As reported in the Sidmouth Herald, 11th May 2014, charges against Newton Poppleford Councillor Graham Salter,  for alleged non-declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) concerning the controversial King Alfred Way planning application , were dismissed by the police.

Nevertheless, Councillor Salter has been called to appear before an EDDC disciplinary committee tomorrow morning (see http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/standards_hearing_sub_committee_agenda_150514.pdf )

This may well fuel the widespread suspicion that the allegations against him are linked to his vigorous criticism of the process by which the Clinton Devon Estates application was brought forward.

Some have also pointed out that the requirement to declare a DPI was intended to prevent councillors from making personal gain from planning decisions. As the Herald report mentions, who exactly brought the charges against Councillor Salter, remains unclear.

This Thursday’s Standards Sub-Committee minutes are awaited with interest.

The meeting, at Knowle, begins at 6.30pm on Thursday. Details at this link: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/os_agenda_150514_combined.pdf

The Council is seeking ways to reduce the length of some meetings, which have become unwieldy, particularly those including major planning applications. What is the best solution? Does the heart of the problem lie with too much participation from the public, or is it a question of better management required (e.g. advance notification and brief precision about the planning matters which can be addressed; avoidance of repetition and overlong reviews of officer reports, etc) .

This is a sensitive issue in the run up to the 2015 elections.