PLANNING COMMITTEE RESIGNATION

2.57.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Oct 2005

Cllr Geoff Williams who was appointed to Basildon Council's Development Control and Traffic Management Committee in May this year has resigned from the committee after rulings that he had a "prejudicial interest" in the George Hurd Centre redevelopment plans and the associated relocation of the centre to a site in Audley Way. Speaking at the interest declaration stage of the committee meeting on 11th October, Geoff said: "The current legislation inhibits campaigning councillors from speaking out for their constituents. There will be a number of applications for Nethermayne Ward over the next few months some of them on items which I have actively campaigned against. In oder that I can continue to represent my constituents' views and campaign on their behalf, I feel that I have no alternative but to resign from the committee"