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Minutes Of Boundry Commission Meeting |
24th October 2001 |
Meeting arranged jointly by the Green Lanes Business Association and Palmers Green Residents Association and held at the Pilgrims Banqueting Suite Hazelwood Lane on Thursday 18th October 2001.
Meeting commenced 8pm and concluded 9:30pm
The Panel comprised of: -
Costas Georgiou Chairman G L B A
Stephen Twigg MP Enfield Southgate Constituency
Cllr Bambos Charalambous Palmers Green Ward
Cllr Christopher Cole Highfield Ward
Seraphim Leonidas Chairman P G R A
Mr. Costas Georgiou opened the session by welcoming the
public for their attendance particularly on such short notice, introduced
the theme of the meeting and promptly introduced the guest speaker Mr.
Stephen Twigg MP.
Mr. Twigg extended his thanks to both chair persons for his invitation to attend this meeting and for the opportunity to convey his message opposing the proposals by the Boundaries Commission to move Palmers Green Ward from the Enfield/Southgate Constituency to the Edmonton Constituency.
Mr. Twigg went on to confirm that a public enquiry was now setup as a
direct result of the strong community support to his letter last March.
Only 100 letters were necessary but he received at least 700 each one
opposing the proposals that were published in March 2001. The date for
this enquiry was set to 7th November this year. It will be held at the
Civic Centre, commence at 9:30am and last all day, possibly extending
to the 8th November if deemed necessary. As other Wards may also be affected
we should note that other groups and individuals will be attending. A
QC barrister was appointed to preside over this session to hear verbal
argument from any party or individual wanting to do so.
Mr. Twigg has confirmed his present campaign to raise public
awareness and strongly appealed that both local residents and local businesses
should write or send e-mails to the Secretary of the Boundaries Commission
opposing this proposal, before November 7th. He believes that we have
a very strong chance of preventing this from happening - certainly no
worse than 50:50.
He went on to confirm the following:
The Commission is an independent body comprised of barristers
and academics guided by rules and regulations and charged with the task
of balancing constituency numbers across the whole of the UK to promote
a fair democratic control. Their work is exercised every 10 years. There
were no recommendations for Enfield during the last review in 1992. However,
Bush Hill Park and part of Grange Park were moved to the Edmonton Constituency
in 1982.
At present we have three constituency areas: Enfield North,
Edmonton and Enfield/Southgate - which comprises of Palmers Green, Southgate,
New Southgate, Arnos Grove, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Enfield Chase,
Highlands and Cockfosters upto Hadley Wood. It is recognised that Edmonton
has fewer people on the Electoral Register than Enfield Southgate and
short of one Council Ward.
The political parties appear to be united in their overall
opposition to Palmers Green Ward moving to Edmonton but appear to differ
in their choice of alternative options for consideration. The Labour party
for instance are promoting that the rest of Grange Park (Enfield/Southgate)
is re-united into Edmonton whilst the Concervatives favour Ponders End
(Enfield North) be moved.
Our objections must be strong and effective. Our letters
could be as simple as "I have always lived in Palmers Green. I have
seen the changes proposed. I like to remain in Palmers Green and therefore
strongly oppose these proposals". By way of examples the following
were cited: -
1. Historic Links - Palmers Green, Southgate, New Southgate,
Winchmore Hill, formed the original Borough of Southgate. Even the Southgate
Town hall is situated in Palmers Green;
2. The present proposals will split Palmers Green into
three separate parts; the area west of the railway line will continue
to be Enfield Southgate, as would the area south of the North Circular.
However, the area east of the railway line and north of the North Circular
will become Edmonton. Palmers Green should be UNITED and not fractured.
It would have made more sense to follow the natural boundaries such as
the North Circular and the A10.
3. Community ties, schools, libraries, and shopping links
that form the very infrastructure of Palmers Green will be shattered.
4. The WAGN railway service will run through Southgate,
cross into Edmonton and re-emerge in Southgate. Bus services offer poor
links between Palmers Green and Edmonton.
5. Although there is the possibility that Palmers Green
property values may fall whilst insurance premiums might rise, it was
suggested that this line of argument will not be strong enough to sway
the decision of the panel. Nor is the suggestion that the N13 postcode
will change - as this is controlled entirely by the Post Office it is
not likely to materialise.
