Suspension for planning chief in lobbying row

By DAVID McCANN
Published on Thursday 23 February 2012 12:09

A PLANNING chief has been suspended after lobbying other councillors to reject a housing bid by a millionaire businessman.

Councillor Barry Turner was banned for three months by ethics watchdog Standards Commission Scotland (SCS) from taking part in any planning decisions after it emerged he had emailed fellow councillors urging them to refuse an application ahead of a committee meeting.

The councillor’s suspension related to proposals for land next to a partially-built greyhound track in Wallyford where developer Howard Wallace had applied for a change of use to build 94 homes to help finance completion of the stadium.

Mr Wallace began erecting a grandstand in 1998 but plans stalled and the £4 million venture remained unfinished.

He reported Cllr Turner to the SCS, and today said he was “satisfied” with the outcome.

“Given the serious nature of the improper action by Cllr Turner leading up to the planning decision I made a complaint of his breach of the code of conduct to the Standards Commission,” he said.

“So confirmation that Cllr Turner committed breaches of the code is a satisfactory outcome. The three-month suspension is appropriate.”

An SCS ruling on Monday confirmed Cllr Turner had breached three paragraphs of the councillors’ code of conduct relating to improper conduct and raising doubts over impartiality but today he said the decision was a “sad outcome for local democracy”.

In a statement, Cllr Turner argued that no weight had been given to the “special circumstances” surrounding the application and his “duty of care to the people of East Lothian”.

“Too often, elected representatives are accused of acting in self-interest,” it read. “My actions here were totally selfless and based upon a motivation to do the right thing for the people I serve.

“After nearly 50 years of unblemished public service in different guises I am saddened that I have been found at fault simply trying to do my job as a councillor and planning convener.”

Councillor Paul McLennan, leader of East Lothian Council, said: “I think Barry Turner is disappointed with the outcome and I share his disappointment but from it there are lessons to be learned for us all.”

A council spokesman said: “We note the decision of the Standards Commission and await their full written response. Once this is received, the council will consider the matter.”

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dakarcar

Friday, February 24, 2012 at 05:04 PM

This guy is a loose cannon he has never been caught before, but it has been suspected that there is always been rigging at council meetings, it took a lot of determination by Howard Wallce, (well done Sir) for this guy to get caught, why should he have the power to make or break people, he still thinks he is inocent, yet has been suspended, get a life and get out of planning your career is over, why does it have to be that these people are in charge of our country moving with the times, its going to happen someday, we will move forward, we will have a future, but in scotland we will have everyone living in thatched houses with ouside loos, and East Lothian apart from Wallyford will be well photographed

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searchanddestroy

Friday, February 24, 2012 at 12:09 PM

GRRRRR.. only in the public sector !!! 3 months holiday on full pay no doubt after an "investigation" that blew a good few more grand. No real accountability as ever

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The auld lies will nae wash any mair

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 09:32 PM

I wonder why this article did not state that Cllr Barry Turner is a Liberal Democrat?

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Sally Longlegs

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 05:16 PM

Nae broon envelopes here then.

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