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Urgent Please Read Re: Sainsbury's Decision

Olé

By Olé
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Olé

Olé

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've been doing some digging into the Sainsbury's decision and what I have found will amaze and disgust you.

The following are facts:

  • The CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Sean Beynon, who lives in and represents the local ward of Southville. He had to stand down from the planning decision meeting as he is a Bristol City Football Club season ticket holder and therefore he was considered to have a conflict of interests.
  • The VICE CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Simon Rayner, who represents Kingsweston in the north of the City but lives in Clifton. Neither of which, not that you need reminding, are in South Bristol.
  • Simon Rayner not only chaired the Sainsbury's application meeting but had a vote, which he used against the plans.
  • Simon Rayner was also in the minority of 2 out of 9 who voted against the successful application for the stadium itself.
  • Simon Rayner commented at the time in the media that he did not like football.
  • Simon Rayner works for Alec French Architects a business who, like George Ferguson, has a commercial interest in alternative opportunities to develop the land
  • Here's the best bit "Alec French Partnership" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are well established partners under the name of "Concept Planning Group" who tender for urban planning projects in Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" partnered to win and execute the £90 million taxpayer funded tender to develop @Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are preferred partners of Westmark Developments, a privately-owned developer in Bristol specialising in, wait for it, residential and mixed use schemes, precisely what George Ferguson advocates and Simon Rayner voted for

So there you have it:

A Bristol City Season Ticket holder who represents the local neighbourhood declares a conflict of interest on participating in this decision, but his deputy, who chairs and votes on the decision and does not represent any BS3 neighbourhood, does not declare that he works for a firm that has a very well established partnership with the firm owned by the proposal's most outspoken critic George Ferguson, and who collectively have an interest in alternative uses of the site, apparently with no conflict of interest.

Just to be absolutely clear on the level of conflict of interest here, George Ferguson attended the meeting and spoke against the plans as a highly visible member of those against the plans. Across the room from him, the chairman of the meeting and a key decision maker with a vote on the application, works directly in partnership with George Ferguson since his employers are commercially aligned with George Ferguson in seeking opportunities to work on mixed-use development in the greater Bristol area.

After seeing his feeble non-explanation for his vote on Points West last night I wrote to Simon Rayner (copy of the letter here: http://www.otib.co.u...ost__p__1254324) this is before I found out how close his ties and loyalties to George Ferguson are. A Bristol City season ticket holder's indirect conflict of interest in wanting Sainsbury's application to succeed is no greater than Simon Rayner has in voting for it to fail. Arguably the Bristol City season ticket holder gains only a seat in a new stadium while Simon Rayner has a clear commercial interest.

The fact that this gross hypocrisy was not addressed tells you all you need to know about the make up of this decision making committee and our Liberal cabal, sorry council.

Edited by Olé
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sh1t_ref_again

sh1t_ref_again

Posted
Posted

I think you should sent to th evil post or Metro to expose and maybe one or two others

Whilst I suppose they can argue their background helps them understand the issues, I don't understand how either can sit on a development commitee with such vested interests from inside the industry that benefit from schemes they rule over. So much for seeking to serve, but as long as it helps themselves!

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Guest terjon

Guest terjon

Posted
Posted

you should contact all the leading newspapers, let them know.

most people you talk to even non football fans cannot think of 1 genuine reason to turn down sainsbury's. when there is already one in the area and they are simply moving it 1/2 a mile. how can that effect north street anymore than it already does. its a joke.

lots of brown envelopes about me thinks.

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midland red

midland red

Posted
Posted

Rob,

Great piece and well worth the benefit of a bigger audience always makes you wonder how a 29 year old guy gets elevated to such a prominent position at such an early age.

Good point by Will though how come these people who are part of such an important decision making process are allowed to abstain, the people of Bristol actually got off their back sides and made a decision to put these people in these positions so for gods sake be brave and decide one way or the other.

Really incredible decision and i hope it does not change the decision to build the new stadium and arena as Bristol has been crying out for this for years, similar sized and even smaller cities across the country have progressed and moved forward while Bristol has stood still or worse still gone backwards.

yours MR.

