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Councillors’ meeting with developers probed
3:00pm Wednesday 5th December 2007
Comments (37)ANSWERS are being demanded into why senior councillors met a Tory businessman to discuss publicity for his luxury flats development - before it got approval.
Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley and deputy Tony Ball discussed announcing approval for the multi-million pound development during talks with developer Ray Ride.
Mr Ride is a director of Bradgate Developments which is building Riverside Place, a 173 flats complex in Lower Southend Road, Wickford.
Following the meeting, in September 2005, Mr Ride asked the council for the application to be heard prior to the publicity event planned for October 22.
It was not actually heard by the council's development control committee, chaired by Sylvia Buckley - Mr Buckley's wife - until November 8 before final approval was given on March 7, 2006.
However, campaigners believe discussing an announcement at the meeting, in Bradgate's office in Lower Southend Road, before approval, breaches council policy of councillors not being allowed to meet developers without council officers.
The council constitution says at least one officer should attend potentially contentious meetings with applicants and a written note should be made of the talks.
Former Basildon Council chairman and planning chairman David Harrison is in Wickford Action Group, which is campaigning to limit the number of flats in Wickford.
He said discussing the announcement before app- roval could be seen as a "predetermination".
He said: "When I was chairman the rule was no councillor should meet any developer to discuss an application without an officer."
In an e-mail to Clive Simpson, Basildon Counc- il's head of planning, Mr Ride pressed for an October 11 date for his application to be heard so the announcement could be made on October 22.
The e-mail detailed his meeting with Mr Buckley and Mr Ball to discuss opening Bradgate Develop- ment's smaller flats complex in Lower Southend Road - Riverside Court.
Action group grills leader COUNCIL leader Mal- colm Buckley and his deputy Tony Ball faced a tough grilling over their meeting with Ray Ride at the latest full council meeting.
David Harrison, Wick- ford Action Group member, asked: "How many times since the beginning of 2003 has the leader of the council, his deputy or any other member of the council met with the directors, developers, or agents, connected with the redevelopment of Lower Southend Road?"
Mr Buckley said he could not speak for other members and kept an electronic diary, but deleted information from previous years.
He added: "Diary dates prior to this year are no longer available." Mr Harrison asked: "How and why was the leader of the council promising an approved application before it was up for consideration by the development control committee, something the council constitution appears to forbid?"
Mr Ball said the issues should be raised with the Standards Board, not in the council chamber.
Mr Buckley replied he would have liked to have announced approval for the scheme, but added: "It could not be an- nounced, because the application was not heard in time."
Mr Harrison pressed for more, but was told to be quiet or leave by Tory council chairman Geoff Buckenham.
I'm just working to get the best for Wickford COUNCIL leader Malcolm Buckley defended his meeting with Ray Ride and said it was all in the interest of Wickford's future.
He said: "Mr Ride asked us to organise the opening of Riverside Court and I happened to say it would be good if I could announce approval for the larger development.
"I fully support the regeneration of Wickford and this development is a key part of that.
"There was nothing more to this meeting."
Mr Buckley accepted councillors should not meet developers over live planning applications without officers present, but said the talks with Mr Ride were about regeneration not a specific application.
Yet Mr Ride's e-mail referred to discussions of a section 106 agreement - a legal arrangement when developers pledge cash towards community im- provements to help get approval.
Mr Buckley said: "It was a general discussion.
"Issues were raised about the section 106 by Mr Ride, but these were referred to officers.
"I cannot predetermine an application.
"I am not on the committee and have no power over how members vote."
Mr Buckley said a protocol was introduced this spring - after the 2005 meeting - advising of no meetings between councillors and developers without officers being present to protect the interests of developers and councillors.
He admitted before the protocol it was unusual for members to meet developers without officers.
He said he did not even attend the 20 flats Riverside Court development opening on October 22.
His deputy Tony Ball went instead.
Mr Buckley also launched a stinging attack on Wickford Action Group and said he would no longer comment on their accusations.
He said: "I now treat them as a political group out to smear the Conservatives and will not attend their meetings.
"The action group is conjuring up allegations to prevent the regeneration."
Mr Ride, who is a councillor for Runwell on Chelmsford Council, is recovering from a heart bypass and told the Echo he was not well enough to comment.
Your Say YourEcho
Concerned, Wickford says...
7:44pm Wed 5 Dec 07
Worried Resident, Wickford says...
7:56pm Wed 5 Dec 07
Jim, Wickford says...
9:19pm Wed 5 Dec 07
If this is correct then this does not seem right to me something dodgy here
Wickman, Wickford says...
9:26pm Wed 5 Dec 07
One rule for the politicians and another rule for everyone else. This country is going to the dogs.
