We’ve already posted an article this week on the criticism that the Nairn Common Good monitoring statement received on Tuesday at the N,B&S area committee meeting in Kinguissie. There was a call for the committee to seek “independent legal opinion on to any legal wriggle room “ on some of the Common Good leases.
Gurnites may also remember an article from June this year when Liz expressed her frustration with certain Common Good issues - Article here: “.And it was all stitched up in District Council days and it is very disheartening.”
At the end of the discussion on the Common Good on Tuesday Liz reflected on the best way forward. Since then she tells the Gurn that she has sought the advice of the the Council’s Director of Legal Services on any options and the outcomes with regard to the leases. She told us that Independent Legal Advice would cost around £120 per hour and wouldn't be in the remit of the area committee anyway although they can make recommendations that could be followed up. Despite the present limits of the area committees Liz remains confident that they will eventually achieve a lot and says she is very happy that they have been created.
@anon You say " to try and take legal action to get out of the lease is reprehensible to say the least."
ReplyDeleteFair comment but as for the rest of it, would need to know a bit more info before publishing.
The only wriggle I can see is our councillor's squirming when this was exposed by their colleagues from other areas at the area meeting
ReplyDeleteThis information about the Common Good is not new but to date very little if anything has been done about it apart from to blame other people, but then is that not the culture of politics?
What's wrong with our Councillors that they can't ask straight questions of the officials responsible for managing the Common Good, and get straight answers? That's what the Select Committeees of MPs at Westminster do: they call and cross-question those responsible. It works.
ReplyDeleteBlaming the accountants for the figures, or seeking expensive legal advice on matters of current policy, are unnecessary ways of evading the task which the Area Committee should itself be taking on: that of scrutinising and examining the decisions made in their name by Council officials.
The Chairperson needs to get a grip and stop looking for ways to avoid addressing the core problem.