Council Ponders Part 1

By: Todd Bontoft
Date: 04/08/2000

In an earlier article I highlighted the possibility that the Great Coates' dream is not necessarily over. At first glance it seemed the only hope of reversing the council's decision of 13th July, blocking the new stadium and the retail development, was for the club to appeal. A lengthy process, taking as long as18 months, roughly the same amount of time the club had hoped to build and move into its new home.

I have received a copy of a letter to a local resident from North East Lincolnshire Council's Deputy Chief Executive, Ian Bolton, that states "We do not believe there are any legal obstacles to prevent the Council from reconsidering the decisions taken on 13th July. Standing orders would simply require any notice of motion to be signed by at least six elected members (i.e. councillors) ".

This, I believe, opens the door for the council and, in particular, elected members to take a long hard look at their decision on the night of the 13th July. Did they consider the recommendation on its merits? Did any of the councillors that voted go along with a preconceived view of the way they would vote? Did they take due account of the information supplied?

There will be many views.

I am sure there are many saying that the expressed views and wishes of the local community were singly ignored.

Ian Bolton's letter states "It is not for us (i.e. the council) to give legal advice to members of the public on your question about the council having taken due care, etc. I can confirm that the relevant information was put before members on 13th July and that they heard oral representations. Members made up their minds on the basis of that information and those representations."

Strange, I could swear Great Coates Civic Society was pretty sure of three votes!

The article continues in Part 2.

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