Politics and democracy

The top story in May's Enfield Dispatch is the project to reintroduce beavers to Enfield, which if successful would be the first time the semiaquatic mammals have returned to London since going extinct in the UK 400 years ago.

Enfield Dispatch has published statements from four of the candidates standing in the London Assembly election for the Enfield & Haringey constituency.

This month's news and features-filled Enfield Dispatch has several items directly concerning our bit of the borough. Stitch! gets a big feature ahead of its reopening next week. Däna Burstow provides an update on Palmers Green Action Team's projects for trees in large planters along Green Lanes. There's an interview with Melanie Smith, the minister at Palmers Green United Reformed Church, about a new foodbank in Ponders End. The petition against Merkur Slots opening in PG gets some column inches, PG resident Joseph Wagland has a letter calling for a skatepark, and there's notice of music events run by Livestock which will be held in Broomfield Park during July.

Ahead of the mayoral election on 6th May, a coalition of leading environmental groups have published a joint manifesto outlining ambitious programmes of action needed to reduce pollution and waste, improve health and wellbeing, secure nature's recovery and increase resilience to climate change. There will be an opportunity to discuss these proposals with the candidates at the Mayoral Environment Debate, which will take place online on 12th April.

A second councillor representing Southgate Green ward has left the Labour Party and joined the Community First group of Enfield councillors during what a local journalist has called 'a tumultuous few days at the civic centre'.

The March 2021 issue of Enfield Dispatch features photographs taken in the Dugdale Centre in Enfield Town, which has been converted into a Covid vaccination centre. The photographer, Katrina Campbell, was allowed to photograph and talk to some of the people involved in the huge vaccination effort at the Dugdale Centre. In a single photo on the paper's front page she captures the whole story of the reassignment of this key building

The draft minutes of the Winchmore Hill ward forum on 11th February are now available online. Topics discussed included the Fox Lane LTN and the new care home at Reardon Court.

The February 2021 edition of Enfield Dispatch has been published and can be downloaded.

The Mayor of London has issued a message to all Londoners on the first anniversary of the UK's leaving the European Union in which he assures EU citizens living in the city that they are valued, respected and loved and that London will continue to be a beacon for progressive ideas, for decency and diversity, continuing to value everyone, regardless of the colour of their skin, passport or national flag. The Mayor has set up an online European Londoners Hub with information and advice about Brexit, obtaining settled status, rights and entitlements, UK citizenship and much more.

A video with a step-by-step guide to proving your Settled or Pre-Settle status in the UK.