Politics and democracy

The financial security of the borough's community newspaper, Enfield Dispatch, is being seriously undermined by the Covid crisis and, like independent news providers across the country, and the social enterprise (Socent) sector more generally, it is falling between the cracks in the government schemes designed to support business during the lockdown. Despite this, its publisher, Social Spider CIC, says it is committed to continuing to print 10,000 copies a month

'This is both the most important and most challenging edition we have published to date. Important because in a time of crisis local news plays a vital role in communicating how and where residents can get help - indeed, journalists reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic have been identified as key workers. Challenging because our editorial team was forced to work from home throughout the production process, while our regular distribution network of local businesses and charities is temporarily shutdown.'

Issue 18 of the free community newspaper Enfield Dispatch is now being distributed across the borough, so go and pick up your copy. You can also get it delivered to your door by becoming a member. By doing so you'll be helping keep local journalism alive and kicking.

The Local Government Boundaries Commission has issued its final recommendations for redrawing ward boundaries within the London Borough of Enfield. A radical redrawing of ward boundaries in our part of the borough will create a new Palmers Green ward shifted westwards compared with the present-day ward of that name, with Green Lanes and the Triangle as its centre of gravity and incorporating the whole of the Lakes Estate.

Good news for everyone keen to maintain genuine local press reporting in Enfield! The February 2020 edition of Enfield Dispatch, now in its 17th month, is now making enough money through its membership scheme and from advertising to allow it to expand the number of pages from 16 to 20. It's confirmation that the social enterprise model of newspaper publishing that publisher Social Spider has been pioneering can work.

The January 2020 issue of Enfield Dispatch is now available and includes a couple of features about our corner of the borough

At last week's general election, Bambos Charalambous scored a second win over David Burrowes, meaning that both rivals have now won twice.

This month's Enfield Dispatch provides an opportunity to find out about all local election candidates. And also introduces new ways that businesses and community groups can support our fledgling community newspaper. It should also be easier to pick up a copy thanks to the addition of three new newsstands.

The November issue of Enfield's community newspaper is now available from several hundred locations across the borough

Modified proposals for new wards are out for consultation. Compared with the proposals consulted on in May, they reallocate some streets in Palmers Green ward to Winchmore Hill ward and vice versa.