The Bishop’s Stortford Independent yesterday published a new, on-line story about a longstanding investigation by Essex Police into possible criminality within Uttlesford District Council. The report can be read here. The public at least now knows that the Essex Police are referring that case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for discussions. This is what […]

My last post addressed the present parliamentary debacle over Standards in Public Life. Below are extracts from two emails addressed to Kemi Badenoch MP. Email 1, 03/11/21 – Dear Mrs Badenoch I have been an elected local politician continuously for over 35 years. I am a member of Uttlesford District Council’s Standards Committee and have […]

This week in government has been bad. Why? Because one of the foundations of national and local government has been abused. Standards in Public Life are meant to be an ethical foundation that supports and guides how all politicians – whether local or national – conduct themselves on behalf of the people who elect them. […]

Word has just come through that the planning appeal for homes west of Pennington Lane, Stansted has been DISMISSED. Well done to all who protested against the outrageous proposal to breach Stansted Mountfitchet’s western boundary and to invade the Stort Valley. Read the Inspector’s report here. I want to express my sincere thanks to Gail […]

A planning appeal began today about Bloor Homes’ proposal to build 168 homes west of Pennington Lane, Stansted and just north of the Bentfield Green conservation area. I spoke in opposition to the appeal and said the following in asking the Planning Inspector to dismiss the appeal. Worryingly, the QC representing Bloor Homes cross-examined me […]

On Monday, thirteen councillors were thwarted by 20 votes to 10 from holding the ruling Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) Party to account for their mishandling of airport planning and for allowing alleged criminality, bullying and dishonesty to continue to damage the reputation of the council. The big issue is R4U’s disastrous mishandling of Stansted Airport’s […]

Opposition Members of the Council have risked growing weary over Uttlesford’s dysfunctional council. Yet they are not deterred. Questions they raised six months ago about the Stansted Airport appeal remain unanswered by the Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) Administration. Attempts to hold a Vote of No Confidence in the Leader and Cabinet have been obstructed for […]

I am posting below a press release published last night by Uttlesford Council Liberal Democrats. The complete release can be read here. I am becoming increasingly outraged at the continuing efforts of the Council’s political administration to suppress scrutiny and debate of controversial matters. It has been a growing behaviour over the past eighteen months. […]

There will be a Vote of No Confidence in the Leader and the Cabinet at Uttlesford on Monday, June 28th. The agenda for an Extraordinary Council Meeting has just been published and the MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE can be read at the highlighted link to the Council’s website and also below. The meeting and motion […]

This updated version of my previous post was published today in the Comment column of The Bishop’s Stortford Independent.       ==========!!========== Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 was an extraordinary day in both national and local politics. It was, in my opinion, a day of rotten politics. At Westminster, the Prime Minister’s former chief aide, […]