Lib Dem councillors in Muswell Hill have called for an explanation from Haringey Council as to why they have not been consulted over the skateboard provision in Priory Park, N8.

The calls come after Lib Dems learned from an outside source on Thursday (29th September) that the decision to approve the development of a new skateboarding facility in Priory Park is being sent to the Executive on Tuesday night (4th October). This is despite persistent requests from Lib Dems, who represent the area, to be informed and involved in this project.

This is the latest in a six-month catalogue of failures by the Council to inform ward councillors, and involve them in meetings regarding this planned development and its progress.

Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill, Gail Engert and Cllr Dave Winskill of the neighbouring Crouch End ward have been inundated with letters, emails and phone calls from residents wanting to know what is going on.

They say that despite meeting with the Council and successfully seeking assurances that they would be kept informed the Labour-run Council has failed to honour this and for the last week have simply failed to respond to phone calls from councillors requesting information on the planned development.

Councillors Engert and Winskill say that with over 70% of residents bordering the park being against the scheme it is simply another example of a worthless consultation exercise by the Council. They say that by shutting-out ward councillors the Council have shown their desire to play politics rather than carry-out a meaningful consultation.

Cllr Engert comments:

“Yet again the Council has failed to take community consultation seriously, even choosing to exclude ward councillors whilst making important decisions affecting their wards.”

Cllr Winskill adds:

“Labour have adopted the mantra of “consultation” without really understanding what it means or how to actually do it. I offered to serve on the working party over two years ago and was met with a flat ‘no’ by Councillor Quincy Prescott. Many of these problems could have been avoided if Labour were prepared to listen – but we can’t really expect that from a control-freak council like Haringey.”