WALTHAM Forest Council was accused of "going backwards" by a councillor who resigned last week.
Former Conservative representative Ed Northover added that the authority needs more "imagination and guts" to better serve its people against a backdrop of recession.
The ex-Larkswood ward councillor, who is moving to Hong Kong to take up a new job, said more must be done to tackle the demise of high streets and the departure of families to other boroughs.
Mr Northover said: "I don't think Waltham Forest has achieved its potential and in many respects we're going backwards.
"As an outer London borough our economic output is one where people spend their money outside Waltham Forest, rather than inside.
He criticised the council for not lobbying harder to reopen the Hall Farm Curve railway line which used to link Chingford and Stratford.
This could bring more employment to residents, who would be encouraged to spend their money in the borough if businesses were given more of a helping hand, Mr Northover said.
The corporate solicitor said shops could not compete with shopping centres like Westfield Stratford City but could benefit from providing more traditional local services.
In his resignation letter to the council's chief executive, Martin Esom, he criticised the authority for approving supermarkets while leaving local businesses to struggle.
Mr Northover added: "Our high streets are looking tired. We could, however, encourage more farmers markets at weekends, extend the 20-minute free parking on major roads [and] enhance pedestrianisation.
"We should speak to the government about enterprise zones and rate relief to encourage businesses to open here."
He believes this would help put an end to what he saw as on of Waltham Forest's biggest problems.
"If we fail to arrest the departure of families, homeowners and those willing to stay in the borough long-term, our communities will vanish and the borough will just become bedsit land," he added.
This could also be prevented by improving teaching standards and discipline in schools to encourage families to stay, and by cutting back on the number of multiple-occupancy homes, which are often rented and lead to a transient community."
He also slammed the authority for approving huge residential developments which provide far less than the authority's stated aim of 50 per cent affordable housing, which he believes will not alleviate the pressing need to find homes for the 21,000 people on its housing list.
A 294-home estate on Walthamstow Stadium in Chingford Road, Chingford, was recently passed as was a 344-home development for Billet Road in Walthamstow. The former will provide 20 per cent affordable housing and the latter just 15 per cent.
A by-election will be held soon to fill Mr Northover's former seat.
John Moss has already announced he will be the Conservative candidate for the ward.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel