Exclusive - reply from NKDC

Response from Ian Fytche

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will probably recall me posting a local resident's letter that was sent to Ian Fytche at North Kesteven District Council regarding the Members and Officer's trip to Withgill Farm.  If not, here is the relevant entry.

You may be interested in Ian Fytche's response dated 3rd November:

"Dear xx xxxx

VISIT OF MEMBERS VISIT TO WITHGILL FARM

Thank you for your letters dated 15 October 2010 and 1 November 2010. I apologize for the delay in responding to you.

With reference to your initial query regarding a visit to Withgill Farm, Lancashire, I can confirm that on 26 August 2010 an educational visit was undertaken by NKDC Members, accompanied by Officers from the Planning, Environmental Health and Democratic Services functions of the Council.

The purpose of the visit was for Members to familiarise themselves with the operation of an ‘intensive’ dairy unit, and which we understand is the largest in the UK. The educational visit was attended by 16 Members of the Council and five Council Officers and I note from your letter that you have already read the minutes which are accessible on our website.

The visit was an impartial opportunity for Members and officers to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in the operation of an intensive dairy unit. At no time during the visit were Members briefed on any aspects relating to the proposals for Nocton, and cross reference to the minutes posted on our website confirms this.

The District Council has since learned that the independent consultant who undertook the Withgill Farm tour (Graeme Surtees) has spoken on behalf of Nocton Dairies Ltd, however during the educational visit no reference was made to the Nocton scheme and the presence of senior Officers ensured there was no improper contact between Mr Surtees and Members.

Mr Surtees is an independent agricultural consultant who has previously provided consultancy advice to Withgill Farm, however has at no time been employed directly by Nocton Dairies Ltd, the applicants for the Nocton scheme.

As you may be aware from the 2009 planning application details listed on our website, the sole Agent for the Nocton proposal is Mr Peter Danks of Reading Agricultural Consultants, with the applicant (Nocton Dairies Ltd) comprising a consortium of farmers from across the UK, which excludes Mr Surtees.

Any future applications which come before Planning Committee Members will be presented in a detailed report, including submissions of the applicant and the representations of any neighbours, residents and third parties.

During the meeting, a representative of the residents will be able to address Members personally. Similar will be afforded to the applicant also.

Should a revised application be submitted, it will be for Members to decide what interest to declare in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct. This could include references to the visit to Withgill Farm but no doubt Officers will refer to this as part of the presentation to Planning Committee.

The Planning Code of Conduct sets out the role of the Ward Member with regard to Planning Applications – see extract below:

"As a Ward Member you will be notified that a planning application has been submitted relating to an address within your Ward. Although the majority of planning applications are determined by Planning Officers under their Scheme of Delegation, you will be given the opportunity to request that an application be referred to Committee but you must give clear planning reasons for the request (please refer to Paragraph 13 for further information).

You may be approached by residents, objectors and the applicant about an application in your ward. However, you need to be aware that the application might be considered by Committee and you would prejudice your position were you to declare an intention to vote one way or the other prior to the meeting. Therefore, you should explain that, while you will listen to what is said, you may not express a firm view because of the question of pre-determination.

You are entitled to say that you will take what you are told into account along with all the other evidence presented to the Committee before forming a view and voting on the application. You must pass on any correspondence or representations that you receive to the Head of Planning, Economic and Cultural services or the Monitoring Officer (Paragraph 8 contains more information about Lobbying). At the Planning Committee meeting, you may pass on verbally another person/organisation’s views. However, if you do choose to do this then you must make it clear to the Committee that the comments are that person/organisation’s opinion and that you did not commit yourself to a view on the application”

The full Planning Code of Conduct can be found on the Council’s website.

I hope that this response satisfactorily resolves your queries, however please do not hesitate to contact me should you need to discuss any issues further.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Fytche"

Interesting Phrases

There are a couple of phrases from this letter that might need investigating further:

"The District Council has since learned that the independent consultant who undertook the Withgill Farm tour (Graeme Surtees) has spoken on behalf of Nocton Dairies Ltd..."

"Mr Surtees is an independent agricultural consultant who... has at no time been employed directly by Nocton Dairies Ltd, the applicants for the Nocton scheme."


I find it intriguing that NKDC has only 'since learned' that Graeme Surtees had previously spoken on behalf of Nocton Dairies Ltd.  No wait a minute, let me correct that, I find it absolutely amazing... in view of the number of articles in which he is quoted, namely:

5th March 2010, Farmers Guardian; 'Mega dairy’ farmers hit back at welfare critics:

“But in an interview with Farmers Guardian, Graeme Surtees, Nocton’s Farm Business Consultant hit back at the criticism.”

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/mega-dairy-farmers-hit-back-at-welfare-critics/30721.article

11th March 2010, Farmers Guardian; 'Super dairy' farmers confident despite protests:

“The council is not commenting officially on its position but Graeme Surtees, Nocton’s Farm Business Consultant, said the position was clear. “Animal welfare is not an issue for the council. They are going be more concerned about noise, smell, traffic, the effect on the local economy, that type of thing.

