Suspended councillor: 'I won't resign'
SUSPENDED parish councillor Tony Dunn broke his silence this week to tell critics that he will not resign.
The Standards Board for England suspended Cllr Dunn from Marlow Town Council for one month for breaching the town council's code of conduct.
He sent an email in April, asking four fellow town councillors to vote against a Waitrose application that he was banned from voting on, because he had previously declared a financial interest in the matter.
There were calls for his resignation after the board's decision last week.
Speaking exclusively to the Marlow Free Press yesterday, he defended his position as planning committee chairman of the town council.
He said: "I am the only person on the town council who has any understanding of the planning matters."
"I have been very happy to provide the professional experience that I have in the planning world to the town council."
"I wish to continue offering that service until the next elections."
At the time of the Waitrose application, Cllr Dunn was working as a consultant for a £20million rival application by Helical Bar. The company's bid was going to be put before the town council's planning committee a few weeks later.
He denied at the hearing that he was trying to secure any financial or personal advantage from his actions.
The standards board replied this week to say it stands by its decision and that it only has authority to act on behalf of the authority in which the rule was breached.
Wycombe District Council leader Lesley Clarke, said she gave Cllr Dunn her full support.
She added: "He has been given the punishment and that is it."
Source: BucksFreePress (16/12/2006)
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