ANGER IN COUNCIL AS LABOUR BLOCKS ALLY PALLY QUESTIONS

25.3.03

Haringey’s running Labour group has been condemned by the Lib Dem opposition for using their majority on the Council to block discussion of major concerns surrounding moves to alter leases at the Alexandra Palace at yesterdays’ full council meeting.

The Labour group prevented Ally Pally issues being raised by Lib Dem Spokesman Cllr Bob Hare (Highgate) and then passed a vote which cut-off any discussion – despite the advice from the Borough Solicitor during the meeting that the Lib Dems were acting entirely appropriately in raising the issue at Council.

Bob Hare had wished to raise concerns about two decisions by the Alexandra Palace and Park Board, which he wanted to argue broke the terms of the Act of Parliament governing the Palace because the Statutory Advisory Committee comprising local representatives was not consulted on the controversial changes.

The issue concerns a change in the lease for the garden centre at the Pally, which Councillor Hare says could lead to unwelcome commercial development on the site. Cllr Hare says the Advisory Board should also have been consulted on the issue of another new lease granted inside the building: the former BBC social club (known as the ‘Boxing Club’) has just been leased, without being advertised, to an outside organisation.

Bob Hare comments:

“I am dismayed that Haringey Labour ignored legal advice and engaged in blatant gagging of the Council when I tried to raise these important issues yesterday.

“It is further proof, if proof were needed, that the Council needs a set of independent trustees, not bullying Labour councillors who attempt to block a discussion of these important issues.

“I will not be letting the matter rest, and we are considering what further legal advice and action we should take.”

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