Lynne Featherstone

Local Liberal Democrats have condemned as grossly unfair a decision taken by the Labour council last night to grant less cash per ward in the west of the borough to the seven neighbourhood assemblies.

Last night, Labour-run Haringey Council agreed that it would allocate £50,000 to each of the areas in the borough for spending on small-scale, special projects following consultation with councillors and residents. However, Lib Dem leader Neil Williams has questioned the way the money has been allocated, and is pointing out that under the new plan, the west of the borough is being short-changed again.

Haringey faced a storm of criticism when the area assemblies were established, as four Lib Dem wards in the west of the borough (Highgate, Muswell Hill, Fortis Green and Alexandra wards) were grouped together, whereas three assemblies in the east of the borough comprise just two wards each.

Lib Dems say that as a result of the funding plan, the west will have half as much to spend per ward as some other assemblies.

Lib Dem Leader Neil William, who represents Highgate, comments:

“It’s a rip off, and the west of the borough is being short-changed. It is also very unfair on residents in the Wood Green area, which has many of the funding needs of the east of the borough, but will get 50% less per ward – an enormous difference. It gives me no confidence that Labour wants to allocate this money fairly, and we will be looking to reform the system.”