Sleepy lane is an unlikely battlefield

Asleepy old lane with a crumbling wall in Aberdeen has become a political bloodbath between Labour and the SNP in the space of a few days, but we must not lose sight of fundamental issues over public accountability.

Allegations of misuse of public funds, potential conflict of interest, and threats of legal action have flown backwards and forwards.

With local elections just days away to decide who runs Aberdeen, the stakes are huge. The backdrop is Wellington Brae, a lane of national importance as part of the UK cycling network, where a broken down wall was earmarked for £200,000 of public repairs.

A row erupted over claims that ownership of land next to the wall, and benefiting from improvements, was linked to city finance convener Willie Young.

Council officers appeared to have formed an impression he owned it. Leaked council emails suggested they discussed the project and asked him to give the go-ahead for works to start on that basis.

A council inquiry is under way after senior officers apologised publicly for serious failings, revealing that the project never came before any council committee and was never authorised officially by councillors.

Mr Young and the council announced that he did not actually own the land.

But new legal documents produced yesterday by the SNP added a fresh twist, with claims that the disputed land appeared to be owned by Mr Young’s father.

Meanwhile, Willie Young obtained legal advice from the council stating there was no conflict of interest on his part, on the face of it. He maintains he was just an “innocent bystander” within council machinations and confusion over the project.

Local residents are also innocent bystanders in this embarrassing affair.

Trust and confidence in the integrity of the local authority are under threat. It is vital in the interests of the council, Mr Young and the people of Aberdeen that the inquiry report and conclusions are totally open and transparent.

“A council inquiry is under way after senior officers apologised for serious failings”