Aberdeenshire Council leaders have refused to overturn a decision to keep details of the negotiations over the multi-million City Region Deal confidential.
Fraserburgh councillor Ian Tait caused a storm when he demanded that the information was released to councillors during the recent annual budget debate, as it had been to his Aberdeen City counterparts.
The independent councillor, who feared Aberdeenshire projects would be at a disadvantage for funding, was told by local authority bosses that city councillors had been given the documents accidentally.
But when Aberdeen City Council later revealed the details were distributed deliberately and legally, Mr Tait said a vote to keep the documents private should be overturned.
However, Aberdeenshire’s civic head, Provost Hamish Vernal, has announced the 61-2 vote by councillors in favour of the documents remaining confidential will stand.
In a letter to Mr Tait which was circulated to all councillors and seen by the Press and Journal, Mr Vernal wrote: “I have noted your concerns, but have reassured myself there are no fundamental constitutional issues of validity arising here.”
Mr Vernal stated he has taken advice from the council’s chief legal officer, Karen Wiles, and confirmed the vote remains “the settled decision of the council.”
He added: “There is no question the information provided by the Chief Executive or any other officer for that matter invalidates in any way the decision making.”
Mr Vernal said: “I am treating this matter as concluded.”