Labour cancels meeting to avoid tough questions

11.12.54am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 16th Sep 2006

Liberal Democrat councillors Brian Woodcraft and Paul Webbewood have criticised the decision of Labour Mayor Harpinder Singh to cancel the meeting of Greenwich Council arrange for 20th September.

It now means that there will not be a meeting between July and late November - denying residents and councillors the opportunity to challenge Labour over important issues like the casino, crime and the local environment.

"Under the constitution, the Mayor is expected to help councillors and residents hold the Council's Cabinet to account" said Paul Webbewood. "He cannot do this properly if he allows four months to pass without a meeting."

"The Mayor is acting on behalf of the Labour group rather than the impartial first citizen he is supposed to be. The situation will not improve until Greenwich appoints a Mayor based on the best person for the job from any political group rather than just Labour's buggin's turn approach!"