Controversial children's home decision cancelled after councillor's no-show

REPRESENTATIVE WAS AT A COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

- By NIGEL SLATER Local democracy reporter

A DECISION over controversial plans for a Derby children’s home was not made in public - because a councillor failed to show up to a meeting.

Confusion descended at a Derby City Council planning meeting when it was heard a verdict on an application for Gladstone Close could not be made despite it being on the agenda.

Paul Clark, the council's planning chief, told councillors the decision could not be made by them because Cllr Alan Graves failed to attend.

Cllr Graves, an Alvaston councillor and leader of Derbyshire County Council, requested for the children’s home application to be heard by the planning committee due to his and residents’ concerns.