Nats tried to stop tender process

I would like to correct Neil Smith of Cambuskenneth on his misunderstanding of the tendering process for Stirling Council sport and leisure facilities (Observer, March 15).

Firstly, the December 2015 council meeting to which he refers was held in private. Secondly, minutes of that meeting record only the decision and do not record the details of the actual debate.

The SNP put forward an amendment to the motion, asking officers to consider in-house exemptions and to consider a voluntary exanti notice.

We had legal advice that contradicted officers’ opinion and sought to find a way that would have avoided unnecessary tendering.

Of course we raised the issue of cost and those of privatisation and concerns over job losses but Labour and Tory councillors rejected our amendment and decided to go ahead with the tendering process.

Fast forward to January of this year and the decision not to award the contract to a private company: the right decision but contrary to legal opinion in 2015. What changed the minds of the administration? Public opinion and the thought of losing votes in May.

The SNP has consistently opposed holding meetings in private session.

Members of the public are entitled to witness the democratic process.

Had they attended the meeting in December 2015 they would have heard for themselves the strength of the argument against tendering.

Councillor Jim Thomson, Castle ward