Published: Wednesday, 27th February, 2008 12:00
Councillor cleared of code complaint
By David Knox
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THE leader of the Borders Party has been cleared of breaching the councillors’ code of conduct.
Nicholas Watson was accused of breaking the planning rules by local developer, J.S. Crawford.
But following a two-month probe by the Standards Commission it was found that the councillor for Leaderdale and Melrose hadn’t done anything wrong.
The complaint was lodged following the planning committee’s refusal to allow JS Crawford to build 37 houses at Darnick Green.
The firm believed Mr Watson has contravened the code because they thought he was still chairman of Save Scott’s Countryside (SSC) – a group formed to oppose large-scale development in the central Borders.
And also took objection to his anti-development stance and views often expressed during planning committee meetings.
Chief Investigating Officer Stuart Allan sifted through minutes of meetings and carried out interviews before delivering his verdict last week.
He stated: “It was the case that the respondent continued to be described as the Chair of SSC on that body’s website, as recently as December 2007.
“However, the respondent was clear that he had resigned his membership of SSC as soon as he had been elected as a member of the council in May 2007.
“It is undoubtedly the case that the respondent has a keen interest in development and, in particular, in promoting sustainable development in the Scottish Borders.
“It is neither unusual nor inappropriate for a member to have a special interest in a topic dealt with by a committee of which he is a member.”
The Borders Party politician was angry that the complaint was lodged by the building firm.
But he was pleased with the Standard Commissions’ findings.
Mr Watson told the Border Telegraph: “Developers will go to certain lengths to further their cause. This was a little frustrating because a simple telephone call would have cleared up any misunderstanding.
“It would have been wrong for me to still be a member of Save Scott’s Countryside as well as the Building and Development Control Committee – that is why I resigned when I became elected.
“I was asked to join the Building and Development Control committee because of my interest in sustainable development.
“I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong but it is still a relief that it is over.
“It isn’t pleasant having these things hanging over you.”
Nobody from JS Crawford was available for comment at the time of going to press.
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