Councillor was right not to vote on Spalding Travellers’ site application, says planning chairman - Lincolnshire

From the Spalding and South Holland Voice

A planning councillor who declined to vote on the controversial Spalding Travellers’ site application has received the support of the committee chairman.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones says Coun Anthony Casson was right not to take part in last month’s vote, which was tied 6-6. The application was later granted on Coun Gambba-Jones’ casting vote.

Some Cowbit residents were angry that Coun Casson – their ward member – had not even taken part in the debate on the application at last month’s planning meeting, and therefore had not adequately represented their strong opposition. The site, off Drain Bank North, abuts Cowbit parish.

Coun Gambba-Jones said: “Coun Casson was absolutely right to declare an interest at the meeting and exclude himself from the determination. Had he done otherwise and the application subsequently been refused, a judicial review in the High Court could well have followed. He could also have found himself under investigation for breaching the SHDC Code of Conduct.”

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