Philip Grant writes:
Although Brent (Regeneration Department?) were very quick to
put out a triumphal press release last Friday, saying:
'the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library Centre (WGLC) took an important step forward last night (Thursday) when Brent Council's planning committee approved the plans,'
it is noticeable that (as at 4.30pm on Monday 25 February)
neither the Democratic Services (Planning Committee) nor the Brent Planning
Service (ref. 12/2924) web pages have yet given details of any such
decision.
The press release does go on to say:
'the proposals will now be put to the GLA and Secretary of State who need to give the go-ahead before Brent can formally give planning permission,'but Galliford Try and Brent's Regeneration Department have another problem as well. At the Planning Committee meeting of 21 February there was a clear breach of Brent's own Planning Code of Practice (part of Brent Council's constitution), as a public register which Planning Officers have to sign if they have what could be regarded as a "prejudicial interest" was not available for inspection at the meeting.
I had specifically advised the Democratic Services Officer
responsible for the meeting that I wished to inspect this register at the
meeting, so that there is no excuse for it not being there (under the
Code, it is meant to be there anyway). As a result, I complained to Brent's
Chief Executive about this irregularity on 22 February, and it is currently
being investigated by Fiona Ledden, Brent's Director of Legal Affairs. She has
promised to report back later this week. As the Planning Committee were
not made aware the possibility of "prejudicial Interest" in the reports and
recommendations put before them at the meeting on 21 February, they may be
asked to reconsider their decisions.