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Rudolf Hucker

Rudolf Hucker

Posted
Posted

can we find out why two people abstained on such a crucial vote and how that could possibly happen?

This is a key issue for me Will. The council members who sit on this committee surely cannot be allowed to sit on the fence on such high profile decisions without explaining their reasons for doing do? Abstention should not be an option - "decision makers" should be all the way in or all the way out not cowering in some half way house.

Olé - you have done an outstanding job in uncovering this scandal. Well done you! The people of Bristol should be made aware of the corruption which exists within their council. Publish (to all and sundry) and be damned.

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Guest jazz

Guest jazz

Posted
Posted

hi,it is also interesting to note that both Simon Rayner and George Ferguson are members of the merchant venturers,who have been running Bristol since the 16th century.An example of a big planning issue they were involved in was the @Bristol project.The architect was guess who? yes you are right a certain George Ferguson,who was the Chairman responsible for @Bristol and in charge of choosing the architect,Mr N Hood,also a merchant venturer.If Steve Landsdown was a member this would have sailed through.I just thought this info might help you realise that although you may think its just the local councilors that have the power,there are other forces at work.

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Dolman Block B

Dolman Block B

Posted
Posted

I've been doing some digging into the Sainsbury's decision and what I have found will amaze and disgust you.

The following are facts:

  • The CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Sean Beynon, who lives in and represents the local ward of Southville. He had to stand down from the planning decision meeting as he is a Bristol City Football Club season ticket holder and therefore he was considered to have a conflict of interests.
  • The VICE CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Simon Rayner, who represents Kingsweston in the north of the City but lives in Clifton. Neither of which, not that you need reminding, are in South Bristol.
  • Simon Rayner not only chaired the Sainsbury's application meeting but had a vote, which he used against the plans.
  • Simon Rayner was also in the minority of 2 out of 9 who voted against the successful application for the stadium itself.
  • Simon Rayner commented at the time in the media that he did not like football.
  • Simon Rayner works for Alec French Architects a business who, like George Ferguson, has a commercial interest in alternative opportunities to develop the land
  • Here's the best bit "Alec French Partnership" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are well established partners under the name of "Concept Planning Group" who tender for urban planning projects in Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" partnered to win and execute the £90 million taxpayer funded tender to develop @Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are preferred partners of Westmark Developments, a privately-owned developer in Bristol specialising in, wait for it, residential and mixed use schemes, precisely what George Ferguson advocates and Simon Rayner voted for

So there you have it:

A Bristol City Season Ticket holder who represents the local neighbourhood declares a conflict of interest on participating in this decision, but his deputy, who chairs and votes on the decision and does not represent any BS3 neighbourhood, does not declare that he works for a firm that has a very well established partnership with the firm owned by the proposal's most outspoken critic George Ferguson, and who collectively have an interest in alternative uses of the site, apparently with no conflict of interest.

Just to be absolutely clear on the level of conflict of interest here, George Ferguson attended the meeting and spoke against the plans as a highly visible member of those against the plans. Across the room from him, the chairman of the meeting and a key decision maker with a vote on the application, works directly in partnership with George Ferguson since his employers are commercially aligned with George Ferguson in seeking opportunities to work on mixed-use development in the greater Bristol area.

After seeing his feeble non-explanation for his vote on Points West last night I wrote to Simon Rayner (copy of the letter here: http://www.otib.co.u...ost__p__1254324) this is before I found out how close his ties and loyalties to George Ferguson are. A Bristol City season ticket holder's indirect conflict of interest in wanting Sainsbury's application to succeed is no greater than Simon Rayner has in voting for it to fail. Arguably the Bristol City season ticket holder gains only a seat in a new stadium while Simon Rayner has a clear commercial interest.

The fact that this gross hypocrisy was not addressed tells you all you need to know about the make up of this decision making committee and our Liberal cabal, sorry council.

That is simply brilliant. You MUST get this to Colin Sextone asap. Perhaps Tom could forward it on?

