Public servants are required to consider all evidence presented to them, for and against, before choosing whether to green light developments.
Cllr Stuart Munro’s objections to a 81-home application, submitted through a consultation response, in addition to comments made during a discussion and vote on the proposal, have been found to be in breach of conduct codes.
Among other things, the Wokingham Borough Council member argued that the development blueprint was inappropriate due to the pressure it placed on existing roads and other public resources. However, a subsequent complaint accused the councillor of having ‘made up his mind’ due to an interest relating to the application. According to the complainant, this was not declared.
Although Cllr Munro has branded the accusation ‘nonsense’, a decision notice shows the standards panel tasked with determining any breach has upheld the complaint. According to this, the interest relating to the application should have been made public and the representative should not have been allowed to vote or participate in the debate as a result.
According to BBC News, Cllr Munro had been advised on this prior to engaging in the matter, but continued to involve himself anyway. However, the standards panel has noted the investigating officer’s conclusion that such planning processes are legally complex. Appropriate training has a been arranged to prevent further breaches.
Image: The Climate Reality Project / Unsplash
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