A VETERAN politician tasked with dissecting the work of Winchester civic chiefs has resigned over his handling of the Silver Hill scheme.

Labour’s Chris Pines stepped down as chairman of Winchester City Council’s overview and scrutiny committee after saying he had lost support from colleagues.

His dramatic walk-out at the start of Monday’s meeting marks the first resignation at the Guildhall since a High Court judge ruled that the Conservative-led council acted unlawfully over the £165 million development.

An independent review of the case is being prepared by city bosses.

But a comprehensive inspection of council process and decision-making is required to restore public trust, the meeting heard.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Monday 's overview and scrutiny before Cllr Chris Pines walked out as chairman

Announcing his decision to step down, Cllr Pines, a former Winchester mayor, said he expected the committee to “play its full part in scrutinising” the Silver Hill review.

“However, personally,” he said, “I feel that I no longer have the support of my colleagues and it is therefore with regret that I have come to the conclusion it is in the best interests in the council that I should resign as chair.”

“I will decide later whether I wish to remain a member of council.”

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The meeting, chaired after the resignation by Liberal Democrat Cllr Simon Cook, heard politically-charged debate of the council’s 2015/16 budget, set to be determined at a critical summit on Thursday.

Cllr Martin Tod, a Liberal Democrat, branded the Tory administration and budget “complacent” and called for a “clear” financial pledge to re-engage residents with major projects.

He said: “It’s not just the Silver Hill project that needs to change – it’s the council that needs to change.

“We need to change how we manage major projects, we need to change how we consult and engage with local people, we need to change how we work with developers and stop being so weak, particularly on affordable housing.

“And we need to change also how we scrutinise the cabinet. I think Cllr Pines was right to resign. I think the Labour party have totally failed in their role of leading the scrutiny committee and standing up to the Conservative party.”

Tory councillor Patricia Stallard accused Cllr Tod of political “grandstanding”.

She said: “Clearly you and I have attended entirely different meetings this evening, because I have heard some extremely pertinent comments and criticisms from both sides of the table and I think this committee, and this administration, is anything but complacent.”

It comes at an awkward time for civic chiefs, with Thursday’s full council meeting set to be complicated by motions to bring down Conservative leader Cllr Rob Humby from both Labour and the Lib Dems.