Latest news with #council
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton driver caught by parking rule gets fine cancelled
A driver who managed to get a family member's fine for a parking infringement cancelled said more motorists could see their penalties £70 fine for parking more than 50cm (19.7in) from the kerb in Northampton was scrapped after Richard Smith noticed there was no measuring device in the council's photo of the a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, he was told by the council it had issued 350 tickets for the same offence in the last year, bringing in £10,000 in Northamptonshire Council has been asked for a response. Richard Smith said a family member received the penalty charge after parking in her own Smith said: "She woke up next morning to a ticket on her car and she said, 'What do I do?' And I said, 'I'll appeal it for you.'"So we appealed it and they turned us down."The penalty was £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 Smith then asked for pictures of the council's evidence of the car being 50cm from the kerb and the council sent some stills, which did not show any measuring Smith added: "If I was producing that evidence, I'd want a tape measure or whatever they use in the picture to prove the offence."Eventually, a letter came through from West Northamptonshire Council saying the ticket would be cancelled. Mr Smith made an FOI request to find out how many similar tickets were issued in the last year and how much revenue had been collected as a response from West Northamptonshire Council showed that 350 PCNs, or Penalty Charge Notices, were issued in the 12 months to April this year, and the council collected £10, Smith hoped his story would encourage some of those 350 drivers to challenge their said: "If there are other people that weren't brave enough to do it at the time and have now seen that somebody's got this information and got off the ticket, they might say, 'I'll appeal that.'"Richard Butler, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for highways, said: "It is standard practice for officers to carry measuring devices to gather evidence where required. "If any motorist receives a PCN which they believe to be unfair or wish to challenge the issuance, then instructions on how to appeal are on the reverse of the PCN."Government guidance states that councils must "provide evidence of a contravention either from direct observation or from the record of an approved device". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'My neighbours hate me... but I don't care!': Woman at war with whole village over her 'HS2 tunnel' house wins bitter planning battle
A farmer whose controversial new Teletubby-style eco home caused her own tight-knit village to ostracize her for 'bringing HS2' to their idyll has finally won her planning battle, saying: 'It's a bit like Putin and Ukraine - we should have just had a talk.' Defiant June Titterton-Fox has been granted retrospective permission to continue building her dream house in an idyllic village in Rutland which juts out of a hill in much the same way a piece of tunneling from the cursed infrastructure project does. However this has come with the fury of some neighbours who say the 'out of place' property looks 'absolutely horrible' and should never have been allowed. During a recent council meeting - where planners voted in favour of the scheme with one objection and one abstention - it was revealed that Mrs Titterton-Fox had breached rules and built it bigger than she had been granted permission for. But instead of launching 'enforcing action against her,' officers from Rutland County Council - where the rare breeds farmer was a former councillor - worked with her to seek a resolution. This month jubilant Mrs Titterton-Fox, 65, speaking from her smallholding in posh Whitwell in The Midlands, told MailOnline: 'I've got retrospective planning permission and I am really pleased. 'But it could have been so much better if people in the village, who objected to what I am doing, had spoken directly to me instead of holding secret meetings and not inviting me.' She said the long-running fight with some of her neighbours, whom she had previously counted as close friends and socialised with and branded 'just vicious, horrible people,' had taken its toll on her health and she has lost two stone in weight because of 'all the stress.' As she was nursing a poorly lamb and awaiting a vet's visit, she said: 'It's victory for me but it's a shame it's has taken so long and caused so much aggravation. 'I've won the war but it should have been finished a lot sooner. It's a bit like Putin and Ukraine, if we had just sat down and talked, me and those objecting neighbours, we could have found a solution a lot quicker. 'There's only 25 houses here and half are on the warpath!' Fellow residents in the tiny village - which is twinned with Paris and has two dozen homes - have been divided over the £800,000 three-bedroom home set into a hillside of a six-acre field she owns. She had applied for planning content in 2020 and claimed her unique property Field House would be one of the most energy-efficient properties in Britain. But the plans faced opposition from villagers who said the 'garish Hobbit house' looked 'more like something from Teletubby Land', and planners refused the application for the single-storey home in 2021. Council officers said the development was 'unacceptable' and would be 'visually intrusive and impact adversely on the form and character of the area'. But Mrs Titterton-Fox appealed, and Planning Inspector Dominic Young, clearly impressed by her plans, ruled: 'The state-of-the-art property has been carefully and sensitively designed to the most exacting environmental standards.' He added: 'Given the dwelling would be built into the hillside with no part of its structure protruding above the natural topography - it would have very little impact,' adding that the design had the 'wow factor.' Having cleared one hurdle Mrs Titterton-Fox then faced further obstacles as locals complained she had breach regulations, building the property 1.2 metres higher than approved, adding two extra rooms at each end to be used as an ensuite bathroom and a plant room, and changing the frosted widows size and design, Councillor Kiloran told the recent meeting: 'Residents contacted enforcement because the building did not look like the plans approved on appeal. 