Greenock Telegraph | News | Roach under fire over debate ban

Friday, 21st November, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 2nd April, 2002 10:30

Roach under fire over debate ban

PROVOST David Roach's refusal to allow debate on a controversial resignation is "disturbing", it was claimed today by opposition Liberal Democrats.

Lib Dem councillor Alan Blair said his group is "very concerned about the way Inverclyde Council is operating at its top level".

Councillor Blair said: "Anyone can decline to answer a question. What is novel, however, is for the Provost not to allow the questions to be put!"

He said information services director Dr Maria Russell's resignation is a matter of public interest, adding that he does not enjoy being asked by the public such questions as "is there something funny going on in the council?"

The councillor said: "Councillors should be able to rely on information freely provided, albeit on a confidential basis, and not have to rely on rumours and anecdote."

Provost Roach said today that he consulted four senior council officers before reaching his decision to ban debate.

He said: "The matters were outwith the competence of the full council meeting. A distinction has to be drawn between policy and certain operational matters, and there are limitations placed upon councillors. The staff have rights as well, and I will protect those rights."

He said he was satisfied there were appropriate checks and safeguards in place and added that he has asked chief executive Robert Cleary to hold a seminar for councillors to clarify such issues.

Questions the Provost refused to allow. . .

1. Are you able to confirm that Chief Management Team meetings have been discontinued, and can you inform us when the last of such group meetings took place?

2. As Council Members have not as yet received any Report with regard to Chief Officers' meetings, can you report what model or structure is to replace the pre-existing arrangements?

3. Will the Council (presumably through the Policy & Strategy Committee) be given the opportunity of assessing the merits or otherwise of whatever changes have taken place in the method of working of the Chief Officers?

4. Are Members either today or in the near future to be informed of the substance of the complaint which is understood to have been made by Dr Maria Russell with regard to the actings of the Chief Executive and two senior Labour Councillors?

5. Are the circumstances surrounding the recent departure of Dr Russell from the council’s employment to be made known to Council Members, albeit on a confidential basis, or do you take the view that Members' information should be derived from rumour and anecdote?

6. Will you inform Members of the financial settlement made to Dr Russell in the light of her departure?

7. In view of the extensive responsibilities which Dr Russell had within the Council, could you inform us what steps are being taken to ensure that these functions are effectively carried out from now on?

8. Will you give us an assurance or otherwise that there has been no significant mis-investment within Information Technology in recent years?

9. Do you share our concern that public esteem for Inverclyde Council is at a low ebb and that steps should now be taken to restore public confidence?

10. We take the view the Council’s workforce is of a very high standard, and shows considerable commitment. It follows that if our concern about the Council’s reputation is justified, then responsibility for this lies primarily with the leadership of the Council. In those circumstances, do you agree that steps be taken to improve the morale of the Council’s staff?

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