Lovers of Dickensian drama will no doubt turn out in large numbers at a public hearing meeting next week (West Offices 10:00am 19th Dec)

They will hear a complaint from 3 residents who claim foul play in the way that a planning application, relating to the establishment of a supermarket in part of the Groves Chapel, was handled at meetings which took place last spring.

An independent report into the storm will be discussed at a “Standards Committee” meeting.

The report finds that Cllr. John Galvin – the chair of the planning sub committee – was disrespectful to those attending a site meeting when – in an aside – he referred to someone as a “pillock”.

The investigator says “pillock” is not a swear word.

The complainants say that they didn’t actually hear what was said while John Galvin says the comment described the behaviour of a lorry driver who was touring the area in an attempt to influence the views of the planners.

The report dismisses claims that the Councillor had a vested interest in the outcome of the planning application by virtue of his, Council nominated, governorship of the York Hospital.

At a meeting on 7th April 2016 John Galvin used his Chairs casting vote to approve the plans to bring the Groves Chapel back into use (it had been largely vacant for several months).

The committee has the power to impose sanctions on Councillors found to have breached protocols. Usually breaches are dealt with by way of a warning about future behaviour.

While John Galvin’s approach can be viewed as robust – and he can sometimes appear intolerant of opposing views – we doubt whether the case should have got this far.

Better to use mediation to sort out this kind of thing, perhaps over a coffee and a handshake.

The costs of the investigation will be borne by taxpayers.