'It had an impact on locals living nearby and has impact on heritage.' She urged: 'This application should be rejected for Rutland and for the country. It certainly lacks the wow factor and is in breach of planning.' Retired publican Julie Healey, who has lived in the desirable village for decades, believes the eco house - which is yet to be screened and landscaped - 'looks out of place' and is 'absolutely horrible.' The great grandmother added: 'I cannot believe this has been allowed to happen in a village like this. 'I can only see the house from one bedroom and my paddock so it is not too bad for me but a few of my neighbours overlook it directly and the occupants will be able to look into their bedrooms.' Widowed Mrs Healey, 86, who used to run the next Noel pub with her late husband for 18 years until 1997, told how the eco home had 'spilt the village.' She said: 'People on my side are against it because it is right ion front of them but those on the other side of the road are not so concerned.' She said she and fellow villagers 'always used to socialise' with Mrs Titterton-Fox and her husband Andrew but don't now, saying: 'It has caused a rift and I rarely see her now.' Simon and Beverley Jackson, whose home overlooks the distinctive build likened to the famous pre-school children's TV show, claims the windows face directly into their bedroom and bathroom, destroying their privacy. Mrs Jackson, a semi-retired MD of a legal services firm, said: 'It is an eyesore and when people move in it will be even more so! 'But at the end of the day she's won and we have to live with it. I thought it would go that way, in her favour. 'She used to be a local councillor and she has a few friends there. 'We're not happy but we fought our case and she won. It is what it is and there's nothing we can really do. 'Getting retrospective planning permission is the final straw.' She said it was too early to say if residents would challenge the decision as they would need to spend 'lots more money' seeking a judicial review. Devastated Mrs Jackson, who now feels like selling up her beautiful £1.2 million home, a converted farm grain store, said: 'It is a massive intrusion. It was meant to be built into sunken hollow ground but it sticks out like a sore thumb, and it is farcical. 'I hate living here now. I wake up every morning and see that monstrosity staring back at me from my bed. 'I go to my ensuite to take a shower and I see it, I go to my dressing and make-up room to get ready for work and I see it. 'I go downstairs to my kitchen and lounge and I still see it. It is horrendous.' 'No one around here likes it.' She added: ''The building should be disguised by greenery, it should be covered, but most importantly it should be much lower in height. 'It makes a mockery of the planning system. 'There needs to be trees, evergreens, and landscaping put in pace, and the new gabion structure on the right side needs to mirror the other.' She said that the eco home owner, who like her has lived in the village for 20 years - a beauty spot near Oakhame village lies which boasts the first memorial statue to the late Queen, and historic Stamford in neighbouring Cambridgeshire - 'used to be a friend of mine but I don't speak to her now.' Her insurance broker husband Simon previously fumed: 'There is no getting away from it. When people are living there they will be able to see us in bed and see us in the shower. That is an invasion of our space and privacy, and is alarming. We feel sick.' Another neighbour, who declined to be named, said retrospective plans being given the green light was 'very sad. The woman, whose home overlooks it from a height, said: 'Is it an outstanding an innovative build, no, and it is certainly no Grand Designs building. 'It was a breach of planning law and she did not meet the criteria and there has since been seven rounds of consultation by planning officers who then recommend the council approved it. 'There were a lot of objections but locals have been ignored - our views have not been taken into account. 'It is not an attractive building and spoils the view in our pretty, historic village, which has some listed buildings. 'And now a tall black ugly chimney flue has gone up on the roof.' She added: 'But she got it, fair play, and what can we do apart from spending £30,000 on a judicial review.' The house, which is inhabitable, is still worked on and the owner hopes it will be completed and ready to move into by late summer. Mrs Titterton-Fox and her husband Andrew, 60, a civil engineer with Transport for London, are living in a caravan on site. She told our website: 'We've not done anything to it really because this planning row has dragged on, apart from putting flooring down and plastering and painting the walls. 'It still cannot be lived in, there's electricity but no water and not kitchen or bathrooms but they are no on order and we are hoping to move in by late August-September. 'The house is not any higher but a little bit wider and build into the wings. 'All this stress has been very traumatic and I've lost two stone in weight. 'There's been a lot of negativity and toxicity in the village and one resident has been harassing me, posting against me on social media and keeps videoing me because I'm building a new house.' 'There have been lots of negative posts by one individual and I have had to report it to police.' Mrs Titterton-Fox told how neighbours 'jealous of my dream home' had led her to halting her buildings work and has only made matters worse. But after working amicably with council officers to find a solution to meet planning rules, and make amendment, she assured fellow residents: 'Wait till you see the finished house! 'It will be all landscaped with trees and plants, and is even planted with wild flowed and white daisies on the roof, and you won't even know we're there! 