Council boss hits out at opposition after transparency query

SPENDING: Labour amendment met with angry response from chief executive

Dundee City Council’s chief executive launched a stinging rebuke of opposition councillors last night in a row over transparency.

David Martin took the unprecedented step after Labour West End councillor Richard Mccready submitted an amendment calling for him to outline what is being done to ensure information contained in council reports is as accurate as possible.

The amendment was lodged as the city development committee discussed the department’s projected budget overspend and what actions are being taken to limit spending.

Mr Mccready queried why anticipated savings from the council’s plan to replace street lights with LED bulbs had been less than anticipated.

His Labour colleague Michael Marra also accused the council of not including the upkeep costs of Camperdown golf course in an earlier report recommending its closure.

Mr Marra said the maintenance costs were £400,000 but these were taken

“

I would say at the moment trust is slightly strained and that is not a good position for the council or anybody. RICHARD MCCREADY

out in order to make the projected savings look greater.

Mr Mccready said: “I would say at the moment trust is slightly strained and that is not a good position for the council or anybody.”

The council is to set up a Building Merger and Property Rationalisation Board that will identify surplus and vacant properties that can be disposed of in order to reduce council costs.

Mr Mccready said the buildings “had not appeared overnight” and the local authority should have anticipated those costs when preparing its budget.

But council boss Mr Martin took umbrage at any suggestion his officers “misled” elected members in any way.

He said: “Members can be assured that the advice they get from officers is professional and based on the best information they have.”

Mr Martin said the issue of trust was one he had to “take head-on”.

“It’s absolutely right officers leave political discussion to elected members but I would ask them not to conflate information regarding the golf strategy or to put forward a motion that asks me and my team to do our jobs.

“I’m very disappointed they felt the need to do that.”

He said the savings from street lighting had been less than expected due to rising energy prices and the council was dealing with enormous financial pressures, with £100 million taken out of its budget over the past 10 years.