Opposition councillors have attacked the removal of the chairman of South Kesteven District Council's planning committee from the committee entirely.

Coun Bob Adams (Con-Isaac Newton) was dumped by ruling Conservatives last week at the Annual Meeting of SKDC when council leader Kelham Cooke announced his cabinet and other appointments, as reported by Nub News.

When it was revealed that Coun Adams would not be chairing the committee, Coun Penny Milnes (Ind- Loveden Heath) called it "a shortsighted and retrograde step."

The opposition councillor suggested there may be 'tensions' between planning committee and a cabinet member but Coun Adams "creates healthy debate" and has "a difficult task".

Coun Adams has been a longstanding member of the committee and removing him from it will deny its members his knowledge and experience of planning issues and planning law, she said.

There was "no credible explanation" for his removal, the councillor added, and he should be returned as chairman.

Opposition councillor Phil Dilks agreed and thanked Coun Adams for his work over the years.

Coun Dilks (Ind- Deeping St James) said: "The work of the committee has improved substantially under his leadership. I regret his removal. To chair planning committee is one of the hardest jobs, if not the hardest.

"He brought years of experience in local government at county and district level and as a former leader of this council."

Coun Dilks then explained Planning Committee is non-political, which is why he enjoys being a member of it. Yet, the chairman and vice-chairman are political appointees appointed by the council leader.

He added: "We should be looking at the constitution. If we were allowed to have a democratic vote, Coun Adams would be elected as chairman of planning committee."

After such praise, Coun Adams told the meeting at the Meres Leisure Centre: "I was not aware I had crossed the floor. I thank my former colleagues (on the committee). We have a constitution to abide by."

Council leader Kelham Cooke added Coun Adams had "done a fantastic job as chair of planning committee" but it was "appropriate to look at roles."

Coun Adams was first elected onto SKDC in 2007. He became its chairman in 2009 and was council leader between 2015, replacing Linda Neal, and 2017, when Matthew Lee then took over.

He has also been a county councillor representing Colsterworth Rural since 2013 and this month was re-elected with almost four-fifths of the vote, compared with two-thirds of the vote in 2017.

Aged 80, Coun Adams, who previously worked in business and finance, has been a councillor on and off for 50 years, including spells on Nottinghamshire County and Gedling Borough Councils.

Planning Committee will be sitting next Wednesday June 3 under the new chairmanship of Coun Helen Crawford (Con- Bourne West). The vice chairman will be Coun Judy Smith (Con- Bourne East).

Other Committee appointments include the following:

Environment overview and scrutiny committee

Vice-Chairman: Gloria Johnson

Rural Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Vice Chairman: Sarah Trotter

Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Vice-Chairman: Mark Whittington

Culture and Visitor Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Vice-Chairman: Penny Robins

Constitution Committee

Vice-Chairman: Mike Exton

Companies Committee

Vice-Chairman: John Dawson

Governance and Audit committee

Vice-Chairman: Paul Wood

Employment Committee

Chairman: Pam Bosworth