Councillors' Register of Interests goes online

“Surely PCC had to be informed of individual interests and anything even vaguely close-linked to benefitting Babcock, MVV or any individuals should have been openly declared prior to the planning meeting - excluding those councillors from the process.

Whether the information about the Nicholsons or Foster is anything to be concerned about is irrelevant - what matters here is the perception so many Plymouth people, and others in the UK, hold regarding underhand and secretive 'deals', possible malpractice by those in power and the apparent powerful influence the main contractor has exerted on the whole process - influencing, as they did so often, the amount and nature of information made available to both public and labout councillors. Misinformation was rife - if I recall the official literature of the time.

The register of interests, by confirming that Nicholson was a senior contracts manager, does noting to stem these arguments but instead raises new questions about the way in which Pengelly's cronies operated and the way in which the council officer's report seemed to be so heavily biased rather than balanced.

Is it any surprise their backs have been so well covered?

Let's hope Norfolk Council (Kings Lyn) will continue their objection to a similar project and succeed with their zero landfill alternatives. Let's also hope that Pickles has to answer publicly for his refusal to 'call in' Plymouth's application when it is almost identical to that of Kings Lyn.

Plymouth; total space of waste!”

“Already aware that Cllr.Patrick Nicholson worked for Babcock but didn't know he was a senior contracts manager until this register went online.
Cllr. Patricia Nicholson,a relative and on the Planning Committee at the time the incinerator was agreed sent Cllr.Foster to vote on her behalf.
Democracy in action?
No.”