TENSION broke out at a recent Neighbourhood Development Plan meeting when members of the steering group were upset over an attempt by Don Jerrard and Barbara Easton, trying to join the scheduled exempt session.

Former NDP chair Emma Winfield stated members of the steering group were skilled and hard working volunteers, who had been deeply alarmed by the actions of Mr Jerrard, who was accused of being disruptive at a meeting on January 23.

The chairman of the parish council’s planning committee, and his deputy, Mrs Easton, had effectively prevented the exempt session form going ahead, by insisting on attending.

Mrs Winfield said the exempt session had been essential to formulate the ongoing plans for the steering group. She said legal advice had been clear, that councillors – who are not on the committee – could not attend an exempt session, unless invited.

Parish council chairman Jane Ives, who had been invited to attend the exempt meeting, regretted the steering group had not been able to complete its business, in particular the intended discussion about the appointment of a new NDP chairman, following Mrs Winfield’s decision to stand down, which was reported on page one of The Herald last month.

Mr Jerrard, a resident of Greatham, considered the steering group worked in partnership with the parish council– and therefore councillors should not be excluded from their meetings without good reason.

Mrs Winfield pointed out that, although it was rare for NDP steering group meetings to be open to the public, the members had always held its meeting in public and councillors were welcome, except when it went into exempt sessions. Steering group member and parish councillor Jeanette Kirby said the parish council had given the steering group its trust in preparing the NDP and Mr Jerrard’s actions had shown mistrust.

Mrs Easton pointed out that attendance at exempt sessions was not covered in the parish councils’s standing orders. Mrs Ives advised it was not necessary, as the council was guided by the advice given by its officers and by legal advice on the matter.

The exempt session went ahead without disruption at the latest NDP meeting, on February 6. Vice-chairman Chantelle Foo is chairing meetings until a successor is announced.