Dual Rother planning role criticised again

At a full council meeting on Monday (July 6), Conservative councillors again criticised Cllr Jonathan Vine-Hall’s dual role as planning committee chairman and cabinet member for strategic planning.

The debate came as part of a discussion on the council’s adoption of the Local Government Association’s latest best practice guidelines for planning matters, known as “probity in planning”. 

Cllr Eleanor Kirby-Green (Con, Burwash and the Weald) said: “I would like to make it quite clear that this is not about the councillor’s ability to perform either role, it is purely about the potential conflict of interest. 

“I am aware that guidance is that in small councils it is acceptable for cabinet portfolio holders to be on the planning committee. Note it says on the planning committee, not chair of it.

“This guidance is clearly because in some small councils there are not enough councillors to carry out the different roles. 

“I can’t believe that, had this happened in the previous administration, it would not have been raised, and rightly so.”

Cllr Vine-Hall’s dual role has been a point of contention for Rother’s Conservative group since his appointment in May last year, as they say it could damage the council’s reputation.

But the appointment has long been defended by the council’s cross-party leadership (known as the Rother Alliance), who argue they followed proper procedures and process.

Responding to the fresh criticism, cabinet member for environment Susan Prochak (Lib Dem) said: “It has been raised before, this issue and before I did explain that we are confident that Cllr Vine-Hall has got the knowledge and the awareness and can quite easily separate the two roles.

“And if there should be an occasion they can’t be separated then he would step back. 

“I think we are quite confident that we are a small council and we have got that expertise in those roles.”

These arguments failed to mollify Conservative councillors, however.

Cllr John Barnes (Con, Burwash and the Weald) said: “I think there is a grave danger that this will be taken as personal. Can I say, therefore, that I am absolutely confident Cllr Vine Hall has the knowledge to do both jobs. 

“I also accept that from his point of view he undoubtedly will do his best to separate those two interests and he will stand  aside. 

“The problem as we all know with interests however, is that it is not what we think it is what the man on the Clapham Omnibus, the ordinary citizen is supposed to think. 

“If we fly in the face of the guidance what are we going to write in the constitution?”

Conservative group leader Carl Maynard, meanwhile, said the appointment meant the council was in contravention of the guidelines from the LGA.

This didn’t convince Rother Alliance councillors, however.

Cllr Prochak said: “I think there is a game being played here which isn’t very helpful for anybody.

“It actually does say, in the guidance, that it is perfectly acceptable for cabinet portfolio holders to be on the planning committee and exercise caution. That is the biggest health warning on it, ‘exercise caution’. 

“If you believe Cllr Vine-Hall is not exercising caution you are perfectly free to report him to standards.”

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