Statement of Community Involvement
Updated 11th January 2019
Background:
Since the initial submission for planning in 2014, much has changed at the property
399 High Road Tottenham. The property has been ‘occupied’ by a group claiming to
be the TWSI (Tottenham War Services Institute) Steering Committee. Despite the
fact that this group of people have no connection with the property owners, they
purport to present as a Community Action Group concerned about the future of the
property. The self appointed leaders of the ‘Steering Committee’ are unelected, do
not represent the Charity, nor do they have any interest in the fulfillment of the
TWSI Charitable Objectives. However, their presence does prevent the Charity from
carrying out any Community Activities and fulfilling its own obligations.
Given that the Trustees no longer have access to a building that is owned outright by
the Trust, and that the ‘occupiers’ refuse to engage in any meaningful dialogue other
than spiteful rhetoric, the eventual eviction of the current occupiers is seemingly
inevitable. The building now, rather than being a centre for community activities and
its commercial ventures affording the TWSI the ability to provide support for ex
service men and women, it has become a magnet for the less desirable elements of
inner city living. It is understood that the building continues to be used for parties
and other events and should therefore be noted that the licence on the property is
no longer valid and the insurance company have refused to provide insurance for the
property due to the TWSI not being in control of the activities / people who are in
situ. The local police are fully aware of this situation, as indeed are the Charity
Commission.
Going forward, the eventual development of the property will once again afford the
TWSI the ability to continue its work in the local community, albeit from a change of
venue. The address 399 and 399a High Road sadly now has association with
nefarious activities and the continuation of a Charitable concern from the property
no longer seems plausible.
The Future:
The TWSI intends to retain a presence in Tottenham. 399 has been home to the
Footsteps Academy for the past 5 years, and hopes to continue its connection with
the school for disaffected young people on an on-going basis. We are actively
seeking alternative accommodation for the school, and hope that this will be in the
Borough.
Post development, and with the financial windfall the development will bring, the
Trust will be in a position to actively
support for local start up businesses for those
who have suffered from long term unemployment and homelessness and specifically
for those with a military background. Each project will be assessed on an individual
basis with
grants primarily being offered to obtain suitable accommodation, which
would otherwise have been possible at 399 High Road.
The Trust will seek to obtain a
small local venue for community activities. This will be
for the continued promotion of good mental health through the arts. It is envisaged
that this will be a much smaller venue than 399 High Road and will be predominantly
aimed at those seeking a platform for poetry and the spoken word. The alternative
premises we seek will give the Trust not only an administrative base in the Borough
but a place for local people to come together without the fear of prejudice.
Accommodation: In order that the Trust can continue to fulfill its obligations to ex
service men and women, and because we recognize the problems in the Capital of
homelessness, part of the financial settlement with the developer will be in the form
of residential apartments within the developed site. This will enable us to provide
short term practical support in terms of accommodation during which time, needs
can be assessed, move on plans made and from which a platform for change can be
developed.
Respite Care:
A big part of the Trusts future will be to purchase a property outside of the City but
primarily for the purpose of short term respite for those in need in London and
specifically in the Borough of Haringey. This countryside project will provide an
escape hatch for those in need of a space to breathe, but who cannot afford to self
fund. The criteria will be for those living in the Borough who are suffering from
mental ill health and / or are in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and who
have been formerly homeless.
The project will allow City dwellers the opportunity to become involved in growing
projects and countryside activities. Accommodation and food will be provided for
short term breaks away from the City to allow the individual to re-calibrate their
lives. Move on and back to work projects will be part of the programme. The project
will of course, as is common to all TWSI ventures be based in arts and music and be
founded in the principles of healthy living.
The future of the TWSI is only certain with the development of the property 399 and
399a High Road.
The benefit that the re-development will bring to the Trust and to the Borough and
to the people of Tottenham as a whole is incalculable.
Currently there is a building that is uninsured and unlicensed. The members of the
Trust that own it are unable to access it, not even to ensure that Health and Safety
standards are being adhered to. Post development, the property will be well cared
for and well presented with the financial benefits being reinvested in the Borough
and its diverse population.
