THE leader of Barnet Council last night refused to answer a question about making the council “more transparent” directed at her by one of her own party members.

Councillor Lynne Hillan was blindsided by a supplementary question from Councillor Mark Shooter at the full council meeting, when he asked about any planned changes to decision making.

The defeated leadership candidate followed up a question about the abolition of the Standards for England regime with one about abolishing the cabinet system in favour of a more open form of governance.

He said: “Currently only ten of the 63 councillors control the decision making of Barnet Council.

“When will the leader of the council, in line with Conservative national policy, bring forward a motion to allow us to have a system where we get the fullest value for money from all 63 councillors, by removing the undemocratic and over-centralised cabinet system, and making council more transparent?”

Cllr Hillan paused for a moment before saying the question had “nothing to do” with his first question adding: “I'm not sure if Councillor Shooter's got the wrong supplementary.”

During the meeting it was revealed £3.8m has been spent on consultants by the council so far this year, with Cllr Hillan saying the council could not justify taking on full time staff when cuts are set to be made.

Opposition members were also left bewildered during a debate on child benefits when Cllr Hillan said to them “You will not teach me anything about incompetence” during her reply.