longer term vision. So we've got, we've got a 10 year vision now, and the key line in that is a [00:06:00] borough where everyone can belong and thrive.

Again, that leads back to what I'd started off by saying, you know, we have a borough of two halves, but it, but it really has to be a place where everyone can achieve. You know, whether that's job opportunities, schooling, you know, a place where, you know, that's good for leisure activities, you know, and I think it's just, it's really important.

It's that sense of place, you know, it's, it's home, but it's also. What does my local park look like? What does my local school look like? Where's the leisurer facilities? What's the health facility? So I think it's just thinking of it in the round and just making sure that everyone has the opportunity to to, to belong and thrive,

you know?

And, uh, I'm sure you come across this, whenever I tell people I'm from Enfield, they often ask, oh, you mean there Tottenham Hotmail Stadium going, well, not really. It's about, uh, 10, 15 minutes down the road if you're driving. And, uh, if you're on the bus, it may take you a little longer. Uh, for those who aren't familiar with your borough, what is that east, west divide all about?

Yeah. 'cause [00:07:00] while I, when I, I family first came to the uk, we, we started off our roots in Bruce Grove. It's a stark difference to what it's like, um, not too far away from, uh, kind of the western front. So how are you going to make sure through your borough vision and how we're gonna touch on a bit later around, um, housing delivery?

How can you close the gap between not just the, um, the physical distance between Tottenham and the likes of, uh, Muswell Hill and Crouch End? Um, how will life opportunities be better?

Hmm. So I think what's important that is how local authorities. Can be leaders in place. 'cause I think you're not gonna result, you know, housing is at the root of all of that.

So making sure people have safe, good quality homes, I think is really, really at the heart of that. We're building a lot of council homes directly building council homes. Mm-hmm. Obviously, um, that's not enough for the number of people we have on our housing register. Looking more and more at affordable products, intermediate products for kind of young professionals who currently can't.

[00:08:00] Really afford, um, the, the house prices that are there, whether that's in the east or the west of a borough. So I think looking at kind of mixed, mixed tenure, making sure that, you know, housing is affordable to, to all, but also how we deal with the private rented sector. You know, it's there, but making sure again, that people have safe, um, good quality homes and places to live as well.

I think health opportunities is absolutely important. So if, you know, when we talk about huge. Massive development in the borough. And we have examples in Tottenham Hail, for example. So we have a number of private homes there. We have a number of council homes and we're about to complete on 270 council homes there on one of our, um, direct build sites.

Um, but we've got new health center there, you know, a brand new health water tu house. Which has come online, we've put a lot of money into the park. And I think that's, that's a sense of, um, how we, we create that place. But you're not gonna, you're not gonna break down that divide until you address health of the population, job opportunities, housing, it's [00:09:00] all of this and it's how you know, so anyone looking to come in and invest in herring, engagers has to take into account that sense of community and what, what that community is and means.

I probably have two questions off the back of that, but. For anyone who has, uh, cut through Tottenham Hill or, or just it's now become a kind of destination for them. I mean, I, I see it practically every day on the coming down the, uh, Lee Valley line and it has been transformed. And while I, I've seen those drawings on PDFs a long time ago.

I think like in 2017, much of the development around their yard. It was quite barren. I think some people might say there was already an existing community there and one that thrived. In fact, I grew up on Scales Road, so I'm quite familiar with the road, uh, with the area myself. It's got a lot of tall towers.

But you touched on it there. It's not just all private rented. No, no, no, no. There's a real mixture. I wonder if you could tell us a bit more around what you do at as Road Depot, but also roads, a Luxembourg house, and um, what does the regeneration there mean to [00:10:00] you and what does inclusive growth mean? In a place like Tot Hill,

so.

I'd say about five, six years ago, or even when I first become leader, which was four years ago, you know, we were getting a lot of kickback people saying, look at all these towers going up in Tottenham. Ha. It's not for local people, you know, the G word, you know, gentrification, et cetera. Um, since then, you know.

You just, you've just mentioned some of our council house builds that have come online. Um, I think it's about 40% of of them are count direct, you know, council homes at council rent, which is really impressive to, to, to be clear. Not social homes, council homes. Um, yeah, I, I think so. Um, and Ashley Road, as I said, I think it's 2 7 2, I've probably got that figure right.

