Haringey’s cabinet member for finance has resigned, warning ‘risky’ decision-making is threatening the council’s finances.

Cllr Patrick Berryman stepped down from his post last Wednesday (March 20), claiming the Labour Group’s manifesto pledges risked being undermined by key decisions that were being made without “proper process” and consultation.

In a letter to council leader Cllr Joseph Ejiofor, Cllr Berryman said he had been put in “difficult situations when last-minute financial decisions have been taken over my head, without my, or seemingly anyone else’s, input”.

He added: “I can no longer support decisions that I consider to be financially risky and imprudent.”

Cllr Berryman, who will continue to represent Bounds Green ward as a backbench councillor, also hit out at an alleged failure to make the group more democratic and criticised the leader’s decision-making.

He wrote: “Your choices since New Year’s Eve, when you arbitrarily sacked two colleagues, do not reflect the promises made when you were elected and have not made things better.

“In fact, they have made things worse and ultimately threaten the stability and finances of this council.”

Cllr Ejiofor cited a need to end “persistent personal conflicts” when he removed Cllr Zena Brabazon and Cllr Peray Ahmet from their cabinet posts on New Year’s Eve.

Both councillors later suggested their opposition to a proposed £35.9 million deal between the council and Fortismere School – aimed at providing new council homes and school facilities – lay behind the leader’s decision.

Council leader Cllr Joseph Ejiofor said he was saddened by Cllr Berryman’s decision and thanked him for the work he had done as cabinet member for finance.

Cllr Ejiofor said: “I don’t accept that we are watering down our manifesto pledges. Nor do I accept that we have taken risky financial decisions. The Section 151 Officer (the council’s finance chief) would have rigorously warned us if that were the case.

“I have always sought to run a collegiate cabinet that discussed the difficult choices and decisions that we have to make – and, yes, at times voted upon options.

“I believe that those cabinet discussions have been much more positive and constructive this year.

“Furthermore, my expectation that cabinet collective responsibility would apply to all cabinet members is not unreasonable.”

A spokesperson for Haringey Council said: “Haringey’s finances are managed prudently and any spending decision always goes through the correct processes and with full consideration.

“Despite the well-known financial challenges facing local authorities across the country, we have delivered a balanced budget that continues to provide vital services for our residents and some of the best schools in the country.

“Delivering a stable budget is – and will continue to be – the foundation of all our financial decisions.”

But Haringey Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Liz Morris commented: “To lose one cabinet member may not be considered too unusual; to lose three in as many months looks like a failure of leadership and is deeply concerning for our borough. Cllr Ejiofor has now lost a third of his original cabinet in under a year.

“It is clear that the country’s first Corbyn council is spectacularly failing. This chaos cannot continue. The residents of our borough deserve better.”