Lynne Featherstone

The much-strengthened Lib Dem opposition has forced Labour into a climb-down over the allocation of Committee posts in the new council. The move came at last night’s full council meeting, when Labour admitted it now had to consider offering chairmanships of vital ‘scrutiny’ committees to the Lib Dems.

Following the election, Labour grabbed all six scrutiny chairmanships for themselves without consulting the opposition party, despite the fact that ‘best practice’ is to distribute these posts proportionally between parties, as happens at Westminster and in neighbouring councils, such as Lib Dem run Islington, where Labour have been awarded chairs.

On top of this, Labour has voted through a massive increase in the payments to these chairs, from £4,500 to £9,500.

Speaking in the council chamber, Councillor Neil Williams (Highgate ward) said Labour had shown a, “cavalier disregard for how a well run scrutiny system should operate,” and urged the council to think again. The Labour Whip then admitted that the ruling party was now thinking of reversing its position.

Neil Williams comments: “I welcome these signs of a climb-down from Labour. I hope Labour will learn a lesson from this and consult properly in future.”