Posted By: Ashley Dearnley
Date Posted: 11/12/2007

Over recent weeks there has been a great deal of reporting of the disgraceful behaviour of Cllr William Hobhouse regarding planning applications.
It is a duty of all members of Planning Committee to listen to both the applicant and the objector before making a decision   Failure to do this is not properly representing the public, which we are elected to do.
This sadly is not the first time that this Councillors behaviour has resulted in action being taken against him on issues relating to planning .He was reported by a member of the public to the independent standards board and found guilty of bringing his Office and that of the Council into disrepute, resulting in a period of suspension from any involvement with Planning…For some it appears lessons are never learnt.
This behaviour has meant the Lib Dems had to act and have removed him from the all-powerful Cabinet.
Tomorrow there will be an extra meeting of the Council to replace Cllr Hobhouse.
With the appointment of Cllr Greg Couzens to take on the responsibility of the Councils finances Cllr Couzens is a successful respected businessman, which is what our finances will hopefully benefit from.
Unfortunately due to the increasing erratic behaviour of his predecessor there are many financial issues to resolve, not least the fact that 2.2m has been spent on advertising and promoting the Council an increase of 184% over the past 10 years all this at a time when the Lib Dems are cutting the home care service. It is as I have often said down to priorities.