Cllr Alan Dean

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Stansted North on Uttlesford District Council and former Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Learn more

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Council hesitates, but what next?

by Alan Dean on 6 August, 2014

Last night’s extraordinary council meeting was a lesson in how not to practice local democracy. What do you think?

Is Uttlesford thinking?

Eventually it was decided not to accept the legal advice on pulling the plug on Saffron Walden’s Kier planning appeal; at least, not until further and independent legal advice had been sought, digested and understood. That was agreed by 33:2.

The uninformed reader might conclude that the council is now united in what it is doing. Don’t be fooled!

Despite warnings from the chief executive that the way forward was to adjourn the meeting to another date whilst the legal/planning advice is acquired and despite a proposal to that effect from me and a Tory member, they voted the adjournment down by 18:17. Instead, the council decided:

  1. to seek alternative legal/planning advice but left it to the same officers to seek it as acquired the last lot; no process to try ensure independent and objective advice;
  2. it will then be left to the same officers to decide whether the new advice makes any difference to whether the appeal should be defended, and if not, finally to pull the plug. In other words, to follow their own advice – and pay the consequences if it turns out to be wrong!

“Hold on!”, I can hear readers saying. “You weren’t happy with what’s been done so far, but you are happy to have it done again in almost the same way by the same people?”

Needless to say, our officers must feel they have been set up for a fall.

How can this be? Because the ruling Tory group is in disarray. A leading member started the meeting by proposing the original advice to abandon the appeal should be accepted. Then another leading member proposed the amendment to question the legal advice and seek a second opinion, but to abandon any role in deciding what to do with the new advice.

So that’s where it stands in a no-man’s land like some unstable part of the Middle East.

I can see no alternative to five or more members calling for yet another extraordinary council meeting in the next few weeks in an attempt to bring a sense of leadership to this fragile administration.

P.S. This was all conducted in private session. I tried to get it discussed in public session, but was heavily voted down. Conveniently, this goes some way to hiding this embarrassing event from public view!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   6 Comments

6 Responses

  1. Keith says:

    Firstly context: in June I suffered a serious head injury and associated bruising and lacerations elsewhere. The main head wound was about 8 inches long and took 42 clips to close. Needless to say the after effects have been similarly severe but I was not necessarily aware of them. Suffice to say that I have been very difficult to live with, occasional flashes of temper, disturbed sleeo patterns, mood swings, continuous low level discomfort, nerve damage around the wound site etc etc Classic symptoms of post trauma in effect.

    Now spot the difference: my place of work recognised that I wasn’t coping well even if I couldn’t recognise it and suggested a leave of absence to recuperate properly and have further medical checks. I have taken full advantage of this and hope to return to work shortly.

    By contrast, the Conservative group has suspended me for ‘disloyalty’, not least for writing on this blog. It is not as if there is a local Conservative blog.

    I am grateful to my employers for their attitude and concern for my well-being. I wish I could say the same for the Tory group but apparently it never occurred to them to consider the possible consequences of a near-death incident on the individual concerned.

    Apologies to Alan for going off-topic but as I said, there is no Tory blog that I can make the above points on.

  2. Alan Dean says:

    No apology for anything is required, Keith. This blog is there as a public noticeboard for anyone to write what they want in response to what I post or to pick up a related topic.

    I admire Keith for his fortitude following his recent accident. I admire him as a councillor who does not take what is put before him at face value but is prepared to challenge and to be robust when robustness is needed to make others accountable.

    It is a shame that his political group is not more tolerant of internal dissent and public challenge. It is also a pity that some of them only want to talk to themselves and to no one outside their own political tribe – and to offer no pastoral care even to their own injured colleagues.

  3. Geoff Powers says:

    Firstly, I am concerned at the news of Keith’s quite serious accident, my local ward councillor, who is a first rate councillor who has worked his socks off over some considerable time to serve the interests of his electorate here in Great Dunmow. Secondly, I am appalled at the crass insensitivity and stupidity of the Tory group in taking the decision to suspend him, merely because he is outspoken and ‘his own man’. I hope those who have failed to offer support and speak out out about the continuing bullying and intimidation of Cllr. Rolfe and his group now have their consciences pricked by this latest example.

    What hope is there for our district council when it is being run by such a bunch of charlatans and hypocrites, who wish to silence any hint of criticism and dissent, even from fellow Conservatives, and with no platform afforded to wider Tory opinion outside the council. These people continue on their grand ego-trip, stuffed full of their own importance, as if all and sundry owed them a living! But, thankfully, I see an obstacle on their horizon in May 2015. I wonder how many of Cllr Rolfe’s and Cllr. Ketteridge’s cronies will be left standing once the electorate has done its civic duty? Hopefully they will all finish up on the scrapheap of local government and bother the residents of Uttlesford no more.

  4. Matt says:

    I’m just wondering when Councillor Rolfe’s hearing is due for his own disloyalty to the much-respected Sir Alan Haslehurst…

    I’m not sure the word ‘hypocrite’ quite nails it though, as from the reports I’ve seen Councillor Mackman was driven by a desire to do the right thing for the people he was elected to represent whereas Councillor Rolfe’s alleged involvement in an attempted coup on Haslehurst was driven by pure self-interest. Quite why he was rewarded by the leadership job is beyond comprehension.

  5. Steve Drums says:

    Get well soon, Keith. I will always remember with gratitude the kindness you showed in visiting to say cheerio despite suffering the immediate aftermath of your accident.
    In relation to the wider issues, I am sad to see the ongoing damage to the Council’s reputation and I hope all parties can find a way to work together to resolve the present difficulties.

  6. Daniel says:

    I would urge Cllr Mackman to continue with what he is doing and defend his seat next year, outside party politics. He is obviously conscientious, independent-minded and principled and this is not necessarily appreciated in any party group. A plurality of different opinions and viewpoints, rather than a polarity of parties, would enrich the council and hopefully encourage a more consensual approach.

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