Brymbo councillor explains decision to change LDP vote

One of Brymbo’s councillors has detailed why he switched his vote, initially voicing concerns about the LDP’s “choice of a totally unsuitable location in Brymbo for a Gypsy and Traveller site”, however then voted to adopt the plan in the re-run vote.

The Local Development Plan would formally allocate land across Wrexham where it is likely several thousand new houses could be built along with preferred sites across the county borough for retail and employment developments.

Councillors first voted and threw out the LDP after it came back from the Inspector, however following the progression of a threat of legal action a second vote was then held re-running the same plan and information on it, with the same decision reached but with an increased majority.

As we documented on the night Cllr Brown was a notable change in position from the first vote, with his Group leader saying in the debate the Labour Group had “made a collective decision to place a whip on ourselves due to seriousness” of the question before them, adding “we are not hiding from this difficult and serious decision. We will not cast our vote unlawfully.”

Since the vote a wide range of reaction has surfaced, from the First Minister to Wrexham’s MP yesterday.

Today Cllr Gary Brown has spoken at length explaining his decision to change his vote, along with an invite to a Q&A session for residents, his full statement is below:

I changed my vote about the Local Development Plan last week. I’d like to explain why.

In April’s Council meeting on the LDP I voiced my concerns and those of residents about the LDP’s choice of a totally unsuitable location in Brymbo for a Gypsy and Traveller site. Amongst the LDP’s flaws this was its biggest in my view, and so I voted against the LDP’s adoption.

Like others I hoped that a rejection of the LDP would reduce the chance of this Gypsy and Traveller site proposal being taken forward.

In casting my April vote I knew there was a risk of legal action against the Council for failing to adopt the LDP. But my sense of hope that something would change for the better outweighed that sense of risk.

But I no longer hold that view. My hope was proven misplaced.

The risk of legal action has come true, and the Council now faces a court case that it looks set to lose. This will cost many thousands of pounds that could have been better spent on services in our community.

Last week’s vote was informed by a report that detailed the basis of the legal action. It was clear that April’s decision not to adopt the LDP was unlawful. Councillors were given a second chance to make a lawful decision. In April I supported the unlawful decision and I am therefore as culpable as anyone else who did likewise. This time around I voted lawfully in support of adopting the LDP.

I did so for several reasons:

• I voted to adopt the LDP because my understanding of democracy is that it is enabled and underpinned by laws. The LDP has been through a lengthy process with various opportunities for input by the public and Councillors. As flawed as the final document is, it has been determined as ‘sound and ready for adoption’ through the correct legal process. The law compels the Council to adopt the plan.
• I voted to adopt the LDP despite not liking what it says. There are other regulations and laws in life that I don’t like either. But in office, my responsibility to represent the people has to be balanced with my responsibility to uphold the law.
• I voted to adopt the LDP because I do not believe the LDP can be blocked any further. I do not believe this is the way to contest the suitability of the Gypsy and Traveller site. I believe there will be other opportunities, and ones where the material factors of costs and safety can be properly considered. I stand ready to contribute to that process alongside those who have already gathered considerable evidence to challenge the site’s suitability.
• I voted to adopt the LDP because I believe we could have minimised further legal costs (estimated as being between £50,000 and £100,000) that the Council doesn’t have a budget for. This money could be better spent on services in our communities. Spending money defending an unwinnable case in the name of ‘democracy’ seems wasteful and irresponsible to me, given that the outcome will be the same: the LDP will get adopted.
• I voted to adopt the LDP because I am part of a group of 14 like-minded Labour Councillors who believe in a better future for our communities. The group recognises the rule of law, and wishes to engage in addressing the many flaws of the LDP as part of its implementation. The group has considerable planning experience and wisdom to support this process, and I intend to access this to help me further support residents’ concerns about the appropriateness of the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site in Brymbo.

I will be holding an open Q&A session for residents on Thursday 6th July, 7pm in the Lounge at Brymbo Sports and Social Club, and look forward to discussing this matter further then.

In the meantime, I am contactable via email on [email protected]