PONTELAND councillors are seeking further advice before deciding whether to give money to a mobile phone mast protest group.
A residents' committee set up to oppose a bid by Telefonica O2 for a 12.5-metre mast in an area near the 450-pupil Darras Hall First School asked the town council for a donation to help pay its expenses and on-going work.
The authority had previou
sly declared its support for the campaign, which along with pressure by MPs, MEPs and county councillors persuaded the company to look at alternative sites, even though an officer blunder gave it planning permission.
But county councillor for Ponteland North Richard Dodd urged it to take caution with the request because of the financial aspect.
"I think you should be careful when it comes to giving money to the protest group and check to make sure this doesn't leave you open to other phone companies, if they make a mobile mast application, complaining to the planning authority that you are automatically against them," he said.
Liam Henry from the county council's monitoring office said it was important for parish and town councils to show they are transparent when considering all planning applications.
He added that this includes encouraging open debate and in some cases allowing an applicant to speak at a full council or committee meeting.
Ponteland Mayor Robin Ramsay said: "The public support for the campaign was extensive, but I think it would be best to get clarification from the county Monitoring Officer about the legality of the payment and also the implications for the council in considering future applications of this nature."
The recommendation was unanimously approved.
