Cllr Parmar is obviously trying to imply that there is something irregular or improper in me having contact with Barratts and Eton College, which I have previously publicly referred to. I believe such contact to be quite normal and entirely in the public interest.

I have had two meetings with Barratts regarding their Colnbrook Garage planning application - both pre-application; one time asking for my thoughts as a ward councillor concerning the general idea behind this housing proposal; and on a second occasion attending a public consultation they organised for residents. I have been sent details of the application and a summary of the consultation comments. But I am sure that what Cllr Parmar is really interested in is the fact that I have also had two meetings with Barratts regarding their Cippenham Green Wedge planning application.

The first of these meetings was prior to their second Green Wedge application. Barratts said they wanted to discuss their S106 offer with officers before submission, but under the previous Administration officers had refused to meet with them both before and during their first application. I, as Commissioner, instructed officers to enter into discussions with Barratts but I took no part in these discussions. My second Green Wedge meeting with Barratts was ahead of their second application going before the Planning Committee; I was briefed on the detail of their S106 offer and what components within it were still unresolved with officers. I stress here that I am not a member of the Planning Committee unlike Cllr Swindlehurst was when he was my predecessor.

I have not had occasion to write to Barratts; they have sent me details of their applications and promotional leaflets sent to members of the public - keeping me informed about one of the largest developments in the town's recent history.

Finally, I also have had two meetings with Eton College (as detailed in my answer to Question 2) - the first meeting resulted in acknowledgement of a "moral obligation" to pay the £344k the previous Administration had lost through its inaction. I sent a letter of thanks, which I checked with our legal department before dispatch, and received an acknowledgement in reply. With the passage of time I felt a second meeting was necessary and this resulted in payment by Eton College being made in full.

After each of these meetings about the Green Wedge, and about the £344k lost, I reported the details of my conversations to the Leader of Council, the Chief Executive and the Director of Law and Corporate Governance. The outcome of these events speak for themselves.