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| logo_res = 200px
| logo_res = 200px
| house_type = London borough council
| house_type = London borough council
| body = London Borough of Haringey
| body =
| houses =
| leader1_type = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
| leader1_type = Mayor
| leader1 = Sue Jameson
| leader1 = Gina Adamou
| party1 = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| party1 = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| election1 = 20 May 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Cllr Sue Jameson unveiled as the new Mayor of Haringey |url=https://new.haringey.gov.uk/news/20240520/cllr-sue-jameson-unveiled-as-new-mayor-haringey |website=Haringey Council |access-date=21 May 2024 |date=20 May 2024}}</ref>
| election1 = May 2022
| leader2_type = Leader of the Council
| leader2_type = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
| leader2 = Peray Ahmet
| leader2 = Peray Ahmet
| party2 = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| party2 = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| election2 =
| election2 = 27 May 2021
| leader3_type = Deputy Leader
| leader3_type = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3 = Michael Hakata
| leader3 = Andy Donald
| party3 = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| party3 = <!-- Non-political role -->
| election3 = February 2022<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langlois |first1=André |title=Haringey Council appoints new chief executive |url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21324191.haringey-council-appoints-new-chief-executive/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Ham and High |date=19 April 2022}}</ref>
| election3 =
| leader4_type = Leader of the Opposition
| leader4 = Luke Cawley-Harrison
| party4 = [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
| election4 =
| leader5_type = Chief Executive
| leader5 = Andy Donald (interim)
| party5 =
| election5 =
| members = 57 councillors<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haringey.gov.uk/moderngov-template-page|title=Your Councillors|date=15 November 2021|website=www.haringey.gov.uk}}</ref>
| members = 57 councillors<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haringey.gov.uk/moderngov-template-page|title=Your Councillors|date=15 November 2021|website=www.haringey.gov.uk}}</ref>
| house1 =
| house1 =
Line 38: Line 29:
| structure1 = Haringey Council 2022.svg
| structure1 = Haringey Council 2022.svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 = '''Majority Party (49)'''
| political_groups1 =
;Administration (46)
*{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (49)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (46)
'''Opposition (8)'''
;Other parties (11)
*{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (7)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (7)}}
* Independent (1)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}| border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (4)
| committees1 =
| committees1 =
| committees2 =
| joint_committees =
| joint_committees =
| voting_system1 = [[Plurality voting system|First past the post]]
| voting_system1 = [[Plurality voting system|First past the post]]
| voting_system2 =
| last_election1 = [[2022 Haringey London Borough Council election|5 May 2022]]
| last_election1 = [[2022 Haringey London Borough Council election|5 May 2022]]
| next_election1 = [[2026 Haringey London Borough Council election|7 May 2026]]
| next_election1 = 7 May 2026
| session_room = Haringey Civic Centre.JPG
| session_room = Haringey Civic Centre.JPG
| session_res = 250
| session_res = 250
| meeting_place = [[Haringey Civic Centre]], Wood Green
| meeting_place = [[Haringey Civic Centre]]<br>255 High Road, [[Wood Green]], [[London]]
| website = {{url|www.haringey.gov.uk/}}
| website = {{URL|www.haringey.gov.uk/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}

'''Haringey London Borough Council''' is the local authority for the [[London Borough of Haringey]] in [[Greater London]], England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of [[London]]. As of 2022, Haringey is divided into 21 wards, 6 electing two councillors and the remaining 15 electing three.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haringey.gov.uk/local-democracy/elections-and-voting/upcoming-elections|title=Upcoming Elections &#124; Haringey Council|website=www.haringey.gov.uk}}</ref> Haringey London Borough Council currently comprises 49 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] councillors, 7 [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] after the [[2022 Haringey London Borough Council election|2022 election]] and one independent member who was expelled from the Labour Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0|title=Your Councillors|date=May 10, 2022|website=www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk}}</ref> It has a population of 264,200 according to 2021 census.
'''Haringey London Borough Council''', also known as '''Haringey Council''', is the local authority for the [[London Borough of Haringey]] in [[Greater London]], England. It is a [[London borough]] council, one of 32 in [[London]]. The council has been under [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] majority control since 1971. The council is usually based at [[Haringey Civic Centre]] in [[Wood Green]], although the building has been closed since 2020 pending refurbishment.


