V&A cost revelations should act as a real wake-up call for council

John McClelland’s report into the spiralling costs of the V&A was released last week. The conclusion that the costs were not calculated properly was no great surprise to anyone who has been following the V&A’s birth.

Dundee City Council, although a huge champion of this critical and exciting project for the city, has not been its most effective midwife so far.

I have expressed my concerns directly to Philip Long, the V&A director, over the past couple of years, that there desperately needs to be more transparency around the planning of the V&A.

Who is in charge of these decisions? Who is on the board making decisions about the V&A on behalf of the people of Dundee? Who specifically is accountable?

This is not a blame game. This is simply good governance of public funds and public projects.

Mr McClelland, in his V&A report, says the design of the V&A was bound to result in increased costs but this wasn’t picked up. He also criticises the lack of reporting to councillors. This is fundamental.

Councillors are ultimately and democratically responsible for what this city’s money is spent on.

If the ruling party and their officers won’t share information, it undermines democratic accountability.

Mr McClelland’s recommendation that records of decisions on the selection of contractors should be kept is frightening in itself. This is millions of pounds of our money and no minute of who made the decision and why is held by the council.

Ken Guild must this week implement Mr McClelland’s recommendations.

This is a real wake-up call for Dundee City Council. The city wants the V&A to be a roaring success. They must make sure it is done properly, with openness, so as Dundee citizens, we know what’s going on.

John McClelland delivering his report on the V&A’s costs.