Community councils bare their teeth

Jul 10 2009 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – I am sure that I share the view of the silent majority throughout Highland Perthshire and further afield in supporting the recent submission of ‘no confidence’ in the chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council.

I know from attending meetings of several of the community councils involved, including in the past Aberfeldy and from my current community council involvement elsewhere in Perthshire, that P&K's arrogant disregard for the voluntary, unpaid work of community council members is a diabolic snub which demands no less than that somebody be held to account.

The system of alleged consultation by P&K is, at best, shambolic and well-nigh non-existent in practice.

Unfortunately, a mere vote of ‘no confidence’ in the manner executed can have no practical effect upon the incumbent chief executive's position and is merely symbolic.

Any alleged breach of the council's duties (including the duty to invite consultation under Section 15 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003) needs to be addressed by Scottish Ministers as the appropriate higher authority.

At the risk of repeating that to which I have alluded many times before, ANY member of ANY community has the right to approach that higher authority directly and it DOES work (Aberfeldy street alcohol ban brought about by petition to Scottish Parliament).

Nevertheless, it is refreshing to see community councils baring their teeth at long last. Let us hope that a momentum of demand for accountability will now prevail with all of the community councils under P&K's jurisdiction shouting loud in unison.

Without detriment to the serious nature of the situation, I cannot help but observe that proofreading of the foregoing ("diaBOLIC", "shamBOLIC" and "symBOLIC") will no doubt draw the humerous observation that I seem to be talking a lot of ... BOLICS!! Just thought I'd get the pre-emptive strike in!!

Ron Duncan-Rose,

Received via website,

www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk