18+February+2008


 * Ward Corner Community - Minutes—Meeting 18/02/08—Seven Sisters Market**


 * Present:** Wendy K, Ebrahim H, Chris L, Moaz N, Ibilola C, Jaqueline H L, Juan B A, Armando M, Paul C, Sue P, Carlos B, N.J. Patel, Luz Avla, Diane B, Chan, Rashmi P, Michael, Luis F, Oscar G C, Mohse K, Farnad Z, Dario G, Asmer G, Rukiza O, Elize T, Pam I, Lagu S, Candy A, L Esguerra, J Alouise, Melville Michael, Roy J, Manuel R, L Doven, Rukra O, Mario O, Vicky A, Elizabeth C, Ruth A

Introduction to WCC for new members NDC meetings 14/02 and 21/02 WCC open meeting 28/02 Commenting on Community plan? Grainger plan Deputation to 31/03 LBH full Council meeting Legal advice
 * AGENDA:**

Carlos explained that although the WCC had begun with the Latin American traders it had grown to include everyone in the community - ALL local traders/business people/residents. Inclusiveness is the anchor for moving forward: ‘We are Everybody’. He stressed the importance of thinking about ourselves as community and giving this definition. We looked at the ways in which the council had tried to divide us and cautioned that attempts will now be made to divide us because this remarkable coming together of community is our strength. It is important that we are clear how developments like Grainger’s will impact on us now and in future and how the Alternative Plan will impact on us now and in the future.
 * Introduction**

There was a 15 min discussion on Community plan. Wendy reported on increased recent interest in WCC from other community groups and threatened markets eg Camden and Spitalfields. Importance of joined up thinking in retaining small business character of area, and of businesses working cooperatively, not competitively. The importance of seeing our interdependence as a community so we grow the local market and keep money locally not leaking out the area to head offices elsewhere or offshore.
 * Interest in Community Plan**

Background to LBH trying to close down market over the past 15-20 years. Council and NDC has argued that local traders “have no rights.” and they “have no legal obligation whatsoever” to them, and official stonewalling has been the experience of local traders.
 * Official Stonewalling/Background to WCC:**

Council’s line on no obligation was, it was explained, inaccurate. Ibilola explained that local government has a legal obligation to consult with communities, and that first Govt Department for regeneration and then Minister for Regeneration can be petitioned to hold local government to account; and that a legal challenge is the next step. Solicitors who won recent landmark case in Brent for “Oriental City” in Colindale--against developers wanting to raze local community—have agreed to act for WCC. Meeting unanimously agreed to continue consulting them.

£20,000 needs to be raised to pay Solicitors fees. Moneys potentially needed to employ advertising agency to market and publicise WCC plan. Money needed generally to publicise campaign, print materials.
 * Finances**

People have until 3/3 to respond to plan. 11 members agreed to break down and do detailed analysis of different parts of Grainger plan: Roy, Melville, Candy, Lagu, Elize, Elizabeth, Mital, Paul, Diane, Ruth and Wendy.
 * Response to Grainger plan**

Need to get 200 attendees. Need enough chairs. Need to publicise start of meeting as 7.00 not 7.15 – Wendy to send round email to all 260 chairs available for use in large room at Conel Send Chris Lane leaflet for distribution Meeting to include facilitators for breakout groups and a translator Wendy/Pam/Roy/Candy/Diane/Mital/Ibi/Vicky/Elizabeth/Paul/Moaz/Lagu and Chris to facilitate groups Vicky to inform Wendy who will be translators for each group Planning meeting Saturday 3pm at 7Ss – Diane/Mital/Ruth/Elizabeth/Candy/Elize/Roy/Carlos/Wendy
 * Public Meeting on 28th**

Filming – Elize/Wendy/Jeremy. Diane to contact BBC. Jeremy [ITN contacts?]
 * Press**

Agreed that NB to attend if only to take up the offer and report on its merits/demerits. Look into how much these workshops have cost and whether they delivered value. WCC to be aware that the policy toward us will be to pick off individuals to divide and rule. RE: Relocation – can your customers be relocated?
 * Next NDC Working Group Meeting – north london business**

WCC to attend Graingers Library consultations