==History==
==History==
There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Haringey area. The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the [[London Borough of Haringey]] on 1 April 1965. It replaced three local authorities: [[Hornsey Borough Council]], [[Tottenham Borough Council]] and [[Wood Green Borough Council]].<ref>{{cite book | first=Frederic |last=Youngs | title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England | volume=I: Southern England | year=1979 | publisher=[[Royal Historical Society]] | location=London | isbn=0-901050-67-9}}</ref>
The London Borough of Haringey and its council were created under the [[London Government Act 1963]], with the first election held [[1964 Haringey London Borough Council election|in 1964]]. For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's three outgoing authorities, being the [[municipal borough|borough]] councils of [[Municipal Borough of Hornsey|Hornsey]], [[Municipal Borough of Tottenham|Tottenham]] and [[Municipal Borough of Wood Green|Wood Green]]. The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old boroughs and their councils were abolished.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=London Government Act 1963|chapter=33|access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Frederic |last=Youngs | title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England | volume=I: Southern England | year=1979 | publisher=[[Royal Historical Society]] | location=London | isbn=0-901050-67-9}}</ref> The council's full legal name is "The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Haringey".<ref>{{cite web |title=Service Level Agreement |url=https://moderngov.harrow.gov.uk/documents/s168074/Appendix%203%20-%20Capital%20Letters%20Service%20Level%20Agreement.pdf |website=Harrow Council |access-date=9 April 2024 |date=2020}}</ref>


It was envisaged that through the [[London Government Act 1963]] Haringey as a London local authority would share power with the [[Greater London Council]]. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the local authorities responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an [[outer London]] borough council it has been an [[Local education authority|education authority]] since 1965. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Haringey London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as [[Waste disposal authorities in London|waste disposal]]. Since 2000 the [[Greater London Authority]] has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the [[Local government in England|English local government system]] the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX0nAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|title=Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath|first= Steve |last=Leach|page=107|publisher=Routledge|year=1998|isbn=978-0714648590}}</ref>
From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the [[Greater London Council]]. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Haringey) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an [[outer London]] borough council Haringey has been a [[local education authority]] since 1965. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1985|year=1985|chapter=51|access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref>


Since 2000 the [[Greater London Authority]] has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the [[Local government in England|English local government system]] the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX0nAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|title=Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath|first= Steve |last=Leach|page=107|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=1998|isbn=978-0714648590}}</ref>
In 2017, the Council proposed a partnership with [[Lendlease Group]] for developing council-owned land known as the Haringey Development Vehicle, which was controversial locally. The subsequent political fall-out led to the resignation of council leader [[Claire Kober]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/haringey-council-boss-accused-of-running-borough-like-her-personal-fiefdom-as-she-faces-leadership-a3683856.html|title= Haringey Council boss accused of running borough like her 'personal fiefdom' as she faces leadership challenge |date=9 November 2017|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref>

For several years, Haringey Council was the subject of criticism over its handling of the welfare of young children, notably in connection with the [[murder of Victoria Climbié]] in 2000 and the [[killing of Peter Connelly]] ("Baby P") in 2007.<ref name="thisislondon.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23590669-details/The+rotten+borough+of+Haringey/article.do |title=The rotten borough of Haringey? &#124; News |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |access-date=15 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801124548/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23590669-details/The+rotten+borough+of+Haringey/article.do |archive-date=1 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> George Meehan, leader of the council at the time of both the Victoria Climbie inquiry and the death of Baby P, resigned after a "damning" examination of the council's social services functions following by the Baby P case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04n6sm0|title=Baby P: The Untold Story|website=[[BBC One]]|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref> In March 2009, Haringey Council's performance was placed by the [[Audit Commission (United Kingdom)|Audit Commission]] in the bottom four of the country and the worst in London.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23657883-details/Borough+at+centre+of+Baby+P+row+ranked+the+worst+in+London/article.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114063109/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23657883-details/Borough+at+centre+of+Baby+P+row+ranked+the+worst+in+London/article.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2013 |title=Borough at centre of Baby P row ranked the worst in London &#124; News |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |access-date=15 September 2010 }}</ref> In December 2009, Haringey's performance was placed by [[Ofsted]] in the bottom nine in the country for children's services.<ref>''[[Evening Standard]]'' 9 December 2009</ref> A later series of positive Ofsted inspections culminated in the service being taken out of 'special measures' by the government in February 2013.<ref>[http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/setting_the_record_straight/facts_childrens_services.htm "Facts concerning Haringey Council's Children's Services": Haringey Council]. Haringey.gov.uk (3 May 2012). Retrieved on 2013-08-13.</ref>