But it's around that figure 2, 272 council homes about to come online there as well. So. You know, we, we've, we've done that. We've got, you know, our, our existing community is there. You know, we're not, we're not looking to push anyone out. Um, whilst at the same time we're building the council homes and then there's private investment coming in as [00:11:00] well.

Um, the park has had a significant amount of. Investment two. Um, we are seeing new coffee shops and places popping up all over the place. Um, not that I've got the time to visit any of them, of course. So there's a, there's a lot going on in that area from a community perspective as well. And I think the narrative has, has generally got better because as I said, we were getting some, some pushback, but I think now that people have seen sort of council homes coming on site, I think they think, oh, hang on.

You know, this is, it's mixed. It's great. It's, it's what it should be really.

And I think what really distinguishes and Rose Luxenberg house, for anyone who hasn't seen it, really should. It is a tall building. Mm-hmm. But it's not, it is one that actually, when I look at, when I look at the buildings, only 'cause I'm familiar with it, um, with the schemes, you can't always tell.

And I think that building that sense of community, um, a, a mixed community is one that should hopefully create a kind of mixed uh. Yeah, the sense of community, a mixed sense of community, and one that, um, you [00:12:00] don't just have a new group of people moving in, which I think is a positive. Um, but you also have a, a, a group of, um, sometimes more vulnerable residents or residents who, um, made Haring aid their life, but have spent so long trying to obtain a form of housing, which as you said, it's council housing, which is such a big, um, deal.

One top topic that often comes up, and I'm sure you, you've had this said about your borough quite a lot, is that Haring gay is not somewhere that's open to development. And I think the theme of today is around, um, har Gay kind of going for growth. Um, I'm gonna touch on this. The collapse of the haring gay development vehicle was seen as a kind of major moment in local government, but mainly for your borough.

How have you led the council outta that shadow and try to restore confidence in delivery?

Yeah, so. I think it's not that we're, of course, we're open to development, but it on our terms and what suits us, you know, and I think that needs to be made clear. You know, we're not. [00:13:00] You know, investment's great, but that investment has to benefit the people of Harring Gate, and I don't think I've ever deviated from that.

So have, how have, how have we changed things? It's, it is by putting our communities and people at the heart of it, you know, not just paying lip service and thinking about it in, in the round. Really what benefits, you know, there's growth, but you can't have growth without. Bringing people on board with you.

So I, I think if I had to kind of give it a general title, I think I've built a, a consensus, you know, that's what I've tried to do, whether that's with colleagues internally, or whether that's across Haringey as a whole. It's, it's thinking about how we can do politics in a consensual way where everyone feels that they're benefiting and that sense of purpose and that sense of community as well.

Do you think that that's one of the main lessons learned is around. A balancing ambition with, what'd you call it? Yeah. Balancing ambition with community consent. Is that one of the main lessons, or do you think there are other lessons that

ambition for who, I guess would be my question? Because [00:14:00] I think for me, the ambition, whether that's, you know me, the leader has to be on behalf of the community.

It's not for me personally. Right? It's about ambition. For Haringey. So I can't have an ambition for Haringey if the people of Haringey are not part of that. And look, I'm not naive, you know, it's, it's, you know, there is a vast set of different opinions. You know, I have to deal with this every day, but the truth of the matter is.

You have to build a broad consensus. Um, and you have to make people feel like they're part of that and it's what they want, not what you want. You know, it, it should never be a different you. What I want as leaders shouldn't be different to what the community of Haring Gaye want.

And you've been leader that for four years, which in Harry Goods, most recent histories.

Quite a long stint of time.

I'm the third longest standing. Goodness. Wow. Yeah. In the whole history, apparently. When you, when you came,

uh, had you, when you'd arrived, you'd mentioned that you, you rarely ever get out of the power because it's, I can imagine you've got so much to do. You've got your little one that you are raising, but you are also, um, in charge of [00:15:00] a massive administration.

