There was disappointment and dismay among councillors and residents alike when Labour members of Haringey Council’s key ‘watchdog’ committee moved to crush the concerns of residents over major events in Finsbury Park.

Labour members voted in favour of a report which claimed that residents’concerns over the level of disruption and damage caused by such events had been fully addressed, and moved to stop residents from highlighting the damage done in recent months.

Labour members blocked moves by Lib Dem councillors to try to limit the number of events taking place in the park, and to address residents’ genuine concerns. When local parks campaigner Sally Billot attempted to address the meeting, having waited patiently for three hours to do so, procedural devices were used to cut short her speech.

Lib Dem local councillor Laura Edge, who sits on the committee and represents the area around the park, comments:

“I am extremely disappointed that residents were not given a fair hearing and that the committee agreed a report which essentially claims that any problems with events in the park have been addressed. Park campaigners were not given a fair hearing to present their view of damage done to the gates during recent events. Haringey Council seems determined to use the park as a financial milch-cow, diminishing its role as an open space which the local public can enjoy.”

Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams, who was also at the meeting and proposed limits to the number of events, adds:

“There are serious issues with events at the park and the self-congratulatory report agreed by Labour will do little or nothing to address residents’ concerns.

“I’m dismayed at the behaviour of Labour councillors who simply moved to silence local campaigners who had waited extremely patiently to put forward their views.”