Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
From the Telegraph this morning:
"Councillors across the country are offering themselves for hire to property developers who are hoping to take advantage of relaxed planning laws which come into effect within weeks, a Daily Telegraph investigation reveals on Monday.
Local government politicians are trading on their inside knowledge of the planning system to receive fees of up to £20,000 for advice on how to get developments approved, it can be disclosed.
Despite apparently creating the potential for a conflict of interest, it is not illegal for councillors to work as paid consultants. Councils are expected to face an increase in applications for building when new planning laws take effect at the end of this month.
Under the changes, local authorities without a plan for development in their area will be expected to approve any application which can be said to be a "sustainable development", a term that has alarmed conservationists because it is open to wide interpretation.
Councillors who can help property developers take advantage of the new laws are expecting greater demand for services as almost half of all councils have failed to agree their local plans".
Thank goodness Dover District Council have a Local Development Framework and a Core Strategy in place. This could be a nightmare of corruption where Councils don't have a Local Plan.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
it may not be illegal but most certainly immoral.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Cant see a problem here, a bloke wants to build or develop, nothing wrong with paying somebody to help the process.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
councillors are not elected for this purpose, suddenly remembered i intend to stand myself next time, will have to find out what party will have me.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Still don't see a problem, elected or not, its called providing a service.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you've changed my mind completely david, just a matter of sorting out a party to join.
can't be the reds, i have upset john today so he will blackball me. don't like sandals or noel edmonds jumpers so the yellows are out, so i will just have to save up and join the blues.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
"Save up and Join the Blues" - love that Howard.
To me, if a Councillor is on the Planning Committee, it will be wrong giving guidance to a developer - and charging for it, especially if that Councillor goes on to vote for it. To my mind it will be corrupt.
Developers can ask for pre-application advice from the officers and will be charged for it and that's O.K. Probably be cheaper and certainly better advice than a councillor could offer/
Asking questions is O.K.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
fully agree roger over the officers helping out as they do not make the final decision. the relaxation of planning laws will mean that many controversial decisions will be made so any councillor that does take money for advice is going to have his/her credibility scrutinised.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it had to happen eventuly,but may have going on for a while.still it takes allsorts dosent it.the world still revolves around what ever it revolves around.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Well although i have deep concern over officers(some) more so in planning
This new move will kill any form of democracy that is left in what has become a sad state of affairs already.
Once again locals will be the losers
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Why will locals lose out Keith?
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Already get little say
This just another move to give even less say
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS