The timing of a new public forum offering the community the chance to question councillors on issues affecting their area has been criticised as unfair by a community group.

Wanstead’s public forum is due to take place at Wanstead Library, in Spratt Hall Road, on February 18, between 2pm to 5.15pm, despite all other forums in the borough being held in the evening.

The forums have replaced area committee meetings and have been criticised for undermining political accountability and democracy as they do not have decision-making powers or a budget.

The committee were scrapped by the Labour council which said the move woulld save money and improve efficiency.

The forums involve one meeting a month across Redbridge, with an informal drop-in session, followed by a formal public meeting, in which residents can put their questions to a council panel.

But Geoff Horsnell, chairman of the Wanstead Society, says the timing of the meeting in Wanstead is not justified.

He said: “People will be working. It seems like Wanstead is being singled out by being the only one during the day and it is unfair. Not many people at all will turn up and it is disappointing.

Deputy leader of Redbridge’s Labour council, Wes Streeting, defended the schedule.

He said: “From experience some residents, particularly elderly ones, don’t like going out in the evening so I think more people will participate.

“Residents are welcome to attend as many local forums as they like across the borough."

South Woodford’s forum, at Churchfields Junior School in Churchfields, South Woodford, has been scheduled for the evening of December 10.

For more on this story, see next week's Guardian - out Thursday.