That budget is in excess of 600 million pounds. Um, what lessons have you learned from your background that have led to this? How are you now the third longest serving leader of the borough? And perhaps you, you may well overtake some of your predecessors.

Yeah, I mean, as a Harring guy is her born and raised, so I, I think I get the borough right.

I get it. I, you know, and I think that the biggest, well, as I said, I think my biggest strength as leader is the ability to bring people together, um, and build consensus. Um, and I think. One of the key, you know, you spoke about the haring aid development vehicle. Um, I think it's about how we, you know, that, that getting the basics right, conversation was really important.

You know, we became a council that was dominated by. What are we gonna do? What are we gonna build? Which is fine, you know, some will say, well, it's needed. Yeah, we need to build new homes. Absolutely. [00:16:00] But we also needed to talk about getting the basics right for people. Right. You know, it's, it's all very well building a shiny new tower if someone hasn't got a play area, a swimming pool, et cetera.

You know, it's about how you create those places for people to enjoy

that. Bringing people together I think is really important. So what I'm going to touch now on, um, kind of what meaningful state regeneration means. Uh, Broadwater Farm is a real major example of that. How are you ensuring that it's not just a redevelopment, but it's one that does get the basics right and allows for sense of community renewal?

Mm-hmm. So we've got an absolutely fantastic team down there, absolutely brilliant, who are totally focused on, on Broadwater Farm now. Um, what we need is that learning to then be spread elsewhere to some of our. Other estates, which we are doing, but we have a team base there. We have a whole engagement team.

When we did the ballot there, you know, we made sure that they were translated into the relevant languages, which on Boardwalk Farm would be mainly be [00:17:00] Turkish, um, and some others as well. You know, French, Portuguese, et cetera. So we were really, really. Clear that we had to kind of understand the community.

And we've got the team there all the time. You know, we've got some legends who've, you know, people like Clatford who've worked on the Broadwalk farmer state for many, many years. So it's a real, it really is a community endeavor there. Um, and, and. Trying to bring people, you know, it, it's, you know, it probably is one of the most well-known or notorious estates that, you know, one of them in the UK certainly, um, 'cause of the history.

And I think just listening to the, the residents there, you know, they're, they're, you know, there's so much. So many wonderful things that happen. Doesn't mean that there's not issues. You know, there are that there are, but I think they were just sick of people treating them like some sort of, you know, something to just come and look at something to, you know, and I think it's just, you know, giving them that sense of ownership and, and sort of confidence in their estate really.

So we, there is a lot of money going, you know, the GLA are investing a lot of money, so we, and [00:18:00] I think it just, just had to think of it in the round. Yeah. There's a wonderful school. One of the, the school there, the Willow is. You know, one of the best primaries in, in the borough is an outstanding school.

You know, thinking about health facilities, community facilities, you know, and really coming at it from that perspective.

And it's good that you mentioned the GLA there because they've been quite an integral partner mm-hmm. For you, in delivery of much in the homes that you've, uh, you have. Delivered. Um, why is that?

What, what makes Haring Gaye's relationship with the GLA, um, such a good one that you can, um, deliver some of these schemes? And what role do other kind of public sector partners have in your delivery of the state regions and other sites across the borough?

So I think we, with the GLA, I mean, we, we have a, a fantastic house building team in terms of our direct, sort of council house building.

So I think that confidence in Haringey comes from the fact that we are. Politically stable, um, currently, and the fact that we have a team that delivers, and I think that's really, really important. So I think [00:19:00] stability's important, but so too is, is the ability to, to deliver. So we, we have been delivering as, as you'll see from the numbers, we've already completed on over 700 council homes.

And the next phase, I think we got 2000 more to go. So I think it's, it's, but I think political stability is important. It's, it really is.

And we had, um, council Ruth Gordon. Mm-hmm. Your placemaking and, and gonna regeneration alongside Robbie. I, um, and, uh, student directors on, uh, last year and their message was all about growth, inclusive growth.

And it was clear then from last year, from now that that political stability and that positive message of working with communities and actually setting your red lines, if there are any. Quite straight is probably quite helpful when you are negotiating with the GL so that they know the delivery will happen, but also some of the private partners that you're working with trying to try and build, bring forward some of these schemes.

