Labour slam claims of secrecy

The Labour group at South Lanarkshire Council has hit out at suggestions they were not “transparent” when in control of the council.

The new ruling SNP group have been keen to promote a more open local authority, and announced council papers would be released with seven days notice rather then the current three.

But Labour say the recent audit of the council proves they were not secretive when in power.

Audit Scotland reported that in 2016/17 the council was “open and transparent in the way in conducts its business, with public able to attend meetings of the council and its committee.”

Labour group leader Davie Mclachlan said: “Continuously we hear from the new SNP administration and their leader Councillor John Ross that they will be a more open and transparent council suggesting we were not.

“This report suggests that Audit Scotland are happy with the previous Labour administration and the way business was conducted. I would suggest that Mr Ross gets on with dealing with the more serious matters at hand and stops making empty comments and promises.”

However, Councillor Ross defended his previous comments, saying: “Audit Scotland also commented that the previous Labour administration had provided no readily available information to the public on how to arrange attendance at meetings.

“Audit Scotland then went on to suggest that in an effort to give greater openness and transparency they could have adopted the broadcasting of meetings live or by making recordings available on the council website and in an effort to promote engagement and the promotion of public attendance, they could have considered the use of technology to reach a wider audience.

“Instead of patting themselves on the back, the Labour Party should reflect on why they went from a majority administration into a distant second place.”