I read Cllr Anne Stribley’s letter (Have Your Say, June 17) regarding the planning process within Poole with great interest. She seems to have been highly selective with her quotes from Sir Michael Pitt’s independent review, as Sir Michael also recommended that there was a need to separate Conservative cabinet members from the planning committee.

He stated that: “The council should accelerate the planned remodelling of the membership of its planning committee and/or cabinet in order to strengthen the planning committee’s independence and comply fully with the advice of the Audit Commission contained within the Corporate Assessment 2008.”

Yet, at a full council meeting on Tuesday June 9, Conservative council leader Cllr Brian Leverett appointed another Conservative cabinet member, Cllr White, portfolio holder for delivering major projects and transportation, as a substitute member to the planning committee. This was the meeting at which the Branksome Rec proposals were voted on.

The decision to appoint another cabinet member to the planning committee directly conflicts with both the Audit Commission’s advice and Sir Michael’s report, which cost Poole council tax payers almost £30,000 – an expensive report to ignore!

Patrick Hicks, chair, Poole Labour Party