Lib Dem councillors have expressed their disappointment that Haringey Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee has thrown out attempts to force the Labour-run council to conduct a sustainability audit of the borough’s proposed Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

The move is a disappointment to both the Lib Dems and the Federation of Haringey Residents’ Associations, who were represented by Dave Morris at the call-in hearing held last week.

As a compromise, Lib Dem environment spokesperson Cllr Bob Hare had suggested that the Council could conduct a headline sustainability audit of key issues rather than a full assessment – but this was also rejected.

Bob Hare comments:

“This is very disappointing, as the audit would have been of enormous use to local groups in assessing the impact of council policies, and could have been done in time. It would have been very much in the long term interests of us all.”

Lib Dem councillor and group leader Neil Williams is also questioning the behaviour of Labour councillors before the meeting, who appeared to be receiving a briefing on the issue from council officers and other Labour councillors – to which Lib Dem members were not invited. Cllr Williams comments:

“Labour’s behaviour is very disappointing and it shows there is no intention at all to allow proper scrutiny of council decisions. Scrutiny members should approach these issues in an independent manner. I will be asking for the notes of this meeting and why other councillors were not invited. It is an inappropriate use of officers’ time and council taxpayers’ money.”