Angry residents last night watched Haringey Labour vote down Lib Dem attempts to put on hold Haringey Council’s controversial bid to turn the whole of west Haringey into a controlled parking zone. Lib Dem Councillor John Oakes had tabled a motion proposing that the current consultations be suspended in favour of a proper, full and effective consultation to include emergency meetings of the Area Assemblies.

Labour councillors felt the wrath of a packed public gallery at the meeting of the full council, as they refused residents the right to speak on their parking plans. The Lib Dems have condemned Labour for trying their hardest to prevent Councillor Oakes’ motion from being discussed at all, and gave rambling answers to ‘planted’ questions from their own members.

Eventually, to cheers from the gallery, Labour members agreed to Lib Dem demands to alter the agenda so that time was made for residents to hear the CPZ debate.

Councillor John Oakes comments:

“With such huge concern about the CPZ plans, residents were very rightly furious that Labour could act in such an arrogant manner. The consultation on this is widely agreed to be useless, yet Labour keep telling the public that they are giving them what they want. It is very clear to residents that they have not been given the chance to tell Labour what they want.

“Many have not received their consultation forms, and Labour haven’t bothered to consult with local businesses or representatives. The matter has never been discussed at Area Assemblies, and it is very clear why this is. Labour want to push the decision through as quietly as possible. They are not interested in hearing people’s opinions at all. They should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

Note – full text of Councillor Oakes’ motion:

This Council:

Acknowledges the very high level of public concern over the current proposals for parking schemes in the borough;

Acknowledges that the level of consultation undertaken by the Council with residents, businesses and elected members of this Council on these schemes has been entirely ineffective and is not acceptable;

Believes that parking schemes need to be seen by residents and businesses as a positive contribution to their immediate local environment, and not as the careless creation of a remote authority greedy for every pound it can get;

Believes that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution is not correct, and that proper consultation is necessary in order to ensure that in each area the parking scheme is tailored to meet local needs;

and mindful of the new Statutory Guidance on parking imminently expected from the Department of Transport;

Resolves to suspend the current consultation process indefinitely while this new statutory guidance is pending;

Resolves to further suspend the consultation process until such time as an effective and thorough consultation process has been undertaken in every area affected, to include public meetings in each area.

Proposer:Cllr Oakes
Seconder:Cllr Davies