Council cleared by watchdog

WARRINGTON Borough Council has been cleared by the Local Government Ombudsman of a charge of maladministration in dealing with a planning issue.
The accusation, from a member of the public, related to a planning application in Cawdor Street, Stockton Heath – and included an allegation that the council had yielded to a threat from the applicant.
During the application process, the applicant’s agent informed the council that if the plan was refused he would appeal and apply for costs.
The complainant alleged the council failed to deal properly with the application and failed to notify the complainant of the council’s complaints procedure.
But the Ombudsman says the council followed correct procedure in reaching its decision.
He points out that a council is only required to notify neighbours of planning applications – not to engage in ongoing decision.
The Ombudsman says the officer’s report properly dealt with the impact of the development on neighbours and the council properly considered all its guidelines and policies.
However, the Ombudsman does say the council should have more clearly explained its complaints process not only to the planning department but also to senior managers and, if necessary, the chief executive.
If this had been done, a complaint to the Ombudsman might have been unnecessary.
A council spokesman said the decision verified the approach taken by officers.
Threats of appeals or applications for costs were common and officers had a responsibility to inform councilors of the potential for an unreasonable decision to result in a successful appeal.
Only in such circumstances would such a threat have any significant credibility.