Slough Residents' Questions - 14 December 2004

 

Question 4
   

From:  Mrs M Little, Reddington Drive, Langley

The Council motion called on the Officers to obtain an independent legal advice. The motion did not ask the Officers to obtain legal opinion on legal opinion. The motion did not call for the Officers to arrange "clandestine" meetings with the lawyers.

When did? the Members of the Council authorised all the above activities which were not included in the original motion.

i)     Asking the lawyers to comment on each other's opinions.
ii)    Arranging meetings between lawyers?


Reply: Councillor Dexter Smith

The original motion in July 2004 did not restrict officers to engage one external legal adviser. Lord Kingsland QC was engaged because he is an experienced planning and environmental expert and Jamie Woolley was also appointed because of his environmental law background.

It is absurd to say that 'clandestine' meetings were held as it is normal custom and practice for officers from the Council and the expert lawyers they engage to meet in conference to discuss the legal issues and to find a way forward for the authority. The legal opinion dated 29th November 2004 prepared by Lord Kingsland QC and wholly endorsed by Jamie Woolley achieved that objective.

27 June 2006