The first item was strategic.¹ The council could agree a major development on the borough’s Green Belt. This decision effects the HRA’s beating heartbeat and is of the first importance. HRA councillors have built their political careers ruthlessly opposing Green Belt encroachments. Now it’s their policy.

Ray Morgon was unequivocal in his Leader’s speech at Annual Council.² He said the data centre is a Treasure Island. This is evangelical. HRA residents will hope his infectious optimism doesn’t cloud the committee’s judgement.

The council is proposing a novel, for LBH, planning route. That route is a Local Development Order (LDO). The chief officer masterfully explained why this is necessary. Gerry O’Sullivan summed up the committee’s comprehension by saying he hoped future documents were “understandable”.

An LDO provides levels of certainty for the developer and avoids planning application hazards, especially delay.

The next item was old-fashioned. Parking! What else stirs passions amongst elderly male councillors? The discussion focused on 168 parking spaces in a Rainham development. Despite officers repeatedly saying that those renting the units knew about parking restrictions, Ray Best was unmoved. Jane Keane voiced an alternative point-of-view. It was a cry in the wilderness. Councillors were as intoxicated as fox hunters in full cry. Reg Whitney claimed electric cars would worsen the problem.

Ray Best sulked after discovering there was a GLA imperative which might reduce the 168 spaces. A few remarks were passed about Sadiq Khan but it was low key grumbling.

Notes

1 Annotator Player (sonicfoundry.com) The webcast was abysmal with very uneven quality.

2 Annotator Player (sonicfoundry.com) from 1 hour 7 minutes