Sheffield councillor kicked out of first virtual meeting after row about officers 'disregarding' objections

The meeting was to decide if a new bar should be allowed to operate on Nether Edge Road.

Coun Douglas Johnson, who sits on the committee, was forced to exit the video call when he raised concerns about missing comments from the public.

Coun Johnson said he was made aware of extra objections through local residents and questioned why there was no reference to them in the officers’ report which the committee read before making a decision.

He said: “It’s completely inappropriate for officers to do filtering, especially when the objection clearly relates to licensing, so I'm going to ask that the committee is deferred until all the relevant papers are together.

"I think it's important that all the facts are on the table."

However, Marie-Claire Frankie, legal adviser to the council, said it was a requirement of officers to “only put that which is relevant” into reports and said filtering objections was acceptable.

Dr Alice Bell, whose objection was included in the reports and was invited to speak at the meeting, said: “I understand the points being made about these things not being relevant.

“Unfortunately though, this discussion could potentially undermine our trust in this system, because we've got a councillor saying some of the detail is relevant and then a solicitor saying it isn't.

“We are just keen that the process is sound and that voices are being represented that should be.

“The whole system of objecting relies on somebody being time rich and understanding what kind of language to use.

“I know I spent a lot of time constructing my letter with the language that I was supposed to use to lodge this objection.

“I just want all voices in our community represented and I'm wondering if they don't use certain language those voices aren't heard.”

Ms Frankie reassured Dr Bell there was an appreciation of these factors when reports were made.

It was then decided that Coun Johnson should leave the meeting, as he had information other decision makers did not.

Coun Karen McGowan, committee chairman, said: “As far as I'm concerned, full process has been followed and I think the other issues raised are going through planning.

“The other issues about information generally can be taken up outside.”

The row went on for more than half an hour near the start of the meeting before Coun Bob Pullin stepped in as a substitute for Coun Johnson.

Proceedings continued until it went into private session for the committee to confer on a decision.

During that time press and public were locked out of the video call and were not allowed back in.

The council is yet to publish the decision or answer media requests on the subject.

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