Labour Rejects Democratic Process To Hide Housing Leader's Failures

5.40.38pm GMT Tue 10th Oct 2006

Lib Dem councillors walked out of the meeting of the Full Council last night in disgust over what they are calling "dirty tricks" and a "whitewash". Labour used procedural means to prevent a vote of no-confidence in failing Housing leader Councillor Diakedes.

Councillors had hoped to hold Councillor Diakedes to account following the publication of a damning report by the Audit Commission into the failings of Haringey's housing service. Mayor Adamou refused to accept that Lib Dems had the right to a no-confidence vote, and allowed Labour to completely delete the text of the Lib Dem motion.

There was the hope that some Labour members, concerned over the serious and ongoing problems in the Housing Service, would have voted with the Liberal Democrats.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Councillor Neil Williams comments: "The Council's constitution has been abused. I am writing to the Mayor to complain in the strongest terms.

"Councillor Diakedes has been shown very clearly to have failed in his role. How can we have confidence in his ability to put right these serious failings? Not only are people angry that their places on the housing register are in question, but £228 million of investment is at stake in April - how are we to believe that he is competent to secure this? Once again Labour refuse to take any responsibility for their negligence."

Councillor Catherine Harris, Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson, comments: "The evening was a total sham. Labour have closed ranks to protect Councillor Diakedes, when they should have had the courage to admit that he is not capable of doing the job. We are talking about the Housing Service of Haringey Council here - real issues affecting real people's lives. This represents about a quarter of the Council's entire budget. How can he refuse to take responsibility?"

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Council's constitution reads:

E8, 16.8: "(b) An amendment to a motion must be relevant to the motion and will either be: (i) to refer the matter to an appropriate body or individual for consideration or reconsideration; (ii) to leave out a word or words; (iii) to leave out any or all words and insert or add another or others; or (iv) to insert or add a word or words. As long as the effect of (ii), (iii) or (iv) is not to negate the motion completely."

Mayor Adamou used her right to interpret the standing orders of the Council. Labour tabled an amendment to the Lib Dem motion of no-confidence in Councillor Diakedes that replaced the entire text of the motion. Mayor Adamou ruled that this did not "completely" negate the motion and allowed the amendment.

The Audit Commission report into the Housing Service was released in May 2006 and has been part of a Scrutiny Review of the Housing Services Homelessness Allocations and Lettings policy, which determines how applications for housing or rehousing are ranked.

Lib Dems were shocked to discover that under Councillor Diakedes, the service was "not helping to prevent homelessness or alleviate overcrowding among tenants", that the department had been using a policy that was "out of date and not complying with legislation" and that the housing register had not been reviewed since 2001. The report explained that in many cases, the number of points that residents have on the register might be inaccurate.

In April Haringey must achieve a 2* rating when its Housing Service is assessed again by the Audit Commission, if it is to secure £228 million in central government investment to repair the housing stock.