Moves to stop private meetings at Highland Council
OPPOSITION councillors have condemned an apparent trend of holding private “members’ briefings” on significant Highland Council topics.
In the run-up to such a closed meeting next month about investment in new Inverness schools, two councillors have criticised the growing practice of holding discussions behind closed doors on a wide range of issues.
The frustration surfaced at an education committee meeting where the independent-led administration was reminded that multimillion-pound capital spending would affect the council’s entire £500 million annual budget and, therefore, impact all wards.
The briefing is aimed at Inverness city committee members, with no public or media attendance.
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Graham MacKenzie, a former school rector, told committee colleagues meeting in Inverness: “Forgive me, but I get a bit jumpy when I hear about private briefings for Inverness members in terms of capital projects and school builds in Inverness.
“Why is this information not to be made available to all of us because, quite clearly, whatever happens in Inverness will have implications for the rest of us.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson indicated that Cllr MacKenzie would be welcome to attend.
Other big-money projects handled at private briefings have included a proposed waste disposal operation and public spending on controversial arts projects on the riverside in Inverness.
Inverness South non-aligned councillor Ken Gowans said: “There are 26 members of the city committee that are invited to this but there are 74 members of this council whose areas this will also affect.
“You could say the vast majority of councillors are being denied any input into the debate.”
He acknowledged that one area of such debate can be matters that are commercially confidential. But Cllr Gowans added: “Inverness schools are one of the biggest budget pressures we’re going to face. The last estimated cost to resolve the issue would be something like £200 million.
“That would affect every single service within this council – not just Inverness. But they’ve been restricted to Inverness members.
“I cannot fathom why such important issues as Inverness schools, and the implications that has for the resources of Highland Council, are not being brought forward in an open, transparent way in the chamber so they can be discussed.
“That way, we could reassure communities that this matter is being addressed.”
Ross and Cromarty area committee chairwoman Fiona Robertson, an independent councillor, did not join the chorus but, speaking after the committee meeting, said: “When it comes to the allocation of the grant, then all councillors need to be involved at a much earlier stage.”
