Councillors told to use tickets appropriately in early April

COUNCILLORS were told more than two months ago that their tickets for the Commonwealth Games would be for “trade and promotional opportunities”.

A private email sent by council CEO Dale Dickson to Mayor Tom Tate and all councillors on April 4 explained the Category A tickets were not transferable and not for corporate suites.

“This allocation includes four tickets for the Mayor and two tickets per councillor to each of the sessions set our below, and recognises your ambassadorial, advocacy and representative role as elected members,” the CEO wrote.

Mr Dickson told councillors that if they wanted to buy tickets for particular sessions that would need to be done privately.

Councillor Glenn Tozer said yesterday it was obvious to him he would be expected to represent the city and that was the purpose of the tickets.

“I am informed the Council of Glasgow purchased 6000 tickets and we were purchasing 1800. This seemed frugal and appropriate,” Cr Tozer said.

“If this matter was of concern to any councillor or the mayor, addressing any relevant debate should have occurred before media addressed the matter 10 weeks after the email was sent.

“Mr Beattie’s comments are indeed regrettable, but Cr Tate’s comments inflame a situation unnecessarily, in the context of the email he personally received in April regarding the matter.”