'Complaints that our build is too high are ridiculous and in time it will be almost totally hidden from view, the house will disappear behind screening. 'I can the end of the light of the tunnel.' The couple own another £750,000 five-bed house in the village - their former family home - which they are renting out as an Airbnb and have recently sold. The twice-wed farmer said: 'We finally have a buyer but all the negativity about our new eco home has made it difficult to sell. 'Prospective buyers have said they've read all about me and the planning battle and commented: 'What terrible neighbours you have. 'I have lived in this beautiful village bedside Rutland Water for 24 years. I am a small holder with animals and livestock, and no one will speak to me anymore. I have done nothing wrong.' The Council's Development Manager Justin Johnson, who had previously taken members on a site visit of the property on land off Exton Road Whitwell Conservation Area, told the meeting: 'We investigated on behalf of out own enforcement team. 'The dwelling is larger that permitted with two additional rooms and a black flue has been erected to serve a wood burner. 'But there will be tree planting to provide further screening and the building will one earth covered and seeded.' He advised that the property did not impact in 'neighbours or amenities.' He said the retrospective amended plans included gabion walling, landscaping and excavation to the rear for car parking. 'It does not impact the setting of the Grade II listed Church of St Michael or the Home Farmhouse. 'Due to maintained separation distances, there will be no loss of privacy, or oppressive environment for neighbouring properties. 'It raises the design standards in the ares and has minimal visual impact, with only glimpsed views from nearby public roads and footpaths.' 'The development will not lead to increased flood risk in the area.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Minister puts Port Hedland council on notice of potential dismissal after another resignation
Western Australia's local government minister has put a trouble-plagued Pilbara council on notice after the resignation of another councillor citing a dysfunctional working environment. The Town of Port Hedland has been wracked by controversies in recent years, including a councillor endorsing Vladimir Putin, councillors calling to suspend COVID vaccinations, allegations of lewd behaviour and entrenched personal conflicts. The port town, 1,630 kilometres north of Perth, is a major economic hub in WA and is home to the world's largest bulk export port, exporting more than 500 million tonnes of iron ore annually. The warning from Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley comes after councillor Ambika Rebello tendered her resignation from the council this week citing dysfunction and a lack of effective governance. Her resignation, the fourth since November last year, leaves just five elected members. Ms Rebello, who was elected in October 2023, said her time on council was "marked by controversy and instability". "There has been a level of dysfunction where we are not able to take decisive action," she said. In a resignation letter seen by the ABC, Ms Rebello said "theatre" had replaced "constructive governance" and she had tendered her resignation "with a heavy heart". "When we use those formal meetings as theatre — then that in my eyes is a level of dysfunction," Ms Rebello said. Ms Rebello said the decision to resign was not an easy one and she had been proud to serve her community. Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said the news of Ms Rebello's resignation was concerning. She said she had begun the process to dismiss the council, if required. "I have made it very clear that I will not tolerate councils who do not provide the expected good governance to their respective districts," Ms Beazley said. Over recent years, the Town of Port Hedland has been reported widely for controversies within council and administration. In 2019 the council was sensationally dismissed due to ongoing complaints of dysfunction and poor governance. Allegations against the council have continued since then, with Mayor Peter Carter accused of lewd behaviour at a school board meeting in 2022. In 2024 the town made international headlines after newly-elected councillor Adrian McRae appeared on Russian state TV congratulating President Putin on his victory. In the same year the council endorsed a motion brought forward by Cr McRae calling for a suspension of mRNA COVID vaccines. The ongoing issues have led the state government to act, sending a letter to the council in 2024 ordering members to act to tackle a "breakdown in relationships". Last year Premier Roger Cook raised concerns over "extreme views" on the council and urged it to "stick to its knitting" following the controversial COVID-19 vaccine motion. In a statement to the ABC, Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter acknowledged "the council faces some challenges and will continue to work to address things". Mr Carter said the town has informed the WA Electoral Commission of the vacancy and will act on the advice of the commission. With the resignation of Cr Rebello, just five elected members remain on council, the minimum amount required to reach a quorum. If there is no special election for Ms Rebello's seat any councillor absence in future meetings will mean the cancellation of those meetings. Mr Carter said he was confident the council will be able to consistently meet a quorum and "continue normal council business". Former WA minister for local government and Pilbara resident Tony Simpson said Port Hedland was "an interesting one to watch". "The first thing the department would be looking at is providing government — making sure they're passing their motions and providing services," he told the ABC. "If another councillor does resign then the minister will have to appoint a commissioner to oversee the town and be the council." Western Australia's local government elections are next due in October.
