A COUNCILLOR who “bullied” and caused “dread” in planning officers at the Forest of Dean Council has been banned from all committees for three years.

Councillor Philip Burford (Hartpury and Redmarley), former leader of the Independent group, has been formally censured for his behaviour.

The council heard how there were 496 pages of evidence from 11 witnesses to three serious complaints against him.

Planning officers endured open and extensive criticism over a sustained period from Cllr Burford, according to a standards panel report considered by councillors.

This criticism first took place between 2015 and 2020 during his first tenure as chairman of the planning committee, but the criticism became more acute when he was re-appointed in May 2022 until the elections in May 2023.

He undermined the planning team by making repeated references to senior officers when he did not like the outcome of a decision, according to the report.

And he showed disrespect to a complainant and the nature of his criticism was inappropriate.

His belief that he “knew best” led to an endemic tension between the planning team and Cllr Burford, resulting in dread by officers of attending planning committee meetings, according to the report’s findings of fact.

Cllr Burford was also found in breach of the code of conduct for failing to declare an interest and failing to act in accordance with the public trust placed in him.

And for using his position to exert influence on an officer or attempt to undermine their impartiality in a planning enforcement case.

The panel recommended that Cllr Burford be issued with a formal censure and that he be unable to be a chairman or vice-chairman of any committee.

But Councillor Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents, Newent and Taynton) succesfully proposed strengthening the panel’s recommendation to ban Cllr Burford from all committees, outside bodies, working groups and task groups for three years.

She said officers were entitled to work in a safe and impartial environment, but ‘repeated instances of disrespect, (and) misuse of position’ called for strong safeguards.

This was seconded by former council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill) who said: “Councillors bullying officers is a serious issue in local government, involving abuse of behaviour, intimidation, disrespect, often through emails and meetings... It’s out and out bullying.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Burford said he had always attempted to be fair to all when chairing committees.

He said it was disapointing nobody suggested his approach during that time was “leading to anything other than the best of outcomes for the people of the district”.

“During my 18 years as a councillor I have always done my best to serve the people who elected me to the best of my ability,” he said.

“While chairing committees I always attempted to be fair and equitable to all concerned whether they be officers of the council, members of the council or members of the public.

“It is disappointing that during many years in such roles no one considered it reasonable to suggest to me that my approach was leading to anything other than the best of outcomes for people.”