This in from Cllr Geoff Lumley. Ed
Labour’s attempt to democratise the way in which controversial decisions are handled by the Isle of Wight Council was blocked at Full Council last week (read live coverage).
Cllr Geoff Lumley had proposed that a sub-committee of three councillors be formed in the rare instances where a planning application that has attracted objections is not considered by the full Planning Committee, as the Head of Planning determines the objections are not relevant.
The amendment
A Conservative group amendment to Cllr Lumley’s proposal removed the democratising elements of the motion and left it that the Planning Committee should review its current Officer-lead practice.
Cllr Lumley accepted the amendment to his proposal as it was clear that it would not be approved due to Conservative lead opposition.
“Usual procedural wrangling and Tory opposition”
He said,
“I tabled this proposal as many people are concerned at what they and their local councillor may see as relevant objections were being over-ruled by the Head of Planning. Once my proposal was published I had many contacts from Islanders thanking me for trying to tackle this issue.
“I am sorry that I did not succeed, but it was clear that my proposal was going to be lost in the usual procedural wrangling and Tory opposition.”
Cllr Lumley will now monitor the Planning Committee’s review through his new membership of that committee.
