Looming No-Deal Brexit "Puts Thousands at Risk"
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ENFIELD DISPATCH No. 12 THE BOROUGH’S FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SEPT 2019 NEWS Government grants Enfield Council £156m to boost Meridian Water infrastructure P . 2 FEATURES How a neighbourhood in Edmonton has maintained a healthy community spirit P . 4 COMMENT A student striker on why we must act now to stop climate change P . 8 SPORT Amateur football club Winchmore Hill FC is marking 100 years at Ford's Grove Volunteers from the Friends of Broomfield Park and Pymmes Brookers community groups were joined by local councillor Daniel Anderson (centre) to celebrate the opening of Broomfield Park Wetlands, a project to boost P . 15 wildlife, reduce flood risk, and improve water quality in the nearby Pymmes Brook. It is supported by The Rivers Trust, Thames21 and Enfield Council, with funding provided by Coca-Cola Foundation. Photo Ana M. Wiggins A M E E Become a M M member of Enfield Dispatch and get Looming no-deal Brexit O the paper delivered to B your door each month E C – find out more R E on Page 16 "puts thousands at risk" B BY JAMES CRACKNELL panel last December and in March everything within its powers to Forum, representing 45 organisa- – before Brexit was postponed safeguard Enfield’s residents as tions. He says many of the borough's reparations for a 'no- until 31st October – it produced a much as possible.” 26,000 EU citizens risk “losing every- deal' Brexit are being report identifying major risks to The council has been given thing” from a no-deal Brexit. “There enfielddispatch.co.uk stepped up by Enfield the borough; they included fuel £315,000 from the government to is no legal framework to protect EU Council amid warnings and medicine shortages, disrupt- assist Brexit preparations, with a citizens after a no-deal Brexit, espe- Pthat European Union (EU) citizens ed supply chains and civil unrest. key aim being to provide assistance cially those who don't get settled @EnfieldDispatch living in the borough could face The panel comprises senior for EU citizens wishing to remain status,” Nishan told the Dispatch. “enormous problems”. council officers alongside repre- in the UK. Any such person who “Most Bulgarians have not /EnfieldDispatch The chances of the UK exiting the sentatives from Citizens Advice has lived here for five years or more managed to get settled status – EU without an agreement have Enfield, Metropolitan Police, is entitled to obtain 'settled status' only 40% in London have got it – risen sharply since Boris Johnson Enterprise Enfield and London while other residents can obtain so what does this mean for them? [email protected] became prime minister in July – Fire Brigade. It is now meeting 'pre-settled status' that allows them After no-deal they will have no despite previously claiming the odds every fortnight and an updated to stay for five years, after which rights, they will lose everything.” were “a million to one” he admitted 'risk register' is being compiled. they must re-apply. The government has maintained last month it was “touch and go”. Panel chairperson and council Nishan Dzhingozyan is an Enfield that the current 31st December 2020 To co-ordinate local preparations deputy leader Ian Barnes said: resident originally from Bulgaria the council established a Brexit “I will ensure this council does who set up the Eastern European CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 2 NEWS No.12 SEPTEMBER 2019 ENFIELD DISPATCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 There is a lack of information. Cllr Barnes added: “I call on Boris They need to be made aware of Johnson to end this madness and deadline for settled status appli- what they need to do. What if busi- stop the looming no-deal Brexit. Late accounts ED. cations will remain in event of a nesses in Enfield run by EU citi- In the meantime I urge EU citizens BY SIMON ALLIN, LOCAL no-deal. But the fate of those who zens have to close? What will be to safeguard themselves as much DEMOCRACY REPORTER either fail to obtain settled status the impact on the local economy?” as possible.” or have not yet made an applica- Home Office statistics show nfield Council has been late Drop-in sessions for EU citizens o tion is uncertain. around half of the borough's finalising its accounts for a N .12 take place from 10am-4pm on Nishan said: “We [East Europe- EU citizens have so far obtained Tuesdays at Edmonton Green Esecond year running – but says an Forum] are being bombarded settled status. Enfield Citizens Library, Wednesdays at Enfield this will have “no effect” on residents. SEPT 2019 by phone calls from EU citizens Advice is running drop-in ses- Town Library and Fridays at The council’s group account was sub- saying they are already being sions at three borough libraries to Palmers Green Library. mitted late and there were also some For more information: Enfield Dispatch is the asked about their immigra- help