Councillor to quit over ‘axeing’ of planning officer (From The Bolton News)

Councillor to quit over ‘axeing’ of planning officer

8:47am Friday 20th August 2010 in

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A TOWNcouncillor is quitting in protest at the way planning decisions are handled locally.

Conservative councillor John Batley will resign from his post on Westhoughton Town Council from November.

Cllr Batley said the existence of town councils in Bolton is in question due to their lack of power, which is highlighted by the withdrawal of planning officers at meetings.

Cllr Batley, aged 64, of Manchester Road, Over Hulton, said: “It’s the last straw. I don’t feel that I am contributing a lot by going to the meetings.

“They’ve never had any power on planning permissions but could advise Bolton Council, so it’s a waste of time.”

The resignation in November means there will not be an early byelection, saving the council around £3,500.

Leader of Westhoughton Town Council, councillor David Chadwick, said: “Cllr Batley is a lovely man. I just feel he is a little premature in his concern over planning because we are trying to pressure the planning department to provide an officer.

“I think town councils are an extension of the local consultation process.

“When you think about it, we have done quite a lot of good work for the town, like for example, we bought a car for the police so they could get from their headquarters in Horwich to Westhoughton, and we have provided grants for the community in a variety of ways.”

Cllr Batley, who has been a town councillor for almost four years, said he is also suffering health problems, which has affected his decision to resign.

He added: “I have no criticism whatsoever of the councillors. It has been a non-political council and we have done the best we could for Westhoughton, but there’s not a lot we can do.”

Bolton Council announced recently that town councils would have to make recommendations without a planning officer to answer questions and give information at meetings.

The matter is due to be discussed at a meeting on Monday, 7pm, at Westhoughton Town Hall, Market Street.