6. The viewpoint of the political parties should also be
considered as both are advocating against these proposals.
7. If Palmers Green moves to Edmonton, it may allow part
of Bush Hill Park to go back to Enfield/Southgate reversing in effect
the shift approved by the 1982 review.
The Chair opened the floor to the public for questions.
1. Is there an alternative?
The Labour Party prefers that Grange Ward should move to Edmonton as 36%
of the area already is.
The Conservative Party suggest that both Highlands and Ponders End should
move from Enfield North
2. What are the numbers based on?
The Electoral Register - which is updated every year - and not the National
Census Count
3. Is there an appeal process?
Generally, there is no appeal. The decision reached by the Commission
following a public enquiry is considered being final. There is very little
chance of holding a second public enquiry.
4. Is the process run by the politicians for their own
gain?
There is no collusion. The Commission is an independent body and respected
for its unbiased efforts. However Commissioners do not usually live in
the areas they assess and cannot be in possession of local facts and history.
It was argued that the Constituency boundary for Highgate was "conveniently"
adjusted to enable Glenda Jackson to secure her seat by moving Hamstead
to Kilburn. It was argued further that a large number of foreign nationals
without voting rights reside in Edmonton reducing its official number
on the Electoral Register. Palmers Green is seen as the most certain option
to secure Mr. Love's Edmonton seat. Mr. Twigg strongly advised against
the use of this argument although there may be an element of truth in
this.
5. If all the nominated areas object to their prospective
move, how will the decision be reached?
A Barrister will reach the decision single-handed. It is not party political.
The QUALITY of our arguments is very important. Applying the relationship
card could give high merit. Southgate Town Hall, for instance, is the
focal point of the area located in Palmers Green Town Centre. Palmers
Green Town Centre is the Nucleus of Palmers Green and should be preserved.
We should not place total reliance on the argument that property values
may be affected.
6. What happens if further imbalance in the constituency
numbers occurs a short period after any move takes effect?
The Commission may be obliged to review that constituency during the next
round - reviews take place every ten years.
Enfield has 21 Wards and the plan is to secure seven Wards in each of
the three Constituencies.
7. Can we release a standard / proforma letter which individuals
can sign and send to the Secretary of the Boundary Commission?
A number of arguments have been raised for people to choose from. It will
be more beneficial that they submit their letters in their own style and
handwriting. The full address for posting is
The Secretary, The Boundary Commission for England, PO BOX 31060, LONDON
SW1V 2FF.
You can also send e-mails to: bcomm.england@ons.gov.uk. Ensure that all
correspondence reaches the Commission by 7th November 2001.
10. What are the figures in the 3 Constituencies?
Both Enfield/Southgate and Enfield North have 68,000 registered constituents.
Edmonton only has 64,000.
Palmers Green Ward maintains a population of 10,000 voters
11. Old Park Road under these proposals will form the Boundary
line. Should residents act?
All residents can send in letters - the more the better our chances. Even
if not directly affected this will be very helpful support. The Fox Lane
Residents Association already objected to these proposals.
12. Today's young population will soon join the electoral
register. Will their number be taken into consideration?
The Commission may exercise the right to do so.
13. Other Comments
Greater public awareness is needed and further distribution
of flyers. Mr. Twigg is contacting his constituents by letter and by door-to-door
canvassing. He also plans a stall in Palmers Green during the forthcoming
weekend. He will do as much as he can within the limits of his available
resources.
The local press invited to attend this meeting declined.
It considers its limited coverage as being adequate and need not be more
prominent.
Conclusion
The decision of the Boundaries Commission will not be immediate
following the public enquiry. It will take a long time, at least one year,
as the reviews of other constituencies throughout the UK (and in particular
Scotland) need to be consolidated. Residents will be advised of the outcome
of the Commission's decision. A report will be presented before Parliament
but it is usual for the recommendations to be rubber stamped. The proposals
may be eventually implemented perhaps as early as the next Parliament
in four years time but more realistically within 8 years from now.
Once more it was stressed that individual letters must
be submitted and each will be assessed accordingly. It has been suggested
that letters submitted by residents in their native language should also
be accounted. Cllr Cole re-iterated that raising the historical argument
is vital. A demonstration march, however, is not necessary nor is it likely
to influence the Commission; it's simply not a well respected view.
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