Haringey Council has finally agreed that local residents can take part in next week’s meeting to discuss Haringey Council’s response to the damning report from Ofsted.

After pressure from local Liberal Democrats on Haringey Council’s ‘watchdog’ committee residents will now be allowed to table questions at the meeting to take place on Tuesday 17th February which will examine Haringey Council’s response to the Joint Area Review that investigated the borough’s Children and Young People’s Service following the death of Baby P.

Initially Haringey Council had repeatedly refused to allow members of the public to table questions but, following protests by Liberal Democrat councillors on the Overview and Scrutiny committee, Labour bosses changed their decision. However, Liberal Democrats have criticised the short timescale for the public to submit questions.

Liberal Democrat Children and Young People Spokesperson, Cllr Gail Engert, comments:

“Haringey seem to follow one PR disaster after another. The tragic Baby P case engendered massive public interest and sympathy. By refusing to allow people to comment on Haringey’s plans to resolve deep rooted institutional problems, they were simply demonstrating their contempt for the electorate.

“Liberal Democrats on the scrutiny committee have repeatedly asked that a special portion of the meeting be dedicated to the public. This concession is better than nothing but the fact that it gives the public only two days to read the report and submit questions shows how far away the ruling part are from understanding the needs of their residents.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“The public have a right to debate this issue and be involved in Haringey Council’s response to the damning government report. For too long Labour in Haringey have hidden in the shadows – now we need full open debate to move the borough’s services forward.”