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CotswoldRed

CotswoldRed

Posted
Posted

I know it looks dodgy (this apparent conflict of interest) but does anyone with experience of planning actually know if this will be taken seriously?

He is an employee rather than the owner of said company, so might that carry far less weight and be overlooked because it has no legal basis for a conflict (rather than simply a moral one)?

No point in getting angry if it makes no difference in the end.

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Guest jazz

Guest jazz

Posted
Posted

After some more digging around it was George Ferguson who designed the @Bristol project and Alec French who won the contract to design all the housing on the harbour side.It is so nice how they both carved up the work and money between them dont you think?

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Guest jazz

Guest jazz

Posted
Posted

"George Ferguson was also the first Liberal councillor to be elected to Bristol City Council in the 1970s and he stood unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the 1983 and 1987" both architects,both Liberals,both friends,both merchant venturers etc etc.

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Riaz

Riaz

Posted
Posted

I've been doing some digging into the Sainsbury's decision and what I have found will amaze and disgust you.

The following are facts:

  • The CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Sean Beynon, who lives in and represents the local ward of Southville. He had to stand down from the planning decision meeting as he is a Bristol City Football Club season ticket holder and therefore he was considered to have a conflict of interests.
  • The VICE CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Simon Rayner, who represents Kingsweston in the north of the City but lives in Clifton. Neither of which, not that you need reminding, are in South Bristol.
  • Simon Rayner not only chaired the Sainsbury's application meeting but had a vote, which he used against the plans.
  • Simon Rayner was also in the minority of 2 out of 9 who voted against the successful application for the stadium itself.
  • Simon Rayner commented at the time in the media that he did not like football.
  • Simon Rayner works for Alec French Architects a business who, like George Ferguson, has a commercial interest in alternative opportunities to develop the land
  • Here's the best bit "Alec French Partnership" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are well established partners under the name of "Concept Planning Group" who tender for urban planning projects in Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" partnered to win and execute the £90 million taxpayer funded tender to develop @Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are preferred partners of Westmark Developments, a privately-owned developer in Bristol specialising in, wait for it, residential and mixed use schemes, precisely what George Ferguson advocates and Simon Rayner voted for

So there you have it:

A Bristol City Season Ticket holder who represents the local neighbourhood declares a conflict of interest on participating in this decision, but his deputy, who chairs and votes on the decision and does not represent any BS3 neighbourhood, does not declare that he works for a firm that has a very well established partnership with the firm owned by the proposal's most outspoken critic George Ferguson, and who collectively have an interest in alternative uses of the site, apparently with no conflict of interest.

Just to be absolutely clear on the level of conflict of interest here, George Ferguson attended the meeting and spoke against the plans as a highly visible member of those against the plans. Across the room from him, the chairman of the meeting and a key decision maker with a vote on the application, works directly in partnership with George Ferguson since his employers are commercially aligned with George Ferguson in seeking opportunities to work on mixed-use development in the greater Bristol area.

After seeing his feeble non-explanation for his vote on Points West last night I wrote to Simon Rayner (copy of the letter here: http://www.otib.co.u...ost__p__1254324) this is before I found out how close his ties and loyalties to George Ferguson are. A Bristol City season ticket holder's indirect conflict of interest in wanting Sainsbury's application to succeed is no greater than Simon Rayner has in voting for it to fail. Arguably the Bristol City season ticket holder gains only a seat in a new stadium while Simon Rayner has a clear commercial interest.

The fact that this gross hypocrisy was not addressed tells you all you need to know about the make up of this decision making committee and our Liberal cabal, sorry council.

Superb work Ole!

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Guest jazz

Guest jazz

Posted
Posted

After some more digging. Cllr Peter levy is MD of Green Lit Media Ltd their address is 3rd floor the tobacco factory,his landlord is......GEORGE FERGUSON!

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CotswoldRed

CotswoldRed

Posted
Posted

Has anyone had any reaction from this?

