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This afternoon the SNP-led Administration forced its Budget through by hiding behind standing orders. Real people in Dundee will suffer as a result of this budget and the Administration showed contempt for the council. My colleague Bailie George Regan attempted to move an amendment which would have provided funding for DEAP (Dundee Employment and Aftercare Programme), he had asked for assistance in framing the amendment from the council's legal officers. Yet the chair of the meeting Bailie Willie Sawers ruled the amendment out of order, Bailie Sawers was then completely unable to explain his decision. This disgraceful decision demonstrated a lack of openness and transparency.
My colleague Councillor Kevin Keenan made the comments below:
"The scenes in the City Chambers today were shameful and reflect very poorly on the SNP Administration.
Political parties in the City have a duty to put petty party politics behind them and work together in the best interests of the City. Bailie Sawers ruled Bailie Regan's amendment out of order and was then incapable of providing any valid reasons for doing so. The amendment had been scrutinised by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and she was satisfied, prior to the meeting, that it was competent. I am seeking a meeting with the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to clarify what went on and seek an amicable and effective way forward in the best interests of the City. I will also be asking her about redress elsewhere such as the Standards Commission and Audit Scotland.
I am appalled at the treatment which we were subjected to this afternoon. The handling of the meeting will damage the reputation of the Council. Bailie Regan's motion was attempting to restore funding to DEAP, the events today are an injustice to the workers at DEAP and their families and an injustice to the clients of DEAP who are looking for support to gain employment at this difficult time.
Debate is being stifled in the City Chambers, no wonder Councillor Roberts recently said that there was no point in saying anything in the Chambers. There is a need for openness and transparency which was sadly lacking today.
I am a politician and I can take the rough and tumble of political debate but today I really feel for the people associated with DEAP who saw their funding and their jobs disappear by means of political sleight of hand rather than in an open manner. These are real people with real problems who now face an uncertain future thanks to Bailie Sawers. The SNP Group Leader has said that jobs are his priority, today's meeting demonstrated that this was not the case."
My colleague Councillor Kevin Keenan made the comments below:
"The scenes in the City Chambers today were shameful and reflect very poorly on the SNP Administration.
Political parties in the City have a duty to put petty party politics behind them and work together in the best interests of the City. Bailie Sawers ruled Bailie Regan's amendment out of order and was then incapable of providing any valid reasons for doing so. The amendment had been scrutinised by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and she was satisfied, prior to the meeting, that it was competent. I am seeking a meeting with the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to clarify what went on and seek an amicable and effective way forward in the best interests of the City. I will also be asking her about redress elsewhere such as the Standards Commission and Audit Scotland.
I am appalled at the treatment which we were subjected to this afternoon. The handling of the meeting will damage the reputation of the Council. Bailie Regan's motion was attempting to restore funding to DEAP, the events today are an injustice to the workers at DEAP and their families and an injustice to the clients of DEAP who are looking for support to gain employment at this difficult time.
Debate is being stifled in the City Chambers, no wonder Councillor Roberts recently said that there was no point in saying anything in the Chambers. There is a need for openness and transparency which was sadly lacking today.
I am a politician and I can take the rough and tumble of political debate but today I really feel for the people associated with DEAP who saw their funding and their jobs disappear by means of political sleight of hand rather than in an open manner. These are real people with real problems who now face an uncertain future thanks to Bailie Sawers. The SNP Group Leader has said that jobs are his priority, today's meeting demonstrated that this was not the case."
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