Two ‘extraordinary’ council meetings have been called to discuss controversial proposals not to lock park gates at night.

Enfield Borough Council’s cabinet voted in October to leave all pedestrian park gates open 24 hours a day.

It was agreed that further discussions should take place between the local authority and parks groups and the decision was delayed.

The situation was due to be discussed at full council last month but opposition Conservatives have called for plans to be re-examined as a matter of urgent business.

Leader of the opposition Councillor Terry Neville called on the council to admit there had been a lack of consultation and also demanded the “senseless proposal” is abandoned.

He said: “The council deplores the decision of Councillor Bond, cabinet member for environment and community safety, to authorise the borough’s park,s including 22 which abut the rear of residential properties, to remain unlocked at night without any proper consultation with the police or friends groups, having regard to the obvious implications for burglary and other criminal behaviour, given that Enfield has the fourth highest rate of burglaries in London.

“Following the Conservative group’s call-in of this decision for scrutiny, Councillor Bond’s decision at the meeting to delay the implementation is welcomed, so that proper consultation could take place, but in the light of the expressed public concern, the council now instructs the cabinet member to abandon this senseless proposal.”

The meeting will take place directly afterwards on what is set to be a long night at the Civic Centre, in Silver Street.

It will discuss funding to Chase Farm Hospital and leader of the council Doug Taylor has called on the government to make more funding available for the hospital’s redevelopment.

The meetings will start at 7pm on Tuesday, December 23.