downsmail.co.uk


Council boss complaint ‘politically-motivated’


AN OFFICIAL complaint against Leeds-Langley relief road cam- paigner Gary Cooke by the chief executive of Maidstone Borough Council has been thrown out. MBCbossAlisonBroom,pictured,


hasnowbeenaccusedof launchinga “politically-motivated” case against Kent County Councillor Cooke in April over a Facebook posting. Cllr Cookewas exonerated after a


sixmonthinquirybylawyers intohis conduct. Mrs Broom took issue with Con-


servative Cllr Cooke’s claims on his social media site that, for months, MBC had blocked cash needed for Kent County Council’s exploratory work to assess the viability of a by- pass.He claimed itwas “reluctance” bythe “LiberalDemocrat-controlled” MBC to release house-building de- veloper contributions (section 106 or S106money)becauseof a legalwran- gle. Aftermonths of disputes between


the two authorities, £200,000 was eventually released and Tory-led KCChas begun thework, he said.


OnApril 20,Mrs Broom wrote to


KCC’s monitoring officer saying: “I am raising this with you formally givenMBC’s concerns about its (Cllr Cooke's posting) accuracy and tim- ing(giventhe localgovernment elec- tions inMaidstone) and request that you investigate it.” The case was investigated by an


“independentperson”, retiredsolici- tor and former Crown Prosectuor Michael George, and KCC’s general counsel BenWatts.


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01622 753618 In a letter toMrs Broom,MrWatts


states: “Having considered your complaint relating to Mr Cooke’s conduct, I have concluded following consultation with the independent person that he has not breached the code of conduct on the basis of the evidence seen.” Cllr Cooke said: “I am obviously


delighted that this matter has been concluded and that my actions and my desire to keep local residents in- formedhas beenfullyvindicatedas I always expected itwould. “I was, as you might expect, ex-


tremely disappointed that an officer should apparently become involved inwhat I perceive to be a politically- motivated decision.” We approached MBC for a com-


ment. Mrs Broom and Liberal De- mocrat controlledMBC have taken High Court action against KCC at the tax-payers’ expense over the re- lease of S106 monies. An initial re- quest for a judicial review was thrown out by the judge and now MBC is challenging the decision at an oral reviewonNovember 7.


News Brexit show


COMEDIAN Matt Forde will per- formhis special Brexit show at the Hazlitt Theatrewhen the country is in its lastmonth as amember of the European Union. He brings “Matt Forde – Brexit


Through the Gift Shop” to Earl Street on February 27, 2019. The political funnyman road-


tested his pro-Remain material on stage at the Edinburgh fringe festi- val this year to rave reviews. To book call 01622 758611 or go towww.hazlitttheatre.com.


Having faith MEDITATE


at Maidstone’s


Methodist Church and learn about theMuslim, Sikh andHindu faiths in a week-long event introducing greater religious understanding in Kent. . Places of worship across the


countywill open their doors to vis- itors as part of the Inter FaithWeek fromMonday, November 12-19. Faith groups taking part in the


“Diverse Open Doors” event will give talks, tours andworship at the Sikh and Hindu temples in Gravesend; Canterbury Cathedral and Mosque;


the Methodist


Church in Maidstone; and the Re- formSynagogue in Ramsgate.


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