Labour to restrict democracy in Greenwich

11.40.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 20th May 2007

Labour-run Greenwich council has cancelled more meetings next year in an attempt to prevent the public and opposition councillors from holding them to account.

Lib Dem Councillor Paul Webbewood (Middle Park & Sutcliffe ward) said:

"Next year councillors will only meet 7 times in 12 months. This compares to 10 meetings last year.

"Council meetings allow members of the public to come along and question cabinet members face to face. By cancelling these meetings, Labour is denying the public the opportunity to hold them to account.

"Only a few years ago, the Council met 11 times a year. With the huge increases in councillors' allowances in recent years, the Lib Dems think it is crazy that there will be fewer council meetings."