TOP Tory councillors have failed to front up to the criticism levied on them by the community over the allowances increases, according to the leader of the Liberal Democrat group.

Childs Hill ward Councillor Jack Cohen has accused some on the Conservative administration of “cowardice” following their absence from a series of public forums that have followed the decision to award pay hikes of more than double to some cabinet members.

There was no senior party member present at the Finchley and Golders Green residents forum last week, despite, Cllr Cohen claims, the fact it was obvious the issue would be debated by the disgruntled electorate.

He said the only reason they would have stayed away was because they were “too scared or could not be bothered”.

“Everyman and his dog knew in advance that residents were going to turn up in force to ask questions and demand answers,” added Cllr Cohen.

“But where were the Cabinet members? Here was an opportunity for them to face their electorate and to justify why they voted themselves huge increases. Instead they allowed council officers to take the flak.

“They have shown a complete disregard for the people they pretend to represent.”

Residents have been turning out in force to quiz councillors and council staff on the allowance increases at meetings across the borough.

More than 1,000 people have signed the Times-Series petition against the rise, and the strength of opposition is set to remain, despite the measures coming into place on August 1.

At last week's forum, residents heckled many of the responses on the issue, shouting “disgrace” and “scam” at the panel of officers and the chairman, Finchley Church End Councillor Graham Old.

During an honest and free discussion on the issue, Cllr Old, who was only elected to the council at the May elections, said: “My initial reaction was very much not to support it. I do not applaud it in any way.”

But he said that did not mean the new pay structure was not appropriate to reflect the roles of councillors.

He said: “The whole thrust of local government has changed since I was first a councillor 30 years ago.

“The power lies with the cabinet. Work has shifted to the cabinet but the allowance structure has not kept pace.”