AN oversight by administration staff was the reason behind a meeting cancellation which has angered residents groups.

In a statement, Barnet Council said the officer who made the venue booking for the Finchley and Golders Green residents forum, due to be held tomorrow night, was not aware of an outstanding planning notice against the owners of the building.

The error means a number of key issues on the agenda will not be able to be discussed by concerned residents, including the proposed changes to the parking regulations in East Finchley, and the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme.

The meeting was due to be held at Pardes House Primary School, in Hendon Lane, despite there being an outstanding enforcement notice which affects the separate and adjoining Pardes House Grammar School site.

Council bosses said the officer was not aware both sites are owned by Cometville Ltd. The notice is in relation to a listed wall which the school has refused to repair since 2007.

The statement said: “Although the outstanding enforcement notice does not relate to the primary school site, the owner of that site is responsible for complying with the enforcement notice affecting the grammar school site.

“As soon as it became known that a meeting had been booked for a site owned by Cometville Ltd. steps were taken to cancel the meeting.”

It claimed the confusion had meant there was not enough time to make other arrangements for the meeting to go ahead at alternative premises on the same date.

“Officers are currently looking into whether the meeting can be held on another date,” the statement added.

“In the meantime residents can contact councillors through the normal communication channels.”