UKIP has called for a complete shake-up of politics in Basildon calling the current system “broken” and “undemocratic”.

Linda Allport-Hodge, leader of the Ukip group on Basildon Council, spoke out in the wake of a controversial decision to pass the finer details of a housing development behind closed doors.

She is calling for the cabinet system to be scrapped in favour of a committee structure, as the ruling Tories do not have majority control.

It comes after Carole Morris, chair of the planning committee, used “delegated powers” to decide how the 135-home development on playing fields off Ballards Walk, Laindon, and the first phase of the 725 home Dry Street estate will look.

Mrs Allport-Hodge said: “Politics in Basildon is broken and has been for many years. No wonder residents can’t be bothered to vote when time and again they witness decisions being made which they strongly oppose and have no means of over-turning. The Tories are treating other opposition party elected members with contempt.

“Basildon is a hung council with no overall control, yet the Tory minority administration revert to every loop hole available to them, to block any chance of collaborative cross-party working. In the best interest of residents and democracy this draconian attitude can’t go on.”

She is in talks with other opposition leaders about pushing for an overhaul of the system, which would see power jointly held by committees instead of individual cabinet members.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader, said: “Attempts to shut us out, leave us behind and ignore our opinions has put considerable strain on any willingness that we have to engage with the administration. This is frustrating and disappointing.

“It cannot be coincidence that every opposition party disagrees with the way the council is conducting its business at present.”

Phil Turner, leader of the council, warned restructuring the authority could end up costing taxpayers £500,000.

He said: “Linda Allport-Hodge is fighting for her political survival.

This is all to save her own skin and that of her failing Ukip party.

“We told her not to make rash promises. There was no way she could have stopped Dry Street going ahead.

“Moving to a committee system won't make a blind bit of difference.”

Development signed off behind closed doors

AN ARGUMENT has broken out between rival political groups after planning chairman Carole Morris signed off plans for major housing development without consulting committee members.

Developer Redrow Homes was granted outline permission to build 135 homes on a playing field off Ballards Walk, Laindon, in May.

The Echo revealed earlier this week a leaked document showed the finer points of the scheme, including details of the layout and design of the estate, would be decided by Mrs Morris behind closed doors using “delegated powers".

The decision has since been signed off.

It comes just weeks after the first phase of the controversial 725-home Dry Street estate was approved in the same way.

Councils are legally allowed to use delegated powers to decide reserved matters, and at this stage the planning committee is unable to reverse the outline decision which approved the building of the homes.

Mrs Morris and Basildon Council’s chief executive Bala Mahendran have stood by the decisions.

Mr Mahendran said: “Basildon Council, in line with all other local authorities, has an approved constitution.

Within this there is a scheme of delegation which makes provision for designated members and officers to take decisions outside of the committee process. Once planning permission has been granted, the council’s constitution makes provision for consequential reserved matters to be dealt under the scheme of delegation.”