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Councillor reprimanded after walking out of Indigenous ceremony
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leaders. Followed categories will be added to My News. A South Australian councillor has been called on to resign by his colleagues after he was accused of walking out during the Acknowledgement of Country and turning his back on a smoking ceremony at a Welcome to Country. Barossa councillor Bruce Preece was also alleged to have used the homophobic slur 'poofter' in 2024, in a conversation defending suspended Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson's use of the word. Councillor Preece says he's been denied procedural fairness and plans to appeal against any findings made against him. Another complaint alleged that he had blindsided colleagues by appearing on the front page of the local newspaper in December 2023 in a story announcing he would be bringing forward a motion to discontinue the Acknowledgement of Country at council meetings and events. Barossa Council received a behavioural complaint from two councillors and one unnamed individual against Cr Preece in April last year regarding the four allegations. The council spent $47,000 investigating the matter, according to public documents, with a report by law firm Kelledy Jones concluding that he had breached numerous Behavioural Standards for Council Members and recommending he be reprimanded, attend relevant training and issue a public apology. The council voted in favour of the motions at its meeting on May 20, calling on Cr Preece to resign 'forthwith'. Cr Preece told the meeting that he had been denied procedural fairness in the investigation, and would appeal to the state ombudsman. 'I believe one of the great pillars of Australian society and the way our country is run is that we have the rule of law, we have the principle that people are innocent until proven guilty and that those accused of wrongdoing are given procedural fairness in the ensuing investigations,' he said. Barossa councillor Bruce Preece. Picture: Tait Schmaal Cr Preece declined to comment further when reached on Friday. According to Kelledy Jones' report, Cr Preece walked out during council's Acknowledgement of Country on five occasions in 2023 in a 'deliberate and calculated' manner. Cr Preece's actions were 'disruptive and contemptuous as well as disrespectful and discriminatory, on the basis that the Acknowledgement of Country is a public demonstration of respect to the First Nations of Australia and is a longstanding element of council's meeting procedure', the complaint read. At council's Australia Day event in 2024 at Tanunda Show Hall, Cr Preece was accused of getting up from his seat and walking away from the crowd after a smoking ceremony by Uncle Quenten Agius to wait in line at a coffee van, chatting with another person and standing with his back to the speaker 'for an extended period of time'. The complaint 'submits that Cr Preece's positioning and body language conveyed contempt and it appeared to be a calculated and deliberately public display of disrespect and repudiation directed towards our guest speaker'. He was alleged to have been heard by a number of attendees saying words to the effect of 'they shouldn't be allowed to have that smoke, they shouldn't be allowed to do that, it's so wrong', 'it's disgusting, it smells disgusting' and 'people can't breathe, they can't breathe because of all that smoke'. Cr Preece, who was elected to council in November 2022, spoke to The Barossa Leader newspaper in December 2023 ahead of bringing a motion to discontinue the Acknowledgement of Country. The complaint alleged that 'the manner in which Cr Preece brought this matter forward resulted in elected members becoming aware of the motion via the local newspaper in the first instance, which fails to meet his obligations under the Behavioural Standards in establishing and maintaining relationships of respect, trust, collaboration and co-operation with fellow elected members'. Uncle Quenten Agius. Picture: Matt Loxton/AAP In April 2024, ahead of a meeting of the Gawler River Floodplain Management Authority (GRFMA) at Adelaide Hills Council's Kersbrook Sporting Complex, in his capacity as a GRFMA board member, Cr Preece was allegedly 'engaged in friendly football banter' with two individuals when he raised the recent 'Jeremy Finlayson homophobic slur' incident. 'Very vocally, in an audible voice heard by those beyond the conversation, Cr Preece spoke certain, similar, words to those purportedly used by Mr Finlayson, that the complainant submits were offensive and inappropriate,' the complaint read. 'The complainant asserts that Cr Preece seemed 'outraged' that you couldn't call someone a 'poofter' and reminded him that his use of that word was not appropriate.' The complainant alleged that despite being told to stop, Cr Preece then 'doubled down on his comments raised his voice louder and said he was sick of our society telling him what he could and couldn't say and if he wanted to call someone a poofter he should be able to, after all he was referred to that on the football field many times'. In his response to the investigation, Cr Preece's lawyer said his client was 'making a sticks and stones type argument' but 'accepts that his pursuit of the argument may not have been appropriate to the context and apologises for any offence caused'. Regarding the allegation of walking out during the Acknowledgement of Country, Cr Preece's representative submitted that he has had 'a battle with bowel cancer his need to go to the bathroom can be immediate' and on other occasions he had left the chamber to get his spare reading glasses from his car. He denied deliberately turning his back during the Australia Day smoking ceremony, saying he had noticed there was an elderly citizen who was coughing due to the smoke and went over to see if she needed assistance. And in response to the complaint about the newspaper article, Cr Preece maintained he was within his rights to raise a notice of motion without 'foreshadowing' to other members. