Local Lib Dem councillors have reacted with dismay to the Labour-run Haringey Council’s attempts to fudge a motion tabled at a full Council meeting that highlighted the failure of Haringey Council to prevent the current school places crisis in the borough.

Following a clear and well presented deputation by Muswell Hill Schools Crisis Group (MHSCG), the Lib Dems moved to bring the motion forward for discussion arguing that both sides of the chamber had acknowledged the importance of this debate.

However, the Labour Council claimed that the agenda was too full and the motion could not be brought forward. In a vote, all the Labour councillors present voted against hearing the motion while the residents were still present.

This resulted in the important motion being hurriedly discussed 15 minutes prior to the end of the meeting, late at night when virtually all the parents who had presented their deputation, two hours earlier, had gone.

The motion proposed by Muswell Hill Councillor Gail Engert highlighted the distress that Haringey Council had caused to families not offered places for their children at any of their three nominated primary schools. The main reason for this was identified as the Council’s failure to carry out adequate forward planning.

It went on to resolve that the Council bring forward a proper ten year plan, updated annually, as well as ensuring that information relevant to such decisions is placed in the public domain.

In proposing the motion Cllr Engert criticised Haringey Council’s reaction to this crisis as insufficient. Although proposals have been made for an extra reception class in 2005 at Coldfall School, there has been no provision made for the children without places this year. The extra places at Coldfall in 2005 will also have little impact on those living in the centre of Muswell Hill, especially when the housing development at Osier Crescent is complete.

The motion was seconded by fellow Muswell Hill Councillor Lynne Featherstone who attacked Haringey Council for their failure to recognise the severity of the situation and properly address the problem. Cllr Featherstone also noted the extra transport required for a long school journey.

“There is a significant environmental consequence of Haringey’s failure to provide school places, in addition to the negative effects on individuals and the local community,” said Cllr Featherstone. “The school run is recognised as one of the most environmentally damaging elements of people’s transport habits, yet by offering children school places miles from their home the Labour Council is giving many parents no option but to exacerbate this problem further.”

All Labour councillors present voted against the Lib Dem motion identifying the problems and calling for immediate action. Instead they voted for their own watered down version which notably omitted the acknowledgement of lack of forward planning and any plans to help the children without school places for this September.

Cllr Engert was disappointed with the Labour Group’s decision to play politics with the issue. However she is confident that with continued pressure from the Lib Dems and local groups such as MHSCG the current situation can be improved.

Cllr Engert (Muswell Hill) comments:

“I will continue to put pressure on the Council to urgently fulfil its pledge to provide local community primary school places within walking distance of their homes, not only for the children of Muswell Hill, but for every primary school pupil in the borough.”