Sad isn't it, we pay them our money, miss a council tax payment and you'll have a letter threatening court action, but at the same time they treat us like dirt, and do what they like when they like. Shocking, but well done to Janet though.
Calls have been made by Janet Finch-Saunders MS for Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader of the Council, Conwy County Borough Council, to issue an urgent statement explaining how and when the £620,000 spend on a new 3G pitch at Parc Eirias received approval from the Council.
During a special Local Authority meeting called to discuss the Welsh Conservative motion that the Leader of the Council requests the Wales Audit Office to review the decision making processes behind the work to install the new 3G pitch at Parc Eirias, Councillor Ifor Lloyd, Chair of the Council, referred the subject matter without discussion to a committee for consideration.
According to s15(4) of the Constitution, the Council must ‘determine’ to refer the subject matter, and the Chair “may, if he considers it convenient and conducive to the despatch of business, allow the motion to be dealt with at the meeting at which it is brought forward.”
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament, was present at the special meeting, where she witnessed first-hand the Chair of the Council refer the matter without ensuring that the Council had determined that such action was appropriate. No vote took place.
Speaking after attending the meeting, Janet said:
“Capital expenditure costing more than £500,000 is required approval by the Council members.
“It is extremely concerning that the Local Authority has spent £620,000 of taxpayers’ money, potentially, without going through the proper democratic processes at the time.
“Whilst an investigation into the serious allegation is required by the Auditor General for Wales, I was shocked to see the Chair of the Council stifle democracy by referring the motion to another committee, without holding a democratic vote, and despite the fact that the full Council had no other business to discuss.
“Because the Chair rather than the Council members determined to refer the matter to another meeting, I will be seeking clarity from the legal monitoring officer as to how this decision was allowed.
“I am also referring the whole situation, including the handling of the special meeting, to the Auditor General for Wales, Mr Adrian Crompton.
“In the meantime, rather than making residents wait through the summer for answers, I urge Cllr Charlie McCoubrey to issue an urgent statement clarifying how the spend was in line with the rules.
“The more the Local Authority delays, the more people are questioning whether there has been a lack of due diligence. I applaud Cllr Cheryl Carlisle, Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group for championing democracy and transparency”.
McCoubrey needs to be sacked
ReplyDeleteWell done to Ms Saunders MS, she does really try for the area, which is far more than can be said for McCoubrey
ReplyDelete