A TAMESIDE councillor has hit out after being subject of a complaint that he was allowed to rule on the latest Godley Green Garden Village proposal.
Vimal Choksi has also denied he was hauled over the coals for not voting it through the last time.
Conservatives formally complained the assistant executive member for growth was allowed to decide on an application at the meeting of the authority’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) meeting on Wednesday, March 18.
He voted for the latest changes, which included a guarantee a health facility and primary school will be provided on the site, along with MADE Partnership becoming responsible for the legal document, after the panel rejected the scheme in January, resulting in complaints from firms working on it and a four-figure legal bill.
A letter from Hyde Godley Councillor Andrea Colbourne, Hyde Werneth’s Phil Chadwick and Stalybridge South’s Liam Billington also claimed the committee’s refusal to allow it in January resulted in Labour members facing leader Cllr Eleanor Wills and deputy Cllr Andrew McLaren.
It states: “We understand that members were criticised for their previous vote, had their credibility questioned and were warned that their positions within the Labour Party including future committee appointments and potential reselection could be affected.
“If accurate, this represents an improper attempt to place political pressure on councillors performing a quasi-judicial function.”
It adds: “We also seek clarification regarding the decision permitting Cllr Vimal Choksi to participate and vote on this application.
“As assistant cabinet member for housing, homelessness and growth, he holds an executive role directly linked to the council’s growth agenda and to matters intrinsically connected to the Godley Green proposals, including the MADE partnership referenced at Cabinet on 28 January.
“Notably, Cllr Choksi did not attend the January Planning Committee meeting when the application was initially considered.
“However, following the reported meetings between Labour members and the executive leader, he subsequently attended the Speaker’s Panel meeting, raising concerns about the perception that his presence may have been influenced by those discussions.”
The Torie requested an immediate investigation into the conduct of Cllr Wills and Cllr McLaren in relation to the reported exertion of pressure and a full review and explanation regarding Cllr Choksi’s participation and vote.
They also want a review of the integrity and lawfulness of the overall decision-making process for this application and that Cllrs Wills, McLaren and Choksi take no further part in decisions relating to the Godley Green application.
However, when approached by The Correspondent, Cllr Choksi described the claims as ‘speculative misinformation.’
He said: “I was not involved in any conversations with the leader or deputy leader ahead of panel or after.
“I attended the hearing with the intention of making my decision based solely on the applicant’s and officers’ presentation and those speaking on the day, and all information provided.
“As a quasi-judicial panel, I take my role very seriously and work within the legal perimeters set out by the planning legislation and the councils constitution.
“Just ahead of the meeting, a conversation took place in response to an email received from the Conservatives, querying my position on panel,
“I was not asked to leave the room as I had no conflict of interest to declare in relation to this application.
“As an assistant executive member, I am a non-decision maker and was not privy to any information regarding Godley Green, therefore had no bias and was free to take my place on the panel.
“This panel has a legal framework, supported by the council’s legal and planning officers, who are there to ensure all cases are heard fairly and appropriately.
“The council’s monitoring officer was also present at the meeting and I’m sure can offer assurances that all matters were carried out appropriately.
“All councillors have a duty to understand the planning process and misrepresentation of any planning matter is a complete disservice to the public.
“I would ask Conservative councillors to seek further training on how planning committee operates and the legal perimeters set.”