THE deadlock has been broken over who will chair Colchester Council’s planning committee after the Conservative group took over when a rival member was unable to attend.

The key committee has been at a stalemate since the progressive alliance of Lib Dem, Labour and independent councillors formed an administration with a majority of just one over the Tories.

The ten-member committee has five Tory members and five coalition members.

At the last meeting, neither side were able to agree on who would chair the committee, meaning an apolitical officer had to step in.

But on Thursday, Highwoods councillor Philip Oxford was unable to attend because of work and neither of his colleagues were able to substitute because of a pre-booked holiday, leaving the Conservatives space to elect Pauline Hazell as committee chairman for the next year with fellow Tory Brian Jarvis as deputy.

It means veteran Lib Dem Theresa Higgins has lost her role.

Highwoods Group spokesman Gerard Oxford said:”It is a unique situation with the numbers as close as they are and I felt there was an option to concede one of the chairmanships.

“This is not how I would have wanted to come about but it was unavoidable.”

Mr Oxford said meetings had to be made more accessible to working people.

He said: “Philip has to work until 6pm - the same time as the meeting starts.

“He works in Dedham and doesn’t drive meaning it takes him 40 minutes to cycle.

“I am minded meetings should not start before 7pm and should be time restricted.

“Being there past 10.30pm does not make for good decision making.

“You don’t just want retired people like me on the council.”

Tory group leader Darius Laws wanted to secure chairmanship of one committee and last week rejected an offer from council leader Mark Cory to co-chairman the planning meetings.

He said: “We asked to chair one committee and I think it was a very fair offer.

“It has happened but in quite unusual circumstances with the alliance unable to field their full team.”

Mr Laws said no decision has been made on whether they would also look to chair the local plan committee.

Lib Dem leader Martin Goss said: “The Conservative group got the chairmanship they wanted and now have to honour the commitment to allow the rest of the committees to continue unhindered.”

New boss hit backs at 'petty' jibes

THE new planning committee chairman has hit back at criticism over a perceived inability to lead the meeting effectively.

Speaking afterwards, Labour group leader Tim Young said he was disappointed the Conservatives were chairing the meeting.

He said: “I don’t think it is in the best interest of the council or Colchester.

“I listened to the first 20 or 30 minutes of the podcast and Pauline Hazell was unable to chair the meeting competently or effectively.

“Theresa Higgins – with Cyril Liddy as vice chairman – has done a fantastic job and it is unfortunate it won’t be able to continue.”

But Mrs Hazell said: “Obviously I will receive more training and I will get better.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and the job.

“On the night I had a very short time to prepare as it only became clear I would get the opportunity a few minutes before the meeting started.

“On the night it was quite a lot to take in.

“I think for him to say that is petty.”