A CAMPAIGN is underway to give Vale residents the right to speak at planning meetings.

Members of the public are not currently able to speak at Vale planning meetings – despite the fact that 16 out of 22 County Councils in Wales do allow the public the privilege.

The topic has soured the relationship between Barry Town Council and the Vale Council.

In a meeting on Tuesday night (November 10), Barry Town Council decided to resign from a 'working-together charter' entered into with the Vale Council, over the issue.

Cllr Shirley Hodges said: "I don't feel that we are working together to meet the aims of the Charter – rather we are "talked at" by the Vale.

"This was the first time that Town and Community councils had asked the Vale for an improved democratic say in the planning process."

In past planning meetings, such as that on September 17, disgruntled residents have left planning meetings in anger over their inability to voice their objections to proposals, or to disagree as councillors pass or reject plans.

Barry Town councillor and planning committee member Nic Hodges hopes to change rule with an online petition.

He said: "If letters of objection aren’t making it to the planning committee, then objections aren’t being logged.

"With residents unable to object at meetings, then objections to new plans are not being considered properly."

But it has been confirmed that the Vale is not currently considering giving speaking rights to the public.

Chair of the planning committee, Cllr Jeff James: "'There are a number of reasons why the introduction of third party speaking rights is not being promoted at this time."

For more information on the online petition, visit http://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/e-petitions/epetition-list-of-signatories_all.htm