HOW THE SORRY SAGA UNFOLDED
4 March 2006
September 3, 2004 - Chief executive Tim Thorogood (pictured above) submits a planning application for a detached garage and workshop and informs department heads.
January 26, 2005 - Permission is granted.August 17 2005 - He seeks advice about making further changes and is told to submit a fresh application. He does not speak to heads of department.S
eptember 8, 2005 - A second application is submitted but he does not inform department heads. Work is carried out before the application is heard by councillors
October 18, 2005 - The application is approved, but Rhossili Community Council members point out they would have expected work to be carried out after permission was granted. The Gower Society raised questions about the size and design of the garage and sought assurances it would not be used for residential purposes.
October 20-21, 2005 - Councillor Hague drafts a letter to the chief executive but does not send it. Head of planning Reena Owen tells Mr Thorogood it would have been preferable for him to wait for permission.
November 29, 2005 - Alison Thorogood, Mr Thorogood's wife, asks for advice about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
December 2, 2005 - An official complaint is lodged alleging planning rules had been broken.
December 5, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is told of the complaint and that the planning department investigation would be carried out. As a result of that inquiry, it was found that a fitted kitchen had been added to the garage and that planning rules had been breached.
December 20, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is suspended, pending an internal inquiry.
January 13, 2006 - His resignation is accepted after a review panel decides Mr Thorogood has a case to answer.
September 3, 2004 - Chief executive Tim Thorogood (pictured above) submits a planning application for a detached garage and workshop and informs department heads.
January 26, 2005 - Permission is granted.August 17 2005 - He seeks advice about making further changes and is told to submit a fresh application. He does not speak to heads of department.S
eptember 8, 2005 - A second application is submitted but he does not inform department heads. Work is carried out before the application is heard by councillors
October 18, 2005 - The application is approved, but Rhossili Community Council members point out they would have expected work to be carried out after permission was granted. The Gower Society raised questions about the size and design of the garage and sought assurances it would not be used for residential purposes.
October 20-21, 2005 - Councillor Hague drafts a letter to the chief executive but does not send it. Head of planning Reena Owen tells Mr Thorogood it would have been preferable for him to wait for permission.
November 29, 2005 - Alison Thorogood, Mr Thorogood's wife, asks for advice about advertising a holiday home on the council's tourism website.
December 2, 2005 - An official complaint is lodged alleging planning rules had been broken.
December 5, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is told of the complaint and that the planning department investigation would be carried out. As a result of that inquiry, it was found that a fitted kitchen had been added to the garage and that planning rules had been breached.
December 20, 2005 - Mr Thorogood is suspended, pending an internal inquiry.
January 13, 2006 - His resignation is accepted after a review panel decides Mr Thorogood has a case to answer.
posted by Commentator at 11:00 AM
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