Tories push through development plans despite Labour concerns.

Busy day at the council chamber today.
Hotly debated Grantham Area Plans.
Labour Group voted against existing plans due to concerns about feedback from Stamford residents and lack of detail around proposals for the North and South Quadrant.
The Tories are proposing not to stick to targets for affordable housing on development sites which is concerning.
I also spotted that conservation sites and areas have not yet been identified and some potential sites fall into the sites allocated for housing. It is possible development could start before protection is given to our historic assets. Sent in a list of amendments covering the issues above as well as an amendment for the inclusion of urban trees.

I put forward an amendment to the motion to agree the plans, suggesting we defer a decision until the areas above are addressed. The Tories voted against this but we won 12 votes so there were some other concerned councillors agreeing with us.

The Labour Group also put forward a motion proposing that councillors have the ability to question Cabinet members on decisions in full council. This was rejected by the Tories. A record of how councillors voted is available in the minutes on this item.

This evening I had a discusion with Francis from Save Newark Hospital. We are planning joint campaign to improve services at Grantham and Newark Hospitals given their close proximity and shared issues with patients being diverted over 20 miles to other A&E units. Lincoln now has queues between 3-4hrs in A&E as a result of patients diverting from satellite hospitals. With the Hospital Trust sitting on a deficit of £16m thanks to Coalition Govt budget cuts we will have a fight on our hands to protect our services, this is before the NHS Bill hits us.