A Labour councillor has raised concerns about a “democratic deficit” in Barnet due to an “unusually low” number of council meetings.

Labour environment spokesperson Alan Schneiderman said the gap between the meeting of the environment committee on June 5 and the next session on October 8 was “unprecedented”.

The councillor, who represents Woodhouse ward, said it was particularly concerning because the committee deals with the issues that residents care deeply about, such as “pavements, potholes and bins”.

He said: “After the June meeting, the next meeting is not until October. That seems to happen with a lot of committees. It strikes me that there is a democratic deficit.

“I think it is a significantly longer break than usual.”

Cllr Schneiderman added that when he first became a councillor, environment committee meetings were “ram-packed” and ran from 7pm until 10pm.

He said: “It is a combination of avoiding scrutiny and having no ideas. If we had won, there would have been a lot of council meetings.

“If they don’t want to do the work, they shouldn’t be taking allowances. The special responsibility allowance is not insignificant – it is £10,000 to £15,000.”

The environment committee met six times in 2016 and 2017, in January, March, May, July September and November.

It has met twice so far in 2018 – in January and March – and there are further meetings scheduled in June and October.

The policy and resources committee met seven times in 2016 and eight times in 2017.

It has met once this year, in February, with further meetings scheduled for June and October.

The pattern for the community leadership and libraries committee is more consistent, with three meetings in 2016, four in 2017 and three in the calendar for 2018.

A council spokesman said: “The timetable of meetings was agreed by all councillors at Full Council in December 2017 following consultation undertaken with both political groups. There are a consistent number of meetings of each of the main commissioning committees during the forthcoming municipal year.

“Meetings of each of the main committees will take place during June or July followed by a summer recess during August. Committee meetings will then recommence during the autumn. Committees are able to schedule additional meetings if their work programme requires it.”