Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Cllr Ajda Ovat and fellow cabinet members joined a ward walkabout with Haringey staff and partners to assess local issues in Hermitage and Gardens ward.
The week was fruitful as locals expressed their worries about problems that are impacting them in their community.
Anti-Social Behavior (ASB), Community Safety, Hate Crime, Homelessness Outreach, Housing Repairs, Parking, Parks’ ASB, and Waste Enforcement were among the departments and services that council officers covered while stationed in the Central Hub.
Following the ward walkabout, Cllr Ajda Ovat said:
“The walkabout with council services and key partners, such as the police, allows us to identify issues and hotspot areas within the ward and address concerns raised by residents coming to the Central Engagement Hub right here within the heart of the ward.”
Cllr Hakata commented:
“It has been a really productive and positive week, with large amounts of casework being picked up from officers directly being able to communicate and speak to residents across the ward – from licensing and waste enforcement and housing issues, as well as crime and ASB.”
Cllr Lawton added:
“It has been a brilliant week and particularly on Wednesday, when we walked through the whole ward as we did.
Obviously, as ward Cllrs, myself and Mike are lucky enough to be here in the ward all the time talking to residents, but bringing down these key services, key officers to speak to the residents directly, hear their concerns and act on the issues has been brilliant.”
Every two months, Haringey Council organizes these Weeks of Action, each of which focuses on a different borough region.
Alexandra Park, Bounds Green, Bruce Castle, Bruce Grove, Crouch End, Highgate, Hornsey, Muswell Hill, Northumberland Park, South Tottenham, St Ann’s, Stroud Green, Tottenham Hale, Turnpike Lane, and Wood Green have all hosted Weeks of Action in the past.
Noel Park (September 2025), West Green (November 2025), Crouch End (January 2026), and Seven Sisters wards (March 2026) will host the upcoming Weeks of Action.
During the Week of Action in Hermitage and Gardens ward, Cllrs. Anna Lawton and Ajda Ovat listened to constituents at the Central Engagement Hub.
What was the main focus of Cllr Ajda Ovat’s ward walkabout in Hermitage and Gardens?
The main focus of Cllr Ajda Ovat’s ward walkabout in Hermitage and Gardens on July 23, 2025, was to engage directly with residents and council partners to identify and address local issues and hotspot areas within the ward.
The walkabout formed part of a Week of Action targeting a range of concerns including anti-social behavior (ASB), community safety, hate crime, homelessness outreach, housing repairs, parking, parks’ ASB, and waste enforcement.
Council officers were stationed at a Central Engagement Hub where residents could voice their concerns, and the walkabout facilitated direct communication between residents and key services such as police and council departments. This engagement aimed to translate residents’ concerns into practical responses and casework to improve local living conditions and public services.