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ORDERED to leave meeting ... Councillor William Hobhouse.
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Lib Dem ordered to leave meeting

A SENIOR Liberal Democrat councillor is facing a severe dressing down by his party for his ‘embarrassing behaviour’ at an important meeting.

William Hobhouse was at the centre of the storm after he was asked to leave a meeting called to consider the major housing development scheme at the Alexander Drew site in Mellor Street, Spotland Bridge.

The argument, which resulted in the leader of the Liberal Democrats being consulted by phone, lasted about 15 minutes before Councillor Hobhouse agreed to leave. He later said he was concerned about possible abuse of the planning process.

Councillor Pat Flynn, who chairs the powerful regulatory committee, which has the final say on contentious planning matters, said she was ‘totally embarrassed’ by Councillor Hobhouse’s behaviour.

“I have got to say I was very disappointed at his attitude. He was asked by all members of the committee to leave and even advised by the committee clerk to do so, but he refused, saying ‘No, I’m staying’.”

“He should have kept his views to himself before the meeting began, but didn’t by saying right at the start that ‘everyone knows what my views are’.

“We couldn’t believe he had just said that. Members shouldn’t make up their minds about an application before hearing all about it.”

Labour leader, Councillor Allen Brett, had already declared an interest in the application – for 74 houses and and 28 apartments – because he had been at the original planning meeting where the application was approved.

He said: “It took longer to deal with Councillor Hobhouse than it did to actually deal with the application. ”

Liberal Democrat leader Alan Taylor said: “I was going into another meeting when my mobile phone rang and it was Irene Davidson telling me what was happening.

“I told her to tell Councilor Hobhouse to leave the meeting, which he apparently did.

“But as I wasn’t there I can’t really say more than that. I shall be speaking to the chief executive Roger Ellis about it, but until I have all the information I can’t comment further.”

Conservative leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley, who was also at the meeting, described Councillor Hobhouse’s behaviour as ‘totally inappropriate and immature’.

“What he should realise is that we are are talking about people’s livelihoods and jobs here. It is a not game.

“He made his views known in advance and even admitted he had not read the planning report. As a result he should now stand down from all the planning committees.”

Councillor Hobhouse said the borough solicitor was aware of his position stemming from concerns about the planning process in this borough.

He added: “She has recently written to me to say that members who receive payments from developers through their business interests can sit on planning committees.

“This is hardly an interpretation of the code of conduct that inspires public confidence and I hope to clarify matters with her in coming days.”

The application was approved unanimously against the advice of planners, who said the land was needed for industrial use and the development did not include any moves to retain historic buildings on the site, such as the old Rochdale Corporation tram depot and some mill buildings which were a ‘unique and irreplaceable part’ of Rochdale’s cotton history.

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