LABOUR city councillors have been accused of snubbing local democracy to attend a slap-up dinner with Gordon Brown.

Some Labour members were not going to attend a council meeting last week, forcing it to be called off with just a few days notice.

The meeting coincided with a £40-a-head party fundraiser for Oxford Labour Party where the former Prime Minister was guest of honour.

Furious opposition councillors claim some Labour members had snubbed residents at the north east area committee scheduled for last Tuesday.

Labour said it was a “once-in-a-blue-moon” situation.

Mick Haines, from Marston, Oxford, regularly attends the meeting.

He said: “They should have held the committee meeting. It is disgusting that they pushed people’s concerns to the back and put themselves first.”

Liberal Democrat Ruth Wilkinson, who is vice-chairman of the 12-member north east area committee, was furious the meeting was called off.

She added: “There was a lot of stuff on the agenda. It is a dereliction of duty.

“It shows huge disrespect to the people they represent.

“Obviously they are not that fussed about area committees.”

Guests at the Labour Party event, held at Cheney School in Headington, were treated to wine and canapes on arrival, followed by dinner.

Former party leader Mr Brown gave a speech and a fundraising auction was held with lots including a signed copy of Tony Blair’s memoir A Journey.

Oxford City Council created six area committees, which deal with grant applications and planning decisions, in 2002. The committees ensure local communities are involved in council decisions.

The Labour-run council is proposing to downgrade area committees from June to save money.

Last week’s meeting was called off on February 10 after council officers realised it would not have the minimum number required.

Committee chairman Mr Darke, who did not attend the Gordon Brown dinner, said: “It is once in a blue moon this happens; it was a meeting with a former Prime Minister.”

Mike Rowley, who went to the Labour dinner, said he had a strong attendance record and insisted that missing occasional meetings was “not unique to one councillor or one political party”.

Councillors Mark Lygo, Mary Clarkson and Van Coulter confirmed they had attended the Labour dinner.

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact councillors Dee Sinclair and Laurence Baxter to confirm if they had attended the party fundraiser.

cburatta@oxfordmail.co.uk