Housing's only one side of it. And, um, [00:20:00] that's kind of disparaging the borough. It does have, um, in some pockets, um, quite high levels of unemployment. What are you doing to tackle that and how are you trying to bring job opportunities, uh, to the borough? Because it, it's somewhere, it's not lost on me that you can get from Tottenham Hill to Kings Cross in about 10 minutes in some places.

So for me, it takes about 45 minutes to get anywhere from any food. Mm-hmm. How are you trying to bring, uh, jobs to Haring gay and those that are not just low paid, but ones that can really upskill some of the residents in places like Totten?

Yeah, so I think, so we've got Haring Gay Works, we've got, you know, part of the Connect to Work program and all of that.

I think that's all really important to have schemes, you know, in place. I think. Even more importantly, it is about how we work with employers and vote and you know, because this is, it's a cycle, right? You know, I worked on an employment scheme about 25 years ago, and we're still in that place where we're talking about [00:21:00] high levels of unemployment as well.

I think it's deeply structural too. Um, and I think, you know. The, the new kind of programs that we've got, it'd be fantastic. But we do need to think about long-term sustainability and how we keep particularly young people in roles and how, how roles are, are created as well. Um, so in terms of what we do, we have direct programs going on.

You know, we have. Good schools in Haring gay, you know, which is always your, your starting block. But we're still finding high levels of unemployment and I think that a lot of that is to do with, you know, deprivation, poverty. How do we break, um, certain communities and people out of those cycles. I think it's a complex picture.

Mm-hmm. And I know that there are other destinations in the borough, but we'll come on wood green in a moment. Um. I guess a question that I have is. For lots of residents, they will see lots of these new tower blocks, uh, rising [00:22:00] up, or they'll, they'll, they'll see changes in the, um, on, on their high streets.

What's your message to them around the skills that are on offer, but how that, how they can find and play their part, um, in the growth that's, that's been generated across of Haring Gaye, but um, anywhere else that they might seek to, uh, to get a job and new skills.

Yeah. So I think what's what's been really important to us, um, I know I keep talking about it today, is, is, you know, there are tower blocks going up.

I think what's really helped us with the narrative is that we are building council homes, right? And I think that goes some way towards saying to the community, well, it's not just sort of private blocks going up. So I think that does help with the narrative. Um, and, and will because, you know, we've got quite a big figure on, on the table as well, I think.

As I said, the, the message. I do think there's some deeply structural issues and reasons as to why we're not getting people into work. I don't [00:23:00] think as a borough you can kind of act alone on that basis, like of course. Mm-hmm. We can talk to local employers. Um, I mean, Haring Gay really is a business. It's a small business borough.

You know, we've got Spurs, we've got ourselves. Besides from that, we're not. We're not like some of the central London boroughs, it's like slightly different. You know, we've got big college as well. Do you think the borough

has the potential to be there? Because I, again, it, it's not lost on either. You've got Tottenham Hill and you've got Censuses, which they're close enough to each other that, um, sorry, they're not too far apart from each other, that they can be their own hubs.

You can get to Central London so quickly. Yeah. But also other parts of London, uh, do, do you think Haring, har Gay has the potential to. To be an attraction to people who don't just come to visit, but perhaps set up even more businesses in the world. Yeah,

I mean, we got a lot of creatives as I'm sure Ruth, um, and Robbie would've told you when they came last.

She's like, so we got a lot of creative districts as well. And I think I can only see that growing as people are priced out of other parts of, of London. So we have a whole kind of creative, and [00:24:00] there is a. You know, I, I dunno how to word this, but you know, there is a young vibe, isn't there? There is a kind of young, trendy vibe.

Um, that's what perhaps, um, you know, um, perhaps we're gonna overtake Hackney at some point. I'm not sure. But, you know, we do have a young trendy vibe. So places like Tottenham Hale, you can certainly see that emerging. I think Wood Green has that, has that potential as well. We've got that whole, um, creative quarter, cultural quarter, you know, lots of music stuff going on.

Um, so yes, I, I do, I I do think there's always. That potential to grow those industries as well with within Harringay.

