Cllr Alan Strickland, cabinet member for economic development

Haringey’s pledge to work more closely with its neighbouring boroughs to secure a better future for an area described as “an intersection” between the three councils has been welcomed by a frustrated councillor.

On Friday, Stroud Green Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Wilson witnessed the signing of the Finsbury Park Accord, a promise by Haringey, Islington and Hackney to work together to bring in jobs, investments and development to the area which is the meeting point between the three boroughs.

The accord – signed by Haringey leader Cllr Claire Kober, Islington’s Catherine West and Jules Pipe, the Mayor of Hackney, at the Park Theatre, which is currently being built – was welcomed by Cllr Wilson, who has found it “frustrating” that the three councils have not worked together on issues such as parking and planning in the past.

He said: “As a local councillor, I’ve found it very difficult to get Haringey Council to work effectively with other boroughs, even over simple things like getting Christmas lights put up on Stroud Green Road.

“Islington Council’s recent public criticism of Haringey’s abortive plans for a 10-day Jamaica Village event in Finsbury Park shows how little Haringey communicates with its neighbours about issues that really matter to residents on both sides of the border.

“So this attempt by Haringey to start trying to work better with other councils is long overdue, but residents will judge the council on its actions rather than fine words.”

Others were keen to point out that the accord is about more than the day-to-day running of the area: the agreement is a promise to look at the wider future of Finsbury Park.

Cllr Alan Strickland, cabinet member for regeneration, said it was an exciting day for the area which already has some of the key ingredients, such as good transport links, that make it ripe for regeneration.

He said: “I think the exciting thing about today is the strong commitment from the three boroughs to working together.”