with the application process. mistakes on a summary of the incom- tion status – this should not be Chief executive Jill Harrison Visit citizensadviceenfield.org.uk/ ings and outgoings which meant it borough's free community contact-us newspaper. We publish happening. It is going to create said: “I would encourage any EU had to be resubmitted. monthly and distribute enormous problems. resident who hasn’t yet applied to For more information about Enfield The Conservative group's shadow 10,000 free copies of “What will happen if they lose come to one of our drop-in sessions Council's preparations for Brexit: cabinet member for finance, Lee each issue to cafés, pubs, their rights to work and study in for the latest guidance. There’s no Visit new.enfield.gov.uk/services/ David-Sanders, said: “The fact the community centres, the UK? It is going to be a mess. need to make an appointment.” your-council/enfield-and-brexit council’s companies accounts were libraries, GP surgeries, late is alarming. The council needs schools, hair salons, and to up its game on something as outside railway stations. important as this.” Boost for Meridian Water homes The council blamed an early dead- Publisher line. A spokesperson said: “The filing David Floyd of accounts is largely an administra- Editor tive process and has no effect on resi- James Cracknell dents or the services provided to them. Local authorities nationally have been Designer working to a much tighter deadline of Jonathan Duncan 31st July compared to 30th September Project Manager in the past, and the council is review- Anna Merryfield ing its overall approach to ensure the deadline is met in the future.” Contributors Simon Allin, Amari Blaize, Jim Lewis, Susan Foss, Andrew Gurr, Julie Kelly, Sketch drawing of some of the new homes planned as part of Phase Two at Meridian Water Credit is due Louis Velati, Mahmut two big deals with developers went application for supporting infrastruc- he number of people receiving Aksanoglu, Emma Friddin, BY JAMES CRACKNELL Louise Tully, M. Anne sour. Leader Nesil Caliskan said: ture, including a primary school. Universal Credit (UC) in Enfield Alexander, Devina Rishi, eridian Water received “Enfield Council has invested more A new green space called 'Brooks Tis the fifth-highest in London. Ryan Hebbs, Andrew a double boost after than £250m to drive this project Park' would be created on the eastern Latest government figures show more Warshaw, John Johnson MEnfield Council won forward. Since taking back control bank of the Pymmes Brook. than 16,000 people in the borough £156million to spend on transport of Meridian Water, we have been However, a Labour councillor for are now registered for the controver- infrastructure – and submitted its ensuring residents will be the prin- Edmonton Green has criticised the sial new all-in-one benefit payments. CONTACT own plans for 2,300 homes. cipal beneficiaries. council's plans, calling for more UC was first introduced to Enfield Call 020 8521 7956 The £6billion housing scheme “This funding will allow us to forge social housing to be included. Tolga in 2017 and with it now available in Email EnfieldDispatch@ on disused industrial land in Ed- ahead with providing improved in- Aramaz has helped launch a new all job centres, the number of claim- socialspider.com monton has suffered a series of frastructure, including a more fre- campaign group called 'Meridian ants is continuing to rise. Post Salisbury House, Bury setbacks but the council now quent train service, which is needed to for Council Homes' which demands For more information about Univer- Street West, Enfield N9 9LA hopes the money awarded by the support this incredible development. 100% of new homes built on council- sal Credit go to understandinguniversal Department for Transport will be “The success of the bid reflects owned land be for social rent. credit.gov.uk ADVERTISING key to unlocking its potential. the fact that the government Cllr Aramaz said: “The new homes Contact Klaudia Kiss: New roads, environmental im- recognises the huge potential of will consist of 40% 'affordable' and provements and a high-frequency Meridian Water.” 60% private sale. Those 'afford- Homes surveys Call 020 8521 7956 rail service at newly-opened Meri- News of the cash award came able' homes are made up of 70% Email klaudia@ socialspider.com dian Water Station are now set to shortly after the council announced at council rates and 30% at inter- nfield Council is asking for peo- be delivered by 2023. The cash it was planning to build 2,300 mediate rates. ple's views as it develops two from the government's Housing homes at Meridian Water as part “It is my belief that public land Ekey strategies aimed at boosting Infrastructure Fund will be spent of Phase Two, with work on up to should be used to address the housing supply and tackling home- on creating two new parks, cycle 1,000 homes in Phase One set to housing crisis in the borough, with lessness and rough sleeping.