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| Cllr Dhiraj Kataria |
It all started with an innocuous sounding email on Friday:
Dear Labour councillorsAre statutory declarations and Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements no longer considered legal documents?
The writer, Rendall Mallakee, was seeking information in a case concerning a planning dispute over an out-building in Church Lane Kingsbury where the status of legal documents was an issue in proving its long-term uses as a domestic residence.
After several exchanges, in which Mallakee thought Cllr Kataria (Labour Welsh Harp) did not understand the planning issues involved Mallakee wrote:
You're not in favour of "Illegal" residential structures in gardens? Firstly, If it were "illegal" it would be a criminal offence, and it's not. The criminal offence is breaching the enforcement notice if one is issued within 4 years. Imagine if Brent Council charged council tax on such buildings you're not in favour of that contributed to your "basic" wage. http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/brent_has_collected_more_than_100_000_in_council_tax_from_illegal_beds_in_sheds_1_1978139I'm concerned you don't understand planning legislation, yet you're on the planning committee that pockets you an extra £2,113 on top of your "basic" £7,947 wage. http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/councillors_in_brent_paid_the_lowest_basic_allowance_in_london_1_1501249Anyway, back to the question you keep avoiding, that I still require answering.Please confirm statutory declarations and Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements are no longer considered legal documents by Brent Council. If you don't know, just say you don't know. Or maybe, if you're interested in finding out, you could contact the planning department - your time would be better spent by asking the Fiona Ledden in the legal department.I understand it must be annoying for you when a Brent resident knows a little and can't be bullied into going away. Close more libraries so people like me can't read planning books.
Cllr Kataria e-mailed back:
I am not prepared to answer any question from you. You can go to hell!!!
Cllr Dhiraj KatariaWelsh Harp councillor
Rendall Mallakee told me:
I'm not the applicant, I was just questioning the incompetence of Brent planners not knowing what a legal document was. The debate then spilled over when Cllr Dhiraj Kataria (who sits on the planning committee) gave his "personal" view on a planning matter, rather than approach it from a planning point of view. Makes me question how they think when it comes to the Willesden library, the Queensbury etc. Planning merits or personal opinion?Brent residents should be able to question Brent councillors without being told to go to hell.