I think anyone's views that matter will be kept in house for now. Assuming there may be a legal element in resolving this I wouldn't expect to hear from Sainsbury's, BCFC, the Council or anyone else that matters.

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

After some more digging. Cllr Peter levy is MD of Green Lit Media Ltd their address is 3rd floor the tobacco factory,his landlord is......GEORGE FERGUSON!

Hmm intresting.. does it say which loft they are in? There are only 4 lofts up here on the 3rd floor plus Georges flat

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Guest Red Wardy

Guest Red Wardy

Posted
Posted (edited)

Self-serving, Self-interested low lifes.

The corruption was always there, especially with Georgie Boy. Anybody interested, or if they have the time, please look into the whole harbourside development over the past 12 years. George Ferguson's roll in Disruption and Political influence has earned the man a lot of money.

Sound familiar?

http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/bristol-harbourside/design

The City Council dealt robustly with concerns about lack of effective consultation regarding the Crest Nicholson scheme, and refused the application. A revised proposal and a new round of consultation followed, with new designers Edward Cullinan Architects' masterplan taking on board previous proposals (including the Ferguson Mann scheme), and proving more acceptable to local people (SOUND FAMILIAR?). The masterplan, based on new and improved public spaces, includes over 1.5ha of accessible landscape, the completion of Millennium Square and the Brunel Mile, a Millennium Promenade focusing on the SS Great Britain, and a new walk framing a view of the Cathedral. The scheme was approved in August 2001, and a design toolkit was subsequently developed to ensure consistent design principles were employed across the site.

Even more damning:

http://www.propertyweek.com/architect-opens-door-to-bristol-harbourside-foes/2003677.article

Ferguson will consider working with Crest Nicholson after its £200m scheme is turned down (He will consider........how generous - read on to see how this spin is in direct conflict with Crest Nicholson's stance)<P sizset=113" sizcache="36">George Ferguson, the architect who led opposition to Crest Nicholson’s £200m plan to redevelop Bristol’s Harbourside, has said his door is open to Crest. Despite his sustained attacks in one of the most acrimonious planning battles in history, Ferguson is now trying to build bridges with the site’s landowners and smooth the path for his scheme.

Ferguson denied that he had formally approached Crest, but refused to rule out any future involvement. ‘We’re not ruling anything out – we’ll talk to anyone. We don’t want to put anyone’s nose out of joint,’ he said.

With the dean of Bristol Cathedral’s backing, Ferguson led a successful campaign against the Crest proposal that he had described as ‘old modernist planning at its worst.’

The plan was thrown out last Wednesday when four Labour members of Bristol City Council’s planning committee opposed the recommendations of planning officers and voted against it.

Crest Nicholson, however, has pledged to fight on and said it has no interest in talking to Ferguson. Project director Ian Cawley said: ‘There’s no truth in any suggestion that people in the City are advising us to talk to him. We already have architects on board.’

Ferguson’s next challenge is to persuade the landowners – Lloyds TSB, British Gas and the city council – to back him. He said: ‘We agreed not to communicate with the landowners until after the Crest plans were settled. We now hope to move to official contact.’

Ferguson has always refused to name any of his backers except Urban Waterside, which developed Manchester’s Salford Quays. He said: ‘We’re spoilt for choice with people who want to come aboard.’

The debate now enters a further stage. Ferguson begins public consultation next week, with a planning application due in the spring. Meanwhile, Crest’s appeal goes to the secretary of state on April 19.

Incredible!

Well done Ole for a fantastic piece of investigation.

Edited by Red Wardy
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eskay

eskay

Posted
Posted

I have just emailed all 4 along with some of Ole's excellent research! I'll let you know if I get a response....

Just had this back, so have also copied the email to the lib dems office: libdem.office@bristol.gov.uk

I am out of office from 3rd to 18th July, and will be unable to respond to e-mails or phone calls during this time.

I expect to have a backlog of 400-500 e-mails to deal with on my return, and will be involved in determining a number of major planning applications during the following week. Please therefore accept my apologies if it takes some time to respond to your e-mail.