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange. Picture: Russell Millard Photography Kelledy Jones found that Cr Preece's explanation for leaving the chamber during the Acknowledgement of Country was 'disingenuous', and that his explanation of the Australia Day incident did 'not address what was said to be his rude and offensive comments made at the time'. The law firm also found that Cr Preece 'made the homophobic comments as alleged, and when challenged regarding the same, asserted his right to do so, blanketed as 'free speech''. 'It is highly inappropriate and offensive for a member of the council to act in such manner, particularly when they are an 'ambassador' for their council, causing embarrassment and offending others present, which actions persisted, even when they were raised with him,' it said. Emotional councillors vented their fury at Cr Preece during last Tuesday's meeting. 'I have never, ever called upon someone to resign, but such is the seriousness of it,' Cr John Angas said. Cr Dave de Vries added, 'I'm actually surprised how emotional I'm getting about this … it's just so distressing. The enormity of what's happening is just starting to hit home.' Cr Jess Greatwich, council's representative to the local Rainbow Network, said she was 'apoplectic with fury when I read this complaint — I had to go and walk around the block and make myself a cup of tea'. 'I'm still furious and I am so sad,' she said. Cr Cathy Troup suggested 'Indigenous and cultural awareness training in this specific incident could be very beneficial'. 'Sometimes we just don't know what we don't know, and I do think this could give Cr Preece a chance to just, you know, think about the way he thinks,' she said. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange told the ABC on Thursday council's decision was about policies rather than politics. 'It's disappointing that this has occurred, but I believe that council is engaging with First Nations, looking at all the things associated with their history and it's just about showing respect,' he said. 'People can have personal views — I don't hold a grudge against that — but when we've set some policies and some principles on our behaviour, I think it's important we demonstrate that to the wider community.' A number of councils have voted to cancel Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies following the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023, including South Australia's Northern Areas Council, the City of Playford and Naracoorte Lucindale Council. Several others have knocked down motions seeking to end the practice, including the Shire of Harvey in Western Australia, Sydney's Cumberland City Council and Flinders Council in Tasmania earlier this week. Originally published as Councillor reprimanded after walking out, turnng back on Indigenous ceremonies
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Hutt and Porirua councils put Wellington super city back on the table
The idea of combining the Wellington region's councils into one large entity has been thrown around for over a decade. Photo: 123rf Hutt City Council will consider whether to add a non-binding referendum at this year's election asking for residents' thoughts on amalgamating Wellington's councils. The idea of combining the Wellington region's councils into one large entity has been thrown around for over a decade. In 2015, the Local Government Commission binned such a plan . But Hutt City Council and Porirua City Council have put some consideration into a revival of the idea. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry said he would bring a decision on whether to add a non-binding referendum question to this year's local election ballot at a council meeting next month. It would read: "Should Hutt City Council work with councils in Wellington, Upper Hutt, Porirua and the Wellington Regional Council to explore the possibility of creating one single council, that combines relevant services and functions regionally, while keeping appropriate local services and decision making local?" It came after Porirua City Council agreed to ask the same question as part in its election ballot at a meeting yesterday. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said they decided to do the referendum because they were already having to do a Māori ward referendum at this year's election anyway. A law introduced last year required councils with Māori wards that were established without a referendum to hold a binding poll at this year's election. Baker said it would cost $20,000 to do the amalgamation referendum alongside the Māori ward referendum compared to $150,000 for doing it by itself. "We keep on having the same old questions but no one ever asks the people that actually matter and our residents matter." She hoped it would also increase voter turnout in the city. Barry said that it was a "good thing" to ask residents their thoughts on the idea. "If our community comes back and says no we are not interested then I think that can help settle the matter." Barry told RNZ he received questions about the idea particularly from the business community and those that interact with the council regularly. He said that was often due to different rules that were in place in different parts of the region. Voting at this year's local body election will start 9 September and end 11 October.
