Liberal Democrats are questioning the actions of Haringey Council following many complaints from residents over the huge eyesore being caused by the very large lamp post banners that have appeared all over the London Borough of Haringey.Lib Dem Councillor Gail Engert (Muswell Hill ward), who has been investigating the matter, was shocked to learn that a 15-year commercial contract has been awarded for the signs without any consultation with local residents.

The information was brought to light in the papers for the Council Executive meeting to be held on 21st February at the Civic Centre. According to the Agenda papers, Haringey Council awarded a 15-year contract on 06/12/2005 to Bay Media to supply these banners. The company make their profit by selling one side of the banner to commercial advertisers. The other side is used to promote Labour-run Haringey.

Although there were some existing small lamp post notice boards for Council and community information, the new banners are about three-times larger, far more numerous and 50% for commercial use.

Councillor Engert has written to Haringey Council to raise several planning issues including the legality of these large banners when they are in or next to conservation areas, and the process of awarding and consulting over advertising consent for commercial users.

Cllr Engert comments:

“I was extremely surprised to learn that the Labour Council has tied the borough into a 15-year commercial contract to litter our streets with self-promoting banners. This will have a huge visual impact right across the borough. It is particularly ironic, just after the Council has published its Streetscene Manual promoting clutter-free streets. It is absolutely unacceptable that there appears to have been no public consultation about this decision.”