Haringey Liberal Democrats have welcomed a climb-down by Haringey Labour’s embattled leadership over their failure to consult properly over new parking charges. The move came at a Full Council meeting last night, when the Labour leader told Lib Dem councillors Martin Newton and Neil Williams that he had “no problem” with extending the consultation period to six weeks.

Liberal Democrats had forced the decision by top Labour councillors to be reconsidered in a meeting with the Council’s ‘watchdog’ committee last week, in which Lib Dems criticised Labour’s inadequate consultation plans. The admission by the Labour leader will be seen as a concession to Lib Dem pressure to engage the public on such a big change in parking policy.

Cllr Neil Williams, Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“Lib Dem pressure, with support on this occasion from some Labour councillors, has forced the Labour leadership to change their mind on this issue.”

Cllr Martin Newton, Transport spokesperson, adds:

“We welcome this move and hope that the public will be more engaged in the process. Six weeks is not ideal, but it is a little better than what he had before. The key issue now is to ensure that the public are given a more meaningful opportunity to give their views – and that those views are listened to.”