Climate chief ‘dodging council scrutiny’ claim

Labour hits out as meetings missed

A SENIOR York councillor with responsibility for climate change has been accused of “avoiding scrutiny” after failing to attend a meeting to face questions for the third time in a row.

Liberal Democrat Coun Paula Widdowson has been scheduled several times to attend the council’s economy and place policy and scrutiny committee so she can be quizzed by her fellow councillors.

Committee chair Coun George Norman, Labour, said during the meeting: “It is not just frustrating, not just disrespectful, but treads on the toes of stopping this committee from doing its statutory duties for her to not attend after being given ample opportunity to do so.”

Independent Councillor Dave Taylor added: “Executive members have always appeared before the committee, some with more reluctance than others, but it is a requirement.”

Now the Labour group has claimed that Coun Widdowson, executive member for environment and climate change, is trying to avoid answering questions on York Central’s carbon credentials.

Deputy group leader Coun Claire Douglas said: “We’ve known for years that when in power the Liberal Democrats go to great lengths to avoid scrutiny of their decisions and their pledges.

“Coun Widdowson has settled in well to the Lib Dem executive in this respect, but has even exceeded her more experienced colleagues in failing to show up three times running to explain her ‘carbon zero York Central’ claim. The explanation for these repeated no-shows is because she can’t explain it.”

Coun Widdowson, who was attending a conference on sustainable investment in London, said: “As executive member, my role includes many varied responsibilities, which often see my diary fill up very quickly.

“I have offered my apologies and reasons to the chair and members of this committee for unfortunately missing previous scrutiny meetings.

“I absolutely appreciate the role that scrutiny plays in decision making, and unlike the Labour group, do not see it as purely an opportunity for political point scoring.”

Coun Widdowson, who said she will attend the next meeting, added that she had made it clear that “over time” York Central will become net zero.

Reduced car dominance, active travel, enhanced public transport, green open spaces and energy efficient buildings will play their part, Coun Widdowson added.

Tracey Carter, director of economy, regeneration and housing took questions in Coun Widdowson’s absence during the meeting.

She said: “I’ve now upped the ante in the ask of the landowners to say to them once again ‘what are we doing about zero carbon on York Central?’

“It’s not a given yet, it’s not landed, but there is still significant room for influence.”

I have offered my apologies and reasons to the chair... Lib Dem Coun Paula Widdowson replies to accusations she has dodged meetings.