A VOTE could be taken on plans to move forward with the scheme for a community stadium at Booker – as it was confirmed there is cross party support to 'call in' the decision.

This afternoon Cllr Alex Collingwood revealed councillors of all political colours are backing a request for Wycombe District Council's scrutiny committee, which he chairs, to examine the Cabinet's decision.

Last week, Cabinet members agreed to support more investigations into Wycombe Air Park – as the site with best potential for a new ground for Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers – and a 'sports village'.

But major concerns were raised through the scrutiny report, primarily over the Green Belt.

Improvement and Review Commission Chairman Cllr Collingwood told the Free Press Tory rebels Cllr Ian McEnnis and Cllr Dominic Barnes made the 'call in' request.

It is being backed by Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent coucnillors, he said.

One possibility is the 'call in' could lead to the decision being referred to full council.

If this were to happen, it could be put to a vote by all of the district's 60 elected representatives.

Independent Cllr Malcolm Blanksby last week claimed it was not democratic unless such a vote was taken.

 
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  • Improvement and Review Commission

    WDC's scrutiny committee.

    Functions:

    - to monitor decisions made by the Cabinet.

    -to help review and develop council policy.

    Chairman: Alex Collingwood

    Vice Chairman: Julia Langley

  • Cabinet

    Leader:Lesley Clarke

    Deputy Leader:Tony Green

    The Cabinet for Wycombe District Council has nine members in total.

    Each member has a specific area of responsibility - a portfolio - and is accountable for WDC's everyday decision-making process.

    Role: To draw up the annual budget and draft policies and strategies.

    All Cabinet members have a collective and individual responsibility for promotion and improvement of the district through the council's community plan.  

 

The call in request has to be confirmed by the close of Thursday February 3 and must meet three criteria.

These include an expenditure in excess of £100,000 and the backing of five commission members.

Cllr Collingwood believes at least three of the six will be met.

He said: “It has to come from at least two political parties but there are four political parties involved.

“My gut feeling is that you will end up with three of the reasons to call it in but then what happens is the commission then discuss that at a meeting, the merits of the call in.

"They may even say the request of the five members is not justified.”

If the commission does not agree to the call-in, then the original decision can be 'actioned'.

But Cllr Collingwood said: “There are genuine concerns for this one, I can see why Cllr McEnnis has decided to call this in.”

He stressed there were a “number of choices that could be made” including referring the decision back to Cabinet, rather than full council, adding “we are in the middle of a process”.

He said 'calling in' was “relatively rare”.

Answers to the commission's queries must be given - whether it goes to full council or Cabinet, he added.

WDC spokesman Catherine Spalton said: “Upon receipt of the response from the Improvement and Review Commission (unless the Commission has asked for the decision to be referred up to full Council), the Cabinet may decide to proceed with the original decision or an amended decision.”

A special meeting of the commission is likely to take place around February 15.