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Chief executive Tony Reeves apologises after letters lost

10:00am Sunday 1st February 2009 in


The chief executive of Bradford Council has apologised “unreservedly” after letters objecting to a controversial planning application went missing.

Tony Reeves said ‘Sorry’ to the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG) after it emerged that the group’s objections to the demolition of Bradford’s former Odeon cinema had been lost.

The mistake came to light when BORG realised its representations about the £55 million New Victoria Place proposal had not been placed on the Council’s Planning Access website.

Mr Reeves said: “We have asked BORG to resubmit its objections to the planning application as the original copies have been misfiled and cannot be found.

“I apologise unreservedly for this. We have reviewed our systems to ensure that similar mistakes are not made in the future.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Ombudsman is investigating an official complaint over a document issued to councillors by the Council’s strategic director of regeneration.

Complainant Nicholas Bielby, of Frizinghall, said ‘Document Y’, a report issued to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee on October 29, 2008, was “deeply flawed and seriously misleading.” He said the document referred to “the site” as if it were an empty site, suggesting that the demolition of the Odeon was a foregone conclusion.

Mr Reeves said: “It is inappropriate for the Council to comment on matters relating to the report to members of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee while the matter is under consideration by the Ombudsman’s office.”

The planning department has received 344 separate comments on the proposed demolition of the former Odeon building and 352 comments on the planning application for the replacement mixed-use scheme.

BORG has also criticised the way the Council records letters of objection.

A spokesman for the group said: “The planning department apparently no longer officially recognise the word ‘objection’ for they changed their recording terminology midstream to ‘comments’ which diminishes the required impact.”

When asked about this issue, Mr Reeves said: “Comments on planning proposals cannot always be referred to as objections as the planners also receive letters of support.

“The planners will make sure that all comments received about the plans to redevelop the former Odeon are taken into account.”

Langtree Artisan, the developer behind the New Victoria Place plan, said it had nothing to add to previous statements at this stage. The scheme would include the creation of the city centre’s first Grade A offices, a new hotel and apartments.

Comments(30)

sentinel says...
10:25am Sun 1 Feb 09

It just gets worse!

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mrs walker says...
10:40am Sun 1 Feb 09

'When asked about this issue, Mr Reeves said: “Comments on planning proposals cannot always be referred to as objections as the planners also receive letters of support."'

So why not list objections as 'objections' and comments of support (of which - regarding the demolition of the Odeon - there was precisely ONE at my last count about 2 weeks ago) as a 'comment'.

I'm overwhelmed by the number and quality of letters that have been sent in in support of the Odeon. If you count the number of petitions and the fact that some letters represent households rather than individuals, the number of objectors is very high.

I'm still doubtful that the council will listen to the thronging voices of Bradfordians saying they want to keep the Odeon (most have stipulated that they feel our city needs a civic space for concerts and events) but I'm so very proud of those Bradfordians for trying. I would now like to see the T&A question the Council more robustly about BORG's 'missing letters', about why letters which all CLEARLY STATE 'OBJECTION' have been listed as 'comments' and about the Council's seemingly bloody-minded attitude to rip the place down regardless of the sentiments of the people they are supposed to represent.


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mrs walker says...
10:52am Sun 1 Feb 09

P.S Dear Will Kilner, re: the proposed demolition of the Odeon. Do the 343 separate objections - sorry, I mean 'comments letters' - include the number of BORGs missing letters or is this figure incorrect owing to their letters being 'misfiled'.

And if we can't trust our Council to file a bloody letter properly how can we trust them to look after and administer our city with integrity, love and respect?


security word: hang-hope :-(

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sentinel says...
11:04am Sun 1 Feb 09

mrs walker wrote:
P.S Dear Will Kilner, re: the proposed demolition of the Odeon. Do the 343 separate objections - sorry, I mean 'comments letters' - include the number of BORGs missing letters or is this figure incorrect owing to their letters being 'misfiled'.

And if we can't trust our Council to file a bloody letter properly how can we trust them to look after and administer our city with integrity, love and respect?


security word: hang-hope :-(
Nobody does.

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lookout says...
11:04am Sun 1 Feb 09

More time and money wasted,just knock it down.

