Exeter councillors clash over complaint warning in road debate

Summarised from Exmouth Journal's report · Updated 16 Oct, 07:08 · Archive

A warning about a standards complaint prompted concerns over possible bullying during an Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee debate about reopening Dryden Road to traffic on 12 October. The disagreement followed questions from Green councillor Cllr Lynn Wetenhall about the possible effects of reopening the road on air pollution and traffic queues. Cllr Wetenhall, who lives nearby, described her recollection of congestion when the road carried two-way traffic.

Committee chair Cllr Michael Mitchell asked whether her comments should be taken as a declaration of interest. Cllr Wetenhall initially said no, before continuing to challenge the assessment of traffic and pollution. Cllr Hill then intervened to argue that an interest should be declared and warned of a code of conduct complaint.

City council leader Cllr Phil Bialyk expressed concern about how the discussion had been conducted, saying he had detected 'a little bit of bullying or even threatening' behaviour during the exchange about declarations of interest. Cllr Mitchell told the meeting that it was for individual members to decide whether to declare an interest and that concerns could be raised with the appropriate monitoring officer.

Read the report

• Exeter councillors clash over complaint warning during Dryden Road debateA warning about a standards complaint prompted concerns over possible bullying during a heated debate about reopening a road to traffic.Exmouth Journal · 16 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Exeter · Edward Hill · Lynn Wetenhall · Phil Bialyk · Michael Mitchell · Dryden Road

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