HAIL OF A CHEEK
Cabbie councillor accused of trying to join taxi showdown
A taxi - dr iving provost had to be kicked out of a public meeting on new cab hire rules over a conflict of interest, it has been claimed.
East Dunbartonshire Council ’s provost Alan Brown is said to have insisted he was only there as an “observer” – despite the group he works with being awarded millions of pounds of contracts since he took the flagship role.
But insiders claim he was told being in the meeting was “hugely inappropriate” while officials thrashed out new rules for cabs and he was forced to leave by the authority’s chief lawyer.
Last month we revealed EDTODA – the ta x i association cabbie Brown is part of – had been awarded more than £ 3million in council contracts since he became provost in 2017.
Brown insisted he excused himself from all council meetings where taxi business was discussed.
But insiders said he had a blazing row with legal director Karen Donnelly at the public meeting when the council brought in taxi changes.
A source said: “This was a terrible miscalculation by Councillor Brown.
“It was embarrassing for everyone involved. It was a stand-up shouting row – he should never have been there.”
Brown, 57, isn’t a member of the Policy and Resource Committee, who consulted on changes to taxi rules between October 2018 and 2019.
The new rules tightened up requi rement s for drivers to work safely.
Brown said he couldn’t remember the incident.
He said: “It’s not against the rules for councillors to attend other committees.
“I can’t remember a meeting where the lawyer asked me to leave.”
East Dunbartonshire Council denied the row.
Depute chief executive Ann Davie said: “The chief solicitor and monitoring officer has not rowed with any councillor regarding attendance.”
However, she said it was “inappropriate” to say if Brown was asked to leave.