And it's, again, I feel like I've, uh, moved in between Enfield and Harringay for much of my life. But Wood Green is a, I think it's a great place to live. I've got lots of family who, who, who live.

Then I know that you represent part of the, part of the district. Born and raised in wood, greenish, born, raised with green. I represent parts of no, uh, Noel Park. Mm-hmm. Um. It's one of those great unsolved questions or these parts of it, it's like 15 years of um, ideas about what could change [00:25:00] or what could potentially be, what's your vision for green?

And on top of that, what do you think most residents who currently live there want to see from the area?

Yeah, so I think it's, it's really interesting 'cause we can get into a whole conversation about, you know, you can't talk about Woodgreen without talking about the High Street, for example. So I do think there's a whole conversation that.

Needs to happen and is happening around high streets more generally and what high streets are there to do. So I think if you speak to your average resident in Woodgreen, they're sort of like, oh, there needs to be this shop and there needs to be that shop. Whether it's bring back Marks and Spencer's or bring back whatever, I think the realities, high streets are changing.

Mm-hmm. Right. You know, even. When you pop belong to Oxford Street, you'll see that change. So let's be honest, there's more restaurants, there's more food, there's more eateries coming up. So I think for Haringey, we've certainly got a few quarters where, you know, our kind of catering and restaurants are really well known.

Now you've managed to go 20 minutes without mentioning green lanes. You know, we literally have an option. We literally have [00:26:00] one of the most famous, so if, if you haven't already Yeah. You love,

uh, Turkish food, uh, a is probably, um, one of the best. Uh, restaurants on the strip, but I don't wanna cause any, uh, uh, tension.

Yeah. Well,

Sri will thank you for that. But, so we have, you know, some of the best Turkish restaurants, one of the most well known kind of strips for Turkish, um, and Kurdish restaurants. Um, we have Turnpike Lane, which is. Predominantly sort of South Asian shops as well. So that's a, a little bit of, of that as well in Turnpike Lane.

And as you know, no, west

Green Road is quite fond of the Caribbean community and all. Yeah.

West Green Road with Caribbean community. And now we've got, um, well now it's been there for a while, wards Corner with a South American community. So we've got all these quarters, you know, if you want, if you want a bit of yam planted, you know, you go down West Street, you know, you know where, where it to go.

There's planting. So, so, so I think, I think there's a, there is a real. Kind of story in how and gay around food and culture and how that sort of comes, comes together,

and, um, talk about both culture. [00:27:00] That's probably the one. One of the opportunities that you have to perhaps knock, uh, uh, Hackney off, off the, off the top of that, uh, off top of that list, uh, offense there to, to Mayor Woodley.

Uh, but what does the Bar of Culture 2027 mean to you? Um, and how are you going to showcase the bar that clearly mean so much to you? But again, you've got the likes of West Green Road, you've got Turnpike Lane, you've got Green Lanes, there's such a hodgepodge. There are so much. How can you really sell?

Haringey.

Yeah, so I think that the story there is gonna be something going on in every single ward in the borough. Um, because we've got cro, I mean, crouch and had a festival over the weekend. There was Crouch and Festival. I mean, you've got places like Ware Hill, I mean, you know, the kinks, you know, all these colors.

Strong, strong history that's come about from places like that as well. So. Everything should be going, you know, there should be something going on in each of the wards in our borough as well. And then just what that common thread is, you know, what [00:28:00] Hering Gate is about, um, as a, as a place as well. So I think it's really, it's really, really exciting.

And then for us it was just so positive as you said, you know, we've, you know, that. The whole post HDV period was quite difficult. You know, as a borough, we perhaps have always had a reputation for being a bit difficult. You know, there's been a number of, um, you know, riots and some huge sort of child protection issues that.

That kind of hang over us. So I think this is a real opportunity for us to celebrate Haring Gay, um, and what Haring Gay is about. And actually, as part of that bid, you know, we've had, you know, Alexandra Palace involved in that bid, Tottenham Hot Spur being part of the bid with us, you know, Jackson's Lane, all of these great institutes that go all the way from Highgate all the way to Tottenham as well.

