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Call for all councillors to debate Southend Airport expansion is thwarted

A VOTE on the airport expansion will be taken by the 17 members of the borough council’s planning committee, not the full council.

Lib Dem and Labour councillors had pushed for all 51 councillors to be given a vote on the plans.

A full council meeting on Thursday, voted down the opposition proposals to widen the vote.

Lib Dem leader Graham Longley (Blenheim Park) had argued the issue was of such significance for the town, the normal procedure should be changed so all councillors could decide.

He argued: “It would restore democracy to the town, by giving council the right to make the final decision.

“Southend members can represent residents and express their views. It’s about involving people and not leaving such a major decision to as few as nine members, which would represent a majority on the development control committee.”

However, Tory council leader, Nigel Holdcroft (West Leigh) branded the opposition move as “a cheap political stunt, simply designed to play on residents’ concerns”.

Mr Holdcroft pointed out members of the development control committee had special training to allow them to make informed decisions on planning issues.

Comments(11)

emcee says...
12:56pm Tue 15 Dec 09

Anyone who opposes the expansion will try everything they can to delay and hinder procedings. OK, that is their right and who are we to stop them trying. However, as each tactic arises it just shows they clutching at straws. Makes you wonder what silly tactic they will come up with next. Perhaps they will ask David Amess to make a fool of himself (not that it is hard for him to do) by calling for a public enquiry.............
.............

kittylitter says...
5:10pm Tue 15 Dec 09

A public enquiry would be a disaster for Southend .... it would cost time and money. A delay of permission for development being granted means the airport would not be ready in time for the 2012 Olympics and South Essex will totally miss out on all the benefits that will bring..

'V' says...
6:26pm Tue 15 Dec 09

As the airport expansion affects everyone in the Southend/Rochford area, the entire council, representing the entire population of the area, should debate this issue.

It is called democracy.

larrycooper says...
6:43pm Tue 15 Dec 09

Sorry V - but if your cat was sick you would take him to a vet and not a chef to make a decision on his future, wouldn't you?

If your car broke down - would you call a mechanic or an estate agent?

Members of the development control committee have special training to allow them to make informed decisions on planning issues - the rest of the council do not have this training...

This issue has been rightly left to the people who know what they are doing.

southendreb says...
7:31pm Tue 15 Dec 09

larrycooper wrote:
Sorry V - but if your cat was sick you would take him to a vet and not a chef to make a decision on his future, wouldn't you? If your car broke down - would you call a mechanic or an estate agent? Members of the development control committee have special training to allow them to make informed decisions on planning issues - the rest of the council do not have this training... This issue has been rightly left to the people who know what they are doing.
Anna Waite says thank you very much Larry. You must be the only person in the townwho thinks she and her mates know what they are doing

evilc says...
8:23pm Tue 15 Dec 09

What is there to debate:

It has been an airport longer than any living person AND flights out have been far greater the now days, this time the airport is just returning to normal.

Longley is just trying to pick up a few votes BUT he is barking up the wrong tree this time.

Max Impact says...
11:00pm Tue 15 Dec 09

Did the Lib Dems say thay were against all airport expabsion nation wide if so then are the local lot backing national policy or not.

also they will not be permited to vote if they have already expressed thier view as to say yes or no so the Lib Bums are just trying a cheap political trick.

Dispite loosing my job a few weeks back I'm still on the works (ex-works) Xmas pub crawl through Soho so if none of that makes sence you know why...

southendreb says...
11:05pm Tue 15 Dec 09

Ha ha ha special training to make imformed descions ,from who MR NIGE

Georgeatlondon says...
2:49pm Wed 16 Dec 09

I love the idea that some people believe that the Olympics will bring in business for years after? Why would anyone think you need to expand another airport or miss out.
Totally blows my mind that you think Aviation is going to bring prosperity to Southend.

"Wake up and smell reality"

Max Impact says...
6:24pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Georgeatlondon wrote:
I love the idea that some people believe that the Olympics will bring in business for years after? Why would anyone think you need to expand another airport or miss out. Totally blows my mind that you think Aviation is going to bring prosperity to Southend. "Wake up and smell reality"
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Another one of the weak minded fools taken in by SAEN lies.

My head hurts...

vanilla ice says...
10:29am Thu 17 Dec 09

Max Impact wrote:
Did the Lib Dems say thay were against all airport expabsion nation wide if so then are the local lot backing national policy or not.

also they will not be permited to vote if they have already expressed thier view as to say yes or no so the Lib Bums are just trying a cheap political trick.

Dispite loosing my job a few weeks back I'm still on the works (ex-works) Xmas pub crawl through Soho so if none of that makes sence you know why...
Yes it does make sense when we look at the person, lost your job weeks ago then go on a pub crawl around the **** sites of Soho midweek, no wonder your head hurts it’s a shame will have to stay on the dole, as there might not be any jobs in staggering distance from your home, you could hang around until the Stobart Group is up and running, you are without doubt the right calibre of employee that stobart would be looking for, if you turn the broom upside down it makes a excellent prop.

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