COUNCILLORS voted to approve a controversial planning application that was later rejected at a subsequent meeting at which they declared an interest.
Tameside Council insisted there would be no investigation into the reversal of the go ahead to construct an outbuilding at Meadow Bank Farm, on Howarth Farm Road in the Littlemoss area of Droylsden and there is no suggestion of impropriety.
However, The Correspondent can reveal Cllrs David Mills and Susan Quinn originally voted for it.
Yet the pair did declare interests at a later meeting, meaning they left the room and could not give their approval or rejection – with minutes stating the reasons as ‘applicant is known to the member.’
They add: “Councillors Mills and Quinn, left the meeting and played no part in the discussion and decision-making process thereon.”
After being approved on Wednesday, May 29, despite officers recommending it be turned down, the application by Geoffrey Howarth was brought back before Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) group on Wednesday, September 11 and refused by five votes to two.
Replying to a Freedom of Information request by The Correspondent, Tameside Council has revealed there will be no investigation.
A spokesperson said: “Matters are only referred to the Standards Committee after an investigation has taken place.
“It is for the Monitoring Officer to judge in any circumstances whether an investigation would be proportionate and appropriate.
“It was not judged to be so in these circumstances.”
But after a follow-up request, asking if vice-chair Cllr Mills and panel member Cllr Quinn voted in May and who proposed and seconded approval, their original role was confirmed.
To our question, ‘At the planning meeting on May 29, did Cllrs Mills and Quinn vote for the application numbered 24/00189/FUL?’ Tameside Council simply replied: “Yes.”
And when asked, ‘Who proposed and seconded the motion to approve?’ The response was: “Councillor Mills proposed and Councillor Quinn seconded.”
In the original reply, Tameside Council did confirm panel members have been reminded of properly declaring interests when one arises concerning a planning application.
It added: “I can confirm that Planning training was provided by the Head of Planning and the Solicitor to the Speaker’s Panel (Planning) on May 15, 2024, which included the Members Planning Code of Conduct.”
Chair of the panel, Cllr Vincent Ricci, insisted he did nothing wrong despite admitting he knew Mr Howarth.
And he was adamant legitimate planning reasons, rather than perceived connections with the Labour Party as a man of the same name as applicant Geoffrey Howarth proposed Cllr Laura Boyle to stand in this year’s local election, resulted in its resubmission.
He admitted he knows Mr Howarth after sitting on the board of New Charter Building Company together – but told The Correspondent he voted against it.
Cllr Ricci said: “I know Geoffrey. He was on New Charter Building Company when I was on.
“But I wouldn’t have thought that was why it was brought back as I had no discussions with him whatsoever.
“The only time I found out it was on was when I got the agenda. I haven’t discussed it with anyone.”
The Correspondent has approached Cllrs Mills and Quinn for comment but at the time of publication neither has replied.