If your query relates to an issue in Kingweston ward then you may wish to contact my colleague Tim Leaman (tim.leaman@bristol.gov.uk). Otherwise if your query is urgent then please contact the Liberal Democrat Member Support Office on libdem.office@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 9222757.

Regards

Simon Rayner

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Kingsweston Ward

Phone: 0117 3534718

Mobile: 07833 484342

E-mail: simon.rayner@bristol.gov.uk

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Andy Horsman

Andy Horsman

Posted
Posted

I know it looks dodgy (this apparent conflict of interest) but does anyone with experience of planning actually know if this will be taken seriously?

He is an employee rather than the owner of said company, so might that carry far less weight and be overlooked because it has no legal basis for a conflict (rather than simply a moral one)?

No point in getting angry if it makes no difference in the end.

I spent 3 years as a councillor on Wellington Town Council, in Somerset, and can vouch that in my experience, it would appear from what we now know here, that there is a potential conflict of interest and that interest should have been logged and minuted.

When decisions were being debated,( planning and/or otherwise) which related to my employers, I was expected to declare an interest and leave the meeting.

I could not, under the Council's standing orders, speak either for or against or vote on any proposal directly relating to myself, my family or my employers/employment.

This is standard practice. It might be worth lodging a complaint asap with the Chief Executive of BCC. I would do so myself, but as a resident of Taunton it's not appropriate.

To quote Big Will Shakespeare, 'There is something rotten in the state of Denmark' here boys and girls.

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Guest foxymoxy

Guest foxymoxy

Posted
Posted

I've been doing some digging into the Sainsbury's decision and what I have found will amaze and disgust you.

The following are facts:

  • The CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Sean Beynon, who lives in and represents the local ward of Southville. He had to stand down from the planning decision meeting as he is a Bristol City Football Club season ticket holder and therefore he was considered to have a conflict of interests.
  • The VICE CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Simon Rayner, who represents Kingsweston in the north of the City but lives in Clifton. Neither of which, not that you need reminding, are in South Bristol.
  • Simon Rayner not only chaired the Sainsbury's application meeting but had a vote, which he used against the plans.
  • Simon Rayner was also in the minority of 2 out of 9 who voted against the successful application for the stadium itself.
  • Simon Rayner commented at the time in the media that he did not like football.
  • Simon Rayner works for Alec French Architects a business who, like George Ferguson, has a commercial interest in alternative opportunities to develop the land
  • Here's the best bit "Alec French Partnership" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are well established partners under the name of "Concept Planning Group" who tender for urban planning projects in Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" partnered to win and execute the £90 million taxpayer funded tender to develop @Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are preferred partners of Westmark Developments, a privately-owned developer in Bristol specialising in, wait for it, residential and mixed use schemes, precisely what George Ferguson advocates and Simon Rayner voted for

So there you have it:

A Bristol City Season Ticket holder who represents the local neighbourhood declares a conflict of interest on participating in this decision, but his deputy, who chairs and votes on the decision and does not represent any BS3 neighbourhood, does not declare that he works for a firm that has a very well established partnership with the firm owned by the proposal's most outspoken critic George Ferguson, and who collectively have an interest in alternative uses of the site, apparently with no conflict of interest.

Just to be absolutely clear on the level of conflict of interest here, George Ferguson attended the meeting and spoke against the plans as a highly visible member of those against the plans. Across the room from him, the chairman of the meeting and a key decision maker with a vote on the application, works directly in partnership with George Ferguson since his employers are commercially aligned with George Ferguson in seeking opportunities to work on mixed-use development in the greater Bristol area.

After seeing his feeble non-explanation for his vote on Points West last night I wrote to Simon Rayner (copy of the letter here: http://www.otib.co.u...ost__p__1254324) this is before I found out how close his ties and loyalties to George Ferguson are. A Bristol City season ticket holder's indirect conflict of interest in wanting Sainsbury's application to succeed is no greater than Simon Rayner has in voting for it to fail. Arguably the Bristol City season ticket holder gains only a seat in a new stadium while Simon Rayner has a clear commercial interest.

