TAMESIDE councillors have rejected government plans to revamp the planning system – even though it means they will be technically breaking the law.
Andy Burnham’s authority wants to introduce a National Scheme of Delegation (NSoD) for planning applications, which comes into effect on October 31.
This will decide which will be judged by planning officers and reduce the Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee by one.
However, opponents fear it takes the local out of local planning and the voice of the electorate, through those on the panel, out of the process.
And in a mammoth seven-hour session of Tameside’s full council on Tuesday, October 6, a recommendation to implement the NSoD was rejected by a vote of 26-22.
Reform UK, Conservative and Independent councillors all voted against the Labour group on a tough night for leader Cllr Eleanor Wills.
And members from those three sides voiced their displeasure at the proposal, which has been championed by Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, who was criticised.
Reform UK’s group leader, Cllr Allan Hopwood, described it as an ‘egregious overreach of power’ from Downing Street and said people were voting ‘with a gun to their head.’
He said: “Nobody in this chamber is happy about it.
“We’ve got the advantage of knowing we didn’t vote for the people who’ve pushed this through.
“Some of you not only voted for it but knocked on doors and helped those people get into that position – that’s on you.
“Residents have a right to expect decisions to be made openly, democratically and by elected councillors. Not behind closed doors by unelected officers.”
Colleague Jake Frater said: “Voting this through would be an absolute scandal,” and Gary Roylance called on Tameside Council’s leadership to show some ‘testicular fortitude’ and tell the government of its displeasure.
Conservative Cllr Andrea Colbourne added: “Ward councillors will have far less ability to bring applications before a planning committee. That raises serious questions about local democracy and accountability.
“Residents expect, quite righty, that when major developments are proposed in their area, there will be a transparent process where their views will be heard and where elected councillors can properly scrutinise them on their behalf.
“Decisions that shape our towns should not be moved further way from public scrutiny. We hope this council sends a clear message – that local democracy matters.”
Independent Cllr and former leader Ged Cooney commented: “In a democratic process, the public has its right to make its statement, to turn up, to view the meeting and to listen to discussion and debate.
“If we shut the door and tell them they’re not invited, their view of democracy will only deteriorate.
“I cannot accept that major decisions are made behind closed doors, because that’s what it will be seen as.”
Vincent Ricci, a member of the Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, boomed: “To me, it’s outrageous.
“When Godley Green Garden Village came to planning, it was refused and I challenged an objector who started by inferring that no matter what she said, it was nailed on that it would get passed.
“You’ve 14 elected members
who are all speaking for their ward. On October 31, that’s all being taken away.”
Colleague Cllr Kaleel Khan noted: “I voted against the constitutional changes because I am concerned about the reduction in the direct role elected councillors can have in some planning decisions.
“Whatever your political party, councillors are elected by residents to represent their communities and provide democratic accountability.”
In response, chair of the Speaker’s Panel (planning) committee, Labour Cllr David Mills – who was against sections – said he wanted to ‘dispel some of the myths, lies and scaremongering.’
“All members of the public and all councillors can still comment on applications,” he said.
“The idea of planning reform is to streamline all these processes.”
Cllr Wills added: “It’s very clear that members are confused about their representation on planning panel.
“It’s quite frightening. If you’re on it, you represent the local authority planning department.
“The reality is that 96 per cent of applications are decided by officers. By not agreeing something that we’ve been told is the law, by being unlawful, we delay any building, any social housing.”
Now the motion has been rejected, Tameside Council’s monitoring officer, Janet Witkowski – who warned saying no may leave the council unable to make legal planning decisions and leave it open to legal challenges, will now consider what action she can take.
That may include an extraordinary meeting for the matter to be reconsidered and even chair of council business, Labour Cllr Joe Kitchen, groaned: “I know it’s not welcome by any councillor anywhere in the country, whatever party they represent.
“It doesn’t do us any favours and it doesn’t do our residents any favours.”