Tories accused of misleading the electorate
South Ayrshire’s Conservative administration has been accused of misleading the public about its key manifesto pledges.
The SNP asked Council Leader Matin Dowey to explain when decisions made on retaining Ayr’s High Flats, scrapping the new leisure centre and the allocation of £1m to each council ward were made.
SNP leader Peter Henderson argued that statements made to the press and community councils had led some of the public to believe that the likes of Conservatives’ pledge to cancel the leisure centre had been carried out.
In a written question, Councillor Henderson asked: “There are procedures set out in Standing Orders relating to meetings for changes to Council policy and
decisions. Can you confirm when Council decisions in respect of the Leisure Centre and High Flats being reported in the local press and stated at public meetings were changed please?”
Councillor Dowey responded; “There has been no change to the Council decisions in respect of the High Flats or the Leisure Centre.”
SNP Councillor Laura Brennan Whitefield asked: “It has been reported that the administration are proposing to allocate £1m to each of the Council wards, has budget provision been made for this proposal in revenue or capital budget?”
In a written response, Councillor Dowey stated: “An allocation of £1m per ward was included in the Conservative budget presented in March 2022.
The Conservative budget was not approved.”
Councillor Henderson responded to Cllr Dowey’s answer: “It states here there has been no change to council decisions with respect to the high flats and leisure.
“That is not what the public statements made in the press and at community councils has stated.
“Since this administration come into being there has been no change in council decisions.”
Councillor Brennan Whitefield also followed up on Cllr Dowey’s written response to the £1m ward allocation.
She said: “I thank the leader of the council for his response. I am slightly perplexed Councillor Dowey, you know how the budget process works, of course you do.
“This £1m per ward has been in the public domain and announced at community councils.
“Do you have the money for this or is it another promise you don’t plan to keep.”
After the meeting, Cllr Henderson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
“The public pledges made since taking over the administration are clearly not correct and for the public misleading.
“As with all democratic decisions the council must comply with procedures and adhere to policies and be open and transparent.
“In order to alter policy the council as a body must vote by a majority to change this.
“It is not open for someone to announce deviation from budget or policy without first having it agreed at council by all members.
“The answers received make it clear that despite publicly proclaimed changes in the press and at community groups there are no changes.
“It is important that elected officials maintain integrity and truthfulness in promises made and do not give a false impression or false information.
“If the administration do not understand the procedures then advice can and is given, failure to clarify or obtain correct advice is incumbent on elected members before making public statements.”