A councillor has been suspended from Enfield’s cabinet after breaking ranks with her colleagues over a council report.

Councillor Yasemin Brett, who was responsible for public health, was relieved of her duties after publicly disagreeing with a decision that had previously been reached by the cabinet.

At a cabinet meeting last week (Wednesday, November 14), Cllr Brett declared a non-pecuniary interest in a report on the North London Waste Plan (NLWP) and left the meeting while her colleagues discussed the report.

Cllr Brett is Labour member for Bowes ward, which is close to the Pinkham Way site identified in the plan as a possible location for a waste facility.

She has long opposed the construction of a waste plant at the site due to environmental concerns and the impact on traffic and air quality in the area.

The report on the NLWP was later approved by the cabinet – but this does not necessarily mean a waste plant will be built at the site.

It is one of ten areas identified as suitable locations for a waste facility across four London boroughs.

Cllr Brett, a long-serving member of Enfield Council, was appointed cabinet member for public health following local elections in May.

Council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan has temporarily taken over Cllr Brett’s responsibilities.

Cllr Caliskan said: “Cllr Brett has been suspended because she took the decision, at a public meeting, to break a previously agreed collective position by cabinet to support a particular report.

“The integrity of the cabinet structure of the council is very important.

“Nobody has been appointed to the position of cabinet portfolio holder for public health, as I hope to be able to reappoint Cllr Brett within the next two weeks.

“In the meantime, I will oversee the work.”