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Wednesday 26 February 2014

Is This Democratic?

26th February 2014
IS THIS DEMOCRATIC
The Chair Godfrey Daniels last night voted against all of his Labour Planning Committee Councillors last night when he voted alongside the Conservative Planning Councillors.

MP Amber Rudds manifesto was clear that she would protect Speckled Wood however all but one of her Planning Committee Councillors voted with the Labour Chair.

It was also noted that one Labour Planning Committee member failed to attend or provide a substitute.

A sterling effort was made by Councillor Peter Chowney and Mr Aubrey Ingleton representing the all of the groups as lead petitioner . There were strong arguments put by Cllr Michael Wincott who placed a motion before the committee to recommend that the Application be rejected. The Application was approved by three votes for and three against The Chair Godfey Daniel making the final decision in favour of the Conservatives and The developer.

This vote tipped the balance of the Planning committee which had put forward the peoples wishes that planning should be denied and that the area would be zoned as a conservation green space.  The planning only in Outline is one of the first hurdles that the Planners need to get over. There is even more stronger opposition to this and questions are being asked by members of the public to the sanity of this decision.

The Chairman of the Trust Mr Martin Newbold said "The fight will go on as the land is still part of protective space and subject to Protection Orders."

3 comments:

  1. The answer to your question"Is this democratic?" Yes it is, due to there being a tie.the chairman has the casting vote.If he voted by conscious,rather than party policy, that is his prerogative.

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    Replies
    1. There is no information in the Constitution to state that a chair has a vote and is not impartial.

      There is only information in the Constitution regarding a Majors role which is the same as a Chair at this meeting this is documented in the Constitution that a casting vote can be used given.

      Delete
  2. Builders have told me "see that building over there. It only went ahead because a certain councillor took a bung". It might be the same one in this case

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