Emily McIvor, policy co-ordinator for the East Devon Green Pary
East Devon Green Party has welcomed the news that Tory Councillor Mike Allen has been found guilty on six counts by the Standards Committee of his own council, East Devon District Council.
He was found guilty of bringing his office into disrepute, and of five counts of treating his fellow councillors with disrespect.
The offences occurred at a number of meetings of the committee which he was chairing, the Local Development Framework (LDF) Panel, between August 2011 and November 2011. The Independent Investigator, Tim Darsley, recommended a short suspension. The Standards Committee determined that Councillor Allen should apologise and undergo ‘personal development’.
Emily McIvor, policy co-ordinator for East Devon Green Party, said: “The Local Development Framework Panel had an important role, which was to draft the Local Plan for East Devon for 20 years.
“The behaviour of the Tory appointee who chaired the panel has restricted the process of democratic review and compromised the integrity of the Draft Local Plan.
“We will continue to do everything we can to campaign against the decision of the Tories to press ahead with their plan without taking into consideration the submissions of other local authorities, the Environment Agency, and organizations and local councils representing the overwhelming majority of the people of East Devon.
“The East Devon Green Party will shortly be holding a public meeting in Sidmouth to outline our opposition to the Local Plan and to explain our alternative ‘Green Vision’ for East Devon.”
(from a press release)