In 2017, the council proposed a partnership with [[Lendlease]] for developing council-owned land known as the Haringey Development Vehicle, which was controversial locally. The subsequent political fall-out led to the resignation of council leader, [[Claire Kober]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/haringey-council-boss-accused-of-running-borough-like-her-personal-fiefdom-as-she-faces-leadership-a3683856.html|title= Haringey Council boss accused of running borough like her 'personal fiefdom' as she faces leadership challenge |date=9 November 2017|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref>


==Powers and functions==
==Powers and functions==
The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a [[Billing authorities in England|billing authority]] also collects precepts for [[Greater London Authority]] functions and business rates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://counciltaxrates.info/councils|title=Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities|publisher=Council Tax Rates|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a [[local education authority]] and is also responsible for [[Council house|council housing]], social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/who-we-work/local-plan-responses-within-and-outside-london|title=Local Plan Responses – within and outside London|date=12 November 2015|publisher=Mayor of London|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a [[Billing authorities in England|billing authority]] also collects precepts for [[Greater London Authority]] functions and business rates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://counciltaxrates.info/councils|title=Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities|publisher=Council Tax Rates|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a [[local education authority]] and is also responsible for [[Council house|council housing]], social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/who-we-work/local-plan-responses-within-and-outside-london|title=Local Plan Responses – within and outside London|date=12 November 2015|publisher=Mayor of London|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>


==Political control==
==Summary results of elections==
The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971.
{{main|Haringey local elections}}

[[File:Haringey London UK labelled ward map 2002.svg|thumb|400px|left|A map showing the wards of Haringey from 2002 until 2022]]
The first election was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1965. Political control of the council since 1965 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre | date=4 March 2016 |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1965–1968
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1968–1971
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1971–present
|}

===Leadership===
The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Haringey. Political leadership is instead provided by the [[leader of the council]]. The leaders since 1965 have been:<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes |url=https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgListCommittees.aspx?bcr=1 |website=Haringey Council |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=London Boroughs Political Almanac |url=https://boroughs50.londoncouncils.gov.uk/almanac/ |website=London Councils |access-date=1 July 2022}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| John McIlwain || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1965 || align=right|1967
|-
| Sheila Berkery-Smith || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1967 || align=right|1968
|-
| Peter Rigby || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1968 || align=right|1971
|-
| Sheila Berkery-Smith || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1971 || align=right|1973
|-
| Colin Ware || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1973 || align=right|1980
|-
| Robin Young || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1980 || align=right|1982
|-
| Angela Greatley || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1982 || align=right|1983
|-
| George Meehan || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1983 || align=right|1984
|-
| [[Bernie Grant]] || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1984 || align=right|1987
|-
| [[Toby Harris, Baron Harris of Haringey|Toby Harris]] || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1987 || align=right|1999
|-
| George Meehan<ref>{{cite web |title=Memorial to the late Councillor George Meehan |url=https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=46431 |website=Haringey Council | date=8 October 2015 |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1999 || align=right|2004
|-
| Charles Adje || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|2004 || align=right|22 May 2006
|-
| George Meehan || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|22 May 2006 || align=right|2 Dec 2008
|-
| [[Claire Kober]] || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|9 Dec 2008 || align=right|6 May 2018
|-
| Joseph Ejiofor || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|24 May 2018 || align=right|27 May 2021
|-
| Peray Ahmet || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|27 May 2021 ||
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2022 Haringey London Borough Council election|2023 election]] and subsequent changes of allegiance up to April 2024, the composition of the council was as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party !! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|46
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|11
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|4
|-
! colspan=2| Total !! 57
|}
Of the four independent councillors (all of whom had been elected for Labour), three sit together as the 'Independent Socialist' group and the other does not belong to a group.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Party |url=https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Haringey Council |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> The next election is due in May 2026.

