Parish council reviewed planning application, but failed to realise significant changes since the previous application (ie 2 additional rooms and doubling garage). When challenged by the local residents they claimed the applications were almost identical. When evidence provided by the DDC planning office to show their facts were incorrect the Parish Council has never bothered to apologise to those affected nor amended the parish minutes. Is the Parish Council representing and working for the parish?
Queries addressed to the Parish council were responded to by the clerk, without prior approval or signing by the Parish Council chairperson/vice chairperson. Should the clerk have the authority to do this? Should Council Chairperson/Vice Chairperson endorse important responses?
A situation arose where the Parish council threatened legal action on local parishioners. A solicitor’s services were engaged and parishioners contacted accordingly. When it became apparent the action was unfounded, they withdrew the allegations. Was there a need to legally threaten parishioners? Where did the money come from to pay the solicitors? (The Parish Council have never answered this)
Yes I did contact Gwyn Prosser MP, and he followed up some aspects. However I am still awaiting a response for my letter below despite repeated contact!
Lets hope Gwyn Prosser MP will redeem himself and help the public by preventing this situation happening again. Especially as the The Standards Board for England can't help because it's not within their framework. If you would like to sign my petition on this subject - Look at the end of the main Blog - Thanks.
I will be contacting him yet again reference letter below to seek an end to these matters.
21 April 2007
Dear Mr Prosser,
Thank you for your letter of 20th April, 2007.
However this does not address: i) why the Parish Council has made no effort to correct their records, ii) there has been no formal apology to the residents of Green Lane/The Avenue iii) whilst pursuing this further, the only action the Parish Council have under taken is to threaten legal action to the residents of Green Lane/The Avenue.
Why?
The formal hearing did not cover the ‘falsified records’. I have additional documented evidence that records
were incorrectly presented to the Parish Council planning meeting. I believe the Parish Council is still not being open with its actions – and has probably only presented you with limited information.
A further question which no-one seems to want to answer is who paid for the legal advice? Did it come from public funds?
I would appreciate a full response to the points raised in my letter of 13th March.
If you require any further information / documents as referenced above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Reference July minutes: "Temple Ewell Parish Council adopts the New Model Code of Conduct for Town and Parish Councils"
1, Will the Parish Council have to correct & publicly rectify planning mistakes? 2, Correctly & honestly write references about parishioners within the Parish minutes?
Temple Ewell Parish Council are partly to blame for the sudden increase of planning applications along Green lane & The Avenue.
They choose to endorse planning acceptance on the new 5 bedroomed house along the Avenue (encroaching into the protected tree area).
The TEPC are very short sighted & panders to back garden builders (who might I add, live in Canterbury). No thought for the impact on tree preservation/wildlife & most of all views everybody in the village likes to enjoy for the surrounding area. TEPC use you brains, take off the blinkers and most of all try to think ahead!
Roger Frayne, DD Councillor was the only person who took the time and effort to help us object to The Avenue planning applications over the past few years.
He very kindly spoke up & put forward objections on the behalf of the locally affected residents at a DDC planning meeting.
Well done Roger, at least someone tried to look after the village environment.
Parish Council now taking a more active interest in planning applications. Listening to the local residents, much more positive. Proactive communication to DDC planning dept.
14 comments:
Parish council and planning applications
Parish council reviewed planning application, but failed to realise significant changes since the previous application (ie 2 additional rooms and doubling garage). When challenged by the local residents they claimed the applications were almost identical. When evidence provided by the DDC planning office to show their facts were incorrect the Parish Council has never bothered to apologise to those affected nor amended the parish minutes.
Is the Parish Council representing and working for the parish?
Parish Council correspondence with parishioners
Queries addressed to the Parish council were responded to by the clerk, without prior approval or signing by the Parish Council chairperson/vice chairperson.
Should the clerk have the authority to do this?
Should Council Chairperson/Vice Chairperson endorse important responses?
A situation arose where the Parish council threatened legal action on local parishioners. A solicitor’s services were engaged and parishioners contacted accordingly. When it became apparent the action was unfounded, they withdrew the allegations.
Was there a need to legally threaten parishioners?
Where did the money come from to pay the solicitors? (The Parish Council have never answered this)
Reference: "Parish council threatened legal action on local parishioners".
Whoever initiated this action should
pay the Solicitors fees!!
Waste of funds that could have been utilized on other projects!
Hello Stephen,
Have you contacted a MP (Member of Parliament) about the issues you have with the TE Parish Council?
Hi Anonymous,
Yes I did contact Gwyn Prosser MP, and he followed up some aspects. However I am still awaiting a response for my letter below despite repeated contact!
Lets hope Gwyn Prosser MP will redeem himself and help the public by preventing this situation happening again. Especially as the The Standards Board for England can't help because it's not within their framework. If you would like to sign my petition on this subject - Look at the end of the main Blog - Thanks.
I will be contacting him yet again reference letter below to seek an end to these matters.
21 April 2007
Dear Mr Prosser,
Thank you for your letter of 20th April, 2007.
However this does not address:
i) why the Parish Council has made no effort to correct their
records,
ii) there has been no formal apology to the residents of Green
Lane/The Avenue
iii) whilst pursuing this further, the only action the Parish
Council have under taken is to threaten legal action to the residents of Green Lane/The Avenue.
Why?
The formal hearing did not cover the ‘falsified records’. I have additional documented evidence that records
were incorrectly presented to the Parish Council planning meeting.
I believe the Parish Council is still not being open with its actions – and has probably only presented you with limited information.
A further question which no-one seems to want to answer is who paid for the legal advice?
Did it come from public funds?
I would appreciate a full response to the points raised in my letter of 13th March.
If you require any further information / documents as referenced above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you
Yours faithfully,
S. Chattaway
Sounds like you have had your feathers ruffled Parish Council?
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for your e-mail, I have sent you an e-mail containing some information. Let me know if you receive it OK.
Regards, Steve.
Still no response to date from Gwyn Prosser MP.
It appears that he approves wasting of public money - can't be brothered to pursue the evidence - probably not even read it if the truth be known.
For the attention of the Council.
I see today another lorry load of trees & hedges disappeared from the rear of Target Firs Road house again!
We know who you are - no respect for the village and look of countryside - disgraceful!!!
Reference July minutes: "Temple Ewell Parish Council adopts the New Model Code of Conduct for Town and Parish Councils"
1, Will the Parish Council have to correct & publicly rectify planning mistakes?
2, Correctly & honestly write references about parishioners within the Parish minutes?
Temple Ewell Parish Council are partly to blame for the sudden increase of planning applications along Green lane & The Avenue.
They choose to endorse planning acceptance on the new 5 bedroomed house along the Avenue (encroaching into the protected tree area).
The TEPC are very short sighted & panders to back garden builders (who might I add, live in Canterbury). No thought for the impact on tree
preservation/wildlife & most of all views everybody in the village
likes to enjoy for the surrounding area.
TEPC use you brains, take off
the blinkers and most of all try to think ahead!
Roger Frayne, DD Councillor was the only person who took the time and effort to help us object to The Avenue planning applications over the past few years.
He very kindly spoke up & put forward objections on the behalf of the locally affected residents at a DDC planning meeting.
Well done Roger, at least someone tried to look after the village environment.
Parish Council now taking a more active interest in planning applications. Listening to the local residents, much more positive. Proactive communication to DDC planning dept.
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