So it's a real opportunity to celebrate everything haring, gay, and bring everyone together.

And just touching on that, you talked about, um, Alexandra Palace, which correct me if I'm wrong, is kind of the gateway to the west of the borough. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. What's the offer there, or, or what part [00:29:00] of, um, the west of Haring gay's story is gonna be told in the, um, in above culture?

And do you see it remaining? Is a bar that side of the bar that's a bit more suburban or can you see growth done in a way that residents there can also support?

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I mean I think, you know, you've got Highgate there, you've got Muswell Hill, you've got Crouch and I, I think it depends, I don't know if the o you know, opportunities are there as much because, you know, land price is obviously a lot different to the east of the borough.

So, um, I think it's always, wherever you are, east, west Center is, it's really important to. Bring people on board with you. Look naturally, I'm sure in your world, you, you know this better than me. Um, the more middle class scenario, the, the more. Ability, they have to put their views forward and to be heard.

Um, and that's one of the things we, we sort of grapple with as well. I wanna make sure [00:30:00] that all of my communities have a voice, um, whether that's in Tottenham, Woodgreen or Crouch End. So in some ways it could be seen as, you know, it's a bit more challenging in the West. From my perspective. It, it shouldn't be.

I think we need to treat everyone the same. If we're bringing something to their area, we need to make sure they know what that is and they're a part of that.

And it's funny you mention it 'cause I was, um, I've forgotten the name now of the, uh, cafe that I was in, but it was, uh, in the, on the way to Archway, I was just in, uh, muzzle Hill and, um.

Seeing that it's really is a very attractive part of the borough mm-hmm. And places that people obviously, um, love to be in. And you are absolutely right that where an area is a bit more affluent and, um, depending on the kind of work that people do there, there'll be much more schooled in, um, planning policy and the challenges around that.

And they'll often know a lot more than me and the consultants that I work with. Um, but actually just in closing, and it's been really. Fascinating [00:31:00] hearing so much about your plans for growth and that haringey is growing for growth and, uh, you're doing a lot to deliver homes yourself. Your local plan is a blueprint for the next chapter, and you'll borrow story.

Um, what are the real big ideas that people should take away from not just this interview, but your local plan? Um, and yeah, what is your closing message to anyone who's listening? Um. To you about the next chapter in your borough story?

Yeah, so I think it's, for us, it's about the story we tell in places like Woodgreen and particularly North Tottenham as well.

Um, so there are some plans, but I think for us, you know, Woodgreen is an area that has a, a lot of opportunity, you know, one of the highest footfalls in London. Um, and there's a lot, you know, there's a lot that. Needs to be sort of developed and looked at as well. So I would say we've got areas with some really, really big opportunities in, in the borough.

Um, and what we wanna see is a kind of thriving high [00:32:00] street. We wanna see, you know, good housing, whether that's private or, or. Council, good quality housing for people and leisure activities, I think.

But before we close, and I do want to find out a bit more about, uh, your sustainability agenda. Mm-hmm. And then, and what that means to you, and also your transport agenda and what that means for many of your local, um, uh, businesses and organizations.

What is Haringey's vision for sustainable transport? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and how are you going to continue? Um, to develop, but to also make sure that your borough is as, um, as green as possible.

Yeah. So I think we've got, um, as you rightly identified, the transport links in the borough are pretty good in terms of the train stations and, and bus routes, et cetera.

Pretty good. Although we, we do struggle a bit with across Tottenham, if that makes sense. Um, that can be a bit, a bit trickier as well. Um, I think it's important we have introduced, um, you know. Low traffic [00:33:00] neighborhoods, um, controversially, I know for some, but we have, um, we have introduced, um, sort of school streets and stuff.

So we are looking at that. I mean, for me, that's, that's not enough. Those, those things have to come with lots of other measures. So, you know, in terms of greening, in terms of what we're investing in, up. Parks, you know, trees and just thinking about even our homes, you know, retrofitting, et cetera. So we do have a whole plan around this and I think we're about to put some, um, investment into retrofitting some of our council homes.

