Haringey Liberal Democrats have expressed concern at the disturbing findings of a report into Haringey Council published this week by the Audit Commission. The preliminary feedback from Haringey Council’s annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) highlights Haringey’s failings in no less than 19 different areas.

The Lib Dems are particularly concerned at the criticism that, ‘the Council’s engagement with the west of the Borough is less thorough than that in the east’. Lib Dems say that this statement puts in the spotlight concerns raised by both residents and Lib Dem councillors in the past. Residents feel that issues of real concern to residents in the area are of little interest to Haringey Labour.

Additionally Haringey Council is criticised for its failure to undertake scrutiny, the process used to hold the Council to account, in accordance with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s best practice guidelines.

The Lib Dems, who are the Council’s official opposition, have been critical of the Council’s current arrangement of ‘jobs for the boys’ that has meant Labour councillors hold all executive positions as well as all scrutiny chairs – a practice strongly criticised independent bodies. The Lib Dems argue that this is unhealthy for local democracy and is in marked contrast to practice in Lib Dem run Islington.

Haringey Council’s failings are summed up with the citing of a Mori Poll that shows ‘satisfaction levels related to quality of life are low in comparison with London Authorities’.

Lib Dem leader, Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“These worrying findings confirm many of the concerns we have been expressing about the way Labour runs Haringey Council. Unless changes are made, Haringey will not see substantial improvements in its performance or reputation and will be unable to attract the brightest and best people to work for the Haringey.

“Many of the criticisms that are damaging the borough’s reputation could be avoided and quickly put right, but there is little willingness on the part of Labour to do so.”

Parliamentary spokesperson Cllr Lynne Featherstone adds:

“This is an extremely disappointing preliminary report, which confirms that over thirty years of Labour control has left a long list of problems in Haringey. The lack of engagement in the west of the borough is a huge concern, and will only cost Labour more seats in the area if they do not seek to put this right.”