It’s Haringey Full Council again (this is when there’s a full meeting of the council, which all councillors attend – rather than just a particular committee meeting).

The budget is the big thing for the night. But before the budget – a presentation from local residents opposed to Labour’s proposed closure of Red Gables, which provides services for special needs children and is very popular with people who use it.

Of course, Labour denies any plans to do any such thing even though it is in their papers. And, strangely enough, the Labour Exec member and the Director of Social Services dived in a pincer movement on the poor deputation as soon as they sat down. Suddenly – remarkably even – there were instantaneous offers to consult with them. But there hadn’t been a dicky-bird up to that point.

Then the budget. In 2002 Labour promised at the elections that the days of big Council Tax rises were over. But in the four years since we will have ended up with an increase of 38% in Council Tax bills (Band D figures) – and not much to show for it quite frankly.

It’ll be even worse when the Government’s revaluation of property tax bands kicks in – and hits vast swathes of house owners in Haringey.

At the end of the night, Labour votes through its budget.