The fact that this gross hypocrisy was not addressed tells you all you need to know about the make up of this decision making committee and our Liberal cabal, sorry council.

Fantastic work Ole', send this word for word to Sainsbury's lawyers as I'm sure they would be more than interested to use this as ammunition to appeal.

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CotswoldRed

CotswoldRed

Posted
Posted

I spent 3 years as a councillor on Wellington Town Council, in Somerset, and can vouch that in my experience, it would appear from what we now know here, that there is a potential conflict of interest and that interest should have been logged and minuted.

When decisions were being debated,( planning and/or otherwise) which related to my employers, I was expected to declare an interest and leave the meeting.

I could not, under the Council's standing orders, speak either for or against or vote on any proposal directly relating to myself, my family or my employers/employment.

This is standard practice. It might be worth lodging a complaint asap with the Chief Executive of BCC. I would do so myself, but as a resident of Taunton it's not appropriate.

To quote Big Will Shakespeare, 'There is something rotten in the state of Denmark' here boys and girls.

So this is, in effect, a conflict of interest on just about EVERY planning application he resides over. That is an absolute scandal, not just a potential one-time 'oversight'.

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Guest bcfcas1

Guest bcfcas1

Posted
Posted

An officer is an employee and not an elected councillor and as such would not vote.

'Officer/Councillor' - whatever. Jos Clark was on the panel who turned this down and she astained, correct me if i'm wrong.

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Gazred

Gazred

Posted
Posted

That is some fantastic detective work, shows what can be dug up with a bit of time and effort. Im appalled yet not totally suprised that there is an air of corruption around such a major project such as this. Just from the above evidence alone, in a just society its not acceptable in any way whatsoever, there should be a 0% conflict of interests for anyone involved in making a decision.

Anytime i hear of dodgy politicions or greedy fat cat business men, it always makes me think of that opening monologue from Lord of the Rings "And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power." Subsitute the rings for places on our council, control of our democratic system and i think the Elves were spot on!

POTY Ole, well done.

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Guest redtothebone

Guest redtothebone

Posted
Posted

Great work Ole, as shocking as it is, I'm so glad that you've uncovered it, because there had to be some nefarious reason behind such a travesty of a decison.

I'm sure BCFC & Sainsbury's legal teams will have a field day with this.

Let's be honest, we've already been down this road with NSC & the access road............despite approval being given, a number of petty minded invidivduals chose to ignore a number the professional opinion of those they paid to provide said opinion, only to massively backtrack when presented again following some pretty bad press.

What a surprise when we see it all over again.........I tip my hat to the Evil Post which is certainly having a go at shaming these individuals.

I can only hope that our respective legals teams can pick numerous holes in the rejection & we can move Bristol (albeit dragging, kicking & screaming) into the next century.

One wonders what the outcry would be if our club was able to proceed in being the new stadium (oh & by the way Bristol County Council, you can stick the arena where the sun don't shine!) & leave the Ashton Gate to fall into rack & ruin - perhaps allowing us to strip it first for some momento's, I'd love to have ea bit of the turf in my back garden - then it'll would be anothewr loveable eye-sore in Bristol just like the old Post Office sorting building by Temple Meads & the delightfully inviting Grosvenor Hotel on Temple Way.........

These individuals are nothing more than frauds & charalatans - I curse them all.

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Olé

Olé

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for everyone's enthusiasm for my information, I'm bemused more than anything as it only took an hour up early this morning to source this all in the public domain, so why on earth can't the council exercise such diligence on such a major and pivotal decision (and one which should ultimately be between two commercial enterprises trying to conduct a commercial transaction who are instead being sanctioned by municipal regulation based on a few people whose credentials are as flimsy as this).

Sainsbury's and Bristol City may be so-called "big business" in this context but it's big business who on this occasion are being mistreated. Not the little guy. With football in the state it is with club's going into administration, it's ridiculous that a football club trying to sell land to the highest bidder and in a manner which is approved by professional planners is subjected to such over-regulation by unqualified self-serving councillors who are easily demonstrated to have their own agendas. It's astounding.

