Cllr John Warren has written to Cllr Butt, Leader of Brent Council, regarding this week's Brent and Kilburn Times front page:
Dear Muhammed,
I refer to the front- page article in this week's Brent & Kilburn Times in respect of the three meetings that you held with the developer R55 earlier this year.It was noted in the article that one such meeting took place the day before the Minavil House planning decision was made....this was a R55 development.
You will be aware of the considerable public disquiet with Brent's planning process, and the allegations- albeit unproven to date - of your interference in this process.
I would hope you would take this opportunity to " clear the air."
1. What was the purpose of these three meetings,and in broad terms what was discussed?
2. Why were no minutes of these meetings taken - so as to follow LGA guidance?
3.What meetings have you held with other developers in Brent -particularly Quintain- since 2014?
4. Please confirm, for the record, that you have not attempted to influence the votes of any member of the planning committee ?
Regards,
John
Cllr John Warren
Brent Conservative Group Leader
Brondesbury Park Ward
Dear Muhammed,
I refer to the front- page article in this week's Brent & Kilburn Times in respect of the three meetings that you held with the developer R55 earlier this year.It was noted in the article that one such meeting took place the day before the Minavil House planning decision was made....this was a R55 development.
You will be aware of the considerable public disquiet with Brent's planning process, and the allegations- albeit unproven to date - of your interference in this process.
I would hope you would take this opportunity to " clear the air."
1. What was the purpose of these three meetings,and in broad terms what was discussed?
2. Why were no minutes of these meetings taken - so as to follow LGA guidance?
3.What meetings have you held with other developers in Brent -particularly Quintain- since 2014?
4. Please confirm, for the record, that you have not attempted to influence the votes of any member of the planning committee ?
Regards,
John
Cllr John Warren
Brent Conservative Group Leader
Brondesbury Park Ward
4 comments:
I am pleased that Cllr. Warren has asked these questions (I was thinking of writing something similar myself, but as Leader of the Opposition on Brent Council, his request for answers carries more weight).
I hope that Cllr. Butt will answer these questions fully and honestly, and that those answers will be made public.
When Cllr. Butt is considering his response to Cllr. Warren, he should remember the seven general conduct principles for public life, which ALL councillors are required to comply with under Brent's Members' Code of Conduct. These include:
'Accountability – you should be accountable to the public for your actions and the manner in which you carry out your responsibilities ....'
'Openness – you should be as open as possible about your actions and those of your authority, and should be prepared to give reasons for those actions.'
and particularly, as Leader of the Council,
'Leadership – you should promote and support these principles by leadership, and by example, and should act in a way that secures or preserves public confidence.'
I have quoted these principles many times before, but they are certainly worth repeating in this situation.
Philip.
The 2013 LGA guidance, "Probity in planning for councillors and officers", which makes clear that a Council officer should arrange, attend and make notes of any meeting between a councillor and a developer is at:
https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/probity-planning-councill-d92.pdf
Has Butt replied, cllr Warren?
FOR INFORMATION:
Cllr. Butt's reply, and comments on it, can now be read at:
http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/butt-attempts-to-answer-questions-about.html
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