It seems the influence of Nick Walkley, the controversial ex-leader of Barnet Borough Council and new chief executive officer of Haringey, is already being felt.

In February, councillors will vote on £70million of cuts over the next three years, despite only having to plan for the next 12 months, given the general election in May.

Mr Walkley, an unelected public official, wants 25 per cent cuts to social services, to sell the Pendarren centre, the Marcus Garvey library (at Apex House) and several parks and public spaces.

The full list of closures has been available for consultation on the council’s website for just 19 days over the New Year. They are:

• Closure of the children’s centres

• The end of Pendarren as the centre will be sold

• The end of local authority care for the elderly as the last residential service Osbourne Grove will close

• No local authority and possibly free dementia services as both the Grange and The Hague will be privatised

• Closures of day centres for adults with learning disabilities

• Cuts to the youth offending teams

• Haringey reablement team to be privatised

• Selling Apex House and moving all services from there into the library

Councillors will vote on the budget in February, so now is the time to contact our local councillors and tell them how you want them to vote.

Emma Gummer

Graham Road, South Tottenham