Nagus Narenthira's criticisms of the Residents' Forum for its alleged lack of democracy are absurd (Forums lack democracy', Times Opinion, June 12).
Ms Narenthira, who works as a personal assistant to Andrew Dismore MP, regularly attends the Hendon Residents' Forum on her boss's behalf. She knows full well that every meeting of the forum is extremely productive and lively, covering a wide range of issues. The agenda is set by members of the public, who give advance notice of topics they wish to discuss. Senior council officers are always on hand to provide advice.
Contrary to Ms Narenthira's assertions, the date and venue of each forum are publicised well in advance. There may have been slightly shorter notice in relation to the June meeting, which was postponed from May because of the London elections. However, that was an unusual occurrence and I do not believe anyone was unduly inconvenienced by the change.
If anything marred the democracy of the Residents' Forum, it is not the council or the style of the meetings. It is the conduct of Ms Narenthira and her Labour Party cohorts whose undisciplined and noisy interruptions from the audience - purely for political purposes - are a distraction from genuine residents' questions and issues.
Councillor Brian Gordon, Chairman, Hendon Residents' Forum
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