Lib Dem opposition leader slams vote to keep “secret planning meetings”

Proposals to end private pre-meetings of Wiltshire Council Planning Committees between Councillors and Planning Officers were rejected by Conservative Councillors.

In a recorded, named vote all Conservative members of Wiltshire Council's Scrutiny Committee rejected the proposal. It was put forward by the cross-party Planning Committee System Task Group.

Leader of the Opposition on Wiltshire Council and Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Ian Thorn said, "I am amazed by this vote by Conservative Councillors. Wiltshire Council claims to be open and transparent. Wiltshire residents have the right to know and see what their Council is doing. Holding secret meetings from which residents are excluded runs completely counter to that. These meetings should stop."

ENDS