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Jammy says...
11:10am Sun 1 Feb 09

Something is terribly wrong here ,idont believe for one minute these documents were misfiled ,and i doubt Reeves would be issuing any apology if the ombudsman wasn,t sniffing around ,I just wonder how many other letters of objection have gone missing?SOMETHINGS ROTTEN IN THE CITY HALL....

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yezboss says...
12:43pm Sun 1 Feb 09

The words 'Smoke and mirrors' come to mind.
Or is it sheer incompetence?

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yezboss says...
12:43pm Sun 1 Feb 09

The words 'Smoke and mirrors' come to mind.
Or is it sheer incompetence?

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orko says...
12:59pm Sun 1 Feb 09

"Lost" until someone from BORG flagged it up? How convenient.

Shame on the authorities for their behaviour in this whole "scheme" and shame on the T&A reporters for their failure to be journalists, and simply regurgitate the rubbish spun by the council and various groups when it comes to this and other "regeneration" in Bradford.

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ew.walgrove says...
1:15pm Sun 1 Feb 09

Oh, It's time to move on from the Odeon, let make Bradford a better place by redevelop the former Odeon, even if that mean knocking it down and replacing it with a scheme which would include the creation of the city centre’s first Grade A offices, a new hotel and apartments. Move with the times!


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sentinel says...
1:29pm Sun 1 Feb 09

ew.walgrove wrote:
Oh, It's time to move on from the Odeon, let make Bradford a better place by redevelop the former Odeon, even if that mean knocking it down and replacing it with a scheme which would include the creation of the city centre’s first Grade A offices, a new hotel and apartments. Move with the times!

There might be a small question of finance.

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tyker says...
2:23pm Sun 1 Feb 09

ooops:how quaint that letters of objection go missing.

knock the place down as it is an eye sore representing the only building left standing amongst the rubble which has become Bradford--sorry rubble or rubbish: one relates to the demolition of buildings whilst the other refers to elected councillors and their very very overpaid staff.

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nahim says...
3:54pm Sun 1 Feb 09

mrs walker your right, council dose not care what so ever, they are on high wages via our council tax yet they are bounch of idiot who works there, what have they done for bradford, JACK,
what we need a good boss who will look after people not the stuipt staff at bfd council.

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MP says...
3:59pm Sun 1 Feb 09

Sadly another indication of a Council that appears to be in a state of chaos...as ever the relevant Cllr (Yes its Anne again, Will) has not deigned to comment on a fairly serious matter. Did you know we have no Deputy Chief Executive ? She's gone off to London for an easier life....

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Strange world says...
4:15pm Sun 1 Feb 09

This whole thing is corrupt. A beautiful building will be replaced by another glass fronted eyesore.
Whatever happened to preserving out heritage.
Oh I remember, the bribes are bigger from developers.

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maggiec says...
4:30pm Sun 1 Feb 09

What are we going to have in Bradford nothing a muddy hole now that Westfield have pulled out of the long promised shopping centre the recession hit £350 million project (I quote Sunday Express 1/2/09)This project was started in 2005 I wasnt aware of a recession then.May as well have another muddy hole where the former Odeon is. That about sums Bradford up in 2009

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Yorkshire Lass says...
8:24pm Sun 1 Feb 09

So, the Council at least have the manners to apologise for losing BORGS letters of objaction when the controversial planning application went missing. WHY? I think by now everyone is so fed up with this extra long running saga which surely must be costing a lot of money. Pull the ugly building down and get on with it. Bradfordians are bored to death of the do-gooders who basically are doing no good at all unless it is to their advantage.

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stately says...
8:38pm Sun 1 Feb 09

twatting baffoons in charge of bradford, take alook at the odeon it is an iconic building, you are going to replace it with crap

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Dr Evil says...
10:00pm Sun 1 Feb 09

Can't believe they are not required to scan/digitise incoming mail. I've worked in Large PRIVATE Firms in Bradford that do this so you would have thought Government, albeit Local, would have taken this step. Where are these systems that are costing us Billions to set up?

