Council chief executive to face grilling at inquiry
speakers revealed to face accounts commission
Published:
Under fire Aberdeen City Council chief executive Douglas Paterson will face a public grilling at next week’s landmark hearing into the running of the local authority.
The Accounts Commission yesterday announced the list of people to be questioned at its public inquiry on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr Paterson will take his turn in the hot seat along with finance director Gordon Edwards, council leader Kate Dean, and deputy leader Kevin Stewart.
Former council leader and current opposition Labour group leader Len Ironside has also been asked to speak, along with Conservative group leader Alan Milne.
Many of the other speakers, including Paul Hannan from homeless charity the Cyrenians, and regional representatives from six trade unions, have been outspoken in their criticism of the council, particularly for its cuts of £27million in the budget.
There has been a question mark over Mr Paterson’s future since Audit Scotland reported on six controversial property transactions between 2001 and 2007, finding more than £5m had effectively been lost by selling assets below market value.
The Press and Journal has obtained a copy of the chief executive’s submission to the hearing. He concludes: “We recognised from the outset the scale of the task of turning around Aberdeen City Council and the fact that it was not going to be easy or quick.
“Over the past two years significant progress has been made in a number of the areas which are key to unlocking the rate of progress required.”
One notable absentee from the speakers is councillor Neil Fletcher, convener of resources management between 2003 and 2007, the committee responsible for finance and property.
He asked to be heard, but was denied.
“What I think needs to come out of the hearing next week is an endorsement of the changes to the council’s structure and the vision of the council,” he said. “The sad thing is that the people who take succour out of the hearing are the people trying to block change.”
Meanwhile, a hearing was held yesterday in the Court of Session into a disabled man’s legal action against Aberdeen City Council’s budget cuts.
Wheelchair-bound Kevin McCahery has applied for an interim interdict to prevent the closure of Choices day centre for disabled people in Westburn Road.
The case was continued until Friday when both sides will present their arguments.
Readers' Comments
Can anyone tell me if this is true or not. I was told from a fat Taxi driver in one of our pubs, that there use to be an account drawn up with the old E&M store and the council. This account was used to supply clothing and such like to our Lord Provist, when he and she went on trips. He told me of one occasion when a then Labour Lady Provist took full advantage of this ,and not only togged her self out, but also her close lady friend. Does an account like this still exist? and where does the Money come from??.
grame tran
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I'm not sure the P&J will have it available, but I clearly remember they reported the issue and the subsequent scandal.
Vincent Mc Dee
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