Judge for yourself
May 29th, 2010 by bobdootson
The Ombudsman stated:
Article 74 of the final decision:
“I have also found that the Council acted with maladministration by not complying with its own constitution that excludes officers from using delegated powers to determine planning applications on sites that are over one hectare and the decision would be contrary to a written comment received from a consultee”.
The Council have stated:
In order to clarify, Chorley BC do not accept the findings of the Local Government Ombudsman in the decision note where they relate to alleged breaches of the Council’s Constitution. It is not accepted the use of delegated powers amounted to a breach of the Constitution.
That is the position of the Council.
Lets see what the Ombudsman makes of this, or are they as usefull has a chocolate fireguard?
The Constitution is there for a reason, and cannot be interpreted in any other way” Responsibility for Functions” appendix 2 of the Constitution 6.6 C (ii)
It depends how much the people of Chorley care about their local government. If they care, they should email, write, talk, and if necessary shout at their local councillors and make the council take notice of the ombudsman and Chorley’s own constitution.
The Friends of Lever Park exists to protect the area from future developments like Go Ape, and to maintain the peace and beauty of the area unspoilt for future generations.
If the council can disregard its own constitution now, it can do it again.
If it can do it in Lever Park it can do it in Adlington, in Euxton, in Withnell – anywhere.
If you’ve had a planning application rejected by Chorley Council, how do you feel when Chorley doesn’t abide by its own planning rules in the case of Lever Park, but insists on declining your application for your extension because its ‘against council policy’?
So it’s vitally important that Bob and the Friends of Lever Park move heaven and earth to make sure that the council is properly accountable to its citizens now and in the future.