Wickman, Wickford says...
9:48pm Wed 5 Dec 07
This is simply a case of Buckley knowing he can't win the argument, and trying to give an excuse for not responding to reasonable questions raised by the people he is supposed to represent.
Wicky, Wickford says...
10:25pm Wed 5 Dec 07
Wickman, Wickford says...
10:42pm Wed 5 Dec 07
Nobody is opposed to the regeneration of Wickford, and everyone agrees that we badly need this. What I and many others are against is the number of flats that are being built (most of which will probably end up as buy-to-let) without any commitment from the local or county councils to improve infrastructure.
If you've tried to drive from Wickford to Bas in the morning rush hour, then you would know how bad the congestion is. They're proposing 183 flats at Riverside Court with one parking space per flat and something like 17 casual spaces, so parking will be a nightmare. Trying to park in the town centre on a Saturday is difficult enough as it is. Then there's the schools, doctors, dentists etc etc.
The council has raised a huge sum of money from the Wick and now gets a significant income from the increased council tax, but this money has been spent elsewhere in the district. My view is that the council should build more some new homes in Wickford - preferably 2/3 bed homes - and let other areas of the district take some pain, and spend some of the money raised on Wickford.
Mark, Southend says...
11:26pm Wed 5 Dec 07
Alan Ball, Wickford Action Group says...
8:27am Thu 6 Dec 07
Why do we need so many flats, we were told they were needed to pay for the infrastructure, we now know only a small proportion are paying for new infrastructure and Wickford is being used as a developers (and Estate Agents Goldmine).
One firm who got planning permission for a 5 storey 84 flats block was registered in the British Virgin Islands, they have now sold on the site with planning permission to Laings not illegal but imoral!!
The Council have duped the electorate of Wickford and we intend to tell the truth.
David Harrison, Wickford says...
8:52am Thu 6 Dec 07
We are non-political, and will remain so.
We do care about Wickford however,and believe that many of Wickford's problems result from a failure to develop infrastructure for the existing population, before building extra homes. We would like to see more doctors, dentists, police and school places in Wickford, together with improvements to our highways.Infrastruct
ure improvements should happen alongside developments - not years later or never! I believe I was right to raise our concerns about Councillors dealing with a developer on a "live" planning application in the way that Councillors Buckley and Ball did, and but for the tell-tale email we obtained the meeting may have never come to light.
Wicky, Wickford says...
10:19am Thu 6 Dec 07
If not then why are you going to the press like a bunch of animals with any story you can get. Have you not read the last line of the report? "Mr Ride is recovering from a heart bypass" Do you really want this on your conscience?
If you were in power, not that you would be because after all you are not a political party are you keep saying, what would you do for the town? I really would like to know.
Where would you put a new road? How about a fly over from the end of Nevendon Road straight to the A127 thus making two roads to the Nevendon roundabout.
Wickman, quite clearly Alan Ball & David Harrison are against the regeneration of the town as all they do is moan about everything associated to Wickford, "we need more of this", "we need more of that" it's really starting to get boring.
Without housing, there is no money, with no money there s no town.
But perhaps this is what these people want.
Are these people not aware that if the town goes to rack and ruins there property prices also drop? I certainly do not want to be selling my house for less than I purchased it, but if this carries on then that is exactly what is going to happen.
If you was a big corporated retailer looking to open a shop where would you go? Wickford? Basildon? Billericay? or Rayleigh?
ashamed, wickford says...
10:28am Thu 6 Dec 07
Wicky, Wickford says...
10:35am Thu 6 Dec 07
Why don't parens park in the car park in Somerfield or The Willows and WALK their children to school rather than clogging up the roads around the school with there 4 x 4's and people carriers for 1 child?
Perhaps this would cut down on the obesity of young children.
ashamed, wickford says...
11:35am Thu 6 Dec 07
Wicky wrote:I quite agree - why don't they ? The poor lollypop lady actually has cars drive around her whilst in the road - the congestion is so bad in this area tempers are very high all morning as commuters and parents fight to get in and out of irvon Hill Road and market Road. When the development was in progress in irvon hill road the children actually had to dodge cars driving on the pavement because the workmen blocked the streets with all their equipment etc. it is even more upsetting that the other day the police walked passed all the cars parked on yellow lines and ignored them and when we have gone to the Police Station to get help with the road getting gridlocked and unable to move either way (a frequesnt occurance with the massive volume of traffic in these two streets - the station is always closed.
School Runs? Why don't parens park in the car park in Somerfield or The Willows and WALK their children to school rather than clogging up the roads around the school with there 4 x 4's and people carriers for 1 child? Perhaps this would cut down on the obesity of young children.