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renegade chess says...
10:26pm Sun 1 Feb 09

I think the people who have said we should just knock it down just don't understand longevity of historically secure projects that are refurbished so they can fit into a modern city. Manningham Mills is a good example of something old which now looks good for Bradfords future.

The "knock it down" numpties (like the council)should be looking at our biggest city neighbour Leeds, after knocking down its historical buildings and building ugly, mismatched, concrete and glass rot boxes for people to lose money on and be forced to keep in negative equity until the tower blocks become slum flats. (Didn't we just knock ours down, oh and Sheffield, Manchester, Doncaster, Rotherham etc.) We need to keep the historic heritage in our city (Because theres not much history or city left) because we tend to look after what our parents and grand parents remember.

As for the article, this city is becoming backhander central; from new School building contracts, city centre buildings, Shopping Centre contracts to selling off our housing stock. We will all pay for this in the end, and guess where Council Tax.

Security word: hide-fact (it could only get bettered by cash-hand)

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Dr Evil says...
10:45pm Sun 1 Feb 09

ew.walgrove wrote:
Oh, It's time to move on from the Odeon, let make Bradford a better place by redevelop the former Odeon, even if that mean knocking it down and replacing it with a scheme which would include the creation of the city centre’s first Grade A offices, a new hotel and apartments. Move with the times!

Do you really think they will be 'A' Grade when (& if) they are finished?

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NOTSOCOMMENSENSE says...
8:34am Mon 2 Feb 09

Dr Evil wrote:
Can't believe they are not required to scan/digitise incoming mail. I've worked in Large PRIVATE Firms in Bradford that do this so you would have thought Government, albeit Local, would have taken this step. Where are these systems that are costing us Billions to set up?
OH BUT DR E
THE COUNCIL ONLY WANTS TO HAVE THE SAME PAY/BENIFITS AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR THEY DONT WANT TO HAVE THE SAME RULES AS A PRIVATE COMPANY OTHERWISE ONE OF THEM MIGHT GET SACKED FOR INCOMPETANCE

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finemess says...
10:13am Mon 2 Feb 09

The council have got found out again! This corrupt bunch of trough in the snout politicians should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Join my facebook group "Bradford odeon rescue group"

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Joedavid says...
10:45am Mon 2 Feb 09

If the Planners give permission to demolish the Odeon now no one will believe it as been done fairly.
An idependant investigation is needed and quick to make sure all Objections are there and classed as such.
I now wonder if my objection is there?
Did not have a lot of faith in the Council on the Odeon all along, little I have is fading fast.

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Juice Terry says...
11:10am Mon 2 Feb 09

Three words spring to mind..

Convenient

Corrupt

And looking at that photo of Reeves - another word that begins with "C" and end with "T"

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sentinel says...
11:20am Mon 2 Feb 09

Juice Terry wrote:
Three words spring to mind..

Convenient

Corrupt

And looking at that photo of Reeves - another word that begins with "C" and end with "T"
Competent?

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finemess says...
1:33pm Mon 2 Feb 09

sentinel wrote:
Juice Terry wrote:
Three words spring to mind..

Convenient

Corrupt

And looking at that photo of Reeves - another word that begins with Think again you only have two more letters to find!!! lol
Security word mine-hole!! Getting nearer the mark! lol

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sentinel says...
2:09pm Mon 2 Feb 09

finemess wrote:
sentinel wrote:
Juice Terry wrote:
Three words spring to mind..

Convenient

Corrupt

And looking at that photo of Reeves - another word that begins with Think again you only have two more letters to find!!! lol
Security word mine-hole!! Getting nearer the mark! lolI was attempting a bit of irony.

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van says...
10:40pm Mon 2 Feb 09

nothing new here, lost documents, partial information, big fat wages, decisions made in advance,perveting due process, lies...I could go on. The council regularly spend 10-15% of their budget on legal fees,to lawers who they usually know rather well, nuff said

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kgmongan says...
6:43am Thu 14 Jul 11

Having had the displeasure of working with this arrogant, snide back stabbing toad some twenty years ago it is reassuring to see that he is still up to his old corrupt tricks ... take it from one who knows ... this charlatan wouldn't know the truth if it punched him squarely in the face.

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