OPPOSITION councillors are calling on residents to challenge Tory plans to scrap the housing waiting list.

The Conservative group on Barnet Council are proposing to push through a policy which would allocate housing via a bands system instead of the current points based method.

Cabinet members, who approved the plans in principle last month, claim the move will take more account of people wanting housing who already make “positive community contributions”, which could include those who are in employment, training or voluntary work, and who have a connection with the borough.

Council bosses said the key proposals will prioritise people with high need, allow officers to help people find the right sort of property, and stop people applying who have little or no chance of being rehoused by the council.

But Labour councillors are concerned the new system will not result in more people being housed and will push even more families into the private rented sector that many can’t afford.

A 12 week consultation on the policy has begun with residents and stakeholders, and Labour’s housing spokesperson, Councillor Ross Houston, believes people need to speak out against the plans to ensure families in need are not forced out of the borough.

He said: “By failing to build enough new affordable homes and scrapping the housing waiting list, the Barnet Tories are forcing people on low incomes into more expensive private rented accommodation, and ultimately out of the borough.

“House prices in Barnet are too high for many hardworking families, who, unlike Barnet Tory Cabinet Members, do not have the luxury of being able to award themselves huge pay when times are tough.

“We encourage as many people as possible to respond to the council consultation on these plans to scrap the housing waiting list - if we all speak out maybe we can stop it.”

The council consultation runs until October 15. To give your views on the proposed changes to housing allocations email chloe.horner@barnet.gov.uk.