Will it improve - I doubt it but it won't be long before a child is hurt.
intheknow, wickford says...
11:39am Thu 6 Dec 07
Wicky wrote:A couple of points - WAG is NOT political -I am conservative but i support their objection to high rise flats and over population with lack of counter-measurers. I also support them exposing secret meetings between profit making councillors and I happen to know Mr ride - he is not so ill he could not say "no-comment" and maybe it was the stress of dogy dealings that made him ill in the first place.
So, the "WAGS" are not a political group? If not then why are you going to the press like a bunch of animals with any story you can get. Have you not read the last line of the report? "Mr Ride is recovering from a heart bypass" Do you really want this on your conscience? If you were in power, not that you would be because after all you are not a political party are you keep saying, what would you do for the town? I really would like to know. Where would you put a new road? How about a fly over from the end of Nevendon Road straight to the A127 thus making two roads to the Nevendon roundabout. Wickman, quite clearly Alan Ball & David Harrison are against the regeneration of the town as all they do is moan about everything associated to Wickford, "we need more of this", "we need more of that" it's really starting to get boring. Without housing, there is no money, with no money there s no town. But perhaps this is what these people want. Are these people not aware that if the town goes to rack and ruins there property prices also drop? I certainly do not want to be selling my house for less than I purchased it, but if this carries on then that is exactly what is going to happen. If you was a big corporated retailer looking to open a shop where would you go? Wickford? Basildon? Billericay? or Rayleigh?
Alan Ball, Wickford says...
1:09pm Thu 6 Dec 07
None of this is personal and we will always stick to policies, we are sorry about Ray Rides illness, but if he has nothing tio hide then there is not a problem.
We are non-political and feel politics has no place in local government.
Wickford needs some regeneration but NOT five and six storey blocks of flats with no infrastructure to go with it.
I am always willing to discuss this with any residents just e-mail me on
balla@btinternet.com and we can arrange a chat.
A Non Political Candidate, WICKFORD says...
2:09pm Thu 6 Dec 07
If you had fooled the residents of Wickford into voting you in would you have not attended Basildon Council committee meeetings, would you have not have acted upon behalf of the voters that elected you? Non Political...right!
Protest politicians like you manipulate the media for your own ends. The bulk of the developments have already gained planning consent and started but you spin the story that Alan Ball will ride in on his white charger and stop any building work in Wickford. I think you are three years too late!
No Mr Ball just like your election campaign you are doomed to failure!
Ego Ego Ego
Did he win in May?, WICKFORD says...
2:58pm Thu 6 Dec 07
None of this is personal and we will always stick to policies, we are sorry about Ray Rides illness, but if he has nothing tio hide then there is not a problem.
Policys? Looking After residents interests?
Sorry have I missed something did the (non political but still stood for political council elections) action group get elected in May?
I don't know if anyone told Mr Ball but he got beat and is therefore not able to speak publicly upon behalf of Wickford residents.
David Harrison, Wickford says...
4:11pm Thu 6 Dec 07
But that needs courage doesn't it?
Quite right, WICKFORD says...
4:32pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Alan Ball, Wickford says...
6:29pm Thu 6 Dec 07
They are Local Council Elections not political Council elections, We may not have got elected but we took 30% of the vote on policies not party loyalty.
A good example of a non-political group was the Billericay Residents Association who held most Billericay seats in the 70s/80s ona non-political ticket.
You do not have to be political to stand at local elections.
As David said if you want to criticise use fair enough but leave your name.
Wickford Lady, says...
3:07pm Fri 7 Dec 07
OVER development will not be any good for Wickford at all. The roads will not be able to cope, the car parks will not be able to cope, the trains will not be able to cope, the schools, doctors, dentists will not be able to cope.
DEVELOPMENT is needed, but infrastructure and the local environment need to be taken into account as well.
Wickford residents need to wake up and take a look at what is proposed and already happening in their town. I do not want to live in a place that has been turned into a high rise mess without any supporting infrastucture. Act now before it is too late.
Wickfordman, wickford says...
4:42pm Fri 7 Dec 07
I have previously worked for a City instituion so know a little about Town planning and local goverment.
The action group are being just as economical with the truth as the politicians. If you study the financial records of Basildon Council you will see that there is no money available for regeneration of any of the High Streets locally. The only way that local goverment can raise money to improve the centre is by entering into partnership agreements with developers that will provide improved ammenities, shopping centres, swimming pool, library, pct's etc. It is simple logic the developer is allowed to build flats and the community gets new buildings and improved footpaths, street furniture in return.
The logic that the action group promote is misleading. If developers don't build properties for sale they will not build swimming pools etc, why would they? There is no return on their investment.