“The council has been very pragmatic about it and from an economic point of view they are more then happy, so there is no real reason why it should not go through.””

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/super-dairy-farmers-confident-despite-protests/30835.article

12th March 2010, Farmers Guardian; Nocton Dairies forced to cancel public meeting:

“Graeme Surtees, Nocton’s farm business consultant, said the cancellation was ‘frustrating’ but that it was the only course of action available to Nocton Dairies.”

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/nocton-dairies-forced-to-cancel-public-meeting/30855.article

14th March 2010, Farmers Weekly Interactive; Analysis: Is the UK ready for an 8000-cow dairy herd?

“Unsurprisingly, dairy consultant Graeme Surtees takes the latter view. Involved with the project from the outset, he advises the two farmers who set up Nocton Dairies, the company behind the project.”

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/14/120267/Analysis-Is-the-UK-ready-for-an-8000-cow-dairy-herd.htm

22nd March 2010, Farmers Weekly Interactive; Super dairy ‘will have no problem selling milk

“Graeme Surtees, consultant to Nocton Dairies, confirmed that milk would go to the liquid market, rather than be processed by the company”

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/22/120451/Super-dairy-39will-have-no-problem-selling-milk39.htm

2nd April 2010, Farmers Weekly Interactive; Nocton super dairy: Producing 90m litres a year

“Dairy cows at the proposed unit may not have access to grass all year round, but it certainly will not affect their welfare, explains dairy consultant Graeme Surtees, who has been involved with the project from the outset. “

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/02/120635/Nocton-super-dairy-Producing-90m-litres-a-year.htm

12th April 2010, Farmers Guardian; Super dairy forced to withdraw plans

“The group’s farm business consultant Graeme Surtees said: “There’s a couple of issues the Council has asked us to resolve in terms of smell from the development and we have got to provide a model for them to work from.”

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/%E2%80%98super-dairy%E2%80%99-forced-to-withdraw-plans/31349.article

12th April 2010, Lincolnshire Echo; Super dairy on hold

“Speaking to the Farming Guardian Nocton Dairies business consultant Graeme Surtees said: "There's a couple of issues the council has asked us to resolve in terms of smell from the development and we have got to provide a model for them to work from.”

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Super-dairy-hold/article-2002124-detail/article.html

15th April 2010, Farmers Weekly Interactive; Super dairy plans could be back on track in May

“Nocton spokesman Graeme Surtees confirmed the council had asked for more information regarding slurry disposal. The firm will now prepare an in-depth report, he added.

If all goes well, the planning application could be resubmitted by the end of May, said Mr Surtees. "The application was withdrawn at the council's behest. They've asked us for more information and we've agreed to provide it."”

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/04/15/120789/Super-dairy-plans-could-be-back-on-track-in-May.htm

5th July 2010, Daily Mail; The toxic truth about mega-farms: Chemical fumes, distressed animals and poisoned locals driven from their homes and worse

“Graeme Surtees, a consultant to the Nocton project, said: 'The British dairy industry is dying...”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1292011/The-truth-mega-farms-Chemical-fumes-distressed-animals-poisoned-locals.html

5th August 2010, Farmers Guardian; Nocton prepares to resubmit’super-dairy’ plans

“One of the farmers leading the project, Peter Willes, and the group’s farm business consultant, Greame Surtees will then hold two days of meetings with local residents at nearby Woodhouse Farm to discuss the plans.”

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/nocton-prepares-to-resubmit-%E2%80%98super-dairy%E2%80%99-plans/33541.article

9th August 2010, Lincolnshire Echo; Exit poll at consultation shows strong resistance to 8100-cow super-dairy


“Consultant Graeme Surtees said the company felt people had some misconceptions about the dairy, adding the biggest concern he heard at the weekend was over house prices.  He said: "We are taking on board what people are telling us....”

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Exit-poll-public-consultation-shows-strong-resistance-8-100-cow-dairy/article-2503764-detail/article.html


With respect, I think there is enough hearsay evidence to strongly suggest that Graeme Surtees has been involved with this planning application for many months and whilst not being classed as an employee, an 'Independent Agricultural Consultant' would normally receive a consultancy fee for services rendered wouldn't they?

Furthermore, I also note with particular interest, that Mr Fytche conveniently ignores the final question in the original letter:

"Finally, my attention has been drawn to an article in one of the Dairy Industry’s journals “LKL Newsletter” (October edition) which includes the following statement:

“Apparently, North Kesteven District Council in Sleaford want this project to happen and are not being intimidated (sic). The planning application will be resubmitted next month – and there is confidence that they will get the go-ahead.”

I should be grateful for your confirmation that this statement has no basis in fact whatsoever and that NKDC will be issuing a public rebuttal to that effect."

I think it important to warrant further clarification on these issues at least, if not to further query the nature of this visit regarding its impartiality of purpose.

Perhaps some investigative journalist out there might feel similar?