Nonetheless, please use the information I have shared professionally, as this is the manner in which it can be used most effectively. Please don't do anything that turns the story back on Bristol City or the people of BS3.

Anyway, as this has been gathering some legs, I have annotated all my sources.

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bcfcbs20

bcfcbs20

Posted
Posted
<br />Great work Ole and good advice on being careful how we use the information you have accumulated.<br />Any abusive, loutish behaviour will be used against us in the future.

or could show that this has an effect on eveyone who supports bcfc from the toffs to the average working man on the street

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eskay

eskay

Posted
Posted

Care to share what you emailed?

Sent to all 4 mentioned plus the Lib Dem HQ

Congratulations on possibly stopping one of the biggest events ever to be held in Bristol (the World Cup), how can you possibly represent the best interests of this city?

I would also like to know you comments on the following, it seems like the conflict of interests are huge for some of you (taken from www.otib.co.uk):

I've been doing some digging into the Sainsbury's decision and what I have found will amaze and disgust you.

The following are facts:

  • The CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Sean Beynon, who lives in and represents the local ward of Southville. He had to stand down from the planning decision meeting as he is a Bristol City Football Club season ticket holder and therefore he was considered to have a conflict of interests.
  • The VICE CHAIR of the South Bristol planning committee is Simon Rayner, who represents Kingsweston in the north of the City but lives in Clifton. Neither of which, not that you need reminding, are in South Bristol.
  • Simon Rayner not only chaired the Sainsbury's application meeting but had a vote, which he used against the plans.
  • Simon Rayner was also in the minority of 2 out of 9 who voted against the successful application for the stadium itself.
  • Simon Rayner commented at the time in the media that he did not like football.
  • Simon Rayner works for Alec French Architects a business who, like George Ferguson, has a commercial interest in alternative opportunities to develop the land
  • Here's the best bit "Alec French Partnership" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are well established partners under the name of "Concept Planning Group" who tender for urban planning projects in Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" partnered to win and execute the £90 million taxpayer funded tender to develop @Bristol
  • Simon Rayner's employers "Alec French Architects" and George Ferguson's "Acanthus Ferguson Mann" are preferred partners of Westmark Developments, a privately-owned developer in Bristol specialising in, wait for it, residential and mixed use schemes, precisely what George Ferguson advocates and Simon Rayner voted for

So there you have it:

A Bristol City Season Ticket holder who represents the local neighbourhood declares a conflict of interest on participating in this decision, but his deputy, who chairs and votes on the decision and does not represent any BS3 neighbourhood, does not declare that he works for a firm that has a very well established partnership with the firm owned by the proposal's most outspoken critic George Ferguson, and who collectively have an interest in alternative uses of the site, apparently with no conflict of interest.

Just to be absolutely clear on the level of conflict of interest here, George Ferguson attended the meeting and spoke against the plans as a highly visible member of those against the plans. Across the room from him, the chairman of the meeting and a key decision maker with a vote on the application, works directly in partnership with George Ferguson since his employers are commercially aligned with George Ferguson in seeking opportunities to work on mixed-use development in the greater Bristol area.

After seeing his feeble non-explanation for his vote on Points West last night I wrote to Simon Rayner (copy of the letter here: http://www.otib.co.u...ost__p__1254324) this is before I found out how close his ties and loyalties to George Ferguson are. A Bristol City season ticket holder's indirect conflict of interest in wanting Sainsbury's application to succeed is no greater than Simon Rayner has in voting for it to fail. Arguably the Bristol City season ticket holder gains only a seat in a new stadium while Simon Rayner has a clear commercial interest.

The fact that this gross hypocrisy was not addressed tells you all you need to know about the make up of this decision making committee and our Liberal cabal, sorry council.

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LOFT 3

This is interesting as they've not been in that office. Currently Fanatic Design use loft 3 and have for many years. Before that it was residential flat from when I started at Clik (nearly 7 years ago)

How old was the data you searched?

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