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Sir Simon Milton |
Fears over ‘pillow talk’ on planning decisions
Labour speak out over council leader’s mayor job
COUNCIL leader Sir Simon Milton’s appointment as planning adviser to London mayor Boris Johnson has come under fire.
Sir Simon, whose partner is council planning chief Councillor Robert Davis, was handed the powerful position as part of the City Hall reshuffle following Mr Johnson’s victory.
Labour group opposition councillors are worried that Sir Simon’s relationship with Cllr Davis could jeopardise the transparency of the planning process – resulting in behind-closed-doors decisions.
Cllr Davis infuriated opposition councillors at a meeting last week by joking that he was looking forward to “pillow talk” and “having a word in the ear” of the former leader about how planning matters would be dealt with by the Mayor.
Labour leader Paul Dimoldenberg has written to the chief executive of the Greater London Authority expressing his concerns.
He said: “In the interests of total transparency and open government – in line with Mayor Johnson’s election pledges – please can you assure me that protocols will be drawn up to prevent Simon Milton being in any way involved in Westminster planning matters or applications.
“My concern has been increased by recent press statements from the Mayor’s office and the city council which seem to imply that there is no conflict and no need for any protocols to be put in place. I am sure that the public will share my concern and will not be fobbed off by City Hall spin.”
The Mayor’s office denied the relationship would result in a conflict of interests.
A spokesperson said: “Current safeguards mean that the Mayor of London is not allowed to delegate planning decisions to Sir Simon Milton because he has no executive authority; he is a non-executive adviser.
“In addition, there is an impartial planning decisions unit at the GLA that is legally bound to give impartial advice to the Mayor on planning decisions, and the Mayor is legally bound to take account of such advice. Planning law is very robust to protect against any possible conflicts of interest.”
A spokesperson for Westminster City Council said: “The council considers that any potential conflicts of interest can be avoided.”
Sir Simon will remain leader until June 17, and a successor is due to be announced on May 20. |
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