Perhaps these people have an alternative that I haven't thought of?
It appears simple. the shopping centre needs improving - basildon council has no money - residents will not agree to a levy on their council tax to pay for the work - there are not European pots of money available to "make the Town look prettier" - their are huge plots of run down commercial areas ideal for development in the Town centre = only one option if you want to see changes the route taken by the Council.
I just think the rest of the complaining is just smoke and mirrors to cause trouble for the council. Perhaps they will be brave enough to write down how they would pay for the improvements? ..... I thought not
David Harrison, Wickford says...
4:54pm Fri 7 Dec 07
Quite right, WICKFORD says...
5:49pm Fri 7 Dec 07
davidfountain, wickford says...
1:03pm Sat 8 Dec 07
Alan Ball, Wickford says...
1:22pm Sat 8 Dec 07
I beleive you are beinga bit economical with the truth! The only residential dwellings paying for real improvements arethe 99 for the Market Road/Market Avenue area and these have not got planning permission yet, The WAG do not beleive MOST of the flats provide any real benefits to Wickford.
Liz, Wickford says...
8:25pm Sat 8 Dec 07
Detective work by a group of Wickford residents concerned that the towns regeneration is fast running away from what was agreed in the public consultations: has uncovered some disturbing connections and coincidences surrounding the key names involved in this regeneration scheme. If the conduct of these people has been exemplary with regard to the Wickford issue, why are they so jumpy about answering searching questions on the subject; remember David Harrison was told to be quiet or leave the latest council meeting when he persisted in asking probing questions of its members. In my opinion, if there is nothing to hide the questions wont hurt you.
Those who slate the Wickford Action Group for having the nerve to question what is going on and consequently disturbing the murky waters at the bottom of the pond would appear to be purposely missing the point. The council made a big show of seeking our opinions on the future of the town centre but what is unfolding does not match what we agreed to. In other words, our opinions at first so keenly sought, by councillors and developers alike, have been ignored equally by both. Who will come out on top? Work it out for yourselves all you who criticise the WAG.
If nothing untoward has gone on concerning the Wickford regeneration why are councillors refusing to answer Action Group questions. Why be so twitchy about nothing think about it !
Wicky, Wickford says...
9:04pm Sun 9 Dec 07
Liz, it appears that you have been brainwashed by the WAG's.
They parade around and act like a political party, if they want there answers then why not go thrugh the proper channels? Rather than going to the local media like a pack of hungry dogs.
If you and all the other Wickford residents are happy to see the town go to rack and ruin then that's upto you, as I said in a previous post, town goes to pot = house prices slump. Do YOU want this to happen as I certainly don't.
Romford Ricky, ROMFORD says...
11:23pm Sun 9 Dec 07
Wicky wrote:I think that Wickford is alright as it is whether they put up these flats or not.
If nothing untoward has gone on concerning the Wickford regeneration why are councillors refusing to answer Action Group questions. Why be so twitchy about nothing think about it ! Liz, it appears that you have been brainwashed by the WAG's. They parade around and act like a political party, if they want there answers then why not go thrugh the proper channels? Rather than going to the local media like a pack of hungry dogs. If you and all the other Wickford residents are happy to see the town go to rack and ruin then that's upto you, as I said in a previous post, town goes to pot = house prices slump. Do YOU want this to happen as I certainly don't.
My brother lives in Harold Wood and that is much more worse.
and Wicky my son ure spelling is rubbish
David Harrison, Wickford says...
11:18am Mon 10 Dec 07
I would like to tell Wicky ( obviously totally afraid to reveal his real identity - but I could hazard a guess who he is!!!)
I DID go through the proper channels - the Councillors who represent me find it very difficult to either answer questions put to them - or even respond to emails. So - I put a question down at a full Council Meeting as is the right of any resident.
The newspaper arcticle above came as a result of that question and the inability of Cllr Buckley to respond adequately. Is Wicky suggesting that we should just always accept what our representatives say and do?
Romford Ron, Harold Wood, Romford says...
2:36pm Mon 10 Dec 07
I think you'll find that's Harold Hill, similar to Nevendon Road. Still, as the saying goes, my house is worth more than yours!
BemusedWickforder, wickford says...
11:41am Wed 12 Dec 07
Stop hiding Karen!, wickford says...
1:02pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Just a coincidence, wickford says...
3:08pm Wed 12 Dec 07
must be - a - coincidence - ?
karen squires, wickford says...
3:16pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Malcolm Buckley - under attack
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Wickford Resident, Wickford says...
7:39pm Wed 5 Dec 07
If the rules state Councillors must not meet Developers without an employee present then the rules have been broken.
It certainly would look like he met Bradgate to discuss this development and not Generally.