Terry Parish stands aside as West Norfolk Council planning chair amid investigation into whether he unfairly influenced meeting
The chair of West Norfolk Council’s planning committee has temporarily stood aside while an investigation determines whether he unfairly influenced a meeting.
Cllr Parish, the former leader of the authority, has agreed to stand down during a complaints process, which is expected to culminate in a standards committee hearing.
The complaints relate to the planning committee’s November meeting, which he was unable to attend in person after suffering injuries in a car crash.
However, it has been reported that he sent emails to his deputy instructing her how to deal with certain applications - with other media outlets stating his emails included commands such as: “Refuse it.”
This has led to criticism from a Conservative councillor - but although Cllr Parish admits he “erred”, he insists he had no intention of influencing the meeting.
On temporarily stepping aside from his role, he told the Lynn News: “I agreed to this, without any pressure being exerted on me, as the matter became public and the political noise, generated by some, would not enhance the negative perceptions about planning which, too easily, rise to the surface.
“The issue of my actions around the November planning committee was discussed at a high-level during November and was taken no further hence my appearance at both December's and January's planning committees.”
He added: “For the record, I had no intention of influencing any member of the committee by any 'underhand' means.
“If you look at my chairing of the committee since last May, you will see I do not seek to influence them during committee either. I let committee members ask their questions, put their viewpoint, before I make any contribution.
“If I have questions that members have not put to officers, then I will ask them or seek clarity of a statement in documents.
“You will also see that whichever way I vote is not always reciprocated by members, whatever group they belong to or position they hold.”
Cllr Parish was not chairing the November meeting in person after what he describes as “a significant car accident” a week before, resulting in “several injuries and trauma”.
He said he aims to put his job “before such personal concerns”, and pointed to a time during his spell as council leader when he cancelled an eye operation because he felt he could not lose out on time in the office.
This trait left him feeling “anxious” to be involved in the November proceedings.
“I was given the go-ahead to attend, online, under a procedure called ‘standing order 34’,” Cllr Parish said.
“When the meeting started this was challenged by several members and had to be put to the vote and I was then given permission to partake. I did not have voting rights, it is the same as anyone speaking as a member of the public.”
He added: “In this singular committee, I erred. I should have just continued taking the pills and kept still but it is not my way.
“I will await judgement.”
A borough council spokesperson has said that the matter was raised informally with the authority’s monitoring officer in late November/early December, and this was addressed with Cllr Parish at that time.
“A formal code of conduct complaint has now been received from the portfolio holder responsible for planning and this will be considered in accordance with the council’s processes,” the spokesperson said.
Cllr Parish is believed to have emailed his deputy during the meeting regarding a planning application for a leisure park at Pentney, referring to opposition from residents and potential harm to wildlife habitats were it to be approved.
The application was refused, despite council officers' recommendation for approval.
Cllr Brian Long, the leader of the borough council’s Conservative group, has been quoted in other media outlets saying that Cllr Parish’s position is “untenable” and called for him to resign.
Cllr Long was contacted for comment, but was unable to provide one in time for our print deadline.
Cllr Alistair Beales, leader of the borough council, was also approached for comment.