Residents have highlighted concerns about antisocial behaviour and the poor state of our high streets.
Dear Resident,
As winter sets in and the festive season in Finchley and Golders Green beckons, I wanted to catch you up on what’s been happening in the world of community politics in our area.
News from Finchley and Golders Green
One of the best aspects of my job is meeting with you, the residents, and hearing how you want to shape our area.
I want to meet you where you live your lives. That’s why I’ve held pop-up surgeries in local supermarkets including the Child’s Hill Co-Op and Ballards Lane Waitrose as well as coffee mornings in every part of the constituency – the latest at St Paul’s Church on Long Lane. If you’d like us to hold one near you, please let us know!
Residents have highlighted concerns about antisocial behaviour and the poor state of our high streets. I want to feel proud of where we live and work. After some of you wrote to me with your concerns about betting shops, I launched a campaign to stop another shop from opening on Golders Green High Street. If you want to join with your neighbours to reject the application, please sign the objection letter on my website: Gambling Shop Objection Letter – Golders Green – Sarah Sackman MP
In the spirit of keeping our high streets and creative spaces alive, I’m proud to have helped secure the future of the Finchley Artsdepot. When this brilliant community arts centre was threatened with closure, I wrote to the Communities minister demanding we renew its lease and keep it open. Here’s to another 50 years! You can read more about this here:50-year peppercorn lease deal for Artsdepot in Finchley | Times Series
It’s good to talk and it’s all the more important to show up and listen when the conversations are challenging. I know, for instance, that residents in North Finchley have strong feelings about the proposed developments. I spoke recently at a packed public meeting at St Barnabas Church. I’ve heard residents’ concerns directly. I’ve made it clear:
I oppose the tall buildings speculated at Tally Ho Corner.
In relation to the Great North Leisure Park planning application, if there were a planning committee tomorrow, I would call on councillors to refuse it.
The site – which I visited often in my youth(!) and as a parent – has huge potential for much needed housing. But any new development must pass three key tests: i) enhanced public transport, ii) more affordable housing, and iii) the guaranteed security of the Lido. I am committed to finding a solution and I want to hear your views: North Finchley Developments Updates – Sarah Sackman MP.
Finally, I know that the impact of the appalling Manchester synagogue terrorist attack was felt deeply in our community. I was in synagogue in Finchley with my family when I heard news of the attack. I spoke to the Jewish Chronicle about the effect of ‘ambient antisemitism’ and what we need to do to put an end to it. In the aftermath, I stepped up locally:
- I joined the police on a patrol of Golders Green High Street and arranged additional policing at Kinloss Synagogue which allowed their festivities to go ahead
- I visited various shuls like Norrice Lea Synagogue, Alyth Synagogue and schools like Akiva School to show my solidarity with Jewish residents.
- Hundreds of you have completed my –Antisemitism Survey – Sarah Sackman MP– sharing your experiences and solutions. Please fill in and share.
At a national level, I met with the Prime Minister who announced:
- £10 million investment to keep Jewish communities safe
- A crackdown on antisemitism at protests
- An overhaul of medical regulators to stamp out antisemitism in the NHS
- Training for staff and students to tackle hate on university campuses
Finally, this month we lost former local MP and Garden Suburb councillor, John Marshall.
Though the colour of our rosettes differed, ultimately, we wanted the same thing: the very best for the people of our corner of North London.
John was always warm, gracious and full of kind advice. An exemplary public servant – he will be truly missed.
News from Westminster:
I’m lucky enough to have a second role as a Minister for Courts and Legal Services.
In family courts, we’re changing the law to keep children safe. I met Claire Throssell who has campaigned for years with organisations like Women’s Aid for a change in the law after her sons Jack and Paul were killed by their father after a court ordered contact visit with him. We want to ensure that courts put a child’s welfare first. That’s why we will repeal the presumption of parental contact for a child.
Elsewhere, the Renters’ Rights Bill has become law. This is a gamechanger for people who rent in our area. It will:
- End no fault evictions
- Raise housing standards by requiring emergency repairs to be carried out within 24 hours
- Prevent landlords from demanding upfront rent payments, reducing financial hurdles for tenants
The Fun Bit…
Photo of the Month:
A beautiful rainbow over Westminster from a couple of weeks ago!
FGG Fuel:
Giacomo’s Italian in Child’s Hill. This nomination came from a member of my team, who eats there with her family. I’m told the tiramisu is something special!
Community Champion:
12-year-old Ollie who spoke to me recently outside his school about increasing the use of solar panels in this country. I passed this on to Michael Shanks MP, Minister of State for Energy, who wrote back to Ollie detailing how much he liked his ideas! It’s brilliant to see young people in our area engaging with their representatives on issues like the climate crisis.
Stay tuned for next month’s updates as we head towards the festive period!
Best wishes,