Council work can be a strain

A DELICATE moment was reached at a meeting of Wycombe District Council's planning committee last week when an application came up by Chris Mansfield, town centre manager, who wanted to extend his house in Wycombe Road, Marlow.

Cllr Tony Dunn called out: "He's promised to invite us all round for a

barbecue if it's passed."

The plan was approved and Cllr Dunn turned to the press and said: "I'm only joking!"

Also, council planning officers need to use a better camera or take a photography course, eye-straining councillors said last week.

As they worked their way through planning applications at the meeting, the officers showed colour slides of the properties.

The trouble was that they were mostly too dark and the property outlines could hardly be seen.

Councillors groaned repeatedly - and officers promised to improve their camerawork.

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