Haringey’s Liberal Democrat councillors have expressed satisfaction after the Labour Council supported a motion tabled by Liberal Democrat councillor and Deputy Leader Wayne Hoban calling for Government action over phone masts.

The motion, tabled following years of campaigning by Lib Dem councillors and activists, requested that Haringey Council calls on local MPs to lobby for more powers for local councils to control the sitting of phone masts and powers to reject mast applications on local public health grounds.

The issue’s importance was made obvious by the public gallery, which was filled with anti-phone mast protestors who had carried out a demonstration outside the Civic Centre prior to the meeting.

The motion was supported unanimously in the chamber although the Labour Council passed an amendment, despite Lib Dem opposition, that watered down the health aspects of the original motion which called for the ‘precautionary principle’ to be adopted.

Cllr Hoban and Cllr Neil Williams, who seconded the motion, welcomed the Labour Council’s support. The Lib Dems hope that this motion and the results of an imminent scrutiny review on mobile phone masts will add to the pressure on the Government to change its policy over phone masts.

Cllr Hoban (Alexandra ward) comments:

“I am pleased that this important Lib Dem motion has been passed with universal support. It is a shame that Labour felt it necessary to table an amendment removing the ‘precautionary principle’ that would have addressed major concerns of residents in light of the lack of conclusive evidence on the safety of masts. But the main resolutions of the motion were all retained.”

Cllr Williams (Highgate) adds:

“It is good news that our local MPs can now press for these changes knowing that they have the full backing of both sides of the Council. I know that Lynne Featherstone MP has been campaigning for residents for a long time on the issue of mobile phone masts – this motion’s success will add weight to her argument.”

Cllr Matt Davies (Fortis Green) has recently been dealing with specific problems at Barrington Court (N10) and Aylmer Road (N2) and also spoke in the debate.

He adds:

“On the whole, it was a useful debate and most councillors were very constructive. I am disappointed that the motion was watered down slightly, but the key element of lobbying Government to give us powers to reject masts on health grounds was agreed. This will give local residents genuine hope for the future on this issue.”