Kit Chapman writes to councillors slamming leader John Williams and 'betrayal of democratic process'

Kit Chapman has written to all Taunton Deane councillors expressing his dismay at the "state of turmoil" at Deane House, but Mr Williams's deputy has rallied to his cause.

Mr Chapman, of The Castle Hotel, has attacked Mr Williams over proposals for a £16 million hotel at Firepool, built with public money and leased to a major operator, believed to be Hilton.

A decision was deferred at a council meeting last month and a petition opposing the project has been signed by more than 1,600, with 141 of them posting comments.

READ MORE: Council defers decision over £16 million hotel at Firepool in Taunton

"We now hear that the leadership intends to push ahead with the original decision regardless of the vote taken on July 10," write Mr Chapman in his letter.

"If this is true, it would be a direct betrayal of the democratic process that has taken place and a denial of your (Mr Williams's) authority as a Deane councillor."

He added that a proposed vote of no confidence in the leader and "deep divisions" within the ruling Conservative group are cause for concern.

"This is an extremely unhealthy state of affairs at a critical moment when the council itself is restructuring in preparation for the merger with West Somerset Council. In short, Deane House is in a state of turmoil," adds Mr Chapman.

READ MORE: Shock call for vote of no confidence in Taunton Deane Borough Council leader John Williams

"This is bad news for the people of Taunton. Bad for local decision making. Bad for people's confidence in local politics. And above all, it is bad for our democracy.

"We all hope that this uncertainty is resolved swiftly so that Somerset's county town can look to its future development with greater confidence - a confidence that has been absent for too long."

HAPPIER TIMES: Cllr John Williams with Kit Chapman

Deputy Deane leader Cllr Mark Edwards said a consultation over the hotel proposals is being prepared to go out to businesses next month.

He said: "The decision was to defer until the consultation and no further decisions will take place until that is concluded. It is completely incorrect that we are pushing on regardless."

Mr Edwards added: "I am aware from contact from within the Conservative group that the support for John Williams is solid and, while some opposition councillors are proposing the vote of no confidence, the necessary majority of all councillors are against this proposal."