==Elections==
{{also|Haringey London Borough Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 57 [[councillor]]s representing 21 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The London Borough of Haringey (Electoral Changes) Order 2020|year=2020|number=1110|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>

==Premises==
The council is usually based at Haringey Civic Centre on High Road in Wood Green, which had been completed in 1958 for the old Wood Green Borough Council.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Haringey Civic Centre||num=1454719|grade=II}}</ref> The building closed in 2020 after structural issues were identified.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plans for long-awaited revamp of Haringey Civic Centre revealed |url=https://haringeycommunitypress.co.uk/2023/05/25/plans-for-long-awaited-revamp-of-haringey-civic-centre-revealed/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=Haringey Community Press |date=25 May 2023}}</ref> Council meetings are temporarily being held at other venues, including [[Tottenham Town Hall]] and [[George Meehan House]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Browse Meetings: Full Council |url=https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=143&Year=0 |website=Haringey Council |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> The council has announced plans to refurbish the Civic Centre, with a view to it re-opening as the council's main offices and meeting place in 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project Overview |url=https://haringeyciviccentre.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/example-early-engagement/step1 |website=Haringey Civic Centre |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Local authorities in London}}
{{Local authorities in London}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Local authorities in London]]
[[Category:Local authorities in London]]

Latest revision as of 00:41, 20 September 2024

Haringey London Borough Council
Coat of arms or logo
Coat of arms
Logo
Council logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Sue Jameson, Labour
since 20 May 2024[1]
Peray Ahmet, Labour
since 27 May 2021
Andy Donald
since February 2022[2]
Structure
Seats57 councillors[3]
Political groups
Administration (46)
  Labour (46)
Other parties (11)
  Liberal Democrat (7)
  Independent (4)
Elections
First past the post
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
7 May 2026
Meeting place
Haringey Civic Centre
255 High Road, Wood Green, London
Website
www.haringey.gov.uk

Haringey London Borough Council, also known as Haringey Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Haringey in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971. The council is usually based at Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green, although the building has been closed since 2020 pending refurbishment.

History

[edit]

The London Borough of Haringey and its council were created under the London Government Act 1963, with the first election held in 1964. For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's three outgoing authorities, being the borough councils of Hornsey, Tottenham and Wood Green. The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old boroughs and their councils were abolished.[4][5] The council's full legal name is "The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Haringey".[6]

From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Haringey) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council Haringey has been a local education authority since 1965. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees.[7]

Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.[8]

For several years, Haringey Council was the subject of criticism over its handling of the welfare of young children, notably in connection with the murder of Victoria Climbié in 2000 and the killing of Peter Connelly ("Baby P") in 2007.[9] George Meehan, leader of the council at the time of both the Victoria Climbie inquiry and the death of Baby P, resigned after a "damning" examination of the council's social services functions following by the Baby P case.[10] In March 2009, Haringey Council's performance was placed by the Audit Commission in the bottom four of the country and the worst in London.[11] In December 2009, Haringey's performance was placed by Ofsted in the bottom nine in the country for children's services.[12] A later series of positive Ofsted inspections culminated in the service being taken out of 'special measures' by the government in February 2013.[13]

In 2017, the council proposed a partnership with Lendlease for developing council-owned land known as the Haringey Development Vehicle, which was controversial locally. The subsequent political fall-out led to the resignation of council leader, Claire Kober.[14]

Powers and functions

[edit]

The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a billing authority also collects precepts for Greater London Authority functions and business rates.[15] It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.[16]

Political control

[edit]

The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971.

