Colin James Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 Councillor Mark Hubbard has this morning resigned from Herefordshire Council's Planning Committee after claiming the planning process has been brought into disrepute. Cllr Mark Hubbard was left angered after a planning application submitted by a committee member was approved by the chairman during a meeting last month despite it being recommended for refusal. Full HT Article Quote
megilleland Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 It sounds as if someone should have declared an interest. Quote
greenknight Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 Well I know you were going anyway chap however I think you could have at least thrown a grenade in the room before shutting the door. Based on the history of this current council why should we doubt you...Sadly the whole set up is tainted even if you are one of the good ones. Quote
twowheelsgood Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 Perhaps the applicant should put a false name and address on the form - he's done it before and got away with it! "Planning permission for an open market house in the open countryside - absolutely no chance, sir, contrary to every policy going - oh, you're a Tory councillor? Well in that case, the permission is in the post!" Quote
twowheelsgood Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 It sounds as if someone should have declared an interest. The interest could not have been clearer - a tory councillor on the planning committee! Quote
Denise Lloyd Posted March 16, 2015 Report Posted March 16, 2015 I thought it was that one but there again the Yarkhill one came up so I was confused Quote
Roger Posted March 17, 2015 Report Posted March 17, 2015 When is Mark Hubbard next up for election? Quote
Glenda Powell Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 He is not putting himself forward for this election, he not going to be councillor anymore Quote
flamboyant Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 It's a shame I do think he is one of the good guys and I expect his head has taken a battering constantly banging it against the wall! Quote
Ubique Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Cllr Mark Hubbard was left angered after a planning application submitted by a committee member was approved by the chairman during a meeting last month despite it being recommended for refusal. ........... I know less than nothing about the Planning Laws etc so can somebody advise me if what happened was legal - appears wrong - but was the Chairmans action approving a Planning Application legal ? If it was legal can somebody please explain what the problem is If not legal is action being taken to rescind the Chairmans decision ? Quote
Aylestone Voice Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 At the Committee when the voting on the decision is tied the Chairman gets the casting vote. So in these rare cases he votes twice. The historic convention was that in the case of a tied vote the Chairman would use the casting vote in accordance with the Officer recommendation but that was abandoned some time ago. In the case of Cllr Greenow's application that would have been to refuse permission. The Chairman chose to use his casting vote to grant permission. What happened does appear legal Quote
dippyhippy Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 It may be a decision that is just about legal..... but it's also highly questionable, and most definitely morally wrong. It sticks two fingers up at the rest of us. I'm not surprised Mark has resigned over this. He is a man of principle, he must have found the goings on in this council very hard to stomach at times. I wish him all the best, post May... when he is a "free" man once more. Mark has done more than most for this city, and I for one would like to thank him very much for his efforts. Quote
twowheelsgood Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 If you read the Planning Officer's report, there is no justifiable case for this dwelling in the open countryside - the County Land Agent supported this argument and confirmed that the financial appraisal did not support an agricultural tie either. Ordinarily this would not have even made it to Committee - it would have been refused under delegated powers. It only went to Committee because the applicant was a councillor. It may be legal, but it still appears to be one rule for them and one for the rest of us and it stinks. Quote
dippyhippy Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Whilst many of us are genuinely sad that Mark isn't standing again, there are plenty of councillors who I would cheerily wave goodbye to. Can anybody actually clarify if Pat Morgan, Harry Bramer and the rest of the goonies are planning on standing again? Quote
Ubique Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks for update re this , I have a clearer picture of the event - appears that many questions should be asked by the relevant Cllrs and Officers - but I doubt if they will. Read the HT article again and thought that it was very lacking - I accept that they said that the full story will be published tomorrow - ( expect that it has knocked off the front page the article relating to my " sofa " ) Sorry to have it confirmed that Cllr Hubbard is stepping down in a couple of months . Quote
SON OF GRIDKNOCKER Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 Given his obviously exemplary knowledge of the vicissitudes of Herefordshire Council's planning regulations, it would seem that Cllr Greenow will be an attractive candidate for locals to vote for on 7th May. I'm sure they'll all endorse his resourcefullness and enterprise! Quote
paulinehodges Posted March 22, 2015 Report Posted March 22, 2015 I applaud the actions of Councillor Mark Hubbard against this action which, whilst presumably legal, has many of us shocked at how planners, having studied and being well educated in planning laws, can be ignored if a councillor with the right friends can vote him a building plot!! Shocking. The only sad thing is that if Councillor Hubbard goes, he is no longer there to highlight the next occasion this happens. Quote
dippyhippy Posted March 22, 2015 Report Posted March 22, 2015 Great to see you posting again, Pauline! It will be interesting to know who IOC have in mind to stand in Marks central ward. I was hoping the brilliant Amanda Martin might be considering it?? I can't think of anybody better to step into Marks shoes! Quote
Aylestone Voice Posted March 22, 2015 Report Posted March 22, 2015 Len Tawn is standing in the Central ward Quote
John Harrington Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Amanda Martin will be standing in Widemarsh dippy. Quote
John Harrington Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Bramer, Morgan, Price, Philips etc al, they are all standing again dippy. I think it was a case of them having no other choice, for lots of reasons . Even the good guys like Mayo are having to stand again (on tip toes perhaps, like when your arm is being twisted behind your back). Quote
dippyhippy Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Fantastic news about Amanda Martin! I am delighted that she is standing! If anybody in this ward is reading this...... it's a no - brainer! Amanda would beat any other candidate hands down! Grrrr. Can't believe Morgan and Bramer are standing again. Haven't we suffered enough??? I was pretty sure that Cllr Price had said he wouldn't stand again, so that's a disappointment. Never mind. Onwards and upwards comrades! Quote
twowheelsgood Posted March 23, 2015 Report Posted March 23, 2015 Presumably the 'old crew' know where the skeletons are buried and have to stay on to make sure they stay buried … whether people will vote for them is another matter. Quote
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