Allegations have been made that a speech by objectors to a large development on Green Belt land in Borehamwood, due to be given by a Councillor at a Planning Meeting on Thursday 21 March, was swapped at the last minute with another less critical speech.
The incident is believed to have happened when Cllr Richard Butler (Labour) who had agreed to act as a Community Advocate – (to speak on behalf of a group or an individual person)– and read out a speech by objectors to the SKY Studios North Planning Application, was unable to attend the meeting due to a family emergency. A speech was read out later in the meeting by Cllr Chris Myers (Labour) but it soon became apparent the two prepared speeches were totally different.
Leader of the Conservative Group on Hertsmere, Cllr Morris Bright MBE who attended the meeting said: “I started receiving messages on my phone by the objector’s group that the speech being read out was not the one agreed with Cllr Butler. I showed the messages to Cllr Nik Oakley (Labour) who as well as being local Councillor for the area covered by the application, is also the Labour/Lib Dem Coalition Cabinet Member for Planning at Hertsmere. She looked at me and said: “I know”.
“I have, since the meeting, been written to by the local group that objected to the application. This is what they have told me…”
“Our team very carefully compiled the community advocates' speech so that it accurately represented the views of the 2700 people who had objected. We knew this speech would be included if SKY appeals and a Planning Inspector looks at it, so it was very important to get it right.
“One of our team asked Cllr Richard Butler if he would give the speech, and he agreed to give it as it was, as it represented those 2,700 residents from across Hertsmere. Unfortunately, Richard was unable to deliver the speech as he had to help his father, and we have no idea what happened after that.
“When the community advocate speech was read out eventually by Cllr Chris Myers, none of us could understand what was going on. Our so carefully crafted speech had been totally rewritten by person(s) unknown. We don't know who did this or who switched the speeches. We were very concerned that the speech had been doctored to try and encourage the planning committee to approve it.
“There are just 17 people for the application on the Planning Portal against over 2700 against. We are concerned that this speech switch could have ramifications during any appeal process. We would very much like to know what has happened here. Anything you can do to help with that would be greatly appreciated.”
Following the meeting, a copy of the agreed Community Advocate Speech was released, and a transcription was made of the speech that was read out by Cllr Myers (Labour). Read both speeches on this link: https://docs.google.com/.../10CxeikfjH.../edit...
The only part of the speeches that is the same, is the first paragraph - just 28 words. The rest appears to have been completely rewritten, according to the objectors, without consultation with them.
The Conservatives have written to the Head of Legal Services at Hertsmere Borough Council, Mr Harvey Patterson, asking for an immediate investigation into what has taken place and on concluding that investigation to advise what action may be necessary.
This investigation must be undertaken in the interests of transparency and to ensure Hertsmere retains its reputation for good governance both within and outside of the council and to ensure local peoples voices are heard in a correct and democratic way.