The first election was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1965. Political control of the council since 1965 has been as follows:[17]

Party in control Years
Labour 1965–1968
Conservative 1968–1971
Labour 1971–present

Leadership

[edit]

The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Haringey. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1965 have been:[18][19]

Councillor Party From To
John McIlwain Labour 1965 1967
Sheila Berkery-Smith Labour 1967 1968
Peter Rigby Conservative 1968 1971
Sheila Berkery-Smith Labour 1971 1973
Colin Ware Labour 1973 1980
Robin Young Labour 1980 1982
Angela Greatley Labour 1982 1983
George Meehan Labour 1983 1984
Bernie Grant Labour 1984 1987
Toby Harris Labour 1987 1999
George Meehan[20] Labour 1999 2004
Charles Adje Labour 2004 22 May 2006
George Meehan Labour 22 May 2006 2 Dec 2008
Claire Kober Labour 9 Dec 2008 6 May 2018
Joseph Ejiofor Labour 24 May 2018 27 May 2021
Peray Ahmet Labour 27 May 2021

Composition

[edit]

Following the 2023 election and subsequent changes of allegiance up to April 2024, the composition of the council was as follows:

Party Councillors
Labour 46
Liberal Democrats 11
Independent 4
Total 57

Of the four independent councillors (all of whom had been elected for Labour), three sit together as the 'Independent Socialist' group and the other does not belong to a group.[21] The next election is due in May 2026.

Elections

[edit]
See also: Haringey London Borough Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 57 councillors representing 21 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[22]

Premises

[edit]

The council is usually based at Haringey Civic Centre on High Road in Wood Green, which had been completed in 1958 for the old Wood Green Borough Council.[23] The building closed in 2020 after structural issues were identified.[24] Council meetings are temporarily being held at other venues, including Tottenham Town Hall and George Meehan House.[25] The council has announced plans to refurbish the Civic Centre, with a view to it re-opening as the council's main offices and meeting place in 2026.[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Cllr Sue Jameson unveiled as the new Mayor of Haringey". Haringey Council. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  2. ^ Langlois, André (19 April 2022). "Haringey Council appoints new chief executive". Ham and High. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Your Councillors". www.haringey.gov.uk. 15 November 2021.
  4. ^ "London Government Act 1963", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1978 c. 33, retrieved 16 May 2024
  5. ^ Youngs, Frederic (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-901050-67-9.
  6. ^ "Service Level Agreement" (PDF). Harrow Council. 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Local Government Act 1985", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1985 c. 51, retrieved 5 April 2024
  8. ^ Leach, Steve (1998). Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath. Routledge. p. 107. ISBN 978-0714648590.
  9. ^ "The rotten borough of Haringey? | News". Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  10. ^ "Baby P: The Untold Story". BBC One. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Borough at centre of Baby P row ranked the worst in London | News". Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  12. ^ Evening Standard 9 December 2009
  13. ^ "Facts concerning Haringey Council's Children's Services": Haringey Council. Haringey.gov.uk (3 May 2012). Retrieved on 2013-08-13.
  14. ^ "Haringey Council boss accused of running borough like her 'personal fiefdom' as she faces leadership challenge". Evening Standard. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities". Council Tax Rates. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Local Plan Responses – within and outside London". Mayor of London. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Council minutes". Haringey Council. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  19. ^ "London Boroughs Political Almanac". London Councils. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Memorial to the late Councillor George Meehan". Haringey Council. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  21. ^ "Your Councillors by Party". Haringey Council. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  22. ^ "The London Borough of Haringey (Electoral Changes) Order 2020", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2020/1110, retrieved 11 April 2024
  23. ^ Historic England. "Haringey Civic Centre (Grade II) (1454719)". National Heritage List for England.
  24. ^ "Plans for long-awaited revamp of Haringey Civic Centre revealed". Haringey Community Press. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Browse Meetings: Full Council". Haringey Council. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Project Overview". Haringey Civic Centre. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
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