I think you need to look at it in the round. You know, there's, I think a lot of, you know, a lot of us fell into trap of just rolling out low traffic neighborhoods and thinking that was the answer to it. It's not because they only benefit some. We need to think about what. Fair and greener means for everybody.

So I think we've got series of measures including a climate action forum, um, that's shared by my colleague Councilor Mic Kata. So we do take it seriously. Um, and sustainable travel. As I say, we're always trying to sort of balance the interest of the pedestrian with the [00:34:00] driver, with the cyclist as well, which is not an easy challenge, but one, we are keen to.

To get right.

And it's, it's certainly one that you are balancing really well and I'm pretty sure, I think a couple weeks ago, LinkedIn, uh, your Deputy Councilor Williams opened one of your first passive house schemes. Yes. Which she was really, um, proud of. So it's clear to me that you are doing a lot of work to try and balance those two needs.

But, and also, um. The, the environmental breed and gender's only one that's up there on the top of your list.

It's really important. And I think, you know, if you, you know, if you look at young people in schools and stuff, they've got like environment active, you know, they, they, they've got council, you know, specific sort of council rows for young envi, environ, environmentalists, et cetera.

So it's really important. We've, you know, especially for our younger people. Yeah,

and again, it would be remiss of me to, to not ask you about, um, the new government and, um, kind of the positive, um, uh, sounds that are coming from there around house building. And the most recent announcement around [00:35:00] social. Um.

House building funds, um, what would your one ask be of this government? Um, and what would your message be to, uh, haring gay residents, uh, about your relationship with the current government?

Yeah, so I've probably got more than one ask, but if I had to go, go through it, through, I think where we're at currently, I think it's just, just that sort of recognition that.

Investing, you know, local government perhaps isn't as exciting and as glamorous as, as other parts of the public sector. But you know, we need to invest in local government, particularly preventative services. Um, because if we don't, then we end up just being purely reactive. And in this current climate, we haven't really spoken today about.

Council budgets, but when councils, you know, and a lot of, let's be frank, a lot of councils in London are cash strapped at the moment, and the more cash strapped you are mm-hmm. The more you are reacting constantly, rather than actually being able to have the head space and the [00:36:00] money and the funding to, to be visionary.

So that's, that's the truth. So I think for me it's just that, you know, fairer funding, particularly for boroughs like mine, that's my real ask at the moment, is a fairer funding formula, which takes into account, you know. Deprivation. Um, and, and places where you can perhaps, you know, there's no point investing in the NHS if you're not gonna be investing in social care and, um, early support.

I certainly know that, um, for London Councils and you do a lot work with them, um, long-term funding for local government is really important so that you can be more, um, proactive on and reactive. Um, and I think. For you and Haring Gates clear that it, this is certainly a direction that you, you are ambitious for your residents as you made clear.

https://app.asana.com/1/1109463010195355/project/1206929954553972/task/1210412111073978?focus=trueUm, but you really want to see, uh, the gap close between, um, both the east and the west. And I wanna just to touch on my last question there. What is your message [00:37:00] to, um, haring gate residents about the future? And, um, and, and how are you going to bring along in this, uh, in this journey?

Yeah, so I think the future's bright and I.

And I do think that Haring Gay as a borough, all, all parts of Haring gay has just got so much potential. But I think the message from me as, as the current leader is that. It really is about a place where everyone can belong and thrive. And by thrive I'm in good quality health, good quality education, um, and just lots of opportunities.

And we know that that's not currently the case for everybody. So how we can bring everyone on board and create that, that environment, I think is a really key question. And one that certainly I would like everyone to know is what I'm fighting and advocating for on a daily basis.

Thank you so much and to close.

Um, well that's it for this episode of Better Places. A big thank you to councilor per I ahed, uh, for joining us and showing that Haring Gates combined, not just culture, community, but confidence, uh, to drive a new kind of people [00:38:00] at growth, uh, in the bar. So whether it's delivering new homes, hosting headline acts, or uh, in its residence, har has proven that with local.

Leadership, uh, it can really propel the borrower into, uh, uh, well a brighter future. So thank you so much. Thank you. Council Ed. Thank you. Um, thank you all for listening. Um, please do subscribe and, uh, we'll see you on the next one.