Minutes:
Dave Wafer, Strategic Highways Manager informed the Committee that he was a Director of Forest Park, the applicants for the first agenda item and he would not give any advice to the Committee on this item.
Councillor Clare, under significant protest, declared an interest on the Forest Park application having received advice that his membership of the Friends of Darlington and Stockton Railway might appear to an impartial observer as compromising his impartiality, something which he absolutely disputed, but he would withdraw from the meeting. He noted however that he would be allowed to speak on the application as a local Member.
Councillor Robinson informed Councillor Clare that the County Solicitor had advised that he could not speak as a local Member and he would need to withdraw from the meeting.
Neil Carter, Planning and Development Solicitor confirmed that the advice received from the Head of Legal was that because Councillor Clare was declaring an interest on the item he could not speak as Ward Member, the interest precluded participation as Ward Member as well as a Member of the Committee.
Councillor Clare requested that the minutes indicate that he was absolutely furious with this decision. This was a major issue for Newton Aycliffe and he was elected to represent his residents on matters such as this and that was why he was a Member of the Committee. To be deprived of a voice was outrageous. Councillor Clare asked that this also be included in the minutes.
Councillors Clare and Atkinson withdrew from the meeting. Councillor Atkinson agreed with all matters raised by Councillor Clare.