Lynne Featherstone

Local residents at the Muswell Hill and Highgate Area Assembly on Thursday (14th July) attacked Labour over the mysterious departure of Haringey Council Chief Executive David Warwick.

Two Labour Executive Members were present to answer questions on the environment and crime, but the question session turned to the confusion around Mr Warwick’s departure. The key concern raised by residents was the huge cost to the taxpayer.

Cllr Matt Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green), who sits on the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee and was also present, comments:

“Residents were rightly irate about the costly nature of the Chief Executive’s departure – especially as they feel proper answers have not been given as to why he is leaving. When local papers linked his departure with the controversial grant to HBDA, I requested that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee bring forward its consideration of that matter, but this was refused. Labour are failing to be transparent, conducting this mess behind closed doors and expecting the taxpayers to just lump it.”

Cllr Wayne Hoban (Lib Dem, Alexandra), Deputy Leader of the Opposition, also witnessed the heated contributions from local residents.

“Local people are right to be angry about this situation. Now Haringey Labour are appointing an interim Chief Executive at huge cost while residents continue to ask why the current Chief Executive is not working out his notice fully. Why doesn’t one of the Assistant Chief Executives cover this position until a permanent Chief Executive is found? Labour are letting local people down badly by pushing through this expensive and potentially disastrous departure.”