Independent investigation over masts

Last night councillors agreed that the controversial matter should be taken out of the hands of the Local Government Ombudsman to be probed by external officials.

The move is to "protect the interests of openness and transparency" after four mobile phone masts were granted planning permission by mistake.

Three out of the four T-Mobile masts will go ahead through deemed consent after "more visually intrusive" alternatives were rejected by the planning committee last week.

Only one alternative option - drummed up as a compromise between the council and the operator, will be erected in Claughton subject to conditions.

And now the local authority faces an independent enquiry into mal-administration and negligence, and could be forced to pay out thousands upon thousands in compensation claims.

At a full council meeting last night (Monday), members agreed that it would be in the best interests of the authority and the public to ask chief executive Steve Maddox to help arrange an independent inquiry to uncover the facts in the mast error mystery.

Moreton and Saughall Massie Councillor Chris Blakeley said: "I am delighted that the council leader has sought the council's agreement to go down this route.

"Clearly the council needs not only to be open and transparent in its dealings with the public it has to be seen to be so.

"In this instance the best way to do that is to invite an external body to carry out a full investigation into how four telephone mast planning application refusals were not sent to T-Mobile within the required 56 day limit."

And Conservative deputy group leader, Cllr Lesley Rennie said: "Whilst I am sure an internal enquiry would have been done in a fair, equitable and professional manner an independent enquiry will help mend fences with the public that have clearly been damaged as a result of this sad affair.

"I, along with residents of Moreton, Gayton, Pensby and Claughton look forward to seeing the results of such an enquiry."